Patents by Inventor Eric K. Zeise
Eric K. Zeise 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).
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Patent number: 10334739Abstract: A printed electrical device is formed using a flexographic printing system. A flexographic printing plate having a pattern of raised features includes an active region having a plurality of parallel traces separated by a trace spacing of between 5-40 microns that are used to form active micro-traces that provide an electrical function, and an inactive region adjacent to the active region having one or more protective features that are used to form electrically-inactive features. The protective features are separated from an outermost trace of the plurality of traces by a gap distance of between 60% and 250% of the trace spacing. The flexographic printing plate is used to transfer ink from an anilox roller to a substrate to provide a printed pattern corresponding to the pattern of raised features on the flexographic printing plate.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2018Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANYInventors: James S. Honan, Eric K. Zeise
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Patent number: 8944548Abstract: A printing system includes a linehead that jets ink onto a moving print media to print a test block and an integrated imaging system positioned downstream of the linehead with respect to a media transport direction. The integrated imaging system includes an opening in a housing for receiving light reflected from a moving print media. A folded optical assembly in the housing receives the reflected light and transmits the light a distance. One or more image sensors, having known color filter arrays, within the housing each receive the light and capture one or more images of the printed test block. An image processing device is connected to the integrated imaging system for receiving pixel data from the one or more image sensors and configured to determine a color of the ink and a density of the printed test block using the pixel data.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2013Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Samuel Chen, Mark C. Rzadca, Eric K. Zeise, John T. Keech, Michael J. Piatt
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Patent number: 8882218Abstract: A method for color density correction in a printing system that includes a linehead, with one or more printheads, that jets ink onto a moving print media and an integrated imaging system that captures images of content printed on the moving print media is provided. One or more pixel data values and a measured density value trace for a printed test block are produced by scanning the test block and averaging pixel data in a print media transport direction. A color and a density of the ink in the printed test block are determined using the pixel data values. The measured density value trace is compared with a respective reference density value. It is determined whether there is a difference between the measured density value trace and a reference density value is determined. If there is a difference, ink laydown for the printhead is adjusted based on the difference.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2013Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Samuel Chen, Mark C. Rzadca, Eric K. Zeise, John T. Keech, Michael J. Piatt
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Publication number: 20140204147Abstract: A printing system includes a linehead that jets ink onto a moving print media to print a test block and an integrated imaging system positioned downstream of the linehead with respect to a media transport direction. The integrated imaging system includes an opening in a housing for receiving light reflected from a moving print media. A folded optical assembly in the housing receives the reflected light and transmits the light a distance. One or more image sensors, having known color filter arrays, within the housing each receive the light and capture one or more images of the printed test block. An image processing device is connected to the integrated imaging system for receiving pixel data from the one or more image sensors and configured to determine a color of the ink and a density of the printed test block using the pixel data.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2013Publication date: July 24, 2014Inventors: Samuel Chen, Mark C. Rzadca, Eric K. Zeise, John T. Keech, Michael J. Piatt
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Publication number: 20140204137Abstract: A method for color density correction in a printing system that includes a linehead, with one or more printheads, that jets ink onto a moving print media and an integrated imaging system that captures images of content printed on the moving print media is provided. One or more pixel data values and a measured density value trace for a printed test block are produced by scanning the test block and averaging pixel data in a print media transport direction. A color and a density of the ink in the printed test block are determined using the pixel data values. The measured density value trace is compared with a respective reference density value. It is determined whether there is a difference between the measured density value trace and a reference density value is determined. If there is a difference, ink laydown for the printhead is adjusted based on the difference.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2013Publication date: July 24, 2014Inventors: Samuel Chen, Mark C. Rzadce, Eric K. Zeise, John T. Keech, Michael J. Piatt
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Patent number: 8493623Abstract: One or more printers or printing systems are connected to a scanning device. Each printer includes one or more color modules that are used during a printing operation. A printer prints a target for each color module or color channel. The printed targets are then scanned by the scanning device. The printed targets may be rotated to any angle and then scanned by the scanning device. The scanned raster data is processed by a controller to detect non-uniformities in at least one density image and to generate one or more correction profiles for the printer. When an image is to be printed, one or more controllers receive the image data and use the one or more correction profiles to correct or compensate for the non-uniformities during the exposure process.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2009Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Chung-Hui Kuo, Hwai-Tzuu Tai, Stacy M. Munechika, Cumar Sreekumar, Eric K. Zeise, Stephen J. Farnand, Thomas A. Henderson
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Patent number: 7777915Abstract: A color image control system and method are provided for improving the image control of printing systems, including digital front-end processors, color printers and post-finishing system. This automatic image control system, including measurement and calibration, by registering the captured reproduced document with the extracted virtual device document and automatically locating a plurality of regions in which to measure captured color values, using colorimetric measurements of an aim reproduction of the document at these same region positions, and finally relating the captured color values, the colorimetric color values, and the virtual device color values to create the an accurate color mapping. One embodiment of this method combines a global regression polynomial with local mapping refinement.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2006Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Chung-Hui Kuo, Eric K. Zeise, Di Lai
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Patent number: 7777773Abstract: Image quality assessment test charts and objective image quality measurement systems may be used to evaluate the printer sub-system health before artifacts become objectionable to human observers. Diagnostic images may be printed to allow measurement of a number of system performance attributes, such as: density, banding, streak, granularity, mottle, color, gloss, gloss uniformity, edge gradient, raggedness, sharpness, background, registration, line width, and satellite measurements. By comparing these measurements to historical values or ideal values of the same measurements, preventive maintenance suggestions may be generated to avoid both unnecessary maintenance and objectionable print quality.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2005Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Yee S. Ng, Eric K. Zeise
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Publication number: 20100097657Abstract: One or more printers or printing systems are connected to a scanning device. Each printer includes one or more color modules that are used during a printing operation. A printer prints a target for each color module or color channel. The printed targets are then scanned by the scanning device. The printed targets may be rotated to any angle and then scanned by the scanning device. The scanned raster data is processed by a controller to detect non-uniformities in at least one density image and to generate one or more correction profiles for the printer. When an image is to be printed, one or more controllers receive the image data and use the one or more correction profiles to correct or compensate for the non-uniformities during the exposure process.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2009Publication date: April 22, 2010Inventors: Chung-Hui Kuo, Hwai-Tzuu Tai, Stacy M. Munechika, Cumar Sreekumar, Eric K. Zeise, Stephen J. Farnand, Thomas A. Henderson
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Publication number: 20070291289Abstract: A color image control system and method are provided for improving the image control of printing systems, including digital front-end processors, color printers and post-finishing system. This automatic image control system, including measurement and calibration, by registering the captured reproduced document with the extracted virtual device document and automatically locating a plurality of regions in which to measure captured color values, using colorimetric measurements of an aim reproduction of the document at these same region positions, and finally relating the captured color values, the colorimetric color values, and the virtual device color values to create the an accurate color mapping. One embodiment of this method combines a global regression polynomial with local mapping refinement.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2006Publication date: December 20, 2007Inventors: Chung-Hui Kuo, Eric K. Zeise, Di Lai
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Patent number: 6819886Abstract: An on-line gloss/density meter for an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus in which pigmented marking particle images are fixed to receiver members respectively by application of heat and/or pressure as such receiver members travel along a transport path through a fuser assembly. The on-line gloss/density meter includes at least one light emitter and at least one light collector, respectively mounted in operative association with the transport path so that light from the emitter, reflected from a receiver member, and is detected and a signal corresponding to such reflected light is produced. A guide element is associated with the transport path and directs a receiver member into a predetermined specified location relative to the beam of light. A logic and control unit, responsive to signals from the light collector, precisely controls operating parameters for the electrostatographic reproduction apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2003Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: Nex Press Solutions LLCInventors: Holger Runkowske, Jan Dirk Boness, Muhammed Aslam, Eric K. Zeise
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Publication number: 20040141764Abstract: An on-line gloss/density meter for an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus in which pigmented marking particle images are fixed to receiver members respectively by application of heat and/or pressure as such receiver members travel along a transport path through a fuser assembly. The on-line gloss/density meter includes at least one light emitter and at least one light collector, respectively mounted in operative association with the transport path so that light from the emitter, reflected from a receiver member, and is detected and a signal corresponding to such reflected light is produced. A guide element is associated with the transport path and directs a receiver member into a predetermined specified location relative to the beam of light. A logic and control unit, responsive to signals from the light collector, precisely controls operating parameters for the electrostatographic reproduction apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2003Publication date: July 22, 2004Applicant: NexPress Solutions LLCInventors: Holger Runkowske, Jan Dirk Boness, Muhammed Aslam, Eric K. Zeise
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Patent number: 5699102Abstract: A copier/printer system includes an image scanner for scanning a document and providing, after a compression step, digital image scanning signals, P.sub.1, that may be communicated to a computer system for display and editing or alternatively communicated to a grey level printer having a magnetic tape memory. The computer system may be used to display the scanned image for editing by an operator and is coupled to the printer so that the edited image signals, P.sub.2, which may be the scanned signals and a common page description language to modify its usage, may be printed by the printer. The edited image signals, P.sub.2, may be sent to the printer over a suitable network. The printer includes image processing electronics for transforming the edited data, P.sub.2, into device independent data signals, P.sub.3. Such signals may be received by printers of the same type; i.e., those employing similar process and halftone algorithms. The signals, P.sub.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1990Date of Patent: December 16, 1997Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Yee S. Ng, Eric K. Zeise
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Patent number: 5300960Abstract: A non-impact dot printer such as an LED printer, records grey levels of each dot by pulse width modulating the exposure on-time for each LED. The on-time of each LED for each exposure is controlled by comparing a count, representing an exposure time, with a second time changing count. The time changing count changes in accordance with clock periods of varying periodicity that are determined in accordance with human perception response criteria. This allows for the need for fewer data bits to define grey scale and exposure correction information reducing the number of data lines otherwise required.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 1988Date of Patent: April 5, 1994Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Hieu T. Pham, Eric K. Zeise, Pin S. Tschang
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Patent number: 5111217Abstract: A non-impact dot printer such as an LED printer, records grey levels of each dot by pulse width modulating the exposure on-time for each LED. The on-time of each LED for each exposure is controlled by comparing a count, representing an exposure time with a time changing output of two counters. The improved printer and method of printing employs two counters that are counting at slightly different clock rates (or at the same rates but the counts change at slightly different times). A multiplexer associated with the comparator selects which counters output is to be compared with the comparator. A particular LED may be selectively illuminated for a picture element time period determined either solely by one or the other of the counters, or by the count of one counter and the count of the other. Because of the small difference between the clock rates used to change the outputs of the counter, uniformity control of the LED's can be significantly improved by allowing fine control of LED on time.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1989Date of Patent: May 5, 1992Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventor: Eric K. Zeise
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Patent number: 5107349Abstract: A halftone threshold value supermatrix produces different screen frequencies between density steps, but at the same screen angle so as to provide image processing for rendering halftone images with an increased number of gray level steps without changing the apparent screen angle between density steps. A gray level pixel value is compared to a threshold value to make a print or no print decision. The threshold value may come from a j.times.k threshold value supermatrix divided into four equal submatrices of elements such that there is one more ON element in one of the submatrices than in the other three when there are an odd number of ON elements and there are the same number of ON elements in each of the submatrices when there are an even number of ON elements in the supermatrix.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1990Date of Patent: April 21, 1992Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Yee S. Ng, Hwai-Tzuu Tai, Eric K. Zeise
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Patent number: 5001028Abstract: A multicolor reproduction is made by uniformly charging a photoconductive member, imagewise exposing that member to create a first electrostatic image, developing the first electrostatic image with a toner of a first color to create a first toner image, preferably uniformly recharging the photoconductive member, imagewise exposing the charged member creating a second electrostatic image, developing the second electrostatic image by the application of toner of a second color to the exposed areas. The process can be repeated for any number of colors. The multicolor image is then transferred in a single step to a receiving sheet. The second and subsequent development steps are carried out by a magnetic brush developing device employing hard magnetic carrier particles that are tumbled through a development zone which tumbling does not adversely affect the prior toner images.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1989Date of Patent: March 19, 1991Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Michael Mosehauer, Yee S. Ng, Eric K. Zeise
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Patent number: 4980701Abstract: An LED printhead includes an optical mask overlying the LED's to balance light outputs therefrom. The transmission density of the mask is adjusted for each LED in accordance with its respective light output to adjust same so that the light outputs from all LED's are the same. The mask comprises a UV fadeable dye whose transmission density is adjusted with a UV laser or other light source while monitoring the light output from the respective LED. The transmission density of the mask may be adjusted by a UV light source provided on the printhead during periods of nonuse of the printhead or the printhead may be removed from the recording apparatus for adjustment.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 1989Date of Patent: December 25, 1990Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Lawrence E. Contois, Yee S. Ng, Eric K. Zeise
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Patent number: 4941004Abstract: An improved printer apparatus includes a print head having a series of point-like radiation sources, such as LED's, arranged in a row for exposing a recording medium. Logic means is provided for determining which of the point-like radiation sources are to be selected for energization. A current driver means responsive to the logic means provides electrical current to the radiation sources selected. A current driver means include a current mirror having a master circuit for generating a reference current and a plurality of slave circuits for providing respective driver currents to the radiation sources selected for energization. The master circuit includes a resistor of the type that at least prior to adjustment permits for substantially continuous adjustment of driver current over a range of resistance values.Two independent power supplies are provided to the print head. One power supply provides electrical energy for the logic device at a fixed voltage suitable for the logic devices.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 1989Date of Patent: July 10, 1990Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Hieu T. Pham, Yee S. Ng, Kenneth D. Kieffer, Pin S. Tschang, Eric K. Zeise
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Patent number: 4916561Abstract: Streaming magnetic tape system used as an electronic recirculating feeder for copiers and printers. Scanned and digitized original pages are stored on tape by high speed thin film parallel heads. The tape is reversed and the heads are shifted after one-half of the pages are stored on the tape. Storage of the second half of the pages results in the tape being back at the place of beginning, thus eliminating time-consuming rewinds. In one embodiment, the pages are counted before recording to ascertain the middle tape reversal location.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1988Date of Patent: April 10, 1990Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Yee S. Ng, Eric K. Zeise