Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the invention includes an image carrier, an exposure device performing exposure for forming a toner image on a surface of the image carrier and having at least a first exposure light source and a second exposure light source, a sensor for detecting specified patterns, which are formed on the image carrier at a specified time with use of the first and second exposure light sources, a storing unit for storing a correlation, which is attained from a detection result by the sensor, between the first and second exposure light sources, and a controller for controlling the first and second exposure light sources based on the correlation.

Abstract: In an exposure apparatus employing an over filled optical system, the light quantity distribution on a scanning plane is kept nearly constant for a plurality of scanning light quantities. It selects the light quantity of the light beam irradiated onto the photosensitive body from a plurality of levels, and sets the light quantity selected. According to the light quantity, it selects one of a plurality of correction current profiles, and supplies a light source with a current passing through the correction based on the correction current profile selected. Since the light quantity of the light beam irradiated onto the photosensitive body is corrected by the correction current, the light quantity of the light beam on the photosensitive body becomes nearly constant in the scanning direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a light beam generation unit, a light deflector having a resonance frequency and deflecting a light beam, a photosensitive member to which the deflected light beam is irradiated, and a driving control unit driving and controlling the light deflector. The driving control unit can measure a difference between a frequency of a light-deflector driving signal and the light-deflector resonance frequency and a non-drawing time during which an image is not formed by the light deflector. When the difference between the frequency of the driving signal and the light-deflector resonance frequency is equal to or larger than a predetermined value and the non-drawing time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, the driving control unit produces the driving signal having a frequency corresponding to the resonance frequency of the light deflector and supplies the produced driving signal to the light deflector.

Abstract: A drive device for outputting a drive signal for driving a plurality of light emitting elements time-divisionally, the drive device includes a plurality of input terminals receiving input of a drive control signal for the light emitting elements, and a plurality of output terminals connected to the light emitting elements, for outputting the drive signal based on the drive control signal input into the input terminals, in which the input terminals and the output terminals are arranged substantially in a line.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that includes: a laser beam source; plural photoconductive members corresponding to plural colors; a modulation drive unit for performing pulse width modulation for each of colors by an image clock having a cycle of a pixel length,; a single piece of polygon mirror whose reflection surfaces are disposed in a rotation direction thereof with a plurality of different inclination angles with colors; a beam detector that is disposed adjacent to the photoconductive member; and an image clock/data switching unit configured to generate the image clock of a frequency varying with the colors for making the same a color-based image magnification, and switch the image clocks generated for each of the colors in synchronization with a detection signal coming from the beam detector.

Abstract: A semiconductor device, a print head comprising the semiconductor device and an image forming apparatus comprising the print head are supplied which are able to reduce cost through miniaturizing element size and minishing chip area. The semiconductor device comprises a plurality of light emitting elements; and a shift register circuit that has output terminals respectively corresponding to the plurality of light emitting elements and stores emitting-light instruction data of the light emitting elements, wherein each light emitting element has a first electrode and a second electrode to that lightening electricity of the light emitting element flows, and a third electrode for controlling the light emitting element whether to emit light, the output terminals of the shift register circuit are respectively connected with the third electrodes of the corresponding light emitting element.

Abstract: Emission windows are prevented from being contaminated and are cleaned easily. The emission windows for emitting light beams are disposed on a housing of a laser exposure device having optical elements arranged inside for exposing a photoreceptor, and the upper surface of the housing is provided with a slidable shutter with openings. An image forming apparatus includes guide rails independent of the laser exposure device to movably guide predetermined cleaning brushes in the longitudinal direction of the emission windows. When the cleaning brushes are mounted on the guide rails and moved toward the inner side of the apparatus, the cleaning brushes touch a slant portion of a rib and the shutter is moved to the right to align the openings with the emission windows. While the cleaning brushes touch a longitudinally extending portion, the emission windows are exposed to enable the cleaning of the exposed window using the cleaning tool.

