Abstract: An image output apparatus for controlling an output image stably. The image output apparatus comprises a database for storing data giving a relation between manipulated variables and a controlled variable for a reference pattern. The apparatus estimates sets of values of the manipulated variables used when outputting an image of the reference pattern, by using the data on the database to obtain values of the manipulated variables from a desired value for the reference pattern. By means of detected values for a plurality of images of the reference pattern outputted according to the estimated values of the manipulated variables, set values of the manipulated variables for the desired value is calculated.

Abstract: The developing apparatus of the present invention includes a developer holding member for supplying a developer including a toner and a carrier onto the surface of an electrostatic latent image holding member; first developer transporter for transporting the developer in a first direction, the first developer transporter being disposed in a first developer transport path; second developer transporter for transporting the developer in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction and supplying the developer to the developer holding member, the second developer transporter being disposed in a second developer transport path; a magnet roller for drawing up the developer that has been transported through the second developer transport path into the first developer transport path; and an inclined surface that is disposed in contact with or close to the surface of the magnet roller and that is inclined such that the height thereof decreases along the first direction, wherein the developer that is held

Abstract: A light scanner includes a semiconductor laser, a polygon mirror, a first imaging optical system for guiding a light beam from the laser to the deflection surface of the polygon mirror, a second imaging optical system of a single curved mirror for guiding the light beam from the polygon mirror to a photosensitive drum, and a photodiode for detecting the light beam scanned by the polygon mirror. The first imaging optical system, the polygon mirror, and the second imaging optical system are located at different positions in the sub-scanning direction so that the light beam from the first imaging optical system enters the deflection surface obliquely, and the light beam from the polygon mirror enters the curved mirror obliquely.

Abstract: An optical scan apparatus includes an optical deflection unit (4), an image formation optical system (3), and curved surface mirrors (7a to b 7d). Light fluxes from the image formation optical system (3) come onto the deflection surface (4a) of die optical deflection unit (4) in an oblique direction. Light fluxes from the optical deflection unit (4) come onto the curved surface mirrors (7a to 7d) in an oblique direction. When a boundary is a plane (6) including a normal at the center of the deflection surface (4a) and parallel to the main scan direction, the curved surface mirrors (7a to 7d) are arranged in the same space divided by the boundary and the scan speeds of fluxes scanning the surfaces to be scanned (8a to 8d) are almost identical. Thus, it is possible to obtain identical drive frequencies of the light sources (1a to 1d), thereby simplifying the circuit.

Abstract: An image reading device comprising a rotary polygon mirror (6) for scanning a light flux from a light source (1), an imaging optical system (4) for forming in a reflection plane of the mirror (6) a linear image larger than the width in a main scanning direction of the one reflection plane, and a curved-face mirror (7), wherein the light source (1) , the imaging optical system (4), the rotary polygon mirror (6) and the curved-face mirror (7) are disposed in different positions in a sub-scanning direction, a light flux from the imaging optical system (4) shines obliquely onto the polygon mirror (6), and a light flux reflected off the mirror (6) beams obliquely onto the curved-face mirror (7). Since one curved-face mirror can beam a light flux reflected from the rotary polygon mirror onto a surface to be scanned and the rotary polygon mirror having a small inscribed radius and many reflection planes can be used, satisfactory optical performance and high-speed feature can be realized.

Abstract: A light scanner includes a semiconductor laser, a polygon mirror, a first imaging optical system for guiding a light beam from the semiconductor laser to the deflection surface of the polygon mirror, a second imaging optical system of a single curved mirror for guiding the light beam from the polygon mirror to a photosensitive drum, and a photodiode for detecting the light beam scanned by the polygon mirror. The first imaging optical system, the polygon mirror, and the second imaging optical system are located at different positions in the sub-scanning direction so that the light beam from the first imaging optical system enters obliquely with respect to a plane containing the normal to the deflection surface of the polygon mirror and being parallel to the main scanning direction, and the light beam from the polygon mirror enters obliquely with respect to a plane containing the normal to the curved mirror at its vertex and being parallel to the main scanning direction (i.e., a Y-Z plane).