Patents by Inventor Kenneth A. Schmidt

Kenneth A. Schmidt 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: 11991335
    Abstract: An example embodiment may involve obtaining an input pixel map of a digital image containing an array of a×b pixel macro-cells; classifying each of the a×b pixel macro-cells as P class cells for substantially lossless compression or Q class cells for lossy compression; creating a first intermediate pixel map representing: the P class cells as is, and the Q class cells with all zero values; creating a second intermediate pixel map representing: the P class cells with all zero values, and the Q class cells as is; encoding the first intermediate pixel map into a first output stream by using substantially lossless compression; and encoding the second intermediate pixel map into a second output stream by: downsampling the P class cells and the Q class cells therein, and serializing representations the downsampled cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11775197
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device, a single READ-THEN-CLEAR command. The single READ-THEN-CLEAR command has a column address of a column in an array of memory cells. Particular data content is stored in memory cells associated with the column address. The method also includes, in response to receiving the single READ-THEN-CLEAR command, reading the particular data content and clearing the particular data content after reading the particular data content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20230068158
    Abstract: An example embodiment may involve obtaining an input pixel map of a digital image containing an array of a×b pixel macro-cells; classifying each of the a×b pixel macro-cells as P class cells for substantially lossless compression or Q class cells for lossy compression; creating a first intermediate pixel map representing: the P class cells as is, and the Q class cells with all zero values; creating a second intermediate pixel map representing: the P class cells with all zero values, and the Q class cells as is; encoding the first intermediate pixel map into a first output stream by using substantially lossless compression; and encoding the second intermediate pixel map into a second output stream by: downsampling the P class cells and the Q class cells therein, and serializing representations the downsampled cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20220308784
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device, a single READ-THEN-CLEAR command. The single READ-THEN-CLEAR command has a column address of a column in an array of memory cells. Particular data content is stored in memory cells associated with the column address. The method also includes, in response to receiving the single READ-THEN-CLEAR command, reading the particular data content and clearing the particular data content after reading the particular data content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10674036
    Abstract: An example embodiment may involve causing a page of a document to be printed on a printing device, wherein the printing device is in an AM halftoning mode and prints the page using an AM halftone; displaying, on the display unit, a graphical user interface, wherein the graphical user interface includes a selectable option to switch the printing device from the AM halftoning mode to an FM halftoning mode; receiving an indication that the selectable option has been selected; possibly in response to receiving the indication that the selectable option has been selected, causing the printing device to switch from the AM halftoning mode to the FM halftoning mode; and causing the page of the document to be printed again on the printing device, wherein the printing device is in the FM halftoning mode and prints the page using an FM halftone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Edwin P. Lockwood, Michael M. Chang, Dongpei Su, Kenneth A. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10649789
    Abstract: Techniques and computing devices related to modifying images are provided. A computing device can receive an order to modify pixels of an image. The computing device can include at least a pixel processor and software snippets that are executable on the pixel processor. The computing device can determine parameter values based on the order. The computing device can select a set of software snippets from the software snippets based on the parameter values. The computing device can load the set of software snippets onto the pixel processor. The pixel processor can execute the loaded set of software snippets to modify the pixels. The computing device can generate an output that includes a depiction of the image that includes at least one of the modified pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Dongpei Su, Thien-Phuc Nguyen Do, Alex Horvath, Kenneth A. Schmidt, Masayoshi Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20200026522
    Abstract: Techniques and computing devices related to modifying images are provided. A computing device can receive an order to modify pixels of an image. The computing device can include at least a pixel processor and software snippets that are executable on the pixel processor. The computing device can determine parameter values based on the order. The computing device can select a set of software snippets from the software snippets based on the parameter values. The computing device can load the set of software snippets onto the pixel processor. The pixel processor can execute the loaded set of software snippets to modify the pixels. The computing device can generate an output that includes a depiction of the image that includes at least one of the modified pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Dongpei Su, Thien-Phuc Nguyen Do, Alex Horvath, Kenneth A. Schmidt, Masayoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10540788
