Patents by Inventor Hwai-Tzuu Tai

Hwai-Tzuu Tai 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: 7548343
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for calibrating a multi-color imaging system are provided. Color values are measured for each of the different color patches, and compared to target process-sensitive colors color values, representing a weight-adjusted memory color. An error value is calculated. The error value represents a deviation of the measured color values from the target color values. The input values for each colorant then are independently adjusted to reduce the error value to a predetermined degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Yee Seung Ng, Hwai-Tzuu Tai, Chung-Hui Kuo, Dmitri Anatolyevich Gusev
  • Publication number: 20090141311
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a multicolor image using halftone screens employs a dot structure dot growth pattern for one or more of the colors and a line structure dot growth pattern for at least two or more of the other colors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Hwai-Tzuu Tai, Dmitri Anatolyevich Gusev
  • Patent number: 7508549
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a multicolor image using halftone screens employs a dot structure dot growth pattern for one or more of the colors and a line structure dot growth pattern for at least two or more of the other colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Hwai-Tzuu Tai, Dmitri Anatolyevich Gusev
  • Publication number: 20090051979
    Abstract: In the method, a digital image is received. A granularity model is constructed of each of the toner stations. A noise table is produced. The noise table is based on the granularity models and is adaptive to the content of the digital image. Noise is reduced in the digital image using the noise table. The digital image is divided into a plurality of color records, each corresponding to a respective toner station. The color records of the noise reduced digital image are printed using respective toner stations. Each granularity model defines a toner applied by the respective toner station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Hwai-Tzuu Tai, Yee S. Ng, Stephen E. Johnson, Jennifer S. DeYoung
  • Patent number: 7468820
    Abstract: A system and method for selective color-correction when applying three-dimensional texture to a printed substrate hinges either on a metric that is elicited from the image, or as determined by an operator. The metric may be associated with the human visual acuity curve for textural information. Other textural metrics may also be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Yee S. Ng, Hwai-Tzuu Tai
  • Patent number: 7450269
    Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus for generating a gray level rendered pixel value that has been subjected to a halftoning process. In the method and apparatus a gray level pixel value of the pixel to be rendered by the halftoning process is provided as one input to a lookup table. A coordinate value that is determined from a pixel location in the image of the pixel to be rendered by the halftoning process is also provided as a second input to the lookup table. The first and second inputs represent an address in the lookup table of a rendered halftone value for halftone rendering of the pixel having the input gray value and the pixel location in the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Hwai-Tzuu Tai, Yee S. Ng
  • Publication number: 20080253783
    Abstract: Forming a multicolor image on a receiver member wherein a database of custom color profiles based on substrate physical properties and printing process characteristics is established. A set of universal color profiles is determined based on physical properties of substrates from clustered custom profiles. One universal color profile is assigned to a target substrate from the set of universal color profiles based on objective or subjective feedback. Thereafter, a multicolor toner image is formed on the receiver member with toners of at least three different colors of toner pigments which form various combinations of colors at different pixel locations on the receiver member to form the multicolor toner image thereon using the assigned one color profile. Based on objective or subjective feedback, the selected one universal color profile is modified, or a different universal color profile is selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Chung-Hui Kuo, Yee S. Ng, Hwai-Tzuu Tai, Dmitri A. Gusev
  • Publication number: 20080159786
    Abstract: Electrographic printing wherein raised information, with a distinct tactile feel, can be printed by electrographic techniques. Such electrographic printing comprises the steps of forming a desired print image, electrographically, on a receiver member utilizing standard size marking particles; and in an area of the formed print image, where desired tactile feel, raised information is to be formed, selectively forming such tactile feel, raised information utilizing marking particles of a substantially larger size than the standard size marking particles of the desired print image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas Nathaniel Tombs, Arun Chowdry, Hwai-Tzuu Tai, Dinesh Tyagi, Muhammed Aslam, Earl Gregory Gomes
  • Publication number: 20080144141
    Abstract: A system and method for enhancing a print using a color imaging system are provided. The automatic color enhancement system results in digital prints that have a photographic “look and feel” by using special profiles and adjustments that capture the traditional photographic image process of photo-like color and tone scale reproduction to RGB-encoded picture elements and to be used to combine in with electrophotographic process media ICC profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Hwai-Tzuu Tai, Diane M. Herrick, Stephen E. Johnson, Christopher M. Heinz, Chung-Hui Kuo
  • Publication number: 20070236736
    Abstract: A three-dimensional halftone screen is provided that is suited for multilevel printing. The three-dimensional halftone screen includes a plurality of planes each corresponding to one or more input intensity levels of an input RIPped pixel. Within the planes are screen dots, each associated with one or more output exposure intensity values representing an intensity of an exposure dot corresponding to the input RIPped pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Hwai-Tzuu Tai, Chung-Hui Kuo, Dmitri Gusev
  • Publication number: 20070236741
