Patents by Inventor Frank Schumann

Frank Schumann 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: 11908126
    Abstract: A method of controlling the quality of printed products by using a computer includes always producing multiple printed products with at least partially identical image content in a printing machine in a course of a print job to be completed. The multiple printed products are recorded by at least one image sensor and are sent to the computer as digital image data. The computer examines and assesses the digital image data in an image inspection process to find print defects and to sort out printed products that have been found to be unusable. The computer assesses the identical image content of the digital image data of at least two consecutive printed products and only takes into consideration such detected print defects that are present on the at least two assessed consecutive printed products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Frank Soltwedel, Frank Schumann, Sascha Epp, Volker Felzen
  • Patent number: 11752775
    Abstract: A method for determining print defects in a printing operation carried out on an inkjet printing machine for processing a print job includes using a camera system to record and digitize printed products generated during the printing operation, feeding the camera image having been thus generated to a detection algorithm on the computer, alerting a machine control unit when print defects are found, and ejecting the printed product through a waste ejector if necessary. The detection algorithm separates color separations of the camera images, detects the print defects in the color separations, links images of the individual color separations to form a candidate image, filters the candidate image, enters the remaining detected print defects into a list, and forwards the list to the machine control unit of the printing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Jan Krieger, Frank Schumann
  • Publication number: 20230081814
    Abstract: The invention relates to sheet metal packaging products, in particular tinplate or electrolytically chrome-plated sheet steel (ECCS), consisting of a sheet steel substrate (S) with a thickness in the region of 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm and a coating (B), in particular made of tin and/or chromium or chromium and chromium oxide, that is electrolytically deposited on at least one side of the sheet metal substrate. In addition, at least one surface of the sheet metal packaging product provided with the coating (B) has a surface profile with periodically repeating structure elements in at least one direction, wherein an autocorrelation function resulting from the surface profile has a plurality of side lobes with a height of at least 20%, preferably at least 30% of the height of the main lobe. These sheet metal packaging products have improved and novel surface properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: ThyssenKrupp Rasselstein GmbH
    Inventors: Folkert SCHULZE-KRAASCH, Karl-Heinz KOPPLIN, Stefan WISCHMANN, Martin KOCH, Jörg GORSCHLÜTER, Manuel KÖHL, Patrick THIEL, Walter HÖRNIG, Frank SCHUMANN, Markus OPPER
  • Patent number: 11580630
    Abstract: A method of inspecting images on printed products by a computer in a printing machine. Printed products are recorded and digitized by an image sensor of an image inspection system in the course of the image inspection process, and the computer compares them to a digital reference image. If deviations are found, the defective printed products are removed. The computer analyzes the deviations found in the course of the image inspection process together with further data from other system parts and from the machine, determines specific defect classes and the causes thereof based on the defects by machine learning processes, assigns the defects found in the image inspection process to the defect classes in a corresponding way, and displays the classified detected defects with their defect classes and causes to an operator of the machine so that the operator can initiate specific measures to eliminate the defect causes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Frank Soltwedel, Robert Mueller, Jan Krieger, Frank Schumann, Peter Eisele
  • Patent number: 11485131
    Abstract: A machine arrangement sequentially processes sheet-like substrates with multiple different processing stations each having a substrate-guiding unit and a substrate-processing unit. At least one of the processing stations has, as a substrate-processing unit, at least one non-impact printing device which prints on the substrate. The processing station with the at least one non-impact printing device has a printing cylinder. Each non-impact printing device is arranged at the circumference of the printing cylinder. The printing cylinder is triple-sized or quadruple-sized. A double-sized or a triple-sized transfer drum, or a corresponding feed cylinder, is arranged directly upstream of this printing cylinder. Alternatively, a double-sized or a triple-sized transfer drum, or a corresponding transfer cylinder, is arranged directly downstream of this printing cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: KOENIG & BAUER AG
    Inventors: Christian Ziegenbalg, Uwe Becker, Ulrich Köhler, Frank Schumann, Carsten Reinsch, Michael Koch
  • Patent number: 11318732
    Abstract: A machine arrangement, for sequentially processing sheet-type substrates, includes a plurality of different processing stations, one of which includes a non-impact printing device that prints the substrates. The processing station, including the non-impact printing device, also includes a printing cylinder, on the circumference of which, the non-impact printing device that prints the substrates is arranged. On the circumferential surface of the printing cylinder, four substrates are or can be placed behind each other in the circumferential direction. Each of the substrates that are to be conveyed are retained in one of a force-locking and a form-fitting manner on the circumferential surface of the printing cylinder by at least one retaining element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: KOENIG & BAUER AG
    Inventors: Christian Ziegenbalg, Uwe Becker, Ulrich Köhler, Frank Schumann, Carsten Reinsch, Michael Koch
  • Patent number: 11288793
