Abstract: A multi-beam scanning optical system is provided with a light source unit emitting a plurality of beams. The beams are incident on a polygonal mirror, and deflected thereby to scan in a predetermined scanning range. The scanning beam is incident an f&thgr; lens system. The f&thgr; lens system includes a plurality of lenses, and all the beams pass at least one of the plurality of lenses included in the f&thgr; lens system. The lens, which all the beams pass through, is formed as a single lens element made of single material. Further, the lens contributes to convergence of the beams in the main scanning direction.

Abstract: A system (21) is proposed for transferring data to plate-like data carriers (23, 23′), the system comprising a holder (22, 22′), shaped at least partly as an inner cylinder, to arrange the data carriers (23, 23′)—of which the side provided to accept data faces the cylinder axis (29) of the holder (30)—and a transfer head (30) which can rotate about this cylinder axis and has at least one transfer means (24)—for transferring the data to the data carrier (23, 23′) the holder (22, 22′) and the transfer head also being capable of moving relative to each other in the direction of the cylinder axis (29) and the distance between at least one surface of the transfer head (30) or transfer means (24) and the data carrier—during the transfer of data—preferably being less than ¼ of the holder diameter and particularly preferably less than 1 cm.

Abstract: In a multi-beam scanning device including a laser diode array having three or more light emitting points, the interval Pi between one of the three or more light emitting points and the adjacent light emitting point is set so as to be not greater than the minimum recording interval Pi′ of image information to be recorded on a recording medium. In addition, the three or more light emitting points are arranged such that the corresponding laser beam spots formed on the recording medium are arranged in a line or substantially in a line in the sub-scanning direction B. Thereby recording speed and recording density can be increased.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus has an incident optical system for causing a light beam from a light source to be obliquely incident in a sub-scanning cross-section on a deflecting surface of an optical deflector, and an imaging optical system for forming, on a scanned surface, an image of the light beam deflected by the deflecting surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stitching a at least two imagers together in a scanning system to produce accurate, wide and seamless images. The system includes a photoreceptor adapted to move in a process direction and at least two imagers for simultaneously forming a single scan line at a time, in a direction transverse to the process direction. The system also includes circuitry for stitching together the at least two imagers and for forming registration marks on the surface of the photoreceptor. Finally, the scanning system includes sensing circuitry for detecting displacements of successive registration marks and providing adjustment values to the stitching circuitry.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes a plurality of light sources which emit first and second beams. First and second coupling lens units respectively couple the first and second beams emitted by the plurality of light sources. A rotary deflector which has pairs of mutually-opposite reflection surfaces and deflects the first beam in a first direction by one of the reflection surfaces and deflects the second beam in a second direction opposite to the first direction, by another of the reflection surfaces. First and second imaging units scan an image surface of a photoconductive medium along a first half of a main scanning line by focusing and deflecting the deflected first beam onto the image surface, and scan the image surface along a second half of the main scanning line by focusing and deflecting the deflected second beam onto the image surface, such that the first and second halves form a substantially straight scanning line on the image surface when the rotary deflector is rotated.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus containing a divisional scanning type optical scanner. In the apparatus, if displacement of one line in a subscanning direction occurs in a joint of image formation areas, light sources are controlled so as to modulate and emit light beams based on image data of the scanning line shifted one line at the same point of time. If displacement of 0.5 pixels in a main scanning direction occurs in a joint of image formation areas, the emission start timing of one light beam is shifted by the scanning time as long as 0.5 pixels with respect to the emission start timing of the other light beam, thereby correcting the displacement amount in the main scanning direction.

Abstract: Disclosed a multicolor image forming apparatus that facilitates correction operations to correct skews of a plurality of images. Turing a dial of an adjusting apparatus tilts a cylindrical mirror and thereby changes an irradiation position of a light beam to be irradiated onto a photoreceptor. Since the rotation of the dial and the movement of the cylindrical mirror correspond, an operator can know the state of the cylindrical mirror by visually checking a mark of the dial and a scale plate. When a color skew of images occurs, the operator can perform easily adjustment operations by the adjusting apparatus while checking a color skew amount and the state of a corresponding cylindrical mirror by the mark and the scale plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a fault tolerant recording system using a pair of laser diode arrays is disclosed. Two monolithic laser diode arrays made of individually addressable diodes are used to record parallel tracks on a recording surface. A pair diodes, (one diode from each array) are assigned to each track, but only one diode (the primary diode) is activated. In the case where the primary diode fails, the secondary diode is activated. Digital delays are employed to synchronize the data from the two diode arrays in order to align the written marks on the recording surface.

