Abstract: An image forming method which generates a video signal corresponding to an image forming command based on a video clock signal, modulates a light beam according to the video signal, and scans the modulated light beam along a main scanning direction by means of an oscillation mirror which resonates based on a drive signal, so as to form a latent image in an effective image region of a latent image carrier, the method includes: synchronizing the drive signal with the video clock signal to synchronize a detection signal with the vide clock signal, the detection signal being output from a detector which detect the light beam scanned in the main scanning direction in a region away from an effective scan region which corresponds to the effective image region; controlling a resonant frequency of the oscillation mirror based on the detection signal so that the resonant frequency of the oscillation mirror almost coincides with the frequency of the drive signal; and adjusting a position, at which the latent image is wr

Abstract: An image exposing apparatus two-dimensionally scans a printing plate precursor with a light beam modulated based on an image signal to carry out image exposure on the printing plate precursor. The image exposing apparatus includes exposing device for emitting a light beam in a pulsed form with a predetermined pulse repetition period onto the printing plate precursor; branching device for branching at least a part of the light beam emitted from the exposing device; a pulse stretcher for stretching a pulse width of a branch beam branched by the branching device; synchronous signal generator for generating a synchronous signal synchronized with the pulse repetition period of the light beam from the branch beam having the pulse width stretched by the pulse stretcher; and modulating device for modulating the light beam emitted from the exposing device with an image exposure period synchronized with the synchronous signal.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus senses amounts of color misregistration of toner images, which are formed using n-number (where n is a natural number and n=2 holds) of photosensitive bodies, when light beams from a plurality of light sources are made to deflect and scan across the n-number of photosensitive bodies by a single rotating polygonal mirror. The timing of light emission from the light sources is controlled in such a manner that light beams from the light sources will be deflected and scanned by mirror surfaces of the polygonal mirror, from among the plurality of mirror surfaces that form the polygonal mirror, such that the amount of color misregistration of every toner image will be less than (n?1)/n pixels.

Abstract: A light scanning unit that corrects skew of a scanning line. The light scanning unit, which scans light on an exposed surface of a photosensitive medium, includes a light source to generate and illuminate at least one beam that corresponds to an image signal while being controlled on and off. A beam deflector deflects and scans a beam provided from the light source. A reflection mirror is obliquely arranged so that a scanning line directed to the exposed surface may be inclined with respect to a segment perpendicular to a transferring direction of the exposed surface to direct the scanning line to the exposed surface of the photosensitive medium by reflecting the scanning line provided from the beam deflector.

Abstract: A method for printing with a laser printer includes obtaining data representative of the bow and tilt characteristics of the printer. Data representing an image to be printed is loaded and analyzed. A control signal is determined from the image data and modified based on the known bow and tilt characteristics of this printer, such that the printed image is free of bow and tilt.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that dynamically correct field curvature and other focus errors in imaging systems that use rotating scanners to scan an image field. The dynamic correction controls the focusing of an image field such that focus is maintained across the width of a photosensitive element as a rotating scanner scans the field. The described systems and methods enable the use of post-objective scanning configurations in which the complexity and expense of objective lenses is significantly reduced.

Abstract: A method for image generation on a recording material reduces the nonlinear spacing error between individual beams. In the method for image generation on a recording material, in which, in order to produce recording points on the recording material, individual radiation sources are used which are disposed along a line on a carrier material and in which the individual radiation sources are driven in accordance with an image and the individual beams are imaged onto a radiation-sensitive layer of the recording material. The spacing of the recording points on the recording material is set by length changes in the direction of the line being produced thermally in the carrier material.

Abstract: In an optical disc drive, adapted for forming a label on the label side 14 of a recordable optical disc 10, a determination of the rotation angle a is provided, so that the marking of the label side 14 can be synchronized upon. The method to determine the rotation angle a is based upon one or two of the signals 17?, 18?, 19? generated by the Hall-effect elements 17, 18, 19 which are normally present in an optical disc drive and are used to generate the tacho signal 24. Advantageously, the actual relationship between rotation angle a and the amplitude of these signals is recorded in a calibration procedure, so as to allow for a higher precision of the rotation angle a determined. This calibration procedure may be performed in the factory or by the user, and may not require any additional ad-hoc equipment if a synchronization pattern present in an optical disc is used.

