Patent ID: 7036900

Claim:
A dot matrix printing method for printing a dot matrix on a printing medium using a plurality of marking elements on a printing head, comprising the steps of determining a set of combinations of firing order of the plurality of marking elements and a sequence of relative translation movements between the printing medium and the printing head, each said combination representing a distinct firing order and sequence, so that all the dots in the dot matrix are printed, and any dot in the dot matrix is printed by at least a first or a second equivalent marking element from a set of equivalent marking elements, selecting, for printing sets of dots in the dot matrix, a first equivalent marking element from the set of equivalent marking elements to print the set of dots as part of a first firing order, if a pre-set number of equivalent marking elements of the set of equivalent marking elements are defective, reconfiguring the printing head so that another set of combinations of firing order of the plurality of marking elements is determined as well as another sequence of relative translation movements between the printing medium and the printing head so that all the dots in the dot matrix are printed, and any dot in the dot matrix is printed by at least a new first or a second equivalent marking element from the new set of equivalent marking elements.