JP2008230129A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device which easily control the line width of a line extending in the sub-scan direction without changing the image data by image processing even if the line has a line width of one dot. <P>SOLUTION: The device comprises a laser output timing-setting section 843 which sets the first on-timing to turn on a laser beam for exposing the dot based on image data S2 and the first off-timing to turn off the laser beam during the scan period in the main scan direction, a line width-setting switch 82 which acquires setting information S3 for controlling the line width of a line extending in the sub-scan direction, a laser output timing control section 847 which defines the first on-timing as the second on-timing and adds setting information S3 to the first off-timing to set the second off-timing, and a pulse generating section 848 and a delay chain circuit 849 which turn on the output of a laser beam according to the second on-timing and turn off the output of a laser beam according to the second off-timing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that performs image formation by an electrophotographic process in which a photoconductor is exposed by scanning with a laser beam.

  Conventionally, a photoconductor drum is scanned in the main scanning direction with a laser beam, and scanning in the sub-scanning direction is performed by repeating scanning of the laser beam in the main scanning direction while rotating the photoconductor drum. An image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic process is known in which a toner image obtained by exposing a drum and developing the drum is pressed and heated on a sheet to form an image on the sheet.

  In an image forming apparatus using such an electrophotographic process, when a line extending in the main scanning direction is drawn, the time for which the laser continuously emits is extended, so that the laser easily emits stably and the line width is stabilized. On the other hand, when drawing a line extending in the sub-scanning direction, the laser beam is emitted for a short time by the line width, so that the laser emission is likely to be unstable and a sufficient amount of emission cannot be obtained. Therefore, the line width in the sub-scanning direction tends to be narrower than the line in the main scanning direction.

  In order to thicken the line in the sub-scanning direction, the line in the sub-scanning direction included in the image data stored in the memory is detected by image processing, and the line in the sub-scanning direction is thickened in the image data itself. Change it. However, when the image data itself stored in the memory is changed by image processing so that the line in the sub-scanning direction becomes thick, there is a disadvantage that the amount of image processing increases.

  Therefore, a technique for increasing the line width of the line extending in the sub-scanning direction without using image processing is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). 14 and 15 are timing charts for explaining the technique described in Patent Document 1. FIG. FIG. 14 shows an on / off state of laser light scanned in the main scanning direction when a line extending in the sub-scanning direction is drawn. In this line, the line width A is the thickness of three pixels 101, 102, and 103, and the laser beam is normally turned on near the center of each area of the pixels 101, 102, and 103, and the dots 104, 105 and 106 are exposed. Then, as shown by the timing chart 107 in FIG. 14, the line width A is from the left end of the dot 104 to the right end of the dot 106.

In the technique described in Patent Document 1, the line width of a line extending in the sub-scanning direction by moving the positions of the dots 104 and 106 shown in the timing chart 107 in directions away from each other as shown in the timing chart 108. Is thickened as indicated by line width B.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-300698

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, when drawing a line whose line width extends in the sub-scanning direction, as shown in FIG. 15, there are no dots in the pixels 101 and 103 on both sides of the pixel 102. Therefore, there is a disadvantage that the line width cannot be increased by moving the dot positions of the pixels 101 and 103.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the line width of the line extending in the sub-scanning direction can be changed without changing the image data by image processing even if the line width is one dot. It is an object to provide an image forming apparatus that can be easily adjusted.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes: a photosensitive member; an exposure unit that outputs the laser beam to scan the photosensitive member to expose the photosensitive member; and a scanning period in the main scanning direction by the exposure unit. Based on image data representing an image by a plurality of pixels, the laser beam output for exposing dots indicating each pixel of the image represented by the image data is turned off at a first on timing to turn on. 1 is set by a laser output timing setting unit that sets off timing, a setting value acquisition unit that acquires a setting value for adjusting the line width of a linear image extending in the sub-scanning direction, and the laser output timing setting unit The first time obtained by adjusting the time interval between the first on-timing and the first off-timing according to the setting value acquired by the setting value acquisition unit. A laser output timing adjustment unit that sets the second timing and the first off timing as a second on timing and a second off timing, respectively, and the laser output timing adjustment unit during a scanning period in the main scanning direction by the exposure unit The laser beam output is turned on by the exposure unit in accordance with the second on-timing set by, and the laser beam output by the exposure unit is turned off in accordance with the second off-timing set by the laser output timing adjusting unit. And an image forming unit that develops the photoconductor exposed by the exposure unit to form an image.

  According to this configuration, during the scanning period in the main scanning direction by the exposure unit, the laser output timing setting unit sets dots indicating each pixel of the image represented by the image data based on the image data representing the image. A first on timing for turning on the output of laser light for exposure and a first off timing for turning off are set. In addition, the setting value acquisition unit acquires a setting value for adjusting the line width of the linear image extending in the sub-scanning direction. Then, the laser output timing adjusting unit adjusts the time interval between the first on-timing and the first off-timing set by the laser output timing setting unit according to the set value acquired by the set value acquiring unit. The obtained new first on-timing and first off-timing are set as the second on-timing and the second off-timing, respectively. Then, during the scanning period in the main scanning direction by the exposure unit, the output of the laser beam by the exposure unit is turned on according to the second on timing, and the laser beam by the exposure unit is turned on according to the second off timing. Output is turned off. Then, according to the setting value acquired by the setting value acquisition unit, the time interval between the second on timing and the second off timing, that is, the period during which the output of the laser beam in the main scanning direction is turned on, is adjusted. The exposure length of the line width of the line extending in the sub-scanning direction is adjusted. Then, the line width of the line extending in the sub-scanning direction, that is, the exposure length in the main scanning direction is adjusted according to the setting value acquired by the setting value acquisition unit, so that the photosensitive member is developed by the image forming unit. Even in the formed image, the line width of the line extending in the sub-scanning direction is adjusted according to the setting value acquired by the setting value acquisition unit. In this case, even when the line width of the line extending in the sub-scanning direction is 1 dot, the length of the 1 dot in the main scanning direction, that is, the line width is adjusted according to the setting value acquired by the setting value acquisition unit. Can do. In addition, the line width of the line extending in the sub-scanning direction can be adjusted by adjusting the on / off timing of the laser light that exposes the photoconductor, so that without changing the image data by image processing, The line width of the line extending in the sub-scanning direction can be adjusted.

  The set value acquisition unit acquires information indicating an increase amount for increasing the line width of the line extending in the sub-scanning direction as the set value, and the laser output timing adjustment unit sets the laser output timing setting. The first on-timing set by the unit is set as the second on-timing, and the larger the amount of increase indicated by the setting value acquired by the setting value acquiring unit is, the larger the setting is set by the laser output timing setting unit. It is preferable to set the second off timing so that the delay time of the second off timing with respect to the first off timing is increased.

  According to this configuration, the setting value acquisition unit acquires information indicating an increase amount for increasing the line width of the line extending in the sub-scanning direction as the setting value. In addition, the first on-timing is set as the second on-timing by the laser output timing adjusting unit, and the second increase with respect to the first off-timing increases as the increase amount indicated by the set value acquired by the set value acquiring unit increases. The second off timing is set so that the delay time of the off timing becomes large, and the time interval between the second on timing and the second off timing, that is, the period during which the laser beam output in the main scanning direction is turned on. That is, the exposure length of the line width of the line extending in the sub-scanning direction is adjusted. In an image forming apparatus that forms an image by an electrophotographic process that exposes a photoconductor by scanning with a laser beam, the line width in the sub-scanning direction tends to be narrower than the line in the main scanning direction. If the line width can be adjusted in the direction of increasing the line width of the line extending in the sub-scanning direction, the line width is reduced so as to reduce the difference between the line width of the line in the main scanning direction and the line width of the line in the sub-scanning direction. It is possible to adjust the width. Therefore, by setting the second off timing so that the delay time of the second off timing with respect to the first off timing increases as the increase amount indicated by the setting value acquired by the setting value acquisition unit increases. If the time interval between the 2 on-timing and the second off-timing is increased according to the set value, the laser output timing adjusting unit changes the first on-timing to generate the second on-timing. Is not required, and further, the process of advancing the second off timing with respect to the first off timing is also unnecessary, so that the configuration of the laser output timing adjusting unit can be simplified.

  Further, the image data includes density information indicating the density of the pixels of the image, and the laser output timing setting unit is configured to detect dots indicating pixels corresponding to the density information as the density indicated by the density information is higher. It is preferable that the first on-timing and the first off-timing are set so that a time interval between the first on-timing and the first off-timing is increased.

  According to this configuration, the laser output timing setting unit increases the time interval between the first on-timing and the first off-timing for the dot indicating the pixel as the pixel density increases. An on timing and a first off timing are set. Then, as the pixel density increases, the period during which the output of the laser beam in the main scanning direction for drawing the dot indicating the pixel is turned on is increased, so that the pixel density is expressed as the dot length. The In this case, the density of the pixel is reflected in the first on timing and the first off timing by the laser output timing setting unit, and further reflected in the second on timing and the second off timing by the laser output timing adjustment unit.

