1. A method for printing an image on a mail piece comprising:
determining whether the mail piece has a light color or a dark color based on a reflectivity of the mail piece;
printing the image on the mail piece using a first resolution if it is determined that the mail piece has a light color; and
printing the image on the mail piece using a second resolution if it is determined that the mail piece has a dark color, the second resolution being greater than the first resolution.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the mail piece has a light color or a dark color further comprises:
applying light to the mail piece;
measuring light reflected by the mail to determine a reflectivity of the mail piece;
comparing the determined reflectivity to a threshold value;
determining that the mail piece has a light color if the determined reflectivity is greater than the threshold value; and
determining that the mail piece has a dark color if the determined reflectivity is not greater than the threshold value.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first resolution is 200\xd7300 dpi, and the second resolution is 200\xd7600 dpi.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the image includes at least a portion of an indicium evidencing payment of postage for the mail piece.
5. A method for reducing ink consumption utilized during printing of mail pieces by a mail processing system comprising:
determining a relative lightness or darkness of each mail piece based on a reflective of each of mail piece being processed by the mail processing system;
selecting a resolution for printing on each mail piece based on the determined relative lightness or darkness for each mail piece;
if it is determined that a mail piece has a light color, using a first resolution for printing on the mail piece, the first resolution providing a contrast that meets a predetermined contrast level for the light color; and
if it is determined that a mail piece has a dark color, using a second resolution for printing on the mail piece, the second resolution being greater than the first resolution and using more ink than the first resolution; the second resolution providing a contrast that meets more the predetermined contrast level for the dark color,
whereby using the first resolution for mail pieces with a light color and the second resolution for mail pieces with a dark color consumes less ink than using the second resolution for all mail pieces while still meeting the predetermined contrast level.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first resolution is 200\xd7300 dpi, and the second resolution is 200\xd7600 dpi.
7. A system for processing mail pieces comprising:
a reflectance meter, the reflectance meter determining a reflectivity of mail pieces being processed by the system;
a printer adapted to print images on the mail pieces, the printer having a plurality of resolutions at which images can be printed; and
a controller coupled to the reflectance meter and the printer, the controller determining whether a mail piece has a light color or a dark color based on a reflectivity of the mail piece, the controller further selecting a first resolution for printing an image on the mail piece if it is determined that the mail piece has a light color, and selecting a second resolution for printing the image on the mail piece if it is determined that the mail piece has a dark color, the second resolution being greater than the first resolution, the controller further providing a signal to the printer, the printer in response to the signal sent from the controller using the resolution selected by the controller for printing the image on the mail piece.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the reflectance meter further comprises:
a light source for applying light to each mail piece; and
a photodetector to detect the applied light that is reflected by each mail piece.
9. The system of claim 7, wherein the first resolution is 200\xd7300 dpi, and the second resolution is 200\xd7600 dpi.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A pattern with a color varying function, the pattern including a plurality of picture units displaying on a surface of a carrier, each picture unit comprising:
a colorized design displaying on the surface of the carrier; and
a transparent spherical grain covering on the colorized design, the transparent spherical grain being configured for refracting the colorized design so as to produce various visual effects observing from different viewing angles or changing position angles of the carrier.
2. The pattern with the color varying function as claimed in claim 1, wherein the colorized design is a color circle including a plurality of different color blocks.
3. The pattern with the color varying function as claimed in claim 2, wherein the color blocks of the color circle have a same region, respectively.
4. The pattern with the color varying function as claimed in claim 1, wherein the colorized design is a color circle including gradually changing colors.
5. The pattern with the color varying function as claimed in claim 1, wherein the colorized design displaying on the surface of the carrier, includes color pigments attached on the surface of the carrier.
6. The pattern with the color varying function as claimed in claim 1, wherein the colorized design displaying on the surface of the carrier, displays on a covering attached on the surface of the carrier.
7. The pattern with the color varying function as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transparent spherical grain is one of a sphere and a column having an arc top.
8. The pattern with the color varying function as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transparent spherical grain is made of a transparent macromolecule material.