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:
Feb. 10, 2004
Filed:
Jul. 27, 1999
Keiji Ogoh, Aichi-Ken, JP;
Osamu Yamada, Toyokawa, JP;
Minolta Co., Ltd., Osaka, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus forms an image with a gradation by scanning an image carrying member with a light beam based on image data. The beam is generated by using a light beam generating element capable of independently varying the beam output and the beam diameter. The output of the beam generating element is controlled based on the gradation level (density level) of the image data and the diameter of the beam from the element is controlled based on the gradation level. In short, the output of the light beam generating element and the beam diameter are controlled individually. Therefore, the exposed area of the surface of the image carrying member can be controlled properly by controlling the beam diameter as well as the output of the light beam generating unit. As a result, there can be obtained an image forming apparatus having excellent gradation reproduction over all the density regions. In controlling the output of the light beam generating element, there are cases where a light emitting time per dot is controlled or the beam intensity is controlled, depending on the gradation level of image data.