Abstract: Disclosed is a method for printing a media sheet in a media processing device. The method includes aligning a first portion of a printhead of the media processing device to a print area of the media sheet. The method further includes printing the print area of the media sheet by traversing the printhead over the print area in a first direction. The printing is performed by the first portion. Further, the method includes aligning a second portion of the printhead to the print area by adjusting the media sheet relative to the printhead by an index distance in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. Thereafter, the method includes reprinting the print area by traversing the printhead over the print area in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The reprinting is performed by the second portion.

Abstract: A method for compressing data includes transmitting a requested compression factor such as a quality factor known in JPEG compression, to a scanner or like peripheral device. The type of communication link between the scanner or like device and a host computer is identified, and based on the communication link type, the requested compression factor is altered to generate a new compression factor subsequently used to compress the data. The amount of buffer, such as scan buffer, used by the scanner or peripheral device may also be used to alter the compression factor prior to compression.

Abstract: A method for printing of raster data in a media processing device is disclosed. The method includes identifying an attribute of a set of raster lines of the raster data. The method further includes determining at least one print mode from a plurality of print modes based on the attribute. Each print mode of the plurality of print modes is configured to print the set of raster lines of the raster data. Furthermore, the method includes printing the set of raster lines of the raster data in the at least one print mode.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for printing a media sheet in a media processing device. The method includes aligning a first portion of a printhead of the media processing device to a print area of the media sheet. The method further includes printing the print area of the media sheet by traversing the printhead over the print area in a first direction. The printing is performed by the first portion. Further, the method includes aligning a second portion of the printhead to the print area by adjusting the media sheet relative to the printhead by an index distance in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. Thereafter, the method includes reprinting the print area by traversing the printhead over the print area in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The reprinting is performed by the second portion.

Abstract: A method of printing a high resolution image with a printhead in a multi-pass printing mode includes subdividing the high resolution image into a plurality of low resolution sub-images; subdividing each low resolution sub-image into a plurality of low resolution swath portions; and allocating an amount of a memory for buffer storage, the amount being only sufficient to store data corresponding to less than two of the low resolution swath portions. The method also includes, for each low resolution swath portion: halftoning each low resolution swath portion to generate a corresponding halftoned low resolution swath portion, the halftoning of each low resolution swath portion of a particular low resolution sub-image being performed independently of halftoning the low resolution swath portions of other low resolution sub-images; storing the halftoned low resolution swath portion into the amount of the memory; and printing the halftoned low resolution swath portion.

Abstract: A print medium is printed on with a printhead of an ink jet printer. The print medium is advanced in an advance direction a predetermined amount. The print medium is printed on with the printhead in an area corresponding to the predetermined amount. A determination is made of an end of printable area on the print medium in the advance direction. The print medium is advanced in the advance direction a minimum reliable move amount, dependent upon the end of printable area determination. The minimum reliable move amount is less than the predetermined amount. The print medium is printed on with the printhead in an area corresponding to the minimum reliable move amount.

Abstract: A method of printing with an ink jet printer includes providing a printhead having a plurality of first nozzles with a first size and a plurality of second nozzles with a second size larger than the first size. The first nozzles and the second nozzles are alternatingly disposed in a vertical direction. Print data corresponding to first columns of pixel locations is provided. The print data includes for each pixel location in the first columns both a respective large dot print datum and a respective small dot print datum. One of the respective large dot print datum and the respective small dot print datum is printed at a first pixel location of the corresponding pixel locations in the first columns. Second columns of pixel locations interleaved with the first columns of pixel locations are provided.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a print job in a printer, such as canceling the print job held in the printer. The system includes a printer having a processor that receives print jobs, including one or more print data swaths, from one or more host computers, and each print data swath includes at least a predefined group of characters. The system also has at least one host computer in communication with the printer and which selectively sends print jobs including print data and/or command data. The host computer further selectively sends a command which is a predetermined group of characters within the print data swath, and the command alters a function in the printer. The command is preferably a series of identical characters, such as NULL characters, and the command preferably causes the printer to enter a command mode to execute the commanded function.

