CA1164696A - Apparatus and method for generating characters from dots of different sizes - Google Patents
Apparatus and method for generating characters from dots of different sizesInfo
- Publication number
- CA1164696A CA1164696A CA000417512A CA417512A CA1164696A CA 1164696 A CA1164696 A CA 1164696A CA 000417512 A CA000417512 A CA 000417512A CA 417512 A CA417512 A CA 417512A CA 1164696 A CA1164696 A CA 1164696A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- characters
- photoreceptor
- dots
- spot
- producing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure A method of operating an electro-optical light scanning system using a modulated laser illumination source directed upon a multifaceted rotating polygonal mirror or polygon. The mirrored facets reflect the impinging light toward a moving photoreceptor and forms a raster of scan lines as the photoreceptor moves. The system incorporates sensing optics and closed loop electronics and uses amplitude modulation for varying the intensity of the laser illumination in conjunction with acousto-optical modulation for varying the spot size.
Description
The invention pertains -to a laser spot scannlng system for communicating information to a scanned medium and especially to a scannina system which utilizes xeflected light from a multifaceted rotating polygon.
In particular, the invention is directed to a method of spot scanning using acousto-optical and electro-optical means to produce spots of different sizes whereby the appearance of smoothed edges is given to generated shapes.
Description of the Prior Art A recurring problem in scanner systems is to reduce or eliminate error introduced as a result of inherent defects in the construction of rotating polygonal mirrors. Such defects occur usually in the angular relationship between adjacent facets (facet-to-facet) and between facet planes and the polygonal rotational axis (facet-to-axis).
A typical solution is to employ nonspherical optics to partially correct the effects of facet angular error as is shown in the apparatus described in the U.S. Patent No.
4,002,830. Another situation is the use of optical reflecting or refracting elements pivotally mounted in the path of radiation utilizing electromechanical devices that are energized by timed electrical signals such that the refracting element is pivoted to correct the scanning errors caused by angular defects in the rotating mirror. The control of electro-mechanical devices is preprogrammed to make proper adjustments and the fabrication of these optical systems is thus expensive, as is alignment of the same.
In contrast to systems which use an encoder and loylc to correct for error and operate in an open-loop manner by applying a predetermined correction factor, the instant system employs sensing optics and a feedback loop to correct the position of the ras-ter scan lines.
Summary of the Invention The invention relates to an electro-optical light scanning system using modulated laser illumination and is particularly adaptable for nonimpact and fascimile printing.
The light source, such as a laser beam, is acousto-optically modulated in accordance with selected input data. The laser beam so modulated is directed toward a multi-faceted polygon driven at a constant angular velocity. As the successive mirrored facets of the polygon are illuminated, the light reflected generates a plurality of scan lines formed by successive dots which move across a moving photoreceptor and which are modulated to thus generate characters or a recorded likeness of an original image.
The invention relates to a method of producing on a photoreceptor an-image of generated shapes made up of spots, comprising: directing a plurality of beams of light toward a photoreceptor, each beam of ligh-t generating a spot on the photoreceptor and controlling the parameter of the light beams to produce spots of different sizes whereby the appearance of smoothed edges are given to the generated shapes.
Brief Description of the Drawin~
In an accompanying drawing in which is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the major components of an optical scanning device, the angle of reflection of the beam being distorted for purposes of illustration;
FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the longitudinal travel of a modulated laser beam approaching and crossing a spot detector and photoreceptor;
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the spot correction logic, and FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of spot displacement during corrective modulation.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring now to the drawing, FIG. 1 illustrates an overall view of the scanning svstem used with this invention.
The light source, such as a laser 10, which may be a 3mw helium-neon laser, generates a collimated beam 12 of monochromatic light which is directed through a neutral density filter 14 to control the light intensity. The beam 12 then passes through a modulator 16, such as an acousto-optical modulator.