  Then, the setting value for adjusting the line width and the pixel density are reflected in the second on-timing and the second off-timing. Based on the second on-timing and the second off-timing in which the setting value for adjusting the line width and the pixel density are reflected by the exposure controller, the on / off timing of the laser light by the exposing unit is determined. As a result of exposure of dots that are controlled to reflect the setting value for adjusting the line width and the pixel density, the exposure control unit reflects the setting value for adjusting the line width in the dot exposure. The processing can be shared with the processing for reflecting the pixel density in the exposure of dots. This simplifies the circuit compared to the case where a control circuit for reflecting the setting value for adjusting the line width in the dot exposure and a control circuit for reflecting the pixel density in the dot exposure are provided. It becomes easy.

  The exposure unit further includes a dot cycle signal generation unit that generates a dot cycle signal indicating a dot cycle that is a constant cycle for sequentially performing exposure of the dots during a scanning period in the main scanning direction by the exposure unit. The control unit sends a signal for turning on the output of the laser light from the exposure unit to a second on-timing set by the laser output timing adjusting unit from the leading timing of the dot cycle indicated by the dot cycle signal. A signal to turn on the output of the laser beam by the exposure unit based on the delayed signal, and to turn off the output of the laser beam by the exposure unit from the start timing of the dot cycle. The delayed signal is delayed until the second off timing set by the laser output timing adjustment unit is reached. Turning off the output of the laser light is preferred by the exposure section based.

  According to this configuration, the dot cycle signal generation unit generates a dot cycle signal indicating a dot cycle that is a constant cycle for sequentially performing dot exposure during the scanning period in the main scanning direction by the exposure unit. Further, the exposure control unit delays a signal for turning on the output of the laser beam by the exposure unit from the start timing of the dot cycle indicated by the dot cycle signal to the second on timing, and the exposure unit transmits the laser beam. Based on the signal obtained by delaying the signal to turn off the output from the leading timing of the dot cycle to the second off timing, the laser beam output is turned on and off by the exposure unit.

  In this case, the second on-timing and the second off-timing in which the setting value for adjusting the line width and the pixel density are reflected are controlled by the exposure controller to turn on and off the output of the laser beam by the exposure unit. Since it is converted into a signal, the exposure control unit is shared by the process of reflecting the setting value for adjusting the line width when the laser beam is turned on and off and the process of reflecting the pixel density when the laser beam is turned on and off can do. Then, compared with the case where a control circuit for reflecting the setting value for adjusting the line width on on / off of the laser beam and a control circuit for reflecting the pixel density on on / off of the laser beam are provided. Therefore, it becomes easy to simplify the circuit. In addition, since the timing for turning on and off the laser light relatively with respect to the dot period signal can be obtained, the time required for the exposure control unit to handle the timing of all dots in the main scanning direction is compared with the case of handling the absolute timing. As a result of the reduction of the maximum value, it becomes easy to simplify the configuration of the exposure control unit.

  In addition, a basic period signal generation unit that generates a basic period signal whose period is set to a basic period shorter than the dot period, and the laser output timing adjustment unit sets the basic period to a predetermined number of divisions. Using one of the equally divided units as a unit time, the time from the start timing of the dot cycle indicated by the dot cycle signal generated by the dot cycle signal generation unit to the second on timing is divided by the unit time. The second on-timing converted value corresponding to the quotient is used to indicate the second on-timing, and the time from the start timing of the dot cycle indicated by the dot cycle signal to the second off timing is divided by the unit time. The second off timing is indicated by a second off timing converted value corresponding to the quotient, and the exposure control is performed. The unit delay circuit for delaying the signal by the unit time includes a serial delay circuit connected in a plurality of stages in series, and each period of the basic period signal generated by the basic period signal generation unit from the head timing of the dot period. In addition, a first subtraction circuit that sequentially subtracts the number of divisions from a second on-timing conversion value set by the laser output timing adjustment unit, and a numerical value obtained as a result of subtraction by the first subtraction circuit is the division value. A first delay control unit that delays a signal indicating that the output of the laser beam is turned on by the unit delay circuit corresponding to the number of the numerical value in the serial delay circuit, and a head of the dot period Second timing set by the laser output timing adjusting unit for each period of the basic periodic signal generated from the timing by the basic periodic signal generating unit. When a numerical value obtained as a result of subtraction by the second subtracting circuit and the second subtracting circuit that sequentially subtracts the divided number from the timing conversion value is less than the divided number, It is preferable that a second delay control unit that delays a signal indicating that the output of the laser beam is turned off is provided by the number of the unit delay circuits.

  According to this configuration, the basic period signal generation unit generates a basic period signal having a basic period shorter than the dot period. Further, the second on-timing is a unit time obtained by dividing one of the basic periods into a predetermined number of divisions as a unit time, and the time from the leading timing of the dot period to the second on-timing is the unit time. This is indicated by the second on-timing conversion value corresponding to the divided quotient. The second off timing is indicated by a second off timing conversion value corresponding to a quotient obtained by dividing the time from the head timing of the dot cycle to the second off timing by the unit time. Then, the first subtraction circuit sequentially subtracts the division number from the second on-timing conversion value for each period of the basic period signal from the head timing of the dot period, and the numerical value obtained as a result of the subtraction is the division number. When the value is less than, a signal indicating that the output of the laser light is turned on is delayed by a unit delay circuit corresponding to the number of the numerical value, and the unit time is multiplied by the numerical value. The second subtracting circuit sequentially subtracts the number of divisions from the second off-timing conversion value for each period of the basic period signal from the head timing of the dot period, and the numerical value obtained as a result of the subtraction is the number of divisions. When the value is less than, a signal indicating that the output of the laser beam is turned off is output by the unit delay circuit corresponding to the number of the numerical value delayed by a time obtained by multiplying the numerical value by the unit time.

  In this case, the time indicated by the second on-timing conversion value and the second off-timing conversion value is first measured as a multiple of the basic period by the first and second subtraction circuits, and the remaining time that does not satisfy the basic period is a serial delay. It is generated as the delay time of the circuit. Since the delay time of the serial delay circuit is generated by the serial number of unit delay circuits having a unit time delay time in which the basic period is equally divided into a predetermined number of divisions, the second on-timing conversion value and the second off-timing value As a result of being able to generate the time indicated by the converted value with an accuracy per unit time shorter than the basic period, the second on-timing converted value and the second off-timing converted value are reflected in the timing for turning on and off the output of the laser beam. It is easy to improve the accuracy to be performed. Since the second on-timing converted value and the second off-timing converted value reflect the setting value for adjusting the line width and the pixel density, the setting value and the pixel for adjusting the line width are reflected. As a result, it is easy to improve the accuracy of reflecting the density of the laser beam on the timing of turning on and off the output of the laser beam. As a result, the setting value for adjusting the line width and the density of the pixel are reflected on the dot. It becomes easy to improve.

  The unit delay circuit is an exclusive OR logic gate whose gate delay time is the unit time, and the series delay circuit is connected to one of the two input terminals of the logic gate at the preceding logic gate. Are connected to each other in series, and the first delay control unit is configured such that the numerical value obtained as a result of the subtraction by the first subtraction circuit is When the number is less than the number of divisions, a signal for turning on the output of the laser light is input to the other of the two input terminals of the logic gate, which is the number of stages of the numerical value counted from the last stage in the series delay circuit By delaying the signal to turn on the output of the laser beam, the second delay control unit, when the numerical value obtained as a result of the subtraction by the second subtraction circuit is less than the division number By inverting the output level of the logic gate by outputting a signal for turning off the output of the laser beam to the logic gate, which is the number of stages of the numerical value from the last stage in the series delay circuit, the laser It is preferable to delay the signal for turning off the light output.

  According to this configuration, the unit delay circuit is configured by an exclusive OR logic gate whose gate delay time is a unit time. In addition, the serial delay circuit is configured such that the output gate of the preceding logic gate is connected to one of the two input terminals of the exclusive OR logic gate so that the exclusive OR logic gates are connected in multiple stages in series. Connected and configured. When the numerical value obtained as a result of the subtraction by the first subtraction circuit is less than the number of divisions by the first delay control unit, the number of stages of the logic gate which becomes the number of stages of the numerical value counted from the last stage in the serial delay circuit. By inputting a signal for turning on the output of the laser light to the other of the two input terminals, a signal for turning on the output of the laser light is delayed. Further, when the numerical value obtained as a result of the subtraction by the second subtracting circuit is less than the number of divisions by the second delay control unit, the laser beam is transmitted to the logic gate that is the number of stages of the numerical value counted from the last stage in the serial delay circuit. A signal for turning off the output of the logic gate is output, the output level of the logic gate is inverted, and the output level of the logic gate subsequent to the logic gate is sequentially inverted to turn off the output of the laser beam. The signal is delayed. In this case, when the output level of the logic gate at the final stage in the series delay circuit is inverted, a signal for turning on the laser light and a signal for turning off the laser light are generated. In order to delay the signal to be turned on because it is used in common for the delay of the signal to turn on according to the on-timing conversion value and the delay of the signal to turn off according to the second off-timing conversion value It is not necessary to separately provide the delay circuit and the delay circuit to be turned off, and the circuit can be easily simplified.

