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US5671077A
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Multi-beam light source device and optical scanning apparatus using the multi-beam source device
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1994-01-21
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Granted: 1997-09-23
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Expires: 2014-01-21
Abstract
Abstract A multi-beam light source device which can be used in an optical scanning device has less optical cross-talk and an improved stability in frequency response. The multi-beam light source device comprises a semiconductor laser array having a plurality of light emitting sources, a light receiving element array having a plurality of light receiving elements and a half mirror splitting a light beam emitted by the semiconductor laser array into at least two split light beams. A light converging unit is provided for converging one of the split light beams at a predetermined focal point. The light receiving element array is positioned at the focal point of the light converging unit for receiving the concentrated one of the split light beams. A controlling circuit is provided for controlling an output of the semiconductor laser array in accordance with the amount of light received by the light receiving element array. Optical cross-talk generated between the split light beams emitted by adjacent ones of the light emitting sources is suppressed by an optical cross-talk suppressing unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Susumu Imakawa
- 👤 Katsumi Yamaguchi
- 👤 Makoto Hino
- 👤 Norio Michiie
- 👤 Tomohiro Nakajima
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:26
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/435; B41J2/465; B41J2/447; B41J2/45; B41J2/451; B41J2/47; B41J2/471; B41J2/473
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
A multi-beam light source device comprising: a plurality of light emitting sources adjacent to each other, each of said light emitting sources emitting a light beam substantially in the same direction; a half mirror for splitting each light beam emitted by said plurality of light emitting sources into at least two split light beams; a light converging unit for converging one of said split light beams at a predetermined focal point; a plurality of light receiving elements corresponding to said light emitting sources, positioned at said predetermined focal point of said light converging unit, for receiving said one of the split light beams so that each split light beam which corresponds to the respective light beam emitted by said light emitting sources is received by corresponding one of said light receiving elements; a controlling circuit for controlling an output of said plurality of light emitting sources in accordance with an amount of light received by said plurality of light receiving elements so that said each light beam emitted by said light emitting sources is controlled separately; and an optical cross-talk suppressing unit for suppressing an optical cross-talk generated between said split light beams emitted by adjacent ones of said light emitting sources.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
A multi-beam light source device comprising: a plurality of light emitting sources adjacent to each other, each of said light emitting sources emitting a light beam substantially in the same direction; a half mirror for splitting each light beam emitted by said plurality of light emitting sources into at least two split light beams; a light converging unit for converging one of said split light beams at a predetermined focal point; a plurality of light receiving elements corresponding to said light emitting sources, positioned at said predetermined focal point of said light converging unit, for receiving said one of the split light beams so that each split light beam which corresponds to the respective light beam emitted by said light emitting sources is received by corresponding one of said light receiving elements; a controlling circuit for controlling an output of said plurality of light emitting sources in accordance with an amount of light received by said plurality of light receiving elements so that said each light beam emitted by said light emitting sources is controlled separately; and an optical cross-talk suppressing unit for suppressing an optical cross-talk generated between said split light beams emitted by adjacent ones of said light emitting sources.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The multi-beam light source device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said optical cross-talk suppressing unit comprises an aperture provided in an optical path between said plurality of light emitting sources and said plurality of light receiving elements so that said split light beams have a uniform predetermined cross sectional area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
The multi-beam light source device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a mirror, provided along an optical path between said light emitting means and said light receiving means, which mirror changes a direction of said split light beams, and wherein said optical cross-talk suppressing means comprises adjusting means for adjusting an angle of said mirror so that said split light beams are incident upon light receiving means at exact positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
The multi-beam light source device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said adjusting device comprises two leaf springs pressing said mirror and a screw provided to one of said leaf springs, said mirror being supported by a pressing force of said leaf springs and a support located between said leaf springs, a tip of said screw being engaged with said mirror so that said mirror is rotated about said support point when said screw is turned.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
The multi-beam light source device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said optical cross-talk suppressing unit comprises a supporting member on which said plurality of light emitting sources are mounted and a board on which said plurality of light receiving elements are mounted, said supporting member being adjustably fixed to said board so that a relative position of said plurality of light emitting sources and said plurality of light receiving elements are changed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The multi-beam light source device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said controlling means comprises a controlling circuit, and at least a portion of said controlling circuit is mounted on said board.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The multi-beam light source device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said optical cross-talk suppressing unit comprises a groove formed on a protection cover covering said plurality of light receiving elements, said groove being formed above a border line between adjacent ones of said plurality of light receiving elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The multi-beam light source device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of light emitting sources comprises a semiconductor laser array.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
244 words
A multi-beam light source device comprising: a plurality of light emitting sources adjacent to each other, each of said light emitting sources emitting a light beam substantially in the same direction; a half mirror for splitting each light beam emitted by said plurality of light emitting sources into at least two split light beams; a light converging unit for converging one of said split light beams at a predetermined focal point with respect to a first direction corresponding to a direction in which said plurality of light emitting sources are aligned, said one of the split light beams converging at a position other than said predetermined focal point with respect to a second direction perpendicular to said first direction; a plurality of light receiving elements, positioned at said predetermined focal point of said light converging unit, for receiving said one of the split light beams, said plurality of light receiving elements corresponding to said light emitting sources, arranged in said first direction so that each split light beam which corresponds to the respective light beam emitted by said light emitting sources is received by corresponding one of said light receiving elements; and a controlling circuit for controlling an output of said plurality of light emitting sources in accordance with an amount of light of said one of the split light beams received by said plurality of light receiving elements so that said each light beam emitted by said light emitting sources is controlled separately.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
