Patents Assigned to Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8757762
    Abstract: Image processing of printed patterns of arrays of dots generated by an array of inkjet heads uses a vision system, including an HD color camera that can be a fixed focus or include autofocus and zoom capabilities. Pattern recognition techniques are used to analyze as many patterns as necessary to perform multiple alignment functions, such as dot size, shape, and integrity; unidirectional, bidirectional, and step alignments; physical position and straightness of jet packs; flatness of platen or media belt; mapping imperfections in rods and rails of guiding systems; and checking jet alignments from a reference jet to all other jet packs. From such image analysis, correction values are generated that are used to effect manual or automatic adjustment of the inkjet heads physical position, voltage, temperature, and firing pulse timing and/or duration; and to position the printed dots fired from the nozzles in the inkjet heads in the appropriate position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Luis Alejandro Jimenez, Peter Heath
  • Patent number: 8740367
    Abstract: A multi-phase system for creating a metallic effect on a substrate, including applying to the substrate a first ink jet ink having a dispersion of reflective metallic particles in a suitable carrier system, to form a reflective coating layer; and applying a second ink jet ink over the reflective coating layer to form a protective coating layer. Optionally, an undercoat layer is printed on the substrate prior to applying the first ink jet ink. The second ink jet includes at least one crosslinkable polymer or is otherwise energy curable. The second ink jet ink optionally imparts a color to the metallic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Edwards, Sandra Zinke, Joshua Samuel, Matthew Tennis
  • Publication number: 20140118775
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for generating and using automated production and performance dashboards. For example, an automated production dashboard is generated and used that includes, but is not limited to, defining production performance metrics, job stats, trends, red/green/yellow with health check, and risks. As well, an automated upkeep dashboard is generated and used that includes, but is not limited to, defining supplies, maintenance, trends, next service appointments, red/green/yellow with health check, and risks. Such techniques may include a remote view of such dashboards, e.g. via native mobile applications in addition to web/client, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Electronics for Imaging ,Inc.
    Inventors: Margaret Motamed, Haresh Joshi, Antony Joseph Peter, Toby Weiss
  • Patent number: 8684511
    Abstract: Gloss is controlled in UV ink jet printing within a printing system. Controlled pinning energy is used to adjust the amount of ink interaction between drops, substrate, and ink layers, resulting in virtual elimination of gloss banding and control of the finished gloss level from a gloss level of approximately 85 to a gloss level of approximately 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Lahut, Dwight Cram, John Duffield, Peter Heath
  • Patent number: 8672451
    Abstract: Improved output quality of a printer used in UV curable ink jet printing is achieved by minimizing or eliminating a print artifact referred to as gloss banding or tire tracking. A same or a similar number of nozzles as used in conventional printers is used to achieve a desired throughput, but the nozzles are arranged so that any given square inch of substrate to which ink is being applied receives a lower amount of ink. A longer effective print head is provided by arranging the print heads into a longer array, where the print heads are butted substantially end-to-end. As a result, the net throughput of the printer is the same as that of a conventional printer because the printer uses the same number of print heads, but the amount of ink that is applied to any given square inch is less on a pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Lahut, Dwight Cram, John P. Duffield, Peter Heath
  • Patent number: 8616691
    Abstract: Systems and methods of automatically bleeding air from a primary ink delivery system, so little or no air is mixed with the ink once it reaches a secondary ink system containing print heads. An air bleeder return assembly with a flow restrictor orifice that is configured to remove air from ink pumped to the carriage of print heads, thereby minimizing jet dropouts. Additionally, this setup provides the added advantage of the ability to run the bulk bags dry without ingesting large quantities of air to the ink delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: John Duffield, Chris Porter
  • Patent number: 8610932
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for launching a calibrator process by which the user is guided through the process of calibrating the conditions used by a particular print job is provided. Techniques are provided which calculate which print conditions will be used by the particular print job, which guarantees that the user is calibrating the correct conditions to get the best color quality for the particular job. The method and apparatus further provides techniques that allow the user to specify the conditions under which a calibration is considered expired in terms of time since the last calibration and the number of prints since the last calibration The method and apparatus further provides techniques for when the user encounters a new media type or print condition, the system can measure such and inform the user whether to create a new profile and/or new calibration set to get the optimal color quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Niles, Paul Michel, David Lee, Jorge Juliao
