Image processing apparatus

Claim 2

An image processing apparatus comprising: first signal generating means for generating an analog signal indicative of a density level; second signal generating means for generating a predetermined signal of a fixed period; driving signal generating means for generating a pulse-width modulated drive signal in accordance with the analog signal from said first signal generating means and the predetermined signal from said second signal generating means; image process means adapted to function according to the drive signal from said driving signal generating means; third signal generating means for generating a predetermined pattern signal, wherein said third signal generating means is adapted to generate, as said pattern signal, a signal larger than the maximum value of said density level signal and a signal smaller than the minimum value of said density level signal; selector means for providing said image process means with either the drive signal from said driving signal generating means or the pattern signal from said third signal generating means; and correcting means for correcting the density of the image provided by said image process means.

Claim 3

An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image process means comprises charger means for charging a recording member, exposure means for exposing said charged recording member for forming an electrostatic latent image thereon, and developing means for developing said electrostatic latent image, wherein said exposure means is activated according to said drive signal or said pattern signal.

Claim 4

An image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said pattern signal contains a signal for completely turning on said exposure means and a signal for completely turning off said exposure means.

Claim 5

An image processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said exposure means comprises laser beam generating means.

Claim 6

An image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said correction means comprises detector means for detecting the surface potential of said recording member, and regulation means for regulating the relation between said pattern signal and said density level signal.

Claim 7

An image processing apparatus comprising: first signal generating means for generating an analog signal indicative of density level; second signal generating means for generating a predetermined signal of a fixed period; driving signal generating means for generating a pulse-width modulated drive signal in accordance with the analog signal from said first signal generating means the predetermined signal from said second signal generating means; image process means adapted to function according to the drive signal from said driving signal generating means, wherein said image process means comprises charge means for charging a recording member, exposure means for exposing said charged recording member for forming an electrostatic latent image thereon, and developing means for developing said electrostatic latent image, wherein said exposure means is activated according to said drive signal or said pattern signal; third signal generating means for generating a predetermined pattern signal; selector means for providing said image process means with either the drive signal from said driving signal generating means or the pattern signal from said third signal generating means; and correction means for correcting the density of the image provided by said image process means, wherein said correction means comprises detector means for detecting the surface potential of said recording member, and regulation means for regulating the relation between said pattern signal and said density level signal, and wherein said regulation means is adapted to regulate the bias of said pattern signal and/or the dynamic range of said density level signal.

Claim 8

An image processing apparatus comprising: first signal generating means for generating an analog signal indicative of density level; second signal generating means for generating a predetermined signal of a fixed period; driving signal generating means for generating a pulse-width modulated drive signal in accordance with the analog signal from said first signal generating means the predetermined signal from said second signal generating means; image process means adapted to function according to the drive signal from said driving signal generating means, wherein said image process means comprises charge means for charging a recording member, exposure means for exposing said charged recording member for forming an electrostatic latent image thereon, and developing means for developing said electrostatic latent image, wherein said exposure means is activated according to said drive signal or said pattern signal; third signal generating means for generating a predetermined pattern signal; selector means for providing said image process means with either the drive signal from said driving signal generating means or the pattern signal from said third signal generating means; and correction means for correcting the density of the image provided by said image process means, wherein said correction means comprises detector means for detecting the surface potential of said recording member, and regulation means for regulating the relation between said pattern signal and said density level signal, and wherein said regulation means is adapted to regulate the bias of said pattern signal and/or the dynamic range of said density level signal.

Claim 9

An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, or 6, wherein said predetermined signal is a triangular wave signal.

Claim 10

An image processing apparatus comprising: first signal generating means for generating an analog signal indicative of density level; second signal generating means for generating a predetermined signal of a fixed period; driving signal generating means for generating a pulse-width modulated drive signal in accordance with the analog signal from said first signal generating means and the predetermined signal from said second signal generating means; image process means adapted to function according to the drive signal from said driving signal generating means, wherein said image-process means comprises charger means for charging a recording member, exposure means for exposing said charged recording member for forming an electrostatic latent image thereon, and developing means for developing said electrostatic latent image, wherein said exposure means is activated according to said drive signal or said pattern signal; third signal generating means for generating a predetermined pattern signal; selector means for providing said image process means with either the drive signal from said driving signal generating means or the pattern signal from said third signal generating means; and correcting means for correcting the density of the image provided by said image process means; wherein said regulation means comprises detection means for detecting the surface potential of said recording member, and regulation means for regulating the conditions of said charging means and those of said developing means.

