Abstract: A method and structure are provided which allow a print pass to be initiated even if a swath buffer in a multi-pass printer has not stored enough print data to utilize the full printhead. In one embodiment, if the swath buffer is full, a print pass is initiated using the existing print data in the swath buffer, which may result in using less than the full printhead. By allowing a print pass to start when the swath buffer is full, problems such as inconsistent, delayed, or interrupted printing are minimized or eliminated. In another embodiment, if a certain period of time has passed since a previous print pass, a print pass is initiated using existing print data in the swath buffer to print new rows and to print over previously printed partial rows to minimize hue shifts.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus to minimize and prevent blooming problems in color image systems. Particular applicability is found where an image on image system is employed. The invention is inserted into the colorant driving signal path of the system. The invention places an averaging circuit in the path of one or more colorant driving signal streams. The averaging circuit produces an average value signal representative of a small area of its respective colorant. A modulator or other signal varying device responsive to the average value signal is placed in the path of yet another but separate colorant driving signal stream. In this manner the separate colorant driving signal is modulated or varied in response to the average neighboring value of a different color thus minimizing and preventing image blooming.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium in a heated mode comprises a first and second emitting portions. The first emitting portion emits writing light for providing recording spots on the recording medium. The second emitting portion emits sub-heating light for providing heating spots on the recording medium. A distance between the heating spot and the recording spot is substantially constant in a main scanning direction. The recording spots are arranged in a two-dimensional pattern including columns in the main scanning direction and rows in an auxiliary scanning direction. The recording spots aligned in the columns are inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the main scanning direction. The same number of heating spots as the columns of the recording spots is provided in parallel to the columns and inclined at the predetermined angle with respect to the main scanning direction.

Abstract: An image processing device capable of writing two lines at the same time and applicable to an apparatus using digital image data is disclosed. A data bus width control section controls the bus width of input data. A temporary storage temporarily stores data input thereto. A data control section controls the reading and writing of data out of the temporary storage. A two line section produces two lines for writing two lines of input data at the same time. A data converting section converts parallel data to serial data. A multilevel section transforms an input bilevel image to a multilevel image. A rate varying section varies the rate of multilevel data input thereto. A data selecting section selects processed multilevel image data. A register control section executes register control with at least data stored in a storage included in the multilevel section.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus has a first correction circuit for recognizing and erasing a predetermined number of pixels of an image from an end portion of the image in the main scanning direction, and a second correction circuit for recognizing and erasing a predetermined number of pixels of the image in the sub-scanning direction.

Abstract: A highlight raster output scanner is disclosed which utilizes an amplitude modulation with its reference level being placed at its white level. Having the reference level at the white level provides the possibility of utilizing two independent power drivers to generate modulation pulses. One power driver generates color pulses (above the white level) and the second power driver generates black pulses (bellow the white level). Since an independent power driver is generating the color pulses, the color level can be raised to saturation to prevent the nonuniformity of the intensity of the light beam for color. Also, any intensity variation of the white level can be adjusted by comparing the white level against the reference level. Finally, the black level is kept at ground potential in the same manner as the prior art.