Abstract: Efficient printing of data containing two types of areas (color and monochromatic) in the direction of sub-scanning is present. Routine feeding is performed in 15-dots feed increments while dots are recorded using black nozzle Nos. 1 to 15 during routine monochromatic mode printing (step S2). Minor-feeding is then performed in 3-dot feed increments while the same type of main scanning is carried out in the course of lower-edge monochromatic mode printing (step S4). A position adjusting feed may be optionally performed (steps S6, S8). Five nozzles each for cyan, magenta, and yellow are used, and black nozzle Nos. 11 to 15 are used during upper-edge color mode printing (step S10). Minor-feeding is performed in single-dot feed increments. Routine feeding is then performed in 5-dot feed increments while the same type of main scanning is carried out in the course of routine color mode printing (step S12).

Abstract: A system for producing electrospray ions includes a thermal inkjet material dispenser configured to selectively emit a plurality of sample material particles, and an electrically conducting grid disposed in proximity with the thermal inkjet material dispenser, the grid being configured to permit a selective passage of the emitted sample material particles.

Abstract: One of the sections of nozzles of a fluid ejection head ejects a first one of different fluids and has a width in the process direction that is N times wider than the width in the process direction of other sections of the fluid ejection head. Data corresponding to the first one of the different fluids is collected in a first data buffer until the first data buffer is full. The fluid ejection head is controlled to eject all of the different fluids only when the first data buffer is full.

Abstract: An inkjet printing system for printing custom colors is provided. An ink mixing station is also provided. The printing system includes multiple ink channels, an ink cartridge sensor for each channel, and a controller. A method for printing custom colors in a printing system with multiple ink cartridges is provided. In another embodiment, the printing system includes an in situ mixed ink channel for receiving two or more ink supply dispensers and a controller. The in situ mixed ink channel includes an supply dispenser sensor and supply valve member for each supply dispenser, a mixing reservoir, a pump motor, and a print head. A method for printing custom colors using an in situ mixed ink channel is provided. The station includes an in situ mixed ink channel and a controller. A method for mixing custom color inks and filling inkjet ink containers in the station is provided.

Abstract: The method of the present invention involves first estimating the common gamut of the colors that this printer is expected to reproduce. A left-to-right test target is printed in single-pass, uni-directional print mode, (printing on left-to-right scans only) and a color calibration table for left-to-right printing is generated. A right-to-left test pattern is printed in single-pass, uni-directional print mode, (printing on right-to-left scans only) and a color calibration table specific for right-to-left printing is generated. The next step of the present invention involves determining the mathematical intersection of the gamuts produced by printing in left-to-right mode only and by printing in right-to-left mode only. This is done by, first printing the left-to-right test target processed by the color calibration table associated with the primary print direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a control method for the apparatus are disclosed. In this image forming apparatus which has a printing unit selectively using a desired one of a plurality of types of ink cartridges and can receive monochromatic and color facsimile images, appropriate ink remaining amount detection or appropriate received facsimile image printing control can be performed in accordance with the type of received image and the type of loaded cartridge. In receiving/printing monochromatic and color images, a received image is discriminated as a color or monochromatic image, and the type of cartridge currently loaded into an ink-jet printing unit capable of performing printing operation by selecting one of a plurality of printing capabilities is discriminated. In accordance with these discrimination results, control is performed to automatically print the received image using the printing unit or stored it in an image memory or the like.

Abstract: Feeding a recording medium through a printer for printing images on the recording medium by actuating a line feeding motor in predetermined stepped increments, feeding the recording medium through the printer by a line feeding device driven by the line feeding motor, printing a image on the recording medium by a print head scanning across the recording medium and ejecting ink from nozzles, the print head having j nozzles spaced at a predetermined pixel resolution that is less than a pixel resolution printed by the printer, j being an integer number, controlling the actuating step to actuate the line feed motor in stepped increments, and controlling the j nozzles utilized in printing the image. For each stepped increment of the line feed motor, the line feeding device feeds the recording medium (m×1/n) pixels of the print head pixel resolution, where m and n are integer numbers and m is greater than n.

