Abstract: A laser arrangement includes a VCSEL array comprising multiple VCSELs arranged on a common semiconductor substrate, an optical structure, and a diffusor structure. The optical structure is arranged to reduce a divergence angle of laser light emitted by each respective VCSEL to a section of the diffusor structure assigned to the respective VCSEL. The diffusor structure is arranged to transform the laser light received from the optical structure to transformed laser light such that a continuous illumination pattern is configured to be provided in a reference plane in a defined field-of-view. The diffusor structure is arranged to increase a size of the illumination pattern in comparison to an untransformed illumination pattern which can be provided without the diffusor structure. The VCSEL array, optical structure, and diffusor structure are arranged such that sections of the diffusor structure do not overlap. Diffusor properties of the diffusor structure vary across the diffusor structure.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes: a light source; a scanning unit configured to deflect light from the light source in a main scanning direction to scan a scanned area with light; an optical member configured to guide light from the light source to the scanning unit; a casing holding the light source and the optical member; and an attaching part disposed between the optical member and the casing to attach a part of the optical member to the casing, wherein a direction in which the attaching part is interposed aligns with a direction corresponding to the main scanning direction of the scanning unit.

Abstract: An optical writing device includes a light source, a deflector, an imager, and a casing, wherein the imager includes a scanning optical member, the casing includes an optical axis direction positioner, the optical axis direction positioner includes two one side positioners, and one other side positioner, a central position in a sub-scanning direction of the one other side positioner is located between central positions in the sub-scanning direction of the two one side positioners, the scanning optical member is bonded to the casing at a bonding position, and a position in the sub-scanning direction of the bonding position and a position in the sub-scanning direction of the optical axis direction positioner overlap with each other, a main-scanning direction positioner is further provided, and the main-scanning direction positioner is located on the other side with respect to the central position of the scanning optical member in the main-scanning direction.

Abstract: In an optical scanning device, a housing has a structure divided into an upper stage and a lower stage by a mounting plate on which a deflector, a first optical system and a second optical system are mounted. A first optical system reflection mirror and a second optical system reflection mirror are mounted in the other of the upper stage and the lower stage in which the deflector is not mounted. Each of the first optical system and the second optical system is disposed across a region including the upper stage and the lower stage. The first optical system reflection mirror and the second optical system reflection mirror are disposed with the deflector located therebetween. The first optical system reflection mirror is disposed on a side of the second optical system, and the second optical system reflection mirror is disposed on a side of the first optical system.

Abstract: An image drawing apparatus includes a light source unit that outputs a laser light, a sensor that measures an index regarding brightness of the laser light, a scanner that reflects and scans the laser light, and an image processor that controls the light source unit, outputs the laser light to a drawing area narrower than a scanning area of the scanner so that an image based on image data that has been input is drawn, outputting an adjustment laser light to adjust the brightness of the laser light to an outside of the drawing area, stops the output of the adjustment laser light when a period (e.g., variable) until the time the output of the adjustment laser light becomes stable is passed after the output of the adjustment laser light is started, and adjusts the laser light brightness based on the index regarding the adjustment laser light brightness.

Abstract: A multi-aperture imaging device includes an image sensor and an array of optical channels, each optical channel including optics for projecting a partial field of view of a total field of view on an image sensor area of the image sensor. The multi-aperture imaging device includes a beam deflector for deflecting an optical path of the optical channels and an optical image stabilizer for an image stabilization along a first image axis by generating a translatory relative movement between the image sensor and the array and for an image stabilization along a second image axis by generating a rotational movement of the beam deflector.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, a light exposure device, a developing device, a fixing unit disposed opposite to the light exposure device relative to the developing device, a sheet supply tray disposed below the developing device, an ejection tray disposed above the developing device and having a sheet receiving surface inclined downward, relative to a horizontal direction, toward the charger, and a sheet conveying path through which a sheet is conveyed from the sheet supply tray to the ejection tray. A lowest end portion of the sheet receiving surface is disposed below an upper end of the charger in the vertical direction. The charger is disposed opposite to the developing device relative to the lowest end portion of the sheet receiving surface.

Abstract: A rotating polygonal mirror has deflection faces for deflecting a light beam. A motor drives the polygonal mirror. A first detection unit outputs a first signal by detecting a light beam. A second detection unit outputs a second signal whose period is different from a period of the first signal, by detecting magnetic flux change. A specifying unit obtains a phase relationship between the first signal and the second signal, and specifies a deflection face. A storage unit stores setting information for setting whether to use rising or falling of the second signal to specify the phase relationship. The specifying unit determines whether to use rising or falling of the second signal in order to obtain the phase relationship.

