Patent ID: 7494201

Claim:
A method of printing an image on a print medium using an ink jet print head in an apparatus having an encoder system for generating encoder signals, comprising: generating a first firing pulse for said print head in response to receiving a first encoder signal from said encoder system, said first firing pulse activating selected nozzles of said print head to eject ink to form a first portion of said image; starting a timer in response to said first firing pulse being generated to determine when a preset time limit is reached; receiving a second encoder signal from said encoder system; generating a second firing pulse for said print head in response to receiving said second encoder signal to activate selected nozzles of said print head to eject ink to form a second portion of said image if said timer has reached said preset time limit before said second encoder signal is received; and waiting for said timer to reach said preset time limit and generating a second firing pulse for said print head to activate selected nozzles of said print head to eject ink to form a second portion of said image when said preset time limit is reached if said timer has not reached said preset time limit before said second encoder signal is received.