Abstract: Patches are accurately printed while avoiding an excessive application of color materials such as ink or toner. On the basis of these patches, a conversion relationship for an accurate color transformation is obtained. Specifically, if any of the patches has a total color material use amount exceeding a maximum total color material use amount determined on the basis of the absorption of ink by printing medium or the like, signal values for this patch are converted so that its total color material use amount does not exceed the maximum total color material use amount. Then, within the range of colorimetric data on patches outputted on the basis of the patch data, a target color having the highest saturation is determined for each hue. Thus, combinations of color materials in a table obtained on the basis of the set target do not exceed the maximum total color material use amount.

Abstract: An improved multi-fluid jetting device. The jetting device includes a nozzle plate having a substantially planar surface for ejecting a fluid therefrom. The nozzle plate has at least 10 or more nozzles wherein groups of three adjacent nozzles are arranged in a triad orientation and wherein at least two adjacent nozzles in said triad orientation are coupled to two different fluid sources for fluid ejection from said adjacent nozzles substantially perpendicular to said nozzle plate surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for making a digital color proof of an image on a surface of a receiving substrate, the apparatus including a plurality of application stations for imagewise applying each a specific type of marking particles to the surface of the receiving substrate, the application stations including a first number N1 of first application stations for applying marking particles of a first, dominant color and a second number N2 of one or more second application stations for applying marking particles of a second, non-dominant color, wherein N1 is larger than N2.

Abstract: A print head provides for multi-level printing with colorants of different densities without print head replication. A continuous ink jet printer includes a plurality of ink sources; a print head connected to multiple ink sources; and apparatus adapted to selectively transfer ink from each of the connected sources to the print head or to block such transfer. The nozzles selectively create a streams of ink droplets having a plurality of volumes. The apparatus also includes a droplet deflector having a gas source to interact with the stream of ink droplets, thereby separating ink droplets into printing and non-printing paths. The apparatus includes a print heads which can be switched between “light” and “dark” ink sources. This allows multi-level printing, thus achieving higher print quality at the same resolution without incurring the costs associated with additional dedicated print heads.

Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus includes a transportation roller unit and discharging roller units to transport printing media. When printing an image on a front end portion of the printing medium, ink is ejected from a partial number of nozzles of a print head on a side near to the transportation roller unit. When the printing medium is transported by both the transportation roller unit and the discharging roller unit, ink is ejected from all the nozzles of the print head. When printing an image on a rear end portion of the printing medium, ink is ejected from a partial number of nozzles of a print head on a side near to the discharging roller unit.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for forming a color image on the recording material. The recording apparatus includes a recording head having a plurality of recording elements; recording head driving units for driving the recording elements of the recording head in accordance with image data to form an image on the recording material; a plurality of supplementing units for effecting supplementations, in different manners, for supplementing defects in a recorded image resulting from a non-operating recording element of the recording elements; and control units for selectively operating the plurality of supplementing units depending on a record image to effect the supplementation.

Abstract: In the bi-directional printing, a reference correction value is set for correcting printing positional deviation arising between forward and reverse main scanning passes with respect to specific reference dots. An adjustment value is determined, using at least the reference correction value, to reduce printing positional deviation arising between forward and reverse main scanning passes. The printing positional deviation between forward and reverse main scanning passes is adjusted using the adjustment value. In a first adjustment mode, the adjustment value is determined by correcting the reference correction value with a relative correction value prepared beforehand for correcting the reference correction value.

Abstract: A technique for optimizing or enhancing color images. Embodiments are disclosed for creating an enhanced color image, including the enhancement of perceived color uniformity. In a “dot-on-dot” registration scheme for producing color images, the dots need to be precisely superimposed on each other to provide optimum or enhanced images. The dot-on-dot registration produced by a single head thermal printer is generally acceptable, but a single head machine is very slow because multiple passes (reciprocation) are required to lay down multiple colors of dots. In a much faster multi-head or tandem thermal imaging system a serious problem of dot misalignment may cause moire patterns or other visual artifacts in the color images produced by dot patterns. A solution to this problem is disclosed herein which intentionally misregisters superimposed dots in a novel and particular manner to achieve image optimization.

Abstract: The present invention includes as one embodiment a fluid ejection device coupled to an ink supply and having multiple printing modes, including a sufficient number of ink drop generators fluidically coupled to the ink supply device and formed in the fluid ejection device and arranged along at least three axes that are substantially parallel and spaced apart from each other to provided printing resolution of at least 600 dots per inch with each printing mode. The plurality of ink drop generators is arranged along four axes that are substantially parallel and spaced transverse to each other and wherein the plurality of ink drop generators arranged along the four axes are staggered with respect to each of the axes to decrease an effective pitch of the fluid ejection device to approximately one-fourth that of a plurality of ink drop generators arranged along a single axis.