Abstract: A method of printing with an ink jet printer includes providing a printhead having a plurality of first nozzles with a first size and a plurality of second nozzles with a second size larger than the first size. The first nozzles and the second nozzles are alternatingly disposed in a vertical direction. Print data corresponding to first columns of pixel locations is provided. The print data includes for each pixel location in the first columns both a respective large dot print datum and a respective small dot print datum. One of the respective large dot print datum and the respective small dot print datum is printed at a first pixel location of the corresponding pixel locations in the first columns. Second columns of pixel locations interleaved with the first columns of pixel locations are provided.

Abstract: A print medium is printed on with a printhead of an ink jet printer. The print medium is advanced in an advance direction a predetermined amount. The print medium is printed on with the printhead in an area corresponding to the predetermined amount. A determination is made of an end of printable area on the print medium in the advance direction. The print medium is advanced in the advance direction a minimum reliable move amount, dependent upon the end of printable area determination, The minimum reliable move amount is less than the predetermined amount. The print medium is printed on with the printhead in an area corresponding to the minimum reliable move amount.

Abstract: A method of printing with an ink jet printer includes providing a printhead having a plurality of first nozzles with a first size and a plurality of second nozzles with a second size larger than the first size. The first nozzles and the second nozzles are alternatingly disposed in a vertical direction. Print data corresponding to first columns of pixel locations is provided. The print data includes for each pixel location in the first columns both a respective large dot print datum and a respective small dot print datum. One of the respective large dot print datum and the respective small dot print datum is printed at a first pixel location of the corresponding pixel locations in the first columns. Second columns of pixel locations interleaved with the first columns of pixel locations are provided.

Abstract: An ink jet printer receives image data defining a pattern of dots in a non-square rectangular grid and prints the pattern of dots on a print medium based on the image data. The pattern of dots consists of at least four interlaced checkerboard arrays of dots printed in four passes of the print head across the print medium, where each one of the four checkerboard arrays is printed during a different one of the four passes. Each of the checkerboard arrays is offset from the other checkerboard arrays by a predetermined spacing in at least one of the first and second directions. The printer prints the second checkerboard array horizontally offset from the first checkerboard array by a distance substantially equivalent to {fraction (5d/4)}, where d is the diameter of the printed dots.

Abstract: A thermal ink jet printer has two columns of nozzles in its nozzle plate parallel to the direction of motion of each sheet of media. When the sheet of media is thin such as bond paper having a thickness of 0.1 mm, for example, all of the nozzles are available for printing. When the sheet of media is thick such as an envelope having a thickness of 0.5 mm, for example, one-fourth of the nozzles are available for printing, and these are the nozzles first passed by the sheet of media during its advancement. Each sheet of media has the same feed rate although it takes four times as long for the thick sheet of media to be printed.

Abstract: A method of printing on a print medium with an ink jet printer uses a first color ink, a second color ink and a black ink. An image area on the print medium has a plurality of pixel locations. Print image data indicate one of a presence and an absence of the first color ink, the second color ink and the black ink at the plurality of pixel locations. A subset of the print image data is defined. A determination is made as to whether the subset of print image data indicates 1) a presence of the first color ink and/or the second color ink within the subset and a presence of the black ink within the subset; 2) a presence of each of the first color ink and the second color ink within the subset at a same corresponding pixel location; and/or 3) a presence of the first color ink and/or the second color ink within the subset at a number of corresponding pixel locations exceeding a threshold value. The print medium is printed on in the image area at an interlace level which is dependent upon the determination.

Abstract: A method of printing an image on a print medium uses an ink jet printer, with the print medium being movable in an advance direction in the printer. An image area defined on the print medium includes a plurality of rasters extending in a direction transverse to the advance direction. The plurality of rasters are arranged sequentially adjacent to each other in the advance direction. A printhead includes a first array of ink jetting orifices and a second array of ink jetting orifices. Each of the first array and second array are configured for jetting a respective color ink onto the print medium. A plurality of first interlace levels associated with the first array of ink jetting orifices and a plurality of second interlace levels associated with the second array of ink jetting orifices are assigned to the plurality of rasters. Each of the first and second interlace levels are associated with only one of the rasters.