Abstract: Methods, algorithms, software, apparatuses and systems for processing image data for imaging devices having irregular scan paths (e.g., scan paths that deviate from a conventional horizontal and/or straight line). The irregular scan paths generally correspond to actual locations of a line of output from an image output device (e.g., a printer). The method generally includes steps of selecting one or more of the input pixels, correlating a location of the selected pixel with a location on an irregular scan path, and producing an adjusted pixel based on a value of the selected pixel, the location on the irregular scan path, and/or values of one or more pixels near the selected pixel. The present invention advantageously allows for processing an input image for an output device with an irregular scan path using only enough working memory for a relatively small number of pixel rows even if the irregular scan path traverses a relatively large number of rows in the output image.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a control method for an exposure shutter of an image forming apparatus includes, opening the shutter only to a slit glass for monochrome when monochrome printing is performed, and opening the shutter to slit glasses for monochrome and color when color printing is performed.

Abstract: In a line head, a plurality of element arrays arranged in a first direction. Each array includes a plurality of light emission elements arrayed in a second direction which is perpendicularly to the first direction. The light emission elements emit light for forming an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive surface of an image carrier. A switcher activates the light emission elements in at least one of the element arrays while deactivating the others. A developer develops the latent image as a visible image with toner.

Abstract: When the cathode of a light emitting thyristor is at the low (L) level, voltage is applied between the anode and cathode of the light emitting thyristor. In addition, because the gate of each thyristor and the gate of each light emitting thyristor are connected to each other in a self scanning circuit 100, voltage is also applied between the gate and cathode of the thyristor. At this time, by selectively turning only the gate of the light emitting thyristor, which is instructed by the self scanning circuit to emit light, to the high (H) level, the light emitting thyristor that is instructed is turned on. In particular, because an output signal of a clock driving circuit is differentiated by an RL differential circuit to generate an undershoot or overshoot waveform, the number of output terminals of the clock driving circuit can be reduced.

Abstract: The exposure apparatus is provided with: an optical member; and a holding member that holds the optical member. Both end portions of the optical member are held by the holding member with a first adhering unit that is cured by light irradiation for first duration and a second adhering unit that is cured by light irradiation for second duration which is longer than the first duration.

Abstract: A disclosed optical path switching device includes a polarization bistable VCSEL that emits a beam having a rising polarization plane, a laser light source configured to emit a beam having a polarization plane orthogonal to the rising polarization plane, and an optical path switching unit configured to switch an optical path of the beam emitted from the polarization bistable VCSEL by switching the angle of the rising polarization plane of the beam emitted from the polarization bistable VCSEL. The beam emitted from the polarization bistable VCSEL is incident on an entrance window of the optical path switching unit, and the beam emitted from the laser light source is incident on an exit window of the polarization bistable VCSEL.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus in which an exposing signal is generated from pattern data indicating a position to be exposed by a light beam on a surface-to-be-scanned. A corrected exposing signal is generated by varying the width of pulses of the exposing signal in accordance with a distance between an exposing area corresponding to the pulse and an optical axis of the scanning optical system. The light beam is emitted and modulated by the corrected exposing signal. The pulse width and/or the light quantity of the light beam is/are varied in accordance with the distance between the exposing area and the optical axis of the scanning optical system.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is configured, in performing changing of a rotation speed of a scanner motor and forming of an image density adjustment patch in the same page interval, to change the rotation speed of the scanner motor before forming the image density adjustment patch.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, a charging apparatus arranged to charge the photosensitive drum, and a developing apparatus arranged to supply toner to an electrostatic latent image in a development region, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image to a toner image. The image forming apparatus further includes a laser unit, an LED array unit which is located downstream of the laser unit in a moving direction of the photosensitive drum and is disposed inside the photosensitive drum to be able to perform exposure within the development region, and a control unit configured to control the laser unit and the LED array unit such that the LED array unit is able to expose the same area on the photosensitive drum which has been exposed by the laser unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a light source that emits a light beam; a photosensitive member; a driving motor; a rotary polygon mirror, which is rotated by the driving motor, and which periodically deflects the light beam emitted from the light source to sequentially form scanning lines on the photosensitive member; a position detecting unit, which detects a rotational position of the driving motor, and which outputs a detection signal; a sensor, which receives the light beam deflected by the rotary polygon mirror, and which outputs a light receiving signal; a detecting unit, which receives the detection signal and the light receiving signal, and which detects a rotation direction of the driving motor based on a timing pattern of a detection of the rotational position of the driving motor and a reception of the light beam by the sensor.

