Abstract: A lens has a lens body (1), reinforcing extensions (3a, 3b) and a clear aperture (9) surrounded on top and bottom by lens body. The lens is suitable for spot scanning. The lens is made of a water absorbing material, such as most polymers, particularly acrylate polymers. Aluminum sheets as vapor barriers are attached on each side of the lens body. This results in excellent resistance to change or distortion in high humidity environments.

Abstract: An optical apparatus compensates for imaging errors associated with the sinusoidal angular scan rate of a light beam reflected from a bidirectional scanning torsion oscillator. The compensation is achieved by a combination of pre-scan optics positioned between the source of the light beam and the scanning torsion oscillator, and post-scan optics positioned between the scanning torsion oscillator and an imaging surface of an imaging device. Based on the optical characteristics of its components, the post-scan optical system causes deflection of the light beam in the scan direction. To compensate for the sinusoidal scan rate, the deflection caused by the post-scan optical system is greater at the opposing edge positions of the imaging surface than at a central position. In this manner, the scan rate of the light beam at the first and second edge positions is substantially equivalent to the scan rate at the central position.

Abstract: A lens has a body (1), reinforcing extensions (3a, 3b) and a clear aperture (9) surrounded on top and bottom by lens body. The lens is suitable for spot scanning. The lens is made of a water absorbing material, such as most polymers, particularly acrylate polymers. Aluminum sheets as vapor barriers are attached on each side of the lens body. This results in excellent resistance to change or distortion in high humidity environments.

Abstract: A laser beam sensor assembly in an electrophotographic machine includes a sensor device detecting a position of a laser beam in a process direction. The sensor device has a detection range in the process direction. The sensor device has at least one slot or at least one projection. A fixed structure has an other of the at least one slot and the at least one projection. The at least one slot and the at least one projection coact to allow the sensor device to slide in the process direction to a location such that the laser beam is at a desired position within the detection range of the sensor device.

Abstract: A toner patch sensor arrangement in an electrophotographic machine includes a substantially hollow chamber having a reflective interior surface, a first opening exposing a toner patch, a second opening and a third opening. A light emitting element emits light onto the toner patch through the first opening and the second opening. A light detecting element receives through the third opening light reflected off of the toner patch such that the reflected light is received only after the light has also reflected off the interior surface of the chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ink level sensing apparatus including an ink cartridge having an ink chamber containing ink and having at least one substantially transparent side panel adjacent the ink chamber. A fluorescent material is disposed in the ink chamber, the fluorescent material being substantially insoluble in the ink and having a specific gravity which is sufficiently lower than the ink to provide an interface between the ink and the fluorescent material. A relatively narrow band light source for emitting light at a first wavelength along a light path through the substantially transparent side panel of the ink cartridge is provided for exciting the fluorescent material. A photosensor for receiving light emitted from a fluorescent material at a second wavelength when the excited fluorescent material crosses the light path is provided, wherein the first and second wavelengths are substantially different.

Abstract: An optical system for light scanning devices in which a beam of light travels from an origin to an object along a light path and has along that path a scan direction and a cross-scan direction. The optical system includes a light source at the origin of the light path, a polygonal reflector located along the light path and having adjacent peripheral mirror surfaces rotatable in the scan direction, and a pre-scan optical sub-system located along the light path between the light source and the polygonal reflector. The pre-scan optical sub-system includes, in order of light travel from the light source, a collimating lens and a pre-scan lens having a convex cylindrical lens entrance surface aligned in the scan direction for converging the light beam in the cross-scan direction, and a convex lens exit surface for converging the light beam in the scan direction. An aperture stop may be provided between the collimating lens and the pre-scan lens to further truncate or reduce the diameter of the collimated beam.