Patents by Inventor Kevin D. West

Kevin D. West 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: 7072733
    Abstract: A system and method for enabling customer specification of images to be used for decorating textile substrates at the economies of mass customization. An automated patterning apparatus is implemented that comprises a plurality of individual colorant substances that are directed through a set of colorant applicators in accordance with predetermined pattern data, the colorant substances capable of being selectively applied to individual pixels on the substrate in accordance with the predetermined pattern data. The system and method particularly implements a device providing an interface for enabling remote access to an image manipulation design tool that enables user customization of the digitized image to form a target image over a communications network. A digitized image of the user's choice is imported into the image manipulation design tool and that image is manipulated according the user's artistic vision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Ronald Magee, Kevin D. West
  • Patent number: 6704610
    Abstract: A process by which dithering techniques may be used to reproduce a desired multi-colored dyed pattern on a substrate using precisely delivered quantities of liquid colorants that are available in only a relatively few colors. In one embodiment, the process is one in which a designer, working with a conventional computer-aided design system, can be provided with an image that accurately predicts the appearance of individual colorants, or a specific combination of colorants that are physically blended on the substrate within specified pixels, as those colorants would appear on the substrate selected by the designer. In other embodiments incorporating the process disclosed herein, specific actuation instructions for a specific dye injection machine capable of patterning a moving textile substrate may be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Kevin D. West, Louis W. Adams, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20030139840
    Abstract: A system and method for enabling customer specification of images to be used for decorating textile substrates at the economies of mass customization. An automated patterning apparatus is implemented that comprises a plurality of individual colorant substances that are directed through a set of colorant applicators in accordance with predetermined pattern data, the colorant substances capable of being selectively applied to individual pixels on the substrate in accordance with the predetermined pattern data. The system and method particularly implements a device providing an interface for enabling remote access to an image manipulation design tool that enables user customization of the digitized image to form a target image over a communications network. A digitized image of the user's choice is imported into the image manipulation design tool and that image is manipulated according the user's artistic vision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Ronald Magee, Kevin D. West
  • Publication number: 20030060918
    Abstract: A process by which dithering techniques may be used to reproduce a desired multi-colored dyed pattern on a substrate using precisely delivered quantities of liquid colorants that are available in only a relatively few colors. In one embodiment, the process is one in which a designer, working with a conventional computer-aided design system, can be provided with an image that accurately predicts the appearance of individual colorants, or a specific combination of colorants that are physically blended on the substrate within specified pixels, as those colorants would appear on the substrate selected by the designer. In other embodiments incorporating the process disclosed herein, specific actuation instructions for a specific dye injection machine capable of patterning a moving textile substrate may be generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Kevin D. West, Louis W. Adams