Multi-head printing with differing resolutions
AssigneeCanon Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorsAkitoshi Yamada, Hiromitsu Hirabayashi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A printer having at least first and second print heads, each with independently controllable print resolution, controllably prints text data with a first resolution and non-text data with a second resolution. Preferably, the printer is comprised by first and second ink jet print heads which eject ink droplets through plural nozzles based on digital data stored in a print buffer. Resolution is controlled by controlling ink droplet size, nozzle ejection sequence, and readout order from the print buffer, all with droplet size, ejection sequence and readout order being controlled independently for each print head. A user interface allows a user to control resolution of text and non-text data independently.
Claims99
In a printer having at least first and second print heads, a method for controlling print resolution comprising the step of controlling resolution of the first and second heads independently of each other, wherein said first and second print heads are comprised by ink jet print heads which eject ink droplets based on digital data in a print buffer, and wherein said step of controlling resolution of the print heads independent of each other is comprised by the steps of adjusting ink droplet size and adjusting readout order for the digital data from the print buffer for each one of the print heads based on command information corresponding to the print head.
A print driver, executable in a host processor, so as to output print data corresponding to a raster image to a printer that has at least first and second print heads comprised by ink jet print heads which eject ink droplets based on digital data in a print buffer, said print driver comprising:
- control of resolution of the first and second print heads independently of each other;
- transmission of digital print data to the printer;
- and
- a command to print the transmitted print data in the respectively controlled resolutions,
- wherein control of resolution of a print head independent of another is comprised by adjustment of ink droplet size and adjustment of readout order for the digital data from the print buffer for the print head in accordance with command information which corresponds to the print head.
In a printer having at least first and second print heads comprised by ink jet print heads which eject ink droplets based on digital data in a printer buffer, each of the print heads with independently controllable print resolution, a method of printing comprising the steps of:
- receiving a command with information corresponding to a print head, and adjusting readout order for the digital data in a print buffer in accordance with the read out order command information;
- receiving a command with information corresponding to a print head, and adjusting ink droplet size in accordance with the ink droplet size command information;
- printing with the first print head at a first resolution and printing with the second print head at a second resolution different from the first resolution.
A printer comprising:
- at least first and second print heads each with independently controllable print resolution;
- and
- control means for controlling printout by said first and second print heads, said control means controlling printout by said first print head at a first resolution and controlling printout by said second print head at a second resolution different from the first resolution, wherein the first and second print heads are comprised by ink jet print heads which eject ink droplets based on digital data in a print buffer, and wherein said control means is adapted to receive command information corresponding to a print head, the command information being used to adjust ink droplet size and read out order for the digital data from the print buffer for the corresponding print head.
A printing system comprising:
- an ink jet printer having at least first and second print heads which eject ink droplets based on digital data in a print buffer, each print head with independently controllable print resolution, said ink jet printer including control means for controlling printout by said first and second print heads, said control means controlling printout by said first print head at a first resolution and controlling printout by said second print head at a second resolution different from the first resolution, wherein said control means is adapted to receive command information corresponding to a print head, the command information being used to adjust ink droplet size and read out order for the digital data from the print buffer;
- and
- a host processor operationally connected to said ink jet printer so as to transmit digital print data to said ink jet printer, said host processor including a print driver executable thereon to output print data corresponding to a raster image to a printer that has at least first and second print heads.
A user interface displayable by a host processor so as to allow user control over print resolution of a printer having at least first and second print heads with independently controllable print resolution, said user interface including a section to designate resolution of text and a section to designate resolution of non-text.
A print driver, executable in a host processor, so as to output print data corresponding to a raster image to a printer that has at least one print head, said print driver comprising:
- control of a print head to print data in a plurality of resolutions, said control comprising command information identifying ink droplet size and readout order of data from a print buffer;
- transmission of the command information and digital print data to the printer;
- and
- a command to print the transmitted print data on a scan line of the printer in the plurality of resolutions.
A print driver stored on a computer-readable medium and executable in a host processor so as to output print data corresponding to a raster image to a printer that has at least one print head, said print driver comprising:
- control of a print head to print data in a plurality of resolutions, said control comprising command information identifying ink droplet size and readout order of data from a print buffer;
- transmission of the command information and digital print data to the printer;
- and
- a command to print the transmitted print data on a scan line of the printer in the plurality of resolutions.