Abstract: An inkjet printer having, a white color head to jet a white color ink; a plurality of process color heads to jet respective process color inks; and a controller to control operations of the white color head and the plurality of process color heads, wherein the controller selectively conducts a control of a top face printing where at least one of the plurality of the process color heads jets the respective process color ink after the white color head jets the white color ink, or a control of a bottom face printing where the white color head jets the white color ink after at least one of the plurality of the process color heads jets the respective process color ink.

Abstract: A printing apparatus, which forms a color image by applying different color inks to a printing material while bi-directionally moving the recording head to scan the recording material, includes a changing unit for changing an order of applications of the inks of different colors to be applied at least at one amount for printing a secondary color to a secondary color pixel area; and a forming unit for forming the secondary color while making the order of applications of the inks to at least one of a plurality of the secondary color pixel areas arranged along a predetermined direction different from the order of another, by the changing unit.

Abstract: The print head is scanned over a printing medium in a sub-scanning direction different from a direction in which the nozzles are arranged. The printing medium is conveyed by a predetermined amount K (where K=a×L (a is a natural number and L is the size of the gradation patterns in the direction in which the nozzles are arranged) or K=L/b (b is a natural number)) in a direction in which the nozzles are arranged, between a preceding scan and a next scan of the print head. Correspondences between image data and the plurality of nozzles are shifted in the direction in which the nozzles are arranged. The operated dot patterns are changed so as to allow the selective use of a plurality of different dot patterns indicating the same gradation value.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ink-jet printing head, and an ink-jet printing apparatus and method which enable high-gradation and high-quality images to be printed using dots of different sizes. In an ink-jet printing head according to the present invention, at least one second nozzle has its center arranged on an imaginary line extending in a main-scanning direction of the printing head through the center of a first nozzle. The volume of an ink droplet ejected through the second nozzle is smaller than that of an ink droplet ejected through the first nozzle. Further, the number of second nozzles is larger than that of first nozzles.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for forming a color image by applying different color inks to a printing material while bi-directionally moving the recording head to scan the cording material, the apparatus includes changing device for changing an order of applications of the inks to be applied for printing a secondary color to a secondary color pixel area; forming device for forming the secondary color while making the order of applications of the inks to at least one of a plurality of the secondary color pixel areas arranged along a raster scan direction different from the order of another, by the changing device.

Abstract: Image data, or RGB luminance data input from a host computer, is color-converted by LUT into 8-bit CMYK density data for each ink color. The CMYK density data is divided into predetermined regions and, based on a gray scale value for each of the divided regions, ink application volumes are calculated. According to the calculated ink application volumes, the 8-bit processing liquid application data S is generated. Then, the CMYK density data and the processing liquid application data undergo output gamma processing, after which they are quantized by a quantization processing unit into 1-bit ejection data for each nozzle.

Abstract: A printer with reduced required space for printbar substrates in a printhead is disclosed. A first printbar has of a plurality of first die modules, for applying a first color, spaced apart so as to have gaps between each die module and located on a top surface of a first substrate. A second printbar has of a plurality of second die modules, for applying a second color, different for the first color, spaced apart so as to have gaps between each die module and located on a bottom surface of the first substrate. A third printbar for applying the first color and a fourth printbar for applying the second color, both have die modules, spaced apart on a top surface and a bottom surface of a second substrate, that correspond with the gaps on the top surface and the bottom surface of the first substrate, respectively.

Abstract: A printing system of the present invention reduces a total amount of discharge of at least three different color inks that are mixable to express hues in a predetermined range without deteriorating the degree of granularity. The printing system of the invention reads recording ratios of the respective color inks corresponding to input tone data regarding the respective color inks from tables TC, TM, and TY and forms dots according to the recording ratios. Yellow ink Y has a higher dye density than a balancing density that ensures a color balance. This makes the recording ratio of the yellow ink Y lower than the recording ratios of cyan ink C and magenta ink M. The yellow ink Y has high lightness, so that sparely formed dots do not increase the degree of granularity even in an area of low tone data. The enhanced density of the yellow ink Y reduces the total amount of inks discharged from a head to satisfy a required printing density.