The beam 12 is next directed through a first lens 20 and intercepted by a knife edge 22 placed at the focal point of the first lens 20. The knife edge 22 is employed for stopping the zero order Bragg beam. The first order beam is thus separated and passes the knife edge 22 unattenuated. An example of a commercially available acousto-optic modulator is Model 1209 by Isomet Corp., Springfield, VA., which provides - a built-in 8ragg an~le adjus-tmenk. The Inodulator 16 can typically be operated by a di~ital driver, such as Model no.
220 available from Isomet Corp. wherein transistor-transistor logic compatible digital input controls an RF switch for on-off gating of the modulator 16. Another acousto-optical modulator is Model 304 manufactured by Coherent Associates, Danbury, Conn.
It is desirable to use the first order beam to produce a spot because the position of the spot can be displaced in accordance with frequency modulation applied to the modulator which will selectively deflect the beam 12 in a desired direction such as indicated by the arrows a,b.
The first order beam 12 is then directed toward a second lens 24 which directs a converging beam onto a reflecting face or facet 26 of a rotating polygonal mirror, herein referred to as a polygon 28. The polygon 28 is continuously driven by a motor drive 30 and preferably is maintained at a constant velocity. In the preferred embodiment as shown, the polygon 28 has thirty facets 26 and is designed for generating approximately 240 scan lines per second. A moderate spot velocity is preferred for implementing the optical spot sensing and closed loop feedback correction circuitry.
The beam 12 is thus reflected successively from each of the facets~26 of the rotating polygon 28 and onto a photoreceptor 32~ The reflection of the beam 12 from the poly~on 28 is distorted for purposes of illustration as it will be appreciated that the incident beam and reflecting beam will be ln the same plane rather than at an angle to one another as indicated by~FIG. 1. The modulated beam 12 a, may appear as a succession o~ dots 34 which will generate a scan line forming a raster across the moving photoreceptor 32.
The photoreceptor 32 may be any image plane and can be mounted on a rotating drum such as for use with an electrophotographic copier.
It should thus be apparent that the light scanning system of the present inven-tion can be readily interfaced with an electrophotographic copier havin~ panchromatic photoreceptors and can thus function as a high quality non-impact printer.
It is well known that various types of errors are inherent in the geometric fidelity of a commercially available rotating polygon. In particular, deviation in parallelism of each facet relative to the axis of rotation introduces a facet-to-axis error and the resulting scan lines will correspondinglv contain these inaccuracies which manifest themselves as alignment deviations fxom a desired scan line travel axis, i.e., line to line spacing variation. The disclosed apparatus providesaspot correction assembly 36 for optically detecting and correcting for these facet-to-axis errors. The spot correction assembly 36 in the preferred embodiment, is provided with an optical detector in the form of a split detector 38 optically positioned in the scan format plane and divided in half to form two cells A,B with a common electrode. A division C formed between the two cells A,~ is registered with the desired scan path axis and has a dimension substantially less than the diameter of the spot 34. A signal will thus be generated from either or both cel]s A,B when the spot 34 sweeps the split detector 38. Since the alignment of division C is parallel to the gcan dlrection, the division C provides a reference for indicating deviations of spot 34 from the desired -travel axis on the photoreceptor 32.
Referring now to FIG. 2, maximum allowable uncorrected facet-to-axis angular error may cause the spot 34 to fall anywhere within a transverse zone D, within the ligh-t sensitive area of split detector 38, Successive scans as determined by the rotating polygon 28 are a distance D which is greater than the width D I of distance from the outside edge 33 of the photoreceptor 32 to the outside edge 39 of the split detector 38 by at least the greatest facet-to-facet deviation.
It should thus be evident that the correction of each successive spot 34 is achieved during a "dead" time, i.e., the period of travel prior to traversing the photoreceptor 32.
A typical logic circuit for control of an acousto-optical deflector to provide compensating deflection of the laser beam such that the spot 34 will exit the split detector 38 in registration with the division C between the individual cells A and B is shown in FIG. 3. When an uncorrected spot 34 of the laser beam enters the detector 38, a comparator 40 compares the signal generated at either photocell A or B with a reference voltage V and provides a low output signal to an inverter 42 to generate a high enabling signal at an AND gate 44. A system clock 45 provides correction count pulses as a second input to the AND gate 44. The presence of the spot 34 at either cell segment A or B thus provides a high signal at the AND
gate 44 enabling clock pulses to pass through the AND gate 44 and register at a counter 46. The instantaneous count of the counter 46 drives a di~ital to analog conv~rter 4g whieh in turn provides an analocJ eorreetion sicJnal via a voltage controlled oscillator 50, an amplitude control 51, and an amplifier 52 to an aeousto-optical deflector 54 which is incorporated into the modulator 16. The beam 12 will thus be displaced in the appropriate direction a or b. The amplitude control 51 is connected to a summer 53 that measures amount of light falling on A and B of the split detector 38 to maintain the light output constant to the acousto-optical I0 deflector 54.
It should be appreciated that the direction of count of the counter 46 determines the direction of corrective deflection applied by the deflector 54. In order to control the direction of count, a second comparator 56 compares the output of cell A with respect to -the output of cell B. If the terminal spot 34 of the laser beam enters cell A, the output of cell A will be greater than that of cell ~, and the comparator 56 will provide a low output. The low output of comparator 56 determines the count direction of the counter 46. As the deflecting correction is applied, the spot 34 progresses towards cell B while translating across the detector 38. As soon as the spot 34 crosses into cell B, the signal of cell B will be greater than the signal of cell A which causes the comparator 56 to switch to a high output. The high output of the comparator 56 reverses the direction of the counter 46 and thus provides an opposite direction of corrective deflection of the laser beam such that the laser beam will progress towards cell A. Thus, the spot 34 will track the division C until i~ exits from -the lt~
detector 38 at which time -the clock 45 is dlsable~ and the correction value for the particular f~cet 26 is digitally stored in counter 46 until the next uncorrectad spot enters the detector.
The control process is further detailed in FIG. 4.
The spot 34 is shown entering the split detector 38 at cell A. The displacement of the spot 34 resulting from an incremental chanqe in the counter is reflected through the closed loop control circuitry through a deflection in either direction a or b. The uncertainty of the exit point of spot 34 is +D due to the digiti~ation of the signal. The amount D is less than the tolerable error. With a given voltage s controlled oscillator and acousto-optical modulator, Ds can be varied by changing the scaling factor of the dlgital to analog converter. Since the most extreme error would be equivalent to 2 ~ the number of correction steps to bring the spot 34 to the division C is a maximum of n=2D . Assuming it takes a given time (t ) to perform a corrective step, the total time is (n)(t ) = 2D . If the spot velocity is V , s D t then the minimum length of photocell required is D2=21 (V ).
A typical` value for V is 2200 inches per second.
Other alternate closed loop means of control include a successive approximation technique which conver~es more rapidly than the above described counter system.
A further method capable of converging more rapidly is the use of a precision sensing detector such as United Detector Technology PI~-SC/lOD, which senses the centroid of a light spot and gives analog output proportional to spot position. These outputs can be digiti~ed directly and coupled to a voltage controlled oscillator without interveniny conversions.
Scan line spot detection will now be discussed with reference to FIG. 1. Since the modulator 16 is controllable by internal logic which determines exposure on the scan format 32, an edge detector 58 is positioned adjacent the leading edge of an exposure slot 60 formed in an opaque shield 61 for indicating when the spot 34 is at the precise location. The edge detector 58 and a logic circuit can thus be used as an implement to synchronize the internal logic with the location of the scan line. It should therefore be obvious that each sweep of the scan line is independently referenced and will thus negate any facet-to-facet polygon error which will manifest itself as jitter in the time successive scans cross a geometric reference point.
