Abstract: In a multi-beam scanning optical system, when at least three light fluxes emitted from a light source having at least three light-emitting points are deflected and reflected on a deflection unit and guided to a surface to be scanned by a scanning optical unit, at least three light fluxes are entered into a deflection surface of the deflection unit at irregular angles within a main-scanning section and entered into the surface to be scanned at an angle within a sub-scanning section, and provided that a variation in lengths of scanning lines which is caused when each of the at least three light fluxes is entered into the surface to be scanned at an angle within the sub-scanning section is represented as ?Y1, a variation in lengths of scanning lines which is caused when each of the at least three light fluxes is allowed to enter as a non-parallel light flux to the deflection surface within the main-scanning section is represented as ?Y2, and a variation in lengths of scanning lines which is caused from a differe

Abstract: In an image processing device, image data is divided into a plurality of band data including first and second band data. The first band data and the second band data have an overlap region, from which the first and second regions are extracted, respectively. The first region and the second region at least partially overlap with each other in the overlap region and have attributes different from each other, and the respective feature amounts are calculated. Based on these feature amounts, an attribute to be used for correction is decided. Then, an attribute different from the decided attribute between the attribute of the first region and the attribute of the second region is changed to the decided attribute.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus receives and binarizes image data in accordance with first and second algorithms to output first and second binarized data which are in turn compared and in accordance with a result of the comparison a region to be corrected is determined in the first binarized data. The region to be corrected then has a value of a pixel binarized in accordance with a third algorithm and replaced with the binarized value.

Abstract: A light scanning apparatus capable of printing with a high quality and an image forming apparatus using the same are obtained. The light scanning apparatus is provided with an incidence optical system for guiding a light beam emitted from a light source part to a deflection part; an imaging optical system provided with a diffracting surface having a power at least in a sub-scanning section that guides the light beam deflected by the deflection part on a surface to be scanned; and a surface inclination correction function, in which a principal ray of the light beam is always positioned outside of a main scanning section during scanning. In the light scanning apparatus, each element is set so as to satisfy each conditional expression.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus processing digitized image data taken by a digital camera, or the like, an image focused on an image pickup device is divided into a plurality of rectangular regions. A value of the lightness with respect to each rectangular region and a distribution of the color saturation are calculated by using image data. The scene of the image is judged whether it is backlighted or not by using a number of the rectangular regions having the value of the lightness equal to or larger than a threshold value. When the scene is judged as the backlight scene, it is further judged whether it is actually backlighted or not by using the distribution of the color saturation.

Abstract: A multi-beam scanning optical apparatus includes an incident optical system for making a plurality of light beams emitted from light source means having a plurality of light emitting portions incident on a deflector, and a scanning optical system for forming images of the plurality of light beams deflected by the deflector on a surface to be scanned. The scanning optical system has at least one scanning optical element made of a resin. The scanning optical element made of the resin has birefringence due to a stress distribution generated upon cooling in a molding process thereof such that the directions of principal axes of birefringence at one end portion of the scanning optical element are different from those at the other end portion, opposite to the one end portion with respect to an optical axis thereof in a main scanning direction, of the scanning optical element.

Abstract: Characteristics of a plurality of skin types have been classified, and skin areas are detected from image data according to the classification. The skin areas are extracted in two steps, first coarsely and next finely. Then, skin areas can be extracted at high speed. For each of the skin areas image data are corrected according to the characteristics of the skin area. Then, skin areas are corrected according to the skin type. Even when an image includes a plurality of persons having different skin characteristics, correction appropriate for each skin type is possible.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-beam scanning optical system, which can reduce relative deviation of a writing position of each light-emitting portion due to focus deviation of a synchronization detection optical device, and an image forming apparatus using the same. In the multi-beam scanning optical system having the synchronization detection optical device including a light source device, an incident optical device, a deflection device, a scanning optical device and a slit, each element is set such that relative deviation of a writing position of each light beam due to deviation of a focus position within a main scanning cross section is reduced by a first light beam limiting element provided between the deflection device and the slit and a conditional expression is satisfied.

