Energy saving image edging method and device
First Claim
1. Energy saving method for an image transfer system able to operate, under the control of a processing means (22), according to one of at least two image transfer modes, a first one of these image transfer modes requiring a first energy consumption and providing a first image quality, and a second one of these image transfer modes requiring a second energy consumption and providing a second image quality, the second energy consumption and the second image quality being reduced with respect to the first ones, the second image transfer mode being one wherein edging processing is performed to reduce a total surface area of ink application as compared with the first image transfer mode by relatively emphasizing edge areas of an image relative to non-edge areas thereof, said processing means being of the type consisting of assessing a quantity of energy remaining in an energy source and comparing it with a predetermined quantity of energy, characterised in that it consists of selecting the first image transfer mode when the quantity of energy remaining in the energy source is greater than the predetermined quantity and the second image transfer mode when the quantity of energy remaining in the energy source is less than the predetermined quantity of energy.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Printing method and device enabling a low energy level to be indicated while extending the consumption duration and number of pages printed for a predetermined quantity of energy. According to the invention, detection of a predetermined quantity of energy remaining in an energy source (37) is interpreted by the control means (28) to switch to a printing mode which saves energy so as to indicate to the user an impending lack of energy, while using that which remains sparingly.
31 Citations
27 Claims
- 1. Energy saving method for an image transfer system able to operate, under the control of a processing means (22), according to one of at least two image transfer modes, a first one of these image transfer modes requiring a first energy consumption and providing a first image quality, and a second one of these image transfer modes requiring a second energy consumption and providing a second image quality, the second energy consumption and the second image quality being reduced with respect to the first ones, the second image transfer mode being one wherein edging processing is performed to reduce a total surface area of ink application as compared with the first image transfer mode by relatively emphasizing edge areas of an image relative to non-edge areas thereof, said processing means being of the type consisting of assessing a quantity of energy remaining in an energy source and comparing it with a predetermined quantity of energy, characterised in that it consists of selecting the first image transfer mode when the quantity of energy remaining in the energy source is greater than the predetermined quantity and the second image transfer mode when the quantity of energy remaining in the energy source is less than the predetermined quantity of energy.
- 13. Energy saving device for an image transfer system of the type having an energy source (37), means (15, 22, 36) for detecting a predetermined quantity of energy in said energy source adapted to transmit a signal representing that this predetermined quantity has been passed, and a printing head (13) comprising ink distribution means (42) controlled by control signals representing information to be printed, characterised in that it includes control means (28) for generating first control signals for a first operating mode having a first energy consumption and a first image quality and second control signals for a second operating mode having a second energy consumption and providing a second image quality, the second energy consumption and the second image quality being reduced with respect to the first ones, the second image transfer mode being one wherein edging processing is performed to reduce a total surface area of ink application as compared with the first image transfer mode by relatively emphasizing edge areas of an image relative to non-edge areas thereof, and a processing means (22) for selecting one of the operating modes according to the signal transmitted by said energy quantity detection means, said processing means selecting the second image transfer mode when the signal is transmitted to indicate that an available amount of energy in said energy source is less than the predetermined amount of energy.
-
24. Facsimile machine, characterised in that it includes an energy saving device for an image transfer system of the type having an energy source (37), means (15, 22, 36) for detecting a predetermined quantity of energy in said energy source adapted to transmit a signal representing that this predetermined quantity has been passed, and a printing head (13) comprising ink distribution means (42) controlled by control signals representing information to be printed, wherein said energy saving device includes control means (28) for generating first control signals for a first operating mode having a first energy consumption and a first image quality and second control signals for a second operating mode having a second energy consumption and providing a second image quality, the second energy consumption and the second image quality being reduced with respect to the first ones, the second image transfer mode being one wherein edging processing is performed to reduce a total surface area of ink application as compared with the first image transfer mode by relatively emphasizing edge areas of an image relative to non-edge areas thereof, and a processing means (22) for selecting one of the operating modes according to the signal transmitted by said energy quantity detection means, said processing means selecting the second image transfer mode when the signal is transmitted to indicate that an available amount of energy in said energy source is less than the predetermined amount of energy.
-
25. Photocopier, characterised in that it includes an energy saving device for an image transfer system of the type having an energy source (37), means (15, 22, 36) for detecting a predetermined quantity of energy in said energy source adapted to transmit a signal representing that this predetermined quantity has been passed, and a printing head (13) comprising ink distribution means (42) controlled by control signals representing information to be printed, wherein said energy saving device includes control means (28) for generating first control signals for a first operating mode having a first energy consumption and a first image quality and second control signals for a second operating mode having a second energy consumption and providing a second image quality, the second energy consumption and the second image quality being reduced with respect to the first ones, the second image transfer mode being one wherein edging processing is performed to reduce a total surface area of ink application as compared with the first image transfer mode by relatively emphasizing edge areas of an image relative to non-edge areas thereof, and a processing means (22) for selecting one of the operating modes according to the signal transmitted by said energy quantity detection means, said processing means selecting the second image transfer mode when the signal is transmitted to indicate that an available amount of energy in said energy source is less than the predetermined amount of energy.
-
26. Printer, characterised in that it includes an energy saving device for an image transfer system of the type having an energy source (37), means (15, 22, 36) for detecting a predetermined quantity of energy in said energy source adapted to transmit a signal representing that this predetermined quantity has been passed, and a printing head (13) comprising ink distribution means (42) controlled by control signals representing information to be printed, wherein said energy saving device includes control means (28) suitable for generating first control signals for a first operating mode having a first energy consumption and a first image quality and second control signals for a second operating mode having a second energy consumption and providing a second image quality, the second energy consumption and the second image quality being reduced with respect to the first ones, the second image transfer mode being one wherein edging processing is performed to reduce a total surface area of ink application as compared with the first image transfer mode by relatively emphasizing edge areas of an image relative to non-edge areas thereof, and a processing means (22) for selecting one of the operating modes according to the signal transmitted by said energy quantity detection means, said processing means selecting the second image transfer mode when the signal is transmitted to indicate that an available amount of energy in said energy source is less than the predetermined amount of energy.
-
27. Computer, characterised in that it includes a printer that in turn includes an energy saving device for an image transfer system of the type having an energy source (37), means (15, 22, 36) for detecting a predetermined quantity of energy in said energy source adapted to transmit a signal representing that this predetermined quantity has been passed, and a printing head (13) comprising ink distribution means (42) controlled by control signals representing information to be printed, wherein said energy saving device includes control means (28) suitable for generating first control signals for a first operating mode having a first energy consumption and a first image quality and second control signals for a second operating mode having a second energy consumption and providing a second image quality, the second energy consumption and the second image quality being reduced with respect to the first ones, the second image transfer mode being one wherein edging processing is performed to reduce a total surface area of ink application as compared with the first image transfer mode by relatively emphasizing edge areas of an image relative to non-edge areas thereof, and a processing means (22) for selecting one of the operating modes according to the signal transmitted by said energy quantity detection means, said processing means selecting the second image transfer mode when the signal is transmitted to indicate that an available amount of energy in said energy source is less than the predetermined amount of energy.
Specification