High quality plotting technique for raster printing devices

Claim 1

A method for converting a plurality of operating vectors for printing on an output device having a plurality of print lines, comprising the steps of: designating for print dots of said operating victors, which dots occur on any of the print lines nk, where n is a predetermined number of lines in a group and k is any integer; and designating for print dots of only those of said operating vectors having a slope smaller than a predetermined first angle to the print lines, which dots occur on any of the print lines nk+m 1 , where n is said predetermined number of lines in a group, m 1 is a first predetermined integer between 0 and n exclusive, and k is any integer, wherein said first angle is less than or equal to 45°.

Claim 2

A method for converting a plurality of operating vectors for printing on an output device having a plurality of print lines, comprising the steps of: designating for print dots of said operating victors, which dots occur on any of the print lines nk, where n is a predetermined number of lines in a group and k is any integer; and designating for print dots of only those of said operating vectors having a slope smaller than a predetermined first angle to the print lines, which dots occur on any of the print lines nk+m 1 , where n is said predetermined number of lines in a group, m 1 is a first predetermined integer between 0 and n exclusive, and k is any integer, wherein said first angle is less than or equal to 45°.

Claim 23

A method for converting a plurality of operating vectors for printing on an output device having a plurality of print lines, comprising the steps of: designating for print dots of said operating vectors, which dots occur on any of the print lines nk, where n is a predetermined number of lines in a group and k is any integer; designating for print dots of only those of said operating vectors having a slope smaller than a predetermined first angle to the print lines, which dots occur on any of the print lines nk+m 1 , where n is said predetermined number of lines in a group, m 1 is a first predetermined integer between 0 and n exclusive, and k is any integer; and designating for print dots of only those of said operating vectors having a slope smaller than a predetermined second angle to the print lines, said second angle being smaller than said first angle, which dots occur on any of the print lines nk+m 2 or on any of the print lines nk+m 3 , where n is said predetermined number of lines in a group, m 2 is a second predetermined integer between 0 and m 1 exclusive, m 3 is a third predetermined integer between m 1 and n exclusive, and k is any integer.

Claim 24

A method for converting a plurality of operating vectors for printing on an output device having a plurality of print lines, comprising the steps of: designating for print dots of said operating vectors, which dots occur on any of the print lines nk, where n is a predetermined number of lines in a group and k is any integer; designating for print dots of only those of said operating vectors having a slope smaller than a predetermined first angle to the print lines, which dots occur on any of the print lines nk+m 1 , where n is said predetermined number of lines in a group, m 1 is a first predetermined integer between 0 and n exclusive, and k is any integer; and designating for print dots of only those of said operating vectors having a slope smaller than a predetermined second angle to the print lines, said second angle being smaller than said first angle, which dots occur on any of the print lines nk+m 2 or on any of the print lines nk+m 3 , where n is said predetermined number of lines in a group, m 2 is a second predetermined integer between 0 and m 1 exclusive, m 3 is a third predetermined integer between m 1 and n exclusive, and k is any integer.

Claim 33

A method for preparing a dot pattern for print on a plurality of print lines, comprising the steps of: providing a pattern of dots designated for print; eliminating from said dot pattern, according to a predetermined redundancy elimination algorithm, dots not needed for a predetermined level of quality, including eliminating from said pattern a particular dot if (a) any of the three dots immediately to the left of and on the same print line as the particular dot are designated for print and the dot immediately to the right of the particular dot is designated for print; or (b) either of the two dots immediately to the left of and on the same print line as the particular dot is designated for print and either of the two dots immediately to the right of and on and same print line as the particular dot is designated for print; or (c) the dot immediately to the left of the particular dot is designated for print and any of the three dots immediately to the right of an on the same print line as the particular dot is designated for print.

Claim 34

A method for preparing a dot pattern for print on a plurality of print lines, comprising the steps of: providing a pattern of dots designated for print; eliminating from said dot pattern, according to a predetermined redundancy elimination algorithm, dots not needed for a predetermined level of quality, including eliminating from said pattern a particular dot if (a) any of the three dots immediately to the left of and on the same print line as the particular dot are designated for print and the dot immediately to the right of the particular dot is designated for print; or (b) either of the two dots immediately to the left of and on the same print line as the particular dot is designated for print and either of the two dots immediately to the right of and on and same print line as the particular dot is designated for print; or (c) the dot immediately to the left of the particular dot is designated for print and any of the three dots immediately to the right of an on the same print line as the particular dot is designated for print.