Abstract: A novel ink-jet recording apparatus is provided for conducting margin-free recording on the peripheral area of the recording medium including the edge thereof with excellent image quality even in the peripheral area in comparison with quality of the usual printing having a margin. A process therefor is also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for processing images having color combinations. Such combinations may be embodied in, for example, a black object being printed within a color object or in a black object that includes drops of process color within the object. In these circumstances, undesired image artifacts and halos are eliminated in images that include black portions that are adjacent color portions, and/or improved printed edges are created, by offsetting the corresponding black pixels relative to the color pixels and etching preselected pixels from the image before printing.

Abstract: Each nozzle array on a print head 28b has a plurality of nozzles arranged along sub-scanning direction for discharging a same ink, and at least a pair of nozzle arrays that discharge different inks (a leading nozzle array FN and a trailing nozzle array RN) are arranged in a staggered manner. In an interlace recording using this print head 28b, a reference is made to a printing data memory prior to a main scan pass, for a printing data of a plurality of main scan lines that correspond to an overall width in the sub-scanning direction of the staggered nozzle array pair. A single main scan pass is then performed according to the referenced printing data.

Abstract: A method for determining percentages of colors needed to obtain a mixed color is described. The method includes: determining a difference between an expected function and a measured function of a color resulting from mixing a first and second colors; and utilizing the difference to determine percentages of the first and second colors needed for creating the color.

Abstract: A method for processing color image data for printing on a color ink jet printer includes reading color image data from a source image, the source image containing color image data of at least a first color area and a second color area. A border region is then identified between the first color area and the second color area. A pixel altering function alters pixels of the source image along the border region between the first color area and the second color area before the source image is converted into a plurality of halftone images. Finally, the halftone images are printed using ink of the first and second colors according to the first and second color areas.

Abstract: Heretofore there has been a case where a monochromatic image having a sufficient power of expression cannot be printed because of a narrow selection range of saturation. According to the present invention, in a predetermined print head, there is adopted a construction wherein the gradation characteristic of a color region capable of being color-reproduced is enhanced while narrowing the color region with use of a cyan color ink of a low saturation, a magenta color ink of a low saturation, a yellow color ink of a high saturation, and a black color ink, and color reproduction is performed. The color tone of the printed monochromatic image can be adjusted minutely with respect to the color components of cyan and magenta. On the other hand, the color region capable of being color-reproduced is wide substantially in the direction of yellow. Therefore, it is possible to ensure a sufficient selection range of saturation and print a monochromatic image of a high image quality having a sufficient power of expression.

Abstract: An inkjet printer for high-volume pagewidth printing includes a support structure. A platen assembly is positioned in the support structure, the platen assembly defining a pagewidth printing zone. A print assembly is positioned operatively with respect to the platen assembly. The print assembly includes a chassis that is mounted on the support structure to span the printing zone. A plurality of printhead modules is positioned on the chassis. Each printhead module has a carrier, a printhead chip mounted on the carrier and a flexible printed circuit board connected to the chip to provide the chip with control signals. The printhead modules are positioned so that the printhead chips overlie the printing zone. A plurality of printed circuit boards is mounted on the chassis. Each printed circuit board has control circuitry that is connected to a predetermined number of printhead chips. The printer includes a feed mechanism for feeding print media through the printing zone, over the platen assembly.

Abstract: A printing apparatus can reduce degradation in print quality of a printed image, notably in a highlight portion or an intermediate gradation portion, in the case where the image is printed by forming dots of a plurality of sizes. Specifically, data causing larger and smaller cyan ink droplets, respectively, to be ejected is independently subjected to a conversion to n-value process. Thus, the data for larger ink droplets is present in a portion of printing data which corresponds to the highlight portion or intermediate gradation portion of the image. During printing, larger dots are formed in this area, thereby making it difficult to perceive possible stripes caused by the offset of the positions at which smaller droplets impact a sheet.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for printing images on a substrate includes a first set of print heads S1 having at least one print head P1,1 arranged to deposit a first ink I1, and a second set of print heads S2 having at least two print heads P2,1, P2,2 arranged to deposit a second ink I2. The at least one print head P1,1 of the first set S1 and a first print head P2,1 of the second set S2 respectively depositing the first ink I1 and the second ink I2 in a first order of deposition O1, and the at least one print head P1,1 of the first set I1 and a second print head P2,2 of the second set S2 respectively depositing the first ink I1 and the second ink I2 in a second order of deposition O2 as the printing apparatus traverses across the substrate in one direction D1. The order of deposition of the first ink I1 and the second ink I2 from the print heads is reversed as the printing apparatus traverses across the substrate in an opposite direction D2.