    Abstract: A three-dimensional halftone screen is provided that is suited for multilevel printing. The three-dimensional halftone screen includes a plurality of planes each corresponding to one or more input intensity levels of an input RIPped pixel. Within the planes are screen dots, each associated with one or more output exposure intensity values representing an intensity of an exposure dot corresponding to the input RIPped pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Hwai-Tzuu Tai, Chung-Hui Kuo, Dmitri Gusev
  • Publication number: 20070159647
    Abstract: Automatically determining the cost of a printed job on a digital printing press before the job is run. A job control component in the digital front end of the printing press, collects and stores the processing information from the job processing components from prior runs. A job-reporting component displays the stored and estimated processing information and automatically computes and displays the estimated cost of the job. The method includes determining a future toner cost using a toner cost, a future press usage cost, and a substrate cost based on historical toner consumption and then rasterizing the job to determine the total job cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Richard Carling, Victor Ibarluzea, Sankarshanan Anantham, Hwai-Tzuu Tai
  • Publication number: 20070153311
    Abstract: Automatically determining the cost of a printed job on a digital printing press before the job is run. A job control component in the digital front end of the printing press collects and stores the processing information from the job processing components from prior runs. A job-reporting component displays the stored and estimated processing information and automatically computes and displays the estimated cost of the job. The method includes determining a future toner cost using a toner cost, a future press usage cost, and a substrate cost based on historical toner consumption and then rasterizing the job to determine the total job cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventors: Richard Carling, Victor Ibarluzea, Sankarshanan Anantham, Hwai-Tzuu Tai
  • Patent number: 7236734
    Abstract: A color electrostatographic printer apparatus applies respective color separation toner images to a receiver member to form a color image. A fuser station fuses, or at least tacks, the color image to the receiver. A clear toner overcoat is then applied to the fused color toner image using an inverse mask, and enhanced glossing of the image is provided by a belt glosser to improve color gamut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Yee S. Ng, Hwai-Tzuu Tai, Diane M. Herrick
  • Patent number: 7218420
    Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus for generating a gray level rendered pixel value that has been subjected to a halftoning process. In the method and apparatus a gray level pixel value of the pixel to be rendered by the halftoning process is provided as one input to a lookup table. A coordinate value that is determined from a pixel location in the image of the pixel to be rendered by the halftoning process is also provided as a second input to the lookup table. The first and second inputs represent an address in the lookup table of a rendered halftone value for halftone rendering of the pixel having the input gray value and the pixel location in the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Hwai-Tzuu Tai, Yee S. Ng
  • Publication number: 20070097461
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for calibrating a multi-color imaging system are provided. Color values are measured for each of the different color patches, and compared to target process-sensitive colors color values, representing a weight-adjusted memory color. An error value is calculated. The error value represents a deviation of the measured color values from the target color values. The input values for each colorant then are independently adjusted to reduce the error value to a predetermined degree.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Inventors: Yee Ng, Hwai-Tzuu Tai, Chung-Hui Kuo, Dmitri Gusev
  • Publication number: 20070081192
    Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus for generating a gray level rendered pixel value that has been subjected to a halftoning process. In the method and apparatus a gray level pixel value of the pixel to be rendered by the halftoning process is provided as one input to a lookup table. A coordinate value that is determined from a pixel location in the image of the pixel to be rendered by the halftoning process is also provided as a second input to the lookup table. The first and second inputs represent an address in the lookup table of a rendered halftone value for halftone rendering of the pixel having the input gray value and the pixel location in the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Hwai-Tzuu Tai, Yee Ng
  • Publication number: 20070081205
    Abstract: An image processing method and system wherein an operator may provide adjustments to tweak color saturation of a particular color in an image. In the method and operation of the system a first signal representing color separation continuous tone gray level image data of pixels is provided as one input to a lookup table. An operator adjustable color tweaking input data second signal represents an adjustment in color saturation and is provided as a second input to the lookup table. In response to the first and second inputs a third signal representing adjustment in color saturation in accordance with the operator adjustable color tweaking input is output from the lookup table. Thereafter, data represented by the third signal is subject to a halftone process to generate halftone rendered gray level data values for the pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Hwai-Tzuu Tai, Yee Ng
  • Patent number: 7139521
    Abstract: Gloss, differential gloss, and image relief of a printed image may be controlled by utilizing a combination of technologies in the appropriate manner. These technologies include the use of transparent toner overcoats, negative transparent toner masks, variable screen transparent toner screen masks, UV coaters, and post-press belt fusing. Unlike conventional systems, which may increase gloss at a cost of also increasing image relief, the present invention may produce an image having a controlled gloss, differential gloss, and image relief.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Yee Seung Ng, Hwai-Tzuu Tai
  • Publication number: 20060188301
    Abstract: A color electrostatographic printer apparatus applies respective color separation toner images to a receiver member to form a color image. A fuser station fuses, or at least tacks, the color image to the receiver. A clear toner overcoat is then applied to the fused color toner image using an inverse mask, and enhanced glossing of the image is provided by a belt glosser to improve color gamut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventors: Yee Ng, Hwai-Tzuu Tai, Diane Herrick