Patent ID: 6086272
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
A printing apparatus having a print head for moving relative to a recording medium to print thereon and including first and second sets of print elements respectively arranged along first and second lines in a zigzag formation disposed at a predetermined distance from each other in parallel in a direction transverse to a moving direction of the print head, and a print data storage for storing print data consisting of dot data to be printed by said print elements, said first and second sets of print elements compensating each other in printing, comprising:a dummy data storage that is filled with blank dummy data on both sides of the print data in the relative moving direction of said print head,a first data setting circuit that reads from said print data storage and said dummy data storage first print data corresponding to a print position of said first set of print elements, and that selects first dot data corresponding to each of said first set of print elements;a second data setting circuit that reads from said print data storage and said dummy data storage second print data corresponding to a print position of said second set of print elements, and that selects second dot data corresponding to each of said second set of print elements; anda print controller that controls each of said first and second sets of print elements to print a respective one of said selected dot data; andwherein one of said first and second data setting circuits comprises an even dot selector that sets even dot data in even positions and the other one of said first and second data setting circuits comprises an odd dot selector that sets odd dot data in odd positions.