Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm David A. Novais
  • Patent number: 8145104
    Abstract: A metering skive for a developer roller which is adapted to shear and/or meter developer at a developer-skive interface while minimizing compression of the metered developer. The metering skive is adjustable to various shear angles and has a geometry which enables a portion of the developer flow to be sheared away toward a curved second surface of the metering skive while metering the developer flow in a manner which minimizes or reduces compression of the developer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Brown, David S. Kepner
  • Patent number: 8136905
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method that enables image quality of a printed image to be maintained by reducing unintended variations in drop volume, through the adjustment of ink drop ejecting conditions depending on the amount of ink remaining in an ink tank chamber or reservoir, and/or the ink demand for printing an image. The method of printing of the present invention comprises: providing a printhead in fluid communication with an ink chamber or reservoir; detecting at least one parameter related to an amount of negative pressure provided to the printhead; and adjusting an ink drop ejecting condition of the printhead as a function of the parameter so that an amount of variation in size of ejected ink drop is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gary A. Kneezel, R. Winfield Trafton, Frederick A. Donahue
  • Patent number: 8118406
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid ejection assembly that includes an injection-molded mounting substrate that is formed by a two-shot injection molding process, wherein a housing portion of the mounting substrate is formed by a first shot molding, and a die-attach portion of the mounting substrate is formed within the housing portion by a second shot molding. The die-attach portion is made of a material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion along a direction that is parallel to a fluid passageway in the die attach portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Mario J. Ciminelli, James E. Vianco, Sr., Dwight J. Petruchik
  • Patent number: 7922168
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for transporting a sheet, in particular after a sheet has been picked off a stack and separated therefrom, preferably for the feeder-side use in a printing machine, wherein the sheet is brought to a transport speed, preferably for transfer to another transport path. The object of the invention is to provide a more controlled method of the aforementioned type and a device allowing this method. In accordance with the invention, considering the method, this object is achieved in that the sheet is initially accelerated to a speed that is greater than the desired transport speed and only later, after a phase of this higher speed, said sheet is slowed to the desired transport speed, in which case the phase of the higher speed is dimensioned such that the affected sheet is in a nominal position at the appropriate time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Stefan Schluenss
  • Patent number: 7868932
    Abstract: An imaging method and system enables the use of available images to form a pictorial type border around a specific image that a user has selected to be printed. With the method and system of the invention, images from an order or from an electronic storage mechanism can be analyzed to determine which of the images are to be border images for a selected image. These images are then resized to form border images for the selected image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Steven M. Bryant
  • Patent number: 7828403
    Abstract: A system and a method for improving the quality of prints using a print mask for a printer with at least one printhead with a plurality of dot forming elements arranged in dot forming element sections, and at least one of the masks are altered so that mask data corresponding to at least one complementary set of dot forming elements is activated or deactivated in response to the paper location and the dot forming element section is shifted as the printhead passes a transition position. As the mask size is reduced, for example, the mask contents are shifted to one end of the printhead. This remapping of the mask within the head allows the page advance distance to be changed to the new page advance distance only once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Christopher Rueby
  • Patent number: 7810917
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a printing device fluid reservoir with alignment features and various embodiments of a printing device fluid reservoir chassis with alignment features are disclosed. According to some aspects of these embodiments, the alignment features are grouped together near an ultimate connection point between a fluid reservoir and a chassis to increase design freedom on other regions of the fluid reservoir/chassis. Other aspects of these embodiments include specially designed and located alignment features of a fluid reservoir that engage specially designed and located alignment features of a chassis in sequence throughout the process of inserting the fluid reservoir into the chassis in order to facilitate simple and effective engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: R. Winfield Trafton, Steven L. Moore, Dwight J. Petruchik, Diana C. Petranek, Mark D. Perkins
  • Patent number: 7813962
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of ordering images at an imaging device which permits a user to print images immediately, and simultaneously with the printing of the images, access further images for editing. The method of the present invention also provides a running account to the user as the user decides to print an image that details the cost of the jobs as they are being performed. Further, the system provides an ability to check the transaction cost versus the deposit for a fulfillment session and update the cost as the jobs are fulfilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Charles S. Christ, Jr., James S. Honan, Ronald M. Wexler
  • Patent number: 7800089
    Abstract: A printing system includes a platen; a photosensor including an integrated lens; a light source configured to provide light, the light source including an integrated lens; and an aperture disposed to provide a field of view, the field of view being a portion of a plane parallel to the platen, wherein reflected light from the light source passes through the aperture to the photosensor without passing through an external lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Greg M. Burke, Brian Sinofsky, Yang Shi
  • Patent number: 7731335
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pedestal that protrudes from a fluid reservoir device that retains fluid for a fluid-ejection printing device. A data storage device may be mounted on the pedestal such that when the fluid reservoir device is inserted into a supporting structure, the pedestal and data storage device mounted thereon protrude into or through an opening in a surface of the supporting structure. Consequently, a disconnectable connection to the data storage device may be made at a location other than the inside of the supporting structure. Accordingly, connection to the data storage device is simplified and the risk of damage or a reduction in performance to the data storage device or its electrical contacts from fluid leaks from the fluid reservoir device is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: R. Winfield Trafton, Diana C. Petranek, Mark D. Perkins
  • Patent number: 7507046