Claim 35

A method for converting a plurality of operating vectors for printing on an output device having a plurality of print lines, comprising the steps of: designating for print dots of said operating vectors, which dots occur on any of the print lines nk, where n is a predetermined number of lines in a group and k is any integer, n being a multiple of 2; designating for print dots of only those of said operating vectors having a slope smaller than a predetermined first angle to the print lines, said first angle being less than or equal to 45°, which dots occur on any of the print lines nk+n/2, where n is said predetermined number of lines in a group and k is any integer; eliminating from said dots designated for print a repeatably chosen one of the dots in all mutually distinct dot pairs which consist of two adjacent dots designated for print on a single print line; moving a print mechanism along a print pass, said print mechanism being capable of printing a dot on each of a set of at least one of said plurality of print lines at any dot position along the length of said print pass; and adaptively controlling the speed at which said print mechanism moves along said print pass in response to the maximum density of dots designated for print in a known upcoming portion of any of said print lines in said set.

Claim 36

A method for converting a plurality of operating vectors for printing on an output device having a plurality of print lines, comprising the steps of: designating for print dots of said operating vectors, which dots occur on any of the print lines nk, where n is a predetermined number of lines in a group and k is any integer, n being a multiple of 2; designating for print dots of only those of said operating vectors having a slope smaller than a predetermined first angle to the print lines, said first angle being less than or equal to 45°, which dots occur on any of the print lines nk+n/2, where n is said predetermined number of lines in a group and k is any integer; eliminating from said dots designated for print a repeatably chosen one of the dots in all mutually distinct dot pairs which consist of two adjacent dots designated for print on a single print line; moving a print mechanism along a print pass, said print mechanism being capable of printing a dot on each of a set of at least one of said plurality of print lines at any dot position along the length of said print pass; and adaptively controlling the speed at which said print mechanism moves along said print pass in response to the maximum density of dots designated for print in a known upcoming portion of any of said print lines in said set.

Claim 37

A method for converting a plurality of input vectors for printing on an output device having a plurality of print lines, comprising the steps of: deriving a plurality of operating vectors by modifying a subset of said input vectors such that each of the end points of each vector in said subset occurs on a print line nk, where n is a predetermined number of lines in a group and k is an integer, said subset being defined as all of said plurality of input vectors which are longer than a predetermined length and n being an integer multiple of 4; designating for print dots of said operating vectors, which dots occur on any of the print lines nk, where n is said predetermined number of lines in a group and k is any integer; designating for print dots of only those of said operating vectors having a slope smaller than a predetermined first angle to the print lines, which dots occur on any of the print lines nk +n/2, where n is said predetermined number of lines in a group and k is any integer; designating for print dots of only those of said operating vectors having a slope smaller than a predetermined second angle to the print lines, said second angle being smaller than said first angle, which dots occur on any of the print lines nk+n/4 or an any of the print lines nk+3n/4, where n is said predetermined number of lines in a group and k is any integer; eliminating from said dots designated for print a repeatably chosen one of the dots in all mutually distinct dot pairs which consist of two adjacent dots designated for print on a single print line; precalculating a print speed profile for a print mechanism to be moved along a print pass, said print mechanism being capable of printing a dot on each of a set of said plurality of print lines at any dot position along the length of said print pass, said step of precalculating including the step of choosing a print speed for each portion of said print pass which is both preceded and followed by a region of at least a predetermined number of dots along the print pass, within which portion no dots are designated for print on any of said print lines in said set; and printing dots from said dots designated for print as said print mechanism moves along said print pass according to said print speed profile.

