The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 02, 1996
Filed:
May. 03, 1995
Shiro Narikawa, Kashihara, JP;
Hirokazu Tanaka, Osaka, JP;
Iwakazu Honda, Kitakatsuragi-gun, JP;
Tomohiro Oikawa, Chiba, JP;
Hiroe Ando, Chiba, JP;
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus is arranged so as to include an optical head unit constituted of exposing device and information reading device, one cylindrical white light source which is commonly used as a light source for the above both devices, liquid crystal shutter arrays for individually opening and closing optical paths of the light source in direction of a photoreceptor, and to control open/close operation of an exposure shutter array according to an image signal and to control the shutter arrays such that when the exposing device operates, the information reading shutter array closes and that when the information reading device operates, the exposure shutter array closes. As a result, in an arrangement which is carried out a simultaneous charge-expose-development process and has exposing function and information reading function, it is possible to sufficiently miniaturize an apparatus. Moreover, since the liquid crystal shutter array is used, open/close operation of the optical paths from the cylindrical white light source to the photoreceptor can be easily and securely control.