Abstract: A leaf spring includes a first pressing portion that presses a reflection mirror supported by a mirror support, and an engagement portion that engages with an engagement portion provided on a housing. In a first state in which the engagement portions are engaged with each other, the first pressing portion presses the reflection mirror so that the reflection mirror is urged against the mirror support. When a state of the leaf spring is being changed to the first state from a second state in which the engagement portions are not engaged with each other, the leaf spring comes into contact with the engagement portion provided on the housing and rotates such that the engagement portion provided on the housing serves as a fulcrum.

Abstract: There is provided a transporting system including two rollers to transport a sheet, two driving devices to drive the rollers, two measuring devices to measure state quantities Z1 and Z2 concerning the rollers, and a controller to control the transport. The controller includes first and second estimating units to estimate values R1 and R2 related to reaction forces act on the rollers, a first calculating unit to calculate control input U1 in accordance with a deviation between a target state quantity and (Z1+Z2)/2, a second calculating unit to calculate control input U2 in accordance with a deviation between a target value and (R1?R2)/2, a first drive controller to input a control signal in accordance with (U1+U2) to the first driving device, and a second drive controller to input a control signal in accordance with (U1?U2) to the second driving device.

Abstract: An optical scanning device including a controller configured to control a light emitter to emit a first light beam in accordance with a first pattern, control the light emitter to emit a second light beam in accordance with a second pattern, discriminate between a first signal output from a sensor in accordance with the first pattern and a second signal output from the sensor in accordance with the second pattern, identify a first moment at which the discriminated first signal has been output and a second moment at which the discriminated second signal has been output, and determine a moment to start forming on a scanned object a first scanning line by the first light beam, based on the identified first moment, and determine a moment to start forming on the scanned object a second scanning line by the second light beam, based on the identified second moment.

Abstract: An optical deflector including a rotary member supported by a bearing shaft and rotatively driven by a motor for deflecting a plurality of laser beams separated from each other in a rotational axis direction of the rotary member is disclosed. The optical deflector includes a polygon mirror having four sides arranged about the rotational axis direction. Each of the four sides is a continuous plane having a plurality of effective reflection areas separated from each other in the rotational axis direction.

Abstract: In an optical scanning device, a first deflector rotates about a first axis in a first direction and deflects light to scan the deflected light, and a second deflector rotates about a second axis parallel to the first axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction and deflects light to scan the deflected light. The light detecting unit detects the light deflected by the first deflector and the light deflected by the second deflector. As viewed in an axial direction along the first and second axes, the light detecting unit is disposed on one side relative to a first line and between second and third lines, the first line passing through the first and second axes, the second line passing through the first axis and being perpendicular to the first line, and the third line passing through the second axis and being perpendicular to the first line.

Abstract: A print media feed system in a inkjet printer, the system has a media feed roll, a star wheel mounted opposing the roll, an adjustable biaser coupled to the star wheel, and a controller coupled to the biaser. The controller varies a magnitude, a direction or a magnitude and direction of a biasing force applied to the star wheel by the biaser. In one form, the biaser comprises a motor driven cam that varies the angular position of a pivotable lever having a star wheel rotatably attached on one end. In another form, a rack and pinion gear assembly is used to vary the biasing force with a star wheel rotatably attached to the rack. In a further form, a solenoid is used to vary the basing force applied to the lever or applied to a star wheel rotatably attached to the end of the shaft of a solenoid.

Abstract: Provided is an optical scanning device including a light source, a deflector, a scanning lens, a synchronizing sensor, a sensor lens and a control unit. The deflector causes a scanning line to be written within an effective scanning width of a surface to be scanned. The synchronizing sensor detects a light beam that is outside the range of the effective scanning width on a scanning start side of the scanning line. The control unit controls an emission operation of the light source, and starts the writing of the scanning line at a timing in which a fixed time is added to a timing that the synchronizing sensor has detected the light beam. The sensor lens includes a diffraction grating that bends the light beam in a downstream-side direction of the scanning line, and a bending degree of the light beam by the diffraction grating changes with temperature.

