JP2007144987A - Optical writing device, image forming apparatus, and optical writing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a change of starting position in the main scanning direction so as to eliminate generation of a color shift. <P>SOLUTION: An optical writing apparatus for performing optical writing on an image carrier by an optical writing means changes the amount of light for writing according to image forming conditions with respect to the effective image area (area 1) of the image carrier and scans the scanning areas (areas 0 and 2) on a synchronous detection plate with a predetermined amount of light. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to an optical writing apparatus that performs optical writing for image formation, and more particularly to an optical writing apparatus that is characterized by light quantity control in image magnification control, an image forming apparatus that uses this optical writing apparatus, and an optical writing method.

As this type of technology, for example, the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 are known. Among them, Patent Document 1 aims to realize a means for adjusting a writing start position that changes depending on a writing light quantity, by using a simple means that can operate more stably without using a conventional light quantity detection sensor. , A correction table of a variable amount of the LD light quantity value and image writing position set as the image forming conditions is prepared in advance in the printer control unit, and the correction value is written out to start position correcting unit (
1), set to (2), and by the scanning of the light beam emitted from the LD unit, the synchronization detection signal / DETP is output from the sensor 7 and sent to the write start position correction unit (2).
Based on P, first, the writing start position is corrected in units of less than pixel dots, and then the corrected main scanning synchronization signal / DDETP is corrected in pixel dots by the writing start position correction unit (1). A signal that determines the timing for capturing (writing) image signals that do not cause misalignment
An invention for generating LGATE is disclosed.

Further, Patent Document 2 aims at correcting density unevenness in the sub-scanning direction with a simple configuration and without affecting the screen structure. The main control unit performs pulse width modulation based on image data. Based on the falling edge of the output signal of the photoconductor reference position detection sensor that outputs a light beam from the LD and generates a pulse signal once by one rotation of the photoconductor, the output signal of the next photoconductor reference position detection sensor The period until falling (period of one rotation of the photosensitive member) is 16
An invention in which the light quantity control level Vref, which serves as a reference for the light quantity control of the LD, is changed according to the density difference between the actual detected density and the original density when the test image is output for each divided period. Is disclosed. In the present invention, the light amount control level Vref is corrected according to the position in the sub-scanning direction on the photosensitive member, thereby correcting the light amount of the light beam according to the sub-scanning position of the image to be formed, and the density in the sub-scanning direction. Unevenness is corrected.

Further, Patent Document 3 aims at solving the problem that it is difficult to improve the image magnification in the main scanning direction and the correction accuracy of the color misregistration due to the high speed of the clock.
Means for measuring a time difference from detection of one light beam to detection of the other of the two light beam detection means to be detected at each position, and an image on the image carrier in the main scanning direction according to a measurement result of the measurement means And a means for calculating the time difference based on a count of a constant clock signal and a phase relationship between the clock signal and the light beam detection signal from the light beam detection means. Is disclosed.
JP 2003-029181 A JP 2005-007697 A JP 2001-066654 A

When performing image formation, it is necessary to optimize the image formation conditions according to environmental changes, changes over time, process linear speed switching, resolution switching, print mode, etc., among which the light quantity of the LD (semiconductor laser) Variable control is included. When the light quantity of the LD is changed, the effect appears in the output of the synchronization detection sensor. A commonly used synchronous detection sensor detects a light beam with a PD (photodiode). When the amount of light changes, the output signal timing of the PD changes, and the main scanning write position changes accordingly. In the case of a color machine, color shift appears when the main scanning writing position changes. Further, when the light quantity of the LD changes, an error occurs in the two-point synchronous measurement result. Furthermore, when two-point synchronous measurement is performed at a certain linear velocity and the correction result is reflected on a different linear velocity, the correction accuracy is also affected.

Patent Document 1 describes that the adjustment of the writing start position is executed based on the LD light quantity value and the image writing position variable amount correction table, but nothing is said about the relationship between the detection position and the light quantity. It is not done. In Patent Document 2, the period of one rotation of the photosensitive member is divided into 16, and the light amount control of the LD is controlled according to the density difference between the actual detected density and the original density when the test image is output for each divided period. However, nothing is touched on the relationship between the detection position and the light quantity. Patent Document 3
Describes the measurement of the time difference from the detection of one light beam to the detection of the other of the two light beam detection means for detecting the light beam at two locations on the main scanning line, respectively. There is no particular mention of the relationship with the light quantity.

In the conventional optical writing apparatus, the optical lens has different transmittance depending on the image height of the main scanning, so that the amount of light reaching the image carrier varies. Therefore, correction of the above phenomenon of the amount of light reached is performed by setting a main scanning area and changing the amount of light for each area. However, the area setting for adjusting the amount of light is limited, and an optimum area in the effective image area is set. Therefore, depending on the system, the area for detecting the light beam provided on the downstream side outside the image area cannot be set. In some cases, the optimal amount of light cannot be incident on the downstream light beam detection means, and the downstream light beam detection means cannot be accurately measured.

