Method and apparatus for context sensitive post processing to select an appropriate modulation pattern for a pixel based upon neighboring pixels

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the system and method in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pixel map sends a multibit representation of the output pixel data for a given image to a modulator.
This output pixel data contains only grayscale level information and no information relating to dot growth direction.
The modulator hardware examines each output pixel's immediate neighbor to determine how to modulate the print engine based on the adjacent output pixel data.
The imaged portion of the pixel being modulated (the "current pixel") is shifted towards other imaged pixels to cause the imaged portion of the current pixel to be placed adjacent to other imaged portions.
This allows codes reserved for images to dynamically shift left or right depending on the surroundings, and allows the maximizing of gray levels that can be represented while reducing imaged to non-imaged transitions.
In a laser scanned synchronous printing device, this reduces the intensity of engine artifacts, saves memory, and increases print quality.