Importance

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Abstract

A system and method of applying marking fluid using plotter driven marking instruments for drawing images onto a large sheet in a minimal amount of strokes with the aid of a computer. The system includes providing the computer with data defining the desired images, and providing a preselected plurality of marking instruments having different diameter tips and stroke widths. The computer is also provided with data corresponding to and representing the stroke width for each of the preselected plurality of different diameter tip marking instruments. The computer calculates the coordinates which each instrument is to fill in on the sheet. This is based upon the size, shape, and location of the image as compared to available stroke widths. The computer provides control signals to the plotter for controllably selecting and causing each different diameter tip marking instrument to fill in the sheet at locations according to the calculated stroke coordinates. The availability of a plurality of different size tips allows the computer to instruct the plotter to fill in the image with a minimal number of strokes to reduce the completion time and wear on the plotter. The system includes a container coupled by flexible tubes to each different size marking instrument for continuously supplying ink to the tip. This avoids the need to interrupt the process to refill or replace the marking instrument.

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First Claim