Controller Adaptation for Laser Driver Signal Line Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-beam electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face increased complexity and reduced versatility due to the growing number of signal lines between the system controller and laser driver, requiring design changes based on whether the laser driver generates PWM signals, and existing solutions do not provide a unified controller configuration independent of the laser driver or driving board.
Innovation Solution
A controller with two operation modes: one for generating and transmitting PWM data and another for transmitting image data without conversion, allowing for flexible operation with both types of laser driving boards, including a setting unit, data conversion unit, and transmission unit to adapt to different configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of light emitting elements is increased to accelerate image forming speed and increase resolution, then productivity is improved, but the number of signal lines between system controller and laser driver increases, leading to increased device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple data transmission functions into a single serial data line. The system controller integrates both image data transmission and PWM signal generation capabilities, allowing it to communicate with the laser driver through a unified serial interface rather than requiring separate lines for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controller is designed with multi-functionality to handle both types of laser drivers (those with built-in PWM generation and those without) through a single unified interface. The controller can adaptively switch between transmitting raw image data and transmitting pre-converted PWM signals, making the signal line configuration universal across different driver types.
2Reliability
If the system controller is designed to match specific laser driver configurations, then reliability of communication is improved, but adaptability to different laser driver types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system controller implements dynamic adaptability by automatically detecting the capability of the connected laser driver and adjusting its transmission mode accordingly. When a laser driver with built-in PWM generation is detected, the controller transmits image data for conversion; when a laser driver without PWM generation is detected, the controller generates and transmits PWM signals directly, ensuring reliable communication in both scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller changes its operational parameters based on the detected laser driver type. It can switch between two transmission modes: transmitting multi-valued image data for drivers with PWM conversion capability, or transmitting binary PWM signals for drivers without such capability. This parameter adaptation maintains communication reliability across different driver configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A setting unit of a controller mounted on a control board sets a first mode for generating, from image data, PWM data indicating a pattern for causing an LD to emit light and transmitting to a laser driving board, or a second mode for transmitting to the laser driving board image data prior to generation of the PWM data. A data conversion unit, in the first mode, converts inputted image data into N pieces of PWM data respectively corresponding to N LDs, and in the second mode, converts inputted image data into image data for each scanning line. A P/S conversion unit converts data outputted from the data conversion unit from a serial format into a parallel format, and transmits the converted data to the laser driving board as control data.