Abstract: In a line head, a plurality of element arrays arranged in a first direction. Each array includes a plurality of light emission elements arrayed in a second direction which is perpendicularly to the first direction. The light emission elements emit light for forming an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive surface of an image carrier. A switcher activates the light emission elements in at least one of the element arrays while deactivating the others. A developer develops the latent image as a visible image with toner.

Abstract: In a line head, a plurality of element arrays arranged in a first direction. Each array includes a plurality of light emission elements arrayed in a second direction which is perpendicularly to the first direction. The light emission elements emit light for forming an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive surface of an image carrier. A switcher activates the light emission elements in at least one of the element arrays while deactivating the others. A developer develops the latent image as a visible image with toner.

Abstract: In a line head, a plurality of element arrays arranged in a first direction. Each array includes a plurality of light emission elements arrayed in a second direction which is perpendicularly to the first direction. The light emission elements emit light for forming an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive surface of an image carrier. A switcher activates the light emission elements in at least one of the element arrays while deactivating the others. A developer develops the latent image as a visible image with toner.

Abstract: A scanning system is adapted to scan an image beam across a photoconductive surface. The scanning system includes an oscillating mirror and is operable to generate an image beam and to reflect the image beam off the oscillating mirror to bidirectionally scan the image beam across the photoconductive surface and thereby discharge regions on the surface. The system is further operable to dynamically scale an intensity of the image beam as a function of a position of the image beam on the photoconductive surface.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus sets a DAC output voltage 1602, a VI conversion current ID 1603, and a laser current IL 1604 using a correction profile 1601, and performs density nonuniformity correction that addresses various factors contributing to density nonuniformity.

Abstract: A drive signal for driving a semiconductor laser is generated on the basis of an image signal inputted in synchronism with a pixel clock. A bias signal to the semiconductor laser is generated at a timing earlier than the drive signal by a predetermined time. The bias signal is disabled in synchronism with the leading edge of the drive signal.

Abstract: An image-forming device which is equipped with an image-holding member, an exposure section provided with plural light-emitting portions arranged in a first direction, a movement section that relatively moves the exposure section and the image-holding member in a second direction that intersects with the first direction, and a light-emission control section. The light-emission control section causes the plural light-emitting portions to periodically emit light in accordance with image data representing an image that is to be formed on the image-holding member, to form the image on the image-holding member. The light-emission control section varies a light-emission period during formation of the image, so as to correct for periodic fluctuations within the image of at least one of density and magnification ratio in the second direction.

Abstract: A light emitting device includes: a plurality of light emitting elements that emit light to have luminosity depending on the magnitude of a driving signal; a plurality of holding units that are respectively disposed in the plurality of light emitting elements, and respectively hold the driving signal to maintain a magnitude regulated such that the luminosity of the plurality of light emitting elements becomes uniform; and a plurality of supply units that are respectively disposed in the plurality of light emitting elements, and supply the driving signal, which is held by the holding units to have a certain magnitude for a period of time according to a gradation of light to be emitted, to a corresponding light emitting element.

Abstract: Laser beam scan line nonlinearity is compensated for by providing algorithms for generating linearity profiles which are used by a corresponding registration system in an electrophotographic device to determine the placement of Pels across a scan line.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is capable of forming a clear image by using laser beams projected from a plurality of laser light sources. The image forming apparatus forms an electrostatic latent image on a medium to be scanned by laser beams, which are projected from a plurality of laser light sources and periodically deflected by a rotational deflecting unit, so that the laser beams scan the medium, which is uniformly charged and moving in a sub-scanning direction, in a main-scanning direction perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction. A pixel clock generating unit generates pixel clocks, which are used for controlling timings of projection of the laser beams, separately for each of the laser light sources, and for performing a phase change of each of the pixel clocks; and a phase control unit that controls independently each of the pixel clocks.

