Patent EP0858049A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0858049A2
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EP
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Print dot placement in an ink jet printer
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1998-02-05
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2018-02-05
Abstract
Abstract Data input (21) received by a printer (11,12,13,14) is printed and dot data (24), which indicates location of dots (71-78) on a print medium, is generated from the data input (21). Dot shift data (22) is used in order to make sub-pixel shifts in locations of a subset (72-75,77) of the dots (71-78) on the print medium. Pulses are provided to a printhead (13) which result in ink being emitted through nozzles located on the printhead (13). When placing the dots (71-78) on the print medium, sub-pixel shifts in locations of the subset (72-75,77) of the dots (71-78) is achieved by time shifting the occurrence of pulses used to generate the dots (71-78).
Inventors
- 👤 Scott Norum
- 👤 Clayton Holstun
- 👤 Ronald A. Askeland
- 👤 James A. Feinn
- 👤 Jamie H. Bohorquez
- 👤 James R. Schmedake
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:00
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/015; B41J2/04; B41J2/045; B41J2/04501; B41J2/04505; B41J2/04506; B41J2/04543; B41J2/0458; B41J2/21; B41J2/2132; B41J2/2135; G; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/02; G06K15/10; G06K15/102; B41J2202/00; B41J2202/01; B41J2202/17; G06K2215/00; G06K2215/0002; G06K2215/004; G06K2215/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for printing data input (21) received by a printer
(11,12,13,14), the method comprising the following steps: (a) generating, from the data input (21), dot data (24) which indicates
location of dots (71-78) on a print medium; (b) using dot shift data (22) in order to make sub-pixel shifts in
locations of a subset (72-75,77) of the dots (71-78) on the print medium; and, (c) placing the dots (71-78) on the print medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein: step (c) is performed utilizing a train of firing pulses, firing pulses
within the train of firing pulses repeating at a frequency that is higher than
a pixel frequency; and in step (b) sub-pixel shifts in location of the subset (72-75,77) of the dots
(71-78) are performed by selecting different firing pulses to place the subset
(72-75,77) of the dots (71-78) on the print medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein in step (b) the dot shift data (22)
differs depending upon a user selected print mode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein step (b) includes the following
substep: (b.1) in a special print mode, using the dot shift data (22) to shift every
other row of dots (71-78) in order to form a honeycomb pattern (112).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein step (b) includes the following
substep: (b.1) using the dot shift data (22) to shift each of the subset (72-75,77) of
the dots (71-78) an amount based on a size of each dot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein step (b) includes the following
substep: (b.1) using the dot shift data (22) to perform sub-pixel alignment of the
dots (71-78) on the print medium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the dot shift data (22) in step (b) is
generated using the following steps: (d) testing a printhead (13) for dot alignment; (e) encoding alignment information within the printhead (13); (f) reading the encoded alignment information by the printer
(11,12,13,14); and, (g) generating, by the printer (11,12,13,14), the dot shift data (22) from
the alignment information.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the dot shift data (22) in step (b) is
generated using the following steps: (d) printing a test pattern; (e) receiving from a user coded information based on the test pattern
printed in step (d); (f) generating, by the printer (11,12,13,14), the dot shift data (22) based
on the coded information.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the dot shift data (22) in step (b) is
generated using the following steps: (d) printing a test pattern; (e) obtaining, by the printer (11,12,13,14), alignment information based
on the test pattern printed in step (d); (f) generating, by the printer (11,12,13,14), the dot shift data (22) based
on the alignment information.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein step (c) includes the following
substep: (c.1) providing pulses to a printhead (13) which result in ink being
emitted through nozzles located on the printhead (13).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as in claim 9 wherein in step (c) when placing the dots
(71-78) on the print medium, sub-pixel shifts in locations of the subset (72-75,77)
of the dots (71-78) is achieved by shifting data to different firing pulses.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein in step (b) the dot shift data (22)
used to make sub-pixel shifts dot shift data (22) varies depending upon
output content of the printer (11,12,13,14).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method as in claim 12 wherein in step (b) the dot shift data (22)
is varied so that in step (c) when the output content is text, the dots (71-78)
are placed in an orthogonal pattern (111) on the print media and when the
output content is graphic images, the dots (71-78) are placed in a honeycomb
pattern (112) on the print media.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein in step (b), the dot shift data (22)
is used to independently shift target locations for individual colors.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4503444A
Cited
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