Abstract: An object of this invention is to increase the convenience for a user in setting a print reservation in an image forming apparatus having a time-designated print function. To achieve the object, according to the present invention, a control method of controlling an image forming apparatus communicably connected to a plurality of information processing apparatuses having a browser function includes the storage step of storing print data, the setting step of setting information representing a timing of printing the print data (S1201), the providing step of causing the image forming apparatus to be accessed via the browser function, receive the print request of the print data, and provide an object for counting the number of print requests as a web service (S1205), and the print step of printing the print data in number based on the counted number at the set timing (S1207 to S1210).

Abstract: A storage buffer attached to an image processor for stereo image processing. The processor compares a first image and a second image. The storage buffer stores image data of the second image. The storage buffer includes: a data-shifting-hardware mechanism which while the processor compares a patch of the first image to a swath of the second image, the data shifting mechanism using hardware within the storage buffer shifts at least a portion of the swath within the storage buffer. The data-shifting hardware mechanism includes preferably digital multiplexers with respective selectable inputs from adjacent and non-adjacent columns of data within the storage buffer and selectable inputs from adjacent rows of data within the storage buffer.

Abstract: An image processor includes a first dither data memory storing a first dither matrix, a second dither data memory storing a second dither matrix, a selecting unit selecting one of the first dither matrix and the second dither matrix, and a converting unit converting multi-value image data to binary data by comparing density of the multi-value image data to the threshold value set in corresponding element of the one of the first dither matrix and the second dither matrix selected by the selecting unit. The second dither matrix is configured of a plurality of sub-dither matrices. Each sub-dither matrix has a plurality of elements each assigned with a threshold value in a range from a maximum threshold value to a minimum threshold value. A set of threshold values from the minimum threshold value to a predetermined intermediate threshold value is assigned to elements in corresponding locations of each of the plurality of sub-dither matrices.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises: a volatile recording medium that stores image data in itself; a nonvolatile recording medium that stores image data in itself; a transfer portion that transfers image data page by page between the volatile recording medium and the nonvolatile recording medium; a controller that suspends transfer of one page of first image data, lets transfer of one page of second image data interrupt, and executes transfer of that page of the second image data on a priority basis, if a request to transfer that page of the second image data is issued with a higher priority level than that page of the first image data while that page of the first image data is being transferred by the transfer portion, and then, resumes transfer of the untransferred portion of that page of the first image data after that page of the second image data is completely transferred.

Abstract: A method may be provided with a first downloading step of downloading a predetermined size of first compressed data of a first image object which is to be included in both a first band of print data and a second band of the print data, a first decompression step of creating first decompressed data by decompressing the first compressed data having the predetermined size downloaded in the first downloading step, a determination step of determining whether all the first decompressed data corresponding to the first band has been created, a repeating step of repeating the first downloading step, the first decompression step, and the determination step in a case where a negative determination is obtained in the determination step, a second downloading step of downloading second compressed data of a second image object in a case where a positive determination is obtained in the determination step, and a second decompression step of creating second decompressed data by decompressing the second compressed data downloa

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a formation unit and an overlap order number assignment unit. The formation unit divides a predetermined image and forms divided images of the predetermined image on plurality sheets of recording paper in a divided manner. The formation unit forms the divided images such that, among the plurality sheets of recording paper, on which the divided images are formed by the formation unit, at least one of the plurality sheets of recording paper includes an overlap portion used for overlapping the at least one of the plurality sheets of recording paper with a remainder of the plurality sheets of recording paper. The overlap order number assignment unit assigns the at least one of the plurality sheets of recording paper with an overlap order number, indicating an overlap order for overlapping the plurality sheets of recording paper, in the overlap portion.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide an apparatus and method capable of printing part of a book file by designating the range. A setting user interface window is displayed from a print setting menu, a desired unit is selected from a print target column, and the range is designated in the selected unit. The designated range is printed including an original page within the designated range and another original page to be printed on the same paper sheet as that of the original page. The range can be designated by an entire book file, chapter, page, or booklet.

Abstract: An image information acquisition unit obtains first print image information that is binarized with the use of a first threshold matrix. A threshold matrix information acquisition unit obtains information representing the first threshold matrix. A determining unit divides the first print image information obtained by the image information acquisition unit into a plurality of portions, and determines whether each of the divided portions includes contour information, based on the first threshold matrix obtained by the threshold matrix information acquisition unit. A generating unit generates second print image information by performing a re-binarizing operation for each of the divided portions of the first print image information with the use of a second threshold matrix that is different from the first threshold matrix, based on the determination result of the determining unit.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a memory configured to store print jobs, a printing device configured to print an image based on each of the print jobs, a detector configured to determine when it is time to execute calibration to correct a printing characteristic of the printing device, and a controller. The controller is configured to cause the printing device to print each monochrome print job stored in the memory prior to each color print job stored in the memory when the detector determines that it is time to execute the calibration. Also, the controller is configured to execute the calibration when the detector determines that it is time to execute the calibration, and to cause the printing device to print each color print job stored in the memory after executing the calibration.

Abstract: An image processing system utilizes an image type classification circuit to identify inputted image data as picture image data or text/graphics image data. A halftone circuit, operatively connected to the image type classification circuit, converts the inputted image data, identified as picture image data, to halftone image data. Moreover, a tile pattern circuit, operatively connected to the image type classification circuit, to replace the inputted image data, identified as text/graphics image data, with tile patterns. The tile patterns are encoded with a predetermined pattern. A bitmap rendering circuit combines the halftone image data with the encoded tile patterns to render a bitmap, wherein the bitmap can be used by a print engine to reproduce the image.

Abstract: A technique is provided that can realize improvement in memory access efficiency and reduction in the processing volume in interpolation calculation with respect to color conversion processing using a two- or more-dimensional lookup table. In a color conversion apparatus, in accordance with an n-dimensional lookup table that stores a color conversion value corresponding to each of division points dividing each color component axis in a first color space realized by n types (n is an integer of one or larger) of color components, into plural sections, and thereby dividing the first color space into plural areas, a color value of a point belonging to the first color space is converted to a color value of a point belonging to a second color space.

Abstract: A technique that can contribute to improvement of processing efficiency in performing image processing employing an SIMD command is provided. A color conversion apparatus that converts, on the basis of a three-dimensional look up table that stores color conversion values associated with respective plural lattice points dividing a first color space represented by three kinds of color components into plural cubic lattices, a color value of a point belonging to the first color space into a color value of a point belonging to a second color space.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming an image on a surface of medium having variable surface attributes affecting image formation. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form images on a surface on which images are to be formed, including a plurality of areas with different attributes, in a medium for forming images, on the basis of input image information, and a determination unit configured to determine, for the plurality of areas, conditions for forming images or positions in which images are formed. The image forming unit forms images on the basis of conditions for forming images or positions in which images are formed determined by the determination unit.

Abstract: Double Sided Fax Machine is an improvement on existing facsimile machines that has all of the standard components of a facsimile machine but also has a second group of sensors that permits double-sided transmission and reception. To use Double Sided Fax Machine, an individual inserts sheets of paper into the feed tray. When an incoming facsimile arrives, a sheet of paper is drawn into the housing and text or graphics will be printed on both sides of the piece of paper, depending upon the control buttons pushed by the operator. The paper then exits the facsimile machine via the exit opening on the opposite side of the machine. To send a two-sided transmission, the double sided button is selected and a two-sided document is inserted into the feed tray. The two groups of sensors permit the text and images on both sides of the paper to be scanned and transmitted. The scanned document then passes through the exit opening for retrieval.

Abstract: A communication device has a reading unit, a wireless tag reading unit, a transmitting unit, a designating unit, a first determining unit, and a control unit. The a reading unit reads image data from an original document. The original document has a first wireless tag including first wireless tag data. The first wireless tag data includes first copying number data having first number of time for allowing copying the original document. The first number is more than or equal to zero. The wireless tag reading unit reads the first wireless tag data from the wireless tag. The transmitting unit transmits the image data. The designating unit designates second number of second communication device to which the image data is transmitted. The second number is more than zero. The first determining unit determines whether the first number is more than the second number.

Abstract: A facsimile system having a facsimile server, an administrative terminal, a sender facsimile machine, and receiver facsimile machines is provided. The sender facsimile machine includes a sender-side transmitter unit to transmit facsimile usable data and first information to the facsimile server. The administrative terminal includes a terminal-side data storage to store second information and location information, an input unit, a terminal-side receiver unit, a search unit to search for the second information corresponding to the first information, and a terminal-side transmitter unit to transmit the location information to the facsimile server. The facsimile server includes a server-side receiver unit to receive the facsimile usable data and the first information, a server-side data storage, and a server-side transmitter unit to transmit the first information to the administrative terminal and the facsimile usable data to the receiver facsimile machine.