Abstract: In an optical scanning device, a first deflector rotates about a first axis in a first direction and deflects light to scan the deflected light, and a second deflector rotates about a second axis parallel to the first axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction and deflects light to scan the deflected light. The light detecting unit detects the light deflected by the first deflector and the light deflected by the second deflector. As viewed in an axial direction along the first and second axes, the light detecting unit is disposed on one side relative to a first line and between second and third lines, the first line passing through the first and second axes, the second line passing through the first axis and being perpendicular to the first line, and the third line passing through the second axis and being perpendicular to the first line.

Abstract: A light scanning apparatus, including: a light source; a deflector having a rotary polygon mirror configured to deflect the light beam emitted from the light source, and a motor configured to rotate the polygon mirror; a plurality of reflecting mirrors configured to reflect the light beam to the photosensitive member; and an optical box on which the light source is mounted, wherein the optical box has an installation wall on which the deflector is installed and a support wall positioned on a side of the photosensitive member with respect to the polygon mirror, the support wall being provided with a support portion configured to support at least one reflecting mirror, a stepped portion having a plurality of steps is formed between the installation wall and the support wall, and a back surface of the stepped portion has a shape following an inside surface of the stepped portion.

Abstract: A light beam emission apparatus separates, via a half mirror, apart of a laser beam emitted from a semiconductor laser towards a photosensitive member, guides the separated laser beam to an optical sensor to detect a light quantity, and controls the light quantity based on the detected result. The light beam emission apparatus includes a first light blocking member located between the semiconductor laser and the half mirror, and a second light blocking member located between the half mirror and the optical sensor.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a light source, a deflector, a scanning optical system, a BD sensor, and a half-silvered mirror. The light source emits a light beam. The deflector deflects a light beam emitted from the light source. The scanning optical system includes a scan lens and causes the deflected light beam to form an image on a photosensitive surface. The BD sensor detects a light beam. The half-silvered mirror splits the light beam into a first beam and a second beam. The first beam passes through the scan lens to enter the photosensitive surface. The second beam enters the BD sensor.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention uses a BD sensor to measure a time interval between light beams emitted from two light emitting elements in a period during which constant speed control for maintaining the rotation speed of a polygon mirror at a target speed is performed and speed change control for accelerating or decelerating the rotation speed toward the target speed is not performed. Based on the time interval between BD signals generated according to the two light beams that are incident on the BD sensor while the constant speed control is being executed, the image forming apparatus controls the emission timings of the light beams that are based on the image data for the light emitting elements.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus controls a semiconductor laser such that first and second light beams among multiple light beams are successively incident on a BD sensor and measures the time interval between BD signals that correspond to the first and second light beams and are output from the BD sensor. Two light emitting elements that output two light beams for which the ratio between the light powers of two light beams detected by the detection unit falls within a predetermined range are set as light emitting elements that are to emit the first and second light beams when the time interval is to be measured. This suppresses measurement errors when measuring the interval between light beams emitted from two light emitting elements and improves correction accuracy for the image writing start positions of the light emitting elements.

Abstract: A disclosed surface-emitting laser module includes a surface-emitting laser formed on a substrate to emit light perpendicular to its surface, a package including a recess portion in which the substrate having the surface-emitting laser is arranged, and a transparent substrate arranged to cover the recess portion of the package and the substrate having the surface-emitting laser such that the transparent substrate and the package are connected on a light emitting side of the surface-emitting laser. In the surface-emitting laser module, a high reflectance region and a low reflectance region are formed within a region enclosed by an electrode on an upper part of a mesa of the surface-emitting laser, and the transparent substrate is slanted to the surface of the substrate having the surface-emitting laser in a polarization direction of the light emitted from the surface-emitting laser determined by the high reflectance region and the low reflectance region.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus capable of fixing an optical member using a plate spring without forming a die cut hole and thus having high dust-proof performance includes a mirror supporting portion supporting a reflection mirror, and a projecting portion configured to form a gap between the reflection mirror supported on the mirror supporting portion and itself, and to deform the plate spring with the reflection mirror, and the projecting portion is provided with a cut hole for engaging the plate spring.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes, a deflection unit configured to deflect first and second light fluxes in a main scanning direction by a same deflection surface, an incident optical system configured to cause the first and second light fluxes to enter the deflection surface, and an imaging optical system configured to converge the first and second light fluxes deflected by the deflection unit to first and second surfaces to be scanned, respectively. The imaging optical system includes first imaging optical element having an output surface including first and second curves that the first and second light fluxes respectively enter, and among light rays included in the first and second light fluxes, the light rays that are reflected by the first and second curves, intersect each other in a sub-scanning cross section perpendicular to the main scanning direction.

