Driving method and apparatus for illumination type imaging system

Abstract

A reciprocating illumination type imaging system is driven by a first drive source and a rotatable photoconductive drum is driven by a second drive source. A time period necessary for the drum to rotate a given angle is measured. The measured time period is compared with a predetermined reference time period to thereby estimate a fluctuation component in the time period of rotation of the drum in accordance with a result of the comparison. A start or buildup target speed during a buildup scanning speed motion of the imaging system and a constant target speed during a constant scanning speed motion are individually preset or determined in accordance with the estimated fluctuation component. The imaging system comprises an optical lens having a given focal length. The first and second drive sources constitute a drive mechanism. The preset buildup target speed and/or the preset constant target speed is compensated in conformity with a deviation of the focal length of the lens from a nominal focal length and a deviation of a mechanical precision of the drive mechanism from a nominal mechanical precision. Further, the speed of the imaging system during a constant scanning speed motion is detected. The preset constant target speed is compensated in accordance with the detected speed of the imaging system.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.