The edge detector 58 of the preferred embodiment utilizes a split photocell similar in construction to detector 38 except for orientation of the division perpendicular to the scan path. Each half of the split photocell forming detector 58 is essentially identical in area, location, material and temperature. Thus, the use of a split photocell has advantages over a single cell edge detector in that it will be relatively insensitive to laser light intensity change, temperature changes and ambient light.
A second edge detector 62 of similar construction to the edge detector 58 is located at a trailing edge of the exposure slot 60. The edge detector 62 will indicate when spot 34 has passed a fixed terminal point beyond the scan path.
The time differential as de-tected between -the first edge detector 58 and the second detector 62 can ~)e interpreted through logic circuitry to indicate the flight time for spot 34 to cover a fi~ed length scan path. Thus, the speed of the spot can be computed. Variations in speed for different scan lines can be detected, and a feedback loop can then be utilized for speed control of the motor drive 30.
With regard to the aforementioned, it has been found that as a beam 1~ is deflected or detuned from the Bragg angle, the efficiency will change. The scanning system of this invention, however, can be implemented by introducing an intensity modulator 64 for applying an amplitude modulated correction signal for maintaining laser illumination at a constant level.
The intensity modulator 64 is used for control of spot size by varying the intensity. The use of different spot sizes can be effectively employed as letters or numbers are created so as to avoid roughened edges and improve character formation. The system can also employ two power sources using parallel laser beams with each of the beams being of a different diameter and corresponding spot size.
This provides a matrix of dots having different sizes for forming a single generated character. The different size dots intermesh to create letters and numerals having a smoother appearance.
~ aving thus described the invention, it will be seen that there is provided a laser scanning system which achieves the various objects of this invention and which would be well suited to meet conditions of practical use.
`' - 10 As various changes may be made in this syskem as above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hex~in described or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
,
In particular, the invention is directed to a method of spot scanning using acousto-optical and electro-optical means to produce spots of different sizes whereby the appearance of smoothed edges is given to generated shapes.
Description of the Prior Art A recurring problem in scanner systems is to reduce or eliminate error introduced as a result of inherent defects in the construction of rotating polygonal mirrors. Such defects occur usually in the angular relationship between adjacent facets (facet-to-facet) and between facet planes and the polygonal rotational axis (facet-to-axis).
A typical solution is to employ nonspherical optics to partially correct the effects of facet angular error as is shown in the apparatus described in the U.S. Patent No.
4,002,830. Another situation is the use of optical reflecting or refracting elements pivotally mounted in the path of radiation utilizing electromechanical devices that are energized by timed electrical signals such that the refracting element is pivoted to correct the scanning errors caused by angular defects in the rotating mirror. The control of electro-mechanical devices is preprogrammed to make proper adjustments and the fabrication of these optical systems is thus expensive, as is alignment of the same.
In contrast to systems which use an encoder and loylc to correct for error and operate in an open-loop manner by applying a predetermined correction factor, the instant system employs sensing optics and a feedback loop to correct the position of the ras-ter scan lines.
Summary of the Invention The invention relates to an electro-optical light scanning system using modulated laser illumination and is particularly adaptable for nonimpact and fascimile printing.
The light source, such as a laser beam, is acousto-optically modulated in accordance with selected input data. The laser beam so modulated is directed toward a multi-faceted polygon driven at a constant angular velocity. As the successive mirrored facets of the polygon are illuminated, the light reflected generates a plurality of scan lines formed by successive dots which move across a moving photoreceptor and which are modulated to thus generate characters or a recorded likeness of an original image.
The invention relates to a method of producing on a photoreceptor an-image of generated shapes made up of spots, comprising: directing a plurality of beams of light toward a photoreceptor, each beam of ligh-t generating a spot on the photoreceptor and controlling the parameter of the light beams to produce spots of different sizes whereby the appearance of smoothed edges are given to the generated shapes.
Brief Description of the Drawin~
In an accompanying drawing in which is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the major components of an optical scanning device, the angle of reflection of the beam being distorted for purposes of illustration;
FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the longitudinal travel of a modulated laser beam approaching and crossing a spot detector and photoreceptor;
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the spot correction logic, and FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of spot displacement during corrective modulation.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring now to the drawing, FIG. 1 illustrates an overall view of the scanning svstem used with this invention.
The light source, such as a laser 10, which may be a 3mw helium-neon laser, generates a collimated beam 12 of monochromatic light which is directed through a neutral density filter 14 to control the light intensity. The beam 12 then passes through a modulator 16, such as an acousto-optical modulator.
The beam 12 is next directed through a first lens 20 and intercepted by a knife edge 22 placed at the focal point of the first lens 20. The knife edge 22 is employed for stopping the zero order Bragg beam. The first order beam is thus separated and passes the knife edge 22 unattenuated. An example of a commercially available acousto-optic modulator is Model 1209 by Isomet Corp., Springfield, VA., which provides - a built-in 8ragg an~le adjus-tmenk. The Inodulator 16 can typically be operated by a di~ital driver, such as Model no.
220 available from Isomet Corp. wherein transistor-transistor logic compatible digital input controls an RF switch for on-off gating of the modulator 16. Another acousto-optical modulator is Model 304 manufactured by Coherent Associates, Danbury, Conn.
It is desirable to use the first order beam to produce a spot because the position of the spot can be displaced in accordance with frequency modulation applied to the modulator which will selectively deflect the beam 12 in a desired direction such as indicated by the arrows a,b.
The first order beam 12 is then directed toward a second lens 24 which directs a converging beam onto a reflecting face or facet 26 of a rotating polygonal mirror, herein referred to as a polygon 28. The polygon 28 is continuously driven by a motor drive 30 and preferably is maintained at a constant velocity. In the preferred embodiment as shown, the polygon 28 has thirty facets 26 and is designed for generating approximately 240 scan lines per second. A moderate spot velocity is preferred for implementing the optical spot sensing and closed loop feedback correction circuitry.
The beam 12 is thus reflected successively from each of the facets~26 of the rotating polygon 28 and onto a photoreceptor 32~ The reflection of the beam 12 from the poly~on 28 is distorted for purposes of illustration as it will be appreciated that the incident beam and reflecting beam will be ln the same plane rather than at an angle to one another as indicated by~FIG. 1. The modulated beam 12 a, may appear as a succession o~ dots 34 which will generate a scan line forming a raster across the moving photoreceptor 32.
The photoreceptor 32 may be any image plane and can be mounted on a rotating drum such as for use with an electrophotographic copier.
It should thus be apparent that the light scanning system of the present inven-tion can be readily interfaced with an electrophotographic copier havin~ panchromatic photoreceptors and can thus function as a high quality non-impact printer.
It is well known that various types of errors are inherent in the geometric fidelity of a commercially available rotating polygon. In particular, deviation in parallelism of each facet relative to the axis of rotation introduces a facet-to-axis error and the resulting scan lines will correspondinglv contain these inaccuracies which manifest themselves as alignment deviations fxom a desired scan line travel axis, i.e., line to line spacing variation. The disclosed apparatus providesaspot correction assembly 36 for optically detecting and correcting for these facet-to-axis errors. The spot correction assembly 36 in the preferred embodiment, is provided with an optical detector in the form of a split detector 38 optically positioned in the scan format plane and divided in half to form two cells A,B with a common electrode. A division C formed between the two cells A,~ is registered with the desired scan path axis and has a dimension substantially less than the diameter of the spot 34. A signal will thus be generated from either or both cel]s A,B when the spot 34 sweeps the split detector 38. Since the alignment of division C is parallel to the gcan dlrection, the division C provides a reference for indicating deviations of spot 34 from the desired -travel axis on the photoreceptor 32.