Abstract: An optical scanning device scanning scan target surfaces in a first direction with light includes: a light source emitting first and second light beams corresponding to two of the scan target surfaces; an optical deflector including a reflection surface on which the emitted first and second light beams are obliquely incident while being separated from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and deflecting the first and second light beams; a scanning lens disposed on respective optical paths of the deflected first and second light beams; and a branching optical element transmitting therethrough most of the first light beam transmitted through the scanning lens, and reflecting most of the second light beam transmitted through the scanning lens. The deflected first and second light beams intersect between the optical deflector and the branching optical element, when projected on a plane perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: An imaging system includes incidence faces composed of optical faces having an image focusing function; prisms; and exit faces. The incidence faces are arranged with a first pitch along a first axial direction. The prisms are arranged with a second pitch along the first axial direction. The exit faces are arranged with a third pitch along the first axial direction. The first axial direction is set as a Y direction. A normal line direction of a face top of an optical face of the incidence face in a plane perpendicular to the first axial direction is set as a X direction. A direction perpendicular to the Y direction and the X direction is set as a Z direction. In a XZ cross-section plane, a width of the prism in the Z direction is smaller than a width of optical face of the incidence face in the Z direction.

Abstract: An imaging device scan unit, including an oscillator oscillating in a predetermined oscillation pattern; a light source generating a light beam for deflection by the oscillator and including a forward sweep portion when the oscillator moves in a first direction of the oscillation pattern and a reverse sweep portion when the oscillator moves in a second direction different from the first direction thereof; and components defining at least two optical paths for the light beam, the forward sweep portion of the light beam passes through a first optical path and the reverse sweep portion of the light beam passes through a second optical path, the second optical path reverses a sweep direction of the reverse sweep portion of the light beam such that the forward sweep portion and the reverse sweep portion of the light beam are in the substantially same direction when exiting the scan unit.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus capable of fixing an optical member using a plate spring without forming a die cut hole and thus having high dust-proof performance includes a mirror supporting portion supporting a reflection mirror, and a projecting portion configured to form a gap between the reflection mirror supported on the mirror supporting portion and itself, and to deform the plate spring with the reflection mirror, and the projecting portion is provided with a cut hole for engaging the plate spring.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of optical scanning devices, a job receiver, a job executor, an image discriminator, a temperature condition judger and a temperature adjuster. When a formation-target image is a single-color image and an image to be formed next is a multi-color image, the temperature adjuster drives a motor of one optical scanning device at a second rotating speed slower than a rotating speed during an image forming operation and drives motors of unused optical scanning devices at a third rotating speed faster than the second rotating speed if a temperature condition is satisfied upon the completion of an image forming operation of the single-color image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of optical scanning devices, a mode receiver, a temperature condition judger and a temperature adjuster. In the case of forming an image using one optical scanning device, the temperature adjuster drives motors of unused optical scanning devices at a first rotation speed if a predetermined temperature condition is satisfied and drives the motors of the unused optical scanning devices at a second rotation speed slower than the first rotation speed if image formation is finished during the drive at the first rotation speed.

Abstract: An optical device includes a surface-emitting laser array having a plurality of light-emitting portions; a package member on which the surface-emitting laser array is disposed; and a transparent member retained on the package member and disposed on an optical path of a light beam emitted by the surface-emitting laser array. The transparent member includes an incident plane on which the light beam emitted by the surface-emitting laser array is incident. The incident plane is inclined with respect to an emitting surface of the surface-emitting laser array at a first inclination angle which is smaller than a second inclination angle at which the light emitted by one of the light-emitting portions is incident on another, most-distant one, of the light-emitting portions via reflection by the transparent member.

Abstract: An optical deflector including a rotary member supported by a bearing shaft and rotatively driven by a motor for deflecting a plurality of laser beams separated from each other in a rotational axis direction of the rotary member is disclosed. The optical deflector includes a polygon mirror having four sides arranged about the rotational axis direction. Each of the four sides is a continuous plane having a plurality of effective reflection areas separated from each other in the rotational axis direction.