The present invention has been made in view of the actual situation of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to eliminate a change in the writing start position in the main scanning direction and to prevent color misregistration.

Another object is to make it possible to perform two-point synchronous measurement with high accuracy in order to eliminate a change in the writing start position in the main scanning direction and prevent color misregistration.

In order to achieve the above object, the first means is an optical writing apparatus in which optical writing is performed on the image carrier by optical writing means, and the effective image area of the image carrier is in accordance with image forming conditions. Control means for changing the light quantity for writing and scanning the scanning area to the light beam detecting means with a predetermined constant light quantity is provided.

The second means is the first means, wherein the light writing means is a light source, a light deflecting means for scanning a light beam emitted from the light source with respect to the image carrier in a main scanning direction, and the image carrier. A light beam detecting means provided outside the effective image area of the body and detecting a light beam scanned by the light deflecting means.

The third means is characterized in that, in the second means, the light beam detecting means is provided on the upstream side and the downstream side in the main scanning direction outside the effective image area.

The fourth means is the third means, wherein the control means calculates the upstream and downstream areas in the main scanning direction outside the effective image area and the set value of the light quantity in the effective image area. It is characterized by calculating by.

A fifth means is the third means, wherein the control means preliminarily sets the upstream and downstream areas in the main scanning direction outside the effective image area and the set value of the light quantity in the effective image area. The determination is made based on the stored table.

A sixth means is any one of the third to fifth means, wherein the control means is provided by the light beam detecting means provided respectively upstream and downstream in the main scanning direction outside the effective image area. The light beam detection time difference between two points is measured based on the detection result, and the magnification correction in the main scanning direction is performed by changing the lighting control clock of the light source from the measurement result between the two points.

A seventh means is an optical writing apparatus for performing optical writing on the image carrier by optical writing means, and is provided on the upstream side and the downstream side outside the effective image area in the main scanning direction of the image carrier. A light beam detection means, a control means for setting a plurality of areas in the main scanning direction and setting the light writing light quantity for each area, and a light beam detection time difference between two points is measured by the light beam detection means 2 Point synchronization measuring means, and the control means optimizes the amount of light incident on the upstream and downstream light beam detecting means to a light quantity that does not cause out of synchronization.

The eighth means is characterized in that, in the seventh means, the optimization is such that the amount of incident light to the upstream and downstream light beam detecting means is the same.

According to a ninth means, in the seventh means, the optimization sets the amount of incident light to the light beam detecting means on the upstream side and the downstream side to a different light amount according to the light receiving sensitivity of the light beam detecting means. It is characterized by that.

According to a tenth means, in any one of the first to ninth means, the control means controls the incident light amount to the upstream light beam detecting means to be a constant light amount during image formation, In the effective image area, the light amount is set in accordance with the image forming conditions, and at the time of the two-point synchronous measurement, the light amount in the areas of the light beam detecting means provided on the upstream side and the downstream side is changed, and the light beam detecting means The amount of incident light is optimized.

An eleventh means is characterized in that, in any of the seventh to tenth means, the optimization is performed without depending on optical characteristics and modes.

A twelfth means according to any one of the seventh to eleventh means, wherein the plurality of areas include an area including an installation portion of the upstream light beam detecting means, an area corresponding to the image forming area,
And at least three regions including the installation portion of the downstream light beam detecting means.

A thirteenth means is characterized in that, in any one of the seventh to twelfth means, the two-point synchronous measuring means performs two-point synchronous measurement before the start of the print job.

A fourteenth means is characterized in that, in any one of the seventh to twelfth means, the two-point synchronous measuring means performs two-point synchronous measurement between sheets.

The fifteenth means is characterized in that, in any one of the seventh to twelfth means, the two-point synchronous measuring means performs two-point synchronous measurement after correcting the alignment between the sheets.

The sixteenth means is characterized in that the image forming apparatus includes the optical writing device according to any one of the first to fifteenth means.

The seventeenth means is an optical writing method in which writing is performed on the image carrier by optical writing means, and the effective light area of the image carrier is changed in accordance with the image forming conditions to synchronize. The synchronization detection area for detection is characterized by scanning with a predetermined constant light amount.

In an embodiment described later, the image carrier is the photosensitive drum 421, the effective image area is the area 1, the light source is the LD 101, the light deflecting means is the polygon mirror 102 and the Fθ lens 103.
The control means includes an LD control unit 107, an LD drive data generation unit 110, and a pixel clock generation unit 1.
11. Todd position shift detection, control unit 112 and image processing unit 113, light beam detection means on first and second synchronization detection plates 106a and 106b, areas outside the effective image area (synchronization detection areas) are areas In 0 and area 2, the two-point synchronous measuring means detects the dot position deviation, and the control unit 112
Respectively.

According to the present invention, the control is performed to change the amount of writing light for the effective image area of the image carrier in accordance with the image forming conditions and to scan the scanning area to the light beam detecting means with a predetermined constant amount of light. Since the means is provided, it is possible to eliminate the change in the writing start position in the main scanning direction and prevent the occurrence of color misregistration. Further, since two-point synchronous measurement can be performed with high accuracy, it is possible to eliminate the change in the writing start position in the main scanning direction and prevent the occurrence of color misregistration.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an optical writing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The optical writing apparatus according to this embodiment includes a writing optical system and a writing control system. A writing optical system is provided outside a writing scanning range for a semiconductor laser (hereinafter referred to as LD) 101 as a light source, a polygon mirror 102 as a scanning unit, an Fθ lens 103 as a scanning speed conversion unit, and a photosensitive member (not shown). The first and second reflection mirrors 105a and 105b, and the first and second reflection mirrors 105a and 105b are input with the scanning light reflected by the first and second reflection mirrors 105a and 105b.
And a second synchronization detection plate 106a, 106b, a dust-proof glass 104 provided at the boundary to the image forming unit to prevent dust from entering the image forming unit, and a polygon motor driving to rotate the polygon mirror 102 It is mainly composed of a polygon control unit 108 for controlling the above.

The writing control system has a dot position deviation detection / control unit 112 to which position detection signals from the first and second synchronization detection plates 106a and 106b are inputted, and a control output from the dot position deviation detection / control unit 112. A pixel clock generation unit 111 that receives the input and generates a pixel clock;
An image processing unit 113 to which the pixel clock generated by the pixel clock generation unit 111 is input.
LD drive data generation for generating LD drive data by inputting the pixel clock from the pixel clock generation unit, the synchronization detection signal from the first synchronization detection plate 106a, and image data for image writing from the image processing unit 113 LD drive data generated by the unit 110, the timing control unit 120 for setting the image formation timing, and the LD drive data generation unit 110 are input, and L
It is schematically configured from an LD control unit 107 that performs lighting control of D101. In the present embodiment, dot position shift detection, control unit 112, pixel clock generation unit 111, and image processing unit 11 are used.
3, the LD drive data generation unit 110, the timing control unit 120, and the polygon control unit 108 constitute an image writing control unit GAVD 121.

In the optical writing apparatus schematically configured as described above, the laser light from the LD 101 is scanned in the main scanning direction by the polygon mirror 102, converted from constant angular velocity deflection to constant velocity deflection by the Fθ lens 103, and from the dust-proof glass 104. The light is emitted to the image forming device side. The polygon control unit 108 performs rotation control of the polygon mirror 102, and the effective writing start position and end position of the scanning laser light are detected by the first and second synchronization detection plates 106a and 106b, respectively. The detected position detection information is input to the dot position deviation detection / control unit 112. The dot position deviation detection / control unit 112 measures the time during which the laser beam scans between the first and second synchronization detection plates 106a and 106b, and compares it with the scanning time when ideal scanning is performed. Thus, the amount of deviation of the scanning time is obtained, phase data for correcting the amount of deviation is generated and output to the pixel clock generation unit 111.

In the pixel clock generation unit 111, the PLL that generates the clock, and the P based on the phase data
A phase shift is performed to change the phase of the clock generated by LL. A detailed description of the PLL is omitted,
F = CLKref × [N set value] / [M set value]
The clock can be set by [N setting value] and [M setting value] in the calculation formulas. The reference frequency CLKref of the PLL is input by a crystal oscillator.

When the pixel clock generation unit 111 does not include a phase data storage circuit, the dot position deviation detection / control unit 112 outputs phase data to the pixel clock generation unit for each line, but includes a phase data storage circuit. In such a case, the phase data is obtained in advance and supplied to the pixel clock generator 111 in advance. In addition, the dot position deviation detection / control unit 112 not only uses phase data (first phase data) for always performing the same correction for each line for correcting scanning unevenness caused by the characteristics of the scanning lens, but also the polygon mirror 1.
If phase data (second phase data) corresponding to correction that changes for each line such as 02 rotation unevenness is also generated and the pixel clock generation unit 111 includes a phase data synthesis circuit, The phase data is also output to the pixel clock generation unit 111.

The pixel clock generation unit 111 generates a pixel clock based on the phase data from the dot position deviation detection / control unit 112 and supplies the pixel clock to the image processing unit 113 and the LD drive data generation unit 110. The image processing unit 113 generates image data based on the pixel clock, and the LD drive data generation unit 110 inputs the image data, and similarly generates laser drive data (modulation data) based on the pixel clock. Then, the semiconductor laser 101 is driven via the laser driving unit 107. The laser driving unit 107 has a function (hereinafter referred to as shading) for changing the light amount for each area in the main scanning direction.