  In the image forming apparatus having such a configuration, each pixel of the image represented by the image data is displayed on the basis of the image data representing the image by the laser output timing setting unit during the scanning period in the main scanning direction by the exposure unit. A first on-timing for turning on and a first off-timing for turning off the output of the laser beam for exposing the dots indicating the above are set. In addition, the setting value acquisition unit acquires a setting value for adjusting the line width of the linear image extending in the sub-scanning direction. Then, the laser output timing adjusting unit adjusts the time interval between the first on-timing and the first off-timing set by the laser output timing setting unit according to the set value acquired by the set value acquiring unit. The obtained new first on-timing and first off-timing are set as the second on-timing and the second off-timing, respectively. Then, during the scanning period in the main scanning direction by the exposure unit, the output of the laser beam by the exposure unit is turned on according to the second on timing, and the laser beam by the exposure unit is turned on according to the second off timing. Output is turned off. Then, according to the setting value acquired by the setting value acquisition unit, the time interval between the second on timing and the second off timing, that is, the period during which the output of the laser beam in the main scanning direction is turned on, is adjusted. The exposure length of the line width of the line extending in the sub-scanning direction is adjusted. Then, the line width of the line extending in the sub-scanning direction, that is, the exposure length in the main scanning direction is adjusted according to the setting value acquired by the setting value acquisition unit, so that the photosensitive member is developed by the image forming unit. Even in the formed image, the line width of the line extending in the sub-scanning direction is adjusted according to the setting value acquired by the setting value acquisition unit. In this case, even when the line width of the line extending in the sub-scanning direction is 1 dot, the length of the 1 dot in the main scanning direction, that is, the line width is adjusted according to the setting value acquired by the setting value acquisition unit. Can do. In addition, the line width of the line extending in the sub-scanning direction can be adjusted by adjusting the on / off timing of the laser light that exposes the photoconductor, so that without changing the image data by image processing, The line width of the line extending in the sub-scanning direction can be adjusted.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the structure which attached | subjected the same code | symbol in each figure shows that it is the same structure, The description is abbreviate | omitted. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a front sectional view of a printer which is an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The image forming apparatus is not limited to a printer, and may be a copier, a facsimile, or a complex machine that combines these.

  The printer 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a sheet storage unit 12 that stores a sheet P to be subjected to printing processing, and an image of each sheet P that is fed out from a sheet bundle P1 stored in the sheet storage unit 12. The image forming unit 13 that performs the transfer process, the fixing device 14 that performs the fixing process on the paper P that has been subjected to the transfer process in the image forming unit 13, and the control unit 80 that controls the operation of each of these units 11, and a paper discharge unit 15 for discharging the paper P on which fixing processing has been performed by the fixing device 14 is provided at the top of the apparatus main body 11.

  A paper cassette 121 is provided in the paper storage unit 12 so as to be detachable with respect to the apparatus main body 11. A pickup roller 122 is provided at the upstream end (right side in FIG. 1) of the paper cassette 121 to feed out the paper P one by one from the paper bundle P1. The paper P fed out of the paper cassette 121 by driving the pickup roller 122 is supplied to the image forming unit 13 through the paper feed conveyance path 123 and the registration roller pair 124 provided at the downstream end of the paper feed conveyance path 123. It is supposed to be paper.

  The image forming unit 13 performs a toner image transfer process on the paper P based on image data transmitted from a personal computer or the like to the printer 1 via a transmission path such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a USB (Universal Serial Bus). The photosensitive drum 20 is provided along the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 20 (photosensitive member) provided to be rotatable around a drum axis extending in the front-rear direction (a direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 1). The charging roller 30, the developing device 50, the transfer roller 60, and the cleaning device 70 are arranged in a clockwise direction from a position immediately above the position. An exposure device 40 (exposure unit) is disposed above the image forming unit 13.

  The photosensitive drum 20 has an amorphous silicon layer laminated on the circumferential surface. The photosensitive drum 20 is pivotally and integrally supported by a drum shaft extending in the front-rear direction (a direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 1) at a substantially central portion of the apparatus main body 11, and is driven by a driving unit (not shown). Rotate clockwise around

  The charging roller 30 forms a uniform charge on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 20 that rotates clockwise, and the peripheral surface is rotated while being in contact with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 20 while being rotated. Electric charges are applied to the body drum 20. Instead of the charging roller 30, a corona discharge type that applies a charge to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 20 by corona discharge from a wire may be employed.

  The exposure device 40 irradiates the peripheral surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 20 with laser light based on image data transmitted from an external device such as a personal computer, and charges the portion irradiated with the laser light. By erasing, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface.

  FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the exposure apparatus 40 shown in FIG. The exposure apparatus 40 shown in FIG. 2 is configured by housing a laser light source 402, a polygon mirror 403, a beam detector 404, an fθ lens 405, a condenser lens 406, and a total reflection mirror 407 in a substantially box-shaped housing 401. . The housing 401 is provided with a slit 408 formed so as to guide the optical path of the laser light from the total reflection mirror 407 to the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 20.

  The laser light source 402 is, for example, a semiconductor laser device that irradiates the polygon mirror 403 with laser light. The polygon mirror 403 has a polygonal column shape (hexagonal shape in FIG. 2 as an example), and its side surface is a reflecting surface. Further, the polygon mirror 403 is rotated at a high speed clockwise by a driving mechanism (not shown), thereby reflecting the laser light emitted from the laser light source 402 to scan in the main scanning direction. The beam detector 404 is, for example, an optical sensor, and outputs a signal indicating the timing at which the laser beam scanned by the polygon mirror 403 is applied to the beam detector 404 to the control unit 80.

  The fθ lens 405 and the condenser lens 406 convert the laser light reflected by the polygon mirror 403 into parallel light and supply it to the total reflection mirror 407. The total reflection mirror 407 bends the optical path of the laser beam made parallel by the fθ lens 405 and the condenser lens 406 and irradiates the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 20 through the slit 408.

  In the exposure apparatus 40 configured as described above, the laser light emitted from the laser light source 402 is reflected by the reflecting surface of the polygon mirror 403 as the polygon mirror 403 rotates, and is applied to the beam detector 404. By moving the reflecting mirror 407 from the right end to the left end in the drawing, scanning for one line in the main scanning direction of the photosensitive drum 20 is performed and exposure is performed. Then, along with the rotation of the polygon mirror 403, the scanning with the laser beam in the main scanning direction is repeated, and the photosensitive drum 20 is rotated in the clockwise direction so that the scanning in the sub scanning direction is performed. The peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum 20 is exposed to form an electrostatic latent image.

  The developing device 50 develops the electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface by supplying toner as a developer to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 20, thereby forming a toner image on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 20. The transfer roller 60 transfers a positively charged toner image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 20 to the paper P with respect to the paper P sent to a position immediately below the photosensitive drum 20. A negative charge having a polarity opposite to that of the image is applied to the paper P.

  Therefore, the sheet P that has passed the position immediately below the photosensitive drum 20 is pressed and held between the transfer roller 60 and the photosensitive drum 20, and the toner image on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 20 that is positively charged is negatively charged. The sheet P is peeled off toward the surface of P, whereby the transfer process is performed on the sheet P.

  The cleaning device 70 removes and cleans the toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 20 after the transfer process. The peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 20 cleaned by the cleaning device 70 is directed to the charging roller 30 again for the next image forming process.

  The fixing device 14 performs a fixing process by heating the toner image of the paper P subjected to the transfer process by the image forming unit 13, and includes a heat roller 141 in which an energizing heating element such as a halogen lamp is mounted, The heat roller 141 is configured to include a pressure roller 142 having a circumferential surface opposed to the lower portion of the heat roller 141. Then, the sheet P after the transfer process passes from the heat roller 141 by passing through the nip portion between the heat roller 141 that rotates and rotates clockwise and the pressure roller 142 that rotates counterclockwise. The fixing process is performed by obtaining the heat. The paper P subjected to the fixing process is discharged to the paper discharge unit 15 through the paper discharge conveyance path 143.

  The paper discharge unit 15 is formed by recessing the top of the apparatus main body 11, and a paper discharge tray 151 for receiving the discharged paper P is formed at the bottom of the recess.

  The control unit 80 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes predetermined arithmetic processing, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores a predetermined control program, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores data. These peripheral circuits and the like are configured, and the operation of each unit in the printer 1 is controlled by executing a control program stored in the ROM.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the printer 1 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes a control unit 80, a communication I / F unit 81, a line width setting switch 82, an image processing unit 83, a laser beam irradiation control unit 84, an exposure device 40, an image forming unit 13, And a paper conveyance path 120 connected to each other, and in accordance with a control signal from the control unit 80, the image processing unit 83, the laser light irradiation control unit 84, the exposure device 40, the image forming unit 13, and the paper conveyance path. By operating 120, an image based on the image data received by the communication I / F unit 81 is formed on the paper P stored in the paper cassette 121.