Abstract: A communication apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes an image data receiving unit which receives image data; a related data receiving unit which receives related data which relates to the image data; a data writing unit which writes the related data received by the related data receiving unit to a first storage unit; and a setting unit which is configured to set a write prohibition setting which prohibits writing of the related data to the first storage unit.

Abstract: A method for distributing a digital image of a customer includes receiving a request from a customer to a human representative (i.e., a “roving” photographer) for an image to be taken of the customer at a site. An image of the customer is captured by the “roving” photographer at the site in response to the received request. The image is transmitted to a remote processor. An electronic request is received from the customer to view the transmitted image, and the image is transmitted from the remote processor to the customer's communication device. If the customer decides to purchase the image, a transaction is finalized by receiving payment data from the customer, and the final image is provided to the customer. A commission is then paid to the photographer for the transaction. In another embodiment, the cost is at least partially subsidized by advertisement pushed to the customer's communication device.

Abstract: A pixel in a photograph region image to be subjected to blacking is subjected to a brightness modulation processing so that the pixel is modulated to any of “a pixel having the brightness to be subject to blacking” and “a pixel having the brightness not to be subject to blacking”. Specifically, the modulation by noise addition converts some pixels for which original pixel values are to be subjected to blacking to a pixel having the brightness not subjected to blacking. Thereby, “a pixel having the brightness not to be subject to blacking” thus converted has no change in brightness in the blacking processing. Consequently, a pixel at which the blacking processing is not generated can be caused to exist in the photograph image. As a result, even when the blacking processing set for character/line region is similarly set for the photograph region, the effect of the blacking can be reduced.

Abstract: Systems and methods associated with image scanner are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an image scanner comprises a first image-receiving end configured to move in a scanning direction and to receive image data of a first portion of the scanned object, a second image-receiving end disposed downstream of the first image-receiving end in the scanning direction and configured to move along the scanning direction and to receive image data of a second portion of the scanned object. The scanner can further comprise a first photoelectric conversion device configured to synchronously move with the first image-receiving end for converting the image data of the first portion of the scanned object to a first digital data, and a second photoelectric conversion device configured to synchronously move with the second image-receiving end for converting the image data of the second portion of the scanned object to a second digital data.

Abstract: The invention provides, as an aspect thereof, an image reading apparatus including: a light irradiating unit that has a red-light irradiating sub-unit that irradiates red light onto a reading target object, a green-light irradiating sub-unit that irradiates green light onto the reading target object, and a blue-light irradiating sub-unit that irradiates blue light onto the reading target object; a reading unit that detects the amount of each of the red light, the green light, and the blue light; a setting unit that sets an irradiation time period for each of the red light, the green light, and the blue light on the basis of the corresponding amount of light detected by the reading unit by commanding each of the red-light irradiating sub-unit, the green-light irradiating sub-unit, and the blue-light irradiating sub-unit to irradiate light for the number of times S (where S is the sum of K, L, and M, each of which is a positive integer, where at least one of K, L, and M differs in its value from other two there

Abstract: The present invention relates to management of digital documents, and more specifically to a method and system for effectively auditing data extracted from digital documents by creating hyperlinks to these digital documents from the summary documents. The present invention discloses a method and system for auditing data extracted from digital documents by automatically generating hyperlinks on the summary documents to effectively locate the data from these digital documents. The present system consists of several elements including: original documents, digital documents, data documents, note documents, summary documents, and a document organizer.

Abstract: An image reader and an image forming apparatus are provided. The image reader includes a stationary document scanning device; a moving document scanning device; a scan window; a document cover covering the scan window and comprising an opening located at a position facing the scan window; a document feeding mechanism which is disposed at the document cover and feeds a document through the opening in the document cover and onto the scan window when the document is to be scanned by the moving document scanning device; an image pickup device configured to read an image from the scan window; and a controller which detects edges of the stationary document based on image data read by the image pickup device, and performs an image data defining operation to determine image data, which is included within the detected edges of the document, as exact image data.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus has a reading portion configured to read the image of the original at the reading position located on a supporting surface for supporting the original, an original feeding portion configured to convey an original to the reading position, a movable guide portion which faces the supporting surface and guides the original conveyed by the original conveying portion to the reading position, and a biasing member configured to apply a biasing force to the guide portion toward the supporting surface, wherein the movable guide portion has a rib portion, the rib portion projects toward the supporting surface and is formed along the original conveying direction, and the rib portion presses an original, that is read by the reading portion while the original is conveyed by the conveying portion, to the supporting surface by the biasing force of the biasing member.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus capable of continually conveying a plurality of originals in a stable manner while cleaning a contact glass of an image sensor and reducing streaks occurring in read images. An image sensor reads an original image via a contact member which the conveyed original may contact. A cleaning member, being provided on a turning member which is able to rotate or swing and disposed at a position opposing the image sensor, cleans the contact member's surface which the original may contact. The turning member is turned by a driving unit. A controlling unit controls the driving unit to turn the turning member so that cleaning of the contact member is performed by the cleaning member after the original has passed an image reading position of the image sensor and before a subsequent original reaches the image reading position.