Abstract: A light-emitting chip includes: a substrate; plural light-emitting elements arrayed in line on the substrate, each of the light-emitting elements including a light-emitting region having a length in an array direction of the array different from a length in a direction orthogonal to the array direction; and a light-up current supplying interconnection including plural connecting portions, each of the connecting portions being provided on the light-emitting region of a corresponding one of the light-emitting elements in a shorter direction of the light-emitting region either the array direction or the direction orthogonal to the array direction, each of the connecting portions being connected to an electrode provided on the light-emitting region, the light-up current supplying interconnection supplying a current for lighting up to the plural light-emitting elements through the plural connecting portions.

Abstract: A housing for the scan unit printhead of an imaging device. The housing is substantially bowl shaped having a plurality of mounting surfaces extending inwardly toward a central region of the housing. The housing is constructed from a metal composition. The scan unit includes a plurality of light sources and an optical assembly operatively coupled thereto. The housing mounting surfaces support components of the optical assembly using an adhesive, without additional mounting hardware.

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: In a light source device including an aperture member that regulates a light beam, |(Pap1?Pap2)/Pap2|<|(P1?P2)/P2| is satisfied where P2 is a light intensity of the light beam entering the aperture member at a time t2 when 2 microseconds have passed since current was applied to the laser, P1 is a light intensity of the light beam entering the aperture member at a time t1 when 40 nanoseconds have passed since a light intensity of the light beam entering the aperture member reached 0.1 time the light intensity P2, Pap2 is a light intensity of the light beam output from the aperture member at the time t2, and Pap1 is a light intensity of the light beam output from the aperture member at a time t1? when 40 nanoseconds have passed since a light intensity of the light beam output from the aperture member reached 0.1 time the light intensity Pap2.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an optical scanning device includes plural light sources, a polygon mirror, a first lens, a first reflection mirror, and a second lens. The polygon mirror deflects lights emitted from the plural light sources in a predetermined direction. The first lens allows the lights emitted from the plural light sources and deflected by the polygon mirror to pass. The first reflection mirror reflects the lights passed through the first lens in a direction different from the deflecting direction of the polygon mirror. The second lens receives incidence of the lights reflected by the first reflection mirror from a direction different from an incident direction of the first lens and allows, with one lens, the lights emitted from the plural light sources to pass.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus and an image forming apparatus having the optical scanning apparatus includes a before-light-deflecting-unit optical system and a scanning optical system. The optical system includes a first optical device, a second optical device made of a resin material which has an anamorphic negative refracting power in a deflection scanning direction and a deflection scan perpendicular direction and has a larger refracting power in the deflection scan perpendicular direction than a refracting power in the deflection scanning direction, and a third optical device made of a glass material which has substantially no refracting power in the deflection scanning direction and a positive refracting power in the deflection scan perpendicular direction. An interval of the scanning lines formed on the scanned surface is adjusted by displacement of the second and third optical devices in an optical axis direction of the before-light-deflecting-unit optical system.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a light source that emits a light beam; a photosensitive member; a brushless motor including a stator where a plurality of coils are placed and a rotor where a plurality of magnets are placed; a rotary polygon mirror, which is rotated by the brushless motor, and which periodically deflects the light beam emitted from the light source to sequentially form scanning lines on the photosensitive member; an energization switching unit that turns on and off energizations of the coils; a voltage detecting unit that outputs a detection signal based on induced voltages that are generated in the coils by rotation of the rotor; and a control unit that controls turning on/off of the energizations by the energization switching unit based on the detection signal.

Abstract: A length L of the test pattern string is determined so as to satisfy a condition L?{P?(Q1+Q2)}×V, where a time Q is a total time of a time Q1 for which the test pattern string is transferred from an exposure position of the test pattern string to a sensor and a time Q2 from when the test pattern is detected by the sensor until a color misregistration correction value calculated on the basis of a result of detecting is reflected in image formation; a time P is a time from a timing of starting to write the test pattern string to a timing of starting to write an image in which the correction value should be reflected; and a driving speed of a second image carrier is V.

Abstract: There is provided an exposure device including: a light-emitting element array having an elongated support and plural light-emitting elements, the light-emitting elements being arranged in at least one row along a length direction of the support such that a spacing between two adjacent light-emitting elements is a pre-specified first spacing; and a hologram element array having a hologram recording layer disposed on the support and plural hologram elements formed, the plural hologram elements corresponding with each of the light-emitting elements and being formed such that a spacing along the support length direction between two adjacent hologram elements is the first spacing, and a diameter in the support length direction of each of the plural hologram elements being larger than the first spacing, such that a respective light emitted from each of the light-emitting elements is diffracted and focused toward a pre-specified image-forming plane by the corresponding hologram element.