Referring now to FIG. 2, maximum allowable uncorrected facet-to-axis angular error may cause the spot 34 to fall anywhere within a transverse zone D, within the ligh-t sensitive area of split detector 38, Successive scans as determined by the rotating polygon 28 are a distance D which is greater than the width D I of distance from the outside edge 33 of the photoreceptor 32 to the outside edge 39 of the split detector 38 by at least the greatest facet-to-facet deviation.
It should thus be evident that the correction of each successive spot 34 is achieved during a "dead" time, i.e., the period of travel prior to traversing the photoreceptor 32.
A typical logic circuit for control of an acousto-optical deflector to provide compensating deflection of the laser beam such that the spot 34 will exit the split detector 38 in registration with the division C between the individual cells A and B is shown in FIG. 3. When an uncorrected spot 34 of the laser beam enters the detector 38, a comparator 40 compares the signal generated at either photocell A or B with a reference voltage V and provides a low output signal to an inverter 42 to generate a high enabling signal at an AND gate 44. A system clock 45 provides correction count pulses as a second input to the AND gate 44. The presence of the spot 34 at either cell segment A or B thus provides a high signal at the AND
gate 44 enabling clock pulses to pass through the AND gate 44 and register at a counter 46. The instantaneous count of the counter 46 drives a di~ital to analog conv~rter 4g whieh in turn provides an analocJ eorreetion sicJnal via a voltage controlled oscillator 50, an amplitude control 51, and an amplifier 52 to an aeousto-optical deflector 54 which is incorporated into the modulator 16. The beam 12 will thus be displaced in the appropriate direction a or b. The amplitude control 51 is connected to a summer 53 that measures amount of light falling on A and B of the split detector 38 to maintain the light output constant to the acousto-optical I0 deflector 54.
It should be appreciated that the direction of count of the counter 46 determines the direction of corrective deflection applied by the deflector 54. In order to control the direction of count, a second comparator 56 compares the output of cell A with respect to -the output of cell B. If the terminal spot 34 of the laser beam enters cell A, the output of cell A will be greater than that of cell ~, and the comparator 56 will provide a low output. The low output of comparator 56 determines the count direction of the counter 46. As the deflecting correction is applied, the spot 34 progresses towards cell B while translating across the detector 38. As soon as the spot 34 crosses into cell B, the signal of cell B will be greater than the signal of cell A which causes the comparator 56 to switch to a high output. The high output of the comparator 56 reverses the direction of the counter 46 and thus provides an opposite direction of corrective deflection of the laser beam such that the laser beam will progress towards cell A. Thus, the spot 34 will track the division C until i~ exits from -the lt~
detector 38 at which time -the clock 45 is dlsable~ and the correction value for the particular f~cet 26 is digitally stored in counter 46 until the next uncorrectad spot enters the detector.
The control process is further detailed in FIG. 4.
The spot 34 is shown entering the split detector 38 at cell A. The displacement of the spot 34 resulting from an incremental chanqe in the counter is reflected through the closed loop control circuitry through a deflection in either direction a or b. The uncertainty of the exit point of spot 34 is +D due to the digiti~ation of the signal. The amount D is less than the tolerable error. With a given voltage s controlled oscillator and acousto-optical modulator, Ds can be varied by changing the scaling factor of the dlgital to analog converter. Since the most extreme error would be equivalent to 2 ~ the number of correction steps to bring the spot 34 to the division C is a maximum of n=2D . Assuming it takes a given time (t ) to perform a corrective step, the total time is (n)(t ) = 2D . If the spot velocity is V , s D t then the minimum length of photocell required is D2=21 (V ).
A typical` value for V is 2200 inches per second.
Other alternate closed loop means of control include a successive approximation technique which conver~es more rapidly than the above described counter system.