Claim 11

An image processing apparatus comprising: first signal generating means for generating an analog signal indicative of density level; second signal generating means for generating a predetermined signal of a fixed period; driving signal generating means for generating a pulse-width modulated drive signal in accordance with the analog signal from said first signal generating means and the predetermined signal from said second signal generating means; image process means adapted to function according to the drive signal from said driving signal generating means, wherein said image-process means comprises charger means for charging a recording member, exposure means for exposing said charged recording member for forming an electrostatic latent image thereon, and developing means for developing said electrostatic latent image, wherein said exposure means is activated according to said drive signal or said pattern signal; third signal generating means for generating a predetermined pattern signal; selector means for providing said image process means with either the drive signal from said driving signal generating means or the pattern signal from said third signal generating means; and correcting means for correcting the density of the image provided by said image process means; wherein said regulation means comprises detection means for detecting the surface potential of said recording member, and regulation means for regulating the conditions of said charging means and those of said developing means.

Claim 12

An image processing apparatus according to claim 6 or 8, wherein said regulation means is adapted to automatically effect regulating operations according to the potential detected by said detection means.

Claim 13

An image processing apparatus according to claim 6 or 8, wherein said regulation means is adapted to effect said regulating operations in manual manner.

Claim 14

An image processing apparatus comprising: first signal generating means for generating an analog signal indicative of a density level; second signal generating means for generating a predetermined signal of a fixed period; driving signal generating means for generating a pulse-width modulated drive signal in accordance with the analog signal from said first signal generating means and the predetermined signal from said second signal generating means; image process means adapted to function according to the drive signal from said driving signal generating means, wherein said image process means comprises charger means for charging a recording member, exposure means for exposing said charged recording member for forming an electrostatic latent image thereon, and developing means for developing said electrostatic latent image, wherein said exposure means is activated by said drive signal; detection means for detecting a level corresponding to the image density to be provided by said image process image in accordance with a predetermined pattern signal of a predetermined pulse width; and regulation means for regulating the image density to be provided by said image process means in accordance with the detection level of said detection means, wherein said regulation means is adapted to regulate the bias of said predetermined signal and/or the dynamic range of said density level signal.

Claim 15

An image processing apparatus comprising: first signal generating means for generating an analog signal indicative of a density level; second signal generating means for generating a predetermined signal of a fixed period; driving signal generating means for generating a pulse-width modulated drive signal in accordance with the analog signal from said first signal generating means and the predetermined signal from said second signal generating means; image process means adapted to function according to the drive signal from said driving signal generating means, wherein said image process means comprises charger means for charging a recording member, exposure means for exposing said charged recording member for forming an electrostatic latent image thereon, and developing means for developing said electrostatic latent image, wherein said exposure means is activated by said drive signal; detection means for detecting a level corresponding to the image density to be provided by said image process image in accordance with a predetermined pattern signal of a predetermined pulse width; and regulation means for regulating the image density to be provided by said image process means in accordance with the detection level of said detection means, wherein said regulation means is adapted to regulate the bias of said predetermined signal and/or the dynamic range of said density level signal.

Claim 16

An image processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said predetermined pattern signal is such that the turn-off period of said exposure means is longer than the turn-off period thereof.

Claim 17

An image processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said predetermined pattern signal is such that the turn-on period of said exposure means is longer than the turn-off period thereof.

Claim 18

An image processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said detection means is adapted to detect the surface potential of said recording member.

Claim 19

An image processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said regulation means is adapted to regulate the relation between said predetermined signal and said density level signal.

Claim 20

An image processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said predetermined pattern signal is such that the turn-off period of said exposure means is longer than the turn-off period thereof, and said regulation means is adapted to regulate the bias of said predetermined signal in accordance with the output of said detection means.

Claim 21

An image processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said predetermined pattern signal is such that the turn-on period of said exposure means is longer than the turn-off period thereof, and said regulation means is adapted to regulate the dynamic range of said density level signal in accordance with the output of said selection means.

Claim 22

An image processing apparatus according to claim 11 or 14, wherein said predetermined signal is a triangular wave signal.

Claim 23

An image processing apparatus comprising: first signal generating means for generating an analog signal indicative of a density level; second signal generating means for generating a predetermined signal of a fixed period; driving signal generating means for generating a pulse-width modulated drive signal in accordance with the analog signal from said first signal generating means and the predetermined signal from said second signal generating means; image process means adapted to function according to the drive signal from said driving signal generating means, wherein said image process means comprises charger means for charging a recording member, exposure means for exposing said charged recording member for forming an electrostatic latent image thereon, and developing means for developing said electrostatic latent image, and said exposure means is activated according to said drive signal; detection means for detecting a surface potential of said recording means corresponding to the image density to be provided by said image process means in accordance with first and second pattern signals; and regulation means for regulating the image density to be provided by said image process means in accordance with the difference between first and second detection potentials corresponding to said first and second pattern signals, wherein said regulation means is adapted to regulate the bias of said predetermined signal and/or the dynamic range of said density lever signal.

Claim 24

An image processing apparatus comprising: first signal generating means for generating an analog signal indicative of a density level; second signal generating means for generating a predetermined signal of a fixed period; driving signal generating means for generating a pulse-width modulated drive signal in accordance with the analog signal from said first signal generating means and the predetermined signal from said second signal generating means; image process means adapted to function according to the drive signal from said driving signal generating means, wherein said image process means comprises charger means for charging a recording member, exposure means for exposing said charged recording member for forming an electrostatic latent image thereon, and developing means for developing said electrostatic latent image, and said exposure means is activated according to said drive signal; detection means for detecting a surface potential of said recording means corresponding to the image density to be provided by said image process means in accordance with first and second pattern signals; and regulation means for regulating the image density to be provided by said image process means in accordance with the difference between first and second detection potentials corresponding to said first and second pattern signals, wherein said regulation means is adapted to regulate the bias of said predetermined signal and/or the dynamic range of said density lever signal.

Claim 25

An image processing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said first and second pattern signals are a signal for turning off said exposure means and a signal for which the turn-off period of said exposure means is longer than the turn-on period thereof.

Claim 26

An image processing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said first and second pattern signals are a signal for completely turning on said exposure means and a signal for which the turn-on period of said exposure means is longer than the turn-off period thereof.

Claim 27

An image processing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said regulation means is adapted to regulate the relation between said predetermined signal and said density level signal.

Claim 28

An image processing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said first and second pattern signals are a signal for turning off said exposure means and a signal for which the turn-off period of said exposure means is longer than the turn-on period thereof, and said regulation means is adapted to regulate the bias of said predetermined signal in accordance with the output of said detection means.

Claim 29

An image processing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said first and second pattern signals are a signal for completely turning on said exposure means and a signal for which the turn-on period of said exposure means is longer than the turn-off period thereof, and said regulation means is adapted to regulate the dynamic range of said density level signal in response to the output of said detection means

Claim 30

An image processing apparatus according to claim 18, 19, wherein said predetermined signal is a triangular wave signal.

Claim 31

An image processing apparatus according to claim 19, 20 or 23, wherein said exposure means comprises laser beam generating means.

Claim 32

An image processing apparatus comprising: first signal generating means for generating an analog signal indicative of a density level; second signal generating means for generating a predetermined signal of a fixed period; driving signal generating means for generating a pulse-width modulated drive signal in accordance with the analog signal from said first signal generating means and the predetermined signal from said second signal generating means; image processing means adapted to function according to the drive signal from said driving signal generating means, wherein said image process means comprises charger means for charging a recording member, exposure means for exposing said charged recording member for forming an electrostatic latent image thereon, and developing means for developing said electrostatic latent image, and said exposure means is activated by said drive signal; detection means for detecting a surface potential of said recording member corresponding to the image density to be provided by said image process means in accordance with a predetermined pattern signal; and regulation means for regulating the image density to be provided by said image process means in response to a detected value corresponding to said predetermined pattern signal, after the control of image forming conditions, wherein said regulation means is adapted to regulate the bias of said predetermined signal and/or the dynamic range of said density level signal.

Claim 33

An image processing apparatus comprising: first signal generating means for generating an analog signal indicative of a density level; second signal generating means for generating a predetermined signal of a fixed period; driving signal generating means for generating a pulse-width modulated drive signal in accordance with the analog signal from said first signal generating means and the predetermined signal from said second signal generating means; image processing means adapted to function according to the drive signal from said driving signal generating means, wherein said image process means comprises charger means for charging a recording member, exposure means for exposing said charged recording member for forming an electrostatic latent image thereon, and developing means for developing said electrostatic latent image, and said exposure means is activated by said drive signal; detection means for detecting a surface potential of said recording member corresponding to the image density to be provided by said image process means in accordance with a predetermined pattern signal; and regulation means for regulating the image density to be provided by said image process means in response to a detected value corresponding to said predetermined pattern signal, after the control of image forming conditions, wherein said regulation means is adapted to regulate the bias of said predetermined signal and/or the dynamic range of said density level signal.

Claim 34

An image processing apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said pattern signal is a signal for which the turn-off period of said exposure means is longer than the turn-on period thereof, and/or a signal for which the turn-on period is longer than the turn-off period.

