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Patent US4823151A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4823151A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multi-beam scanning system with sync signal generation based on single beam detection
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1987-12-23
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Granted: 1989-04-18
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Expires: 2007-12-23
Abstract
Abstract An optical scanning unit receives beams from a plurality of beam light sources and directs the respective beams as a plurality of scanning beams with respect to the predetermined scanning range of the object to be scanned. A deflector receives one of the plurality of scanning beams by the optical scanning unit at a position near an end portion of the predetermined scanning range of the object to be scanned and deflects the received beam in a predetermined direction. A single beam detector detects the single scanning beam deflected in the predetermined direction by the deflector. A sync signal generating unit generates a sync signal on the basis of a detection output from the single beam detector. A control unit selectively generates control signals for driving the plurality of beam light sources in accordance with the sync signal from the sync signal generating unit, and while the single beam detector detects the single scanning beam, for driving only one of the plurality of beam light sources corresponding to the single scanning beam.
Inventors
- 👤 Kunihiko Miura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:36
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/02; G06K15/12; G06K15/1204; G06K15/1219; G06K15/1238; G06K15/1257; G06K15/1261
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A multi-beam scanning apparatus comprising: a light source for generating a plurality of light beams; optical scanning means for directing the beams with respect to the predetermined scanning range of an object to be scanned; beam detecting means for detecting one of the beams scanned by said optical scanning means; sync signal generating means for generating a sync signal on the basis of a detection output from said beam detecting means; and signal generating means for generating control signals for driving said light source in accordance with the sync signal from said sync signal generating means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A multi-beam scanning apparatus comprising: a light source for generating a plurality of light beams; optical scanning means for directing the beams with respect to the predetermined scanning range of an object to be scanned; beam detecting means for detecting one of the beams scanned by said optical scanning means; sync signal generating means for generating a sync signal on the basis of a detection output from said beam detecting means; and signal generating means for generating control signals for driving said light source in accordance with the sync signal from said sync signal generating means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said beam detecting means detects a reflected beam of the single scanning beam from a reflecting mirror provided outside the effective scanning range of said object to be scanned.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said beam detecting means includes a PIN photodiode element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said beam detecting means includes mask means for shaping a beam waveform.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said mask means has a rectangular opening with high precision.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sync signal generating means digitizes an analog signal from said beam detecting means by comparing the analog signal with a reference voltage using a high-speed comparator and outputs a horizontal sync signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said signal generating means includes sampling signal output means for outputting a sampling signal for sequentially driving said plurality of beam light sources each time beam scanning is performed on the basis of the horizontal sync signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said light source comprises a plurality of semiconductor lasers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said plurality of semiconductor lasers are formed on a single chip.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
120 words
A multi-beam scanning type image forming apparatus comprising: a light source for generating a plurality of light beams; optical writing means for writing the beams on an object to be scanned; beam detecting means for detecting one of the beams recorded by said optical writing means; sync signal generating means for generating a sync signal on the basis of a detection output from said beam detecting means; signal generating means for generating control signals for driving said light source in accordance with the sync signal from said signal generating means; and image forming means for developing the image, recorded on said object to be scanned, by said optical writing means and transferring the developed image to an image forming medium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
120 words
A multi-beam scanning type image forming apparatus comprising: a light source for generating a plurality of light beams; optical writing means for writing the beams on an object to be scanned; beam detecting means for detecting one of the beams recorded by said optical writing means; sync signal generating means for generating a sync signal on the basis of a detection output from said beam detecting means; signal generating means for generating control signals for driving said light source in accordance with the sync signal from said signal generating means; and image forming means for developing the image, recorded on said object to be scanned, by said optical writing means and transferring the developed image to an image forming medium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said beam detecting means detects a reflected beam from a reflecting mirror provided outside the effective scanning range of said object to be scanned.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said beam detecting means includes a PIN photodiode element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said beam detecting means includes mask means for shaping a beam waveform.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said mask means has a rectangular opening with high precision.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said sync signal generating means digitizes an analog signal from said beam detecting means by comparing the analog signal with a reference voltage using a high-speed comparator and outputs a horizontal sync signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said signal generating means includes sampling signal output means for outputting a sampling signal for sequentially driving said light source each time beam writing is performed on the basis of the horizontal sync signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said light source comprises a plurality of semiconductor lasers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said plurality of semiconductor lasers are formed on a single chip.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4707715A
Cited
US4733252A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-04-17 | 1992-10-17 | 1993-04-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-04-17 | 1996-10-17 | 1997-04-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-04-17 | 2000-10-17 | 2001-04-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |