Patents by Inventor Lotfi Belkhir

Lotfi Belkhir has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7595915
    Abstract: An apparatus for the turning of pages of a bound book, comprising a fixture to hold the book, a paper fluffer for blowing air between individual pages of the held book and displacing at least a top page of the held book upwardly, and an air plenum positioned above the top page of the book for grasping and turning the top page by application of a vacuum to the top page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Kirtas Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Lotfi Belkhir
  • Publication number: 20090180085
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for a flat platen imaging system. The system includes, either alone or in combination, a movable book support to facilitate the segregation and imaging of individual pages of an oversize book or similar bound document, and a user interface and visual indicators to facilitate imaging of a plurality of documents or document sections placed on the platen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: Kirtas Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Rieck, Lotfi Belkhir, Brian R. Hughner, Kevin W. Rodas
  • Patent number: 7557965
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for the viewing and acquisition of images of a document such as a book. The apparatus allows for the automated and reliable turning of pages of the document, while supporting it in a manner to facilitate imaging of the facing pages. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a base for supporting the operative assemblies and components of the apparatus, a cradle assembly for holding a book, and a page turning assembly for presenting the pages to be imaged in seriatim. The method employed by the present invention involves the steps of turning pages, clamping pages and imaging, wherein the various components of the apparatus are operated to carry out the page turning and imaging functions in sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Kirtas Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas N. Taylor, Lotfi Belkhir
  • Publication number: 20080316551
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for the viewing and acquisition of images of a document such as a book, including the automated and reliable turning of pages of the document, while supporting it in a manner to facilitate viewing or imaging of the facing pages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Kirtas Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas N. Taylor, Lotfi Belkhir, Ahmed-Mohsen Shehata, Kevin Maurer, Brian Kehoe, Jeffrey C. Blood, Randall Ryon, Robert Savage, Kenneth J. Rieck
  • Patent number: 7085003
    Abstract: Utilization of fringe field tailoring pixels with sub-pixel patterns are introduced into the bitmap of an image to obtain local control of the normal and tangential electric fields and thereby improve image development. These fringe field tailoring pixels embody multiple sub-pixel pulses so as to alter the electric fields as developed upon the photoreceptor. These fringe field tailoring pixels compensate for the otherwise undesirable electric fringe fields as found on the edge of image shapes. These undesirable fringe fields pull toner away from image edges and cause other “slow toner” effects, particularly in high speed systems. Application of fringe field tailoring pixels with their sub-pixel patterns to the edge of an image shape modifies the fringe electric fields so as to encourage pulling toner onto the photoreceptor at the image edge. This ensures adequate toner supply to all parts of the image so that the desired printing pixels will print as intended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Lotfi Belkhir
  • Publication number: 20040216035
    Abstract: It is desirable to be able to gather material relating to a desired subject matter, which might stem from different sources or locations, and create one complete document for a consumer. This invention provides systems and methods for selecting at least one content element and selecting at least one, for each selected content element, content portion of that content elements and organizing the content portions into a customized document. This invention provides information regarding the content portion selected by the consumer and provides the customized document to the consumer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventor: Lotfi BELKHIR
  • Publication number: 20040047009
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for the viewing and acquisition of images of a document such as a book. The apparatus allows for the automated and reliable turning of pages of the document, while supporting it in a manner to facilitate imaging of the facing pages. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a base for supporting the operative assemblies and components of the apparatus, a cradle assembly for holding a book, and a page turning assembly for presenting the pages to be imaged in seriatim. The method employed by the present invention involves the steps of turning pages, clamping pages and imaging, wherein the various components of the apparatus are operated to carry out the page turning and imaging functions in sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas N. Taylor, Lotfi Belkhir
  • Publication number: 20030172795
    Abstract: An apparatus for the turning of pages of a bound book, comprising a fixture to hold the book, a paper fluffer for blowing air between individual pages of the held book and displacing at least a top page of the held book upwardly, and an air plenum positioned above the top page of the book for grasping and turning the top page by application of a vacuum to the top page.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventor: Lotfi Belkhir
  • Patent number: 6574014
    Abstract: The pages of a book being held at least partially open may be sequentially automatically turned over from one side of the book to the other by pivoting an elongated arm from one side of the book toward the other and turning over individual pages with a vacuum head pivoting relative to the elongated pivoted arm about a different pivot axis as the elongated arm moves to reduce undesirable forces on the individual book pages being turned over. The vacuum head may initially pivot to bend the edge of an individual page up away from the book, to aid in page separation, and then subsequently differently pivot to help peel the same page gently away from the vacuum head and flip it over onto the opposite side of the book. This may be assisted by moving frictional belts on the vacuum head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Barry P. Mandel, Lotfi Belkhir, William R. Burger, Thomas E. Sollitt, Scott Miller, Eduard Kaminker, Thomas N. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20030063334
    Abstract: The pages of a book being held at least partially open may be sequentially automatically turned over from one side of the book to the other by pivoting an elongated arm from one side of the book toward the other and turning over individual pages with a vacuum head pivoting relative to the elongated pivoted arm about a different pivot axis as the elongated arm moves to reduce undesirable forces on the individual book pages being turned over. The vacuum head may initially pivot to bend the edge of an individual page up away from the book, to aid in page separation, and then subsequently differently pivot to help peel the same page gently away from the vacuum head and flip it over onto the opposite side of the book. This may be assisted by moving frictional belts on the vacuum head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation.
    Inventors: Barry P. Mandel, Lotfi Belkhir, William R. Burger, Thomas E. Sollitt, Scott Miller, Eduard Kaminker, Thomas N. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6088562
    Abstract: An apparatus for developing in a development zone a latent image recorded on a surface, including; a housing defining a chamber storing at least a supply of toner therein. A donor roll disposed of at least partially in the chamber of said housing and spaced from the surface. The donor roll is adapted to rotate about a longitudinal axis to transport toner to the development zone in a region opposed from the surface. An elongated electrode member is mounted stationarily in the development zone and extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. The electrode member includes a flexible thin sheet having a plurality of elongated wires with adjacent wires which are spaced from and substantially parallel to one another. The electrode member is positioned in the development zone and spaced between the surface and said donor roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Lotfi Belkhir, Richard P. Germain