Patent ID: 7315393
Filing Date: 2008-01-01
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
1. A printing system comprising: a printing apparatus using a printhead having an array of printing elements in which a plurality of printing elements are arranged in a predetermined direction, said printing apparatus performing printing by scanning the printhead over a printing medium in a main scanning direction crossing the predetermined direction, said printing apparatus being capable of printing on a printing area of a printing medium by either a first mode in which the printing on the printing area is completed by a single scan of the printhead or a second mode in which the printing on the printing area is completed by multiple scans of the printhead; and a host apparatus connected to said printing apparatus, said host apparatus transmitting control information and image data each time the printhead scans, wherein said host apparatus transmits, as the control information, setting information designating some printing elements to be used for printing in the printing elements of said printhead corresponding to a printing mode determined by selecting the first or second mode, and transmits the image data of an amount corresponding to a number of printing elements used by one scanning printing, and wherein said printing apparatus has setting means for setting the printing elements to be used according to the setting information, and performs printing by driving the printing elements set by said setting means according to the image data in the scanning printing.