US 5,499,321 AGranted

Printing method for use with dot printer

AssigneeSeikosha Co., Ltd.

InventorsMikio Hayashi, Hiroshi Sato, Masahiro Nishida, Keiichiro Takahashi

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Abstract

A printing method to increase the printing speed of a dot printer. Before printing on the basis of the dot data representative of an original dot pattern showing fonts, graphics end the like, the original dot pattern is converted by converting M (M.gtoreq.3) dots successive in the line direction into N (M>N.gtoreq.2, M.noteq.2N) dots. Then, printing is performed on the basis of the thus converted dot data. In a modification, conversion is performed by converting each dot into n (n.gtoreq.2) successive intermediate dots in the line direction and when 2n or more intermediate dots are successive, selecting every m{(2n-1).gtoreq.m.gtoreq.(n+1) }-th intermediate dot. In another modification, pattern conversion is effected by converting each dot into n(n.gtoreq.2) successive intermediate dots, in a zone where printing is possible at the same dot interval as that of the original dot pattern, selecting only dots out of the intermediate dots that are arranged at the same dot interval as that of the original dot pattern, and in the other zone, selecting every m{(2n-1).gtoreq.m.gtoreq.(n+1) }-th intermediate dot.

Claims2

Dependent claims

A method for printing wherein a printhead is successively scanned in a line direction to print a plurality of dots extending in said line direction and a recording medium is fed at right angles to said line direction in normal printing mode or high speed printing mode, selectively, scanning speed of the printhead in the normal printing mode is V1 and scanning speed of the printhead in the high speed printing mode is V2(V1<V2), and minimum driving cycle of the printing element in the normal printing mode is determined as t1, though the printing element having response characteristics drivable by shorter driving cycle than the driving cycle t1 only while printing predetermined number of successive dots, wherein the steps in the high speed printing mode comprising of:

converting original dot pattern including fonts, graphics and the like, into secondary dot pattern having dot density lower than that of said original dot pattern;
scanning the printhead at the speed V2;
printing the secondary dot pattern by the printing element, the driving cycle of the printing element, in response to the predetermined number of successive dot data of the secondary dot pattern, being shorter than the minimum driving cycle t1, and the driving cycle of a printing element, in response to remaining dot data of the secondary dot pattern, being longer than or equal to the minimum driving cycle t1.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/455,773Filed 31 May 1995 · division
Priority: JP 1-3169646 Dec 1989
Granted: 12 Mar 1996
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

B41J 2/5058
Using dot arrays providing selective dot disposition modes, e.g. different dot densities for high speed and high-quality printing, array line…:…
G06K 15/02
Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data , e.g. computer output printers: using printers
G06K 15/10
Using printers: by matrix printers
G06K 2215/0057
Geometric transformations, e.g. on rasterised data: sizing and resolution changes

Family

Serial622,992Parent of this division · filed 6 Dec 1990
Serial697,125Parent of this continuation · filed 8 May 1991
Serial985,519Parent of this continuation · filed 2 Dec 1992
Serial190,770Parent of this division · filed 2 Feb 1994
US 5,499,321 AThis patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.