Method for reducing pixel density along a plurality of axes of a multiple dimension image representation

In a swath type printer having a movable carriage for supporting a plurality of print elements which are controlled to print dots on a rectilinear array of pixels, a method for upscaling a first bit-mapped pixel data array logically organized in rows and columns to a second bit-mapped pixel data array logically arranged in rows and columns, wherein the resolution of the second bit-mapped pixel data array along each of the row and column axes is twice that of the first bit-mapped pixel data array, comprising the steps of:

• (A) allocating a four-bit cell in the second array for each bit in the first array, wherein the four-bit cell is comprised of four bits logically arranged in two rows and two columns, such that four-bit cells in the second array are logically organized in rows and columns in the same manner as corresponding bits in the first array;
• (B) for each four-bit cell, setting the bit at a predetermined location that is the same for all four-bit cells to the contents of the corresponding bits in the first pixel array;
• (C) for each four-bit cell, setting the bits other than the bit at the predetermined location to 0;
• whereby the locations of the printed pixels relative to each other in the second pixel array would be the same as the locations of the printed pixels relative to each other in the first pixel array if such first pixel array were to be printed.