Patent Document ID: 6016205
Application ID: 08916499
Patent Status: 1

Claim One:
1. A method of operating a digital copier having an input scanner for scanning an original image, the input scanner including a sensor array, an ink-jet printhead, and a printhead control for moving the printhead relative to a copy sheet and causing the printhead to deposit ink at a predetermined location on the copy sheet, comprising the steps of: scanning the original image to yield low-resolution image data; identifying, based on the low-resolution image data, areas of contiguous white space of a predetermined minimal size in the original image; scanning the original image to yield high-resolution image data; and printing a copy of the original image on the copy sheet with the printhead based on the high-resolution image data, the printing step including causing the printhead control to cause the printhead to skip a location on the copy sheet corresponding to an identified area of contiguous white space of a predetermined minimal size in the original image; the step of scanning the original image to yield low-resolution image data including extending an integration time for individual photosensors in the array, compared to an integration time for the step of scanning the original image to yield high-resolution image data.