US4990771A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Scanning optical apparatus having focus position detector
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1990-05-11
•
Granted: 1991-02-05
•
Expires: 2010-05-11
Abstract
Abstract A scanning optical apparatus comprises a light source unit, an optical system for converging a light beam from the light source unit at a predetermined position, a moving device for moving the converged position of the light beam by the optical system, a deflecting device for deflecting the light beam from the light source unit in a predetermined direction, a light receiving device for receiving the light beam deflected by the deflecting device, a processing device for processing a signal obtained by said light receiving device, and a control device for controlling the moving device corresponding to a signal from the processing device. The light beam emitted from the light source unit is scanned on the light receiving device a plurality of times through the optical system and the deflecting device, while the converged position of the light beam is moved by the moving device. The signal from the light receiving device during each of the plurality of scans is compared or calculated by the processing device to thereby adjust and determine the converged position of the light beam by the optical system.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuo Minoura
- 👤 Isamu Shimoda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:33
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/02; G06K15/12; G06K15/1204; G06K15/1219; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A scanning optical apparatus comprising: a light source unit; optical means for converging a light beam from said light source unit at a predetermined position; moving means for moving the converged position of the light beam by said optical means; deflecting means for deflecting the light beam from said light source unit in a predetermined direction; light receiving means for receiving the light beam deflected by said deflecting means; processing means for processing a signal obtained by said light receiving means; and control means for controlling said moving means correspondingly to a signal from said processing means; wherein the light beam emitted from said light source unit is scanned on said light receiving means a plurality of times through said optical means and said deflecting means while the converged position of the light beam is moved by said moving means, and the signal from said light receiving means during each of said plurality of times of scanning is compared or calculated by said processing means to thereby adjust and determine the converged position of the light beam by said optical means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
A scanning optical apparatus comprising: a light source unit; optical means for converging a light beam from said light source unit at a predetermined position; moving means for moving the converged position of the light beam by said optical means; deflecting means for deflecting the light beam from said light source unit in a predetermined direction; light receiving means for receiving the light beam deflected by said deflecting means; processing means for processing a signal obtained by said light receiving means; and control means for controlling said moving means correspondingly to a signal from said processing means; wherein the light beam emitted from said light source unit is scanned on said light receiving means a plurality of times through said optical means and said deflecting means while the converged position of the light beam is moved by said moving means, and the signal from said light receiving means during each of said plurality of times of scanning is compared or calculated by said processing means to thereby adjust and determine the converged position of the light beam by said optical means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A scanning optical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light beam emitted from said light source unit is not modulated when it is scanned on said light receiving means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A scanning optical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said light receiving means has an opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
169 words
A scanning optical apparatus comprising: a light source unit; deflecting means for deflecting a light beam from said light source unit in a predetermined direction; lens means disposed between said light source unit and said deflecting means; moving means for moving a part of said lens means; light receiving means for receiving the light beam deflected by said deflecting means; processing means for processing a signal obtained by said light receiving means; and control means for controlling said moving means correspondingly to a signal from said processing means; wherein the light beam emitted from said light source unit is scanned on said light receiving means a plurality of times through said lens means and said deflecting means while a part of said lens means is moved by said moving means, and the signal from said light receiving means during each of said plurality of times of scanning is compared or calculated by said processing means to thereby adjust and determine the position of said part of said lens means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
169 words
A scanning optical apparatus comprising: a light source unit; deflecting means for deflecting a light beam from said light source unit in a predetermined direction; lens means disposed between said light source unit and said deflecting means; moving means for moving a part of said lens means; light receiving means for receiving the light beam deflected by said deflecting means; processing means for processing a signal obtained by said light receiving means; and control means for controlling said moving means correspondingly to a signal from said processing means; wherein the light beam emitted from said light source unit is scanned on said light receiving means a plurality of times through said lens means and said deflecting means while a part of said lens means is moved by said moving means, and the signal from said light receiving means during each of said plurality of times of scanning is compared or calculated by said processing means to thereby adjust and determine the position of said part of said lens means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A scanning optical apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the light beam emitted from said light source unit is not modulated when it is scanned on said light receiving means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A scanning optical apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said light receiving means has an opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