Abstract: In an optical control apparatus, a semiconductor laser emits a laser beam having a power corresponding to an energizing current. A light power detecting device detects a light power of the laser beam. A monitor voltage generating device generates a monitor voltage set based on the light power. A reference voltage generating device generates a reference voltage set based on a target light power of the laser beam. A current control device controls the energizing current such that the monitor voltage approaches the reference voltage based on a deviation of the monitor voltage from the reference voltage. A pseudo voltage input device inputs a predetermined pseudo voltage to the current control device instead of the monitor voltage under a predetermined condition such that a variation range of the deviation lies within a predetermined range.

Abstract: In a line head, a plurality of element arrays arranged in a first direction. Each array includes a plurality of light emission elements arrayed in a second direction which is perpendicularly to the first direction. The light emission elements emit light for forming an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive surface of an image carrier. A switcher activates the light emission elements in at least one of the element arrays while deactivating the others. A developer develops the latent image as a visible image with toner.

Abstract: A driving apparatus of a multi-function machine includes a scanner unit scanning data recorded on a sheet of document and a document transport part to transport the sheet of document. A printer unit prints data on a sheet of paper for an output and includes a carrier including a print head with an ink jet nozzle mounted thereon to carry out the printing operation by moving the print head. The driving apparatus includes a driving motor, a scanner driving part driving the scanner unit, a printer driving part driving the printer unit, and a power switching part disposed with the driving motor, the scanner driving part, and the printer driving part. The power switching part selectively transmits a power of the driving motor to at least one of the scanner driving part and the printer driving part.

Abstract: In an image forming device, a correction unit corrects image formation operation based on a plurality of correction patterns. A pattern creation unit forms an electrostatic latent image of the correction patterns on a photoconductor and transferring the image to an intermediate transfer body to form the correction patterns thereon. A pattern detecting unit detects the correction patterns formed on the intermediate transfer body. A speed detecting unit detects a movement speed of the correction patterns on the intermediate transfer body are moved. A timing holding unit computes a set value of detection start timing for starting detection of each correction pattern to hold the set value. The correction unit is provided to determine, in advance of correcting image formation operation, a detection start timing based on the movement speed and the set value.

Abstract: A light emitting device includes: a plurality of light emitting elements that emit light to have luminosity depending on the magnitude of a driving signal; a plurality of holding units that are respectively disposed in the plurality of light emitting elements, and respectively hold the driving signal to maintain a magnitude regulated such that the luminosity of the plurality of light emitting elements becomes uniform; and a plurality of supply units that are respectively disposed in the plurality of light emitting elements, and supply the driving signal, which is held by the holding units to have a certain magnitude for a period of time according to a gradation of light to be emitted, to a corresponding light emitting element.

Abstract: In a line head, a plurality of element arrays arranged in a first direction. Each array includes a plurality of light emission elements arrayed in a second direction which is perpendicularly to the first direction. The light emission elements emit light for forming an electrostatic talent image on a photosensitive surface of an image carrier. A switcher activates the light emission elements in at least one of the element arrays while deactivating the others. A developer develops the latent image as a visible image with toner.