  The communication I / F unit 81 is a communication interface circuit that performs communication with a personal computer or the like connected via a transmission path 811 such as a LAN or USB (Universal Serial Bus). The communication I / F unit 81 receives a print instruction transmitted from a personal computer or the like via the transmission path 811 and image data to be printed, and converts it into a signal format that can be processed by the control unit 80. To the control unit 80. The control unit 80 outputs the image data S1 output from the communication I / F unit 81 to the image processing unit 83 to perform image processing.

  The line width setting switch 82 is a setting switch such as a dip switch or a rotary switch, for example. The line width setting switch 82 receives a setting value setting for adjusting the line width of the line extending in the sub-scanning direction, and outputs the setting value to the control unit 80. The set value is information indicating an increase amount for increasing the line width of the line extending in the sub-scanning direction, for example. The control unit 80 converts the set value received by the line width setting switch 82 into a laser beam scanning time, and further divides the scanning time by a unit time ts to be described later as a setting information S3. Output to the control unit 84.

  The line width setting switch 82 may be an operation input device such as a numeric keypad or a touch panel attached to an operation panel (not shown). Further, the line width setting switch 82 may be configured to be able to set the setting information S3 directly as a set value, and the control unit 80 may not execute the conversion process of the set value. In this case, the line width setting switch 82 corresponds to an example of a setting value acquisition unit. Alternatively, the communication I / F unit 81 may be used to accept a setting value transmitted from a personal computer or the like connected via the transmission path 811. In this case, the communication I / F unit 81 corresponds to an example of a set value acquisition unit.

  Further, the setting value acquisition unit is not necessarily limited to an example in which setting values are acquired from the outside through user operation input or communication. For example, a sensor for detecting the line width of an image formed on the paper P is provided, and the image forming unit 13 forms an image of a line extending in the sub-scanning direction with a known line width set in advance on the paper P. The line width may be detected by a sensor, and the set value may be acquired based on the difference between the line width detected by the sensor and the set line width.

  The paper transport path 120 is a paper transport mechanism including a pickup roller 122, a paper feed transport path 123, a registration roller pair 124, a paper discharge transport path 143, and the like.

  The image processing unit 83 performs image processing such as smoothing processing on the image data S1 output from the control unit 80. Then, pixel data S2 representing each pixel of the image data subjected to the image processing is sequentially output to the laser light irradiation control unit 84 in the scanning order of the laser light by the exposure device 40. Specifically, the image processing unit 83 is designed to reduce the maximum processing time of one pixel, that is, the laser beam emitted from the exposure device 40, in order to reduce the jagged feeling peculiar to the digital image appearing in the image based on the digitalized image data. During the scanning period in the main scanning direction, the positions of the dots are left-justified, centered, and right-justified within the range of the dot period, which is a constant period for performing exposure of each dot corresponding to each pixel sequentially. One of them is set so that when dots form a continuous image, each dot constituting a straight line or a curve is connected continuously and smoothly.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the pixel data S <b> 2 that has been subjected to the smoothing process by the image processing unit 83. 4A shows the pixel data S2 set to be left-justified by the image processing unit 83, and FIG. 4B shows the pixel data S2 set to be arranged in the center by the image processing unit 83. FIG. 4C shows pixel data S <b> 2 that has been set to be right-justified by the image processing unit 83.

  As shown in FIG. 4, each pixel data S2 is composed of, for example, 6 bits, of which 4 bits indicate the density value of the pixel in 16 levels from 0 to 15, and the remaining 2 bits indicate the pixel. The position of the shift is set. In this case, for example, if the density value of the pixel data S2 is “0”, this indicates that the pixel is white, and no dot corresponding to the pixel is formed. Further, if the density value of the pixel data S2 is “1” to “15”, the larger the density value, the longer the scanning time (dot length) of the laser light in the main scanning direction. An image corresponding to the density of the pixel is formed.

  The laser light irradiation control unit 84 generates a laser control signal S4 having a pulse width corresponding to the gradation (density) of each pixel in accordance with the pixel data S2 output from the image processing unit 83, and a shift position of each pixel. And is output to the exposure apparatus 40. The exposure device 40 emits (turns on) the laser light source 402 for a time corresponding to the pulse width of the laser control signal S4 during the scanning in the main scanning direction with the laser light to expose the photosensitive drum 20 to one pixel. Is formed on the photosensitive drum 20. The beam detector 404 outputs a beam detector signal BD (main scanning synchronization signal) to the laser beam irradiation control unit 84 for taking a scanning start timing for each line when irradiated with the laser beam.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a detailed configuration of the laser light irradiation control unit 84. 5 includes an oscillator 841 (basic periodic signal generating unit), a frequency dividing circuit 842 (dot periodic signal generating unit), a laser output timing setting unit 843, an LUT (Look Up Table) 844, an edge. A conversion unit 845, a skew adjustment unit 846, a laser output timing adjustment unit 847, a pulse generation unit 848, a delay chain circuit 849 (series delay circuit), a switching circuit 850, a skew detection unit 851, and an output switching circuit 852 are provided.

  The oscillator 841 operates by synchronizing the edge conversion unit 845, the skew adjustment unit 846, the laser output timing adjustment unit 847, the pulse generation unit 848, the delay chain circuit 849, the switching circuit 850, the skew detection unit 851, and the output switching circuit 852. For example, a crystal oscillator is used as an oscillator that generates a basic clock signal CLK1 (basic periodic signal). The basic clock signal CLK1 is set to, for example, 250 MHz, and the basic period t1 of the basic clock signal CLK1 is set to 4 nsec.

  The frequency dividing circuit 842 divides the basic clock signal CLK1 output from the oscillator 841 and performs dot exposure that is a constant cycle for sequentially performing exposure of each dot during the scanning period in the main scanning direction by the exposure device 40. A dot clock signal CLK2 (dot period signal) indicating the period is generated. The dot clock signal CLK2 is set to 50 MHz, for example, and the dot cycle t2 is set to 20 nsec.

  The delay chain circuit 849 is connected with, for example, 128 unit delay circuits that delay the signal by a unit time ts, which is a time obtained by equally dividing the basic period t1 into a preset division number n. Has been. In this case, the division number n is set to 40, for example, and the unit time ts is set to 0.1 nsec, for example.

  In the LUT 844, data indicating the first on timing at which the laser beam is to be turned on and the first off timing at which the laser beam is to be turned off are stored in association with each other according to the density value indicated by the pixel data S2 and the shift position. Yes. In the LUT 844, the first on-timing is expressed as a first on-timing conversion value corresponding to a quotient obtained by dividing the time from the head timing of the dot cycle t2 to the first on-timing by the unit time ts. The first off timing is expressed as a first off timing converted value corresponding to a quotient obtained by dividing the time from the head timing of the dot cycle t2 to the first off timing by the unit time ts.

  The laser output timing setting unit 843 sets the first on-timing converted value and the first off-timing converted value according to the pixel data S2 output from the image processing unit 83 by referring to the LUT 844, and the first The first timing information S21 indicating the 1 on-timing conversion value and the first off-timing conversion value is output to the edge conversion unit 845.

  The edge conversion unit 845 compares adjacent pixels on the scan line in the main scanning direction based on the first timing information S21 output from the laser output timing setting unit 843, so that originally consecutive dots are the same. When there are positions of a falling edge (timing when the laser beam is turned off) and a rising edge (timing when the laser beam is turned off), the first timing information S21 indicates that the dots are drawn continuously without a break. The 1 on-timing conversion value and the first off-timing conversion value are adjusted and output to the skew adjustment unit 846 as timing information S22.

  In the skew adjustment unit 846, the pulse generation unit 848 and the delay chain circuit 849 operate in synchronization with the basic clock signal CLK1 of 250 MHz, for example, whereas the timing of the beam detect signal BD is different from the basic clock signal CLK1. The timing shift that occurs due to the asynchronous is corrected. Specifically, the skew value output from the skew detection unit 851 is added to the first on-timing converted value and the first off-timing converted value indicated by the timing information S22, thereby correcting the skew, and the timing information. In step S23, the laser output timing adjustment unit 847 outputs the result.

  The laser output timing adjustment unit 847 sets the difference between the first on-timing conversion value and the first off-timing conversion value indicated by the timing information S23 output from the skew adjustment unit 846, as setting information S3 output from the control unit 80. A new first on-timing conversion value and a first off-timing conversion value obtained by adjusting according to the above are respectively set as a second on-timing conversion value and a second off-timing conversion value.

  More specifically, the laser output timing adjustment unit 847 sets the first on-timing conversion value indicated by the timing information S23 as the second on-timing conversion value as it is, and as the increase amount indicated by the setting information S3 increases. For example, by adding the setting information S3 to the first off-timing converted value so as to increase the amount of increase in the second off-timing converted value with respect to the first off-timing converted value indicated by the timing information S23, the second off timing Set the conversion value. Then, the laser output timing adjustment unit 847 outputs the second timing information S24 indicating the second on-timing conversion value and the second off-timing conversion value to the pulse generation unit 848.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the pulse generation unit 848. FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the configuration of the delay chain circuit 849. First, the delay chain circuit 849 shown in FIG. 7 includes 128 flip-flop circuits 100_1 to 100_128, 128 EX-OR (exclusive OR) gates 200_1 to 200_128 (logic gates), and 128 flip-flops. Circuits 300_1 to 300_128. Each of the EX-OR gates 200_1 to 200_128 corresponds to an example of a unit delay circuit having a gate delay time of unit time ts. Hereinafter, when referring generically, it shows with the reference symbol which abbreviate | omitted the suffix, and when referring to an individual structure, it shows with the reference symbol which attached the suffix.

