Abstract: An image processor (14) supporting very high-speed printing. The image processor (14) preferably has two separate connections to a source (12) of the image being printed, e.g., a printer control bus (34) and an image data bus (36). The image processor (14) preferably accepts images from the image source (12) in commonly known graphics file formats, such as the well-known 24-bit, uncompressed TIFF file format. The image processor (14) is a multiprocessor implementation. Preferably, one processor (30) coordinates or “orchestrates” control of the printing system and handshaking with the image source via the printer control bus (34) and the other processor (32) functions as a raster image processor (RIP) processor (52) and accepts and stores images into the printer environment from the image source (12) via the image data bus (36).

Abstract: A digital printing method for printing photographic quality images employs a printhead having a plurality of recording elements at least some of which recording elements are arranged in a line. A recording sheet is moved relative to the printhead to form an image on the recording sheet. The recording sheet has parallel spaced side edges. A page of image data to be printed on the recording sheet is provided that represents an image having top, bottom and side edges to establish a substantially rectangular image. The image is formed on the recording sheet through lines or bands of recording sequences that form the image so that the top side edge of the image is formed at an oblique angle to the side edges of the recording sheet wherein the oblique angle is between 15 degrees and 75 degrees. Alternatively, the top side edge of the image is formed perpendicular to the side edges of the recording sheet through formation of the image by swaths of recording sequences that are oblique to the top edge of the image.

Abstract: Printer and method of compensating for inoperative nozzles in a print head. The printer comprises a print head and a plurality of nozzles formed in the print head. At least one of the nozzles may be inoperative and at least another one of the nozzles is operative. A detection system is coupled to the nozzles for detecting the inoperative nozzle. A computer is connected to the detection system for re-assigning printing function of the inoperative nozzle to the operative nozzle, so that a suitable output image is printed although some nozzles are inoperative.

Abstract: A compensation method and apparatus which achieves, despite parasitic voltage drops caused by a portion of all heating elements in a print line, the desired print density for a given heating element or pixel when multiple heating elements are enabled. A weighted average of the desired digital level of all heat elements in a print line is used to determine an offset power level, which then is used to compensate for power variations at each heat element by adjusting the number of digital signals to each heating element according to the offset power level. This adjustment results in an actual achieved print density that is equivalent to the desired density, despite complications caused by print lines having different desired densities but equivalent density averages.

Abstract: A signal processing for a color thermal printing apparatus first corrects contrast and color and then provides edge enhancement.