Abstract: A photo-printing system includes a laser exposure unit, a reference clock generation unit, an image input unit, and a controller. The image input unit receives first pixel data and second pixel data to be expressed after the first pixel in accordance with image data. In a first control, the first and second pixels are scanned for exposure in a laser emission region state wherein each of the scan-start timings of the first and second pixels are controlled in accordance with a reference clock. In a second control, the first pixel is scanned for exposure in a nonlinear light emission region state, and the second pixel having a density equal to or lower than a predetermined density is scanned for exposure in the laser emission region state, the scan-start timing of the second pixel is advanced with respect to the first control.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a laser diode drive current pulse, comprises providing a power correction table comprising drive current pulse correction factors corresponding to counter positions. The method also comprises providing a jump table comprising counter position adjustments corresponding to correction factors. A count value of a position within the counter positions is maintained. Maintaining the count value comprises indexing the count value to the jump table and incrementing the count value for each of a series of pixel clocks. A correction factor is determined, wherein determining the current correction factor comprises indexing the count value to the power correction table.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a light beam generation unit, a light deflector having a resonance frequency and deflecting a light beam, a photosensitive member to which the deflected light beam is irradiated, and a driving control unit driving and controlling the light deflector. The driving control unit can measure a difference between a frequency of a light-deflector driving signal and the light-deflector resonance frequency and a non-drawing time during which an image is not formed by the light deflector. When the difference between the frequency of the driving signal and the light-deflector resonance frequency is equal to or larger than a predetermined value and the non-drawing time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, the driving control unit produces the driving signal having a frequency corresponding to the resonance frequency of the light deflector and supplies the produced driving signal to the light deflector.

Abstract: A system changes the setpoint of a digital reprographic system in response to the local image content by utilizing tag data that contains information identifying the image content type of a corresponding image data pixel. The system modifies the reproduction characteristics of the output to accommodate the diverse image content types by simultaneously controlling the overall tone reproduction curve of the system on a pixel-by-pixel basis.

Abstract: In a line head, a plurality of element arrays arranged in a first direction. Each array includes a plurality of light emission elements arrayed in a second direction which is perpendicularly to the first direction. The light emission elements emit light for forming an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive surface of an image carrier. A switcher activates the light emission elements in at least one of the element arrays while deactivating the others. A developer develops the latent image as a visible image with toner.

Abstract: In an image formation method of an image formation apparatus for correcting uneven image formation on the basis of vibration property information corresponding to an operation sequence in image formation, vibration property information corresponding to a plurality of operation sequences are stored in a storage device. The uneven image formation is corrected on the basis of vibration property information corresponding to an operation sequence selected from the storage device. Vibration property information generated by driving a movable member is measured when the selected operation sequence is being executed while correcting the uneven image formation. It is determined whether the measured vibration property information is similar to the vibration property information selected from the storage device. The vibration property information stored in the storage device is rewrite-controlled in accordance with the measurement result or the determination result.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, having a submodule that causes non-uniformity in density in a slow-scanning direction in accordance with rotation, includes a correction image forming unit that forms an image for density correction, in cooperation with the submodule, a density detector that detects a density of the image for density correction, a correction data generation unit that generates correction data to correct a density distribution based on a density distribution of the image for density correction in a slow-scanning direction detected by the density detector, a phase detector that detects a phase of the submodule, and a mark image forming unit that forms a mark image in synchronization with the phase of the submodule detected by the phase detector, in the image for density correction formed by the correction image forming unit.

Abstract: A connection member that connects an electric substrate and a light source that emits a light beam, the connection member comprising: a light source terminal insertion portion into which a light source terminal of the light source is inserted from one end portion side and having another end portion side that penetrates the electric substrate.

Abstract: A scanning system is adapted to scan an image beam across a photoconductive surface. The scanning system includes an oscillating mirror and is operable to generate an image beam and to reflect the image beam off the oscillating mirror to bidirectionally scan the image beam across the photoconductive surface and thereby discharge regions on the surface. The system is further operable to dynamically scale an intensity of the image beam as a function of a position of the image beam on the photoconductive surface.

Abstract: A driving apparatus of a multi-function machine includes a scanner unit scanning data recorded on a sheet of document and a document transport part to transport the sheet of document. A printer unit prints data on a sheet of paper for an output and includes a carrier including a print head with an ink jet nozzle mounted thereon to carry out the printing operation by moving the print head. The driving apparatus includes a driving motor, a scanner driving part driving the scanner unit, a printer driving part driving the printer unit, and a power switching part disposed with the driving motor, the scanner driving part, and the printer driving part. The power switching part selectively transmits a power of the driving motor to at least one of the scanner driving part and the printer driving part.

