Patent ID: 6317146
Filing Date: 2001-11-13
Classification: B41J,H04N

Abstract:
An image forming apparatus for forming an image of one image forming medium on an image carrier by scanning and exposing the image carrier by use of a plurality of beam lights, comprising:a plurality of beam light generating means for outputting a plurality of beam lights at first power level for controlling and at a second power for writing;deflecting means for deflecting the plurality of beam lights emitted from said plurality of beam light generating means;scanning means for reflecting the plurality of beam lights deflected by said deflecting means towards the image carrier to scan the plurality of beam lights on the image carrier;beam light detecting means disposed near a to-be-scanned position on the image carrier, for outputting a detection signal corresponding to timing in the scanning direction of each beam light scanned by said scanning means, a detection signal corresponding to the power level of each beam light and a detection signal corresponding to a position of each beam light in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction;adjusting means for emitting each beam light at the first power level and deriving a horizontal sync. signal from said beam light detecting means when said beam light detecting means is scanned by said scanning means, emitting only a to-be-controlled beam light and adjusting one of the positions of the to-be controlled beam light in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction and the timing of the to-be-controlled beam light in the scanning direction according to the horizontal sync. signal and detection signals derived from said beam light detecting means; andimage forming means for emitting beam lights at the second power level according to an image to be formed when the image carrier is scanned by said scanning means after the adjustment by said adjusting means, scanning and exposing the image carrier to form an image on the image carrier.