A computer-readable medium storing computer-executable process steps for a print driver, the steps executable in a host processor so as to output print data corresponding to a raster image to a printer that has at least one print head, said print driver comprising:
- control of a print head to print data in a plurality of resolutions, said control comprising command information identifying ink droplet size and readout order of data from a print buffer;
- transmission of the command information and digital print data to the printer;
- and
- command of the printer to print the transmitted print data on a scan line of the printer in the plurality of resolutions.
A method for outputting print data corresponding to a raster image to a printer that has at least one print head, said method comprising:
- controlling a print head to print data in a plurality of resolutions, said controlling comprising command information identifying ink droplet size and readout order of data from a print buffer;
- transmitting the command information and digital print data to the printer;
- and
- instructing the printer to print the transmitted print data on a scan line of the printer in the plurality of resolutions.
A system for outputting print data corresponding to a raster image comprising:
- a memory for storing processor-executable process steps;
- a printer having at least one print head capable of printing in multiple resolutions;
- and
- a processor for:
- controlling a print head to print data in a plurality of resolutions, said control comprising command information identifying ink droplet size and readout order of data from a print buffer;
- transmitting the command information and digital print data to the printer;
- and
- instructing the printer to print the transmitted print data on a scan line of the printer in the plurality of resolutions.
In a printer having at least first and second print heads, a method for controlling print resolution comprising the steps of:
- controlling resolution of the first and second heads independently of each other, the first and second print heads are comprised by ink jet print heads which eject ink droplets based on digital data in a print buffer;
- determining resolution of each of said first and second print heads automatically based at least in part on relative head configuration between said first and second print heads,
- wherein the step of controlling resolution is comprised of adjusting ink droplet size and read out order for the digital data from the print buffer in accordance with the resolutions determined in the determining step.
In a printer having at least first and second print heads, a method for controlling print resolution comprising the steps of:
- controlling resolution of the first and second heads independently of each other,
- determining resolution of each of said first and second print heads automatically based at least in part on content of print data,
- wherein said step of controlling resolution adjusts ink droplet size and read out order for the digital data from the print buffer in accordance with the resolutions determined in the determining step.
In a printer having at least first and second print heads, a method for controlling print resolution comprising the steps of:
- controlling resolution of the first and second heads independently of each other,
- determining resolution of each of said first and second print heads automatically based at least in part on type of print media,
- wherein the step of controlling resolution is comprised of adjusting ink droplet size and read out order for the digital data from the print buffer in accordance with the resolutions determined in the determining step.
A print driver, executable in a host processor, so as to output print data corresponding to a raster image to a printer that has at least first and second print heads, said print driver comprising:
- automatic determination of resolution of each of said first and second print heads based at least in part on relative head configuration between said first and second print heads;
- control of resolution of the first and second print heads independently of each other in accordance with the determined resolution;
- transmission of digital print data to the printer;
- and
- a command to print the transmitted print data in the respectively controlled resolutions,
- wherein control of resolution of the first and second heads is comprised of adjustment of ink droplet size and read out order for the digital data from the print buffer.
A print driver, executable in a host processor, so as to output print data corresponding to a raster image to a printer that has at least first and second print heads, said print driver comprising:
- automatic determination of resolution of each of said first and second print heads based at least in part on relative head configuration between said first and second print heads;
- control of resolution of the first and second print heads independently of each other in accordance with the determined resolution;
- transmission of digital print data to the printer;
- and
- a command to print the transmitted print data in the respectively controlled resolutions,
- wherein control of resolution of the first and second heads is comprised of adjustment of ink droplet size and read out order for the digital data from the print buffer.
A print driver, executable in a host processor, so as to output print data corresponding to a raster image to a printer that has at least first and second print heads, said print driver comprising:
- automatic determination of resolution of each of said first and second print heads based at least in part on relative head configuration between said first and second print heads;
- control of resolution of the first and second print heads independently of each other in accordance with the determined resolution;
- transmission of digital print data to the printer;
- and
- a command to print the transmitted print data in the respectively controlled resolutions,
- wherein the step of controlling resolution of the first and second heads is comprised of adjusting ink droplet size and read out order for the digital data from the print buffer.