  Then, the output signal of the switching circuit 850 is input to one input terminal of the EX-OR gate 200_128 via the input buffer 202, and one of the two input terminals of the EX-OR gates 200_1 to 200_127 is connected to the previous stage EX. By connecting the output terminal of the -OR gate 200, the EX-OR gate 200 is connected in 128 stages in series to form a series delay circuit.

  A pulse generation unit 848 is connected to data input terminals of the flip-flop circuits 100_1 to 100_128. Output signals of the flip-flop circuits 100_1 to 100_128 are output to the other input terminals of the EX-OR gates 200_1 to 200_128. The output signals of the EX-OR gates 200_1 to 200_128 are output to the data input terminals of the flip-flop circuits 300_1 to 300_128, and the output signals of the flip-flop circuits 300_1 to 300_128 are output to the skew detection unit 851. The basic clock signal CLK1 is input to clock input terminals of the flip-flop circuits 100_1 to 100_128 and the flip-flop circuits 300_1 to 300_128. The output signal of the final EX-OR gate 200_1 in the series delay circuit of the EX-OR gates 200_1 to 200_128 is output to the exposure apparatus 40 as the laser control signal S4.

  The subscripts of the flip-flop circuits 100_1 to 100_128, the EX-OR gates 200_1 to 200_128, and the flip-flop circuits 300_1 to 300_128 correspond to the number of stages counted from the last stage in the series delay circuit.

  6 includes a first subtraction circuit 481, a first delay control unit 482, a second subtraction circuit 483, a second delay control unit 484, a third subtraction circuit 485, a third delay control unit 486, A 4 subtraction circuit 487 and a fourth delay control unit 488 are provided.

  When the second timing information S24 is output from the laser output timing adjustment unit 847 in synchronization with the dot clock signal CLK2, the first subtraction circuit 481 sets the second on-timing conversion value and starts from the head timing of the dot cycle. For each period of the basic clock signal CLK1, the division number n is sequentially subtracted from the second on-timing converted value, and the subtraction result is output to the first delay control unit 482.

  The first delay control unit 482 is configured using, for example, a comparison circuit. When the numerical value obtained as a result of the subtraction by the first subtraction circuit 481 is less than the division number n, the first delay control unit 482 sets the number of stages (subscript) of the numerical value. The data input signal of the corresponding flip-flop circuit 100 is changed to high level.

  When the second timing information S24 is output from the laser output timing adjustment unit 847 in synchronization with the dot clock signal CLK2, the second subtraction circuit 483 sets the second off-timing conversion value and starts from the leading timing of the dot cycle. For each period of the basic clock signal CLK1, the division number n is sequentially subtracted from the second off-timing converted value, and the subtraction result is output to the second delay control unit 484.

  The second delay control unit 484 is configured by using, for example, a comparison circuit. When the numerical value obtained as a result of the subtraction by the second subtraction circuit 483 is less than the division number n, the second delay control unit 484 sets the number of stages (subscript) of the numerical value. The data input signal of the corresponding flip-flop circuit 100 is changed to high level.

  The third subtraction circuit 485, the third delay control unit 486, the fourth subtraction circuit 487, and the fourth delay control unit 488 are the first subtraction circuit 481, the first delay control unit 482, the second subtraction circuit 483, and the second subtraction circuit 483. By operating in parallel with the delay control unit 484, the timing for scanning the dots of two consecutive pixels can be generated in parallel. The third subtraction circuit 485, the third delay control unit 486, the fourth subtraction circuit 487, and the fourth delay control unit 488 are the first subtraction circuit 481, the first delay control unit 482, the second subtraction circuit 483, and the second subtraction circuit 483. Since the configuration is the same as that of the delay control unit 484, the description thereof is omitted. In this case, the pulse generation unit 848 and the delay chain circuit 849 correspond to an example of the exposure control unit.

  The skew detection unit 851 detects the number of delay stages of the EX-OR gate 200 per basic period t1, that is, the calibration value of the division number n, based on the output signals of the flip-flop circuits 300_1 to 300_128, and performs the LUT 844 and the pulse generation unit 848. Or a deviation (skew) between the timing of the beam detect signal BD and the basic clock signal CLK1 is detected and output to the skew adjustment unit 846.

  Next, the operation of the printer 1 configured as described above will be described. First, the image data S1 received from the personal computer or the like connected via the transmission path 811 by the communication I / F unit 81 is output to the image processing unit 83 by the control unit 80. Then, the image processing unit 83 performs image processing such as smoothing processing on the image data S1 to generate pixel data S2 indicating the density and the position of each pixel as shown in FIG. To the unit 84.

  Prior to the scanning of the laser beam based on the pixel data S2, the skew detection unit 851 detects the skew value at the head timing for each scan line and outputs the skew value to the skew adjustment unit 846.

  Next, a first on-timing converted value and a first off-timing converted value according to the pixel data S2 output from the image processing unit 83 using the LUT 844 by the laser output timing setting unit 843 in the laser light irradiation control unit 84. Are set, and first timing information S21 indicating the first on-timing conversion value and the first off-timing conversion value is output to the edge conversion unit 845.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the contents of the LUT 844. 8A shows a left-justified conversion table, FIG. 8B shows a center-placed conversion table, and FIG. 8C shows a right-justified conversion table. In FIG. 8, the first on-timing for turning on the laser beam is shown as a first on-timing conversion value, and the first off-timing for turning off the laser beam is shown as a first off-timing conversion value.

  In this case, the difference between the first on-timing converted value and the first off-timing converted value increases as the density value increases. If the difference between the first on-timing conversion value and the first off-timing conversion value is large, the scanning time by the laser light becomes long, and the size of the dots formed in the image is increased, thereby expressing the pixel density. It has become so.

  In this case, since turning on the laser beam from the beginning to the end of the dot cycle t2 maximizes the pixel density, the LUT 844 causes a delay of the dot cycle t2 by the delay chain circuit 849. The correspondence relationship between the density value and the number of delay stages is set so that the number of EX-OR gates 200 required for this purpose, that is, the number of delay stages per dot period t2, corresponds to the maximum density value 15, and the first ON The first on-timing conversion value and the first off-timing conversion value are set such that the difference between the timing conversion value and the first off-timing conversion value is the number of delay stages corresponding to the density value.

  Since the dot period t2 is 20 nsec and the gate delay time of the EX-OR gate 200, that is, the unit time ts is 0.1 nsec, the maximum density 15 is 200 in terms of the number of delay stages. The minimum density 0 is 0 in terms of the number of delay stages.

  First, conversion of the left side pixel data shown in FIG. 8A will be described. In the LUT 844, a conversion value is set according to the characteristics of the printer 1, but for simplicity of explanation, the density value is linearly complemented to obtain a first on-timing conversion value and a first off-timing conversion value. It shall be converted. When the total number of delay stages 200 per dot cycle t2 described above is made to correspond to the maximum density 15, as shown in FIG. 8A, the density d is left-justified, so the first on-timing conversion value is 0, The 1-off timing conversion value can be expressed by 200 × d / 15 (rounded off after the decimal point). The first off-timing conversion value of the density 15 is originally 200, but when the first on-timing conversion value of the subsequent pixel is 0, the fall and rise of the laser control signal S4 for controlling the laser emission are They occur almost simultaneously, and noise and pixel breaks may occur. Therefore, when the first off-timing conversion value is 200, the maximum value that can be handled by the LUT 844 configured by software or hardware, for example, is assigned as the first off-timing conversion value. In this example, the maximum value is set to 4095.

  Next, conversion of pixel data in the central arrangement shown in FIG. 8B will be described. Basically, the first on-timing conversion value is the maximum density width, that is, the median value of the front half 100 of the total delay stage number 200, and the first off-timing conversion value is the rear half 100. The first on-timing converted value and the first off-timing converted value are set so as to be the median value.

  As described above, when the first off-timing conversion value is 200, it is changed to 4095. The first on-timing conversion value of the density d is expressed as 100-100 × d / 15 (rounded off after the decimal point), and the first off-timing conversion value is expressed as 100 + 100 × d / 15 (rounded down after the decimal point).

  Further, conversion of right-justified pixel data shown in FIG. 8C will be described. Basically, the left-justified base point is reversed left and right. The first on-timing conversion value of the density d is 200−200 × d / 15 (rounded off after the decimal point), and the first off-timing conversion value is 200 at all the concentrations, and is changed to 4095 for the above-described reason. The Note that the data with reference numerals d1 to d3 indicate examples of data used in the following description.

  Here, the basic period t1 is 4 nsec, which is five times the dot period t2. Therefore, the laser output timing setting unit 843 is obtained by multiplying the calibration value of the division number n (the number of delay stages of the EX-OR gate 200 per basic period t1) output from the skew detection unit 851 by a factor of 5. The value is used as the number of delay stages per dot period t2, and the first on-timing conversion value and the first off-timing conversion value are newly set in the LUT 844, thereby configuring the value of the LUT 844.