A further method capable of converging more rapidly is the use of a precision sensing detector such as United Detector Technology PI~-SC/lOD, which senses the centroid of a light spot and gives analog output proportional to spot position. These outputs can be digiti~ed directly and coupled to a voltage controlled oscillator without interveniny conversions.
Scan line spot detection will now be discussed with reference to FIG. 1. Since the modulator 16 is controllable by internal logic which determines exposure on the scan format 32, an edge detector 58 is positioned adjacent the leading edge of an exposure slot 60 formed in an opaque shield 61 for indicating when the spot 34 is at the precise location. The edge detector 58 and a logic circuit can thus be used as an implement to synchronize the internal logic with the location of the scan line. It should therefore be obvious that each sweep of the scan line is independently referenced and will thus negate any facet-to-facet polygon error which will manifest itself as jitter in the time successive scans cross a geometric reference point.
The edge detector 58 of the preferred embodiment utilizes a split photocell similar in construction to detector 38 except for orientation of the division perpendicular to the scan path. Each half of the split photocell forming detector 58 is essentially identical in area, location, material and temperature. Thus, the use of a split photocell has advantages over a single cell edge detector in that it will be relatively insensitive to laser light intensity change, temperature changes and ambient light.
A second edge detector 62 of similar construction to the edge detector 58 is located at a trailing edge of the exposure slot 60. The edge detector 62 will indicate when spot 34 has passed a fixed terminal point beyond the scan path.
The time differential as de-tected between -the first edge detector 58 and the second detector 62 can ~)e interpreted through logic circuitry to indicate the flight time for spot 34 to cover a fi~ed length scan path. Thus, the speed of the spot can be computed. Variations in speed for different scan lines can be detected, and a feedback loop can then be utilized for speed control of the motor drive 30.
With regard to the aforementioned, it has been found that as a beam 1~ is deflected or detuned from the Bragg angle, the efficiency will change. The scanning system of this invention, however, can be implemented by introducing an intensity modulator 64 for applying an amplitude modulated correction signal for maintaining laser illumination at a constant level.
The intensity modulator 64 is used for control of spot size by varying the intensity. The use of different spot sizes can be effectively employed as letters or numbers are created so as to avoid roughened edges and improve character formation. The system can also employ two power sources using parallel laser beams with each of the beams being of a different diameter and corresponding spot size.
This provides a matrix of dots having different sizes for forming a single generated character. The different size dots intermesh to create letters and numerals having a smoother appearance.
~ aving thus described the invention, it will be seen that there is provided a laser scanning system which achieves the various objects of this invention and which would be well suited to meet conditions of practical use.
`' - 10 As various changes may be made in this syskem as above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hex~in described or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
,
Claims (7)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A method of producing on a photoreceptor an image of generated shapes made up of spots, comprising:
directing a plurality of beams of light toward a photoreceptor, each beam of light generating a spot on the photoreceptor and controlling a parameter of the light beams to produce spots of different sizes whereby the appearance of smoothed edges are given to the generated shapes.
directing a plurality of beams of light toward a photoreceptor, each beam of light generating a spot on the photoreceptor and controlling a parameter of the light beams to produce spots of different sizes whereby the appearance of smoothed edges are given to the generated shapes.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the parameter controlled is light beam intensity.
3. Apparatus for producing on a photoreceptor an image of generated shapes made up of spots, comprising:
means for directing a plurality of beams of light toward a photoreceptor to generate a plurality of spots on the photoreceptor and means for generating spots of different sizes whereby the appearance of smoothed edges are given to the generated shapes.
means for directing a plurality of beams of light toward a photoreceptor to generate a plurality of spots on the photoreceptor and means for generating spots of different sizes whereby the appearance of smoothed edges are given to the generated shapes.
4. A method of character formation, comprising:
producing a dot matrix representation of characters, and intermeshing different size dots to generate characters having smoothed edges.
producing a dot matrix representation of characters, and intermeshing different size dots to generate characters having smoothed edges.