  • Patent number: 8601605
    Abstract: A secure document printing system is provided. A policy server is used to define access rules for a document, and select individual users and/or groups that will have access to the document. The policy server stores the access rules along with a document decryption key. The policy server's name and address are packed in the document, and then encrypted and sent to a print server which stores it for later access. A recipient is notified that the document resides on a particular print server. The print server retrieves the specified document, contacts the policy server named in the document, and requests the document decryption key and access rules for the user, print server, and document from the policy server which replies with the related decryption key and access rules. The print server decrypts the document and prints the document based on the access rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Ravi Someshwar
  • Patent number: 8595384
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods are described for providing information access to network devices. A directory server registers identification information about a first network device coupled to a first network. The first network and the directory server may be coupled to a second network, which may include a wide area network, public network, or the Internet. The identification information may include a network address of the first network device on the first network, or a network address of the first network on the second network. The directory server may receive and process requests for identification information about registered network devices, and may selectively reply to the requests based on status information of the first network device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics For Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: John Armstrong, Ofer Tenenbaum, Victor Thu
  • Patent number: 8567936
    Abstract: An enhanced printing system comprises a drum structure, a print carriage for delivering LED curable ink there from, such as from one or more print heads, and one or more LED light sources for curing the delivered ink. Some embodiments may preferably further comprise one or more LED pining stations, such as to control, slow or stop the spread of ink drops. As well, some printer embodiments may comprise a mechanism to deliver any of an inert gas, e.g. nitrogen, or other gas that is at least partially depleted of oxygen, between the LED energy source and the substrate. The disclosed LED printing structures typically provide higher quality and/or lower cost as compared to prior art systems, for a wide variety of printing matter output, such as for but not limited to super wide format (SWF) output, wide format (WF) output, packaging, labeling, or point of sale displays or signage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Andrew Edwards
  • Patent number: 8553286
    Abstract: Techniques are provided that use one or more templates to improve the printing of non-saturated colored text and lines. Such templates are predetermined, fixed patterns which can be indexed or looked up via a code word with a fewer number of bits than in the corresponding template. Thus, such templates are used to increase the resolution or effective resolution of a display. In an embodiment, each template location represents a 4×4 region of binary pixels. The number of possibilities of template values is 2^(4*4) or 65,536. However, in accordance with an embodiment, only 256 of these 65,536 templates are available and are indexed by an 8 bit contone video value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Leon Williams
  • Patent number: 8484316
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for providing access to content via messaging services, such as email, voicemail, instant messaging, text messaging, or other similar messaging services. A content server is provided that includes a user interface, a web server and a file. The web server includes a web page for accessing the file. A user provides user information associated with a messaging address via the user interface, and the content server then sends a message including the web address of the web page to the messaging address. The user may then retrieve the message at a client computer, and may then download the file to the client computer by entering the web address into a web browser on the client computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics For Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Robinson, Josef Coetsee
  • Patent number: 8477165
    Abstract: Automated print head alignment uses thermal expansion. By leveraging thermal expansion to position print heads within the carriage, the tedious manual adjustment process is eliminated. The need for costly precision references within the printer and on the print head is also reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Heath
  • Patent number: 8459773