244 words
A multi-beam light source device comprising: a plurality of light emitting sources adjacent to each other, each of said light emitting sources emitting a light beam substantially in the same direction; a half mirror for splitting each light beam emitted by said plurality of light emitting sources into at least two split light beams; a light converging unit for converging one of said split light beams at a predetermined focal point with respect to a first direction corresponding to a direction in which said plurality of light emitting sources are aligned, said one of the split light beams converging at a position other than said predetermined focal point with respect to a second direction perpendicular to said first direction; a plurality of light receiving elements, positioned at said predetermined focal point of said light converging unit, for receiving said one of the split light beams, said plurality of light receiving elements corresponding to said light emitting sources, arranged in said first direction so that each split light beam which corresponds to the respective light beam emitted by said light emitting sources is received by corresponding one of said light receiving elements; and a controlling circuit for controlling an output of said plurality of light emitting sources in accordance with an amount of light of said one of the split light beams received by said plurality of light receiving elements so that said each light beam emitted by said light emitting sources is controlled separately.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The multi-beam light source device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said light converging unit comprises an anamorphic lens consisting of a single lens.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The multi-beam light source device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said light converging unit comprises an anamorphic lens system consisting of a combination of a cylindrical lens and a spherical lens.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The multi-beam light source device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said light converging unit comprises an anamorphic lens system consisting of a combination of a cylindrical lens and an aspherical lens having a rotational symmetry.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
The multi-beam light source device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said light converging unit comprises a combination of a spherical lens and a mirror changing an optical path of said split light beams, said mirror converging said split light beams with respect to said second direction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
The multi-beam light source device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said light converging unit comprises a combination of an aspherical lens having a rotational symmetry and a mirror changing an optical path of said split light beams, said mirror converging said split light beams with respect to said second direction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
51 words
The multi-beam light source device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said splitting means comprises a half mirror, and said light converging unit comprises a combination of a spherical lens and said half mirror, said half mirror being adapted to converge said split light beams with respect to said second direction.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
55 words
The multi-beam light source device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said splitting means comprises a half mirror, and said light converging unit comprises a combination of an aspherical lens having a rotational symmetry and said half mirror, said half mirror being adapted to converge said split light beams with respect to said second direction.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The multi-beam light source device as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a slit provided adjacent to said plurality of light receiving elements, said slit being aligned with said second direction.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The multi-beam light source device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said plurality of light emitting sources comprises a semiconductor laser array.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
235 words
An optical scanning apparatus comprising: a multi-beam light source device comprising a plurality of light emitting sources adjacent to each other, each of said light emitting sources emitting a light beam substantially in the same direction; a half mirror for splitting a light beam emitted by said plurality of light emitting sources into a first split light beam and a second split light beam; a light converging unit for converging said first split light beam at a predetermined focal point; a plurality of light receiving elements, positioned at said predetermined focal point of said light converging unit, for receiving said first split light beam, said plurality of light receiving elements corresponding to said light emitting sources; a controlling circuit for controlling an output of said plurality of light emitting sources in accordance with an amount of light received by said plurality of light receiving elements so that said each light beam emitted by said light emitting sources is controlled separately; a deflecting mirror for deflecting said second split light beam; a collimator lens positioned between said multi-beam light source device and said deflecting mirror; an aperture positioned between said collimator lens and said deflecting mirror; and a pair of cylindrical lenses, positioned between said collimator lens and said deflecting mirror, which cylindrical lenses have a curvature only in a direction corresponding to a direction perpendicular to a primary scanning direction of said optical scanning apparatus.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
235 words
An optical scanning apparatus comprising: a multi-beam light source device comprising a plurality of light emitting sources adjacent to each other, each of said light emitting sources emitting a light beam substantially in the same direction; a half mirror for splitting a light beam emitted by said plurality of light emitting sources into a first split light beam and a second split light beam; a light converging unit for converging said first split light beam at a predetermined focal point; a plurality of light receiving elements, positioned at said predetermined focal point of said light converging unit, for receiving said first split light beam, said plurality of light receiving elements corresponding to said light emitting sources; a controlling circuit for controlling an output of said plurality of light emitting sources in accordance with an amount of light received by said plurality of light receiving elements so that said each light beam emitted by said light emitting sources is controlled separately; a deflecting mirror for deflecting said second split light beam; a collimator lens positioned between said multi-beam light source device and said deflecting mirror; an aperture positioned between said collimator lens and said deflecting mirror; and a pair of cylindrical lenses, positioned between said collimator lens and said deflecting mirror, which cylindrical lenses have a curvature only in a direction corresponding to a direction perpendicular to a primary scanning direction of said optical scanning apparatus.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The optical scanning apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein one of said pair of cylindrical lenses is rotationally supported with respect to an optical path of said second split light beam.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The optical scanning apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said plurality of light emitting sources comprises a semiconductor laser array.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-09-22 | 2001-03-24 | 2001-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-09-22 | 2005-03-24 | 2005-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-09-22 | 2009-03-24 | 2009-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |