Patents by Inventor James Michael Enge

James Michael Enge 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: 9908324
    Abstract: A method for printing image data with a printing system having a staggered array of overlapping printheads. Adjacent printheads overlap in the cross-track direction defining an overlap region such that image pixels corresponding to the overlap region can be printed with either first or second printheads. The method includes defining an initial row interval N and an initial position of a transition boundary within the overlap region. N rows of image pixels are then printed wherein image pixels on one side of the transition boundary are printed using the first printhead and image pixels on the other side of the transition boundary are printed using the second printhead. A random process is used to iteratively determine updated row intervals, where the position of the transition boundary is shifted by an increment amount of between one pixel and three pixels for each row interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventors: James Michael Enge, Michael J. Piatt
  • Patent number: 8857938
    Abstract: A method for aligning multi-channel digital image data for a digital printer having an array of printheads for each of a plurality of channels is described. A test pattern including test pattern indicia printed using individual printheads is scanned and analyzed to detect locations of the printed test pattern indicia. For each array position, one of the printheads is designated to be a reference printhead, and one or more of the other printheads are designated to be non-reference printheads. Spatial adjustment parameters are determined for each of the non-reference printheads responsive to the detected test pattern indicia locations. Digital image data to be printed with the non-reference printheads is modified in accordance with the determined spatial adjustment parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James Michael Enge, Joseph Edward Lill, Michael Patrick Fink, Michael Joseph Piatt
  • Patent number: 8845059
    Abstract: A method for aligning multi-channel digital image data for a digital printer having a plurality of printheads is described. A test pattern including test pattern indicia printed using individual printheads is scanned and analyzed to detect locations of the printed test pattern indicia. One of the printheads is designated to be a reference printhead, and one or more of the other printheads are designated to be non-reference printheads. Spatial adjustment parameters are determined for each of the non-reference printheads responsive to the detected test pattern indicia locations. Digital image data for the non-reference printheads is modified by designating an input pixel neighborhood within which an image pixel should be inserted or deleted, comparing the image pixels in the input pixel neighborhood to a plurality of predefined pixel patterns to identify a matching pixel pattern; and determining a modified pixel neighborhood responsive to the matching pixel pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James Michael Enge, Michael Patrick Fink, Joseph Edward Lill, Michael Joseph Piatt
  • Publication number: 20140285829
    Abstract: A multi-printhead printing system, including first and second printheads adapted to print on a receiver medium. An alignment process includes printing a test pattern including features separated by predefined test pattern feature separations, where some features are printed with a first printhead and some features printed with a second printhead. An image of the printed test pattern is analyzed to determine a first camera pixel separation between two features printed with the first printhead, which is used to determine a camera scale factor. The camera scale factor is used to scale a second camera pixel separation between a feature printed with first printhead and a feature printed with the second printhead. The scaled second camera pixel separation is compared to a corresponding test pattern feature separation to determine an alignment error, which is used to adjust the alignment of the image data printed with at least one of the printheads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventor: James Michael Enge
  • Publication number: 20140285828
    Abstract: A method for aligning image data printed on a receiver medium in a multi-printhead printer that includes printing a test pattern including features separated by predefined test pattern feature separations, where some features are printed with a first printhead and some features printed with a second printhead. An image of the printed test pattern is analyzed to determine a first camera pixel separation between two features printed with the first printhead, which is used to determine a camera scale factor. The camera scale factor is used to scale a second camera pixel separation between a feature printed with first printhead and a feature printed with the second printhead. The scaled second camera pixel separation is compared to a corresponding test pattern feature separation to determine an alignment error, which is used to adjust the alignment of the image data printed with at least one of the printheads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventor: James Michael Enge
  • Patent number: 8842330
