Patents by Inventor Christopher Dane Jones

Christopher Dane Jones 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: 10274724
    Abstract: A collimation assembly includes a body, at least four light sources, and at least four collimation lenses. The body has inner surfaces that define at least four hollow portions extending through the body between opposed first and second sides thereof, each hollow portion having opposed first and second openings at the first and second sides of the body, respectively. Each light source is disposed at the first opening of one of the at least four hollow portions and controllable to emit a light beam therethrough. Each collimation lens is disposed at the second opening of one of the at least four hollow portions to receive the light beam emitted by the light source disposed at the first opening and diverge the light beam as the light beam passes through the collimation lens. The at least four light sources and the at least four collimation lenses are supported by the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Fei Chen, Randall Lee Hudson, Christopher Dane Jones, Jason Lee Rowe
  • Patent number: 9874745
    Abstract: A collimation assembly includes a body, at least four light sources, and at least four collimation lenses. The body has inner surfaces that define at least four hollow portions extending through the body between opposed first and second sides thereof, each hollow portion having opposed first and second openings at the first and second sides of the body, respectively. Each light source is disposed at the first opening of one of the at least four hollow portions and controllable to emit a light beam therethrough. Each collimation lens is disposed at the second opening of one of the at least four hollow portions to receive the light beam emitted by the light source disposed at the first opening and diverge the light beam as the light beam passes through the collimation lens. The at least four light sources and the at least four collimation lenses are supported by the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Fei Chen, Randall Lee Hudson, Christopher Dane Jones, Jason Lee Rowe
  • Patent number: 9800756
    Abstract: An image forming device includes a controller and a laser scanning unit. The laser scanning unit includes a light source for generating a laser beam for discharging a photoconductive member to create an electrostatic latent image. A first memory is housed on the laser scanning unit and stores data unique to the laser scanning unit and laser beam as characterized during production. A second memory in communication with the controller, and separate from the first memory, stores data characterizing a family of similar laser scanning units of a same type. The controller is configured to read both the first and second memories to generate data to compensate for energy variations along a scan path of the laser beam on the photoconductive member during use. The data substantially reduces energy variation from one scan path to a next.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Inventors: Fei Chen, Christopher Dane Jones, John Lemaster
  • Publication number: 20170195521
    Abstract: A laser scanning unit for an image forming device includes a light source for emitting a laser beam, a scanning member having at least one reflective surface for scanning the laser beam onto an imaging surface across a plurality of scan lines, and driver circuitry for driving the light source to emit the laser beam. The driver circuitry has a first input for receiving a first signal indicating image information and a second input for receiving a second signal indicating shading information. The driver circuitry modulates the laser beam based on the first signal to form an image on the imaging surface corresponding to the image information and adjusts an output power of the modulated laser beam based on the second signal to substantially reduce energy variation across each scan line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Fei Chen, Christopher Dane Jones, John Lemaster
  • Publication number: 20170192373
    Abstract: An image forming device includes a controller and a laser scanning unit. The laser scanning unit includes a light source for generating a laser beam for discharging a photoconductive member to create an electrostatic latent image. A first memory is housed on the laser scanning unit and stores data unique to the laser scanning unit and laser beam as characterized during production. A second memory in communication with the controller, and separate from the first memory, stores data characterizing a family of similar laser scanning units of a same type. The controller is configured to read both the first and second memories to generate data to compensate for energy variations along a scan path of the laser beam on the photoconductive member during use. The data substantially reduces energy variation from one scan path to a next.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: FEI CHEN, CHRISTOPHER DANE JONES, JOHN LEMASTER
  • Patent number: 9699352
    Abstract: A laser scanning unit for an image forming device includes a light source for emitting a laser beam, a scanning member having at least one reflective surface for scanning the laser beam onto an imaging surface across a plurality of scan lines, and driver circuitry for driving the light source to emit the laser beam. The driver circuitry has a first input for receiving a first signal indicating image information and a second input for receiving a second signal indicating shading information. The driver circuitry modulates the laser beam based on the first signal to form an image on the imaging surface corresponding to the image information and adjusts an output power of the modulated laser beam based on the second signal to substantially reduce energy variation across each scan line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Fei Chen, Christopher Dane Jones, John Lemaster
  • Patent number: 9664901
    Abstract: A collimation assembly includes a body, at least four light sources, and at least four collimation lenses. The body has inner surfaces that define at least four hollow portions extending through the body between opposed first and second sides thereof, each hollow portion having opposed first and second openings at the first and second sides of the body, respectively. Each light source is disposed at the first opening of one of the at least four hollow portions and controllable to emit a light beam therethrough. Each collimation lens is disposed at the second opening of one of the at least four hollow portions to receive the light beam emitted by the light source disposed at the first opening and diverge the light beam as the light beam passes through the collimation lens. The at least four light sources and the at least four collimation lenses are supported by the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Fei Chen, Randall Lee Hudson, Christopher Dane Jones, Jason Lee Rowe
  • Publication number: 20170090190
    Abstract: A collimation assembly includes a body, at least four light sources, and at least four collimation lenses. The body has inner surfaces that define at least four hollow portions extending through the body between opposed first and second sides thereof, each hollow portion having opposed first and second openings at the first and second sides of the body, respectively. Each light source is disposed at the first opening of one of the at least four hollow portions and controllable to emit a light beam therethrough. Each collimation lens is disposed at the second opening of one of the at least four hollow portions to receive the light beam emitted by the light source disposed at the first opening and diverge the light beam as the light beam passes through the collimation lens. The at least four light sources and the at least four collimation lenses are supported by the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Fei Chen, Randall Lee Hudson, Christopher Dane Jones, Jason Lee Rowe
  • Publication number: 20170090189
    Abstract: A collimation assembly includes a body, at least four light sources, and at least four collimation lenses. The body has inner surfaces that define at least four hollow portions extending through the body between opposed first and second sides thereof, each hollow portion having opposed first and second openings at the first and second sides of the body, respectively. Each light source is disposed at the first opening of one of the at least four hollow portions and controllable to emit a light beam therethrough. Each collimation lens is disposed at the second opening of one of the at least four hollow portions to receive the light beam emitted by the light source disposed at the first opening and diverge the light beam as the light beam passes through the collimation lens. The at least four light sources and the at least four collimation lenses are supported by the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Fei Chen, Randall Lee Hudson, Christopher Dane Jones, Jason Lee Rowe
  • Publication number: 20170090188
    Abstract: A collimation assembly includes a body, at least four light sources, and at least four collimation lenses. The body has inner surfaces that define at least four hollow portions extending through the body between opposed first and second sides thereof, each hollow portion having opposed first and second openings at the first and second sides of the body, respectively. Each light source is disposed at the first opening of one of the at least four hollow portions and controllable to emit a light beam therethrough. Each collimation lens is disposed at the second opening of one of the at least four hollow portions to receive the light beam emitted by the light source disposed at the first opening and diverge the light beam as the light beam passes through the collimation lens. The at least four light sources and the at to least four collimation lenses are supported by the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Fei Chen, Randall Lee Hudson, Christopher Dane Jones, Jason Lee Rowe
  • Patent number: 9052513
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing scan line jitter caused by facet cut variation in scan systems employing a plurality of laser sources and a sensor for generating the timing for the laser sources. The system includes a controller for determining a unique time delay for each facet of the rotating mirror, and controlling the laser sources so that video provided by each laser source is delayed in a scan line by the unique time delay corresponding to the facet of the rotating mirror used in creating the scan line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Fei Chen, Craig Eric Hadady, Christopher Dane Jones, Simarpreet Singh Rattan
  • Patent number: 8963976
    Abstract: The invention describes a method and system for correcting linearity error of an electrophotographic device with a reduced number of lenses. The method and system insert additional time-slices in the data being processed by the electrophotographic device. The additional time-slices are inserted in the data in a predefined order based on a plurality of random numbers. The insertion of additional time-slices corrects the linearity error of the electrophotographic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Eric Hadady, Christopher Dane Jones, John Lemaster
  • Patent number: 8817058