Abstract: A color registration-pattern formed between continuous printing pages with different magnifications is read so as to correct color misalignment by converting the magnification into the reference magnification so as to calculate the present color misalignment correction. Thereby, a plurality of the color registration-patterns with different magnifications, which are formed between continuous printing pages with differentiated magnifications by the speed change of a polygon-mirror motor can be read so as to correct the color misalignment.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer member position detection unit configured to detect a position of the intermediate transfer member to output an image forming operation start signal, a pattern detection unit configured to detect a registration correction pattern formed on the intermediate transfer member based on the image forming operation start signal, a misregistration variation detection unit configured to read the registration correction pattern detected by the pattern detection unit based on the image forming operation start signal and to generate a reference clock signal based on the read registration correction pattern, and a polygonal mirror drive motor control unit configured to adjust a rotation speed of the polygonal mirror drive motor based on the reference clock signal generated by the misregistration variation detection unit.

Abstract: This invention relates to an efficient way to calibrate and control a raster output scanner (ROS). The scan non-linearity of a ROS may be measured and an appropriate calibration curve setting for the ROS may be determined. The setting and other scan line parameters may then be used as an address to a memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM). The memory may store a set of calibration curve data and the address is used to look up the data from one of these curves. The ROS may then be controlled based on the calibration data retrieved from memory.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus comprises an optical flat including: a cabinet; and a scanning optical system containing a light deflection section, the scanning optical system being housed inside the cabinet, so as to emit light scanned by the light deflection section and form an image by the scanned light, wherein the image formation apparatus further comprises a heating section being placed on an outer side of the cabinet to heat the optical flat.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method of print registration are provided. The invention includes first and second optical channel modules configured to communicate light from a page to a sensor module. The sensor module sums the light from the first and second optical channel modules and detects one or more light transitions as a first registration mark of a first image of the page moves past the first optical sensor module and as a second registration mark of a second image of the page moves past the second optical channel module. The invention determines that the first image and the second image are registered if the sensor module detects a single light transition as the first registration mark and the second registration mark pass the first and the second optical channel modules.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus to set up a laser scanning unit includes a laser scanning unit to irradiate light, a photosensitive member on which an electrostatic latent image is formed by receiving the light irradiated from the laser scanning unit, a supply unit to apply a developing agent to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive member to form a visible image, and a transfer unit to transfer the visible image formed on the photosensitive member to a printing medium, wherein a time period in which the photosensitive member is rotated from an exposure point of the photosensitive member at which the light is incident to a transfer point of the photosensitive member at which the visible image is transferred, is based on a variation time period of a rotational speed of the photosensitive member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensating for scanning skew formed in an electrophotographic color image forming device. The method includes the step of making a scanning light that forms a scanning line ascend or descend in a sub-scanning direction within a range of one dot, and scanning the ascending or descending light in the main scanning direction. Also, the apparatus includes an optical scanner control unit which controls an optical scanning unit so that a scanning light that forms a scanning line ascends or descends in a sub-scanning direction within a range of one dot and the ascending or descending light is scanned in the main scanning direction.

Abstract: Provided is an optical disk device for performing label recording by irradiating a light beam onto a label recording face of an optical disk, which is at a position different from that of a disk recording face, wherein label recording on the label recording face is performed by using tracking control information of the light beam irradiation which is performed by the optical pickup for the tracks of the disk recording face. Thereby, high-quality label images can be recorded on the label recording face of the optical disk.