Claim 38

A method for converting a plurality of input vectors for printing on an output device having a plurality of print lines, comprising the steps of: deriving a plurality of operating vectors by modifying a subset of said input vectors such that each of the end points of each vector in said subset occurs on a print line nk, where n is a predetermined number of lines in a group and k is an integer, said subset being defined as all of said plurality of input vectors which are longer than a predetermined length and n being an integer multiple of 4; designating for print dots of said operating vectors, which dots occur on any of the print lines nk, where n is said predetermined number of lines in a group and k is any integer; designating for print dots of only those of said operating vectors having a slope smaller than a predetermined first angle to the print lines, which dots occur on any of the print lines nk +n/2, where n is said predetermined number of lines in a group and k is any integer; designating for print dots of only those of said operating vectors having a slope smaller than a predetermined second angle to the print lines, said second angle being smaller than said first angle, which dots occur on any of the print lines nk+n/4 or an any of the print lines nk+3n/4, where n is said predetermined number of lines in a group and k is any integer; eliminating from said dots designated for print a repeatably chosen one of the dots in all mutually distinct dot pairs which consist of two adjacent dots designated for print on a single print line; precalculating a print speed profile for a print mechanism to be moved along a print pass, said print mechanism being capable of printing a dot on each of a set of said plurality of print lines at any dot position along the length of said print pass, said step of precalculating including the step of choosing a print speed for each portion of said print pass which is both preceded and followed by a region of at least a predetermined number of dots along the print pass, within which portion no dots are designated for print on any of said print lines in said set; and printing dots from said dots designated for print as said print mechanism moves along said print pass according to said print speed profile.

Claim 44

A method for preparing a dot pattern for print on a plurality of print lines, comprising the steps of: providing a pattern of dots designated for print; and eliminating from said dot pattern, according to a predetermined redundancy elimination algorithm, dots not needed for a predetermined level of quality, said step of eliminating comprising the steps of: predefining first and second distinct fields of dots, defined by location relative to an arbitrary dot, said first and second distinct fields further being distinct from said arbitrary dot, said first and second fields being predefined such that said arbitrary dot would not be needed for said predetermined level of quality if at least one of the dots in said first field and at least one of the dots in said second field are designated for print; and eliminating from said pattern a subject one of said dots designated for print if at least one of the dots in said first predetermined field relative to said subject dot is designated for print and at least one of the dots in said second predetermined field relative to said subject dot is designated for print.

Claim 45

A method for preparing a dot pattern for print on a plurality of print lines, comprising the steps of: providing a pattern of dots designated for print; and eliminating from said dot pattern, according to a predetermined redundancy elimination algorithm, dots not needed for a predetermined level of quality, said step of eliminating comprising the steps of: predefining first and second distinct fields of dots, defined by location relative to an arbitrary dot, said first and second distinct fields further being distinct from said arbitrary dot, said first and second fields being predefined such that said arbitrary dot would not be needed for said predetermined level of quality if at least one of the dots in said first field and at least one of the dots in said second field are designated for print; and eliminating from said pattern a subject one of said dots designated for print if at least one of the dots in said first predetermined field relative to said subject dot is designated for print and at least one of the dots in said second predetermined field relative to said subject dot is designated for print.

Claim 48

A method for preparing a dot pattern for print on a plurality of print lines, comprising the steps of: providing a pattern of dots designated for print; and eliminating from said dot pattern, according to a predetermined redundancy elimination algorithm, dots not needed for a predetermined level of quality, wherein said step of eliminating comprises the steps of: eliminating from said pattern all dots designated for print on print line nk 1 +m 1 , which dots are considered redundant according to a predetermined test, where n is a predetermined number of lines in a group, m 1 is a first predetermined integer between 0 and n exclusive, and k 1 is a particular integer; and subsequently eliminating from said pattern all dots designated for print on print line nk 1 , which dots are considered redundant according to said predetermined test, where n is said predetermined number of lines in a group and k 1 is said particular integer, said method further comprising the step of predefining first and second distinct fields of dots, defined by location relative to an arbitrary dot, said first and second distinct fields further being distinct from said arbitrary dot, said first and second fields being predefined such that said arbitrary dot would not be needed for said predetermined level of quality if at least one of the dots in said first field and at least one of the dots in said second field are designated for print, wherein said predetermined test considers each subject one of said dots designated for print redundant if at least one of the dots in said first predetermined field relative to said subject dot is designated for print and at least one of the dots in said second predetermined field relative to said subject dot is designated for print.