Claim 35

An image processing apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said regulation means is adapted to regulate the relation between said predetermined signal and said density level signal in accordance with the output from said detection mans.

Claim 36

An image processing apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said image forming conditions are controlled by the charging conditions and/or exposure conditions.

Claim 37

An image processing apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said regulation means is adapted to control said charging conditions and/or exposure conditions in accordance with the output of said detection means when said exposure means is turned off and/or is completely turned on.

Claim 38

An image processing apparatus according to claim 26, 27, 29, wherein said predetermined signal is a triangular wave signal.

Claim 39

An image processing apparatus according to claim 27, 30, wherein said exposure means comprises laser beam generating means.

Claim 40

An image processing apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said predetermined signal is a triangular wave signal and wherein said exposure means comprises laser beam generating means.

Claim 41

An image processing apparatus according to claim 14, 19, 20, 23, wherein said predetermined signal is a triangular wave signal and wherein said exposure means comprises laser beam generating means

Claim 42

An image processing apparatus according to claim 14, 19, 20, 23, wherein said exposure means comprises laser beam generating means, said regulation means is adapted to effect said regulation operations in a manual manner, said correction means comprises detector means for detecting the surface potential of said recording member, and regulation means for regulating the relation between said pattern signal and said density level, and wherein said predetermined signal is a triangular wave signal.

Claim 43

An image processing apparatus according to claim 14, 19, 20 or 23, wherein said exposure means comprises laser beam generating means, said regulation means is adapted to effect said regulation operations in a manual manner, wherein said regulation means comprises detection means for detecting the surface potential of said recording member, and regulation means for regulating the conditions of said charging means and those of said developing means, and said predetermined signal is a triangular wave signal.

Claim 44

An image processing apparatus comprising: first signal generating means for generating an image signal; second signal generating means for generating a first signal indicative of density level larger than a maximum value of density level of said image signal and a second signal indicative of density level smaller than a minimum value of density level of said image signal; driving signal generating means for generating a pulse-width modulated drive signal in accordance with the image signal from said first signal generating means or the first and second signals from said second signal generating means; image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium in accordance with the drive signal generated from said driving signal generating means; selecting means for selecting as to providing said image forming means with either the drive signal according to the image signal from said first signal generating means or the drive signal according to the first and second signals from said second signal generating means; and correcting means for correcting the density of the image formed by said image forming means in accordance with a pattern formed on said recording medium based on said first and second signals.

Claim 45

An image processing apparatus comprising: first signal generating means for generating an image signal; second signal generating means for generating a first signal indicative of density level larger than a maximum value of density level of said image signal and a second signal indicative of density level smaller than a minimum value of density level of said image signal; driving signal generating means for generating a pulse-width modulated drive signal in accordance with the image signal from said first signal generating means or the first and second signals from said second signal generating means; image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium in accordance with the drive signal generated from said driving signal generating means; selecting means for selecting as to providing said image forming means with either the drive signal according to the image signal from said first signal generating means or the drive signal according to the first and second signals from said second signal generating means; and correcting means for correcting the density of the image formed by said image forming means in accordance with a pattern formed on said recording medium based on said first and second signals.

Claim 46

An image processing apparatus comprising: first signal generating means for generating an image signal; second signal generating means for generating a first pattern signal indicative of density level larger than a maximum value of density level of said image signal and a second pattern signal indicative of density level smaller than a minimum value of density level of said image signal; driving signal generating means for generating a pulse-width modulated drive signal in accordance with the image signal from said first signal generating means; image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium in accordance with the drive signal generated from said driving signal generating means; selecting means for selecting as to providing said image forming means with either the drive signal generating means or the first and second pattern signals from said second signal generating means; and correcting means for correcting the density of the image formed by said image forming means in accordance with a pattern formed on said recording medium based on said first and second pattern signals.

Claim 47

An image processing apparatus comprising: first signal generating means for generating an image signal; second signal generating means for generating a first pattern signal indicative of density level larger than a maximum value of density level of said image signal and a second pattern signal indicative of density level smaller than a minimum value of density level of said image signal; driving signal generating means for generating a pulse-width modulated drive signal in accordance with the image signal from said first signal generating means; image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium in accordance with the drive signal generated from said driving signal generating means; selecting means for selecting as to providing said image forming means with either the drive signal generating means or the first and second pattern signals from said second signal generating means; and correcting means for correcting the density of the image formed by said image forming means in accordance with a pattern formed on said recording medium based on said first and second pattern signals.