    Abstract: A method for aligning image data printed on a receiver medium in a multi-printhead printer that includes printing a test pattern including features separated by predefined test pattern feature separations, where some features are printed with a first printhead and some features printed with a second printhead. An image of the printed test pattern is analyzed to determine a first camera pixel separation between two features printed with the first printhead, which is used to determine a camera scale factor. The camera scale factor is used to scale a second camera pixel separation between a feature printed with first printhead and a feature printed with the second printhead. The scaled second camera pixel separation is compared to a corresponding test pattern feature separation to determine an alignment error, which is used to adjust the alignment of the image data printed with at least one of the printheads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: James Michael Enge
  • Patent number: 8842331
    Abstract: A multi-printhead printing system, including first and second printheads adapted to print on a receiver medium. An alignment process includes printing a test pattern including features separated by predefined test pattern feature separations, where some features are printed with a first printhead and some features printed with a second printhead. An image of the printed test pattern is analyzed to determine a first camera pixel separation between two features printed with the first printhead, which is used to determine a camera scale factor. The camera scale factor is used to scale a second camera pixel separation between a feature printed with first printhead and a feature printed with the second printhead. The scaled second camera pixel separation is compared to a corresponding test pattern feature separation to determine an alignment error, which is used to adjust the alignment of the image data printed with at least one of the printheads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: James Michael Enge
  • Patent number: 8760712
    Abstract: A method for aligning multi-channel digital image data for a digital printer having a plurality at least one printhead is described. One or more spatial adjustment parameters are determined for each of the printheads. The spatial adjustment parameters can be determined by comparing locations of test pattern indicia in a printed test pattern to predefined reference indicia locations. Digital image data for the non-reference printheads is modified by designating an input pixel neighborhood within which an image pixel should be inserted or deleted, comparing the image pixels in the input pixel neighborhood to a plurality of predefined pixel patterns to identify a matching pixel pattern; and determining a modified pixel neighborhood responsive to the matching pixel pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James Michael Enge, Joseph Edward Lill, Michael Patrick Fink, Carolyn Carlisle
  • Publication number: 20140063099
    Abstract: A method for aligning multi-channel digital image data for a digital printer having an array of printheads for each of a plurality of channels is described. A test pattern including test pattern indicia printed using individual printheads is scanned and analyzed to detect locations of the printed test pattern indicia. For each array position, one of the printheads is designated to be a reference printhead, and one or more of the other printheads are designated to be non-reference printheads. Spatial adjustment parameters are determined for each of the non-reference printheads responsive to the detected test pattern indicia locations. Digital image data to be printed with the non-reference printheads is modified in accordance with the determined spatial adjustment parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: James Michael Enge, Joseph Edward Lill, Michael Patrick Fink, Michael Joseph Piatt
  • Publication number: 20140063513
    Abstract: A method for aligning multi-channel digital image data for a digital printer having a plurality at least one printhead is described. One or more spatial adjustment parameters are determined for each of the printheads. The spatial adjustment parameters can be determined by comparing locations of test pattern indicia in a printed test pattern to predefined reference indicia locations. Digital image data for the non-reference printheads is modified by designating an input pixel neighborhood within which an image pixel should be inserted or deleted, comparing the image pixels in the input pixel neighborhood to a plurality of predefined pixel patterns to identify a matching pixel pattern; and determining a modified pixel neighborhood responsive to the matching pixel pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: James Michael Enge, Joseph Edward Lill, Michael Patrick Fink
  • Publication number: 20140063098
    Abstract: A method for aligning multi-channel digital image data for a digital printer having a plurality of printheads is described. A test pattern including test pattern indicia printed using individual printheads is scanned and analyzed to detect locations of the printed test pattern indicia. One of the printheads is designated to be a reference printhead, and one or more of the other printheads are designated to be non-reference printheads. Spatial adjustment parameters are determined for each of the non-reference printheads responsive to the detected test pattern indicia locations. Digital image data for the non-reference printheads is modified by designating an input pixel neighborhood within which an image pixel should be inserted or deleted, comparing the image pixels in the input pixel neighborhood to a plurality of predefined pixel patterns to identify a matching pixel pattern; and determining a modified pixel neighborhood responsive to the matching pixel pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: James Michael Enge, Michael Patrick Fink, Joseph Edward Lill, Michael Joseph Piatt