Claim 49

A method for preparing a dot pattern for print on a plurality of print lines, comprising the steps of: providing a pattern of dots designated for print; and eliminating from said dot pattern, according to a predetermined redundancy elimination algorithm, dots not needed for a predetermined level of quality, wherein said step of eliminating comprises the steps of: eliminating from said pattern all dots designated for print on print line nk 1 +m 1 , which dots are considered redundant according to a predetermined test, where n is a predetermined number of lines in a group, m 1 is a first predetermined integer between 0 and n exclusive, and k 1 is a particular integer; and subsequently eliminating from said pattern all dots designated for print on print line nk 1 , which dots are considered redundant according to said predetermined test, where n is said predetermined number of lines in a group and k 1 is said particular integer, said method further comprising the step of predefining first and second distinct fields of dots, defined by location relative to an arbitrary dot, said first and second distinct fields further being distinct from said arbitrary dot, said first and second fields being predefined such that said arbitrary dot would not be needed for said predetermined level of quality if at least one of the dots in said first field and at least one of the dots in said second field are designated for print, wherein said predetermined test considers each subject one of said dots designated for print redundant if at least one of the dots in said first predetermined field relative to said subject dot is designated for print and at least one of the dots in said second predetermined field relative to said subject dot is designated for print.

Claim 51

A method for preparing a dot pattern for print on a plurality of print lines, comprising the steps of: providing a pattern of dots designated for print; and eliminating from said dot pattern, according to a predetermined redundancy elimination algorithm, dots not needed for a predetermined level of quality, wherein said step of eliminating comprises the steps of: eliminating from said pattern all dots designated for print on a print line nk 1 +m 2 , which dots are considered redundant according to a predetermined test, where n is a predetermined number of lines in a group, m 2 is a second predetermined integer between 0 and n exclusive, and k 1 is a particular integer; subsequently eliminating from said pattern all dots designated for print on print line nk 1 +m 1 , which dots are considered redundant according to said predetermined test, where n is said predetermined number of lines in a group, m 1 is a first predetermined integer between 0 and n exclusive, and different from m 2 , and k 1 is said particular integer; and subsequently eliminating from said pattern all dots designated for print on print line nk 1 , which dots are considered redundant according to said predetermined test, where n is said predetermined number of lines in a group and k 1 is said particular integer, said method further comprising the step of predefining first and second distinct fields of dots, defined by location relative to an arbitrary dot, said first and second distinct fields further being distinct from said arbitrary dot, said first and second fields being predetermined such that said arbitrary dot would not be needed for said predetermined level of quality if at least one of the dots in said first field and at least one of the dots in said second field are designated for print, wherein said predetermined test considers each subject one of said dots designated for print redundant if at least one of the dots in said first predetermined field relative to said subject dot is designated for print and at least one of the dots in said second predetermined field relative to said subject dot is designated for print.

Claim 52

A method for preparing a dot pattern for print on a plurality of print lines, comprising the steps of: providing a pattern of dots designated for print; and eliminating from said dot pattern, according to a predetermined redundancy elimination algorithm, dots not needed for a predetermined level of quality, wherein said step of eliminating comprises the steps of: eliminating from said pattern all dots designated for print on a print line nk 1 +m 2 , which dots are considered redundant according to a predetermined test, where n is a predetermined number of lines in a group, m 2 is a second predetermined integer between 0 and n exclusive, and k 1 is a particular integer; subsequently eliminating from said pattern all dots designated for print on print line nk 1 +m 1 , which dots are considered redundant according to said predetermined test, where n is said predetermined number of lines in a group, m 1 is a first predetermined integer between 0 and n exclusive, and different from m 2 , and k 1 is said particular integer; and subsequently eliminating from said pattern all dots designated for print on print line nk 1 , which dots are considered redundant according to said predetermined test, where n is said predetermined number of lines in a group and k 1 is said particular integer, said method further comprising the step of predefining first and second distinct fields of dots, defined by location relative to an arbitrary dot, said first and second distinct fields further being distinct from said arbitrary dot, said first and second fields being predetermined such that said arbitrary dot would not be needed for said predetermined level of quality if at least one of the dots in said first field and at least one of the dots in said second field are designated for print, wherein said predetermined test considers each subject one of said dots designated for print redundant if at least one of the dots in said first predetermined field relative to said subject dot is designated for print and at least one of the dots in said second predetermined field relative to said subject dot is designated for print.