  Next, the operation of the edge conversion unit 845 will be described. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining operations of the edge conversion unit 845 and the skew adjustment unit 846. FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating an example in which a break occurs in the laser control signal S4 when adjacent pixel data continues. The laser control signal S4 is such that the laser light source 402 is turned off at a low level and the laser light source 402 emits light at a high level. In FIG. 9A, as shown as gap1 or gap2, the flag indicating that the first off-timing conversion value of the pixel of interest is 200 (the laser output timing setting unit 843 converts it to 4095). ), When the first off-timing conversion value of the next pixel data is 0, the two pixel data are inherently continuous.

  However, when the first off-timing conversion value of the target pixel is 200 and the first on-timing conversion value of the next pixel is 0, laser control is performed based on the first off-timing conversion value and the first on-timing conversion value as they are. When the signal S4 is generated, the delay chain circuit 849 may cause a break in the laser control signal S4 at the pixel boundary in the laser control signal S4.

  Therefore, the edge conversion unit 845 performs conversion by the following procedure so that the delay chain circuit 849 does not cause a break in the laser control signal S4. That is, when the first off-timing conversion value of the previous pixel is the end (4095) and the first on-timing conversion value of the target pixel is the leading end (0), the first on-timing conversion value of the target pixel is changed to 8191. In other cases, when the first on-timing conversion value of the previous pixel is 4095, the rising edge position of the target pixel is replaced with 200. When the first off-timing conversion value of the rear pixel is the leading end (0) and the first off-timing conversion value of the target pixel is 4095, the first off-timing conversion value of the target pixel is replaced with 8191. Other than this, when the first off-timing conversion value of the rear pixel is 4095, the first on-timing conversion value of the target pixel is replaced with 200.

  FIG. 9B shows the first on-timing conversion value and the first off when the pixel data d1, d2, d3 shown in FIG. 8 are input to the edge conversion unit 845 as the pixel 1, pixel 2, and pixel 3. It is explanatory drawing which shows a timing conversion value. FIG. 9C is an explanatory diagram showing pixel data after the edge conversion unit 845 has edge-converted (replaced) the pixel data of FIG. 9B according to the above-described edge conversion procedure.

  Next, the operation of the skew adjustment unit 846 will be described. How the skew value for skew adjustment is generated will be described later. In the skew adjustment unit 846, the skew value detected by the skew detection unit 851 is fed back, and is uniformly added to the first on-timing conversion value and the first off-timing conversion value of each pixel data by an arithmetic circuit (not shown). Is done. However, when those values are 8191, they are not added. FIG. 9D is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example in which the skew adjustment unit 846 adds the above-described skew value to the pixel data illustrated in FIG. 9C output from the edge conversion unit 845. In this example, 10 skew values are added in units of delay stages, and corrected pixel data is shown. The first on-timing converted value and the first off-timing converted value corrected in this way are output to the laser output timing adjusting unit 847 as timing information S23.

  Next, the operation of the laser output timing adjustment unit 847 will be described. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the laser output timing adjustment unit 847. The laser output timing adjustment unit 847 uses the first on-timing conversion value included in the timing information S23 output from the skew adjustment unit 846 as it is as the second on-timing conversion value, and the first off-timing conversion value is 8191. In addition to the above, the setting information S3 output from the control unit 80 is added to obtain a second off-timing converted value, and the second on-timing converted value and the second off-timing converted value obtained in this manner are used as the second off-timing converted value. It outputs to the pulse generation part 848 as timing information S24.

  The laser output timing adjustment unit 847 sets the difference between the second on-timing converted value and the second off-timing converted value by the setting information S3 rather than the difference between the first on-timing converted value and the first off-timing converted value. For example, the value of 1/2 of the setting information S3 is subtracted from the first on-timing conversion value to obtain the second on-timing conversion value, and the value of 1/2 of the setting information S3 is It is good also as a 2nd off timing conversion value by adding to 1 off timing conversion value.

  Next, based on the second timing information S24 output from the laser output timing adjustment unit 847, the pulse generation unit 848 and the delay chain circuit 849 generate the laser control signal S4, and the laser drive voltage generation circuit (not shown) In response to the laser control signal S 4, a voltage and a current for causing the laser light source 402 to emit light are generated and supplied to the laser light source 402.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of operations of the pulse generator 848 and the delay chain circuit 849 when the set value is not input by the line width setting switch 82, that is, when the setting information S3 is “0”. It is a timing chart. In this case, the second on-timing converted value and the second off-timing converted value in the second timing information S24 output from the laser output timing adjusting unit 847 are the first on-timing converted value shown in FIG. Equal to off-timing conversion value.

  Then, first, in synchronization with the rise of the dot clock signal CLK2, the second on-timing conversion value “143” and the second off-timing conversion value “210” of the pixel 1 output from the laser output timing adjustment unit 847 are: The first subtraction circuit 481 and the second subtraction circuit 483 are set. Further, the flip-flop circuits 100_1 to 100_128 are cleared in advance. Then, the first subtraction circuit 481 and the second subtraction circuit 483 sequentially subtract the division number n “40” in synchronization with the rising timing of the basic clock signal CLK1, and the subtraction result is the first delay control unit 482, And output to the 2-delay control unit 484.

  When the subtraction value of the first subtraction circuit 481 becomes 23 at the rise timing of the third clock of the basic clock signal CLK1, and becomes smaller than the division number n “40”, the first delay control unit 482 causes the subtraction value “23. The data input signal of the flip-flop circuit 100_23 of the delay chain circuit 849 corresponding to "" is set to the high level, and one input signal of the EX-OR gate 200_23 is set to the high level at the rising timing (timing T1) of the next basic clock signal CLK1. To be.

  Since the low level signal is input from the switching circuit 850 to the input buffer 202 and the output level of the EX-OR gates 200_1 to 200_128 is set to the low level in advance, one input signal of the EX-OR gate 200_23 is input. Is set to the high level, the output signal of the EX-OR gate 200_23 is inverted to become the high level, and the subsequent output levels of the EX-OR gates 200_22 to 200_1 are sequentially changed to the high level. The laser control signal S4 rises after the gate delay time of the EX-OR gates 200_23 to 200_1, that is, the unit time ts × 23.

  On the other hand, the subtraction value of the second subtraction circuit 483 becomes 10 at the rising timing of the fifth clock of the basic clock signal CLK1, and when it becomes smaller than the division number n “40”, the second delay control unit 484 causes the subtraction value “10”. The data input signal of the flip-flop circuit 100_10 of the delay chain circuit 849 corresponding to "" is set to the high level, and one input signal of the EX-OR gate 200_10 is set to the high level at the next rising timing (timing T2) of the basic clock signal CLK1. To be. Then, as a result of the output level of the EX-OR gates 200_10 to 200_1 being sequentially inverted and changed to the low level, the gate delay time of the EX-OR gates 200_10 to 200_1, that is, the time of unit time ts × 10 has elapsed from the timing T2. Later, the laser control signal S4 falls.

  On the other hand, the second sub-timing conversion value “197” and the second off-timing conversion value “8191” of the next pixel 2 are synchronized with the next rising edge (timing T3) of the dot clock signal CLK2, and the third subtraction circuit. 485 and the fourth subtraction circuit 487 are set. Thereafter, the third subtraction circuit 485, the third delay control unit 486, the fourth subtraction circuit 487, the fourth delay control unit 488, and the delay chain circuit 849, the first subtraction circuit 481, the first delay control unit 482, the second By the same operation as in the case of the subtracting circuit 483 and the second delay control unit 484, the pulse signal of the laser control signal S4 corresponding to the pixel 2 rises after the time of unit time ts × 37 has elapsed from the timing T4, and the timing It falls after a time of unit time ts × 23 has elapsed from T5. The laser light source 402 emits light according to the laser control signal S4 obtained in this way, so that dots are formed according to the image data S1.

  FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing an example of operations of the pulse generation unit 848 and the delay chain circuit 849 when a set value is input by the line width setting switch 82 and the setting information S3 is “100”, for example. is there. In this case, the second timing information S24 output from the laser output timing adjustment unit 847 is, for example, as shown in FIG.

  Then, first, the rising timing of the laser control signal S4 in the pixel 1 is the timing at which the unit time ts × 23 has elapsed from the timing T1, as in the case shown in FIG. On the other hand, the second off timing converted value in the pixel 1 is set to “310” by adding the setting information S3 “100” to the second off timing converted value “210” in the case shown in FIG. 310 ”is subtracted by the second subtraction circuit 483. Then, the setting information S3 “100” corresponds to the basic cycle t1 × 2 + unit time ts × 20 of the basic clock signal CLK1, and therefore from the timing T6 that is two clocks later than the timing T2 in FIG. The laser control signal S4 falls at the timing when a unit time ts × 30, which is a delay time of 10 EX-OR gates 200, has elapsed.