    Abstract: Image processing of printed patterns of arrays of dots generated by an array of inkjet heads uses a vision system, including an HD color camera that can be a fixed focus or include autofocus and zoom capabilities. Pattern recognition techniques are used to analyze as many patterns as necessary to perform multiple alignment functions, such as dot size, shape, and integrity; unidirectional, bidirectional, and step alignments; physical position and straightness of jet packs; flatness of platen or media belt; mapping imperfections in rods and rails of guiding systems; and checking jet alignments from a reference jet to all other jet packs. From such image analysis, correction values are generated that are used to effect manual or automatic adjustment of the inkjet heads physical position, voltage, temperature, and firing pulse timing and/or duration; and to position the printed dots fired from the nozzles in the inkjet heads in the appropriate position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Luis Alejandro Jimenez, Peter Heath
  • Patent number: 8459778
    Abstract: Improved output quality of a printer used in UV curable ink jet printing is achieved by minimizing or eliminating a print artifact referred to as gloss banding or tire tracking. A same or a similar number of nozzles as used in conventional printers is used to achieve a desired throughput, but the nozzles are arranged so that any given square inch of substrate to which ink is being applied receives a lower amount of ink. A longer effective print head is provided by arranging the print heads into a longer array, where the print heads are butted substantially end-to-end. As a result, the net throughput of the printer is the same as that of a conventional printer because the printer uses the same number of print heads, but the amount of ink that is applied to any given square inch is less on a pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics For Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Lahut, Dwight Cram, John Duffield, Peter Heath
  • Patent number: 8430498
    Abstract: A multi-phase system for creating a metallic effect on a substrate, includes applying to the substrate a first ink jet ink having a dispersion of reflective metallic particles in a suitable carrier system, to form a reflective coating layer; and applying a second ink jet ink over the reflective coating layer to form a protective coating layer. Optionally, an undercoat layer is printed on the substrate prior to applying the first ink jet ink. The second ink jet includes at least one crosslinkable polymer or is otherwise energy curable. The second ink jet ink optionally imparts a color to the metallic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics For Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Edwards, Sandra Zinke, Joshua Samuel, Matthew Tennis
  • Patent number: 8408676
    Abstract: An ink jet printer for printing on a substrate comprising a first print head outputting ink and defining an ink meniscus; a platen operable to carry the substrate; a support structure; and a print head mechanism coupled to the support structure and carrying the first print head. The print head mechanism moving the first print head relative to the platen. A controller controls the print head mechanism such that at least one of a predetermined acceleration and predetermined deceleration of the print head mechanism is achieved such that the ink meniscus is operably maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Edwards, John Hennessy, Frank Bruck
  • Patent number: 8322836
    Abstract: A liquid ink container having mating features for self alignment with an ink delivery station. The ink delivery station includes a receiver with an actuated puncture ring. The liquid ink container includes a cap that is punctured by the ring to allow fluid flow from the container. The receiver and container also include means for introducing pressurized gas into the container to facilitate evacuation of liquid ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Laramie, Paul Duncanson
  • Patent number: 8317311
    Abstract: A multi-phase system for creating a metallic effect on a substrate, includes applying to the substrate a first ink jet ink having a dispersion of reflective metallic particles in a suitable carrier system, to form a reflective coating layer; and applying a second ink jet ink over the reflective coating layer to form a protective coating layer. Optionally, an undercoat layer is printed on the substrate prior to applying the first ink jet ink. The second ink jet comprises at least one crosslinkable polymer or is otherwise energy curable. The second ink jet ink optionally imparts a color to the metallic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Edwards, Sandra Zinke, Joshua Samuel, Matthew Tennis
  • Patent number: 8294925
    Abstract: A system is provided for supporting multiple platforms with common personal preferences for printer drivers. The set preferences for the printer driver are therefore reusable and may be moved from one driver to another. The system involves the provision of a common format for printer driver preferences. When a new printer is brought to a system or a user moves to a station that uses a different printer, the preferences are readily moved to that location. Further, an MIS department may provide a corporate wide printer preference solution, for example for printing a particular page or printing in a particular style. The preferences may not be identical for each printer due to differences in the capabilities of various platforms. The printer preferences overwrite a default value in printers with preferences, to the extent that each printer has the options available. To the extent that these options are not available, the printer reverts to its default setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Ramgopal Vidyanand