Patents by Inventor Steve R. Koontz

Steve R. Koontz 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: 8611659
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for producing background separated product images for print and on-line display. An image formation system provides lighting of a product to facilitate acquiring images that can be automatically processed to generate high resolution item-only images free of quality defects and imaging artifacts. Image processing programs accurately detect an outline of an item in a set of digital images taken using the image formation system and automatically store processed images in an image library. The images in the library may be repurposed for print, sales display, transmission to a user, on-line customer support, and the like. A user display configured with an adaptable user interface facilitates user interaction with images in the library.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: PC Connection, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Williams, Matthew J. Wheeler, Steve R. Koontz
  • Publication number: 20110311138
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for producing background separated product images for print and on-line display. An image formation system provides lighting of a product to facilitate acquiring images that can be automatically processed to generate high resolution item-only images free of quality defects and imaging artifacts. Image processing programs accurately detect an outline of an item in a set of digital images taken using the image formation system and automatically store processed images in an image library. The images in the library may be repurposed for print, sales display, transmission to a user, on-line customer support, and the like. A user display configured with an adaptable user interface facilitates user interaction with images in the library.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Robert C. Williams, Matthew J. Wheeler, Steve R. Koontz
  • Patent number: 7953277
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for producing background separated product images for print and on-line display. An image formation system provides lighting of a product to facilitate acquiring images that can be automatically processed to generate high resolution item-only images free of quality defects and imaging artifacts. Image processing programs accurately detect an outline of an item in a set of digital images taken using the image formation system and automatically store processed images in an image library. The images in the library may be repurposed for print, sales display, transmission to a user, on-line customer support, and the like. A user display configured with an adaptable user interface facilitates user interaction with images in the library.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventors: Robert C. Williams, Matthew J. Wheeler, Steve R. Koontz
  • Patent number: 7931380
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for producing background separated product images for print and on-line display. An image formation system provides controllable background and foreground lighting of an item to facilitate acquiring images that appear to have no background, a platform for supporting items, cameras configured to acquire both high contrast and high quality images of the item, and automated image processing algorithms for creating item-only images that can be stored in an image library and presented to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Inventors: Robert C. Williams, Matthew J. Wheeler, Steve R. Koontz
  • Patent number: 7855732
    Abstract: An image formation and production system provides improved capabilities for producing background separated product images for print and on-line display. The image formation system provides lighting of a product to facilitate acquiring images that can be automatically processed to generate high resolution item-only images free of quality defects and imaging artifacts. Image processing programs accurately detect an outline of an item in a set of digital images taken using the image formation system and automatically store processed images in an image library. The images in the library may be repurposed for print, sales display, transmission to a user, on-line customer support, and the like. A user display configured with an adaptable user interface facilitates user interaction with images in the library. An interactive user interface and image library facilitates automatically producing sets of background separated images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: PC Connection, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Williams, Matthew J. Wheeler, Steve R. Koontz