173 words
A scanning optical apparatus comprising: a light source unit; optical means for converging a light beam from said light source unit at a predetermined position; moving means for moving a part of said optical means; deflecting means for deflecting the light beam from said light source unit in a predetermined direction; light receiving means for receiving the light beam deflected by said deflecting means; processing means for processing a signal obtained by said light receiving means; and control means for controlling said moving means correspondingly to a signal from said processing means; wherein the light beam emitted from said light source unit is scanned on said light receiving means a plurality of times through said optical means and said deflecting means while said part of said optical means is moved by said moving means, and the signal from said light receiving means during each of said plurality of times of scanning is compared or calculated by said processing means to thereby adjust and determine the position of a part of said optical means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
173 words
A scanning optical apparatus comprising: a light source unit; optical means for converging a light beam from said light source unit at a predetermined position; moving means for moving a part of said optical means; deflecting means for deflecting the light beam from said light source unit in a predetermined direction; light receiving means for receiving the light beam deflected by said deflecting means; processing means for processing a signal obtained by said light receiving means; and control means for controlling said moving means correspondingly to a signal from said processing means; wherein the light beam emitted from said light source unit is scanned on said light receiving means a plurality of times through said optical means and said deflecting means while said part of said optical means is moved by said moving means, and the signal from said light receiving means during each of said plurality of times of scanning is compared or calculated by said processing means to thereby adjust and determine the position of a part of said optical means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A scanning optical apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the light beam emitted from said light source unit is not modulated when it is scanned on said light receiving means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A scanning optical apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said light receiving means has an opening.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
138 words
A scanning method in a scanning optical apparatus comprising: the step of scanning a light beam emitted from a light source unit on light receiving means a plurality of times through optical means for converging the light beam emitted from said light source unit and deflecting means while moving the converged position of the light beam emitted from said light source by said optical means; the step of comparing or calculating a signal from said light receiving means during each of said plurality of times of scanning to thereby adjust the converged position of the light beam by said optical means; and the step of comparing or calculating the signal from said light receiving means during each of said plurality of times of scanning to thereby determine the converged position of the light beam by said optical means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
138 words
A scanning method in a scanning optical apparatus comprising: the step of scanning a light beam emitted from a light source unit on light receiving means a plurality of times through optical means for converging the light beam emitted from said light source unit and deflecting means while moving the converged position of the light beam emitted from said light source by said optical means; the step of comparing or calculating a signal from said light receiving means during each of said plurality of times of scanning to thereby adjust the converged position of the light beam by said optical means; and the step of comparing or calculating the signal from said light receiving means during each of said plurality of times of scanning to thereby determine the converged position of the light beam by said optical means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A scanning method according to claim 10, wherein the light beam emitted from said light source unit is not modulated when it is scanned on said light receiving means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A scanning method according to claim 10, wherein said light receiving means has an opening.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
124 words
A scanning method in a scanning optical apparatus comprising: the step of scanning a light beam emitted from a light source unit on light receiving means a plurality of times through optical means for converging the light beam emitted from said light source unit and deflecting means while moving a part of said optical means; the step of comparing or calculating a signal from said light receiving means during each of said plurality of times of scanning to thereby adjust the position of said part of said optical means; and the step of comparing or calculating the signal from said light receiving means during each of said plurality of times of scanning to thereby determine the position of said part of said optical means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
124 words
A scanning method in a scanning optical apparatus comprising: the step of scanning a light beam emitted from a light source unit on light receiving means a plurality of times through optical means for converging the light beam emitted from said light source unit and deflecting means while moving a part of said optical means; the step of comparing or calculating a signal from said light receiving means during each of said plurality of times of scanning to thereby adjust the position of said part of said optical means; and the step of comparing or calculating the signal from said light receiving means during each of said plurality of times of scanning to thereby determine the position of said part of said optical means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
A scanning method according to claim 13, wherein the light beam emitted from said light source unit is not modulated when it is scanned on said light receiving means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
A scanning method according to claim 13, wherein said light receiving means has an opening.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
106 words