By providing phase data in synchronization with the pixel clock PCLK, the pixel clock PCL
It is possible to shift the phase of K by +1/8 PCLK and -1/8 PCLK. In other words, by shifting the phase of the image clock serving as the reference clock for the image data, uneven scanning speed caused by a deflector such as a polygon scanner, or exposure deviation caused by the difference in the transmission wavelength between light emitting sources in a multi-beam optical system, etc. Dot displacement in the main scanning direction due to
It becomes possible to correct with the accuracy of the phase shift (for example, 1/8 PCLK). A method of changing the phase shift and the dot position to an arbitrary position is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-279873, and is a known matter, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

The dot position deviation detection and control unit 112 measures the time difference during which the laser beam is scanned.
For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-58053, when the first synchronization detection plate 106a and the second synchronization detection plate 106b receive laser light, this measurement method detects detection signals DETP1 and DETP2, respectively. The dot position deviation detection / control unit 112 inputs the dot position deviation detection and the control unit 112 performs the second synchronization after the first synchronization detecting plate 106a detects the laser beam based on the detection signals DETP1 and DETP2. The number of counts of a predetermined clock until the detection plate 106b detects the laser beam is measured. A time difference is obtained from the measured count.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing details of the LD control unit 107. The LD control unit 107 includes a DAC (Digital-Analog Converter) 200 and an LD driver 201. On / off of the LD 101 is controlled by the LD driver 201 based on the image data given from the laser drive data generation unit 110.

  The light quantity of the LD 101 is adjusted with reference to the light quantity reference voltage 200 a supplied from the DAC 200 to the LD driver 201. A light amount reference voltage value is given to the DAC 200 from a CPU (not shown). Based on the light quantity reference voltage value, a light quantity reference voltage 200a is generated.

  The light quantity reference voltage value is data instructed by a CPU (not shown) in order to adjust the light quantity of the LD 101. This light quantity reference voltage value is represented in the form of a decimal number or a hexadecimal number, for example, 128 (Dec) or 80 (h). About this light quantity reference voltage value, a default value is set for each model. A CPU (not shown) gives the DAC 200 a light amount reference voltage value obtained (corrected) from a default light amount reference voltage value by control described later.

  The DAC 200 converts the light amount reference voltage value into an analog value and supplies the analog value to the LD driver 201. The relationship between the light amount reference voltage value and the light amount of the LD 101 will be described in detail later.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the relationship between each area and the amount of light in the present embodiment.
More specifically, in this timing chart, the front end synchronization output in which laser light is detected by the first synchronization detection plate 106a, the rear end synchronization output in which laser light is detected by the second synchronization detection plate 106b, and image processing The relationship between the image data output from the unit 113, the light amount reference voltage 200a in the three areas, and the light amount of the laser light emitted from the LD 101 is shown.

  First, the three areas described above will be described. In this embodiment, the scanning range of the laser light emitted from the LD 101 is divided into three areas, and the amount of laser light is controlled in each area.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the scanning range of the laser beam is an area 0 where the laser beam scans prior to the image area. This area 0 includes the first synchronization detection plate 106a. An area including the image area following this area 0 is referred to as area 1. Further, an area following this area 1 is referred to as area 2. This area 2 includes the second synchronization detection plate 106b.

  The image area is a period in which image data is output from the image processing unit 113 and the LD 101 is controlled to be turned on / off based on this image data.

  The amount of light emitted from the LD 101 is proportional to the light amount reference voltage 200 a applied from the DAC 201 to the LD 101. That is, by increasing the light amount reference voltage 200a applied by the DAC 201, the light amount emitted from the LD 101 also increases.

  In this embodiment, first, the standard linear velocity is determined. This is a linear velocity realized during normal operation in the optical writing apparatus, and is expressed as, for example, B (mm / s). The standard linear velocity is set to a predetermined value depending on the model.

  When optical writing is performed at this standard linear velocity, when a predetermined default light amount reference voltage value set for each model is given from a CPU (not shown), the light amount emitted from the LD 101 is referred to as a light amount adjustment value.

  For example, in a model in which 128 (Dec) is set as the default light amount reference voltage value, the LD 101 is set to output 0.128 mW at the standard linear velocity. This light quantity adjustment value is set, for example, by adjusting the variable resistance volume at the time of factory shipment.

Hereinafter, the light amount control of the LD 101 in each area will be described.
A CPU (not shown) calculates the ratio of the linear velocity at which optical writing is actually performed with respect to the standard linear velocity for area 1 and corrects the default light amount reference voltage value based on this ratio. That is, the default light quantity reference voltage value is corrected based on the ratio between the standard linear speed and the linear speed at which optical writing is actually performed, and the corrected light quantity reference voltage value is given to the DAC 200.

  Here, the linear speed at which optical writing is actually performed is set according to image forming conditions such as color / monochrome, the type of paper to be transferred (thick paper, plain paper, thin paper, OHP sheet, etc.). This is expressed as, for example, A (mm / s).

Ie:
In area 1, the light amount reference voltage value given to the DAC 200 by a CPU (not shown) is:
Light intensity reference voltage value = Default light intensity reference voltage value
× Actual optical writing linear velocity A (mm / s) / B standard linear velocity (mm / s)
= 128 × A / B (Dec)
It is expressed.

Since the LD 101 increases or decreases according to the actually applied light amount reference voltage value, the light amount actually emitted by the LD 101 is
Light quantity = 0.128 (mW)
× Actual optical writing linear velocity A (mm / s) / B standard linear velocity (mm / s)
= 0.128 x A / B (mW)
It is expressed. (Formula 1)
A CPU (not shown) corrects the default light amount reference voltage value for area 0 and area 2 with a constant. That is, the CPU (not shown) gives the DAC 201 a fixed light amount reference voltage value for the areas 0 and 2.