Abstract: An output color is calculated from a fundamental stimulus value and a spectral support coefficient which indicate an input color using a calculation unit for calculating an output color corresponding to the input fundamental stimulus value and the input spectral support coefficient using a table whose inputs are a fundamental stimulus value and a spectral support coefficient. The interval of grid points of the table are uneven regarding the spectral support coefficient, and the interval in the vicinity whose relevant spectral support coefficient is zero is small as compared with the interval in the vicinity whose spectral support coefficient has a great absolute value.

Abstract: A method for making a device link (90) for a color management system, with an associated imaging apparatus (20), wherein the device link specifies a transformation of digital-image colorant combinations to imaging-apparatus colorant combinations. The device link converts the digital image (70) to a modified digital image (100) represented using the imaging-apparatus colorant combinations, thereby allowing the imaging apparatus to produce an output image (170) having output-image colors matching reference-image colors at corresponding physical locations in a reference image (80).

Abstract: A hologram reproducing apparatus is provided that can be reduced in size. A hologram reproducing apparatus of the invention reproduces signal information from a recorded media having a domain of diffraction grating that is irradiated with a record light beam containing a coherent reference light component and a signal light component spatially modulated according to the signal information substantially on the same optical axis and is recorded an interference of the reference light component and the signal light component.

Abstract: A device that provides light beam switching, agile steering of the light beam over a range of angles, and generation of arbitrary wavefront shapes with high spatial and temporal resolution. The agile device can include a volume diffractive structure comprising Bragg planes having one refractive index and the Bragg planes separated by regions containing an active optical medium. Electrodes (which may be the Bragg planes themselves, or may be arrayed adjacent to the active optical medium) are used to control the electric field intensity and direction across the structure, and thereby control the diffraction efficiency of the structure and the local phase delay imposed on a diffracted wavefront. Means are provided for addressing the many thousands of electrodes required for precise and rapid wavefront control. Applications include free-space atmospheric optical communications, near-eye displays, direct-view 3D displays, optical switching, and a host of other applications.

Abstract: A hologram recorder is provided, in which coherent light from a light source is split into a signal beam and a reference beam, and the signal beam is modulated by a spatial light modulator to be directed to a hologram recording medium, while the reference beam is directed to the hologram recording medium to overlap with the signal beam for recording a hologram on the hologram recording medium. The hologram recorder includes a beam phase modulator provided with a plurality of optical devices (20p, 20p?) each configured to assume one of two modes such as ON mode and OFF mode, the ON mode for causing the reference beam to be passed or reflected in a predetermined direction toward the hologram recording medium, the OFF mode for causing the reference beam to be blocked or directed in another direction other than the predetermined direction. Each optical device (20p, 20p?) provides a phase difference 0 or ?.

Abstract: In a joined optical member, let the adhesion strength between a surface coating layer and an eyepiece prism be A1, the adhesion strength between the surface coating layer and a deflector prism be A2, the adhesion strength between the surface coating layer and adhesive be A3, and the adhesion strength between, at one end, the adhesive and, at the other, the eyepiece prism and the deflector prism be A4, then A1 (A2)>S3 and simultaneously A4>A3. This makes removal of superfluous adhesive on the surface coating layer easy, and prevents scratches on the exterior surfaces. Even after removal of superfluous adhesive, the surface coating layer remains on the exterior surfaces of the eyepiece prism and the deflector prism. This prevents scratches on the exterior surfaces in actual use, and prevents degradation of optical performance.

Abstract: Two adjacent images are recorded in a state smoothly blended at a boundary portion. On a recording plane Rec, provided is a region M1 in which an original image Pic(A) is recorded, a region M2 in which an original image Pic(B) is recorded, and a middle region Mm positioned therebetween. The region Mm is divided into a plurality of strip-like regions f1 to f6. The widths of the strip-like regions f1, f3, and f5 that are odd-numbered when counted from the region M1 are set so as to increase monotonically in this order, while the widths of the even-numbered strip-like regions f2, f4, and f6 are set so as to decrease monotonically in this order.