Claim 53

A method for preparing a dot pattern for print on a plurality of print lines, comprising the steps of: providing a pattern of dots designated for print; and eliminating from said dot pattern, according to a predetermined redundancy elimination algorithm, dots not needed for a predetermined level of quality, wherein said step of eliminating, for a subject dot in the center of a 7×7 square of dots numbered 1 through 7 from left to right across the top row, 8 through 14 from left to right across the second row, 15 through 21 from left to right across the third row, 22 through 28 from left to right across the fourth row, 29 through 35 from left to right across the fifth row, 36 through 42 from left to right across the sixth row, and 43 through 49 from left to right across the seventh row, comprises the step of eliminating said subject dot if at least one of the following conditions are true: (a) at least one of dots 17, 24 and 31, and at least one of dots 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, 33, 34 and 35, are designated for print; (b) at least one of dots 16, 23 and 30, and at least one of dots 19, 20, 26, 27, 33 and 34, are designated for print; (c) at least one of dots 15, 22 and 29, and at least one of dots 19, 26 and 33, are designated for print; (d) at least one of dots 17, 18 and 19, and at least one of dots 31, 32, 33, 38, 39, 40, 45, 46 and 47, are designated for print; (e) at least one of dots 10, 11 and 12, and at least one of dots 31, 32, 33, 38, 39 and 40, are designated for print; (f) at least one of dots 3, 4 and 5, and at least one of dots 31, 32 and 33, are designated for print; (g) at least one of dots 10, 16 and 17, and at least one of dots 33, 34, 35, 40, 41, 42, 47, 48 and 49, are designated for print; (h) at least one of dots 3, 9 and 15, and at least one of dots 33, 34, 35, 40, 41 and 47, are designated for print; (i) at least one of dots 1, 2 and 8, and at least one of dots 33, 34 and 40, are designated for print; (j) at least one of dots 12, 19 and 20, and at least one of dots 29, 30, 31, 36, 37, 38, 43, 44 and 45, are designated for print; (k) at least one of dots 5, 13 and 21, and at least one of dots 29, 30, 31, 37, 38 and 45, are designated for print; (l) at least one of dots 6, 7 and 14, and at least one of dots 30, 31 and 38, are designated for print.

Claim 54

A method for preparing a dot pattern for print on a plurality of print lines, comprising the steps of: providing a pattern of dots designated for print; and eliminating from said dot pattern, according to a predetermined redundancy elimination algorithm, dots not needed for a predetermined level of quality, wherein said step of eliminating, for a subject dot in the center of a 7×7 square of dots numbered 1 through 7 from left to right across the top row, 8 through 14 from left to right across the second row, 15 through 21 from left to right across the third row, 22 through 28 from left to right across the fourth row, 29 through 35 from left to right across the fifth row, 36 through 42 from left to right across the sixth row, and 43 through 49 from left to right across the seventh row, comprises the step of eliminating said subject dot if at least one of the following conditions are true: (a) at least one of dots 17, 24 and 31, and at least one of dots 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, 33, 34 and 35, are designated for print; (b) at least one of dots 16, 23 and 30, and at least one of dots 19, 20, 26, 27, 33 and 34, are designated for print; (c) at least one of dots 15, 22 and 29, and at least one of dots 19, 26 and 33, are designated for print; (d) at least one of dots 17, 18 and 19, and at least one of dots 31, 32, 33, 38, 39, 40, 45, 46 and 47, are designated for print; (e) at least one of dots 10, 11 and 12, and at least one of dots 31, 32, 33, 38, 39 and 40, are designated for print; (f) at least one of dots 3, 4 and 5, and at least one of dots 31, 32 and 33, are designated for print; (g) at least one of dots 10, 16 and 17, and at least one of dots 33, 34, 35, 40, 41, 42, 47, 48 and 49, are designated for print; (h) at least one of dots 3, 9 and 15, and at least one of dots 33, 34, 35, 40, 41 and 47, are designated for print; (i) at least one of dots 1, 2 and 8, and at least one of dots 33, 34 and 40, are designated for print; (j) at least one of dots 12, 19 and 20, and at least one of dots 29, 30, 31, 36, 37, 38, 43, 44 and 45, are designated for print; (k) at least one of dots 5, 13 and 21, and at least one of dots 29, 30, 31, 37, 38 and 45, are designated for print; (l) at least one of dots 6, 7 and 14, and at least one of dots 30, 31 and 38, are designated for print.