For example, if the above constant is 1.2:
In area 2, the light amount reference voltage value given to the DAC 200 by the CPU (not shown) is
Light intensity reference voltage value = Default light intensity reference voltage value × 1.2 (Dec)
= 128 × 1.2 (Dec)
It is expressed.

Since the LD 101 emits light according to the given (fixed) light amount reference voltage value, the light amount actually emitted by the LD 101 is
Light quantity = 0.128 (mW) x 1.2 (mW)
It is expressed. (Formula 2)
FIG. 4 shows an example in which the writing mode, the image plane light amount, the front end synchronization light amount, the rear end synchronization light amount, and the light amount reference voltage values in areas 1, 2, and 3 are described as a table.

  That is, the light quantity of the LD 101 is not obtained from the above formula 1 or formula 2, but is prepared as such a table (hereinafter referred to as a light quantity setting table), and a CPU (not shown) performs this light quantity setting table. The light quantity of the LD 101 may be controlled while referring to FIG.

  Also at this time, as described above, the default light amount reference voltage value is set by, for example, adjusting the variable resistance volume at the time of factory shipment. When the photosensitive member deteriorates due to deterioration with time or the like, the amount of light in area 1 is changed accordingly. However, the amount of light in area 0 and area 2 should not be changed over time.

FIG. 5 shows an example in which a light amount setting table is created for area 0 and area 2.
As can be understood from FIG. 4 or FIG. 5, in areas 0 and 2, a constant light amount is emitted from the LD 101 regardless of the light amount used in area 1. Further, it is desirable that the amount of light in area 0 and area 2 is equal.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an outline of the mechanical configuration of a digital copying machine as an image forming apparatus using the writing apparatus shown in FIGS. In the figure, a digital copying machine is for monochrome image formation, and includes a main body 400, an image reading device 500 installed on the upper portion of the image forming apparatus main body 400, and an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as an automatic document feeder) mounted thereon. , And a large-capacity sheet feeding device 7 disposed on the right side of the image forming apparatus main body 400 in FIG.
00, and a sheet post-processing apparatus 800 disposed on the left side of the image forming apparatus main body 400 in FIG.
And basically consists of

The image forming apparatus main body 400 includes an image writing unit 410, an image forming unit 420, a fixing unit 430, a duplex conveying unit 440, a paper feeding unit 450, a vertical conveying unit 460, and a manual feeding unit 470.

The image writing unit 410 modulates the LD, which is a light source, based on the image information of the original read by the image reading device 500, and writes laser on the photosensitive drum 421 by a scanning optical system such as a polygon mirror and an Fθ lens. Corresponds to the optical writing device. The image forming unit 420 includes a photosensitive drum 421 and known electrophotographic imaging elements such as a developing unit 422, a transfer unit 423, a cleaning unit 424, and a charge eliminating unit provided along the outer periphery of the photosensitive drum 421. Consists of.

The fixing unit 430 fixes the image transferred by the transfer unit 423 on the transfer paper. The double-sided conveyance unit 440 is provided downstream of the fixing unit 420 in the transfer sheet conveyance direction, and a first switching claw 441 that switches the transfer sheet conveyance direction to the sheet post-processing apparatus 800 side or the double-side conveyance unit 440 side;
The reverse conveying path 442 guided by the first switching claw 441, the image forming side conveying path 443 that conveys the transfer paper reversed by the reverse conveying path 442 to the transfer unit 423 side again, and the reverse transfer paper after the paper post-processing A second switching claw 445 is disposed at a branch portion between the image forming side conveying path 443 and the post processing side conveying path 444.

The sheet feeding unit 450 includes four sheet feeding stages, and the transfer sheets stored in the sheet feeding stages selected by the pickup roller and the sheet feeding roller are drawn out and guided to the vertical conveyance unit 460.

The vertical conveyance unit 460 conveys the transfer paper fed from each paper feed stage to the registration roller 461 immediately upstream in the paper conveyance direction of the transfer unit 423, and the registration roller 461 provides a visible image on the photosensitive drum 421. The transfer paper is fed into the transfer unit 423 in time with the leading edge. The manual feed portion 470 includes an openable and closable manual feed tray 471, and opens the manual feed tray 471 as needed to supply transfer paper manually. Also in this case, the registration roller 461
Thus, the transfer timing of the transfer paper is taken and conveyed.

The large-capacity paper feeding device 700 supplies a large amount of transfer paper of the same size, and the bottom plate 702 rises as the transfer paper is consumed, so that the paper can always be picked up from the pickup roller 701. ing. The transfer paper fed from the pickup roller 701 is conveyed from the vertical conveyance unit 460 to the nip of the registration roller 461.