  Then, the high level period in the laser control signal S4 is extended by a unit time ts × 100 according to the set value accepted by the line width setting switch 82. Accordingly, since the scanning length of the laser beam in the main scanning direction of one dot is increased, an image can be obtained even if the line width of the line extending in the sub-scanning direction is one dot regardless of the presence or absence of a dot adjacent to the dot. Without changing the data S1, the line width of the line extending in the sub-scanning direction is increased according to the setting value accepted by the line width setting switch 82, so that the line width in the main scanning direction and the line width in the sub-scanning direction are increased. It becomes easy to reduce the difference from the line width.

  As a result, for example, when a test pattern is printed at the time of shipment from the factory of the printer 1, an image is formed in which a line extending in the sub-scanning direction is narrower than a line extending in the main scanning direction, or due to aged deterioration of the printer 1. A line width setting switch that allows the operator and user to make the line extending in the sub-scanning direction thicker when the line extending in the sub-scanning direction is narrower than the line extending in the main scanning direction due to the characteristic change. By adjusting the set value 82, or by setting the set value experimentally obtained according to the characteristic specific to each model of the image forming apparatus by the line width setting switch 82 at the time of shipment from the factory. Then, the control unit 80 converts the set value received by the line width setting switch 82 into the scanning time of the laser beam, and the quotient obtained by dividing the scanning time by the unit time ts is the setting information S3. Is output to the laser light irradiation controller 84 then. Then, the setting information S3 is added to the first off-timing converted value by the laser output timing adjustment unit 847, so that the exposure time in the main scanning direction of the dot corresponding to the pixel is increased, so that it extends in the sub-scanning direction. By increasing the line width of the lines, the difference in line width between the lines in the main scanning direction and the lines in the sub-scanning direction can be reduced, and the image quality can be easily improved. In this case, it is not necessary to change the image data to be formed by the image processing unit 83 by image processing that thickens the line in the sub-scanning direction, and the setting information S3 is added by the laser output timing adjustment unit 847. Thus, the line in the sub-scanning direction can be thickened, so that the processing can be simplified.

  Next, the operation of the skew detection unit 851 will be described. FIG. 13 is a timing chart for explaining the skew value detection operation by the skew detector 851. FIG. 13A is an example in which the beam detect signal BD is delayed by 30 delay stages from the rising timing of the basic clock signal CLK1. (B) is an example in which the beam detect signal BD is delayed by 20 delay stages from the rising timing of the basic clock signal CLK1.

  In order to detect and feed back the deviation between the beam detect signal BD and the basic clock signal CLK1 before starting scanning for each line, the flip-flop circuits 300_1 to 300_128 shown in FIG. 7 are first cleared. Subsequently, the beam detect signal BD is selected by the switching circuit 850 shown in FIG. 5, and preparations for inputting the beam detect signal BD to the input buffer 202 shown in FIG. 7 are completed.

  From the top of FIG. 10A, the basic clock signal CLK1, the beam detect signal BD output from the beam detector 404, the beam detect signal BD output from the output buffer 201, and the flip-flop circuits 300_1 to 300_128 by the skew detector 851. The detected value of the output state, the skew value based on the output state of the flip-flop circuit 300, and the image signal are respectively shown.

  First, at time T1a, the beam detect signal BD from the beam detector 404 is input to the most upstream EX-OR gate 200_128 via the input buffer 202. Thereafter, the beam detect signal BD is delayed and propagated through the EX-OR gate 200_n toward the downstream. Therefore, the output of the EX-OR gate 200 — n that changes every moment is received, and the output of the flip-flop circuit 300 — n is detected by the skew detector 851 every time the basic clock signal CLK1 input to the flip-flop circuit 300 — n rises. That is, the first detection is performed at time T2a. At that time, the beam detect signal BD has already advanced the EX-OR gate 200 from the upstream by 10 delay stages, so that the high level is detected from the flip-flop circuits 300_128 to 300_119. (Remaining stage number 118). In FIG. 13A, it is simply indicated by 118 and a numerical value.

  Since the number of delay stages per basic clock signal CLK1 is 40, the next basic clock signal CLK1 detects a high level from flip-flop circuit 300_128 to flip-flop circuit 300_79 (remaining stage number 78). Similarly, a high level is detected from the flip-flop circuit 300_128 to the flip-flop circuit 300_39 by the basic clock signal CLK1 at time T3a (the remaining number of stages 38). Further, the delay propagates, and the beam detect signal BD is output from the output buffer 201 at time T4a when the remaining number of stages 38 delays has elapsed. After that, the high level is detected up to the flip-flop circuit 300_1 by the basic clock signal CLK1 at time T5a.

  In this example, the skew value fed back is the value detected by the skew detection unit 851 immediately before all the flip-flop circuits 300_128 to 300_1 become high level, that is, the delay stage number 38. This value is also a value detected by the previous basic clock signal CLK1 in which the value detected by the skew detector 851 becomes zero. Further, this value is also a value in which n of the flip-flop circuit 300_n detected by the basic clock signal CLK1 or the number of remaining stages is less than the number of delay stages per basic clock signal CLK1 (less than 40 in this example).

  Thereafter, data output based on the pixel data is started at time T6a, which is delayed by one clock (delay stage number 40) of the basic clock signal CLK1 from time T5a when the value detected by the skew detector 851 becomes 0. However, as described above, since the skew value is added to each of the rising and falling edge positions of the pixel data, the data is substantially reduced from the time T7a delayed by the skew value (38 in this example) from the time T6a. Output will be started. When the skew value is detected, since the delayed beam detect signal BD is output from the output buffer 201, all flip-flop circuits are output before the image signal is output from the same output buffer at time T7a. 100_1 to 100_128 are cleared, the outputs of the EX-OR gates 200_1 to 200_128 are set to the low level, and the flip-flop circuits 300_1 to 300_128 are also cleared.

  In the example of FIG. 13B, the beam detect signal BD is delayed by 20 delay stages from the basic clock signal CLK1. At time T1b, the beam detect signal BD is input to the most upstream EX-OR gate 200_128 via the input buffer 202. Thereafter, the beam detect signal BD is delayed and propagated through the EX-OR gate 200_n toward the downstream. Therefore, the output of the EX-OR gate 200 — n that changes every moment is received, and the output of the flip-flop circuit 300 — n is detected by the skew detection unit 851 every time the basic clock signal CLK1 input to the flip-flop circuit 300 — n rises. That is, the first detection is performed at time T2b. At this time, the beam detect signal BD has already advanced the EX-OR gate 200 from the upstream by 20 delay stages, so that the high level from the flip-flop circuit 300_128 to the flip-flop circuit 300_109. Is detected (remaining stage number 108). In the figure, it is simply indicated by 108 and a numerical value.

  Since the number of delay stages per cycle of the basic clock signal CLK1 is 40, the next basic clock signal CLK1 detects a high level from the flip-flop circuit 300_128 to the flip-flop circuit 300_69 (remaining stage number 68). Similarly, the high level is detected from the flip-flop circuit 300_128 to the flip-flop circuit 300_29 by the basic clock signal CLK1 at time T3b (remaining stage number 28). Further, the delay propagates, and the beam detect signal BD is output from the output buffer 201 at time T4b when the remaining number of stages 28 delays. After that, the high level is detected up to the flip-flop circuit 300_1 by the basic clock signal CLK1 at time T5b.

  In this example, the skew value fed back is the value detected by the skew detection unit 851 immediately before all the flip-flop circuits 300_128 to 300_1 become high level, that is, the delay stage number 28. This value is also a value detected by the previous basic clock signal CLK1 in which the value detected by the skew detector 851 becomes zero. Further, this value is also a value in which n of the flip-flop circuit 300_n detected by the basic clock signal CLK1 or the number of remaining stages is less than the number of delay stages per basic clock signal CLK1 (less than 40 in this example).

  Thereafter, data output based on the pixel data is started from time T6b, which is delayed by one clock (delay stage number 40) of the basic clock signal CLK1 from time T5b when the value detected by the skew detector 851 becomes 0. However, since the skew value is added to each of the rising and falling edge positions of the pixel data as described above, the data is substantially reduced from the time T7b delayed by the skew value (28 in this example) from the time T6b. Output will be started. Further, when the skew value is detected, the delayed beam detect signal BD is output from the output buffer 201, so that all flip-flops 100_1 are output before the image signal is output from the same output buffer at time T7b. To 100_128 are cleared, the EX-OR gates 200_1 to 200_128 are cleared, and the flip-flop circuits 300_1 to 300_128 are also cleared.

  As is clear from the above description, both the examples of FIGS. 13A and 13B are always delayed by 80 delay stages from the time when the beam detect signal BD at time T4a or T4b is output from the output buffer 201. Data output starts at time T7a or T7b. Alternatively, the pulse output at time T4a or T4b is performed after a certain number of delay stages always elapses from the rise of the beam detect signal BD at time T1a or T1b. Therefore, as described above, the time from the beam detect signal BD to the start of image signal output does not vary from scan line to scan line, and it is possible to control a semiconductor laser with little image quality degradation.