Abstract: A method for printing images on a recording material by way of at least two multimode laser beams created by emitting apertures of at least two multimode lasers includes the steps of: forming with each of said multimode lasers a spot having a long dimension and a short dimension with each of the multimode laser beams such that the long dimension of each of the spots corresponds to a long dimension of a respective emitting aperture of each of the multimode lasers; and scanning the spots created by the multimode laser beams across the recording material such that (i) the long dimension of each of the spots is parallel to scan direction, and (ii) so as to create a series of spaced apart swaths, each of which has a plurality of image lines, the spacings between the image lines of a swath being different from spacing between two adjacent swaths.

Abstract: In a multi-beam drawing method in which drawing is performed with a plurality of light-emitting devices (LDs), it is detected whether any LD is damaged. Of a plurality of partial LD lines obtained by partitioning at a damaged LD or LDs, the partial LD line including the largest number of LDs is selected as an effective LD line for use in drawing. Spiral correction is performed by dividing image data to be supplied to the LDs into a plurality of virtual small images parallel to the sub-scanning direction which are shifted in a reverse direction to the sub-scanning direction.

Abstract: A printer and method for printing indicia on a disk. According to an embodiment of the invention, a printer comprises a plurality of elongate print heads arranged orthogonally with respect to each other about a center axis defined between the print heads. The print heads are capable of printing indicia on a disk having an annular printing area. The disk may be a recordable compact disk or a read-only memory compact disk, if desired. The print heads may be coupled to a rotatable hub centered at the center axis, such that the print heads extend radially outwardly from the hub. A motor is coupled to the hub for rotating the hub, so that the print heads rotate in unison about the center axis as the hub rotates. A controller coupled to the motor and print heads synchronously control operation of the motor and print heads. In this configuration of the invention, the print heads rotate while the disk is stationary.

Abstract: The method for positioning an array with periodic structures, for forming an image thereon, comprises the following steps: (a) providing a first beam of light by a first light source; (b) passing this first beam of light through the array; (c) forming a light line corresponding to the first light source with the first beam of light after the first beam of light passes through the array such that the light line is perpendicular to long axes of the periodic structures; (d) rotating the array to rotate the light line across a first detector; (e) producing a signal when the light line sweeps across the first detector; (f) determining when maximum signal is produced by the first detector; and (g) rotating the array to a proper position based on angular position corresponding to this maximum signal.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a laser diode for generating a plurality of light beams, and a rotating polygonal mirror for simultaneously scanning the image carrier in a primary scanning direction along respective lines which are parallel to each other in a secondary scanning direction. The image carrier is scanned once for each of a plurality of different colors to thereby form a color image on the image carrier. A photosensitive sensor is provided for detecting an amount of deviation of the plurality of light beams in the primary scanning direction with respect to a first color of the plurality of different colors, and deviations among the plurality of light beams in connection with scanning for each of the plurality of different colors are corrected according to the detected amount of deviation with respect to the first color of the plurality of different colors.

Abstract: A multi-beam scanning apparatus performs image scanning by emitting multiple beams from a plurality of light sources, which beams are deflected by a common deflector at equiangular velocity. The beams are then condensed by a common scanning image forming lens so as to form optical spots on a scanning surface. As a result, the plurality of lines are simultaneously scanned by the beams on the scanning surface at a substantially constant velocity. Characteristics of the light sources, such as the wavelength thereof, and other factors such as writing density and desired writing width of a writing line, are arranged to eliminate differences in a written vertical line in a sub scanning direction caused by a magnification difference, regardless of the cause of such differences. In addition, the modulation frequency of the plurality of light sources is made different from each other so that writing widths of the dots written by the plurality of light sources become the same.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a fault tolerant recording system using a laser diode array is disclosed. The laser diode array comprises individually addressable diodes which are used to record data on parallel tracks of a recording surface. Narrowing the separation between the parallel recording tracks without modifying the diode spacing within the array may be accomplished by precise movement of the diode array with respect to the recording surface, so as to generate an interleaved recording pattern. Fault tolerance is added by creating a redundancy (integrated into the interleaving mechanism) wherein each track on the recording surface is assigned a primary diode and a secondary diode, only one of which is active at a particular time. If a failure occurs in the primary diode assigned to a particular track, then the secondary diode is activated, and the recording of data on the particular track remains unaffected.