A printing system comprising:
- an ink jet printer having at least first and second print heads each with independently controllable print resolution, said ink jet printer including control means for controlling printout by said first and second print heads, said control means controlling printout by said first print head at a first resolution and controlling printout by said second print head at a second resolution different from the first resolution;
- and
- a host processor operationally connected to said ink jet printer so as to transmit digital print data to said ink jet printer, said host processor including a print driver executable thereon to output print data corresponding to a raster image to a printer that has at least first and second print heads, wherein said print driver further determines resolution of each of said first and second print heads automatically based at least in part on relative head configuration between said first and second print heads,
- wherein said control means adjusts ink droplet size and read out order for the digital data from the print buffer in accordance with the determined resolutions.
A printing system comprising:
- an ink jet printer having at least first and second print heads each with independently controllable print resolution, said ink jet printer including control means for controlling printout by said first and second print heads, said control means controlling printout by said first print head at a first resolution and controlling printout by said second print head at a second resolution different from the first resolution;
- and
- a host processor operationally connected to said ink jet printer so as to transmit digital print data to said ink jet printer, said host processor including a print driver executable thereon to output print data corresponding to a raster image to a printer that has at least first and second print heads, wherein said print driver further determines resolution of each of said first and second print heads automatically based at least in part on content of print data, wherein said control means adjusts ink droplet size and read out order for the digital data from the print buffer in accordance with the determined resolutions.
A printing system comprising:
- an ink jet printer having at least first and second print heads each with independently controllable print resolution, said ink jet printer including control means for controlling printout by said first and second print heads, said control means controlling printout by said first print head at a first resolution and controlling printout by said second print head at a second resolution different from the first resolution;
- and
- a host processor operationally connected to said ink jet printer so as to transmit digital print data to said ink jet printer, said host processor including a print driver executable thereon to output print data corresponding to a raster image to a printer that has at least first and second print heads, wherein said print driver further determines resolution of each of said first and second print heads automatically based at least in part on type of print media, wherein said control means adjusts ink droplet size and read out order for the digital data from the print buffer in accordance with the determined resolutions.
A print driver, executable in a host processor, so as to output print data corresponding to a raster image to a printer that has at least two print heads, said print driver comprising:
- automatic determination of resolution of each print head based at least in part on a configuration of the at least two print heads;
- control of each of the print heads in accordance with the determined resolution so as to print data in a plurality of resolutions;
- transmission of digital print data to the printer;
- and
- a command to print the transmitted print data on a scan line of the printer in the plurality of resolutions,
- wherein said step of control of the print head adjusts ink droplet size and read out order for the digital data from the print buffer.
A print driver, executable in a host processor, so as to output print data corresponding to a raster image to a printer that has at least one print head, said print driver comprising:
- automatic determination of resolution each print head based at least in part on content of print data;
- control of a print head to print data in a plurality of resolutions in accordance with the determined resolution;
- transmission of digital print data to the printer;
- and
- a command to print the transmitted print data on a scan line of the printer in the plurality of resolutions,
- wherein said step of control of the print head adjusts ink droplet size and read out order for the digital data from the print buffer.
A print driver, executable in a host processor, so as to output print data corresponding to a raster image to a printer that has at least one print head, said print driver comprising:
- automatic determination of resolution of each print head based at least in part on type of print media;
- control of a print head to print data in a plurality of resolutions in accordance with the determined resolution;
- transmission of digital print data to the printer;
- and
- a command to print the transmitted print data on a scan line of the printer in the plurality of resolutions,
- wherein said step of control of the print head adjusts an ink droplet size and read out order for the digital data from the print buffer for the print head.
A print driver stored on a computer-readable medium and executable in a host processor so as to output print data corresponding to a raster image to a printer that has at least two print heads, said print driver comprising:
- automatic determination of resolution of each print head based at least in part on a configuration of the at least two print heads;
- control of a print head to print data in a plurality of resolutions in accordance with the determined resolution;
- transmission of digital print data to the printer;
- and
- a command to print the transmitted print data on a scan line of the printer in the plurality of resolutions,
- wherein said step of control of the print head adjusts an ink droplet size and read out order for the digital data from the print buffer for the print head.