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for radial gradient rendering are provided. A graphics computing device can include a radial gradient module (RGM), which can include circuitry for radial gradient rendering. The RGM can receive one or more parameters associated with rendering at least a portion of an image utilizing radial gradient rendering. The RGM can map one or more input coordinates of the image to one or more source domain coordinates. The RGM can determine a t-value for the source domain coordinates, the t-value specifying an ellipse in the source domain whose edge includes the source domain coordinates. The RGM can determine a color value for the input coordinates based on the specified ellipse. The RGM can generate an output that is based on the color value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Dongpei Su, Christa Neil, Yuzuru Naganuma, Kendrick Wong, Donald Han, Kenneth A. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10540811
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for radial gradient rendering are provided. A graphics computing device can include a radial gradient module (RGM), which can include circuitry for radial gradient rendering. The RGM can receive one or more parameters associated with rendering at least a portion of an image utilizing radial gradient rendering. The RGM can map one or more input coordinates of the image to one or more source domain coordinates. The RGM can determine a t-value for the source domain coordinates, the t-value specifying an ellipse in the source domain whose edge includes the source domain coordinates. The RGM can determine a color value for the input coordinates based on the specified ellipse. The RGM can generate an output that is based on the color value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Dongpei Su, Christa Neil, Yuzuru Naganuma, Kendrick Wong, Donald Han, Kenneth A. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20190371048
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for radial gradient rendering are provided. A graphics computing device can include a radial gradient module (RGM), which can include circuitry for radial gradient rendering. The RGM can receive one or more parameters associated with rendering at least a portion of an image utilizing radial gradient rendering. The RGM can map one or more input coordinates of the image to one or more source domain coordinates. The RGM can determine a t-value for the source domain coordinates, the t-value specifying an ellipse in the source domain whose edge includes the source domain coordinates. The RGM can determine a color value for the input coordinates based on the specified ellipse. The RGM can generate an output that is based on the color value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Dongpei Su, Christa Neil, Yuzuru Naganuma, Kendrick Wong, Donald Han, Kenneth A. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20190371013
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for radial gradient rendering are provided. A graphics computing device can include a radial gradient module (RGM), which can include circuitry for radial gradient rendering. The RGM can receive one or more parameters associated with rendering at least a portion of an image utilizing radial gradient rendering. The RGM can map one or more input coordinates of the image to one or more source domain coordinates. The RGM can determine a t-value for the source domain coordinates, the t-value specifying an ellipse in the source domain whose edge includes the source domain coordinates. The RGM can determine a color value for the input coordinates based on the specified ellipse. The RGM can generate an output that is based on the color value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Dongpei Su, Christa Neil, Yuzuru Naganuma, Kendrick Wong, Donald Han, Kenneth A. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10136128
    Abstract: An example embodiment may involve obtaining an a×b pixel macro-cell from an input image. Pixels in the a×b pixel macro-cell may have respective pixel values and may be associated with respective tags. It may be determined whether at least e of the respective tags indicate that their associated pixels represent edges in the input image. Based on this determination, either a first encoding or a second encoding of the a×b pixel macro-cell may be selected. The first encoding may weigh pixels that represent edges in the input image heavier than pixels that do not represent edges in the input image, and the second encoding might not consider whether pixels represent edges. The selected encoding may be performed and written to a computer-readable output medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Michael M. Chang, Kenneth A. Schmidt, Dongpei Su, Sheng Li, Kendrick Wong
  • Publication number: 20180302532
    Abstract: An example embodiment may involve causing a page of a document to be printed on a printing device, wherein the printing device is in an AM halftoning mode and prints the page using an AM halftone; displaying, on the display unit, a graphical user interface, wherein the graphical user interface includes a selectable option to switch the printing device from the AM halftoning mode to an FM halftoning mode; receiving an indication that the selectable option has been selected; possibly in response to receiving the indication that the selectable option has been selected, causing the printing device to switch from the AM halftoning mode to the FM halftoning mode; and causing the page of the document to be printed again on the printing device, wherein the printing device is in the FM halftoning mode and prints the page using an FM halftone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Edwin P. Lockwood, Michael M. Chang, Dongpei Su, Kenneth A. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10070009
    Abstract: An example embodiment may involve obtaining a digital image containing a pixel block. An AM halftone may be configured to be applied to the digital image by default. The example embodiment may also involve deriving, from the pixel block, a bitmap defining foreground and non-foreground pixels of the pixel block. The example embodiment may also involve sequentially scanning horizontal lines of the bitmap to identify clusters of foreground pixels. Each pixel in a particular cluster of the clusters of foreground pixels may be either (i) the only pixel in the particular cluster, or (ii) vertically or horizontally adjacent to another pixel in the particular cluster. The example embodiment may also involve, possibly based on the clusters of foreground pixels identified in the bitmap, applying an FM halftone to the digital image, and causing the digital image to be printed with the applied FM halftone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Michael M. Chang, Dongpei Su, Kenneth A. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10027847