  In the control from the LUT 844 to the skew detection unit 851, the number of delay stages per basic clock signal CLK1 has been described as 40. However, even if the same delay chain circuit 849 is used, the delay chain may vary depending on temperature and power supply fluctuations. A case where the delay speed of the circuit 849 changes is also conceivable. In this case as well, the influence appears as a variation in pixel density or a shift in the start timing of the scan line, but it does not occur for each scan line unlike the shift between the beam detect signal BD and the basic clock signal CLK1. The effect on image quality is not significant. However, the influence cannot be ignored in a high-speed or high-resolution image forming apparatus. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the number of delay stages per one basic clock signal CLK1, which is generated by a change in the operating environment, that is, the division number n is corrected by the following method.

  In the control of the printer 1, delay stage number calibration is performed for each print job or each print page. When calibration is performed, a calibration signal is selected as an input signal by the switching circuit 850 shown in FIG. The selected calibration signal is delayed and propagated downstream from the EX-OR gate 300_128 in FIG. Similar to the description of the skew detection unit 851, for each basic clock, the skew detection unit 851 detects the state of the flip-flop circuits 300_128 to 300_1, and sequentially acquires the number of delay stages (division number n) per basic clock signal CLK1. Finally, the average of those values is calculated and set as the division number n fed back to the LUT 844.

  In practice, as shown in FIG. 5, when the output switching circuit 29 is provided on the output side of the skew detection unit 851 and the skew value is detected, the feedback to the skew adjustment unit 846 is validated and the delay per basic clock. When detecting the number of stages, control is performed to enable feedback to the LUT 844.

  As a result, the number of delay stages per basic clock signal CLK1 generated by the change in the operating environment can be corrected, so that the influence on the scanning timing of the laser beam due to the change in the operating environment can be reduced.

1 is an explanatory diagram of a front sectional view of a printer that is an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the exposure apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electrical configuration of the printer illustrated in FIG. 1. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the pixel data by which the smoothing process was performed by the image process part shown in FIG. (A) shows pixel data set to the left by the image processing unit, (b) shows pixel data set to be arranged in the center by the image processing unit, and (c) shows the image processing unit. Indicates pixel data set to be right-justified. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a detailed structure of the laser beam irradiation control part shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a pulse generation unit illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a delay chain circuit illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the contents of the LUT illustrated in FIG. 5. (A) shows a left-justified conversion table, (b) shows a centrally arranged conversion table, and (c) shows a right-justified conversion table. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the edge converter and skew adjustment part shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the laser output timing adjustment part shown in FIG. 6 is a timing chart illustrating an example of operations of the pulse generation unit and the delay chain circuit illustrated in FIG. 5. 6 is a timing chart illustrating an example of operations of the pulse generation unit and the delay chain circuit illustrated in FIG. 5. 6 is a timing chart for explaining a skew value detection operation by the skew detection unit shown in FIG. 5. (A) is an example in which the beam detect signal is delayed by 30 delay stages from the rising timing of the basic clock signal, and (b) is an example in which the beam detect signal is delayed by 20 delay stages from the rising timing of the basic clock signal. . It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating background art. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating background art.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 13 Image formation part 14 Fixing apparatus 20 Photosensitive drum 29 Output switching circuit 30 Charging roller 40 Exposure apparatus 50 Developing apparatus 80 Control part 81 Communication I / F part 82 Line width setting switch 83 Image processing part 84 Laser beam irradiation control part 100,300 flip-flop circuit 200 EX-OR gate 402 laser light source 403 polygon mirror 404 beam detector 405 fθ lens 406 condenser lens 407 total reflection mirror 408 slit 481 first subtraction circuit 482 first delay control unit 483 second subtraction circuit 484 second 2 delay control unit 485 third subtraction circuit 486 third delay control unit 487 fourth subtraction circuit 488 fourth delay control unit 841 oscillator 842 frequency dividing circuit 843 laser output timing setting unit 845 edge conversion unit 846 skew adjustment unit 47 Laser output timing adjustment section 848 Pulse generation section 849 Delay chain circuit 850 switching circuit 851 skew detection section 852 output switching circuit CLK1 basic clock signal CLK2 dot clock signal S1 image data S21 first timing information S24 second timing information S3 setting information S4 Laser control signal n Number of divisions t1 Basic period t2 Dot period ts Unit time

Claims (6)

A photoreceptor,
An exposure unit that exposes the photoconductor by scanning the photoconductor by outputting a laser beam;
During the scanning period in the main scanning direction by the exposure unit, based on image data representing an image by a plurality of pixels, the laser beam for exposing dots indicating each pixel of the image represented by the image data A laser output timing setting section for setting a first on timing for turning on the output and a first off timing for turning off the output;
A setting value acquisition unit for acquiring a setting value for adjusting the line width of the linear image extending in the sub-scanning direction;
A new first ON that is obtained by adjusting the time interval between the first ON timing and the first OFF timing set by the laser output timing setting unit according to the setting value acquired by the setting value acquisition unit. A laser output timing adjustment unit that sets the timing and the first off timing as the second on timing and the second off timing, respectively;
During the scanning period in the main scanning direction by the exposure unit, the laser beam output is turned on by the exposure unit in accordance with the second on-timing set by the laser output timing adjustment unit, and the laser output timing adjustment unit An exposure control unit that turns off the output of the laser beam by the exposure unit in accordance with the set second off timing;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that develops the photoconductor exposed by the exposure unit to form an image. The set value acquisition unit acquires, as the set value, information indicating an increase amount for increasing the line width of a line extending in the sub-scanning direction,
The laser output timing adjustment unit sets the first on-timing set by the laser output timing setting unit as the second on-timing, and an increase amount indicated by the setting value acquired by the setting value acquisition unit. 2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the second off timing is set so that the delay time of the second off timing with respect to the first off timing set by the laser output timing setting unit increases as the value increases. Forming equipment. The image data includes density information indicating the density of pixels of the image,
The laser output timing setting unit increases the time interval between the first on-timing and the first off-timing for a dot indicating a pixel corresponding to the density information, as the density indicated by the density information is higher. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first on-timing and the first off-timing are set as described above. A dot cycle signal generation unit that generates a dot cycle signal indicating a dot cycle that is a fixed cycle for sequentially performing exposure of the dots during a scanning period in the main scanning direction by the exposure unit;
The exposure control unit
A signal to turn on the output of the laser beam by the exposure unit is delayed from the start timing of the dot cycle indicated by the dot cycle signal to the second on timing set by the laser output timing adjustment unit. , Based on the delayed signal, to turn on the output of the laser beam by the exposure unit,
A signal indicating that the output of the laser beam by the exposure unit is turned off is delayed from the start timing of the dot cycle to the second off timing set by the laser output timing adjustment unit, and the delayed signal The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein output of laser light is turned off by the exposure unit based on the above. A basic period signal generating unit that generates a basic period signal whose period is set to a basic period shorter than the dot period;
The laser output timing adjustment unit is
One of the basic periods equally divided into a predetermined number of divisions as a unit time,
By a second on-timing conversion value corresponding to a quotient obtained by dividing the time from the leading timing of the dot cycle indicated by the dot cycle signal generated by the dot cycle signal generation unit to the second on-timing by the unit time. , Indicating the second on-timing,
The second off timing is indicated by a second off timing converted value corresponding to a quotient obtained by dividing the time from the leading timing of the dot cycle indicated by the dot cycle signal to the second off timing by the unit time,
The exposure control unit
A unit delay circuit for delaying the signal by the unit time, a series delay circuit connected in a plurality of stages in series;
For each period of the basic period signal generated by the basic period signal generation unit from the head timing of the dot period, the division number is sequentially subtracted from the second on-timing conversion value set by the laser output timing adjustment unit. A first subtraction circuit to go;
When the numerical value obtained as a result of the subtraction by the first subtracting circuit is less than the number of divisions, it indicates that the output of the laser beam is turned on by the unit delay circuit corresponding to the number of the numerical value in the serial delay circuit. A first delay controller for delaying the signal;
For each period of the basic period signal generated by the basic period signal generation unit from the start timing of the dot period, the division number is sequentially subtracted from the second off-timing conversion value set by the laser output timing adjustment unit. A second subtracting circuit,
When the numerical value obtained as a result of the subtraction by the second subtracting circuit is less than the number of divisions, it indicates that the output of the laser beam is turned off by the unit delay circuits corresponding to the number of the numerical values in the serial delay circuit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a second delay control unit that delays the signal. The unit delay circuit is an exclusive OR logic gate whose gate delay time is the unit time,
In the serial delay circuit, the output gate of the previous logic gate is connected to one of the two input terminals of the logic gate, so that the logic gates of the exclusive OR are connected in a plurality of stages in series. ,
When the numerical value obtained as a result of subtraction by the first subtraction circuit is less than the number of divisions, the first delay control unit counts the number of stages of the logic gate from the last stage in the serial delay circuit. By inputting a signal for turning on the output of the laser light to the other of the two input terminals, a signal for turning on the output of the laser light is delayed,
When the numerical value obtained as a result of the subtraction by the second subtracting circuit is less than the number of divisions, the second delay control unit counts from the last stage in the serial delay circuit to the logic gate that is the number of stages of the numerical value. 6. The signal for turning off the output of the laser light is delayed by inverting the output level of the logic gate by outputting a signal for turning off the output of the laser light. The image forming apparatus described.

Images