Image forming apparatus with laser calibration during ramp-up period of an optical device

摘要

The invention is directed to a method of calibrating a laser in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus used for producing a print image on a print medium. A laser having a selectively energizable laser beam output is provided. A rotatable optical device and the laser combine to define a movable projection path of the laser beam output. Rotation of the optical device results in movement of the projection path across a scan line overlaying a photoconductive drum. The optical device has a rotational acceleration upon initial rotation thereof with a ramp-up period during which the rotational velocity increases. A safe area is established in a portion of the scan line which does not overlay an image area on the photoconductive drum. The laser is energized and calibrated when the projection path is positioned in the safe area. The calibration is carried out during the ramp-up period of the rotating optical device.