    Abstract: A printer has a path for a sheet. A donor web is disposed on one side of the path; a platen roller is disposed on the other side of the path and supports the sheet during printing. An edge sensor is located in path at a known distance from the nip of the print head and the platen. Edge sensor senses the lead edge of the sheet and then the control circuit drives the lead edge to a distance D from the heat line of the print head. The head lowers, is selectively energized and the platen moves to carry the donor web and sheet past the head and provide a borderless printed image on the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Michael J. Ehmann
  • Patent number: 7495804
    Abstract: A color imaging technique includes setting a target value in a device-independent first color space and mapping the target value to a substantially complete point set in a second color space. The point set may include a plurality of points, each of which define substantially the same calorimetric value via a unique combination of colorants. After mapping the target value to a substantially complete point set, a point may be chosen. Moreover, after choosing a point in the point set, device-dependent colorant values defined by the point may be determined. In this manner, the invention may provide control over the colorants that are used to image a particular color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: William A. Rozzi
  • Patent number: 7478895
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a printing apparatus that includes an automatic backprinting assembly. The automatic backprinting assembly includes a movable ink jet printhead that is movable between at least a printing position to print on the backside of photographic media and a priming position where the printhead is pressurized to force a stream of ink through discharge jets of the printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Christopher J. Kralles, Edward R. Schranz, Carl J. Rosati, Bradley C. DeCook
  • Patent number: 7443552
    Abstract: The process of the invention enables the spatial color alterations of a silver image to be taken into account according to one of its main axes (19). The process of the invention enables the altered or faded colors of the silver image to be restored automatically, without depending on the skills of an operator to perform a color restoration treatment. A digital image (12) is divided into adjacent pixel strips (18), arranged perpendicular to the direction (19) according to which the color alteration occurs. For each of these strips (18), optical density distributions of each pixel are calculated and compared with reference optical density values. The process of the invention enables the automatic correction of all the strips (18) comprising the altered pixels, by applying a linear transformation enabling the transformation of the optical density values of the altered pixels, into the optical density values of a pixel strip of least degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Valéry J. Risson, Jean-Fabien Dupont
  • Patent number: 7355746
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing and/or displaying a customer image order in which a digital record of a customer order containing a plurality of images is obtained. Digital enhancement is made to at least one of the plurality of images. The amount of digital enhancement made to each of the images enhanced is determined and a rating based on the amount of correction made to each image is obtained. The customer image order is printed with at least one enhancement print and one without any enhancement so that they can be compared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Murray, John R. Fredlund, Michael A. Morba, Charles W. Hicks, Lisa G. Woodworth
  • Patent number: 7348998
    Abstract: The method of capturing a digital image for viewing from a stream of digital images on a touch display of a digital imaging device includes accessing a stream of digital images comprised of a plurality of individual digital images, selecting an individual image from the stream of digital images by touching the touch display, and automatically saving the selected individual image to a storage device. The method of orienting a digital image for viewing on a touch display of a digital imaging device includes accessing the digital image, the digital image being defined by a plurality of sides, displaying the digital image in a first orientation on the touch display with four corners of the digital imaging device, the display, providing selection means for select at least one of the corners; and automatically displaying the digital image in a second orientation responsive to the selecting of one of the corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Steven M. Belz
  • Patent number: 7321348
    Abstract: An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display having addressable pixels on a substrate, the pixels having performance attributes, and a control circuit for controlling the pixels of the display device, includes one or more OLED pixels; an OLED reference pixel located on a substrate and connected to the control circuit, the OLED reference pixel having the same performance attributes as the one or more OLED pixels, the OLED reference pixel having a voltage sensing circuit including a transistor connected to one of the terminals of the OLED reference pixel for sensing the voltage across the OLED reference pixel to produce a voltage signal representing the voltage across the OLED reference pixel; a measurement circuit connected to the voltage signal to produce an output signal representative of the performance attributes of the OLED reference pixel; an analysis circuit connected to the measurement circuit to receive the output signal, compare the performance attributes with predetermined performance attributes,
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Ronald S. Cok, Thomas Niertit, Andrew D. Arnold
  • Patent number: 7321387
    Abstract: An imaging system and method which enables viewers and/or attendees of entertainment events, such as athletic events or concerts, to order and obtain photographic products that are associated with the event. The system and method offers attendees at the entertainment event a choice of imaging services, such as a photographic product or photopackage, that includes images of the participants at the entertainment event, as well as images of the attendee and his/her family or friends at the event, preferably at their seats, and preferably while enjoying the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David A. Novais, John R. Fredlund
  • Patent number: 7218776
    Abstract: A system and method of offering photofinishing services involves receiving an exposed photographic film from a customer; developing and scanning the film to produce a digital image; displaying examples of a plurality of looks on a color display medium to a customer; receiving a selection of a preferred look from the customer; and applying the selected look to the digital image to produce a processed digital image having the preferred look.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Allan F. Sowinski, John D. Buhr, Geoffrey J. Woolfe, Karin Topfer, Lois A. Buitano, Richard P. Szajewski
  • Patent number: 7215371
    Abstract: A camera incorporates a working memory (124) for storing a working image corresponding to the last captured image. The working image is displayed on a display screen (36) in a quick review mode of operation in response to a quick review signal entered by the camera operator via a camera control interface (74) to control processing circuitry (68,72) of the camera. The processing circuitry controls the display screen to keep it in an inactive state until the quick review signal is entered, and returns it to an inactive state after a predetermined time period or when the quick review signal is discontinued to conserve energy. In addition, the working image is displayed in the quick review mode regardless of whether a non-volatile memory is available in the camera or, in the case of a hybrid camera, whether a film cartridge is contained in a film chamber (98) of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Peter Fellegara, Richard W. Lourette, Michael E. Miller, Linda M. Antos, Robert H. Hibbard