Patent ID: 7722147

Claim:
A method for synchronously printing an image on a workpiece, the method comprising: receiving image data at a location that is remote from a print head; arranging the received image data according to physical parameters of the print head to be used to print the image data on the workpiece; forming a first packet of image data; sending the first packet of image data to an electronic unit positioned on the print head; receiving subsequent image data at the location that is remote from the print head; arranging the received subsequent image data according to the physical parameters of the print head to be used to print the subsequent image data on the workpiece; forming a second packet of image data based on the arranged subsequent image data; sending the second packet of image data to the electronic unit positioned on the print head; and upon receiving the second packet of image data at the electronic unit on the print head, decoding the first packet of image data with the electronic unit, and printing the decoded first packet of image data on the workpiece, wherein the receipt of the second packet of image data by the electronic unit on the print head is used as a trigger to cause the decoded first packet of image data at the print head to be printed substantially immediately on the workpiece.