Claim 55

A method for preparing a dot pattern for print on a plurality of print lines, comprising the steps of: providing a pattern of dots designated for print; and eliminating from said dot pattern, according to a predetermined redundancy elimination algorithm, dots not needed for a predetermined level of quality, wherein said step of eliminating comprises the steps of: eliminating from said pattern all dots designated for print on print line nk 1 +m 1 , which dots are considered redundant according to a predetermined test, where n is a predetermined number of lines in a group, m 1 is a first predetermined integer between 0 and n exclusive, and k 1 is a particular integer; and subsequently eliminating from said pattern all dots designated for print on print line nk 1 , which dots are considered redundant according to said predetermined test, where n is said predetermined number of lines in a group and k 1 is said particular integer, wherein for each subject one of said dots designated for print which is located in the center of a respective 7×7 square of dots numbered 1 through 7 from left to right across the top row, 8 through 14 from left to right across the second row, 15 through 21 from left to right across the third row, 22 through 28 from left to right across the fourth row, 29 through 35 from left to right across the fifth row, 36 through 42 from left to right across the sixth row, and 43 through 49 from left to right across the seventh row, said predetermined test considers said subject dot redundant if at least one of the following conditions are true: (a) at least one of dots 17, 24 and 31, and at least one of dots 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, 33, 34 and 35, are designated for print; (b) at least one of dots 16, 23 and 30, and at least one of dots 19, 20, 26, 27, 33 and 34, are designated for print; (c) at least one of dots 15, 22 and 29, and at least one of dots 19, 26 and 33, are designated for print; (d) at least one of dots 17, 18 and 19, and at least one of dots 31, 32, 33, 38, 39, 40, 45, 46 and 47, are designated for print; (e) at least one of dots 10, 11 and 12, and at least one of dots 31, 32, 33, 38, 39 and 40, are designated for print; (f) at least one of dots 3, 4 and 5, and at least one of dots 31, 32 and 33, are designated for print; (g) at least one of dots 10, 16 and 17, and at least one of dots 33, 34, 35, 40, 41, 42, 47, 48 and 49, are designated for print; (h) at least one of dots 3, 9 and 15, and at least one of dots 33, 34, 35, 40, 41 and 47, are designated for print; (i) at least one of dots 1, 2 and 8, and at least one of dots 33, 34 and 40, are designated for print; (j) at least one of dots 12, 19 and 20, and at least one of dots 29, 30, 31, 36, 37, 38, 43, 44 and 45, are designated for print; (k) at least one of dots 5, 13 and 21, and at least one of dots 29, 30, 31, 37, 38 and 45, are designated for print; (l) at least one of dots 6, 7 and 14, and at least one of dots 30, 31 and 38, are designated for print.

Claim 56

A method for preparing a dot pattern for print on a plurality of print lines, comprising the steps of: providing a pattern of dots designated for print; and eliminating from said dot pattern, according to a predetermined redundancy elimination algorithm, dots not needed for a predetermined level of quality, wherein said step of eliminating comprises the steps of: eliminating from said pattern all dots designated for print on print line nk 1 +m 1 , which dots are considered redundant according to a predetermined test, where n is a predetermined number of lines in a group, m 1 is a first predetermined integer between 0 and n exclusive, and k 1 is a particular integer; and subsequently eliminating from said pattern all dots designated for print on print line nk 1 , which dots are considered redundant according to said predetermined test, where n is said predetermined number of lines in a group and k 1 is said particular integer, wherein for each subject one of said dots designated for print which is located in the center of a respective 7×7 square of dots numbered 1 through 7 from left to right across the top row, 8 through 14 from left to right across the second row, 15 through 21 from left to right across the third row, 22 through 28 from left to right across the fourth row, 29 through 35 from left to right across the fifth row, 36 through 42 from left to right across the sixth row, and 43 through 49 from left to right across the seventh row, said predetermined test considers said subject dot redundant if at least one of the following conditions are true: (a) at least one of dots 17, 24 and 31, and at least one of dots 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, 33, 34 and 35, are designated for print; (b) at least one of dots 16, 23 and 30, and at least one of dots 19, 20, 26, 27, 33 and 34, are designated for print; (c) at least one of dots 15, 22 and 29, and at least one of dots 19, 26 and 33, are designated for print; (d) at least one of dots 17, 18 and 19, and at least one of dots 31, 32, 33, 38, 39, 40, 45, 46 and 47, are designated for print; (e) at least one of dots 10, 11 and 12, and at least one of dots 31, 32, 33, 38, 39 and 40, are designated for print; (f) at least one of dots 3, 4 and 5, and at least one of dots 31, 32 and 33, are designated for print; (g) at least one of dots 10, 16 and 17, and at least one of dots 33, 34, 35, 40, 41, 42, 47, 48 and 49, are designated for print; (h) at least one of dots 3, 9 and 15, and at least one of dots 33, 34, 35, 40, 41 and 47, are designated for print; (i) at least one of dots 1, 2 and 8, and at least one of dots 33, 34 and 40, are designated for print; (j) at least one of dots 12, 19 and 20, and at least one of dots 29, 30, 31, 36, 37, 38, 43, 44 and 45, are designated for print; (k) at least one of dots 5, 13 and 21, and at least one of dots 29, 30, 31, 37, 38 and 45, are designated for print; (l) at least one of dots 6, 7 and 14, and at least one of dots 30, 31 and 38, are designated for print.

