Abstract: An ink-jet printer that prints using an interlace ratio of higher than 2:1. The print head has an internozzle spacing of N, while the interlace ratio n:1 is selected so that n is an integer divisor of N+2 or N+4 or is equal to N+1. Multiple interlaced images can be "stitched" together by printing a first interlaced image, moving the print head and printing a second interlaced image such that the head of the second image overlaps with the tail of the first interlaced image.

Abstract: An ink-jet printer that prints using an interlace ratio of higher than 2:1. The print head has an internozzle spacing of N, while the interlace ratio n:1 is selected so that n is an integer divisor of N+2 or N+4 or is equal to N+1. Multiple interlaced images can be "stitched" together by printing a first interlaced image, moving the print head and printing a second interlaced image such that the head of the second image overlaps with the tail of the first interlaced image.

Abstract: Improved color ink-jet printing is accomplished by an ink-jet nozzle array configuration (32, 110) which has an odd number of nozzles (34) that are uniformly spaced apart by two line widths (2 V) such that naturally interlaced printing is accomplished when a print head (54) employing the nozzle array configuration is moved in uniformly stepped intervals. A color ink-jet print head employing the array configuration further employs multiple horizontally spaced apart instances (30) of the array in which each array ejects a particular color of ink, and the nozzles of each array are aligned in the direction of scanning to eject ink toward a common band of lines.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing printed substrates having a phase change ink layer of non-uniform thickness are disclosed. Application of a combination of heat and pressure reorients the printed ink layer to provide a layer having a substantially uniform thickness and flat surface conformation, at least in the area of each discrete color. A release surface (55) is positioned adjacent the printed ink layer during processing. A resilient contact surface (56) is also provided to facilitate reorientation of the printed ink layer. Mechanical buffing of the processed, printed substrate improves image quality. Application of a light transmissive, protective coating that overlays the printed ink layer also improves image quality.

Abstract: Printing is by an array of color-printing elements or nozzles in order to produce interlaced color printing while printing each line only once with each color. Print head array configurations for printing two, three and four colors include linear and parallel arrays. In one embodiment, a first color and a second color are printed on alternate lines of a first set of print lines. The first color and a third color are printed on alternate lines of a second set of print lines. Also, the second color and the third color are printed on alternate lines of a third set of print lines. By sequentially printing these consecutive sets of lines on a print medium, with each of the three pairs of colors, all of the lines of an image are printed once with each color. Other color-printing configurations are also shown.

Abstract: Printing is by an array of color-printing elements or nozzles in order ot produce interlaced color printing while printing each line only once with each color. Print head array configurations for printing two, three and four colors include linear and parallel arrays. In one embodiment, a first color and a second color are printed on alternate lines of a first set of print lines. The first color and a third color are printed on alternate lines of a second set of print lines. Also, the second color and the third color are printed on alternate lines of a third set of print lines. By sequentially printing these consecutive sets of lines on a print medium, with each of the three pairs of colors, all of the lines of an image are printed once with each color. Other color-printing configurations are also shown.

Abstract: A color image copying system (10) includes a light modulator (12) that receives incident light rays emanating from a source (14) of light. The light modulator comprises a light dispersing apparatus (54) that disperses different wavelengths of the incident light rays to different locations on a focal surface (60). A filter mask (68) aligned with the focal surface transmits preselected wavelengths of the ultraviolet light and blocks light of all other wavelengths. Each of a set of light valves (86, 88, 90) receives a different wavelength of light transmitted by the filter mask and intensity modulates it in accordance with image pixel information provided by an information source (16). An optical focusing apparatus (56) focuses the intensity-modulated wavelengths of light to a relatively small location (20) on an image focal surface (22) which is aligned with a light-sensitive medium (24).

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for recording on a recording medium images from a fiber-optic CRT. The apparatus includes a recording medium transport system, control electronics and a first-in, first-out memory. The use of the first-in, first-out memory permits incremental recording which is not limited by relatively long mechanical transport settling times. In operation, N lines of data are input to the memory, line-by-line, as the transport system increments the position of the recording medium and during settling time. When the recording medium has come to rest, these N lines of data are output sequentially from the memory in a first-in, first-out basis, with the CRT incrementing each line vertically on the recording medium for the total of N lines for each increment of the recording medium by the transport system.

Abstract: An image quality enhancement scheme is disclosed wherein the image information associated with each line of an image source is transferred to one line of an image receiving medium a plurality of times, the quality of the image information transferred to one line of the image receiving medium gradually improving following each subsequent transfer. A fiber optic cathode ray tube (CRT) transfers the image information to the image receiving medium. An electron beam generator in the CRT traces a plurality of scan lines on the inner faceplate of the CRT. The image receiving medium scrolls across the face of the CRT in synchronism with the trace of each of the scan lines on the inner faceplate thereof. The image information associated with each line of the image source is transferred to the one line of the image receiving medium via the trace of each of the plurality of scan lines.

Abstract: A circuit within an image-forming system for enhancing the gray scale quality of a refreshed raster-scan presentation by causing the raster lines of successive frames of such presentation to be successively interlaced whether such frames are of single- or double-field composition. Also disclosed is a hard-copy device employing such a circuit.