Abstract: A virtual image display device is provided which displays a two-dimensional image for viewing a virtual image in a magnified form by a virtual optical system. The virtual image display device includes an optical waveguide (13) to guide, by internal total reflection, parallel pencil groups meeting a condition of internal total reflection, a first reflection volume hologram grating (14) to diffract and reflect the parallel pencil groups incident upon the optical waveguide from outside and traveling in different directions as they are so as to meet the condition of internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide and a second reflection volume hologram grating (15) to project the parallel pencil groups guided by internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide as they are from the optical waveguide by diffraction and reflection thereof so as to depart from the condition of internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide.

Abstract: A hologram recording apparatus is provided with a modulating device for modulating information data in accordance with a modulation rule related to hologram recording/reproduction, to thereby generate a modulation pattern; a judging device for judging whether or not the modulation pattern includes a pattern portion which matches a predetermined target pattern; a changing device for changing at least one portion of the pattern portion to a change pattern if it is judged that the modulation pattern includes the pattern portion which matches the target pattern; and an irradiating device for irradiating beams for recording the modulation pattern, in which at least one portion of the pattern is changed to the change pattern, into a holographic recording medium.

Abstract: A holographic storage medium includes a hologram including data recorded in a plurality of pages in a superimposed fashion by interference of a signal beam and a reference beam, and an additional page recorded between two adjacent pages in the plurality of pages, wherein a portion of the data is recorded to a region of the additional page having a relatively small selectivity compared to other regions of the additional page without recording on the other regions.

Abstract: A hologram recording and reconstructing apparatus includes a rotating mirror, a rectangular aperture and a medium drive unit, records interference fringes of a reference beam and a signal beam in a hologram recording medium and reconstructs the hologram recorded in the hologram recording medium. The rotating mirror changes the angle of incidence of the reference beam incident on the hologram recording medium such that multiple data is recorded in the same recording region of the hologram recording medium. The rectangular aperture blocks a reconstructed beam from a hologram adjacent to the hologram to be reconstructed. The medium drive unit drives the hologram recording medium such that the angle of incidence of the signal beam and the reference beam incident on the hologram recording medium is changed.

Abstract: Non-Fourier Transform (FT) plane angular filters and their use in holographic storage systems or devices for angular filtering of a data beam prior to recording holographic data or for angular filtering of a recovered beam prior to detecting the recovered holographic data. The non-FT plane filters may be a macrotube array, an etalon, a multi-layer thin film interference coating on a curved surface, a lenslet array device, a waveguide-like array, or a combination thereof. Also provided are methods for carrying out angular filtering using such filters for data storage and/or data recovery.

Abstract: In a method of fabricating a micromechanical structure, first, a deflectably supported two-dimensional structure is formed in a substrate and, then, is arranged in a package such that an integrated micromanipulator is arranged between the package and the two-dimensional structure so as to effect a deflection of the two-dimensional structure out of a plane of the substrate.

Abstract: An energy signal processing system (10) includes a first shaft assembly (14) rotatable about an azimuth axis (16), and a second shaft assembly (18) coaxially mounted for rotation about the azimuth axis (16). The first shaft assembly (14) defines a zenith plane (20) inclined with respect to the azimuth axis (16). The system (10) includes an energy signal processing element (22) rotatable about a processing element axis (24) that intersects and is generally perpendicular to the azimuth axis (16), as well as a means for rotating the element (22) about the element axis (24) such that: energy signals travelling substantially along a preselected path axis (12) and impinging the energy signal processing element (22) are processed or deflected substantially along the azimuth axis (16); or vice versa; or energy signals generated by the energy signal processing element (22) are directed substantially along the preselected path axis (12).

Abstract: A micromechanical device includes a deflectable micromechanical functional structure and a non-rigid biased suspension positioning the micromechanical functional structure in the micromechanical device.

Abstract: An optical deflector is disclosed that includes a rotary shaft; plural rotary polygon mirrors laminated in an axis direction of the rotary shaft, the rotary polygon mirrors having reflection surfaces and the reflection surfaces of one rotary polygon mirror and those of another rotary polygon mirror facing in different directions; and a joining section provided between the rotary polygon mirrors. In the optical deflector, the joining section is integrally formed with at least one of the rotary polygon mirrors.

Abstract: An optical splitting member splits a light beam emitted by a light source into first light beam and second light beam. A coupling member couples the first light beam. An optical system converges the second light beam on a light receiving unit. A holding member holds the light source, the optical splitting member, the coupling member, and the optical system. A supporting member supports the holding member so that the holding member is rotatable about an optical axis of the light beam.

