Patent EP0476860A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0476860A2
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EP
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Ink drop placement for improved imaging
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1991-08-28
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2011-08-28
Abstract
Abstract Ink-jet images are improved by printing groups (45) of adjacent pixels (40) with clusters (44) of overlapping ink drops (44a-d) for resisting random ink drop coalescence that would lead to a mottled image.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark S. Hickman
- 👤 Peter C. Morris
- 👤 Alpha Nghia Doan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:27
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/205; B41J2/2054
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A method for placing ink drops on a medium (22) that has a surface definable by a matrix of adjacent pixels (40) that are arranged in groups of horizontal rows and vertical columns, the method comprising the steps of: directing a first cluster (44) of at least two ink drops into contact with a first pixel group (45) that is in a first row and a first column, the drops of the first cluster (44) being directed to overlap upon contacting the first pixel group (45); and directing a second cluster (44) of at least two ink drops into contact with a second pixel group (45), the second pixel group (45) being in a second row and a second column, the drops of the second cluster (44) being directed to overlap upon contacting the second pixel group (45), the first and second clusters (44) being directed so that pixel groups (45) that are horizontally and vertically adjacent to the first and second pixel groups (45) are substantially uncovered by the first and second clusters (44).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of directing the first and second clusters (44) to be located diagonally adjacent to one another.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 2 including the step of directing the first and second clusters (44) to be in tangential contact with one another.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 including the steps of directing subsequent clusters (44) comprising at least two ink drops into contact with the pixel groups (45) that are horizontally and vertically adjacent to the first and second pixel groups (45).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first cluster (44) is directed so that the ink drops of the first cluster (44) overlap within the first pixel group (45) and wherein the second cluster (44) is directed so that the ink drops of the second cluster (44) overlap within the second pixel group (45).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second clusters (44) each comprise four ink drops that are directed to overlap within the respective first and second pixel groups (45).
Claim 7
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for controlling a scannable pen that is operable for placing ink drops on a medium (22) that has a surface definable by a matrix of adjacent pixel groups (45) that are arranged in horizontal rows and vertical columns, the method comprising the steps of: directing, during a first scan of the pen, clusters (44) of at least two overlapping ink drops to substantially cover every other pixel group (45) of a row of pixel groups(45); and directing, during the first scan of the pen, clusters (44) of at least two overlapping ink drops to substantially cover every other pixel group (45) of a column of pixel groups.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 7 further including the steps of: directing, during a second scan of the pen, clusters (44) of at least two overlapping ink drops to substantially cover pixel groups (45) that were not substantially covered during the first scan of the pen.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the drops of each cluster overlap within the pixel group (45) that is substantially covered by a cluster (44).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 7 wherein each cluster (44) comprises four ink drops that are directed to overlap about perpendicular central axes of the pixel group (45) that is substantially covered by the cluster.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the cluster (50) comprises two overlapping ink drops having centers that are vertically aligned.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for controlling a scannable pen that is operable for placing ink drops on a medium (22) that has a surface definable by a matrix of adjacent pixel groups (65) that are arranged in horizontal rows and vertical columns, the method comprising the steps of: directing, during a first scan of the pen, clusters (60) of at least two overlapping ink drops to substantially cover every fourth pixel group (65) of a row of pixel groups (65); and directing, during the first scan of the pen, clusters (60) of at least two overlapping ink drops to substantially cover every other pixel group (65) in every other column of pixel groups.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the cluster (60) comprises two overlapping ink drops having centers that are vertically aligned.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for controlling a scannable pen that is operable for placing ink drops on a medium (22) that has a surface definable by a matrix of adjacent pixel groups (75) that are arranged in horizontal rows and vertical columns, the method comprising the steps of: directing, during a first scan of the pen, clusters (70) of at least two overlapping ink drops to substantially cover every other pixel group (75) in every other row of pixel groups (75); and directing, during the first scan of the pen, clusters (70) of at least two overlapping ink drops to substantially cover every fourth pixel group (75) of a column of pixel groups (75).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the cluster (70) comprises two overlapping ink drops having centers that are horizontally aligned.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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