Abstract: A light beam scanner unit includes a light beam generating unit for generating light beams at a fixed power, a polygon mirror for reflecting light beams generated from the light beam generating means toward a surface to be scanned, thereby scanning it, and a light beam power sensing unit for sensing light beam power for scanning a surface to be scanned with the polygon mirror. This light beam scanner unit further has a mirror contamination sensing unit for sensing contamination of the polygon mirror by comparing a sensing result obtained from the light beam power sensing unit when light beams are emitted by the light beam generating unit with a preset reference value.

Abstract: An optical scanning system for a printer includes an optical scanning unit having a deflector divided into a plurality of deflection regions to allow repetitive scanning of light emitted from a light source by rotation, the optical scanning unit for scanning light onto a photosensitive belt traveling around a plurality of rollers; a first photodetector installed at a position separated from the edge of the photosensitive belt, to be able to receivable light scanned beyond the edge of the photosensitive belt; a second photodetector installed a predetermined distance apart from the first photodetector, to be able to receive light scanned just beyond the edge of the photosensitive belt until the light hits the edge of the photosensitive belt; a scanning reference position signal generator for generating a scanning reference position signal at a point in time at which a signal output from the first photodetector in response to the reception of light, and a signal output from the second photodetector in response t

Abstract: An exposure apparatus comprising an energy source which outputs a pulse exposure beam, a detector which detects energy of the exposure beam output from the energy source for every pulse, and a controller which controls energy of a pulse to be output next based on the energy of a pulse output prior to a latest output pulse detected by the detector.

Abstract: In an optical printer which performs image recording by using plural laser beams, there is a case where abnormality can not be normally confirmed even if a test pattern is recorded. In order to prevent such a problem, an electrophotographic apparatus is provided to drive each of the plural laser beams according to inputted image data, and to perform scanning on scan paths mutually different on an identical recording medium with the plural laser beams. In this apparatus, any one of the plural laser beams is driven within a predetermined area to record the test pattern.

Abstract: Even when a surface temperature of an illumination optical system becomes high, detection accuracy of a reticle alignment detection system is not negatively affected. An illumination optical system irradiates an illumination light to a mask and exposes a substrate with the illumination light through the mask. A gas supply device supplies gas, which has been cleaned, to a case in which is disposed at least part of an illumination optical system. A temperature adjusting device adjusts the temperature of the case and the temperature in the vicinity of the case.

Abstract: A high-quality image is formed by using light emission element arrays of plural lines. The plural light emission element arrays are arranged substantially in parallel, an area of a light emission part of each array being different from others, respective light emission elements in the light emission element arrays are caused to selectively perform light emission according to gradation data, and the respective light emission element arrays overlappingly perform exposure on a relatively moved photosensitive body.

Abstract: It is an object to identify a failed portion in a circuit for image processing and notify a service center of the failed portion, thereby enabling the failed circuit to be promptly replaced. Circuit portions of image processing units are constructed on separate substrates. As processing routes of an image signal which is inputted from an A/D converting unit, a route in which the image signal passes through a given circuit portion and a route in which the image signal doesn't pass therethrough are set. Data of a predetermined pattern is processed by those processing routes. The presence or absence of a failure of each circuit portion is discriminated from the processing results. The discrimination result is transmitted to an external apparatus installed in a service center.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with a photosensitive drum on whose surface a toner image is formed, and image formation is carried out by transferring the toner image onto a transfer material such as paper or OHP sheet which is caused to electrostatically adhere to a surface of a transfer drum while being guided to the photosensitive drum. Alternatively, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum may be once transferred onto an intermediate transfer drum, then transferred from the intermediate transfer drum onto the transfer material. In the image forming apparatus, a light projecting device for projecting light onto the photosensitive drum is provided on an upstream side to a toner image transfer position and on a downstream side to a development position on the photosensitive drum. Execution and suspension of the light projecting operation of the light projecting device is controlled depending on a toner type.

Abstract: An image scanner arrangement having a scanner, a document feeder scanning portion and a flat scanning bed. A single white plate is provided between the document feeder scanning portion and flat bed. Before scanning, the scanner scans the white plate to provide image data for testing. If this image data contains white pixels not less than 90%, a controller determines that a lamp of a light source of the scanner illuminates appropriately. After confirming that the light source is in a good condition, the scanning starts. The single white plate is utilized regardless of scanning being performed with the document feeder scanning portion or the flat scanning bed.

Abstract: A method to provide a highly intelligent, automated diagnostic system that identifies the need to replace specific parts to minimize machine downtime rather than require extensive service troubleshooting. In particular, a systematic, logical test analysis scheme to assess machine operation from a simple sensor system and to be able to pinpoint parts and components needing replacement is provided by a series of first level of tests by the control to monitor components for receiving a first level of data and by a series of second level of tests by the control to monitor components for receiving a second level of data. Each of the first level tests and first level data is capable of identifying a first level of part failure independent of any other test. Each of the second level tests and second level data is a combination of first level tests and first level data or a combination of a first level test and first level data and a second level test and second level data.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes one or more sliders which carry optical parts and can linearly reciprocate in a predetermined direction. The apparatus optically scans and thereby reads an image on an original document located at a predetermined position. The image reading apparatus includes a magnetic encoder for detecting positions of the sliders.

Abstract: A toner image having two or more levels of toner density is transferred to a receiving surface more efficiently by erasing voltage associated with the higher density portions of the image member to a different extent than voltage is erased in the lower density portions of the image member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier on which a static latent image is formed, a main charger to charge the image carrier, an operating portion to direct the output adjustment of the main charger, and a developing device to develop a static latent image by applying developer to it. Further, an image forming apparatus has a charge eliminator arranged between the main charger and the developing device along the rotating direction of the image carrier to fully remove the charge applied to the image carrier through the exposure when the output adjustment of the main charger is directed by the operating portion, and also has a detector to detect the current flowing into the image carrier when the image carrier is charged by the main charger after the output adjustment of the main charger is directed.

Abstract: An exposing apparatus having exposing function for irradiating light and scanning an original, function for detecting a reflected light from the original, function for setting the exposing function so as to repeat a plural times of the exposing/scanning same one of the original, function for calculating out a amount of the reflected light every one of the plural times of exposing/scanning when the setting function sets the plural times of exposing/scanning, and function for determining a malfunction of the exposing function by means of referring of the amount.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a rotationally driven image carrier; a position signal output device for outputting a position signal indicating that the image carrier is at a predetermined rotational position; a scanning device for scanning a photosensitive drum with a light beam which is modulated in accordance with the image signal; a beam detection signal generating device for generating a beam detection signal upon detection of the light beam at a predetermined position, so as to regulate the timing of the light beam modulation by the image signal for each line of scan; an image transferring/superposing device for successively transferring and superposing on the image carrier a plurality of color image components which are successively formed on the photosensitive drum based on the image signals which are input in response to the position signals for formation of respective color image components; a measuring device for measuring the time difference between the position signal and the detection sig

Abstract: This invention has as its object to reduce the apparatus scale by simplifying the arrangement of an image reading apparatus for radiating light including both visible and non-visible components, and detecting light obtained from a predetermined image, and provides an image reading apparatus which has illumination means for simultaneously radiating both light including a visible component and light including a non-visible component, and detection means for detecting light obtained from a predetermined image in accordance with the light radiated from the illumination means, including filter means which can be switched in accordance with whether the visible or non-visible component is radiated from the illumination means onto the predetermined image, and control means for controlling a switching operation of the filter means.