US 6,509,922 B2 · Solid scanning optical writing device, and light amount correction method and light amount measuring device therefor

Abstract

In a solid scanning optical writing device that writes images on a photoreceptor by turning ON/OFF many light shutter elements aligned in an alternating fashion in two rows in the main scanning direction, single-row illumination and double-row illumination of the light shutter elements are alternately performed on a time sharing basis prior to the image writing in order to perform high-quality light amount correction. The positions of the light shutter elements are identified from the light amount data obtained from single-row illumination, and the transmitted light amount for each light shutter element during double-row illumination is sought from the light amount data obtained from double-row illumination. Calculation for shading correction is then performed from these sets of data.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A solid scanning optical writing device comprising:

a plurality of optical elements aligned in an alternating fashion in two rows in a main scanning direction;
a controller for controlling said optical elements to turn ON/OFF based on image data applied to the optical elements;
and
a light amount measuring unit including a light amount sensor to measure an output light amount for said optical elements, said light amount measuring unit being moveable in the main scanning direction;
wherein said light amount measuring unit measures the output light amount and a position of each optical element while the controller causes the optical elements to alternately perform single-row illumination and double-row illumination on a time sharing basis while the light amount measuring unit is moved in the main scanning direction.

2 more elements

A light amount correction method for a solid scanning optical writing device that controls a plurality of optical elements aligned in an alternating fashion in two rows in a main scanning direction to turn them ON/OFF based on image data, said method comprising the steps of:

measuring a position and output light amount for each optical element by alternately performing single-row illumination of the optical elements and double-row illumination of the optical elements on a time sharing basis while a light amount measuring unit, containing a light amount sensor that sends output signals that correspond to the measured output light amount, is moved in the main scanning direction;
and
calculating a correction amount for said output light amount for each optical element based on data regarding optical element output amount data obtained in said measuring step.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Solid scanning optical writing device, and light amount correction method and light amount measuring device therefor

Life of this patent

Solid scanning optical writing device, and light amount correction method and light amount measuring device therefor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9