Abstract: A method for positioning an array with periodic structures, for forming an image thereon, comprises the following steps: (i) producing a light beam along fast-scan axis; (ii) translating the array in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fast-scan axis; (iii) detecting the light beam alternatively by a pair of detectors, the detectors being located near opposite edges of the array along the fast-scan axis; (iv) providing substantially periodic signals by the pair of detectors in accordance with their detection of the light beam; (v) determining relative phases of the periodic signals, the relative phases corresponding to misalignment of the array; (vi) sensing phases of the periodic signals and rotating the array such that the long axes of the periodic structures are substantially parallel to the fast-scan axis.

Abstract: A laser beam display includes at least a first and second plurality of laser beam sources, each of which may preferably be an array of semiconductor lasers, providing a plurality of laser beams in an optical path so as to reflect off of reflective facets of a movable reflector and illuminate a display screen. In a color display, each column of the laser array corresponds to a separate primary color. The separate rows of each array correspond to independently activated but simultaneously driven scan lines to be illuminated by the laser beam scanning apparatus. The plural laser beam arrays subdivide the width of the screen into smaller scan segments to increase the scanning angle or increase the horizontal scanning speed of the apparatus. Tilted facets illuminate different vertical sections of the screen with the laser beams as the reflector rotates. A scan format employing simultaneously illuminated diagonal scan tiles provides optimal use of the plural laser beam arrays.

Abstract: A light scanning device deflects a plurality of light beams by a deflecting means performs divided scanning on a single scanning line on a photoconductor with the plurality of deflected light beams. When the scanning line is scanned, a detecting means detects a light beam passing through a predetermined position in front of a position where the light beam first strikes an image forming range on the photoconductor. An oscillating means oscillates a specified number of clocks in a time interval from when the light beam is detected by the detecting means until it is detected thereby again. An adjusting means makes adjustments so as to irradiate a plurality of light beams based on clocks oscillated by the oscillating means. In a time interval after the light beam is detected by the detecting means until it is detected thereby again, a plurality of light beams are irradiated based on the specified number of clocks.

Abstract: An image exposure apparatus which can prevent occurrence of color displacement at a low cost is structured to comprise at least three kinds of light sources each of which emits a light of a different wavelength, deflecting device which deflects at least three kinds of emitted light emitted by the light sources in a predetermined scanning direction, a scanning lens which is disposed so that the at least three kinds of emitted light deflected by the deflecting device can be transmitted therethrough and which allows each chromatic aberration of two kinds of emitted light from among the at least three kinds of emitted light to have substantially the same characteristics, clock generating device for generating a scanning clock for the two kinds of emitted light and a scanning clock for emitted light other than the two kinds of emitted light, each frequency of the scanning clocks being determined in advance so that the two kinds of emitted light and the emitted light other than the two kinds of emitted light have s

Abstract: There is established a process of writing line data into and reading line data from line buffers when a film which is being fed in an auxiliary scanning direction is scanned in a main scanning direction in an interlaced scanning fashion with n recording beams that are emitted from an acoustooptic modulator based on simultaneously supplied n line data. It is assumed that the n line data transferred to channels CH1-CHn of the acoustooptic modulator have respective sequential numbers N (N=1-n). If the line data in a channel CHN exposed in a preceding scanning cycle is stored in any of the line buffers, then the line data of a sequential number N is written into that line buffer. If there is no line data in a channel CHN exposed in a preceding scanning cycle, then the line data of a sequential number N is written into a line buffer according to its sequence by referring to a write sequence table.

