Dithering unit for multi-segment printhead
First Claim
1. A dithering unit for a multi-segment printhead having a plurality of printhead segments that are positioned in a printhead to span a print area so that portions of consecutive printhead segments overlap in common print areas, with each printhead segment defining a lead-in area in one common print area and a lead-out area in a consecutive common print area, the dithering unit being configured to communicate with an interface to receive image data from the interface and a memory device to receive data relating to the characteristics of the multi-segment printhead, the dithering unit being configured to generate a set of dither matrices for each printhead segment so that each set has at least a lead-in dither matrix associated with the lead-in area and a lead-out dither matrix associated with the lead-out area, to generate lead-in/lead-out dither matrices for each common print area based on characteristics of the printhead segments of each common print area, to generate a variable probability value that is dependent on a scalar value that corresponds to a position along a line spanning each common print area and to interpolate the lead-in/lead-out dither matrices with the variable probability value to generate interpolated lead-in/lead-out dither matrices.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dithering unit for a multi-segment printhead having a plurality of printhead segments that are positioned in a printhead to span a print area so that portions of consecutive printhead segments overlap in common print areas, with each printhead segment defining a lead-in area in one common print area and a lead-out area in a consecutive common print area, the dithering unit being configured to communicate with an interface to receive image data from the interface and a memory device to receive data relating to the characteristics of the multi-segment printhead, the dithering unit being configured to generate a set of dither matrices for each printhead segment so that each set has at least a lead-in dither matrix associated with the lead-in area and a lead-out dither matrix associated with the lead-out area, to generate lead-in/lead-out dither matrices for each common print area based on characteristics of the printhead segments of each common print area, to generate a variable probability value that is dependent on a scalar value that corresponds to a position along a line spanning each common print area and to interpolate the lead-in/lead-out dither matrices with the variable probability value to generate interpolated lead-in/lead-out dither matrices.
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Citations
4 Claims
- 1. A dithering unit for a multi-segment printhead having a plurality of printhead segments that are positioned in a printhead to span a print area so that portions of consecutive printhead segments overlap in common print areas, with each printhead segment defining a lead-in area in one common print area and a lead-out area in a consecutive common print area, the dithering unit being configured to communicate with an interface to receive image data from the interface and a memory device to receive data relating to the characteristics of the multi-segment printhead, the dithering unit being configured to generate a set of dither matrices for each printhead segment so that each set has at least a lead-in dither matrix associated with the lead-in area and a lead-out dither matrix associated with the lead-out area, to generate lead-in/lead-out dither matrices for each common print area based on characteristics of the printhead segments of each common print area, to generate a variable probability value that is dependent on a scalar value that corresponds to a position along a line spanning each common print area and to interpolate the lead-in/lead-out dither matrices with the variable probability value to generate interpolated lead-in/lead-out dither matrices.
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3. An inkjet printer that comprises
a printhead that includes a number of printhead segments that span a print area, the printhead segments being positioned so that portions of consecutive printhead segments overlap in common print areas, with each printhead segment defining a lead-in area in one common print area and a lead-out area in a consecutive common print area; -
an interface which is configured to receive image data;
a memory device that is capable of storing data relating to characteristics of the printhead;
a dithering unit according to claim;
a compositor that communicates with the dithering unit to receive data representing the interpolated lead-in/lead-out dither matrices and to composite the data into print data; and
a printhead interface that communicates with the compositor to receive the print data, the printhead interface being in communication with the printhead to provide the printhead with the print data. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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Specification