Abstract: To detect differences in the main-scanning length of each beam on a photosensitive member, patterns for correction are formed on the photosensitive member using only beams (L1, LN) at both ends among a plurality of beams aligned in a sub-scanning direction. The patterns are transferred onto an intermediate transfer belt and detected with photosensors, a difference ?LN of scanning length between a 1-st line and a N-th line is calculated, and a difference ?Li of scanning length of a i-th line is calculated by ?Li=?LN×(i/N?1) so as to proportionally distribute ?LN to the i-th line. The scanning lengths of lines are respectively corrected to be equal each other using the obtained differences ?Li of scanning length. Thus, an image forming apparatus and a control method that reduce a decline in image quality, even when scanning incident angles of laser beams onto a photosensitive member differ for each of beams on forming images by scanning a multiple lines with a multiple beams, can be provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for electronically adjusting an image to compensate for laser beam process direction position errors in an electrophotographic device. Initially, a bow profile is defined that characterizes the process direction position errors of a laser beam across a scan line. The device subsequently reads an image to be printed from a first memory location, performs pixel shifts on select columns thereof based upon the bow profile, and temporarily stores the adjusted image data to a second location of memory. The adjusted image data is then communicated to a printhead of the device.

Abstract: Ablation data of a region other than an image region, which ablation data is required for a positive-type printing plate, is added at a printing plate automatic exposure device side. Thus, a disadvantage of a time duration for transmission of job data from a PC being slowed because of the ablation data is solved. As a result, image recording operations can be made more efficient. Furthermore, the ablation data includes non-exposure portions at regions corresponding to peripheral edge portions of the printing plate. Consequently, light does not impinge on a leading end chuck, a trailing end chuck and the like, and the ablation data can be made suitable for interlaced scanning.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first writing control device configured to control a writing of a first latent image, a second writing control device configured to control a writing of a second latent image, and a criterion timing determination device configured to determine a criterion timing for a series of image forming operations based on an image forming instruction and to transmit to the first writing control device one of (i) a signal of the criterion timing, or (ii) a signal of a writing instruction determined based on the criterion timing. The first writing control device is configured to start a writing process of the first latent image based on one of the signal of the criterion timing or the signal of the writing instruction received from the criterion timing determination device, and to transmit a signal of a timing for starting a writing process to the second writing control device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a spindle motor (130) for rotating an optical disk (200); an optical pick-up (100) for applying laser light to the optical disk which moves in a radial direction of the optical disk; a stepping motor (140) for transporting the optical pick-up in the radial direction by a predetermined distance every time the optical disk is rotated plural times; a tracking actuator for actuating a position of laser light irradiated from the optical pick-up; a servo circuit (138) for controlling the tracking actuator in such a manner that irradiation loci of the laser light is made different from each other every time the optical disk is rotated plural times; and a data converter (160) for defining intensity of the laser light in accordance with gradation of dots to be arrayed and a total rotation time of the optical disk.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a recording drum rotatable with a printing plate mounted peripherally thereof, a recording head for recording an image on the printing plate mounted on the recording drum, a rotary encoder for detecting a rotation angle of the recording drum, a first and a second sensors for detecting the printing plate mounted on the recording drum, a detection range setting circuit for setting a range of detection of the first and second sensors with respect to the rotation angle of the recording drum according to information on the material of the printing plate, information on reflectance of the printing plate and the presence or absence and the type of positioning holes formed in the printing plate, and a determining circuit for determining a position of an edge of the printing plate mounted on the recording drum, by fetching signals from the first and second sensors based on the rotation angle of the recording drum and the range of detection set by the detection range setting circui

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for drawing a visible image on an optical disk incorporate an optical pickup, which irradiates an optical beam onto the optical disk through its objective lens. The optical disk, which has a target layer on which the drawing is to be performed, is rotated while applying an oscillation signal to a focus actuator of the optical pickup to thereby vibrate the objective lens in an optical-axis direction thereof so that the focus point of the optical beam recurrently passes through the target layer of the optical disk. The power of the optical beam is controlled to form a recording spot on the target layer each time the focus point of the optical beam passes through the target layer so that a visible light property of the target layer is changed to thereby perform the drawing on the target layer.

