Patent ID: 6522350
Filing Date: 2003-02-18
Classification: B41C,B41J,G02B,G03F

Abstract:
An imaging apparatus having a plurality of beam irradiation sources which can be individually driven, said imaging apparatus comprising:supporting means for an imaging medium; n (n=an integer&gE;2) light source blocks each including k (k=an integer&gE;2) beam irradiation sources, wherein a distance between neighboring beam irradiation sources in a sub-scanning direction determines a medium surface dot distance; at least one or more beam irradiation source driving devices, with each of said beam irradiation source driving devices that is driving a beam irradiation source during imaging being connected in one-to-one relationship with a corresponding light source block that is different from any light source block connected to any other of said beam irradiation source driving devices; and scanning means for changing a feed amount between said light source blocks and said supporting means in the sub-scanning direction to at least one of a second feed amount and a combination of feed amounts in response to a situation where not all said beam irradiation sources are operational, wherein said imaging apparatus is adapted to make an image using all the light source blocks when all said beam irradiation sources are operational, and to make an image using the light source blocks that are not associated with at least one of a non-operational beam irradiation source and all the light source blocks except for the non-operational beam irradiation source when not all said beam irradiation sources are operational.