Abstract: A multi-beam scanning optical apparatus employs a beam pitch adjusting system in which the position of a first beam is detected by using a beam position detecting system composed of a knife edge shaped plate and one photo sensor, and in which the optical path of the second beam is corrected so that the position of the second beam may be at a specified distance from the position of the first beam. A further embodiment of the beam pitch adjusting systems includes a beam position detecting system using a line position sensor by CCD or PSD. A yet further embodiment of the beam pitch adjusting system includes a position detecting system utilizing the power of a beam efficiently by disposing a focusing lens on an optical path of the beam. Hence, beam pitch adjustment is facilitated, the pitch adjustment precision is enhanced, the range of pitch adjustment is optimized, the number of parts is reduced, and space is saved.

Abstract: Plural linear marks extending along a scanning direction are spaced apart from each other at constant intervals and parallel to each other at a boundary of partial exposure ranges. When the marks are repeatedly formed by two light beams while a position of the mark formed by one of the two light beams is moved in the scanning direction, a density within a predetermined region corresponding to the boundary is changed so as to become lighter as the intervals between the marks are increased. When plural linear marks, which extend along the scanning direction and are spaced apart from each other at constant intervals and parallel to each other at a boundary portion of partial exposure ranges, are formed by two light beams while a position of the mark formed by one of the light beams is moved in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction, a density within a predetermined region is changed so as to become lighter as an amount of offset is reduced.

Abstract: An exposing apparatus is provided with a first laser beam source for being directly modulated in terms of light amount and for emitting a first laser beam having a first wavelength; a second laser beam source for emitting a second laser beam having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength; and an audio-optical modulation element for modulating the second laser beam in terms of light amount.

Abstract: A multi-beam optical scanning device capable of suppressing jitter at the image edges within allowable tolerance by satisfying the following equation: ##EQU1## Where r represents the radius of photosensitive member (mm); .alpha. represents the maximum value of the angle obtained by subtracting the angle formed by the light beam and the scanned line on the surface of the photosensitive member from 90 degrees; D represents the distance (mm) on the surface of the photosensitive member between the light beam condensing position on the furthermost upstream side and the condensing position on the furthermost downstream side in the direction of rotation of the photosensitive member.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for digitally controlling the output of multiple laser diodes in a system that forms a plurality of scan lines in a Raster Output Scanning (ROS) system. Output of the laser diodes is digitally controlled by monitoring and controlling the bias and run level power for each of the laser diodes. The system employs predetermined, controllable biasing currents to increase the resolution of the exposure current and thereby accurately control the output power of each of the multiple laser diodes, and to provide a fixed exposure level that is detectable by a low-cost start-of-scan detector.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus for simultaneously scanning a plurality of light beams. In the apparatus, four light beams emitted from two light emitting portions are allowed to sequentially pass through collimator lenses and cylindrical lenses. Then, a beam splitter synthesizes the light beams so as to be emitted to a mirror surface of a polygonal mirror. Then, the light beams are deflected when the polygonal mirror is rotated so as to be allowed to pass through an imaging lens. Then, the light beams scan and expose (main-scan) the surface of a photosensitive member. When the photosensitive member is rotated by a predetermined quantity, sub-scanning is performed. When the above-mentioned main and sub-scanning are repeated, a latent image for one page is formed on the photosensitive member. When the above-mentioned sequential processes are performed, interlaced scanning is performed under predetermined conditions.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus and method avoid a problem of color image shifting due to respective line start times that are largely shifted in a sub-scanning direction. The method and apparatus include compensation mechanisms configured to adjust the start position of writing images of respective color components in the sub-scanning direction and thereby compensating the color shift, by changing over the light beam by first writing the images of the respective colors on the photosensitive body among the plural light beams in accordance with a phase relationship between the phase of the intermediate transfer standard signal and that of the line synchronization signal.

Abstract: A dual infrared beam raster scanning system has overfilled facets on the rotating polygon mirror and a double pass through a two cylindrical lens element f-theta lens group. The raster scanning system has an aspheric collimator lens, an aperture and a four lens element cylindrical lens group in the pre-polygon optics, and a two cylindrical lens element f-theta lens group and a cylindrical wobble correction mirror in the post-polygon mirror optics.

Abstract: A multi-beam exposer unit 1 includes ##EQU1## half mirror 11 for synthesizing ##EQU2## light to M groups of light beams, M sets of optical members 12, having positive power with a large absolute value as compared with a case of a main scanning direction, for further converging the beam in a sub-scanning direction, a synthesizing reflection mirror 13 for reflecting M groups of beams to be substantially overlaid on each other in a first direction, a polygon mirror unit 5 for deflecting M groups of beams, and a dust prevention glass 14 inclined to a direction opposite to a direction where the half mirror is inclined, thereby reducing influence of coma aberration exerted on M groups of beams by the half mirror.

Abstract: A light beam scanning optical apparatus in which is capable of switching over the image density. The light beam scanning optical apparatus comprises a light source unit having at least three light emitting points, a control circuit block which selects and lights the light emitting points for switching over the image density at least either between different pages or within one page, an optical deflector for deflecting light beams emitted from the light emitting points, a scanning surface, a first optical system placed between the laser diode array and the optical deflector, and a second optical system placed between the optical deflector and the scanning surface. For switching over the image density, light emitting points corresponding to a specified image density are selected and lighted by the control circuit block.

Abstract: The present invention eliminates artifacts in an image formed using a plurality of imaging sources. Visible seams in the image are eliminated by randomizing the stitch point between the scan lines produced by each imaging source. The randomization may be optimized by additionally applying a method for relocating the random stitch point based on the data content of the scan line, adjacent scan lines, and other criteria. The present invention further compensates for in-scan and cross-scan errors caused by thermally induced errors, spinner synchronization errors, mechanical misalignment, and other factors associated with the use of a plurality of imaging systems. A photodetector system, comprising a mask having a pair of triangular openings, provides measurements of the in-scan and cross-scan errors.

Abstract: A raster output scanner assembly having a first laser source for producing first and second laser beams, and a second laser source for producing third a fourth laser beams. The first and second laser beams are directed to a first rotating, multifaceted polygon while the third and fourth laser beams are directed to a second rotating, multifaceted polygon. The first polygon reflects the first and second laser beams onto a moving photoreceptor while the second polygon reflects the third and fourth laser beams onto the photoreceptor. The spots produced by the various laser beams are interlaced such that the scan line produced by the third laser beam is between the scan lines produced by the first and second laser beams, while the scan line produced by the fourth laser beam is adjacent the scan line produced by the second laser beam.

Abstract: Compensation for the effects of duty cycle on the output level of an imaging device, and for the effects of periodically varying distance between the output of the imaging device and its target, is accomplished electronically. An exemplary apparatus includes a source of radiation (generally a laser) having an output level that varies both with an input power level and, undesirably, with the duty cycle. The radiation source is operated to produce, on the recording surface, an imagewise pattern of spots, and an adjustment facility compensates for output-level variations resulting from duty cycle--that is, from the recent pattern of laser activity.

Abstract: An image forming method and apparatus use a multi-beam light source in a way that enables changes in writing density to be quickly made. A rotating mechanism that has the multi-beam light source rotates about an optical axis of a light beam from the multi-beam light source. A driving mechanism is included for driving the rotating mechanism, and a detecting mechanism is included for detecting a rotating position of the rotating mechanism. A controller controls the driving mechanism in either a reference mode or a positioning mode of operation. In the reference mode, the rotating mechanism is rotated to first position, which is determined by the detecting mechanism. In the positioning mode, the rotating mechanism is rotated to another position relative to the first position according to the reference mode.

Abstract: A color printer for imaging on an image plane includes: (a) a plurality of light sources, each of the light sources being adapted to provide a spatially coherent, composite beam of light, each of the composite beams including a plurality of spectral components; (b) a single beam shaping optics accepting the composite beams, the beam shaping optics having optical elements adapted to shape said composite beams by a different amount in a scan direction and a cross scan direction, so as to form for each of the composite beams (i) a first beam waist in the cross scan direction of the composite beam and (ii) a second waist in the scan section of the composite beam, the first and second beam waists being spaced from one another; (c) a deflector adapted to move said plurality of composite beams across the image plane, the deflector being located closer to the first beam waists than to the second beam waists; and (d) scan optics located between the deflector and the image plane, the scan optics being adapted to (i) ge

