US5831758A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-beam optical scanner
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1997-06-04
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Granted: 1998-11-03
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Expires: 2017-06-04
Abstract
Abstract A multi-beam optical scanner, in which a lateral magnification beta in a composite system of an optical system between the light source for a multi-beam and the scanned surface satisfies the condition: 2< beta </=8.5, and a plurality of light spots on the scanned surface execute optical scanning of the scanning lines adjacent to each other.
Inventors
- 👤 Kohji Sakai
- 👤 Magane Aoki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:06
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/10; G02B26/12; G02B26/123
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
A multi-beam optical scanner comprising: a light source for a multi-beam; a coupling lens for coupling a plurality of light fluxes from said light source for a multi-beam to an image-forming optical system; a first image-formation system for focusing a plurality of light fluxes coupled by said coupling lens in a direction corresponding to auxiliary scanning and forming them to images as a plurality of line images each long in a direction corresponding to main scanning; an optical deflector having a deflecting reflection surface adjacent to positions where images as said plurality of line images are formed for deflecting said plurality of light fluxes; a second image-formation system for separating the plurality of light fluxes deflected by said optical deflector from each other in a direction of auxiliary scanning on a scanned surface and converging the plurality of light fluxes as a plurality of light spots for optically scanning said scanned surface in accordance with deflection of the light fluxes; wherein a lateral magnification β in a direction corresponding to the auxiliary scanning in a composite system of the optical system between said light source for a multi-beam and said scanned surface is as follows: 2<β and the plurality of light spots on the scanned surface optically scan scanning lines adjacent to each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
A multi-beam optical scanner comprising: a light source for a multi-beam; a coupling lens for coupling a plurality of light fluxes from said light source for a multi-beam to an image-forming optical system; a first image-formation system for focusing a plurality of light fluxes coupled by said coupling lens in a direction corresponding to auxiliary scanning and forming them to images as a plurality of line images each long in a direction corresponding to main scanning; an optical deflector having a deflecting reflection surface adjacent to positions where images as said plurality of line images are formed for deflecting said plurality of light fluxes; a second image-formation system for separating the plurality of light fluxes deflected by said optical deflector from each other in a direction of auxiliary scanning on a scanned surface and converging the plurality of light fluxes as a plurality of light spots for optically scanning said scanned surface in accordance with deflection of the light fluxes; wherein a lateral magnification β in a direction corresponding to the auxiliary scanning in a composite system of the optical system between said light source for a multi-beam and said scanned surface is as follows: 2<β and the plurality of light spots on the scanned surface optically scan scanning lines adjacent to each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A multi-beam optical scanner according to claim 1; wherein said light source for a multi-beam comprises two or more LD light emitting sections or LED light emitting sections monolithically provided therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A multi-beam optical scanner according to claim 1; wherein said light source for a multi-beam comprises two or more LD light emitting sections or LED light emitting sections in hybrid combination thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A multi-beam optical scanner according to claim 1; wherein said light source for a multi-beam has two LD light emitting sections, and said LD light emitting sections are provided symmetric with respect to an optical axis of a coupling lens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A multi-beam optical scanner according to claim 1; wherein said coupling lens is a collimate lens for collimating a plurality of light fluxes from said light source for a multi-beam at the same time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A multi-beam optical scanner according to claim 1; wherein said second image-formation system includes a lengthy lens provided in a side of the scanned surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
A multi-beam optical scanner according to claim 1; wherein said first image-formation system comprises a piece of lens having power only in the auxiliary scanning direction, while said second image-formation system comprises a constant-velocity optical-scanning image-forming mirror and a lengthy lens each provided on the side of the scanned surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A multi-beam optical scanner according to claim 1; wherein a lateral magnification βin a direction corresponding to the auxiliary scanning in a composite system of the optical system between said light source for a multi-beam and the scanned surface is as follows: 2<β≦8.5.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-11-02 | 2002-05-04 | 2002-11-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-02 | 2006-05-04 | 2006-11-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-02 | 2010-05-04 | 2010-11-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |