Patents Examined by Charles H. Nolan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6782815
    Abstract: Test printing apparatus for test printing, wherein printing ink is printed on a test substrate. An ultraviolet irradiation assembly is mounted adjacent the rotary path of the bearing surface bearing the test substrate, for emitting ultraviolet radiation against the test substrate. The apparatus has a control arranged for controlling the drive for imparting to the bearing surface a speed in the sense of rotation, which during the irradiation of the test substrate by the irradiation assembly is different from the speed that is imparted by the drive to the bearing surface during the printing of the test substrate. An irradiation assembly and a method for test printing are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Massolt Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Peter Robert Massolt, Frits Massolt
  • Patent number: 6776546
    Abstract: Disclosed is a “keyboard overlay” that sits on top of a touch-sensitive display screen of a computing device. After aligning the overlay on the display screen, the user types on the overlay. When the user presses a key on the overlay, the pressure is transmitted to the display screen below. That pressure is registered by the display screen as a touch. The keyboard overlay is formed to provide tactile finger-position feedback so that a user can keep his fingers oriented properly over the keyboard. The overlay may be opaque with keycap information displayed in the key areas. The overlay may be transparent, allowing a user to see a virtual keyboard painted on the display screen below. The computing device can detect the presence and type of an overlay. Applications may respond differently to different types of overlays. Different applications may be invoked depending upon the type of overlay detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Gerard Kraus, Vu Xuan Nguyen, Martin Shetter
  • Patent number: 6773176
    Abstract: To accurately setting a print charge on the basis of a color which is used actually at a stage to print data consisting of a mixture of color data and monochromatic data. It is possible to judge a color designated for printing by detecting color information from drawing processing information converted from the data and storing color designation information on the basis of the detected color information. Accordingly, a printing system is capable of setting a print charge accurately on the judged color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hidenori Kurosawa
  • Patent number: 6769361
    Abstract: After an ink feeding rate or a dampening water feeding rate is varied, a variation in the ink feeding rate or dampening water feeding rate is prohibited for a waiting period. The waiting period for prohibiting a variation in the ink feeding rate is determined by a pattern area rate of a corresponding region. The waiting period for prohibiting a variation in the dampening water feeding rate is determined by an average pattern area rate of all regions or a minimum pattern area rate among pattern area rates of all regions. When one of the ink feeding rate and dampening water feeding rate is varied, a variation in the other feeding rate is prohibited for a set period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaharu Yamamoto, Shigeo Murakami, Nobuhito Kohara
  • Patent number: 6767147
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for adaptively controlling printer functions of a dot matrix printer in response to sensing the type of printer ink cartridge being used. An identifying resistive value is applied to surface of the cartridge and installed within the printer. The printer includes contacts that include sensors and sensor circuitry useful to detect a presence of the resistive indicator and the resistive value thereof. The sensed resistive value is used to directly control printer functions, and/or to access stored data or printer control routines specific to the type of cartridge, or desired performance characteristics. Stored information, which may be appended by other sensed information such as printer usage data, is used to selectively regulate printer operation to achieve maximum efficiency and performance from the particular ink cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Amano Cincinnati, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Jakubowski, Frank Benna
  • Patent number: 6758097
    Abstract: The pressure gauge spring is a responsive and easy to manufacture gauge for connection to a pressure source. The spring assembly comprises a coiled hollow tube having a first end and a second end with a body portion therebetween, the hollow tube adapted to produce a displacement of the second end in response to a change in said pressure source to which said first end is connected. The second end of the body portion is sealed. The body portion of the spring assembly has a first longitudinal portion and a second longitudinal portion extending from proximate to said first longitudinal portion to said second end and substantially uniformly compressed along the second longitudinal portion to reduce volume thereby. A transition area is disposed between said first end and said first longitudinal portion of said hollow tube, and is compressed so as to form a continuous longitudinally extending ridge along said transition area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: MIJA Industries
    Inventor: John J. McSheffrey
  • Patent number: 6756785
    Abstract: A method operating a hot cathode ionization pressure gauge during electron bombardment and resistance degas operations by controlling the degas power levels as a function of the gauge pressure. In one embodiment, the degas power level is increased and decreased in steps, and the gauge pressure monitored following each increase and decrease. In another embodiment the rate of change in the gauge pressure is monitored while the degas power level is increased. If it is determined from the monitored rate of change that the gauge pressure may exceed the upper limit, the degas power increases can be stopped or the degas power decreased. These operation are continued until predetermined final degas conditions are met. A display can be activated following the successful completion of the degas operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil T. Peacock, Stacy W. Wade
  • Patent number: 6755580
    Abstract: A printing head which outputs an output from a sensor device provided for monitoring various condition of a printing head as-digital data, and a printing apparatus using the printing head. The output from the device for detecting condition of the printing head, e.g., information indicative of a substrate temperature, a resistance value of an electrothermal transducer, an ON resistance value of a power transistor which drives the electrothermal transducer and the like is digitized on the substrate, and outputted as digital information to the outside. Further, the digital information is outputted by utilizing a clock signal and a latch signal used for transferring print data to the printing head. This does not increase the number of wires and the area of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuo Furukawa, Hiroyuki Maru, Takashi Yoshida, Kazuki Ohta
  • Patent number: 6749352
    Abstract: A printer includes a cutting apparatus with a shield that protects the cutting part of a cutter blade in the apparatus. A fixed blade is supported so that the fixed blade can be moved by pressure by a compression coil spring upon a fixed blade supporting frame attached to a body frame so that the fixed blade supporting frame can be opened or closed. A blade cover for protecting the cutting part of the fixed blade is fixed to the fixed blade supporting frame. When each fitting between fitting parts of the fixed blade and touching parts of a cutter frame is released in a state in which the fixed blade supporting frame is open, a part or the whole of the cutting part of the fixed blade is shielded by the shielding part of the blade cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Yamada, Toru Takami
  • Patent number: 6746164
    Abstract: A method is provided for tracking printed articles. Input indicating that a first carrier is being mounted to take up printed articles is read, and an ID of the first carrier is read in. A record associating the printed articles with the first carrier is made. In a preferred embodiment, the ID of the first carrier is read in by reading a bar code of the first carrier. Also provided is a system for producing custom printed articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jason R. Albright, Michael A. Bartholet, Carol L. Dwyer, Ronald E. Graham, Kyle P. Manning, Ying-Che Yang
  • Patent number: 6742457
    Abstract: A transfer press having a plurality of slides, and comprising slide drives being drive sources provided every slide, and a control device for controlling the slide drives to synchronously drive and/or singly drive the slides individually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Shiroza
  • Patent number: 6742397
    Abstract: A high pressure sensor is provided with a single-piece pressure port machined from stainless steel and has no internal gaskets or seals. A housing surrounds the pressure port along a portion of its axial length. The housing and pressure port have mating configurations that prevent axial rotation when the pressure port is inserted into the assembled position in the housing. A retaining ring locks the pressure port axially with respect to the housing and is fixed in place by a fixative, such as epoxy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Invensys Sensor Systems
    Inventor: Gregory D. Parker
  • Patent number: 6739245
    Abstract: A method for controlling the printing in a mail processing device proceeds on the basis of a word-by-word storage of binary pixel data in the pixel memory with a predefined number of successive data words forming a data string, and a predefined number of data strings representing at least one print image. This facilitates a modification of variable binary pixel data in the pixel memory when the sequence of the binary pixel data in at least a part of the respective data string coincides with the sequence of pixels in at least one corresponding print image column that is provided for the printing. After a word-by-word transmission of binary pixel data of a data string from the pixel memory by direct memory access (DMA), an intermediate storage of the data string ensues in a pixel data editing unit before a pixel data editing is implemented during the printing with an ink jet printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Francotyp-Postalia AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Tilmann Schilling, Torsten Schlaaff, Joachim Jauert
