Beam light scanning device and image forming apparatus using same

Abstract

A beam light scanning device includes an image data processing unit operable to output image-processed data of neighboring pixels in such a way that the data is divided for distribution into first pixel data and second pixel data. The scanner also includes a synchronizer circuit that receives the first and second pixel data as output from the image data processor and outputs these pixel data while letting them be synchronized with clocks as synchronized based on a horizontal synchronous signal. The scanner further includes a couple of pulse width modulators or “PWMs”, a synthetic circuit, and a laser diode module. The PWMs are for adjustment of the pulse widths of the first and second pixel data as output from the synchronizer circuit respectively. The synthetic circuit combines together the pulse width-adjusted first and second pixel data. The LD emits a light beam indicative of the resultant combined pixel data.

1 . A beam light scanning device comprising:
 pixel data processor means for outputting, from different terminals, image-processed pixel data while dividing for distribution the data into a plurality of pixel data items based on a prespecified layout of pixels;   adjuster means for applying specified adjustment to pixel data as output by said pixel data processor means;   synthesis means for combining together all of the pixel data items distributed by said pixel data processor means, said pixel data items being adjusted by and output from said adjuster means; and   light emission means responsive to pixel data as output from said synthesis means for emitting light as a scan beam.   
   
   
       2 . An image forming apparatus comprising:
 image data processor means for outputting data of neighboring pixels while dividing for distribution the data into first pixel data and second pixel data;   adjuster means for performing specified adjustment with respect to the first pixel data and the second pixel data as output from said image data processor means;   synthesis means for combining together the adjusted first and second pixel data as output from said adjuster means;   light emission means responsive to receipt of the pixel data as output from said synthesis means for emitting light as a scan beam; and   a printer engine unit including development means for emphasizing a latent image created by said beam light at an image holding body for receipt of the beam emitted from said light emission means.   
   
   
       3 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 horizontal synchronous signal generator means for generating a horizontal synchronous signal based on detection of pass-through of the scan beam as emitted from said light emission means, wherein   said adjuster means includes signal synchronizer means for synchronizing a reference clock signal based on the horizontal synchronous signal as generated from said horizontal synchronous signal generator means and for outputting the first and second pixel data in synchronism with said reference clock signal thus synchronized.   
   
   
       4 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 first output pulse adjustment means for adjusting an output pulse width based on data of the first pixel data as output from said signal synchronizer means; and   second output pulse adjustment means for adjusting an output pulse width based on data of the second pixel data as output from said signal synchronizer means.   
   
   
       5 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 delay means for causing the second pixel data as output from said signal synchronizer means to output with a delay by a specified length of time within a range equivalent to a one pixel output session.   
   
   
       6 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 horizontal synchronous signal generator means for generating a horizontal synchronous signal based on detection of pass-through of the scan beam as emitted from said light emission means,   wherein said adjuster means includes signal synchronizer means for output of said adjusted first and second pixel data in synchronism with the horizontal synchronous signal being output from said horizontal synchronous signal generator means.   
   
   
       7 . A beam light scanning device comprising:
 a pixel data processor configured to output, from different terminals, image-processed pixel data while dividing for distribution the data into a plurality of pixel data items based on a prespecified layout of pixels;   an adjuster device configured to apply specified adjustment to pixel data as output by said pixel data processor;   a synthesis device configured to combine together all of the pixel data items distributed by said pixel data processor, said pixel data items being adjusted by and output from said adjuster device; and   a light emission device responsive to pixel data as output from said synthesis device to emit light as a scan beam.   
   
   
       8 . An image forming apparatus comprising:
 an image data processor configured to output data of neighboring pixels while dividing for distribution the data into first pixel data and second pixel data;   an adjuster device configured to perform specified adjustment with respect to the first pixel data and the second pixel data as output from said image data processor;   a synthesis device configured to combine together the adjusted first and second pixel data as output from said adjuster device;   a light emission device responsive to receipt of the pixel data as output from said synthesis device to emit light as a scan beam; and   a printer engine unit including a development device configured to emphasize a latent image created by said beam light at an image holding body for receipt of the beam emitted from said light emission device.   
   
   
       9 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a horizontal synchronous signal generator configured to generate a horizontal synchronous signal based on detection of pass-through of the scan beam as emitted from said light emission device,   wherein said adjuster device includes a signal synchronizer configured to synchronize a reference clock signal based on the horizontal synchronous signal as generated from said horizontal synchronous signal generator and to output the first and second pixel data in synchronism with said reference clock signal thus synchronized.   
   
   
       10 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a first output pulse adjustment device configured to adjust an output pulse width based on data of the first pixel data as output from said signal synchronizer; and   a second output pulse adjustment device configured to adjust an output pulse width based on data of the second pixel data as output from said signal synchronizer.   
   
   
       11 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a delay device configured to cause the second pixel data as output from said signal synchronizer to output with a delay by a specified length of time within a range equivalent to a one pixel output session.   
   
   
       12 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a horizontal synchronous signal generator configured to generate a horizontal synchronous signal based on detection of pass-through of the scan beam as emitted from said light emission device,   wherein said adjuster device includes a signal synchronizer configured to output of said adjusted first and second pixel data in synchronism with the horizontal synchronous signal being output from said horizontal synchronous signal generator.   
   
   
       13 . A method of operating a beam light scanning device comprising:
 outputting, from different terminals, image-processed pixel data while dividing for distribution the data into a plurality of pixel data items based on a prespecified layout of pixels;   applying specified adjustment to pixel data as output;   combining together all of the pixel data items distributed, said pixel data items being adjusted and output to provide combined pixel data; and   emitting light as a scan beam in response to the combined pixel data.   
   
   
       14 . A method of operating an image forming apparatus comprising:
 outputting data of neighboring pixels while dividing for distribution the data into first pixel data and second pixel data;   performing specified adjustment with respect to the first pixel data and the second pixel data to provide adjusted first and second pixel data;   combining together the adjusted first and second pixel data to provide synthesized data;   emitting light as a scan beam in response to receipt of the synthesized data; and   emphasizing a latent image created by the scan beam at an image holding body for receipt of the scan beam.   
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 generating a horizontal synchronous signal based on detection of pass-through of the scan beam as emitted,   wherein said performing specified adjustment includes synchronizing a reference clock signal based on the horizontal synchronous signal and outputting the first and second pixel data in synchronism with said reference clock signal thus synchronized.   
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said performing specified adjustment includes:
 adjusting an output pulse width based on data of the synchronized first pixel data; and   adjusting an output pulse width based on data of the synchronized second pixel data.   
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said performing specified adjustment includes:
 causing the synchronized second pixel data to output with a delay by a specified length of time within a range equivalent to a one pixel output session.   
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 generating a horizontal synchronous signal based on detection of pass-through of the scan beam as emitted,   wherein said performing specified adjustment includes outputting said adjusted first and second pixel data in synchronism with the horizontal synchronous signal.