Abstract: A multi-beam scan optical system and an image forming apparatus using the same are provided in which high-quality printing can be realized at high speed with a relatively simple construction.

Abstract: Provided are a multi-beam scanning optical system capable of implementing high-quality printing in relatively simple structure and at high speed, and an image forming apparatus using it. The multi-beam scanning optical system has an incidence optical unit for guiding a plurality of beams emitted from a light source unit having a plurality of light-emitting regions spaced apart from each other in a main scanning direction, to a deflector; a scanning optical unit for focusing the plurality of beams deflected by the deflector, on a surface to be scanned; and a synchronism-detecting optical unit for converging part of the plurality of beams deflected by the deflector, via a return mirror on a slit surface by a lens section, thereafter guiding the beams to a synchronism detector, and controlling timing of a scan start position on the surface to be scanned, by use of a signal from the synchronism detector.

Abstract: A personal computer is operable to sectionalize a document image to form a plurality of image areas each having an attribute associated with a compression mode. Then, it is determined whether the image areas overlap with one another to form an overlap area. When the overlap area is formed, the overlap area is separated from the engaged image areas. If one of the engaged image areas is included within the remaining image areas, an attribute for the overlap area is set up according to the inclusive relationship of the engaged image areas. If there is not such an inclusive relationship, the attribute in the overlap area is set up according to the occupancy rate of the overlap area to each of the engaged image areas, and weighting coefficients of the respective attributes of the engaged image areas.

Abstract: In a multi-beam scanning optical system, when at least three light fluxes emitted from a light source having at least three light-emitting points are deflected and reflected on a deflection unit and guided to a surface to be scanned by a scanning optical unit, at least three light fluxes are entered into a deflection surface of the deflection unit at irregular angles within a main-scanning section and entered into the surface to be scanned at an angle within a sub-scanning section, and provided that a variation in lengths of scanning lines which is caused when each of the at least three light fluxes is entered into the surface to be scanned at an angle within the sub-scanning section is represented as &Dgr;Y1, a variation in lengths of scanning lines which is caused when each of the at least three light fluxes is allowed to enter as a non-parallel light flux to the deflection surface within the main-scanning section is represented as &Dgr;Y2, and a variation in lengths of scanning lines which is caused from a

Abstract: Provided are a multi-beam scanning optical system capable of implementing high-quality printing in relatively simple structure and at high speed, and an image forming apparatus using it. The multi-beam scanning optical system has an incidence optical unit for guiding a plurality of beams emitted from a light source unit having a plurality of light-emitting regions spaced apart from each other in a main scanning direction, to a deflector; a scanning optical unit for focusing the plurality of beams deflected by the deflector, on a surface to be scanned; and a synchronism-detecting optical unit for converging part of the plurality of beams deflected by the deflector, via a return mirror on a slit surface by a lens section, thereafter guiding the beams to a synchronism detector, and controlling timing of a scan start position on the surface to be scanned, by use of a signal from the synchronism detector.

Abstract: Provided are a multi-beam scanning optical system capable of implementing high-quality printing in relatively simple structure and at high speed, and an image forming apparatus using it. The multi-beam scanning optical system has an incidence optical unit for guiding a plurality of beams emitted from a light source unit having a plurality of light-emitting regions spaced apart from each other in a main scanning direction, to a deflector; a scanning optical unit for focusing the plurality of beams deflected by the deflector, on a surface to be scanned; and a synchronism-detecting optical unit for converging part of the plurality of beams deflected by the deflector, via a return mirror on a slit surface by a lens section, thereafter guiding the beams to a synchronism detector, and controlling timing of a scan start position on the surface to be scanned, by use of a signal from the synchronism detector.

Abstract: Provided are a multi-beam scanning optical system capable of implementing high-quality printing in relatively simple structure and at high speed, and an image forming apparatus using it. The multi-beam scanning optical system has an incidence optical unit for guiding a plurality of beams emitted from a light source unit having a plurality of light-emitting regions spaced apart from each other in a main scanning direction, to a deflector; a scanning optical unit for focusing the plurality of beams deflected by the deflector, on a surface to be scanned; and a synchronism-detecting optical unit for converging part of the plurality of beams deflected by the deflector, via a return mirror on a slit surface by a lens section, thereafter guiding the beams to a synchronism detector, and controlling timing of a scan start position on the surface to be scanned, by use of a signal from the synchronism detector.

Abstract: Provided are a multi-beam scanning optical system capable of implementing high-quality printing in relatively simple structure and at high speed, and an image forming apparatus using it. The multi-beam scanning optical system has an incidence optical unit for guiding a plurality of beams emitted from a light source unit having a plurality of light-emitting regions spaced apart from each other in a main scanning direction, to a deflector; a scanning optical unit for focusing the plurality of beams deflected by the deflector, on a surface to be scanned; and a synchronism-detecting optical unit for converging part of the plurality of beams deflected by the deflector, via a return mirror on a slit surface by a lens section, thereafter guiding the beams to a synchronism detector, and controlling timing of a scan start position on the surface to be scanned, by use of a signal from the synchronism detector.

Abstract: Provided are a multi-beam scanning optical system capable of implementing high-quality printing in relatively simple structure and at high speed, and an image forming apparatus using it. The multi-beam scanning optical system has an incidence optical unit for guiding a plurality of beams emitted from a light source unit having a plurality of light-emitting regions spaced apart from each other in a main scanning direction, to a deflector; a scanning optical unit for focusing the plurality of beams deflected by the deflector, on a surface to be scanned; and a synchronism-detecting optical unit for converging part of the plurality of beams deflected by the deflector, via a return mirror on a slit surface by a lens section, thereafter guiding the beams to a synchronism detector, and controlling timing of a scan start position on the surface to be scanned, by use of a signal from the synchronism detector.

Abstract: Provided are a multi-beam scanning optical system capable of implementing high-quality printing in relatively simple structure and at high speed, and an image forming apparatus using it. The multi-beam scanning optical system has an incidence optical unit for guiding a plurality of beams emitted from a light source unit having a plurality of light-emitting regions spaced apart from each other in a main scanning direction, to a deflector; a scanning optical unit for focusing the plurality of beams deflected by the deflector, on a surface to be scanned; and a synchronism-detecting optical unit for converging part of the plurality of beams deflected by the deflector, via a return mirror on a slit surface by a lens section, thereafter guiding the beams to a synchronism detector, and controlling timing of a scan start position on the surface to be scanned, by use of a signal from the synchronism detector.

Abstract: A scanning optical system less subject to the effect of decentering of an optical element and having improved optical performance on a scanning surface is provided. The ratio of Ra and Rs satisfies the condition of 0.8<Ra/Rs<1.2 over a full effective scanning area, where Ra represents a radius of curvature in a sub scan sectional plane of a rotationally asymmetrical, anamorphically aspherical surface and Rs represents a radius of curvature in the sub scan sectional plane of a rotationally symmetrical surface that results if a generatrix of the rotationally asymmetrical, anamorphically aspherical surface is rotated about an optical axis.

Abstract: A variable magnification optical system having an image stabilizing function includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a fixed first lens unit of positive refractive power, a second lens unit of negative refractive power, a third lens unit of positive refractive power and a fourth lens unit of positive refractive power. The second lens unit and the fourth lens unit are moved to effect variation of magnification. The third lens unit has a negative lens of meniscus form concave toward the image side and an aspheric surface, and the third lens unit is movable in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis to stabilize an image, or a lens sub-unit constituting part of the third lens unit is movable in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis to stabilize an image.