Light source device and light beam scanning optical apparatus
US6034806A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 9, 1998 |
| Grant date | Mar 7, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 9, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B26/123
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A light beam scanning optical apparatus is provided which simultaneously converges a plurality of light beams on different locations in a scanning surface and thereby simultaneously writes a plurality of lines in one scanning operation. The light beam scanning optical apparatus comprises a light source having three or more light emitting points, and a converging lens which shapes light beams emitted from the light source, into generally parallel or convergent bundles of rays. The converging lens has a shape generally symmetrical with respect to the optical axis, and the light emitting points on the light source are disposed on a circle having its center generally on the optical axis. Alternatively, the light source comprises a first light source having one light emitting point, a second light source having a plurality of light emitting points, and a light beam coupling device for unifying the directions of travel of light beams emitted from the first and second light sources. Scanning with light beams of which the number is n and which have been emitted from the light source is simultaneously performed at unequal intervals with respect to the direction of sub scanning on the scanni…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.