Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a color line sensor that converts an image of an original document into an electric signal at first resolution and a monochrome line sensor that converts the image of the original document into an electric signal at second resolution higher than the first resolution. The image reading apparatus further includes an image-quality improving circuit that calculates a correlation between first image data obtained by reading the image of the original document at the first resolution with the color line sensor and second image data obtained by reading the image of the original document at the second resolution with the monochrome line sensor and converts the first image data into third image data having resolution higher than the first resolution on the basis of the calculated correlation.

Abstract: An image data processing section subjects input image data to image processing, and outputs first to fourth image data. First to fourth pulse width modulation circuits are PWM circuits in each of which a plurality of reference positions are set in one pixel, and output pulses corresponding to the first to fourth image data. A synthesis circuit synthesizes the pulses output from the first to fourth pulse width modulation circuits, and a laser emits a light beam in accordance with the synthesized pulse.

Abstract: A 4-line CCD sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention has a monochromic reading line sensor section and a color reading line sensor section. This 4-line CCD sensor is characterized in that amplification factors for amplifiers 1 to 4 are set so that the amplitude of an output signal from the monochromic reading line sensor section is the same as that of each output signal from the color reading line sensor section. This 4-line CCD sensor is characterized in that the amplification factors for the amplifiers 1 to 4 are set so that the amplitude of each output signal from the color reading line sensor section is smaller than that of an output signal from the monochromic reading line sensor section.

Abstract: It is made possible to determine image characteristics in a reading image while the image of an original is being read. A first line sensor (9R2, 9G2, 9B2) is arranged on a board and reads the original image. A second line sensor (9K1) has a larger number of pixels than the first line sensor and is arranged on the board to read the original image earlier than the first line sensor. An image signal processing characteristic control unit (46) uses an output of the second line sensor as a control signal to control the processing characteristic of the image signal read by the first line sensor.

Abstract: A 4-line CCD sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention has a monochromic reading line sensor section and a color reading line sensor section. This 4-line CCD sensor is characterized in that amplification factors for amplifiers 1 to 4 are set so that the amplitude of an output signal from the monochromic reading line sensor section is the same as that of each output signal from the color reading line sensor section. This 4-line CCD sensor is characterized in that the amplification factors for the amplifiers 1 to 4 are set so that the amplitude of each output signal from the color reading line sensor section is smaller than that of an output signal from the monochromic reading line sensor section.

Abstract: A beam light scanning apparatus capable of speeding up transfer of image data used for scan with a beam light while suppressing an increase of the parts cost. The beam light scanning apparatus includes a laser oscillator for emitting a beam light for scan, and a unit for processing and supplying image data of a target image in each line in a direction of main scan in response to a sync signal. The apparatus further includes a unit for acquiring the supplied image data after a certain time from generation of the sync signal, and a unit for controlling operation of the laser oscillator by a driving signal which is generated based on the acquired image data.

Abstract: A knock sensor includes: a base including an annular flange portion and a cylindrical portion, an annular piezoelectric element fitted onto the cylindrical portion, electrode portions oppositely formed on front and rear surfaces of the annular piezoelectric element, first and second terminal plates in contact with the electrode portions, an annular weight, a first insulating sheet interposed between the first terminal plate and the flange portion, a second insulating sheet interposed between the second terminal plate and the weight. The electrode portions include annular partial electrodes each having a width narrower than a radial width of the piezoelectric element. The annular partial electrode has a thickness d satisfying: L/d<80 where L is a radial dimension of outer circumferences of the front and rear surfaces where the electrode portions are not arranged.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with a modulator producing a modulated signal of a pulse width decided on given image data and a driver driving an optical generator such as laser to generate a light beam. The image forming apparatus is further provided with a scanner periodically scanning the light beam generated by the optical generator and a power detector detecting information indicative of a power of the light beam scanned by the scanner. A pulse width adjustor uses the information detected by the power detector, in order to adjust the pulse width of the light beam.

Abstract: In the light amount correction in the main scanning direction, sets of correction values of black and cyan for which the reflection frequency of optical elements are equal to an even number of times are made common to each other (a correction value set—KC), and sets of correction values of magenta and yellow for which the reflection frequency of optical elements are equal to an odd number of times are made common to each other (a correction value set—MY), whereby sets of correction values stored in a correction value storage portion in a correction value setting portion are reduced to two sets. Furthermore, in connection with this, the number of DA converters is reduced to two DA converters of a DA converter—K, C and a DA converter—M, Y.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a light generator (e.g., laser) generating a scanning light beam and a driver driving the light generator depending on a drive signal to be provided. In this apparatus, data formed of image information at each pixel of each line along a main scan direction of an image to be targeted are distributed into a plurality of strings (i.e., channels) of data (e.g., two strings). Concerning each pixel provided by data in each string, information indicative of both a start and an end of modulation (e.g., PWM) is then produced. By using the start and end information, a modulator performs modulation depending on the data of each pixel in each string, providing a modulated signal. The modulated signals from the plural strings are mutually synthesized at synchronizes timings, being provided as the drive signal and given to the driver.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a scanning unit that deflects and scans a laser beam emitted from a laser beam source, an optical system that guides the laser beam onto a photoconductive drum, a storing unit that stores plural correction patterns that give a series of correction values for correcting an amount of laser beams in one scanning, a selecting unit that selects a correction group including at least two kinds of correction patterns out of the stored correction patterns, a switching unit that switches the at least two kinds of correction patterns belonging to the selected group at predetermined timing, a correcting unit that corrects, on the basis of the correction patterns switched by the switching unit, an amount of laser beams being scanned, and a printing unit that prints, on one medium, plural images formed on the photoconductive drum by laser beams corrected by the respective correction patterns.