Claim 57

A method for preparing a dot pattern for print on a plurality of print lines, comprising the steps of: providing a pattern of dots designated for print; eliminating from said pattern all dots designated for print on print line nk 1 +m 1 , which dots are considered redundant according to a predetermined test, where n is a predetermined number of lines in a group, m 1 is a first predetermined integer between 0 and n exclusive, and k 1 is a particular integer; and subsequently eliminating from said pattern all dots designated for print on print line nk 1 , which dots are considered redundant according to said predetermined test, where n is said predetermined number of lines in a group and k 1 is said particular integer, wherein for each subject one of said dots designated for print which is located in the center of a respective 7×7 square of dots numbered 1 through 7 from left to right across the top row, 8 through 14 from left to right across the second row, 15 through 21 from left to right across the third row, 22 through 28 from left to right across the fourth row, 29 through 35 from left to right across the fifth row, 36 through 42 from left to right across the sixth row, and 43 through 49 from left to right across the seventh row, said predetermined test considers said subject dot redundant if at least one of the following conditions are true: (a) at least one of dots 17, 24 and 31, and at least one of dots 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 33, 34 and 35, are designated for print; (b) at least one of dots 16, 23 and 30, and at least one of dots 19, 20, 26, 27, 33 and 34, are designated for print; (c) at least one of dots 15, 22 and 29, and at least one of dots 19, 26 and 33, are designated for print; (d) at least one of dots 17, 18 and 19, and at least one of dots 31, 32, 33, 28, 39, 40, 45, 46 and 47, are designated for print; (e) at least one of dots 10, 11 and 12, and at least one of dots 31, 32, 33, 38, 39 and 40, are designated for print; (f) at least one of dots 3, 4 and 5, and at least one of dots 31, 32 and 33, are designated for print; (g) at least one of dots 10, 16 and 17, and at least one of dots 33, 34, 35, 40, 41, 42, 47, 48 and 49, are designated for print; (h) at least one of dots 3, 9 and 15, and at least one of dots 33, 34, 35, 40, 41 and 47, are designated for print; (i) at least one of dots 1, 2 and 8, and at least one of dots 33, 34 and 40, are designated for print; (j) at least one of dots 12, 19 and 20, and at least one of dots 29, 30, 31, 36, 37, 38, 43, 44 and 45, are designated for print; (k) at least one of dots 5, 13 and 21, and at least one of dots 29, 30, 31, 37, 38 and 45, are designated for print; (l) at least one of dots 6, 7 and 14, and at least one of dots 30, 31 and 38, are designated for print.

