Patent ID: 7916162
Filing Date: 2011-03-29
Classification: B41J,H01S

Abstract:
1. A light output device comprising: an output unit that includes a light source, the output unit configured to output light from the light source; a control voltage generation unit that is configured to detect output power of the light source, the control voltage generation unit configured to generate a control voltage for controlling a drive current of the light source in response to the output power; a control unit that is configured to set a target value of the output power, the control unit configured to control the control voltage generation unit so as to set the output power to the target value; a voltage-current conversion unit that is configured to convert the control voltage into the drive current, the voltage-current conversion unit configured to supply the drive current to the light source; a setting unit that is configured to set an inclination of a characteristic line of control voltage-drive current conversion in the voltage-current conversion unit; and an adjustment unit that is configured to adjust the voltage-current conversion unit such that the drive current becomes a target current value for setting the output power to the target value in a predetermined control voltage value on the characteristic line where the output power does not reach the target value, wherein the setting unit is configured to set the inclination of the characteristic line to a first inclination where the drive current does not reach a maximum current value larger than the target current value in a maximum voltage value of the control voltage, and wherein the control unit is configured to control the control voltage generation unit in a state in which the inclination of the characteristic line is set to the first inclination after the drive current is set to the target current value.