The sheet post-processing apparatus 800 performs predetermined processing such as punching, alignment, stapling, and sorting. In this embodiment, the punch 801 and the staple tray (alignment) 8 are used for the functions described above.
02, a stapler 803, and a shift tray 804 are provided. That is, the image forming apparatus 4
The transfer paper carried into the paper post-processing apparatus 800 from 00 is punched 80 when punching.
1 is perforated one by one, and then if there is nothing to process, the proof tray 8
When sorting, stacking, and sorting to 05, the sheets are discharged to the shift tray 804, respectively. In this embodiment, the sorting is performed by the reciprocating movement of the shift tray 804 by a predetermined amount in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction. In addition, sorting can be performed by moving the paper in a direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction on the paper transport path.

In the case of alignment, the transfer paper that has been punched or not punched is guided to the lower transport path 806, and the staple tray 802 is aligned in the direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction by the trailing edge fence. In the jogger fence, alignment in the direction parallel to the paper transport direction is performed. Here, when binding is performed, a predetermined position of the aligned sheet bundle, for example, a corner portion, a center 2
A predetermined position such as a portion is bound by a stapler 803 and discharged to a shift tray 804 by a discharge belt. In this embodiment, a pre-stack conveyance path 807 is provided in the lower conveyance path 806, and a plurality of sheets are stacked at the time of conveyance to avoid interruption of the image forming operation on the image forming apparatus main body 400 side during post-processing. Be able to.

The image reading apparatus 500 is guided onto the contact glass 510 by the ADF 600, optically scans the stopped original, and reads the image formed by the imaging lens through the first to third mirrors, such as a CCD or CMOS. Read by the photoelectric conversion element. The read image data is subjected to predetermined image processing by an image processing circuit (not shown) and temporarily stored in a storage device. Then, it is read from the storage device by the image writing unit 410 during image formation, modulated according to the image data, and optical writing is performed.

The ADF 550 has a double-sided reading function, and is attached to the contact glass 510 installation surface of the image reading device 500 so as to be freely opened and closed. In the ADF 550, the document placed on the document placement table 551 is automatically sent onto the contact glass 510 when the document is read.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the amount of light that irradiates the image carrier area (effective image region) is variable according to the image forming conditions, and the amount of light that irradiates the synchronization detection area is a fixed value. As a result, it is possible to obtain a configuration in which the amount of light is varied according to the image forming conditions and the synchronization detection is reliably performed.

<Second Embodiment>
The present embodiment has a function of setting a plurality of areas in the main scanning direction and setting a light quantity for each area, and a light beam detection time difference between two points by the first and second synchronization detection plates 106a and 106b. When measuring the two-point synchronization, the incident light quantity to the first and second synchronization detection plates 106a and 106b is always set to the same value regardless of the optical characteristics (transmittance and reflectance). This is an example of measuring. FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing the relationship between area division and light quantity during printing in the present embodiment. The optical writing device and the LD control unit are equivalent to the optical writing device and the LD control unit described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 in the first embodiment.
Equivalent parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

In the timing chart shown in FIG. 7, the front end synchronization output detected by the first synchronization detection plate 106 a, the rear end synchronization output detected by the second synchronization detection plate 106 b, and the image output from the image processing unit 113. The relationship of the output timing between data, the light quantity reference voltage in several areas, and the light quantity is shown. As can be seen from FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, area division is performed in the main scanning direction, and the area is the tip synchronization detection plate (first synchronization detection plate) 106a.
The vicinity is area 0, the vicinity including the image area is areas 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, and the rear end of the image area and the vicinity of the rear end synchronization detection plate (second synchronization detection plate) 106b are area 6. The image area is a period during which image data is output from the image processing unit 113. The LD light quantity can be changed by changing the light quantity reference voltage, and the light quantity increases as the reference voltage is increased. The light amount setting value for each area is stored in advance as a table.

FIG. 8 shows the first and second synchronization detection plates 10 regardless of the optical characteristics (transmittance, reflectance).
It is a timing chart which shows the relationship between the area division | segmentation at the time of two-point synchronous measurement when the incident light quantity to 6a, 106b is always made into the same value, and a light quantity. Two-point synchronization is measured by the leading edge synchronizing output and the trailing edge synchronizing output. In the measurement, when the first synchronization detection plate 106a and the second synchronization detection plate 106b receive the laser beam, the detection signals DETP1 and DETP2 are respectively input to the dot position deviation detection and control unit 112 to detect and control the dot position deviation. The unit 112 generates detection signals DETP1, D
Based on ETP2, the number of counts of a predetermined clock from when the first synchronization detection plate 106a detects the laser beam to when the second synchronization detection plate 106b detects the laser beam is measured. A time difference is obtained from the measured count. At this time, the shading correction is turned off, the LD 101 is turned on with the light amount set to the area 0, and detection is performed by the first and second synchronization detection plates 106a and 106b.

Other parts that are not particularly described are configured in the same manner as the first embodiment and function in the same manner.

