Patent ID: 7145705

Claim:
An optical scanner configured to optically scan n optical scanning objects with a light beam from a light source by forming optical scanning paths from the light source to the n optical scanning objects, where n≧2, sequentially selecting the optical scanning paths at different timings, and performing intensity modulation of the light beam from the light source with image signals corresponding to the optical scanning objects optically scanned via the optical scanning path selected, the optical scanner comprising: m light sources configured to emit p light beams, where 1≦m≦n and p≧1; a light beam splitting unit configured to split each of the light beams from each of the light sources into q light beams in a sub-scanning direction and to form each of the light beams into a predetermined beam form, where 2≦q≦n; a polygon mirror optical deflector including a plurality of deflection-reflection planes around a rotation axis and configured to deflect a number of light beams equal to (q·m·p) from the m light sources which are incident on the polygon mirror optical deflector; n scanning imaging optical systems configured to guide n sets of light beams deflected by the polygon mirror optical deflector to corresponding optical scanning objects to form light spots; and an optical path selecting unit configured to select an optical scanning path for each of the n sets of light beams, wherein the polygon mirror optical deflector is at least a part of the optical path selecting unit.