Abstract: A printer head chip includes a plurality of ink compressing chambers which include heat-generating resistors and which are disposed side by side on a substrate. The printer head chip is used to discharge ink inside the plurality of ink compressing chambers from a nozzle by driving the heat-generating resistors. The printer head chip further includes an ink flow path groove, which is formed in the substrate and which is connected to each of the ink compressing chambers, for supplying ink to each of the ink compressing chambers. The invention makes it possible to supply ink to the printer head chip without increasing the size of a printer head, and to simplify the structure of the printer head.

Abstract: A liquid ejection unit is constituted by including a flow path unit comprising a nozzle plate, a flow path forming plate and a sealing plate, the unit is attached to a head holder, at least two of first liquid ejection units are aligned in a direction of nozzle arrays, a second liquid ejection unit having a shorter length in the first direction than the first liquid ejection unit is arranged at a discontinuous portion of the nozzle arrays between the first liquid ejection units by being shifted from an alignment of the first ejection liquid units in a second direction and a single unit is formed by the liquid ejection units such that the nozzle arrays constitute a long nozzle group for ejecting the same kind of a liquid.

Abstract: A recording apparatus is equipped with a recording head for performing recording on a conveyed recording medium by discharging liquid from a discharge opening array, and comprises a conveyor for conveying the recording medium, and a recording medium floating prevention member for preventing floating of the recording medium, wherein the floating prevention member includes a floating prevention area between the recording medium and the recording head, only on an upstream side, in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, of the discharge opening array of the recording head used in non-margin recording of performing the recording throughout the width of the recording medium. Thus, collision of the recording medium and the recording head can be prevented in both margin recording and the non-margin recording, without lowering recording speed and deteriorating recording quality.

Abstract: A fluid ejection device includes a substrate having fluid feed slots coupled to a fluid supply, and a plurality of drop generators fluidically coupled to the fluid feed slots and formed in the substrate. The plurality of drop generators are arranged in at least three staggered axis groups along axes that are approximately parallel and spaced transverse to each other substrate.

Abstract: A color inkjet printer and method of printing includes a printer carriage supported for bi-directional movement along a print swath axis. Color inkjet printheads of different colors are mounted for movement with the carriage. The printheads are mounted in only two rows which are directed along the print swath axis. One row of the two rows of printheads is formed of printheads for printing a first primary color and a printhead for printing black. Another row of the two rows of printheads is formed of printheads for printing a second primary color and a printhead for printing yellow. Nozzle arrays of printheads for printing the first primary color and the nozzle array of the printhead for printing black do not overlap in the direction along the print swath axis with the nozzle arrays of printheads for printing the second primary color and the nozzle array of the printhead for printing yellow.

Abstract: Image quality is improved by adjusting the ejection amount of quality enhancing ink based on the ejection amount of colored ink containing colorant. When a relatively high gross printing medium is used, the quality enhancing ink is ejected in an image area where virtually no colored ink is ejected, thereby improving unevenness in gloss within the print image. When a relatively low gross printing medium is used, on the other hand, the quality enhancing ink is ejected in an image area where the colored ink is ejected on virtually all pixels, thereby improving unevenness in color within the print image. The relationship between the ejection amounts of the quality enhancing ink and the colored ink may be modified by the user.

Abstract: A 2-color ink jet point of sale (POS) printer includes a converter for converting full color printing commands into commands for printing in two colors, a primary color and an alternate color. A three color image is possible when using the background color of the paper as a color. The printer includes a print carriage which contains only two print cartridges. The printer determines a location of the print cartridge relative to a print location of the image to be printed, and when the print cartridges are both on one side of the print location, the print carriages traverses the paper in one direction, printing first with the primary color and then with the alternate color on the same pass. After the paper is advanced in the printer, the print carriage traverses the paper in the other direction, with the alternate color printing before the primary color.

