Patents Assigned to Zink Imaging, LLC
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Patent number: 8427689Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for performing processing, such as striping, staggering, and stitching, on print data prior to printing by a multi-head printer. Subsets of the print data may be stored in multiple stages of buffers and processed in parallel to increase processing efficiency. Print data representing digital photographs may be processed sufficiently rapidly to enable continuous printing of digital photographs at high speeds. Parameters of the system, such as print buffer size and interrupt frequency, may be varied in response to design requirements such as overall system cost.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2011Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Zink Imaging, LLCInventor: Anish N. Puri
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Patent number: 7416267Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for performing processing, such as striping, staggering, and stitching, on print data prior to printing by a multi-head printer. Subsets of the print data may be stored in multiple stages of buffers and processed in parallel to increase processing efficiency. Print data representing digital photographs may be processed sufficiently rapidly to enable continuous printing of digital photographs at high speeds. Parameters of the system, such as print buffer size and interrupt frequency, may be varied in response to design requirements such as overall system cost.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2004Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Zink Imaging, LLCInventor: Anish N. Puri
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Patent number: 7408563Abstract: A multicolor direct thermal imaging method wherein a multicolor image is formed in a thermal imaging member comprising at least first and second different image-forming compositions and a thermal printer for use in practicing the method. Heat is applied to at least the second image-forming composition while the first image-forming composition is at a first baseline temperature (T1) to form an image in at least the second image-forming composition, and heat is applied to at least the first image-forming composition while it is at a second baseline temperature (T2) to form an image in at least the first image-forming composition, wherein T1 is different from T2.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2006Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Zink Imaging LLCInventors: Brian D. Busch, Fariza B. Hasan, Chien Liu, Stephen J. Telfer, William T. Vetterling
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Patent number: 7391427Abstract: A parametric programmable thermal printer is disclosed. The printer may include a controller that performs functions such as thermal history control and common mode voltage correction. The controller may be implemented in an integrated programmable medium such as a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). Functions performed by the controller may be parameterized, and parameter values may be stored in registers. The controller may be used with a different thermal printer by changing the parameter values and/or reprogramming the programmable medium, and without otherwise redesigning or remanufacturing the controller.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2005Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: Zink Imaging, LLCInventor: Thomas J. LeBlanc
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Patent number: 7388686Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for stitching images printed by a multi-head printer in a manner that is relatively insensitive to misregistration of the image segments. When a pair of overlapping print heads print a pair of adjacent image segments which meet in a stitching region, printing at each location in the stitching region is accomplished by both print heads with a weighting that depends on the location being printed within the stitching region. In one embodiment, for example, the output of each print head is weighted by a linear function of horizontal pixel position. Techniques are also disclosed for selecting screening patterns for use when stitching is performed with variable-dot printers. Such screening patterns are selected to minimize variations in density that may arise as the result of cross-web and/or down-web misregistration.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2003Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Assignee: Zink Imaging, LLCInventors: Suhail S. Saquib, William T. Vetterling
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Patent number: 7328980Abstract: A method estimates the temperature of a thermal print head element during printing. In one embodiment, the temperature is estimated using the resistance of the thermal print head element, which typically changes with the print head element temperature. The change in resistance of the print head element is exploited to indirectly estimate the temperature of the print head element.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2006Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignee: Zink Imaging, LLCInventors: Suhail S. Saquib, Brian Busch
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Patent number: 7282317Abstract: There are described novel complexes formed between hydrogen bond acceptors and phenolic dye compounds and imaging members and imaging methods, including thermal imaging members and methods utilizing the complexes.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2004Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Assignee: Zink Imaging, LLCInventors: Richard M. Allen, Michael P. Filosa, Stephen J. Telfer
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Patent number: 7279264Abstract: There are described novel fluorescein dye compounds and imaging members and imaging methods utilizing the compounds. The fluorescein dye compounds exhibit a first color when in the crystalline form and a second color, different from the first color, when in the liquid, amorphous form.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2004Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: Zink Imaging, LLCInventors: Kap-Soo Cheon, Peter K. Chu, Michael P. Filosa, Stephen J. Telfer
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Patent number: 7220868Abstract: There are described novel rhodamine dye compounds and imaging members and imaging methods, including thermal imaging members and imaging methods, utilizing the compounds. The dye compounds exhibit a first color when in the crystalline form and a second color, different from the first color, when in the liquid, amorphous form.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2006Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Zink Imaging, LLCInventors: Kap-Soo Cheon, Michael P. Filosa, John L. Marshall
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Patent number: 7176161Abstract: There are disclosed imaging members wherein a chemical compound in a crystalline form is converted, at least partially, and preferably substantially completely or completely, to a liquid in the amorphous form, the liquid having intrinsically a different color from the crystalline form. Also described are imaging methods utilizing the imaging members. The conversion of the compound from the crystalline form to the liquid form can be effected by the application of thermal energy or by other imaging techniques.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Zink Imaging, LLCInventors: Peter K. Chu, Chien Liu, Stephen J. Telfer
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Patent number: 7166558Abstract: A multicolor imaging system is described wherein at least two, and preferably three, different image-forming layers of a thermal imaging member are addressed at least partially independently by a thermal printhead or printheads from the same surface of the imaging member by controlling the temperature of the thermal printhead(s) and the time thermal energy is applied to the image-forming layers. Each color of the thermal imaging member can be printed alone or in selectable proportion to the other color(s). Novel thermal imaging members are also described.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2004Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: Zink Imaging, LLCInventors: Jayprakash C. Bhatt, Brian D. Busch, Daniel P. Bybell, F. Richard Cottrell, Anemarie DeYoung, Chien Liu, Stephen J. Telfer, Jay E. Thornton, William T. Vetterling
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Patent number: 7086795Abstract: There is described a roller assembly which may be utilized in a linear or serial printer. The roller assembly includes a platen roller including a central axle being exposed at opposing ends of the roller and a frame for mounting the platen at both exposed axle ends.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2005Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Zink Imaging, LLCInventor: Michael N. Burdenko