Optical Scanner Scanning Line Curving Correction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Optical scanners face challenges in achieving perfect constant velocity scanning and correcting scanning line curving and tilting, leading to image distortion, especially in color imaging where misregistration of colors occurs due to variations in scanning characteristics caused by environmental changes and inaccuracies in optical components.
Innovation Solution
The optical scanner divides the scanning surface into regions based on scanning line curving characteristics and selects suitable image data for each region to correct scanning line curving, using multiple light spots with equal curving characteristics and adjusting the center of gravity of the exposure distribution to align scanning lines accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an fθ lens is used to achieve constant velocity scanning, then the constant velocity characteristic is improved, but scanning line curving and tilting still occur due to other optical system characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the scanning surface into multiple regions based on scanning line curving characteristics. For each region, appropriate image data is selected from multiple image lines to correct the curving. This segmentation approach allows different correction strategies to be applied to different areas, effectively reducing both constant velocity deviations and scanning line curving without requiring a perfect fθ lens.
2Manufacturing precision
If optical components are used with high precision, then scanning accuracy is improved, but environmental changes still cause property changes and misregistration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the approach from trying to maintain fixed optical parameters to dynamically adapting to parameter changes. By dividing the scanning surface into regions and selecting appropriate image data for each region based on actual scanning characteristics, the system compensates for environmental changes and optical property variations, maintaining reliable color registration despite changes in temperature and humidity.
3Productivity
If multiple light spots are used for multi-beam scanning, then productivity is improved, but scanning line curving becomes more complex to correct
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies region-based segmentation to multi-beam scanning by dividing the scanning surface into multiple regions and selecting appropriate image data for each region. This allows each light spot to be corrected independently based on its specific scanning characteristics, maintaining high productivity while effectively correcting scanning line curving for multiple beams simultaneously.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively reduces image distortion and misregistration, ensuring high-quality image formation by correcting scanning line curving and tilting, even in color imaging applications where environmental changes affect optical properties.
Implementation Method 1
an optical deflection and scanning part deflecting a light beam emitted from the light source
Implementation Method 2
a scanning and imaging optical system condensing the deflected light beam toward a scanning surface so as to form a light spot thereon
Data Source
AI summary
An optical scanner includes a light source modulated based on image data, an optical deflection and scanning part deflecting a light beam emitted from the light source, and a scanning and imaging optical system condensing the deflected light beam toward a scanning surface so as to form a light spot optically scanning the scanning surface. The effective scanning region of the scanning surface is divided into a plurality of regions according to a scanning line curving characteristic. Suitable image data for optically scanning the divided regions are selected from image data of a plurality of image lines every time the light spot optically scans the effective scanning region, so that the image data of each of the image lines is written with scanning line curving being corrected.