Patent ID: 7957043
Filing Date: 2011-06-07
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium by irradiation with light, comprising: a spatial light modulator having a plurality of light modulator elements which are arranged in a predetermined direction; a holding part for holding a recording medium on which an image is recorded with signal lights from said plurality of light modulator elements; a moving mechanism for moving said holding part relatively to said spatial light modulator at a constant speed in a main scan direction crossing an arrangement direction of positions irradiated with light from said plurality of light modulator elements and moving said holding part relatively to said spatial light modulator in a sub scan direction crossing said main scan direction; a control part controlling said spatial light modulator and said moving mechanism, to perform image recording on a recording medium; a photodetector for detecting light from each element of said plurality of light modulator elements; and a shift-time determining part for determining a shift time of a switching timing of said each element after input of an output start signal instructing start of output of signal light or an output stop signal instructing stop of output of signal light to a driving element connected to said each element, on the basis of output of said photodetector after input of an output start signal or an output stop signal, wherein said shift-time determining part comprises said shift time of said each element is determined on the basis of said rise time and said fall time, said driving element comprises a shift section for shifting a switching timing of said each element at the time when an output start signal or an output stop signal is inputted to said driving element in image recording, in accordance with said shift time, and when writing for a predetermined period of time is instructed, a distance in said main scan direction of writing actually performed on a recording medium by said plurality of light modulator elements is made constant by shift of a switching timing of said each element by said shift section.