With this configuration, the light amount area correction is turned off, and the light amount incident on the second synchronization detection plate 106b is set to the optimum light amount regardless of the mode (the same light amount as the incident light amount of the first synchronization detection plate 106a).
Therefore, two-point synchronous measurement can be performed with high accuracy.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing the relationship between area division and light quantity at the time of another two-point synchronous measurement in the present embodiment. This example is a modification of the example shown in FIG. 7, and the amount of light incident on the first synchronization detection plate 106a is controlled to be always a constant amount during image formation by the light amount setting function for each area. The area is set according to the image forming conditions, and at the time of two-point synchronous measurement, the light quantity setting function of each area is turned off, so that the incident light quantity to the first and second synchronization detection plates 106a and 106b depends on the mode. The light intensity is optimal. In this example, as can be seen from FIG. 9, the light quantity reference voltage of the area 6 in the vicinity of the rear end of the image area and the rear end synchronization detection plate (second synchronization detection plate) 106b is used as the rear end of the second synchronization detection plate 106b. Change to the optimum value for the sync detection signal.

With this configuration, similarly to the example shown in FIG. 7, the area correction of the light amount is turned off, and the light amount incident on the second synchronization detection plate 106b is set to the optimum light amount (the first synchronization detection plate) regardless of the mode. 106
2 point synchronous measurement can be performed with high accuracy.

In the example shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the light receiving sensitivities with respect to the light amounts of the first and second synchronization detection plates 106a and 106b are different, the incident light amounts to the first and second synchronization detection plates 106a and 106b are changed. If the same value is set, either light quantity may not be optimal and a malfunction such as loss of synchronization may occur. In order to cope with this, the amount of light incident on the first synchronization detection plate 106a is always controlled to be a constant amount during image formation by the light amount setting function for each area, and the image region is set to a light amount that matches the image forming conditions. At the time of the two-point synchronization measurement, the light amount setting of the area of the synchronization detection plate is changed so that the incident light amount to the first and second synchronization detection plates 106a and 106b is the optimum light amount regardless of the mode. Is. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure at this time.

In this processing procedure, first, a print request is confirmed, and various initial settings of the print operation mode are performed (step S101). Next, two-point synchronous measurement is performed (step S102), magnification correction is performed based on the measurement result of the two-point measurement (step S103), and printing is started (step S104).

FIG. 11 shows a timing chart showing the relationship between area division and light quantity at the time of two-point synchronous measurement. As can be seen from the figure, area 0 is set as a detection area of the first synchronization detection plate 106a, area 7 is set as a detection area of the second synchronization detection plate 106b, and areas 1 to 6 are set as image areas. Areas 1 to 6 of the image area are changed according to image forming conditions, and areas 0 and 7 are always set to a constant light amount. The light intensity values in areas 0 and 7 are the same as those in the first synchronization detection plate 106.
Different values are set according to the sensitivity of a and the second synchronization detection plate 106b. As described above, this set value is set to a value that does not cause out-of-synchronization according to the sensitivities of the first and second synchronization detection plates 106a and 106b, for example, a value that provides the same amount of synchronization output. Each set value is stored as a table in advance.

If comprised in this way, when the light reception sensitivity with respect to the light quantity of the 1st and 2nd synchronous detection board 106a, 106b differs, the incident light quantity to the 1st and 2nd synchronous detection board 106a, 106b will differ from a different incident light quantity value. Therefore, the first and second synchronization detection plates 106a, 1 are selected according to the system.
The synchronization incident light quantity of 06b can be optimized, no synchronization error occurs, and two-point synchronous measurement can be performed with high accuracy. That is, the first and second synchronization detection plates 106a,
Each area has an area for 106b and a plurality of areas for the image area, and the light quantity can be set independently for each area. Therefore, two-point synchronous measurement can be accurately performed with the optimum light quantity. it can.

Two-point synchronous measurement is performed between sheets. The paper interval is a sub-scanning non-image area during continuous printing and is a period during which the semiconductor laser is not turned off. FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing the timing between sheets. In FIG. 12, XPFGAT showing the image area in the sub-scanning direction generated by the timing control unit 120 from the write control unit GAVD 121 to the CPU (not shown).
E_ * is input as an interrupt signal. The CPU performs two-point synchronous measurement independently for each color at the negation of XPFGATE. Note that the two-point synchronous measurement may be performed for all colors with the negation of XPFGATE_K.

FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing the timing for measuring two points between sheets. In FIG. 13, the CPU sets a flag of the GVAD 121 so as to form a misregistration correction pattern (M pattern) on the intermediate transfer belt 208 by negating XPFGATE. Thereafter, the misregistration correction pattern (M pattern) formed on the intermediate transfer belt 208 is detected by a pattern detection sensor, and after correction based on the detection result, two-point synchronous measurement is performed. In addition,
Details of the misregistration pattern and misregistration detection correction are publicly known (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-2798).
73). Therefore, two-point synchronous measurement is performed before the start of the print job.

With this configuration, the two-point synchronous measurement is accurately performed because the incident light amount to the first and second synchronization detection plates 106a and 106b is changed to the optimum value only at the time of two-point synchronous measurement outside the print image formation. be able to. Thereby, writing with high image quality becomes possible.

