Micropositioned laser source for raster output scanners
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorsRaj B. Apte, Thomas L. Paoli, Patrick Y. Maeda, Tibor Fisli
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Abstract
In a raster output scanner (ROS) of a xerographic printing device, the location of an apparent source of the light beam is adjusted within a light emitting apparatus to enable spot position control anywhere along a scanline to insure subline registration of an image. This is accomplished by placing the apparent source location of the light emitting apparatus on a movable plate. The apparent source is located at the position from which a light beam is emitted from an output end of a laser source or waveguide connected to the laser source. The movable plate is adjusted by actuators which may be comb drives, thermal bimorphs or piezoelectric drive mechanisms.
Claims21
A raster output scanner for forming an image, comprising:
- a substrate;
- a light emitting apparatus attached to the substrate that emits at least one light beam from an apparent source location;
- a positioning device within the light emitting apparatus for moving the apparent source location, wherein the apparent source location moves on the substrate with reduced static friction;
- and
- an optical system which directs the at least one light beam onto at least one image receiving location.
A method of forming an image with a raster output scanner, comprising:
- emitting at least one light beam from an apparent source location of a light emitting apparatus connected to a substrate;
- moving the apparent source location with a positioning device within the light emitting apparatus in at least one of a sagittal, tangential and axial direction on the substrate with minimal friction therebetween;
- and
- directing the at least one light beam onto at least one image receiving location with an optical system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.