Selecting modes for printing
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of printing, comprising:
- receiving print data defining an arrangement of a first set of image elements within an array of first and second sets of image elements, the first set having a different color characteristic than the second set;
selecting a bi-directional print mode or a uni-directional print mode for placement of colorant-based representations of the image element of the first set onto a print medium based on one or more values corresponding to the percentage of image elements of the first set in (a) the array, (b) one or more portions of the array, (c) or both; and
placing the colorant-based representations onto the print medium according to the print mode selected and in the arrangement defined by the print data.
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Abstract
A method of printing data defining an arrangement of a first set of image elements within an array of first and second sets of image elements. The first set may have a different color characteristic than the second set. At least one mode may be selected for placement of colorant-based representations of the image elements of the first set onto a print medium based on one or more values corresponding to the percentage of image elements of the first set in at least one of the array and one or more portions of the array. Colorant-based representations may be placed onto the print medium according to the at least one mode selected and in the arrangement defined by the data.
17 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method of printing, comprising:
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receiving print data defining an arrangement of a first set of image elements within an array of first and second sets of image elements, the first set having a different color characteristic than the second set; selecting a bi-directional print mode or a uni-directional print mode for placement of colorant-based representations of the image element of the first set onto a print medium based on one or more values corresponding to the percentage of image elements of the first set in (a) the array, (b) one or more portions of the array, (c) or both; and placing the colorant-based representations onto the print medium according to the print mode selected and in the arrangement defined by the print data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of printing, comprising:
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receiving print data defining an arrangement of a first set of contone image elements within an array of first and second sets of contone image elements, the first set having a different color characteristic than the second set; selecting a bi-directional print mode or a uni-directional print mode for placing colorant-based representations of the first set of contone image elements onto a print medium based on one or more values corresponding to the percentage of contone image elements of the first set in (a) the array, (b) one or more portions of the array, (c) or both; and placing the colorant-based representations onto the print medium according to the print mode selected and in the arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of printing, comprising:
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receiving print data defining an arrangement of a first set of image elements in an array of first and second sets of image elements, the first set having a different color characteristic than the second set; determining one or more values corresponding to the percentage of image elements of the first set in (a) the array, (b) one or more portions of the array, (c) or both; selecting a direction for each of a plurality of passes of one or mare printheads in relation to a print medium based on the one or more values; and delivering at least one colorant to the print medium during each of the plurality of passes and in the direction selected for each pass to create colorant-based representations of the image elements of the first set disposed in the arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A printing system, comprising:
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a data manipulation portion configured (1) to receive print data defining an arrangement of a first set of image elements in an array of first and second sets of image elements, the first set having a different color characteristic than the second set, (2) to determine one or more values corresponding to the percentage of image elements of the first set in (a) the array, (b) one or more portions of the array, (c) or both, and (3) to select a direction for each of a plurality of passes in relation to a print medium based on the one or more values; and a colorant placement portion in communication with the data manipulation portion and including one or more printheads configured to deliver at least one colorant to the print medium as the printheads perform each of the plurality of passes in the direction selected for each pass to create colorant-based representations of the image elements of the first set disposed in the arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A program storage device readable by a processor, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the processor to perform a method of producing output, the method comprising:
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receiving print data defining an arrangement of a first set of image elements within an array of first and second sets of image elements, the image elements of the first set having a different color characteristic than the image elements of the second set; selecting a bi-directional print mode or a uni-directional print mode for placement of representations of the image elements of the first set relative to a print medium based on one or more values corresponding to the percentage of image elements of the first set in (a) the array, (b) one or more portions of the array, (c) or both; and placing the representations of the image elements of the first set relative to the print medium according to the print mode selected and in the arrangement defined by the print data.
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18. A printing system, comprising:
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means for receiving print data defining an arrangement of a first set of image elements within an array of first and second sets of image elements, the first set having a different color characteristic than the second set; means for selecting a bi-directional print mode or a uni-directional print mode for placement of colorant-based representations of the image elements of the first set onto a print medium based on one or more values corresponding to the percentage of image elements of the first set, in (a) the array, (b) one or more portions of the array, (c) or both; and means for placing the colorant-based representations onto the print medium according to the print mode selected and in the arrangement defined by the print data.
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19. A method to improve the print speed of a printer having uni-directional and bi-directional print modes, comprising:
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receiving print data defining printed pixels and non-printed pixels; determining one or more values corresponding to the percentage of printed pixels or non-printed pixels included in one or more portions of the print data; selecting a uni-directional print mode or a bi-directional print mode based on the one or more values; and printing the print data with the print mode selected. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method to improve the print speed of a printer having uni-directional and bi-directional print modes, comprising:
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receiving print data defining non-white pixels and white pixels; determining one or more values corresponding to the percentage of non-white pixels or white pixels included in one or more portions of the print data; selecting one of the uni-directional print mode and the bi-directional print mode based on the one or more values; and printing the print data with the one print mode selected, wherein selecting is performed so that text and vector-based images are printed at least substantially with the bi-directional mode and so that raster-based images of greater than a predefined size are printed at least substantially with the uni-directional mode.
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26. A method to improve the print speed of a printer having uni-directional and bi-directional print modes, comprising:
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receiving print data defining non-white pixels and white pixels; determining one or more values corresponding to the percentage of non-white pixels or white pixels included in one or more portions of the print data; selecting one of the uni-directional print mode and the bi-directional print mode based on the one or more values; and printing the print data with the one print mode selected, wherein printing is performed by placement of one or more colorants onto a print medium defining a background, and wherein printing creates representations of the white pixels with the background without placement of the colorants. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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Specification