Patents by Inventor Joseph M. Ferrara
Joseph M. Ferrara 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: 11934496Abstract: Methods and systems for generating a secure copy of content associated with a non-fungible token (NFT) are disclosed. The system will receive a print request to print digital content that is associated with an NFT, access a blockchain to identify a current owner of the NFT, and generate a print job that with instructions to print the NFT content. If and only if the current owner of the NFT is the requesting entity, the system will print a unique authentication code with the digital content. The system will cause a print engine to print the digital content on a substrate or as a 3D object. In some embodiments, the system may be included in a print device that includes the print engine. Other aspects include a system that verifies whether a printed copy of content is an authorized copy, using the unique authentication code and the NFT described above.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2022Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Christopher Douglas Atwood, Frank B. Tamarez Gomez, Jacob McCarthy, Joseph M. Ferrara, Jr., Joseph Fredrick Casey
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Patent number: 11884088Abstract: An aqueous inkjet printer also ejects drops of UV material on an aqueous ink image and exposes the aqueous ink image and the UV material to UV radiation before passing the aqueous ink image and UV material through a thermal dryer. The exposure to UV radiation pins the UV material to the aqueous ink image and underlying substrate and the thermal dryer fixes the aqueous ink image to the substrate while releasing free radicals from the UV material. Thus, the printer produces textured prints that do not have free radicals that can irritate skin or produce noxious odors.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Joseph F. Casey, Christopher D. Atwood, Joseph M. Ferrara, Jr., Frank B. Tamarez Gomez, Jacob McCarthy
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Patent number: 11822838Abstract: A print management service facilitates the secure exchange of print job information between a client who requests a print job and multiple candidates who may wish to bid on the job. The service generates a smart contract that includes some information about the print job but that omits other information, such as the content to be printed. When a print service provider submits a qualifying bid to a processor that executes the smart contract, the smart contract will award the job to that provider, and the print service provider will then receive access to the full content of the print job. The smart contract may require proof of work to trigger payment from the client to the service provider upon completion of the print job.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Joseph M. Ferrara, Jr., Ana R. Fietz-Bogota, Sean Keyes, Emmett Spence, Joseph Frederick Casey
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Publication number: 20230267183Abstract: Methods and systems for generating a secure copy of content associated with a non-fungible token (NFT) are disclosed. The system will receive a print request to print digital content that is associated with an NFT, access a blockchain to identify a current owner of the NFT, and generate a print job that with instructions to print the NFT content. If and only if the current owner of the NFT is the requesting entity, the system will print a unique authentication code with the digital content. The system will cause a print engine to print the digital content on a substrate or as a 3D object. In some embodiments, the system may be included in a print device that includes the print engine. Other aspects include a system that verifies whether a printed copy of content is an authorized copy, using the unique authentication code and the NFT described above.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2022Publication date: August 24, 2023Inventors: Christopher Douglas Atwood, Frank B. Tamarez Gomez, Jacob McCarthy, Joseph M. Ferrara, JR., Joseph Fredrick Casey
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Patent number: 11660888Abstract: A printing system comprises printheads to eject ink to a deposition region. Print media are held by vacuum suction against a movable support surface, which moves over a vacuum platen. The vacuum platen comprises platen holes through which the vacuum suction is communicated. An airflow control system comprises airflow zones, each comprising a group of the platen holes, a duct, and a valve, the duct and the valve being arranged to selectively control vacuum suction through the group of the platen holes. For each of the printheads, at least one of the airflow zones is located under the respective printhead. Thus, airflow through platen holes under the printheads can be selectively controlled by selectively controlling the vacuum suction in the airflow zones.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2021Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Jonathan B. Hunter, Jeffrey John Bradway, Joseph M. Ferrara, Jr., Frank Berkelys Tamarez Gomez
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Patent number: 11608237Abstract: A sheet processing system for automated sheet adjustment includes a sensor system which captures at least a first image of a sheet of print media as the sheet is conveyed on a main transport path between a print media supply module and a marking device of an image rendering module. A control module computes a lateral error for the sheet, based on the captured at least first image, and computes an adjustment based on the computed lateral error. A sheet transport path adjustment mechanism translates a first portion of the main transport path relative to a second portion of the main transport path, based on the computed adjustment.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2021Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: Jacob R. McCarthy, Joseph M. Ferrara, Jr., Joseph Fredrick Casey, Christopher Douglas Atwood, Frank B. Tamarez Gomez
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Publication number: 20230062654Abstract: A method of operating a printer compares print job parameters for a current print job to be printed by the printer to a database of print job parameters for previously performed print jobs to identify media issues that may be caused by printing the current print job at a nominal printhead/media transport path distance. The gap between the printheads and the media transport is adjusted for identified media issues. Additionally, the method evaluates the image data content of the current print job to identify media issues that may arise from the printing of each sheet in the print job. If media issues are identified from the image data content, then the gap between the printheads and the media transport is further adjusted for sheets corresponding to the identified media issues caused by the image data content. An inkjet printer capable of being operated in this manner is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2021Publication date: March 2, 2023Inventors: Joseph M. Ferrara, JR., Christopher D. Atwood, Joseph F. Casey, Frank B. Tamarez Gomez, Jacob R. McCarthy
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Patent number: 11577528Abstract: A method of operating a printer compares print job parameters for a current print job to be printed by the printer to a database of print job parameters for previously performed print jobs to identify media issues that may be caused by printing the current print job at a nominal printhead/media transport path distance. The gap between the printheads and the media transport is adjusted for identified media issues. Additionally, the method evaluates the image data content of the current print job to identify media issues that may arise from the printing of each sheet in the print job. If media issues are identified from the image data content, then the gap between the printheads and the media transport is further adjusted for sheets corresponding to the identified media issues caused by the image data content. An inkjet printer capable of being operated in this manner is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Joseph M. Ferrara, Jr., Christopher D. Atwood, Joseph F. Casey, Frank B. Tamarez Gomez, Jacob R. McCarthy
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Patent number: 11552636Abstract: An ultra-high resolution capacitive sensor affixed above an imaging member surface measures the thickness of fountain solution on the imaging member surface in real-time during a printing operation. The sensor is considered ultra-high resolution with a resolution high enough to detect nanometer scale thicknesses. The capacitive sensor would initially be zeroed to the imaging member surface. As fluid is added, the capacitive sensor detects the increase and can measure and communicate with the image forming device to adjust fountain solution flow rate to the imaging member surface and correct for any anomalies in thickness. This fountain solution monitoring system may be fully automated. The capacitive sensor may have a resolution (e.g., as low as about 1 nm resolution) of about 0.001% of the distance/gap that the capacitive sensor is mounted away from the imaging member surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2020Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Joseph M. Ferrara, Jr., Carlos M. Terrero, Jacob Mccarthy, Roberto A. Irizarry
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Publication number: 20220379643Abstract: An aqueous inkjet printer also ejects drops of UV material on an aqueous ink image and exposes the aqueous ink image and the UV material to UV radiation before passing the aqueous ink image and UV material through a thermal dryer. The exposure to UV radiation pins the UV material to the aqueous ink image and underlying substrate and the thermal dryer fixes the aqueous ink image to the substrate while releasing free radicals from the UV material. Thus, the printer produces textured prints that do not have free radicals that can irritate skin or produce noxious odors.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2021Publication date: December 1, 2022Inventors: Joseph F. Casey, Christopher D. Atwood, Joseph M. Ferrara, JR., Frank B. Tamarez Gomez, Jacob McCarthy
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Patent number: 11508058Abstract: A system and method evaluate defects in printed images. A target image, which has been captured of a printed image, is processed to identify defects, where present, which do not occur in a source image from which the printed image was generated. A trained classification model predicts a defect class for respective regions of the target image, each of the defect classes being drawn from a predefined set of defect classes. For at least one of the identified defects, a measure of severity of the defect is determined, such as a size of the defect. A decision on the acceptability of the printed image is made, based on the measure of severity of the at least one defect and the predicted defect class of a respective one of the regions in which the defect occurs.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2021Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: Christopher Douglas Atwood, Joseph Fredrick Casey, Frank Tamarez Gomez, Joseph M. Ferrara, Jr., Jacob R. McCarthy
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Publication number: 20220314664Abstract: A printing system comprises printheads to eject ink to a deposition region. Print media are held by vacuum suction against a movable support surface, which moves over a vacuum platen. The vacuum platen comprises platen holes through which the vacuum suction is communicated. An airflow control system comprises airflow zones, each comprising a group of the platen holes, a duct, and a valve, the duct and the valve being arranged to selectively control vacuum suction through the group of the platen holes. For each of the printheads, at least one of the airflow zones is located under the respective printhead. Thus, airflow through platen holes under the printheads can be selectively controlled by selectively controlling the vacuum suction in the airflow zones.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2021Publication date: October 6, 2022Applicant: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: Jonathan B. HUNTER, Jeffery John BRADWAY, Joseph M. FERRARA, JR., Frank Berkelys TAMAREZ GOMEZ
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Publication number: 20220308516Abstract: A sheet processing system for automated sheet adjustment includes a sensor system which captures at least a first image of a sheet of print media as the sheet is conveyed on a main transport path between a print media supply module and a marking device of an image rendering module. A control module computes a lateral error for the sheet, based on the captured at least first image, and computes an adjustment based on the computed lateral error. A sheet transport path adjustment mechanism translates a first portion of the main transport path relative to a second portion of the main transport path, based on the computed adjustment.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2021Publication date: September 29, 2022Applicant: Xerox CorporationInventors: Jacob R. McCarthy, Joseph M. Ferrara, JR., Joseph Fredrick Casey, Christopher Douglas Atwood, Frank B. Tamarez Gomez