A scanning method in a scanning optical apparatus comprising: the step of moving a part of optical means for converging a light beam emitted from a light source unit to an initial position; the step of scanning the light beam emitted from said light source unit on light receiving means a plurality of times through said optical means and deflecting means while moving said part of said optical means in the direction of the optical axis of said optical means; and the step of processing a signal from said light receiving means to thereby adjust and determine the position of said part of said optical means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
106 words
A scanning method in a scanning optical apparatus comprising: the step of moving a part of optical means for converging a light beam emitted from a light source unit to an initial position; the step of scanning the light beam emitted from said light source unit on light receiving means a plurality of times through said optical means and deflecting means while moving said part of said optical means in the direction of the optical axis of said optical means; and the step of processing a signal from said light receiving means to thereby adjust and determine the position of said part of said optical means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
A scanning method according to claim 16, wherein the light beam emitted from said light source unit is not modulated when it is scanned on said light receiving means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
A scanning method according to claim 16, wherein said light receiving mean has an opening.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
192 words
A scanning optical apparatus comprising: a light source unit; optical means for converging a light beam from said light source unit at a predetermined position; varying means for varying the converged position of the light beam by said optical means in the direction of the optical axis of said optical means; deflecting means for deflecting the light beam from said light source unit in a predetermined direction; light receiving means for receiving the light beam deflected by said deflecting means; processing means for processing a signal obtained by said light receiving means; and control means for controlling said varying means correspondingly to a signal from said processing means; wherein the light beam emitted from said light source unit is scanned on said light receiving means a plurality of times through said optical means and said deflecting means while the converged position of the light beam is varied by said varying means, and the signal from said light receiving means during each of said plurality of times of scanning is compared or calculated by said processing means to thereby adjust and determine the converged position of the light beam by said optical means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
192 words
A scanning optical apparatus comprising: a light source unit; optical means for converging a light beam from said light source unit at a predetermined position; varying means for varying the converged position of the light beam by said optical means in the direction of the optical axis of said optical means; deflecting means for deflecting the light beam from said light source unit in a predetermined direction; light receiving means for receiving the light beam deflected by said deflecting means; processing means for processing a signal obtained by said light receiving means; and control means for controlling said varying means correspondingly to a signal from said processing means; wherein the light beam emitted from said light source unit is scanned on said light receiving means a plurality of times through said optical means and said deflecting means while the converged position of the light beam is varied by said varying means, and the signal from said light receiving means during each of said plurality of times of scanning is compared or calculated by said processing means to thereby adjust and determine the converged position of the light beam by said optical means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
195 words
A scanning optical apparatus comprising: a light source unit; optical means for converging a light beam from said light source unit at a predetermined position; varying means for varying the converged position of the light beam by said optical means in the direction of the optical axis of said optical means; deflecting means for deflecting the light beam from said light source unit in a predetermined direction; light receiving means for receiving the light beam deflected by said deflecting means; processing means for processing a signal obtained by said light receiving means; and control means for controlling said varying means correspondingly to a signal from said processing means; wherein the light beam emitted from said light source unit is scanned on said light receiving means a plurality of times through said optical means and said deflecting means while the converged position of the light beam is varied by said varying means, and the signal from said light receiving means during each of said plurality of times of scanning is calculated by said processing means to thereby determine the converged position of the light beam by said optical means on the basis of the calculation result.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
195 words
A scanning optical apparatus comprising: a light source unit; optical means for converging a light beam from said light source unit at a predetermined position; varying means for varying the converged position of the light beam by said optical means in the direction of the optical axis of said optical means; deflecting means for deflecting the light beam from said light source unit in a predetermined direction; light receiving means for receiving the light beam deflected by said deflecting means; processing means for processing a signal obtained by said light receiving means; and control means for controlling said varying means correspondingly to a signal from said processing means; wherein the light beam emitted from said light source unit is scanned on said light receiving means a plurality of times through said optical means and said deflecting means while the converged position of the light beam is varied by said varying means, and the signal from said light receiving means during each of said plurality of times of scanning is calculated by said processing means to thereby determine the converged position of the light beam by said optical means on the basis of the calculation result.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
182 words
