Patent ID: 6266078
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: G02B,G06K,H04N

Abstract:
An image forming apparatus comprising:a plurality of laser light sources;light detection means for detecting optical outputs of the plurality of laser light sources, said light detection means including at least one sensor unit, wherein the number of the sensor units is smaller than the number of the plurality of laser light sources;light-amount control means for receiving signals indicative of the detected optical outputs of the plurality of laser light sources, and based on the received signals outputting (i) a control signal for controlling the optical outputs of each of the plurality of laser light sources to a constant amount of light by performing time-division processing and (ii) a time-division detection signal;limiting-value setting means for setting a limiting value for each optical output;comparison means for comparing the time-division detection signal for a laser beam detected by said light detection means with the limiting value set by said limiting-value setting means during the time-division light-amount control by said light-amount control means;emission control means for controlling emission of the plurality of laser light sources in accordance with an out-put signal from said comparison means; anda recording medium on which an image is formed by the plurality of laser beams.