    Abstract: An example embodiment may involve causing a page of a document to be printed on a printing device, wherein the printing device is in an AM halftoning mode and prints the page using an AM halftone; displaying, on the display unit, a graphical user interface, wherein the graphical user interface includes a selectable option to switch the printing device from the AM halftoning mode to an FM halftoning mode; receiving an indication that the selectable option has been selected; possibly in response to receiving the indication that the selectable option has been selected, causing the printing device to switch from the AM halftoning mode to the FM halftoning mode; and causing the page of the document to be printed again on the printing device, wherein the printing device is in the FM halftoning mode and prints the page using an FM halftone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Edwin P. Lockwood, Michael M. Chang, Dongpei Su, Kenneth A. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20180084149
    Abstract: An example embodiment may involve obtaining a digital image containing a pixel block. An AM halftone may be configured to be applied to the digital image by default. The example embodiment may also involve deriving, from the pixel block, a bitmap defining foreground and non-foreground pixels of the pixel block. The example embodiment may also involve sequentially scanning horizontal lines of the bitmap to identify clusters of foreground pixels. Each pixel in a particular cluster of the clusters of foreground pixels may be either (i) the only pixel in the particular cluster, or (ii) vertically or horizontally adjacent to another pixel in the particular cluster. The example embodiment may also involve, possibly based on the clusters of foreground pixels identified in the bitmap, applying an FM halftone to the digital image, and causing the digital image to be printed with the applied FM halftone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Michael M. Chang, Dongpei Su, Kenneth A. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20180084151
    Abstract: An example embodiment may involve causing a page of a document to be printed on a printing device, wherein the printing device is in an AM halftoning mode and prints the page using an AM halftone; displaying, on the display unit, a graphical user interface, wherein the graphical user interface includes a selectable option to switch the printing device from the AM halftoning mode to an FM halftoning mode; receiving an indication that the selectable option has been selected; possibly in response to receiving the indication that the selectable option has been selected, causing the printing device to switch from the AM halftoning mode to the FM halftoning mode; and causing the page of the document to be printed again on the printing device, wherein the printing device is in the FM halftoning mode and prints the page using an FM halftone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Edwin P. Lockwood, Michael M. Chang, Dongpei Su, Kenneth A. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20180084247
    Abstract: An example embodiment may involve obtaining an a×b pixel macro-cell from an input image. Pixels in the a×b pixel macro-cell may have respective pixel values and may be associated with respective tags. It may be determined whether at least e of the respective tags indicate that their associated pixels represent edges in the input image. Based on this determination, either a first encoding or a second encoding of the a×b pixel macro-cell may be selected. The first encoding may weigh pixels that represent edges in the input image heavier than pixels that do not represent edges in the input image, and the second encoding might not consider whether pixels represent edges. The selected encoding may be performed and written to a computer-readable output medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Michael M. Chang, Kenneth A. Schmidt, Dongpei Su, Sheng Li, Kendrick Wong
  • Patent number: 9860427
    Abstract: An example embodiment may involve obtaining an m×n pixel cell from an input image. Each of the m×n pixels in the m×n pixel cell may be associated with at least one color value. An m×n attribute cell may be determined, elements of which may be associated in a one-to-one fashion with respective pixels in the m×n pixel cell. The m×n pixel cell may be compressed in a lossy fashion, and the m×n attribute cell may be compressed in a lossless fashion. Compression of the m×n pixel cell may be based on at least part of the m×n attribute cell. An interleaved representation of the compressed m×n pixel cell and the compressed m×n attribute cell may be written to an output medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Michael M. Chang, Kenneth A. Schmidt, Dongpei Su, Sheng Li, Kendrick Wong, Larry Lubman, Alfred Abkarian, Stephen L. Schafer
  • Patent number: 9854236
    Abstract: An example embodiment may involve obtaining an a×b pixel macro-cell from an input image. Pixels in the a×b pixel macro-cell may have respective pixel values and may be associated with respective tags. It may be determined whether at least e of the respective tags indicate that their associated pixels represent edges in the input image. Based on this determination, either a first encoding or a second encoding of the a×b pixel macro-cell may be selected. The first encoding may weigh pixels that represent edges in the input image heavier than pixels that do not represent edges in the input image, and the second encoding might not consider whether pixels represent edges. The selected encoding may be performed and written to a computer-readable output medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Michael M. Chang, Kenneth A. Schmidt, Dongpei Su, Sheng Li, Kendrick Wong