A scanning optical apparatus comprising: a light source unit; lens system for converging a light beam from said light source unit at a predetermined position; varying means for varying the converged position of the light beam by said lens system in the direction of the optical axis of said lens system; deflector for deflecting the light beam from said light source unit in a predetermined direction; light receptor for receiving the light beam deflected by said deflector; processor for processing a signal obtained by said light receptor; and control means for controlling said varying means correspondingly to a signal from said processor; wherein the light beam emitted from said light source unit is scanned on said light receptor a plurality of times through said lens system and said deflector while the converged position of the light beam is varied by said varying means, and the signal from said light receptor during each of said plurality of times of scanning is compared or calculated by said processor to thereby adjust and determine the converged position of the light beam by said lens system.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
182 words
A scanning optical apparatus comprising: a light source unit; lens system for converging a light beam from said light source unit at a predetermined position; varying means for varying the converged position of the light beam by said lens system in the direction of the optical axis of said lens system; deflector for deflecting the light beam from said light source unit in a predetermined direction; light receptor for receiving the light beam deflected by said deflector; processor for processing a signal obtained by said light receptor; and control means for controlling said varying means correspondingly to a signal from said processor; wherein the light beam emitted from said light source unit is scanned on said light receptor a plurality of times through said lens system and said deflector while the converged position of the light beam is varied by said varying means, and the signal from said light receptor during each of said plurality of times of scanning is compared or calculated by said processor to thereby adjust and determine the converged position of the light beam by said lens system.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for determining a converged position of a light beam in a scanning optical apparatus comprising: the step of scanning a light beam emitted from a light source unit on light receiving means a plurality of times through optical means for converging the light beam emitted from said light source unit and deflecting means while moving the converged position of the light beam emitted from said light source unit by said optical means; and the step of comparing or calculating the signal from said light receiving means during each of said plurality of times of scanning by processing means to thereby determine the converged position of the light beam by said optical means.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for determining a converged position of a light beam in a scanning optical apparatus comprising: the step of scanning a light beam emitted from a light source unit on light receiving means a plurality of times through optical means for converging the light beam emitted from said light source unit and deflecting means while moving the converged position of the light beam emitted from said light source unit by said optical means; and the step of comparing or calculating the signal from said light receiving means during each of said plurality of times of scanning by processing means to thereby determine the converged position of the light beam by said optical means.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for determining a converged position of a light beam in a scanning optical apparatus comprising: the step of scanning a light beam emitted from a light source unit on light receiving means a plurality of times through optical means for converging the light beam emitted from said light source unit and deflecting means while moving the converged position of the light beam emitted from said light source unit by said optical means; and the step of repeatedly comparing the signal from said light receiving means during each of said plurality of times of scanning to thereby determine the converged position of the light beam by said optical means.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for determining a converged position of a light beam in a scanning optical apparatus comprising: the step of scanning a light beam emitted from a light source unit on light receiving means a plurality of times through optical means for converging the light beam emitted from said light source unit and deflecting means while moving the converged position of the light beam emitted from said light source unit by said optical means; and the step of repeatedly comparing the signal from said light receiving means during each of said plurality of times of scanning to thereby determine the converged position of the light beam by said optical means.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
308 words
A method for determining a converged position of a light beam in a scanning optical apparatus comprising: the step of a first scanning a light beam emitted from a light source unit on light receiving means through optical means for converging the light beam emitted from said light source unit and deflecting means while moving the converged position of the light beam emitted from said light source unit by said optical means to a first position; the step of a second scanning a light beam emitted from a light source unit on light receiving means through optical means for converging the light beam emitted from said light source unit and deflecting means while moving the converged position of the light beam emitted from said light source unit by said optical means to a second position different from the first position; the step of calculating signals from said light receiving means during the first scanning and the second scanning; the step of moving the converged position of the light beam emitted from said light source unit by said optical means to a third position different from the first position and the second position on the basis of the calculation result of the signals from said light receiving means during the first scanning and the second scanning; the step of a third scanning a light beam emitted from said light source unit on light receiving means through said optical means and deflecting means; the step of calculating signals from said light receiving means during the second scanning and the third scanning; and the step of moving the converged position of the light beam emitted from said light source unit by said optical means to the second position on the basis of the calculation result of the signals from said light receiving means during the second scanning and the third scanning.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
308 words