Claim 58

A method for preparing a dot pattern for print on a plurality of print lines, comprising the steps of: providing a pattern of dots designated for print; eliminating from said pattern all dots designated for print on print line nk 1 +m 1 , which dots are considered redundant according to a predetermined test, where n is a predetermined number of lines in a group, m 1 is a first predetermined integer between 0 and n exclusive, and k 1 is a particular integer; and subsequently eliminating from said pattern all dots designated for print on print line nk 1 , which dots are considered redundant according to said predetermined test, where n is said predetermined number of lines in a group and k 1 is said particular integer, wherein for each subject one of said dots designated for print which is located in the center of a respective 7×7 square of dots numbered 1 through 7 from left to right across the top row, 8 through 14 from left to right across the second row, 15 through 21 from left to right across the third row, 22 through 28 from left to right across the fourth row, 29 through 35 from left to right across the fifth row, 36 through 42 from left to right across the sixth row, and 43 through 49 from left to right across the seventh row, said predetermined test considers said subject dot redundant if at least one of the following conditions are true: (a) at least one of dots 17, 24 and 31, and at least one of dots 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 33, 34 and 35, are designated for print; (b) at least one of dots 16, 23 and 30, and at least one of dots 19, 20, 26, 27, 33 and 34, are designated for print; (c) at least one of dots 15, 22 and 29, and at least one of dots 19, 26 and 33, are designated for print; (d) at least one of dots 17, 18 and 19, and at least one of dots 31, 32, 33, 28, 39, 40, 45, 46 and 47, are designated for print; (e) at least one of dots 10, 11 and 12, and at least one of dots 31, 32, 33, 38, 39 and 40, are designated for print; (f) at least one of dots 3, 4 and 5, and at least one of dots 31, 32 and 33, are designated for print; (g) at least one of dots 10, 16 and 17, and at least one of dots 33, 34, 35, 40, 41, 42, 47, 48 and 49, are designated for print; (h) at least one of dots 3, 9 and 15, and at least one of dots 33, 34, 35, 40, 41 and 47, are designated for print; (i) at least one of dots 1, 2 and 8, and at least one of dots 33, 34 and 40, are designated for print; (j) at least one of dots 12, 19 and 20, and at least one of dots 29, 30, 31, 36, 37, 38, 43, 44 and 45, are designated for print; (k) at least one of dots 5, 13 and 21, and at least one of dots 29, 30, 31, 37, 38 and 45, are designated for print; (l) at least one of dots 6, 7 and 14, and at least one of dots 30, 31 and 38, are designated for print.

Claim 60

A method for converting a plurality of operating vectors for printing on an output device having a plurality of print lines, comprising the steps of: designating for print dots of said operating vectors, which dots occur on any of the print lines nk, where n is a predetermined number of lines in a group and k is any integer; and designating for print dots of only those of said operating vectors having a slope smaller than a predetermined first angle to the print lines, which dots occur on any of the print lines nk+m 1 , where n is said predetermined number of lines in a group, m 1 is a first predetermined integer between 0 and n exclusive, and k is any integer, said method further comprising the steps of: predefining first and second distinct fields of dots, defined by location relative to an arbitrary dot, said first and second distinct fields further being distinct from said arbitrary dot, said first and second fields being predefined such that said arbitrary dot would not be needed for a predetermined level of quality if at least one of the dots in said first field and at least one of the dots in said second field are designated for print; and eliminating from said pattern a subject one of said dots designated for print if at least one of the dots in said first predetermined field relative to said subject dot is designated for print and at least one of the dots in said second predetermined field relative to said subject dot is designated for print.

Claim 61

A method for converting a plurality of operating vectors for printing on an output device having a plurality of print lines, comprising the steps of: designating for print dots of said operating vectors, which dots occur on any of the print lines nk, where n is a predetermined number of lines in a group and k is any integer; and designating for print dots of only those of said operating vectors having a slope smaller than a predetermined first angle to the print lines, which dots occur on any of the print lines nk+m 1 , where n is said predetermined number of lines in a group, m 1 is a first predetermined integer between 0 and n exclusive, and k is any integer, said method further comprising the steps of: predefining first and second distinct fields of dots, defined by location relative to an arbitrary dot, said first and second distinct fields further being distinct from said arbitrary dot, said first and second fields being predefined such that said arbitrary dot would not be needed for a predetermined level of quality if at least one of the dots in said first field and at least one of the dots in said second field are designated for print; and eliminating from said pattern a subject one of said dots designated for print if at least one of the dots in said first predetermined field relative to said subject dot is designated for print and at least one of the dots in said second predetermined field relative to said subject dot is designated for print.