Patent ID: 6106172
Filing Date: 2000-08-22
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
A method for printing an image onto a carrier from numerical image data by means of a printer including a single microprocessor, and a printhead having a row of printing elements actuatable and deactuatable by data bits from a shift register, comprising the steps of:expanding said numerical image data into data bits, wherein said numerical image data includes a multi-bit number for each printing element that designates a preselected color tone within a tone scale, and wherein each multi-bit number is expanded into a data bit stream capable of actuating and deactuating its respective printing element to print said preselected tone onto said carrier;serially loading and storing said data bit streams in a temporary memory;collating a string of data bits from said stored data bit streams and serially transferring said collated string of data bits to said shift register in response to a signal generated by the microprocessor, andactivating said print element.