Beam light scanning device and image forming apparatus using same
View Patent ↗A beam light scanning device includes an image data processing unit operable to output image-processed data of neighboring pixels in such a way that the data is divided for distribution into first pixel data and second pixel data. The scanner also includes a synchronizer circuit that receives the first and second pixel data as output from the image data processor and outputs these pixel data while letting them be synchronized with clocks as synchronized based on a horizontal synchronous signal. The scanner further includes a couple of pulse width modulators or “PWMs”, a synthetic circuit, and a laser diode module. The PWMs are for adjustment of the pulse widths of the first and second pixel data as output from the synchronizer circuit respectively. The synthetic circuit combines together the pulse width-adjusted first and second pixel data. The LD emits a light beam indicative of the resultant combined pixel data.
1. A beam light scanning device comprising:
an image data processor configured to output data of neighboring pixels while dividing for distribution the data into first pixel data and second pixel data;
an adjuster device configured to perform specified adjustment with respect to the first pixel data and the second pixel data as output from said image data processor;
a synthesis device configured to combine together the adjusted first and second pixel data as output from said adjuster device;
a light emission device responsive to receipt of the pixel data as output from said synthesis device configured to emit light as a scan beam; and
a horizontal synchronous signal generator configured to generate a horizontal synchronous signal based on detection of pass-through of the scan beam as emitted from said light emission device,
wherein said adjuster device includes a signal synchronizer to synchronize a reference clock signal based on the horizontal synchronous signal as generated from said horizontal synchronous signal generator and to output the first and second pixel data in synchronism with said reference clock signal thus synchronized.
2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said adjuster device includes:
a first output pulse adjustment device configured to adjust an output pulse width based on data of the first pixel data as output from said signal synchronizer; and
a second output pulse adjustment device configured to adjust an output pulse width based on data of the second pixel data as output from said signal synchronizer.
3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said adjuster device includes:
a delay device configured to cause the second pixel data as output from said signal synchronizer to output with a delay by a specified length of time within a range equivalent to a one pixel output session.
4. The device according to claim 3 , wherein said signal synchronizer comprises a first signal synchronizer configured to perform synchronization processing exclusively for the first pixel data and a second signal synchronizer configured to perform synchronization processing exclusively for the second pixel data, and
wherein said delay device receives the horizontal synchronous signal as output from said horizontal synchronous signal generator and outputs this signal toward said second signal synchronizer.
5. The device according to claim 1 ,
wherein said adjuster device includes a signal synchronizer configured to output said adjusted first and second pixel data in synchronism with the horizontal synchronous signal being output from said horizontal synchronous signal generator.
6. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said adjuster device includes:
a data mask synthesizer configured to input the horizontal synchronous signal as output from said horizontal synchronous signal generator along with at least the second pixel data out of said first and second pixel data as output from said signal synchronizer, and to perform mask synthesis of any one of said first and second pixel data based on a signal for masking part of pixel data with affectability on neighboring pixel data.
7. A method of operating a beam light scanning device comprising:
outputting data of neighboring pixels while dividing for distribution the data into first pixel data and second pixel data;
performing specified adjustment with respect to the first pixel data and the second pixel data to provide adjusted first and second pixel data;
combining together the adjusted first and second pixel data to provide synthesized data;
emitting light as a scan beam in response to receipt of the synthesized data; and
generating a horizontal synchronous signal based on detection of pass-through of the scan beam as emitted, wherein said performing specified adjustment includes synchronizing a reference clock signal based on the horizontal synchronous signal and outputting the first and second pixel data in synchronism with said reference clock signal thus synchronized.
8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein said performing specified adjustment includes:
adjusting an output pulse width based on data of the synchronized first pixel data; and
adjusting an output pulse width based on data of the synchronized second pixel data.
9. The method according to claim 7 , wherein said performing specified adjustment includes:
causing the synchronized second pixel data to output with a delay by a specified length of time within a range equivalent to a one pixel output session.
10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein said synchronizing includes performing synchronization processing via a first signal synchronizer exclusively for the first pixel data and performing synchronization processing via a second signal synchronizer exclusively for the second pixel data, and
wherein said causing the synchronized second pixel data to output with a delay comprises receiving the horizontal synchronous signal and outputting this signal toward said second signal synchronizer.
11. The method according to claim 7 ,
wherein said performing specified adjustment includes outputting said adjusted first and second pixel data in synchronism with the horizontal synchronous signal.
12. The method according to claim 7 , wherein said performing specified adjustment includes:
inputting the horizontal synchronous signal along with at least the second synchronized pixel data out of said first and second synchronized pixel data, and performing mask synthesis of any one of said first and second synchronized pixel data based on a signal for masking part of pixel data with affectability on neighboring pixel data.