Preparing images for print

Abstract

A method is described in which a length of an image is compared with a threshold associated to a print device. The image is subdivided into a sequence of print frames. Each print frame has length equal to or less than the threshold. A stitching operation is performed on at least two consecutive print frames. The print device is controlled to sequentially print the at least two stitched consecutive print frames.

1 . A method comprising:
 comparing a length of an image with a threshold associated to a print device;   subdividing the image into a sequence of print frames, each print frame having length equal to or less than the threshold;   performing a stitching operation on at least two consecutive print frames;   controlling the print device to sequentially print the at least two stitched consecutive print frames on a substrate; and   moving the substrate according to a forward direction and a backward direction to align a subsequent print frame to a previous print frame.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising marking a trailing edge of a previous print frame to align a subsequent print frame to the marked trailing edge. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising controlling a position of the subsequent print frame according to the trailing edge mark by performing a timing control, a position control, or a laser beam position control. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein performing the stitching operation comprises performing a blending operation to stitch the at least two consecutive print frames. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising defining overlapping portions of the two consecutive print frames,
 wherein the stitching operation is performed to the overlapping portions; and   wherein controlling the print device comprises controlling the print device so as to at least partially superpose the overlapping portions during print.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adding print frames the image responsive to an addition of image portions to be printed. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising analysing color values of pixels within the image. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising performing a seam carving operation. 
     
     
         9 . A computer-readable storage medium which stores computer readable instructions which, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to:
 manage a queue of print frames obtained from a plurality of images to be printed by a printer, each print frame having length equal to or less than a maximum length;   control a sequential print of the print frames on a substrate so that at least two consecutive print frames stitch with each other;   mark a trailing edge of a previous print frame to align a subsequent print frame to the marked trailing edge; and   control a position of the subsequent print frame according to the trailing edge mark by performing a timing control, a position control, or a laser beam position control.   
     
     
         10 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 9 , wherein the computer readable instructions, which executed by the computer, further cause the computer to move the substrate according to a forward direction and a backward direction to align the subsequent print frame to the previous print frame. 
     
     
         11 . A system to:
 subdivide an input image, to be printed by a print device according to a format associated to a length threshold, into a sequence of frames so that each frame has length equal to or less than the length threshold;   process the frames so as to modify boundary regions of two adjacent frames;   command a sequential print of the frames on a substrate so that the boundary regions are superposed to each other; and   move the substrate according to a forward direction and a backward direction to align a subsequent frame to a previous frame.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the system is further to compose the input image from a plurality of images to be printed. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a drum-type printer or a belt-type printer. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the system is to mark a trailing edge of the previous frame so that a sensor detects the marked trailing edge to perform an alignment of the previous frame to the subsequent frame. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the system is to control a position of the subsequent frame according to the trailing edge mark by performing a timing control, a position control, or a laser beam position control. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a page composition system to re-impose virtual print frames onto physical print frames.