Direct multi-bit search (DMS) screen algorithm

Multi-bit screening is an extension of binary screening, in which every pixel in continuous-tone image can be rendered to one among multiple absorptance levels. Many multi-bit screen algorithms face the problem of contouring artifacts due to sudden changes in the majority absorptance level between gray levels. In this paper, we have extended the direct binary search to the multi-bit case where at every pixel the algorithm chooses the best drop absorptance level to create a visually pleasing halftone pattern without any user defined guidance. This is repeated throughout the entire range of gray levels to create a high quality multi-bit screen.