System for adjusting color intensity of neighboring pixels

A method of printing a minute image onto a substrate using a print head element which is longer along a first axis than along a second axis, the image including a plurality of pixels;

• the method comprising the steps of:
• a. selecting a subset of adjacent pixels;
• b. determining if a first difference in color intensity between a second of said adjacent pixels and a first of said adjacent pixels is above a predetermined value;
• c. determining if a second difference in color intensity between the second of said adjacent pixels and a third of said adjacent pixels is above the predetermined value;
• d. determining if a third difference in color intensity between the second of said adjacent pixels and a fourth of said adjacent pixels is above the predetermined value;
• e. adjusting said color intensity of said first pixel and said color intensity of said third pixel if said first, said second and said third differences in color intensity is each above said predetermined value;
• f. repeating steps a through e until all of the plurality of pixels are examined;
• and
• g. depositing a colorant onto the substrate according to said adjusted color intensities, said colorant thereby compensating for distortion caused by the print head element and enhancing the appearance of the image on the substrate.

A method of operating a printing apparatus comprising a plurality of selectively actuatable heating elements that are juxtaposed to a carrier comprising a colorant for printing on a substrate, the heating elements being longer along a first axis than along a second axis, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. determining a first difference in color intensity between a second pixel and a first pixel;
• b. determining a second difference in color intensity between the second pixel and a third pixel;
• c. determining a third difference in color intensity between the second pixel and a fourth pixel;
• d. adjusting said color intensity of said first pixel and said color intensity of said third pixel if said first, said second and said third differences in color intensity each exceeds a predetermined threshold value;
• and
• e. energizing a set of said heating elements to deposit said colorant on the substrate according to said adjusted color intensity of said first pixel and said adjusted color intensity of said third pixel, said colorant enhancing the appearance of the image on the substrate by producing an image as wide as the first axis of the selectively actuatable heating elements.