    Abstract: A method for inspecting printed products of a machine for processing printing substrates includes recording and digitizing produced printed products by using at least one image sensor and analyzing the printed products by using a computer to find potential defects. Defects in the printed products are detected by the computer by comparing the recorded and digitized printed image with a digital reference image, analyzing occurring deviations, and marking defective printed products in a manner suitable for removal. The computer spatially subdivides every digitized printed image into regions with deviations, calculates the time required to analyze every one of the regions, and terminates the analysis of a digitized printed image when the time required to analyze the regions exceeds a predefined value of time per digitized printed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Frank Schumann, Jan Krieger, Bennet Carstensen, Peter Eisele
  • Publication number: 20220067899
    Abstract: A method of controlling the quality of printed products by using a computer includes always producing multiple printed products with at least partially identical image content in a printing machine in a course of a print job to be completed. The multiple printed products are recorded by at least one image sensor and are sent to the computer as digital image data. The computer examines and assesses the digital image data in an image inspection process to find print defects and to sort out printed products that have been found to be unusable. The computer assesses the identical image content of the digital image data of at least two consecutive printed products and only takes into consideration such detected print defects that are present on the at least two assessed consecutive printed products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: FRANK SOLTWEDEL, FRANK SCHUMANN, SASCHA EPP, VOLKER FELZEN
  • Patent number: 11254119
    Abstract: A method for image inspection on printed products in a printing material processing machine. Printed products are recorded and digitizing and the recorded images are compared with a digital reference image to find image areas with distorted regions. Suitable rectification factors are calculated and the digital reference image is rectified with suitable rectification factors for the distorted image areas. The modified digital reference image is then compared to images recorded during the production run. If deviations are found, the printed products are found defective and removed. The computer also identifies image areas in the reference image that do not have enough edges for calculating suitable rectification factors and inserts anchors into the image areas. The anchors are printed, recorded and digitized, as they become part of the recorded digital printed image. In that case, the computer calculates the local rectification factors by way of the anchors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Immanuel Fergen, Frank Schumann
  • Publication number: 20210287353
    Abstract: A method of inspecting images on printed products by a computer in a printing machine. Printed products are recorded and digitized by an image sensor of an image inspection system in the course of the image inspection process, and the computer compares them to a digital reference image. If deviations are found, the defective printed products are removed. The computer analyzes the deviations found in the course of the image inspection process together with further data from other system parts and from the machine, determines specific defect classes and the causes thereof based on the defects by machine learning processes, assigns the defects found in the image inspection process to the defect classes in a corresponding way, and displays the classified detected defects with their defect classes and causes to an operator of the machine so that the operator can initiate specific measures to eliminate the defect causes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Frank Soltwedel, Robert Mueller, Jan Krieger, Frank Schumann, Peter Eisele
  • Publication number: 20210256678
    Abstract: A method for inspecting printed products of a machine for processing printing substrates includes recording and digitizing produced printed products by using at least one image sensor and analyzing the printed products by using a computer to find potential defects. Defects in the printed products are detected by the computer by comparing the recorded and digitized printed image with a digital reference image, analyzing occurring deviations, and marking defective printed products in a manner suitable for removal. The computer spatially subdivides every digitized printed image into regions with deviations, calculates the time required to analyze every one of the regions, and terminates the analysis of a digitized printed image when the time required to analyze the regions exceeds a predefined value of time per digitized printed image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: FRANK SCHUMANN, JAN KRIEGER, BENNET CARSTENSEN, PETER EISELE
  • Publication number: 20210213727
    Abstract: A machine arrangement sequentially processes sheet-like substrates with multiple different processing stations each having a substrate-guiding unit and a substrate-processing unit. At least one of the processing stations has, as a substrate-processing unit, at least one non-impact printing device which prints on the substrate. The processing station with the at least one non-impact printing device has a printing cylinder. Each non-impact printing device is arranged at the circumference of the printing cylinder. The printing cylinder is triple-sized or quadruple-sized. A double-sized or a triple-sized transfer drum, or a corresponding feed cylinder, is arranged directly upstream of this printing cylinder. Alternatively, a double-sized or a triple-sized transfer drum, or a corresponding transfer cylinder, is arranged directly downstream of this printing cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Christian ZIEGENBALG, Uwe BECKER, Ulrich KÖHLER, Frank SCHUMANN, Carsten REINSCH, Michael KOCH
  • Patent number: 11019226
    Abstract: A method for inspecting images on printed products in a machine for processing printing substrates includes recording and digitizing the produced printed products by using at least one image sensor in an image recording system, comparing the recorded digital printed images having been created in this way with a digital reference image by using the computer, digitally eliminating distortion in the recorded digital printed images beforehand by using the computer and, if the recorded digital distortion-free printed images deviate from the digital reference image, removing printed products having been found to have a defect. For the purpose of digitally eliminating the distortions, the computer divides the print and reference images into respective image parts and adapts the printed image parts pixel by pixel in terms of their positions in the printed image to minimize the difference between the printed image parts and the respective reference image parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Frank Schumann