Abstract: A printhead system includes a plurality of printhead assemblies aligned in end-to-end relationship. Each printhead assembly includes a plurality of printhead modules, the printhead modules being arranged in end-to-end relationship and being angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the assembly such that the printhead chips of adjacent modules overlap in a direction transversely to a direction of movement of print media past the assemblies.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of an ink-jet type of the present invention is provided with an ink head section having a carriage that is composed of a plurality of ink head and scans so as to print. The ink head section is provided with black ink heads and a color ink head in such a manner that the black ink heads sandwich the color ink head. This eliminates the difference in blackness in printing, even if the carriage scans in two ways so as to print. Meanwhile, the ink heads are increased in number only by one, thereby limiting an increase in cost. In short, without a large increase in cost, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that forms a high-quality image, while printing time is shorted since the printing is carried out in two ways in a scanning direction.

Abstract: When a plurality of sheets of images are laid out and outputted in one page and characteristic amounts of multivalued image data are obtained to perform preferable image correction, the characteristic amounts of all the images to be recorded in the corresponding page have been beforehand obtained to calculate preferable image correction parameters. Therefore, a waiting time until the start of actual printing has been long.

Abstract: An ink jet printhead includes a printhead substrate having a plurality of thin film layers and three side by side columnar arrays of drop generators formed in the printhead substrate and extending along a longitudinal extent. Each columnar array has ink drop generators that are separated by an ink drop generator pitch P. The ink drop generators produce ink drops having an ink drop volume that enables multi-pass printing of a resolution that is not less than 1/(2P) dpi along a print axis parallel to the longitudinal extent. Three columnar arrays of FET drive circuits formed in the printhead substrate are employed to energize corresponding columnar arrays of ink drop generators.

Abstract: The printing is performed to the edges of printing paper without depositing ink drops on the platen. The platen 26 of the printer of the present invention comprises, in order from the upstream end in the sub-scanning direction, an upstream support portion 26sf, a recessed portion 26f, and a downstream support portion 26sr. The printer performs printing of the upper edge portion of printing paper using only a nozzle group Nh facing recessed portion 26f, and performs printing of the lower edge portion of printing paper using only a second nozzle group Nh facing recessed portion 26f. Between printing of the upper edge portion and intermediate portion, there is performed an upper edge transition process wherein printing is performed using all nozzle groups in the same manner as in the intermediate portion, but with the same sub-scan feed as in the upper edge portion.

Abstract: This invention concerns a printhead capping mechanism for preventing evaporation of ink from a printhead when it is not in use. The invention has utility, for instance, in a color printer which uses a drop-on-demand inkjet printhead. The mechanism includes a cap fitted with an elastomeric seal to seal against the face of the printhead, and a sponge to catch drops ejected from the printhead during the nozzle cleaning cycle. The mechanism also includes an actuating structure operable to selectively move the cap between an engaged position to press against the printhead and a disengaged position spaced away from the printhead.

Abstract: When multilevel printing is performed by using a plurality of types of inks, which present different densities for similar colors when used for printing, and changing the types of inks and the numbers of ink droplets in printing each pixel, an ink distribution table which defines a combination of the types of inks and the numbers of ink droplets in correspondence with each gray level value is generated on the basis of input information associated with the relative densities of the respective inks. A combination to be used to print each pixel is selected on the basis of the ink distribution table, thereby printing a good grayscale image free from gray-level reversal and the like.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention lowers boundary artifacts by diminishing inking selectively at a boundary, only in high-total-inking areas—considering essentially all real colorant planes in the aggregate. In another aspect, printmasking helps define ink-diminishment regions. In yet another, a printer allocates inking-diminishment units within an emulation of a masking plane (e.g. a color plane), analogously to allocation of inking units in real color planes. The entire diminishment plane or “eraser plane”, however, is later applied subtractively. Localized diminishment bits can be set in the mask at pixels close to boundaries, to define diminishment regions that negate artifact-causing boundary coalescence specifically—or such bits can be generated adaptively from results of measuring nonuniformity in an area-fill test pattern.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus to perform replacement halftoning is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises dithering multiple color channels of a pixel of an image to generate a plurality of halftone outputs. Each of the halftones corresponds to a distinct color channel of the pixel. The method further includes creating a virtual color channel from two or more color channels of the plurality of color channels and applying error diffusion to the virtual color channel to generate an error diffusion halftone outputs, and then replacing of the dither output error diffusion halftone outputs.

Abstract: A method of one embodiment of the invention is disclosed that ejects fluid over a current swath of media in one pass by a first fluid-ejection component, according to a first intended pass of a multiple-pass approach for the current swath. Fluid is also ejected over the current swath of media in the one pass by a second fluid-ejection component, according to a second intended pass of the multiple-pass approach for the current swath.