1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an optical writing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a block diagram showing details of an LD control unit 107. FIG. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the area division | segmentation and light quantity in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the relationship between writing mode, an image surface light quantity, a front end synchronous light quantity, a rear end synchronous light quantity, an area 0 setting value, an area 1 setting value, and an area 2 setting value. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the table of area 0 and area 2, and a setting value. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an outline of a mechanical configuration of a digital copying machine as an image forming apparatus using the writing device shown in FIGS. 1 to 5. It is a timing chart which shows the relationship between the area division at the time of printing in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and a light quantity. It is a timing chart which shows the relationship between the area division | segmentation at the time of two-point synchronous measurement when the incident light quantity to the 1st and 2nd synchronous detection board is made into the same value, and a light quantity. It is a timing chart which shows the relationship between area division | segmentation when the incident light quantity to the 1st and 2nd synchronous detection board is made into the optimal light quantity irrespective of a mode. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence when changing the light quantity setting of the area of a synchronous detection board at the time of two-point synchronous measurement, and making it the optimal light quantity regardless of a mode. It is a timing chart which shows the timing corresponding to the process sequence of FIG. It is a timing chart which shows the timing between sheets. It is a timing chart which shows the timing which performs two-point measurement between paper.

Explanation of symbols

101 LD
102 Polygon mirror 103 Fθ lens 105a, 105b Reflection mirror 106a, 106b Synchronization detection plate (light beam detection means)
107 LD Control Unit 108 Polygon Control Unit 110 LD Drive Data Generation Unit 111 Pixel Clock Generation Unit 112 Dot Misregistration Detection and Control Unit 113 Image Processing Unit

Claims (17)

In an optical writing device that performs optical writing on an image carrier by optical writing means,
For the effective image area of the image carrier, the amount of writing light is changed according to the image forming conditions,
An optical writing apparatus comprising: a control unit that scans with a predetermined light amount for a scanning region to the light beam detecting unit. The light writing means is provided outside the effective image area of the image carrier, the light deflection means for scanning the image carrier with the light beam emitted from the light source in the main scanning direction, and the light 2. The optical writing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a light beam detecting unit that detects a light beam scanned by the deflecting unit. 3. The optical writing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the light beam detecting means is provided on the upstream side and the downstream side in the main scanning direction outside the effective image area. 4. The control means calculates the upstream and downstream areas in the main scanning direction outside the effective image area and the set value of the light quantity in the effective image area by calculation. Optical writing device. The control means determines each upstream area and downstream area in the main scanning direction outside the effective image area, and a set value of the light amount in the effective image area based on a prestored table. The optical writing device according to claim 3. The control means measures a light beam detection time difference between two points based on detection results of the light beam detection means provided on the upstream side and the downstream side in the main scanning direction outside the effective image area. 6. The optical writing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein magnification correction in the main scanning direction is performed by changing a lighting control clock of the light source from a measurement result between points. In an optical writing device that performs optical writing on an image carrier by optical writing means,
The light beam detecting means provided respectively on the upstream side and the downstream side outside the effective image area in the main scanning direction of the image carrier;
Control means for setting a plurality of areas in the main scanning direction and setting the light writing light quantity for each area;
Two-point synchronous measuring means for measuring a light beam detection time difference between two points by the light beam detecting means;
And the control means optimizes the amount of light incident on the upstream and downstream light beam detection means to a light quantity that does not cause out-of-synchronization. 8. The optical writing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the optimization is to make the amount of incident light to the upstream and downstream light beam detectors the same. 8. The optimization is characterized in that the amount of light incident on the upstream and downstream light beam detectors is set to a different light amount according to the light receiving sensitivity of the light beam detector. The optical writing device described. The control means controls the incident light amount to the upstream light beam detecting means to be a constant light amount during image formation, the effective image area sets the light amount according to the image forming condition, and the two points 10. The amount of light in the areas of the light beam detecting means provided on the upstream side and the downstream side is changed during synchronous measurement, and the amount of light incident on the light beam detecting means is optimized. The optical writing device according to claim 1. The optical writing device according to claim 7, wherein the optimization is performed without depending on optical characteristics and modes. The plurality of areas include at least three areas: an area including an installation portion of the upstream light beam detection means, an area corresponding to the image forming area, and an area including an installation portion of the downstream light beam detection means. The optical writing device according to claim 7, wherein the optical writing device is set as follows. The optical writing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the two-point synchronization measurement unit performs two-point synchronization measurement before starting a print job. The optical writing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the two-point synchronization measurement unit performs two-point synchronization measurement between sheets. The optical writing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the two-point synchronous measurement unit performs two-point synchronous measurement after alignment correction between sheets. An image forming apparatus comprising the optical writing device according to claim 1. In an optical writing method for writing to an image carrier by optical writing means,
For the effective image area of the image carrier, the amount of writing light is changed according to the image forming conditions,
An optical writing method characterized in that a synchronization detection region for detecting synchronization is scanned with a predetermined light amount.

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