Abstract: A color image-forming apparatus including two drums, two scanners for forming latent images on the two drums, four developing devices for developing the latent images on the drums into toner images with four colors, an intermediate transfer belt successively passing the drums so that the toner images are successively transferred onto the belt, a transfer unit for transferring the toner image on the belt onto a recording medium, and a control unit controlling the two scanners to form patterns of first, second, third, and fourth colors and controlling timing at which the two scanners write on the drums such that the patterns approach one another.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for stitching multiple images together in a printer to form a single, seamless, composite image. The use of multiple laser sources and multiple scan lenses with one or more scanner assemblies and various image stitching methods achieves seamless image stitching in a manner that provides benefits over prior printers using single laser sources and single scan lenses. Such benefits include, for example, a wider image format, smaller optical spot size, reduced cost, and reduced overall size for the printer.

Abstract: A laser exposing apparatus has a first laser source emitting a first laser beam, a second laser source emitting a second laser beam shorter in wavelength than the first laser beam, and an optical device for directing the first laser beam and the second laser beam to a photosensitive member. The second laser beam has a longer optical path length to the photosensitive member than the first laser beam.

Abstract: An imaging system is equipped with two or more exposure heads that are each able to image either a separate media sheet or a portion of a single media sheet loaded on a media carrier. The imaging time for any combination of media sheets is minimized by providing for the adjustment of the spacing between the dual exposure heads whenever the media configuration changes. In imaging a unitary image using two exposure heads to each image a sub-image, any discontinuity between the end of the first sub-image and the start of the next sub-image is reduced by changing the traversing speed of one of the exposure heads by a fractional amount.

Abstract: A printer includes laser beam detecting sensors for detecting a laser beams at two positions in the main scanning direction. Write clock generating circuits measure a number of counts of a predetermined clock during a period since one of the laser beam detecting sensors detects each of the beams until another sensor detects the beam. A write clock frequency adjusting circuit takes the number of counts for one laser beam as a reference value and adjusts write clock frequencies of other laser beams so as to coincide with the reference value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and an image forming method. The image forming apparatus includes a scanner mechanism for reading out image data from an original document, and a printer mechanism for printing an image based on the image data. The printer mechanism includes a first memory for writing in the image data in synchronization with a predetermined first clock signal, a first image processor for processing the image data in synchronization with a second clock signal, a second memory for writing in the image data in synchronization with the second clock signal, a second image processor for processing the image data in synchronization with a third clock signal, and a light controller for generating a light control signal from the image data in synchronization with the third clock signal.

Abstract: A high-quality image forming apparatus that is capable of accurately adjusting the size and position of an image during image formation on a second surface of a transfer material, even when there has been expansion/contraction of the transfer material due to thermal fixing after image formation on a first surface thereof, to thereby avoid image displacement during two-sided image formation and multiple image formation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that is capable of carrying out image formation on a recording medium such as plain paper without increasing the FCOT (First Copy Out Time) and is also capable of carrying out optimal image formation on a recording medium, such as thick paper, for which the processing speed is reduced with no registration misalignment between the leading ends of toner images and the leading end of the recording medium. An image is primarily transferred onto a rotatively driven image carrier, and the image on the image carrier is secondarily transferred onto a recording medium. An image writing reference position signal for starting image formation is issued based on the circumference of the image carrier which is the length of the image carrier in the direction of rotation thereof or based on a detected reference position on the image carrier.

Abstract: An image signal with an overshoot is generated on a positive-going edge of an input image signal with an overshoot producing unit. Then, a light signal with an overshoot is outputted from a recording light source in response to the image signal with the overshoot supplied from the overshoot producing unit. The light signal outputted from the recording light source is applied to scan a photosensitive medium to record an area gradation image on the photosensitive medium.

Abstract: This invention relates to a technique that prevents an image from falling outside a given range when a printer is controlled to form an image on an arbitrary medium while assuring a margin of a predetermined amount. A host computer shifts an image by only a partial amount of a target margin amount in a predetermined direction within an effective print range of a medium. Furthermore, the host computer controls a printer to form the image by further shifting the image by nearly the remaining amount of the target margin amount so as to form an image within the effective print range. In this way, since the host computer and printer add a margin in two steps, print data can be prevented from falling outside a given range upon processing a binding margin on the printer side.