  • Patent number: 6739773
    Abstract: Methods of enhancing the appearance of, and safeguarding, sales receipts. The methods provide sales receipts with watermarks, strike-throughs, and circles-about-an-item. These added functions can be accomplished in real time. Some of them can be printed in distinguishing colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Axiohm Transaction Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Spano
  • Patent number: 6739255
    Abstract: The stamp (10) for use in a lithographic process, such as patterning a surface layer, of the invention has a stamp body (1) with a first (11) and a second side (12), at which first side (11) a printing face (2) is present and at which second side (12) a stack of a carrier body (4) and a reservoir (3) for liquid are present. The carrier body contains channels (5) in order that the liquid can be transported from the reservoir (3) to the stamp body (1) and further to the printing face (2). The stamp may be embodied as a cylinder, allowing a continuous lithographic printing process. This process results in patterns on a micron or submicron scale. The stamp (10) may furthermore be included in a larger apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Martin Hillebrand Blees, Peter Jan Slikkerveer, Sigrid Maria Roman Gelderland
  • Patent number: 6739771
    Abstract: A Web server is accessed using a cellular telephone. When desired digital content desired to be printed is found, the user designates a location at which this digital content is to be printed. The digital content is transmitted from the Web server to a printing terminal that has been installed at the designated location, and the printing terminal prints the digital content. The user goes to the designated location and picks up the printout. Even if the user is on the road, therefore, desired digital content that has been stored in the Web server can be printed out and received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Yoshiki Kawaoka
  • Patent number: 6736066
    Abstract: In an exposure device for exposing thermal printing plates having a plate drum holding the printing plates and a pressure roller pressing the pressure plates onto the plate drum during the clamping and unclamping of the printing plates, a device for eliminating combustion residues in an exposer for printing plates includes a pick-up roller in contact with the pressure roller and picking up the combustion residues adhering to the pressure roller. The pick-up roller preferably has an adhesive surface and the pressure roller has a non-adhesive surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Norbert Liebig, Wilhelm Paulsen
  • Patent number: 6732589
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a housing, an interior chamber of which is sealed by a diaphragm, and a flexible measuring element, which is positioned separately. In addition, the pressure sensor includes a transmission element, which is formed as a chip and is used to transmit force from the diaphragm to the measuring element. In response to a selected deformation of the measuring element, a stop element comes into contact with a region of the transmission element and opposes the applied force. Therefore, it forms an overload protection. The stop element may be configured as a bending bar and/or form a second measuring element, the first measuring element being configured to measure relatively low pressures, and the second measuring element or stop element being configured to measure relatively high pressures. The pressure sensor thus provides a plurality of measuring ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignees: EADS Deutschland GmbH, Kistler Holding AG
    Inventors: Martin Eickhoff, Gerhard Krötz, Christoph Richter, Claudi Cavalloni, Marco Gnielka
  • Patent number: 6732651
    Abstract: A printing press with an infrared dryer unit is provided with a safety system for detecting overheating and sheet jamming conditions. The safety system has a temperature sensor disposed to directly detect the temperature of a passing printed sheet and to generate an output signal proportional to the detected temperature. As the printed sheets pass by the sensor, the sensor output signal contains a pulse for each passing sheet. A controller monitors temperature readings derived from the output signal of the temperature sensor for identifying a sign of overheating. The controller also determines whether there is an interruption in the flow of sheets by monitoring the pulses in the sensor output signal. In the case the sensor fails to provide pulses for a predetermined time, the controller generates a control signal indicating the detection of an interruption in the sheet flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Oxy-Dry Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Dziedzic, Kenneth H. Giesen, Erik A. Leman
  • Patent number: 6729780
    Abstract: A printing apparatus is described for two-sided colour proofing with improved registering of front- and back-side images. Improved registering is performed by: web feeding device with de-curling system tumbler unit for turning the receiving medium alignment sensing and correction system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignees: Agfa-Gevaert, Mutoh Europe
    Inventors: Rudy Sampson, Stefaan Deman, Serge Defever, Marc Chys, Christophe Michiels, Jozef Feys, Patrick Staelens