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing scan line jitter in laser scan systems employing a rotating mirror, including a controller for determining a unique time delay for each mirror facet and controlling laser sources so that video provided by each laser source is delayed in a scan line by the unique time delay corresponding to the mirror facet used in creating the scan line. The controller computes a facet map signature vector corresponding to each mirror facet matches the signature to a previously stored signature and assigns measured distance offset data to the mirror facets based upon the matching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Fei Chen, Craig Eric Hadady, Christopher Dane Jones, John Lemaster
  • Publication number: 20130121713
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing scan line jitter caused by facet cut variation in scan systems employing a plurality of laser sources and a sensor for generating the timing for the laser sources. The system includes a controller for determining a unique time delay for each facet of the rotating mirror, and controlling the laser sources so that video provided by each laser source is delayed in a scan line by the unique time delay corresponding to the facet of the rotating mirror used in creating the scan line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventors: Fei Chen, Craig Eric Hadady, Christopher Dane Jones, Simarpreet Singh Rattan
  • Publication number: 20120281996
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing scan line jitter in laser scan systems employing a rotating mirror, including a controller for determining a unique time delay for each mirror facet and controlling laser sources so that video provided by each laser source is delayed in a scan line by the unique time delay corresponding to the mirror facet used in creating the scan line. The controller computes a facet map signature vector corresponding to each mirror facet matches the signature to a previously stored signature and assigns distance offset data to the mirror facets based upon the matching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Fei Chen, Craig Eric Hadady, Christopher Dane Jones, John Lemaster
  • Publication number: 20120002986
    Abstract: The invention describes a method and system for correcting linearity error of an electrophotographic device with a reduced number of lenses. The method and system insert additional time-slices in the data being processed by the electrophotographic device. The additional time-slices are inserted in the data in a predefined order based on a plurality of random numbers. The insertion of additional time-slices corrects the linearity error of the electrophotographic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Craig Eric Hadady, Christopher Dane Jones, John Lemaster
  • Patent number: 8018479
    Abstract: The invention describes a method and system for correcting linearity error of an electrophotographic device with a reduced number of lenses. The method and system insert additional time-slices in the data being processed by the electrophotographic device. The additional time-slices are inserted in the data in a predefined order based on a plurality of random numbers. The insertion of additional time-slices corrects the linearity error of the electrophotographic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Eric Hadady, Christopher Dane Jones, John Lemaster
  • Publication number: 20100053298
    Abstract: The invention describes a method and system for correcting linearity error of an electrophotographic device with a reduced number of lenses. The method and system insert additional time-slices in the data being processed by the electrophotographic device. The additional time-slices are inserted in the data in a predefined order based on a plurality of random numbers. The insertion of additional time-slices corrects the linearity error of the electrophotographic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Craig Eric Hadady, Christopher Dane Jones, John Lemaster
  • Patent number: 6601941
    Abstract: A method of controlling a temperature of a print chip of a printhead in an ink jet printer includes providing a memory device within the printer. Ink is emitted from the printhead. Temperature data associated with the print chip during the emitting step is recorded. A thermal resistance value associated with the printhead and/or a thermal capacitance value associated with the printhead is calculated. The calculating is dependent upon the recorded temperature data. The thermal resistance value associated with the printhead and/or the thermal capacitance value associated with the printhead is stored in the memory device. A temperature of the print chip at a future point in time is estimated based upon a number of ink drops to be emitted by the printhead before the future point in time, and the thermal resistance value associated with the printhead and/or the thermal capacitance value associated with the printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Inventors: Christopher Dane Jones, Bryan Scott Willett, Shirish Padmaker Mulay
  • Patent number: 6299273
    Abstract: A method of controlling a temperature of a print chip of a printhead in an ink jet printer includes providing the printer with a memory device. The print chip is provided with and at least one ink-jetting resistor. The printhead is provided with at least one substrate heater and a heatsink attached to the print chip. Power is applied to the substrate heater and/or the ink-jetting resistor. Temperature data associated with the print chip is recorded during the applying step. A thermal resistance value of the print chip to the heatsink and/or a thermal capacitance value associated with the printhead is calculated dependent upon the recorded temperature data. The thermal resistance value of the print chip to the heatsink and/or the thermal capacitance value associated with the printhead are stored in the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Edward Anderson, Stanley Dyer, Christopher Dane Jones, Shirish Padmaker Mulay, William Shannon Spencer