Abstract: A beam light scanning device includes an image data processing unit operable to output image-processed data of neighboring pixels in such a way that the data is divided for distribution into first pixel data and second pixel data. The scanner also includes a synchronizer circuit that receives the first and second pixel data as output from the image data processor and outputs these pixel data while letting them be synchronized with clocks as synchronized based on a horizontal synchronous signal. The scanner further includes a couple of pulse width modulators or “PWMs”, a synthetic circuit, and a laser diode module. The PWMs are for adjustment of the pulse widths of the first and second pixel data as output from the synchronizer circuit respectively. The synthetic circuit combines together the pulse width-adjusted first and second pixel data. The LD emits a light beam indicative of the resultant combined pixel data.

Abstract: An image data processing section subjects input image data to image processing, and outputs first to fourth image data. First to fourth pulse width modulation circuits are PWM circuits in each of which a plurality of reference positions are set in one pixel, and output pulses corresponding to the first to fourth image data. A synthesis circuit synthesizes the pulses output from the first to fourth pulse width modulation circuits, and a laser emits a light beam in accordance with the synthesized pulse.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with a modulator producing a modulated signal of a pulse width decided on given image data and a driver driving an optical generator such as laser to generate a light beam. The image forming apparatus is further provided with a scanner periodically scanning the light beam generated by the optical generator and a power detector detecting information indicative of a power of the light beam scanned by the scanner. A pulse width adjustor uses the information detected by the power detector, in order to adjust the pulse width of the light beam.

Abstract: A beam light scanning device includes an image data processing unit operable to output image-processed data of neighboring pixels in such a way that the data is divided for distribution into first pixel data and second pixel data. The scanner also includes a synchronizer circuit that receives the first and second pixel data as output from the image data processor and outputs these pixel data while letting them be synchronized with clocks as synchronized based on a horizontal synchronous signal. The scanner further includes a couple of pulse width modulators or “PWMs”, a synthetic circuit, and a laser diode module. The PWMs are for adjustment of the pulse widths of the first and second pixel data as output from the synchronizer circuit respectively. The synthetic circuit combines together the pulse width-adjusted first and second pixel data. The LD emits a light beam indicative of the resultant combined pixel data.

Abstract: An image data processing section subjects input image data to image processing, and outputs first to fourth image data. First to fourth pulse width modulation circuits are PWM circuits in each of which a plurality of reference positions are set in one pixel, and output pulses corresponding to the first to fourth image data. A synthesis circuit synthesizes the pulses output from the first to fourth pulse width modulation circuits, and a laser emits a light beam in accordance with the synthesized pulse.

Abstract: All electric charges accumulated in a line sensor are transferred via a first shift gate to a first analog shift register. By controlling the width of a shift pulse signal to be supplied to a second shift gate, the amount of an electric charge transfer when the electric charges on the first analog shift register are transferred to a second shift register is controlled. As a result, the amount of the electric charges on the first analog shift register is controlled to a desired value. Accordingly, the amplitude of an image signal outputted from the first analog shift register can be easily adjusted. Further, the sensitivity of a CCD line sensor and variation of light amount of a light source can be corrected.

Abstract: In the optical beams scanning apparatus and an image forming apparatus having this optical beam scanning apparatus according to this invention, a light emitting unit emits plural laser beams set at a predetermined output in advance, and a scanning unit deflects the emitted plural laser beams and scans with them. A laser beam output setting unit arranges the light emitting unit so that scanning positions of the plural laser beams are arrayed in time series in a main scanning direction on the same line, and sets the output of laser beams cast onto a photoconductor by using the plural laser beams. A writing unit writes an image to the photoconductor with the preset output of the laser beams cast onto the photoconductor, using the plural laser beams used for scanning. With the optical beam scanning apparatus and the image forming apparatus having this optical beam scanning apparatus according to this invention, the output of laser beams cast onto a photoconductive drum can be controlled at a high speed.

Abstract: A motion control apparatus for a four-wheel drive vehicle performs over-steer suppressing control when the vehicle is in an over-steer state so as to apply a braking force to a front wheel located on the outer side of a turning locus without lowering engine output, and performs LSD control for the front/rear wheels when the obtained difference between wheel speeds of the left and right wheels exceeds an allowable limit so as to apply a braking force for suppressing idle rotation to the one of the left and right wheels that is of higher wheel speed. During execution of the over-steer suppression control, the braking force for suppressing front-wheel idle rotation to be imparted to the front wheel located on the inner side of the turning locus by means of the front-wheel-side LSD control is lowered, whereby the rear wheels become unlikely to produce excessive idle rotation.

Abstract: A knock sensor includes: a base including an annular flange portion and a cylindrical portion, an annular piezoelectric element fitted onto the cylindrical portion, electrode portions oppositely formed on front and rear surfaces of the annular piezoelectric element, first and second terminal plates in contact with the electrode portions, an annular weight, a first insulating sheet interposed between the first terminal plate and the flange portion, a second insulating sheet interposed between the second terminal plate and the weight. The electrode portions include annular partial electrodes each having a width narrower than a radial width of the piezoelectric element. The annular partial electrode has a thickness d satisfying: L/d<80 where L is a radial dimension of outer circumferences of the front and rear surfaces where the electrode portions are not arranged.