Abstract: A misalignment detector includes a light source, a synthesizing unit, a focusing unit, an image sensor, and a misalignment calculator. The light source, the synthesizing unit, the focusing unit, and the image sensor are arranged in such a manner that light illuminated by the light source passes through the synthesizing unit so as to illuminate the position detection pattern, gets reflected from the position detection pattern, passes through the synthesizing unit so as to be focused by the focusing unit on the image sensor. A misalignment calculator detects an amount of misalignment of the laser beams based on an image formed in the image sensor.

Abstract: Optical microstructures, such as microlenses, are fabricated by rotating a cylindrical platform that includes a radiation sensitive layer thereon, about its axis, while simultaneously axially rastering a laser beam across at least a portion of the radiation sensitive layer. The cylindrical platform is also simultaneously translated axially while it is being rotated. The amplitude of the laser beam is continuously varied while rastering. The optical microstructures that are imaged in the radiation sensitive layer can be developed to provide a master for replicating a microlenses.

Abstract: A light beam position detecting device detects the passage positions of a plurality of light beams for scanning the surface of a photosensitive drum. The light beam position detecting device has a sensor pattern for generating an output which is continuously changed in a wide range with a variation in the passage position of the light beam in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to a main scanning direction of the light beam. The sensor pattern precisely detects the relative scanning position of the light beam in a wide range. The passage positions of the plurality of light beams for scanning the surface of the photosensitive drum are controlled to a preset position based on the output of the sensor pattern.

Abstract: This invention is to obtain a multi-beam scanning apparatus which always executes synchronization detection at the same timing to prevent any jitter, and an image forming apparatus using the apparatus. In a multi-beam scanning apparatus which guides a plurality of light beams emitted from a light source to an optical deflector, guides the plurality of light beams deflected by the optical deflector onto a target scanning surface through a scanning lens system, and guides some of the plurality of light beams deflected by the optical deflector to a synchronization detecting unit to execute synchronization using a sync signal obtained by the synchronization detecting unit, the synchronization detecting unit includes a BD slit which determines the synchronization detecting timing, and the BD slit has a smooth member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a spindle motor (130) for rotating an optical disk (200); an optical pick-up (100) for applying laser light to the optical disk which moves in a radial direction of the optical disk; a stepping motor (140) for transporting the optical pick-up in the radial direction by a predetermined distance every time the optical disk is rotated plural times; a tracking actuator for actuating a position of laser light irradiated from the optical pick-up; a servo circuit (138) for controlling the tracking actuator in such a manner that irradiation loci of the laser light is made different from each other every time the optical disk is rotated plural times; and a data converter (160) for defining intensity of the laser light in accordance with gradation of dots to be arrayed and a total rotation time of the optical disk.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an image by use of a plurality of light beams, which are simultaneously modulated according to image signals and joined together on a photoconductive surface to form the image. The apparatus includes a photoconductive drum having a photoconductive surface and a reference mark, a pattern supplying unit which supplies image data in synchronization with a detection of the reference mark associated with a rotation of the photoconductive drum, and drawing systems which (i) create moiré stripes on the photoconductive surface by simultaneously drawing overlapping sets of slanted lines with the respective light beams according to the image data, and (ii) draw a reference position mark alongside the moiré stripes on the photoconductive surface according to the image data.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus and laser pulse width adjustment method can shorten the time required for laser pulse width adjustment with low cost. In a color image forming apparatus in which a plurality of laser scanners scan and expose a plurality of photosensitive drums with laser beams pulse-width modulated according to image data, the scanner phases of the laser scanners in which no color misregistration occurs are recorded, the phases of the laser scanners are changed to a specific phase relationship for laser pulse width adjustment, laser pulse width adjustment is executed, and the phases of the laser scanners are then restored to the recorded scanner phases in which no color misregistration occurs.

Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus has a beam spot made to have a small spot diameter by the use of a laser having an oscillation wavelength within the range of from 380 nm to 450 nm, and enables image reproduction at ultra-high resolution and with ultra-high image quality. The apparatus includes I) an electrophotographic photosensitive member unit having i) an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer on a cylindrical support and ii) fitting members fitted to the end portions of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and II) an exposure device having a laser having an oscillation wavelength within the range of from 380 nm to 450 nm, and in which a spot diameter Di (?m) of a beam spot formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member by a laser beam emitted from the laser is 40 ?m or less, and the cylinder deflection De (?m) of the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit is 1.5 times or less the spot diameter Di (?m) of the beam spot.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for an optical encoder comprises a signal processing section for generating a position detection signal from a detection signal of a light receiving element, a belt-like power source potential layer which is formed at least between the signal processing section and the light receiving element and whose potential is pulled up to power source potential, and a plurality of conductive layers formed at various heights higher than the power source potential layer. A connection line which intersects the power source potential layer above the power source potential layer for electrically connecting the light receiving element and the signal processing section is formed by a conductive layer of the plurality of conductive layers other than the lowermost layer, in a region immediately above the power source potential layer. By keeping the power source potential layer as far away from the connection line as possible, power source noise entering the position detection signal is reduced.

Abstract: A method of controlling a laser to print symbols of an image on moving products with various velocities. The method may include grouping, organizing and/or moving symbols to stripes, leading edge clipping correction, trailing edge clipping correction and updating clipping correction in real-time.

Abstract: A laser exposing apparatus has a first laser source emitting a first laser beam, a second laser source emitting a second laser beam shorter in wavelength than the first laser beam, and an optical device for directing the first laser beam and the second laser beam to a photosensitive member. The second laser beam has a longer optical path length to the photosensitive member than the first laser beam.

Abstract: A record head for applying laser light for drawing to a record medium and a record medium are supported so that they can be relatively moved in a main scanning direction and a sub scanning direction along the surface of the record medium through a move guide mechanism. The record head has a laser displacement sensor for detecting the distance to the light exposure position of the record medium in a noncontact manner. A record apparatus has an auto focus mechanism for correcting misregistration between the focus position of the laser light for drawing emitted from the record head and the record medium to a reference value based on the detection value of the laser displacement sensor, so that the focal distance between the record head and the record medium is held good regardless of deformation of a guide rail of the move guide mechanism, etc.

Abstract: A light beam position detecting device detects the passage positions of a plurality of light beams for scanning the surface of a photosensitive drum. The light beam position detecting device has a sensor pattern for generating an output which is continuously changed in a wide range with a variation in the passage position of the light beam in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to a main scanning direction of the light beam. The sensor pattern precisely detects the relative scanning position of the light beam in a wide range. The passage positions of the plurality of light beams for scanning the surface of the photosensitive drum are controlled to a preset position based on the output of the sensor pattern.

Abstract: A method of correcting plane-to-plane registration in an electrophotographic machine having a plurality of color planes includes the steps of printing a calibration pattern using each of the color planes; measuring at least one misregistration between the color planes on the calibration pattern; adjusting at least one top margin by setting a first time delay before a first line; adjusting one of a right margin and a left margin by setting a second time delay; determining a longest line length of the calibration pattern; and adjusting an other of the right margin and the left margin to match the longest line length.

Abstract: An external drum laser imagesetter providing one or more imaging beams. The drum is rotated in a fast scan direction and the one or more beams are modulated while the beams are moved in a slow scan direction. In one embodiment, the imaging beams are deflected in a slow scan direction to compensate for the spiral advance.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a detector, a write controller, and a light controller. The detector detects, with an optical sensor, an edge of a recording medium in a direction perpendicular to a reading medium convey direction. The write controller shifts an image write position in the direction perpendicular to the recording medium convey direction on the basis of a detection result of the detector. The light controller controls a light emission amount of the optical sensor to set an output of the optical sensor to a predetermined value at a predetermined portion in an area where the detection result of the optical sensor is effective.

Abstract: A multiple resolution imaging system employs an array of imaging devices each tracing a helical pattern on a recording medium. The imaging devices may be activated sequentially along multiple interlaced helical paths to allow a selectable image resolution with reduced imaging artifacts.