Patent ID: 6527379
Filing Date: 2003-03-04
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A continuous stream ink jet printing system, comprising: a droplet generator for generating a plurality of streams of ink droplets; a charge electrode in respect of each said stream for selectively charging the droplets of that stream to determine which droplets are printed; a deflection electrode in respect of each said stream for deflecting charged droplets of that stream; a gutter for collecting ink droplets not used in printing; and control means for providing yes print/no print instructions for controlling said selective charging of the droplets by the charge electrodes, said printing system being subject to a constraint such that it is not possible to print every droplet of each droplet stream, in said system a nominal matrix of droplet print positions being definable corresponding to a maximum number of positions at which droplets are printed while observing said constraint, said control means being arranged to consider printing at droplet print positions interspersed in said nominal matrix with a proviso that a resultant selection made observes said constraint.