Abstract: A dual infrared beam raster scanning system has overfilled facets on the rotating polygon mirror and a double pass through a two cylindrical lens element f-theta lens group. The raster scanning system has an aspheric collimator lens, an aperture and a four lens element cylindrical lens group in the pre-polygon optics, and a two cylindrical lens element f-theta lens group and a cylindrical mirror and a cylindrical wobble correction mirror in the post-polygon mirror optics.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus for simultaneously scanning a plurality of light beams. In the apparatus, four light beams emitted from two light emitting portions are allowed to sequentially pass through collimator lenses and cylindrical lenses. Then, a beam splitter synthesizes the light beams so as to be emitted to a mirror surface of a polygonal mirror. Then, the light beams are deflected when the polygonal mirror is rotated so as to be allowed to pass through an imaging lens. Then, the light beams scan and expose (main-scan) the surface of a photosensitive member. When the photosensitive member is rotated by a predetermined quantity, sub-scanning is performed. When the above-mentioned main and sub-scanning are repeated, a latent image for one page is formed on the photosensitive member. When the above-mentioned sequential processes are performed, interlaced scanning is performed under predetermined conditions.

Abstract: A laser printer includes at least three laser beams for simultaneously scanning a rotatable recording medium. The laser beams have their centers spaced uniform or non-uniform distances from each other. The centers of the laser beams are spaced predetermined distances from each other so that the print resolution may be 300, 400, 600, or 1,200 dpi depending upon the laser beams selected for use with at least two laser beams always being selected.

Abstract: A laser printer produces an image of raster scan lines exhibiting a pitch distance p. The printer includes a photoreceptor and n laser sources, where n.gtoreq.2. First and second sets of laser sources, in one embodiment, produce plural optical beams which, when imaged on the photoreceptor, are separated by pitch distance p in the direction of movement of the photoreceptor. The first set and second sets of laser sources are separated by a distance S.sub.PR =c(1+qr)p, where: c=number of laser sources in each set, q=an integer, and r=number of rows of laser sources in both the first and second sets. The optical beams are modulated with pixel value data in accordance with a correspondence of image scan lines and positions of the optical beams on the photoreceptor. The photoreceptor is moved by a distance (q.multidot.c.multidot.r)p between scans. In such manner, an interleaving of the scan lines is achieved, which allows substantial separation of laser diodes on a laser diode chip.

Abstract: A light scanning device deflects a plurality of light beams by a deflecting means performs divided scanning on a single scanning line on a photoconductor with the plurality of deflected light beams. When the scanning line is scanned, a detecting means detects a light beam passing through a predetermined position in front of a position where the light beam first strikes an image forming range on the photoconductor. An oscillating means oscillates a specified number of clocks in a time interval from when the light beam is detected by the detecting means until it is detected thereby again. An adjusting means makes adjustments so as to irradiate a plurality of light beams based on clocks oscillated by the oscillating means. In a time interval after the light beam is detected by the detecting means until it is detected thereby again, a plurality of light beams are irradiated based on the specified number of clocks.

Abstract: There are proposed light beam scanning method and device for scanning with plural light beams split by using a multi-frequency acousto-optic device (AOM). By remarkably increasing the number of light beams, an image is recorded at a higher speed. Plural incident light beams are split in the subsidiary scanning direction by different multi-frequency acousto-optic devices. The split light beams are displaced so as not to overlap one another in the subsidiary scanning direction, while respective sets of light beams split by the acousto-optic devices are deviated in a main scanning direction, for scanning. The deviation in the main scanning direction is compensated with a clock timing of an image signal. The light beams split by the AOMs may be alternately positioned in the subsidiary scanning direction. Alternatively, a set of light beams split by one AOM may be adjacent to a set of light beams split by another AOM in the subsidiary scanning direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a plurality of electron emitting devices and luminescent members are arranged into a matrix formed on one surface of a substrate. As rows of electron emitting devices are successively driven, each luminescent member emits light according to a voltage applied to it or other members in accordance with an image information signal when irradiated with a light beam from one of the electron emitting devices mated with it.

