Print enhancement system for enhancing dot printer images

An apparatus comprising:

• an initial pattern memory means for storing an initial pattern of bits corresponding to an A by B matrix of bits, said A by B matrix of bits representing an initial image having X dots per inch along an intended direction of printing;
• means for detecting said initial pattern and transforming said initial pattern into an intermediate pattern of C by D bits, wherein C.gtoreq.A and D.gtoreq.B, and wherein C and D are each greater than or equal to two;
• means for determining whether a bit pattern in a plurality of rows and columns in said intermediate pattern matches a rule-pattern stored in a memory means along with other rule-patterns;
• means for applying one of a plurality of rule-actions to said intermediate pattern to modify said intermediate pattern if said bit pattern matches a rule-pattern, one or more of said rule-actions modifying said intermediate pattern by inverting one or more first logic level bits representing dots in said intermediate pattern to create an enhanced pattern of bits, and one or more of said rule-actions modifying said intermediate pattern by inverting one or more second logic level bits representing an absence of dots in said intermediate pattern to create an enhanced pattern of bits;
• and
• means for storing said enhanced pattern of bits in a memory means, said enhanced pattern corresponding to a dot pattern to be printed at n*X dots per inch along said direction of printing where n.gtoreq.1.