Abstract: A light scanning apparatus including: a light source to emit a laser beam; a light source driving unit to turn on and off the light source according to image data and a pixel clock; a rotary polygon mirror to deflect the light beam; a motor to rotationally drive the rotary polygon mirror; and a control unit to control a rotary speed of the motor to generate an acceleration control signal for accelerating the rotary speed and a deceleration control signal for decelerating the rotary speed, wherein for the acceleration control signal, the driving unit corrects the frequency of the pixel clock to be higher than the frequency, which is before the acceleration control, and for the deceleration control signal, the driving unit corrects the frequency of the pixel clock to be lower than the frequency, which is before the deceleration control.

Abstract: An optical scanner, which scans at least one scanned face by a light beam, includes a light source having a plurality of light emitting points, an optical system before a light deflector configured to form a plurality of light beams from the light source, a light deflector configured to deflect the light beams via the optical system before a light deflector and scan the deflected light beams, and a scanning optical system configured to focus on the scanned face the light beams deflected and scanned by a deflection face of the light deflector, the optical system before a light deflector including a first optical element having a negative power at least in a deflecting and scanning vertical direction, a second optical element having a power only in a deflecting and scanning direction and a third optical element having a power only in the deflecting and scanning vertical direction.

Abstract: An optical device includes an optical component that reflects or shapes a light beam. In a particular embodiment, the optical device can include a bending moment generating structure that generates a bending moment in a supported portion of the optical component. The optical device can also include an adjusting mechanism that adjusts the bowing amount of the optical component by adjusting the bending moment of the bending moment generating structure.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is provided. The printing apparatus includes an image forming unit to form an image on a sheet in a colorant, a first sheet feeder and a second sheet feeder to supply sheets to the image forming unit, a trial printing system, which conducts a trial printing process to print at least a part of images included in a print job on a sheet supplied from the second sheet feeder when the print job designates the first sheet feeder, a first receiving system, which receives an instruction to continue printing after completion of the trial printing process, and a main printing system, which conducts a main printing process to print the images included in the print job on a sheet supplied from the first sheet feeder when the first receiving system receives the instruction to continue printing.

Abstract: Provided is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using a novel array light source to replace the LED array light sources, which enables provision of a reduced image formation spot diameter on a photoreceptor as well as a reduced spot pitch. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an electrophotographic image forming apparatus including a light source, and an electrophotographic photoreceptor to be exposed by the light source, the light source for exposing the electrophotographic photoreceptor including: a plurality of surface plasmon waveguides for forming a potential distribution on the electrophotographic photoreceptor using near-field light generated at tips thereof, the surface plasmon waveguides being arrayed: and an excitation mechanism for exciting a surface plasmon on each of the plurality of surface plasmon waveguides.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a first optical a light source that has a plurality of luminous points; a first optical system that shapes a plurality of beams of light; a rotary polygon mirror an optical scanning system that causes the beams of light deflected to form images on a surface to be scanned, wherein ? is assumed to be half of an angle formed between the optical axis of the first optical system and the optical axis of the optical scanning system within the deflecting/scanning surface, ? is assumed to be a distance between an intersection dc and an intersection hh, wherein ? is set to be zero or a negative value, given that ? is defined positive when the intersection dc is present on the optical-scanning side of the intersection hh.

Abstract: A method and system modify a rasterized digital image to reduce registration artifacts, the image having a black plane and a color plane by determining if a pixel is part of a connected black region and if the pixel is part of a connected color region. It is determined if the pixel is part of a connected black region and a connected color region that are contiguous. A dilation operation is performed on the color plane value of the pixel if the pixel is part of a connected black region and a connected color region that are contiguous.

Abstract: A scanning optical device, comprises a light source to emit a light beam; a deflecting section to deflect the emitted light beam so as to scan; an optical element to make the scanning light beam to converge; and a correcting mechanism to correct an attitude of the optical element so as to adjust a convergence position of the scanning light beam; wherein at least a part of the correcting mechanism is arranged between the deflecting section and the optical element.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier having a curvature in a first direction; and an exposure head including a first light emitting element that emits a light having a wavelength ?11 and a light having a wavelength ?12, a first optical system that converges each of the light emitted from the first light emitting element onto the image carrier, a second light emitting element, and a second optical system that converges a light emitted from the second light emitting element onto the image carrier, wherein a position at which the first optical system converges each of the light and a position at which the second optical system converges the light are different from each other with respect to the first direction.