Abstract: The present invention is for an imaging processing apparatus (10) for thermal print medium. The image processor apparatus (10) comprises a vacuum imaging drum (300) for holding thermal print media(32) and donor sheets (36) in registration on the vacuum imaging drum (300). A printhead (500) moves along a line parallel to a longitudinal axis X of the imaging drum (300) as the imaging drum (300) rotates. The printhead (500) receives information signals and produces radiation which is directed to the donor (36) which causes color to transfer from the donor (36) to the thermal print media (32). At least part of a surface of the vacuum imaging drum (300) has micropaths over at least a portion of a surface of the vacuum imaging drum (300). In one embodiment the micropaths are produced by sandblasting (330). At least one vacuum hole or slot is located on the surface of the vacuum imaging drum (300), connecting to the micropaths.

Abstract: A time division multiplexed laser emits two beams of the same wavelength but orthogonal polarization or two beams of different wavelengths from a single laser source for use in a multiple beam raster output scanning system. The multiple beam raster output scanning is obtained from a single raster scanning system (ROS) with a rotating mirror, beneficially a polygon mirror, and a single set of scan optics for use in single or multiple station printers. A plurality of the coaxially overlapping laser beams from the same laser source are deflected using a common mirror surface area and laser beams containing different channels of data signals are subsequently separated by a plurality of dynamic and static beam separators based on polarization or wavelength. The channels of the separated laser beams are directed onto associated photoreceptors.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoreceptor; a plurality of laser beam generation means for generating a plurality of laser beams, respectively; and an optical system in which the plurality of laser beams pass through and scan simultaneously a plurality of lines on the photoreceptor, and thereby dot images are formed on the photoreceptor. The difference in wavelength among the plurality of laser beams is less than a diameter of one dot of laser beam.

Abstract: Compensation for beam separation of multiple laser beams of a laser printer simultaneously scanning a photoconductor drum is automatically made. The time for the lead beam to travel a predetermined distance is ascertained and then the separation time between the lead beam and one of the remaining beams is determined. When using only one light sensor, the time for the lead beam to travel the predetermined distance is the scan time of the lead beam. When using two light sensors, the time for the lead beam to travel the predetermined distance is the time for the lead beam to travel between the two light sensors, which define the predetermined distance, in the same scan. This determination of the time for the lead beam to travel the predetermined distance and its separation time from another of the remaining beams is continuously made for all of the remaining beams even during printing.

Abstract: In a light beam scanning recording device, a color image is recorded on a recording material by scanning the recording material in a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction with light beams of three different wavelengths modulated according to an image signal. A light source which emits a plurality of light beams which form a predetermined number of beam spots on the recording material arranged in the sub-scanning direction is used as the light source for emitting light beams of each wavelength, whereby recording is effected simultaneously along the predetermined number of main scanning lines.

Abstract: A multi-beam scanning optical device. The multi-beam scanning optical device has a plurality of light emitting elements, a deflector that deflects a plurality of light fluxes emitted form the light emitting elements, and a scanning lens system that converges the light fluxes deflected by the deflector to form a plurality of light spots on a surface to be scanned. The light emitting elements are selected to satisfy a condition:.vertline..DELTA..lambda..vertline.<7.6.times.10.sup.3 /(.alpha..times.D),where .DELTA..lambda. is a wavelength error (unit:nm) of each of the plurality of light emitting elements from a reference wavelength, D is a resolution of the scanning optical device (unit:dots per inch (dpi)), and .alpha. is a ratio of a lateral chromatic aberration (unit:.lambda.m) per change in wavelength of 1 nm at an edge of a scanning range, where the scanning range defines an area in which an image is formed.

Abstract: A cascade scanning optical system which includes: a pair of laser scanning optical systems each having a laser beam emitter and a laser beam deflector, wherein a laser beam emitted by the laser beam emitter enters the laser beam deflector so that the laser beam deflector deflects the laser beam to scan a surface of a member such that the laser beams proceed to the surface on a common line thereon in respective ranges of the common line; a pair of mirrors respectively provided in the pair of laser scanning optical systems, each of the pair of mirrors being positioned in a corresponding optical path between the laser beam deflector and the member to reflect a laser beam incident thereon toward the surface; a pair of cylindrical lenses having power in a sub-scanning direction, respectively provided in the pair of laser scanning optical systems, each of the pair of cylindrical lenses being positioned in a corresponding optical path between the laser beam emitter and the laser beam deflector; first means for adjus