A method for determining a converged position of a light beam in a scanning optical apparatus comprising: the step of a first scanning a light beam emitted from a light source unit on light receiving means through optical means for converging the light beam emitted from said light source unit and deflecting means while moving the converged position of the light beam emitted from said light source unit by said optical means to a first position; the step of a second scanning a light beam emitted from a light source unit on light receiving means through optical means for converging the light beam emitted from said light source unit and deflecting means while moving the converged position of the light beam emitted from said light source unit by said optical means to a second position different from the first position; the step of calculating signals from said light receiving means during the first scanning and the second scanning; the step of moving the converged position of the light beam emitted from said light source unit by said optical means to a third position different from the first position and the second position on the basis of the calculation result of the signals from said light receiving means during the first scanning and the second scanning; the step of a third scanning a light beam emitted from said light source unit on light receiving means through said optical means and deflecting means; the step of calculating signals from said light receiving means during the second scanning and the third scanning; and the step of moving the converged position of the light beam emitted from said light source unit by said optical means to the second position on the basis of the calculation result of the signals from said light receiving means during the second scanning and the third scanning.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
278 words
A method for determining a converged position of a light beam in a scanning optical apparatus comprising: the step of a first scanning a light beam emitted from a light source unit on light receiving means through optical means and deflecting means; the step of a second scanning a light beam emitted from said light source unit on light receiving means through said optical means and said deflecting means while moving the converged position of the light beam emitted from said light source unit by said optical means to a position different from a converged position of the light beam at the first scanning; the step of calculating signals from said light receiving means during the first scanning and the second scanning; the step of moving the converged position of the light beam emitted from said light source unit by said optical means to a position different from a converged position of the light beam at the second scanning on the basis of the calculation result of the signals from said light receiving means during the first scanning and the second scanning; the step of a third scanning light beam emitted from said light source unit on light receiving means through said optical means and said deflecting means; the step of calculating signals from said light receiving means during the second scanning and the third scanning; and the step of moving the converged position of the light beam emitted from said light source unit by said optical means to the position at the second scanning on the basis of the calculation result of the signals from said light receiving means during the second scanning and the third scanning.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
278 words
A method for determining a converged position of a light beam in a scanning optical apparatus comprising: the step of a first scanning a light beam emitted from a light source unit on light receiving means through optical means and deflecting means; the step of a second scanning a light beam emitted from said light source unit on light receiving means through said optical means and said deflecting means while moving the converged position of the light beam emitted from said light source unit by said optical means to a position different from a converged position of the light beam at the first scanning; the step of calculating signals from said light receiving means during the first scanning and the second scanning; the step of moving the converged position of the light beam emitted from said light source unit by said optical means to a position different from a converged position of the light beam at the second scanning on the basis of the calculation result of the signals from said light receiving means during the first scanning and the second scanning; the step of a third scanning light beam emitted from said light source unit on light receiving means through said optical means and said deflecting means; the step of calculating signals from said light receiving means during the second scanning and the third scanning; and the step of moving the converged position of the light beam emitted from said light source unit by said optical means to the position at the second scanning on the basis of the calculation result of the signals from said light receiving means during the second scanning and the third scanning.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for determining a converged position of a light beam in a scanning optical apparatus comprising: the step of scanning a light beam emitted from a light source unit on light receiving means a plurality of times through optical means for converging the light beam emitted from said light source unit and deflecting means while moving the converged position of the light beam emitted from said light source unit by said optical means; the step of comparing or calculating a signal from said light receiving means during each of said plurality of times of scanning by processing means to thereby detect an extreme value of desired information content; and the step of stopping movement of the converged position of the light beam emitted from said light source unit by said optical means when the extreme value of said information content is detected.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for determining a converged position of a light beam in a scanning optical apparatus comprising: the step of scanning a light beam emitted from a light source unit on light receiving means a plurality of times through optical means for converging the light beam emitted from said light source unit and deflecting means while moving the converged position of the light beam emitted from said light source unit by said optical means; the step of comparing or calculating a signal from said light receiving means during each of said plurality of times of scanning by processing means to thereby detect an extreme value of desired information content; and the step of stopping movement of the converged position of the light beam emitted from said light source unit by said optical means when the extreme value of said information content is detected.
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