A print driver stored on a computer-readable medium and executable in a host processor so as to output print data corresponding to a raster image to a printer that has at least two print heads, said print driver comprising:
- automatic determination of resolution of each print head based at least in part on content of print data;
- control of a print head to print data in a plurality of resolutions in accordance with the determined resolution;
- transmission of digital print data to the printer;
- and
- a command to print the transmitted print data on a scan line of the printer in the plurality of resolutions,
- wherein said step of control of the print head adjusts ink droplet size and read out order for the digital data from the print buffer for the print head.
A print driver stored on a computer-readable medium and executable in a host processor so as to output print data corresponding to a raster image to a printer that has at least one print head, said print driver comprising:
- automatic determination of resolution each print head based at least in part on type of print media;
- control of a print head to print data in a plurality of resolutions in accordance with the determined resolution;
- transmission of digital print data to the printer;
- and
- a command to print the transmitted print data on a scan line of the printer in the plurality of resolutions,
- wherein said step of control of the print head adjusts ink droplet size and read out order for the digital data from the print buffer for the print head.
A computer-readable medium storing computer-executable process steps for a print driver, the steps executable in a host processor so as to output print data corresponding to a raster image to a printer that has at least two print heads, said print driver comprising:
- automatic determination of resolution each print head based at least in part on a configuration of the at two print heads;
- control of a print head to print data in a plurality of resolutions in accordance with the determined resolution;
- transmission of digital print data to the printer;
- and
- command of the printer to print the transmitted print data on a scan line of the printer in the plurality of resolutions,
- wherein said step of control of the print head adjusts ink droplet size and read out order for the digital data from the print buffer for the print head.
A computer-readable medium storing computer-executable process steps for a print driver, the steps executable in a host processor so as to output print data corresponding to a raster image to a printer that has at least one print head, said print driver comprising:
- automatic determination of resolution each print head based at least in part on content of print data;
- control of a print head to print data in a plurality of resolutions in accordance with the determined resolution;
- transmission of digital print data to the printer;
- and
- command of the printer to print the transmitted print data on a scan line of the printer in the plurality of resolutions,
- wherein said step of control of the print head adjusts ink droplet size and read out order for the digital data from the print buffer for the print head.
A computer-readable medium storing computer-executable process steps for a print driver, the steps executable in a host processor so as to output print data corresponding to a raster image to a printer that has at least one print head, said print driver comprising:
- automatic determination of resolution each print head based at least in part on type of print media;
- control of a print head to print data in a plurality of resolutions in accordance with the determined resolution;
- transmission of digital print data to the printer;
- and
- command of the printer to print the transmitted print data on a scan line of the printer in the plurality of resolutions,
- wherein said step of control of the print head adjusts ink droplet size and read out order for the digital data from the print buffer for the print head.
A method for outputting print data corresponding to a raster image to a printer that has at least two print heads, said method comprising:
- automatic determination of resolution each print head based at least in part on a configuration of the at least two print heads;
- controlling a print head to print data in a plurality of resolutions in accordance with the determined resolution;
- transmitting digital print data to the printer;
- and
- instructing the printer to print the transmitted print data on a scan line of the printer in the plurality of resolutions,
- wherein said step of control of the print head adjusts ink droplet size and read out order for the digital data from the print buffer for the print head.
A method for outputting print data corresponding to a raster image to a printer that has at least one print head, said method comprising:
- automatic determination of resolution each print head based at least in part on type of print data;
- controlling a print head to print data in a plurality of resolutions in accordance with the determined resolution;
- transmitting digital print data to the printer;
- and
- instructing the printer to print the transmitted print data on a scan line of the printer in the plurality of resolutions,
- wherein said step of control of the print head adjusts ink droplet size and read out order for the digital data from the print buffer for the print head.
A method for outputting print data corresponding to a raster image to a printer that has at least one print head, said method comprising:
- automatic determination of resolution each print head based at least in part on type of print media;
- controlling a print head to print data in a plurality of resolutions in accordance with the determined resolution;
- transmitting digital print data to the printer;
- and
- instructing the printer to print the transmitted print data on a scan line of the printer in the plurality of resolutions,
- wherein said step of control of the print head adjusts ink droplet size and read out order for the digital data from the print buffer for the print head.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.