Patent ID: 7256815
Filing Date: 2007-08-14
Classification: B41J,G02B

Abstract:
1. An image forming method using an image forming apparatus configured to scan a plurality of media, the image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of light beam source parts configured to emit light beams modulated by image data and pixel clock data from corresponding pixel clocks, the emitted light beams corresponding in number to the plurality of media to be scanned; a deflector configured to be driven by a rotating motor, the deflector having a plurality of separate scanning portions less in number than the number of the plurality of media, the separate scanning portions being configured to cause each emitted light beam received from the plurality of light beam source parts to be deflected so as to form separate scanning light beams, each separate scanning light beam being used to scan a corresponding different one of the plurality of media; a plurality of scan optical systems corresponding in number to the plurality of media, each one of the scan optical systems being configured to receive each separate scanning light beam from the plurality of separate scanning portions and to project each separate scanning light beam onto the corresponding different one of the plurality of media to form a scanned image thereon; a plurality of temperature detectors configured to detect temperature information indicating temperatures of the plurality of scan optical systems; and a plurality of scanning light beam detectors, each scanning light beam detector being configured to detect a corresponding separate scanning light beam at a predetermined position with respect to a corresponding one of the media being scanned and to output a corresponding detection signal, the image forming method comprising the steps of: scanning each different one of the media using the image forming apparatus with a predetermined timing based on the corresponding detection signal so as to form the scanned image on each different one of the plurality of media; correcting a displacement of scan positions of each of the scanned images on each of the plurality of media being scanned by adjusting a phase of the corresponding pixel clock based on the temperature information detected by the plurality of temperature detectors; and forming a superposed image by superposing the scanned images formed on each different one of the plurality of media.