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Publication number: 20220309634Abstract: A system and method evaluate defects in printed images. A target image, which has been captured of a printed image, is processed to identify defects, where present, which do not occur in a source image from which the printed image was generated. A trained classification model predicts a defect class for respective regions of the target image, each of the defect classes being drawn from a predefined set of defect classes. For at least one of the identified defects, a measure of severity of the defect is determined, such as a size of the defect. A decision on the acceptability of the printed image is made, based on the measure of severity of the at least one defect and the predicted defect class of a respective one of the regions in which the defect occurs.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2021Publication date: September 29, 2022Applicant: Xerox CorporationInventors: Christopher Douglas Atwood, Joseph Fredrick Casey, Frank Tamarez Gomez, Joseph M. Ferrara, JR., Jacob R. McCarthy
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Patent number: 11427021Abstract: An inkjet printhead assembly includes a controller operatively connected to an actuator so the controller can operate the actuator to tilt a carrier plate in which a plurality of printheads are mounted after a purge of the printheads has been performed. The tilt assists gravity in directing the purged ink to a wiper that is moved by another actuator operated by the controller to wipe the faceplates of one or more printhead faceplates in the carrier plate. After the wiper is returned to its home position, the carrier plate is returned to its level position and the printhead assembly is returned to its operational position for printing.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2020Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Joseph M. Ferrara, Jr., David A. VanKouwenberg, Jason M. LeFevre
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Patent number: 11397549Abstract: An image processing system and method provide for receiving a current print job comprising a set of digital page images to be printed on print media sheets, identifying, for each page image, a set of input parameters, the set of input parameters including one or more of a print media sheet weight, a print media sheet size, a print media sheet thickness, a print media sheet porosity, a print media sheet coating, a print media sheet color, and an area coverage. The method further includes generating an adjustment for each page image, based on the set of input parameters and based on stored magnification errors generated for prior printed pages of print jobs, the adjustment being predicted to reduce at least one magnification error when the page image of the current print job is rendered on print media to form a printed image.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2021Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Frank B. Tamarez Gomez, Christopher Douglas Atwood, Jacob R. McCarthy, Joseph Fredrick Casey, Joseph M. Ferrara, Jr.
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Patent number: 11338570Abstract: Devices include electrically conductive elements contacting a vacuum belt, and a voltage source connected to the electrically conductive elements. The electrically conductive elements form an electrical circuit from the voltage source, through the belt, and back to the voltage source. The electrically conductive elements are positioned so that they are separated from the belt when the belt moves the sheets of media between the electrically conductive elements and the belt. A processor is capable of identifying leading edges of the sheets of media on the belt (when voltage of the electrical circuit changes from a relatively higher voltage to a relatively lower voltage) and identifying trailing edges of the sheets of media on the belt (when the voltage of the electrical circuit changes from the relatively lower voltage back to the relatively higher voltage).Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2018Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Aaron M. Moore, Timothy G. Shelhart, Timothy D. Slattery, Joseph M. Ferrara, Jr., Carlos M. Terrero, Jacob R. McCarthy, Roberto A. Irizarry
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Patent number: 11293873Abstract: The present disclosure relates to using color calibration to improve and increase the accuracy of interpreting color-sensitive results from test strips made of substrates like paper. This is accomplished via a diagnostic test unit including a substrate, at least one region on the substrate, a reagent placed within the region to react, and a series of color legends on the substrate. Different reagent samples may be placed on the separate regions of a substrate for testing. An imaging device is used to capture the reaction results. More precise readings can be obtained by comparing the reaction results to the color legends to determine the measured property of the analyte.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2015Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: Joseph M. Ferrara, Jr., Erwin Ruiz, Martin L. Frachioni
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Publication number: 20220063313Abstract: An inkjet printhead assembly includes a controller operatively connected to an actuator so the controller can operate the actuator to tilt a carrier plate in which a plurality of printheads are mounted after a purge of the printheads has been performed. The tilt assists gravity in directing the purged ink to a wiper that is moved by another actuator operated by the controller to wipe the faceplates of one or more printhead faceplates in the carrier plate. After the wiper is returned to its home position, the carrier plate is returned to its level position and the printhead assembly is returned to its operational position for printing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2020Publication date: March 3, 2022Inventors: Joseph M. Ferrara, JR., David A. VanKouwenberg, Jason M. LeFevre
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Publication number: 20210409021Abstract: An ultra-high resolution capacitive sensor affixed above an imaging member surface measures the thickness of fountain solution on the imaging member surface in real-time during a printing operation. The sensor is considered ultra-high resolution with a resolution high enough to detect nanometer scale thicknesses. The capacitive sensor would initially be zeroed to the imaging member surface. As fluid is added, the capacitive sensor detects the increase and can measure and communicate with the image forming device to adjust fountain solution flow rate to the imaging member surface and correct for any anomalies in thickness. This fountain solution monitoring system may be fully automated. The capacitive sensor may have a resolution (e.g., as low as about 1 nm resolution) of about 0.001% of the distance/gap that the capacitive sensor is mounted away from the imaging member surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2020Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: Joseph M. FERRARA, JR., Carlos M. TERRERO, Jacob MCCARTHY, Roberto A. IRIZARRY