Apparatus and system for spot position control in an optical output device employing a variable wavelength light source
US5208456A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 19, 1991 |
| Grant date | May 4, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 19, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N2201/04794
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In an optical output device wherein a beam of light is generated and focused to a spot upon an image plane, such as a photoreceptor in a xerographic printing apparatus, an apparatus for controlling the position of the spot in the slow scan direction of the image plane including a light source capable of emitting the beam of light at a selected one of at least two selectable wavelengths and beam deflecting means for deflecting the beam of light an amount which depends on the wavelength of the beam of light, the amount of deflection determining the position of the spot in the slow scan direction on the image plane. The light source may be of the solid state laser type, and may emit a plurality of beams of light the spots from which may be individually or together selectively positioned in the slow scan direction on the image plane. The beam deflecting element may be a semiconductor prism, for example of AlGaAs, and have a controllable bias applied thereto to allow further control of spot positioning.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.