Abstract: A multi-beam scanning optical system configured to scan a plurality of laser beams on a scanned surface in a predetermined scanning direction includes a light source emitting a plurality of laser beams from respective laser emitters spaced from each other in the predetermined scanning direction, a diverging property changing element changing a diverging property of each of the emitted laser beams, a deflector configured to be sine-functionally oscillated and to deflect each of the laser beams with the diverging property thereof as changed so as to scan each of the laser beams on the scanned surface in the predetermined scanning direction, and a scanning speed controlling element configured to control a scanning speed at which each of the laser beams deflected by the deflector is scanned on the scanned surface. The multi-beam scanning optical system is configured to satisfy a predetermined condition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light source module that scans beams so as to realize various images at one time and realizes three-dimensional images, and an optical scanning apparatus using the same. The light source module includes a plurality of light emitting elements that emit modulated light so as to transmit image information, and a fixing member that fixes the light emitting elements such that fixed positions of the respective light emitting elements are different from each other or direction angles of the light emitting elements are different from each other.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus according to the invention, an optical beam scanning apparatus of an overillumination scanning optical system includes a laser, a pre-deflection optical system, a polygon mirror, and a post-deflection optical system, wherein the post-deflection optical system includes at least one optical element configured by allowing a resin to flow into a molding die through a gate opening provided in advance to the molding die and then molding the resin into a prescribed shape; and in the optical element, a side corresponding to a side of the gate opening through which the resin flows is provided to a light incidence side where the luminous flux enters into the polygon mirror.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus provided with an optical beam scanning apparatus according to the invention includes a semiconductor laser device, a pre-deflection optical system, a polygon mirror, and a post-deflection optical system, wherein at least one imaging lens for imaging the luminous flux is provided in the post-deflection optical system includes; at least one projection on a vertical surface to a sub-scanning direction axis is provided in the imaging lens; and at least one positioning member having an engaging groove into which the projection is interfitted and which is engaged in a concave-convex shape is provided in the housing unit of the optical beam scanning apparatus. In accordance with an image forming apparatus according to the invention, in a scanning optical system using an imaging lens or an imaging mirror, influences against optical characteristics following an environmental fluctuation or a change with time can be reduced.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus provided with an optical beam scanning apparatus according to the invention, an optical beam scanning apparatus of an overillumination scanning optical system includes a semiconductor laser device as a light source, a pre-deflection optical system, a polygon mirror, and a post-deflection optical system, with a width of the luminous flux made incident on the polygon mirror being wider than a width of one reflecting surface forming the polygon mirror, wherein at least two sheets of flat plate for transmitting the luminous flux scanned by the polygon mirror are provided in the post-deflection optical system. In accordance with an image forming apparatus provided with an optical beam scanning apparatus according to the invention, not only a wave front aberration on a photoconductive drum can be suitably corrected, but suitable beam diameter and beam profile can be obtained on the photoconductive drum.

Abstract: A scanning optical system configured to scan laser light on a scanned surface in a scanning direction, includes a light source emitting the laser light, a converging element converging the emitted laser light in the predetermined scanning direction, a deflector deflecting the converged laser light to scan the laser light on the scanned surface, and a scanning speed controlling element controlling the deflected laser light to be scanned at a constant scanning speed. The scanning optical system is configured to satisfy predetermined conditions.

Abstract: Obtained are an imaging optical system having a simple structure in which imaging position deviation due to deformation caused by a weight of an off-axial optical element is reduced and an image reading apparatus using the same. According to an imaging optical system for image reading, image information on an original surface is imaged on a sensor, and is read by the sensor. The imaging optical system includes reflection-type off-axial optical elements, each of which has an outer shape whose lengths in directions orthogonal to each other are different from each other and whose thickness is smaller than a length of the outer shape in a short-direction thereof and is made of a resin material. The plurality of off-axial optical elements are disposed such that mirror surfaces thereof are opposed to each other and constructed to satisfy a conditional expression.

Abstract: The present mirror device for suppressing PDL on the assumption of multiple modes of angles of input light and output light to movable mirrors with respect to the crystal axis of a crystal member at the time light passes through the crystal member. The mirror device includes a mirror system 2 and a flat-shaped crystal member 3 which is arranged in such a manner that a first angle is not larger than a second angle. The crystal member is constructed in such a manner that a third angle is substantially equal to a half of a fourth angle.