  • Publication number: 20210146679
    Abstract: A machine arrangement, for sequentially processing sheet-type substrates, includes a plurality of different processing stations, one of which includes a non-impact printing device that prints the substrates. The processing station, including the non-impact printing device, also includes a printing cylinder, on the circumference of which, the non-impact printing device that prints the substrates is arranged. On the circumferential surface of the printing cylinder, four substrates are or can be placed behind each other in the circumferential direction. Each of the substrates that are to be conveyed are retained in one of a force-locking and a form-fitting manner on the circumferential surface of the printing cylinder by at least one retaining element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Christian ZIEGENBALG, Uwe BECKER, Ulrich KÖHLER, Frank SCHUMANN, Carsten REINSCH, Michael KOCH
  • Patent number: 10987917
    Abstract: A machine arrangement sequentially processes sheet-like substrates with multiple different processing stations each having a substrate-guiding unit and a substrate-processing unit. At least one of the processing stations has, as a substrate-processing unit, at least one non-impact printing device which prints on the substrate. The processing station with the at least one non-impact printing device has a printing cylinder. Each non-impact printing device is arranged at the circumference of the printing cylinder. The printing cylinder is triple-sized or quadruple-sized. A double-sized or a triple-sized transfer drum, or a corresponding feed cylinder, is arranged directly upstream of this printing cylinder. Alternatively, a double-sized or a triple-sized transfer drum, or a corresponding transfer cylinder, is arranged directly downstream of this printing cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: KOENIG & BAUER AG
    Inventors: Christian Ziegenbalg, Uwe Becker, Ulrich Köhler, Frank Schumann, Carsten Reinsch, Michael Koch
  • Patent number: 10933627
    Abstract: A machine arrangement, for sequentially processing sheet-type substrates, includes a plurality of different processing stations, one of which includes a non-impact printing device that prints the substrates. The processing station, including the non-impact printing device, also includes a printing cylinder, on the circumference of which, the non-impact printing device that prints the substrates is arranged. On the circumferential surface of the printing cylinder, four substrates are or can be placed behind each other in the circumferential direction. Each of the substrates that are to be conveyed are retained in one of a force-locking and a form-fitting manner on the circumferential surface of the printing cylinder by at least one retaining element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: KOENIG & BAUER AG
    Inventors: Christian Ziegenbalg, Uwe Becker, Ulrich Köhler, Frank Schumann, Carsten Reinsch, Michael Koch
  • Patent number: 10792910
    Abstract: A machine arrangement, that sequentially processes sheet-type substrates, includes a plurality of different processing stations, one of which includes a non-impact printing device that prints the substrates. Further processing stations are a primer application device that primes the substrates and a dryer for drying the primer applied to the substrates. The primer application device and the dryer precede the non-impact printing device, in the direction of travel of the substrates. The processing station including the non-impact printing device, also includes a printing cylinder, on the circumference of which, the non-impact printing device that prints the substrates is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: KOENIG & BAUER AG
    Inventors: Christian Ziegenbalg, Uwe Becker, Ulrich Köhler, Frank Schumann, Carsten Reinsch, Michael Koch
  • Publication number: 20200311897
    Abstract: A method for inspecting images on printed products of a printing substrate processing machine includes using at least one image sensor of an image recording system, in the course of the image inspection process, to record and digitize the printed products that have been produced. The computer compares the recorded digital printed images that have been created in this way to a digital reference image. In the case of deviations between the recorded digital printed images and the digital reference image, the printed products that have been found defective are removed. The computer divides the digital print images and the reference images into respective image parts and compensates for brightness differences between the image parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventor: FRANK SCHUMANN
  • Publication number: 20200262195
    Abstract: A machine arrangement, for sequentially processing sheet-type substrates, includes a plurality of different processing stations, one of which includes a non-impact printing device that prints the substrates. The processing station, including the non-impact printing device, also includes a printing cylinder, on the circumference of which, the non-impact printing device that prints the substrates is arranged. On the circumferential surface of the printing cylinder, four substrates are or can be placed behind each other in the circumferential direction. Each of the substrates that are to be conveyed are retained in one of a force-locking and a form-fitting manner on the circumferential surface of the printing cylinder by at least one retaining element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Christian ZIEGENBALG, Uwe BECKER, Ulrich KÖHLER, Frank SCHUMANN, Carsten REINSCH, Michael KOCH
  • Publication number: 20200223230
    Abstract: A method for determining print defects in a printing operation carried out on an inkjet printing machine for processing a print job includes using a camera system to record and digitize printed products generated during the printing operation, feeding the camera image having been thus generated to a detection algorithm on the computer, alerting a machine control unit when print defects are found, and ejecting the printed product through a waste ejector if necessary. The detection algorithm separates color separations of the camera images, detects the print defects in the color separations, links images of the individual color separations to form a candidate image, filters the candidate image, enters the remaining detected print defects into a list, and forwards the list to the machine control unit of the printing machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: JAN KRIEGER, FRANK SCHUMANN