Abstract: A multibeam scanning optical apparatus incluses a controller which specifies laser diodes which are emitting light normally and arranged in a continuous row, a memory having a plurality of area in which image data are stored, a write-in controller which causes image data for each line to be written into only areas of memory corresponding to the specified laser diodes when any of the laser diodes suffers a failure, a read-out controller which causes the image data for each line to be read out simultaneously from the areas of memory corresponding to the specified laser diodes and a driver which performs light emission control only with respect to the specified laser diodes.

Abstract: A method of measuring and controlling high frequency banding, the method includes creating a test pattern, sensing the test pattern with optical sensors, determining a beat frequency based on the sensed test pattern, and determining the frequency, phase and amplitude of high frequency banding based on the beat frequency. An exemplary embodiment of a feedback control method for controlling high frequency banding includes creating a test pattern, sensing the test pattern with optical sensors, measuring high frequency banding and adjusting the imaging parameters based on the measured high frequency banding in order to decrease the extent of high frequency banding. Moreover, an exemplary embodiment of a system for measuring high frequency banding includes an image marking device having a receiving member, optical sensors arranged on the receiving member, and a controller that is functionally coupled to the optical sensors and to the marking device.

Abstract: A method for imaging a printing form, in which a laser (140) generates a sequence of pulses (172, 220) of electromagnetic radiation corresponding to the image information of an image area (200, 202, 204, 206) to be generated on the printing form (118), and the image area (200, 202, 204, 206) to be generated on the printing form (118) is patterned according to the image information by interaction with the electromagnetic radiation, has the feature that the sequence of pulses (172, 220) of electromagnetic radiation is amplified by an amplifier (160); the amplifier (160) being discharged in a controlled manner by additional pulses (176, 222) corresponding to a non-image area (132, 208, 210, 212) of the printing form (118) in such a way that interference pulses of the amplifier (160) are prevented.

Abstract: An optical head that forms latent images on a photosensitive material by a multiple-exposure method is driven at higher speed. This optical head comprises a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a specific direction, a storage unit for receiving and storing data corresponding to one pixel, a shift register having a plurality of registers respectively corresponding to the plurality of light emitting elements, the shift register receiving the data stored in the storage unit and successively shifting the data of each register, and an element drive circuit for lighting the corresponding light emitting elements on the basis of the data in each register of the shift register, wherein the plurality of light emitting elements arranged in the specific direction are successively lighted, and one pixel is subjected to multiple exposure.

Abstract: A light-emitting device driver that includes a driver unit that drives a light-emitting device, a compensator that compensates for at least one of the rising and falling responses of the driver unit, a switching unit that switches on and off the compensator, and a control unit that performs on/off control on the switching unit.

Abstract: The invention concerns an image recording apparatus suitable for forming a medical image that is used for a medical diagnosis, and a test pattern for evaluating a quality of the medical image. The image recording apparatus includes a printing section to either the medical image or the test pattern on the recording medium, based on image date; a printing-condition setting section to set a printing condition for printing the test pattern; and a printing-condition displaying section to display the printing condition set by the printing-condition setting section. The printing section prints at least one of a sharpness-evaluating pattern and a granularity-evaluating pattern.

Abstract: Image data are inputted from a data processing means (23) into storage means (24) so that light emitting elements on one line (28a) of a light emitting element (yellow) line head (28) are actuated according to signal outputted from a shift resistor (24a) so as to expose pixels on an image carrier. At a point of time when the pixels reach a position corresponding to the light emitting elements in a next line (28b) by moving the image carrier in a direction of arrow X, the image data are transmitted to a shift resistor (24b) and then outputted to the line (28b) so as to expose the pixels again. The image data are transmitted among the shift resistors sequentially by moving the image carrier, thereby achieving the multiple exposure of the same pixels.