5. Apparatus for character formation, comprising:
means for creating a dot matrix representation of characters, and means for intermeshing dots of different sizes to generate characters having smoothed edges.
means for creating a dot matrix representation of characters, and means for intermeshing dots of different sizes to generate characters having smoothed edges.
6. Method for forming characters, the steps comprising:
producing dots on a medium, controlling the location of said dots on said record medium to produce characters, supplying information of the characters to be printed to said producing means, and controlling the dot sizes so as to produce characters with smooth edges.
producing dots on a medium, controlling the location of said dots on said record medium to produce characters, supplying information of the characters to be printed to said producing means, and controlling the dot sizes so as to produce characters with smooth edges.
7. Apparatus for forming characters, comprising:
means for producing dots on a medium, means for controlling the location of said dots on said record medium to produce characters, means for supplying information of the characters to said producing means, and means for controlling the dot sizes so as to produce characters with smooth edges.
means for producing dots on a medium, means for controlling the location of said dots on said record medium to produce characters, means for supplying information of the characters to said producing means, and means for controlling the dot sizes so as to produce characters with smooth edges.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000417512A CA1164696A (en) | 1978-07-07 | 1982-12-10 | Apparatus and method for generating characters from dots of different sizes |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US05/922,596 US4214157A (en) | 1978-07-07 | 1978-07-07 | Apparatus and method for correcting imperfection in a polygon used for laser scanning |
| US922,596 | 1978-07-07 | ||
| CA000417512A CA1164696A (en) | 1978-07-07 | 1982-12-10 | Apparatus and method for generating characters from dots of different sizes |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1164696A true CA1164696A (en) | 1984-04-03 |
Family
ID=25669885
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000417512A Expired CA1164696A (en) | 1978-07-07 | 1982-12-10 | Apparatus and method for generating characters from dots of different sizes |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1164696A (en) |
-
1982
- 1982-12-10 CA CA000417512A patent/CA1164696A/en not_active Expired
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US4386272A (en) | Apparatus and method for generating images by producing light spots of different sizes | |
| US4214157A (en) | Apparatus and method for correcting imperfection in a polygon used for laser scanning | |
| US4310757A (en) | Apparatus for correcting scanning speed in a polygon used for laser scanning | |
| US4600837A (en) | Optical scanning apparatus with dynamic scan path control | |
| US4180822A (en) | Optical scanner and recorder | |
| US4201455A (en) | Laser-operated apparatus for data and signal recording | |
| US4195316A (en) | Apparatus and method for correcting imperfection in a polygon used for laser scanning | |
| US5018808A (en) | Method and apparatus for beam displacement in a light beam scanner | |
| US4651170A (en) | Laser printer having means for changing the output-image size | |
| EP0021831B1 (en) | Pixel clock circuit and method of operating a raster imaging device | |
| US4349847A (en) | Image size control for raster scanners | |
| US4206348A (en) | Optical scanner with electrooptical feedback for beam positioning | |
| JP2584224B2 (en) | Optical beam recording device | |
| EP0596719B1 (en) | Fast scan spot correction in a polygon ROS using PWM | |
| EP0424786B1 (en) | Raster scanning system utilizing overfilled polygon facet design with non-reflective facet edges | |
| IL80242A (en) | Laser scanner | |
| US4751525A (en) | Scanning system and method of scanning | |
| US4272151A (en) | Apparatus for optical scanning | |
| WO1991014192A1 (en) | Beam position sensor for a light beam scanner | |
| US4420760A (en) | Printer beam position feedback sensor | |
| CA1164696A (en) | Apparatus and method for generating characters from dots of different sizes | |
| US4761660A (en) | Laser scanning apparatus using a fan style grating plate | |
| US4902084A (en) | Optical scanning system | |
| CA1158464A (en) | Method for correcting imperfection in a polygon used for laser scanning | |
| GB2096335A (en) | Light-scanning |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |