Patents by Inventor Michael N. Soures
Michael N. Soures 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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Publication number: 20240010016Abstract: A method of stabilizing a marking process speed in a printing system, the printing system including a vacuum transport belt and at least one sheet onto which marking material is directly applied to print sheets, the method including printing an image on the sheet, receiving, from a sensor, data related to the image, determining, based on the data, at least one actual dimension of the image, determining if the at least one actual dimension of the image is equal to a target dimension of the image, and if the at least one actual dimension is not equal to the target dimension, adjusting one or more components of the printing system.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2022Publication date: January 11, 2024Inventors: Michael N. Soures, Bruce H. Smith, James D. Van Bortel, Ellery F. Wong
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Patent number: 11835446Abstract: An optical light reflectance measurement system above an imaging member surface measures fountain solution surface light reflectance interference on reflective substrate portions of the imaging member surface in real-time during a printing operation. The measured light reflectance interference corresponds to a thickness of the fountain solution layer and may be used in a feedback loop to actively control fountain solution layer thickness by adjusting the volumetric feed rate of fountain solution added onto the imaging member surface during a printing operation to reach a desired uniform thickness for the printing. This fountain solution monitoring system may be fully automated.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2021Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Donald Thresh, Jonathan Ireland, Bruce H. Smith, Michael N. Soures, James D. Vanbortel
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Publication number: 20220412878Abstract: An optical light reflectance measurement system above an imaging member surface measures fountain solution surface light reflectance interference on reflective substrate portions of the imaging member surface in real-time during a printing operation. The measured light reflectance interference corresponds to a thickness of the fountain solution layer and may be used in a feedback loop to actively control fountain solution layer thickness by adjusting the volumetric feed rate of fountain solution added onto the imaging member surface during a printing operation to reach a desired uniform thickness for the printing. This fountain solution monitoring system may be fully automated.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2021Publication date: December 29, 2022Inventors: Donald THRESH, Jonathan IRELAND, Bruce H. SMITH, Michael N. SOURES, James D. VANBORTEL
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Patent number: 11307811Abstract: A method is disclosed. For example, the method includes receiving, by a processor of a multi-function device (MFD), a scanned image of a print job with a finish option applied to the print job, determining, by the processor, that the finish option requires an adjustment based on an analysis of the scanned image, determining, by the processor, an amount of adjustment to the finish option to apply to subsequent copies of the print job, and performing, by the processor, an adjustment to the MFD to apply the amount of adjustment to the finish option for subsequent copies of the print job.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2020Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: James D. Vanbortel, Bruce H. Smith, Michael N. Soures, Conner N. Smith, Jonathan Ireland
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Patent number: 11188013Abstract: An apparatus for stripping light weight and ultra-light weight media from a photoreceptor that is tacked thereto by electrostatic or vacuum force includes a set of low-tip stripper fingers configured to strip the light weight and ultra-light weight media from the photoreceptor. The low-tip stripper fingers are adjustable both in the cross process and in attack angle with respect to the photoreceptor in order to change the height at which the tip of each stripper finger is in relation to the photoreceptor and thereby prevent jams due to miss-strips. Additionally, dual stripper fingers are disclosed that support inboard and outboard edges of larger media in order to reduce dog ears and jams.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2019Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Rachel Lynn Tanchak, Shawn R Rowan, Erwin Ruiz, Michael L Povio, Michael N Soures, Arthur H Kahn
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Publication number: 20210149328Abstract: An apparatus for stripping light weight and ultra-light weight media from a photoreceptor that is tacked thereto by electrostatic or vacuum force includes a set of low-tip stripper fingers configured to strip the light weight and ultra-light weight media from the photoreceptor. The low-tip stripper fingers are adjustable both in the cross process and in attack angle with respect to the photoreceptor in order to change the height at which the tip of each stripper finger is in relation to the photoreceptor and thereby prevent jams due to miss-strips. Additionally, dual stripper fingers are disclosed that support inboard and outboard edges of larger media in order to reduce dog ears and jams.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2019Publication date: May 20, 2021Applicant: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: Rachel Lynn Tanchak, Shawn R. Rowan, Erwin Ruiz, Michael L. Povio, Michael N. Soures, Arthur H. Kahn
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Patent number: 10759158Abstract: What is disclosed is an object holder for securely retaining an object while it is being printed in a direct-to-object print system and a direct-to-object print system configured to use various embodiments of the object holder of the present invention. In one embodiment, the object holder comprises a metallic shuttle mount configured to slideably traverse a support member positioned parallel to a plane formed by at least one printhead configured to eject marking material on to a surface of an object. A plurality of magnetic retainers are each shaped to physically secure the object to the metallic shuttle mount while the object is being moved.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2017Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Jonathan Ireland, Michael N. Soures, Bruce H. Smith, Donald E. Thresh, James D. Vanbortel
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Patent number: 10437179Abstract: A printer includes a controller that operates an actuator of a transfer assist blade (TAB) mechanism with reference to an actuator profile. The actuator profile identifies an actuator waveform and a plurality of pulse trains for the actuator waveform. The actuator profile and the data associated with it are developed with reference to the drive train for the TAB mechanism. The actuator profiles enable the TAB mechanism drive train to achieve optimal operation over a wide range of media types, substrate speeds, pitch modes, and other print job parameters.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2017Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventor: Michael N. Soures
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Patent number: 10273102Abstract: Printing devices include a media supply storing print media, a luminescent belt positioned adjacent the media supply in a location to move sheets of the print media from the media supply, a print engine positioned adjacent the luminescent belt in a location to receive the sheets from the luminescent belt, an optical sensor positioned adjacent the belt in a location to receive belt-emitted light from the luminescent belt, and a processor electrically connected to the optical sensor. The processor receives the image from the optical sensor and identifies locations of the sheets on the belt based on where the sheets block the belt-emitted light from the luminescent belt.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2018Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Seemit Praharaj, Paul J. McConville, Douglas K. Herrmann, Jason M. LeFevre, Chu-heng Liu, Erwin Ruiz, Paul M. Fromm, Linn C. Hoover, David A. VanKouwenberg, Jeffrey J. Bradway, Martin E. Hoover, Bruce H. Smith, Donald Thresh, James D. Van Bortel, Michael N. Soures, Jonathan R. Ireland
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Publication number: 20190121262Abstract: A printer includes a controller that operates an actuator of a transfer assist blade (TAB) mechanism with reference to an actuator profile. The actuator profile identifies an actuator waveform and a plurality of pulse trains for the actuator waveform. The actuator profile and the data associated with it are developed with reference to the drive train for the TAB mechanism. The actuator profiles enable the TAB mechanism drive train to achieve optimal operation over a wide range of media types, substrate speeds, pitch modes, and other print job parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2017Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventor: Michael N. Soures
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Patent number: 10245786Abstract: A three-dimensional object printing system improves the collection of waste materials during object printing. The printing system includes an ejector head configured to eject material, a platform configured to move in a process direction to a position opposite the ejector head to enable the ejector head to eject material onto the platform, and first and second planarizers configured to remove a first portion and a second portion, respectively, of the material ejected onto the platform. The printing system further includes a first housing defining a first chamber in which at least one of the first planarizer and the second planarizer is positioned, and a first vacuum source connected to the first housing, the first vacuum source being configured to produce a first vacuum in the first chamber to pull material removed by the at least one of the first planarizer and the second planarizer from the first chamber.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2014Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Donald Thresh, James D. VanBortel, Michael N. Soures, Richard B. Gruszewski
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Patent number: 10245845Abstract: What is disclosed is an object holder for securely retaining an object while it is being printed in a direct-to-object print system and a direct-to-object print system configured to use various embodiments of the object holder of the present invention. In one embodiment, the object holder comprises a shuttle mount configured to slideably traverse a support member positioned parallel to a plane formed by at least one printhead configured to eject in onto a surface of an object. The mount has a plurality of receptacles, each has a shape for receiving a retainer in one of a plurality of orientations. A head of each retainer is shaped to retain an edge of the object on the mount. A base of each retainer is shaped such that, when the base is pressed into a receptacle, the head assumes a desired orientation. The removable retainers retain the object on the shuttle mount.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2017Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Jonathan Ireland, Michael N. Soures, Bruce H. Smith, Donald E. Thresh, James D. Vanbortel
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Patent number: 10183445Abstract: A three-dimensional object printer generates image data of an object being formed in the printer with a plurality of light sources and a plurality of optical sensor arrays. A controller receives the image data and identifies measurements of the object and of the features of the object. The controller compares the measurements to expected measurements and adds material or removes material from the object in response to the identified measurements being outside a predetermined range about the expected measurements.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2018Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Donald E. Thresh, James D. VanBortel, Michael N. Soures, Richard B. Gruszewski
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Patent number: 10101701Abstract: A method and system for controlling and adjusting marker timing for a marking system comprises receiving data from a plurality of sensors in a marking system, evaluating a performance of each of the sensors in the marking system determining a marker timing offset for the marking system according to the performance of the sensor, updating marker timing of the marking system according to the marker timing offset, and marking media with the marking system according to the marker timing.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2017Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: XEROX CORPORATIONInventor: Michael N. Soures
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Publication number: 20180281463Abstract: What is disclosed is an object holder for securely retaining an object while it is being printed in a direct-to-object print system and a direct-to-object print system configured to use various embodiments of the object holder of the present invention. In one embodiment, the object holder comprises a shuttle mount configured to slideably traverse a support member positioned parallel to a plane formed by at least one printhead configured to eject in onto a surface of an object. The mount has a plurality of receptacles, each has a shape for receiving a retainer in one of a plurality of orientations. A head of each retainer is shaped to retain an edge of the object on the mount. A base of each retainer is shaped such that, when the base is pressed into a receptacle, the head assumes a desired orientation. The removable retainers retain the object on the shuttle mount.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: Jonathan IRELAND, Michael N. SOURES, Bruce H. SMITH, Donald E. THRESH, James D. VANBORTEL
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Publication number: 20180281304Abstract: What is disclosed is an object holder for securely retaining an object while it is being printed in a direct-to-object print system and a direct-to-object print system configured to use various embodiments of the object holder of the present invention. In one embodiment, the object holder comprises a metallic shuttle mount configured to slideably traverse a support member positioned parallel to a plane formed by at least one printhead configured to eject marking material on to a surface of an object. A plurality of magnetic retainers are each shaped to physically secure the object to the metallic shuttle mount while the object is being moved.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: Jonathan IRELAND, Michael N. SOURES, Bruce H. SMITH, Donald E. THRESH, James D. VANBORTEL
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Patent number: 10086558Abstract: 3-D printing system include development stations positioned to electrostatically transfer build and support materials to an intermediate transfer surface, a transfer station adjacent the intermediate transfer surface, guides adjacent the transfer station, and platens moving on the guides. The guides are shaped to direct the platens to repeatedly pass the transfer station and come in contact with the intermediate transfer surface at the transfer station. The intermediate transfer surface transfers a layer of the build and support materials to the platens each time the platens contact the intermediate transfer surface at the transfer station to successively form layers of the build and support materials on the platens. The platens and the intermediate transfer surface include alignment features.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2016Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Donald Thresh, Michael N. Soures, Jonathan Ireland, James D. Van Bortel, Bruce H. Smith
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Publication number: 20180243974Abstract: A three-dimensional object printer generates image data of an object being formed in the printer with a plurality of light sources and a plurality of optical sensor arrays. A controller receives the image data and identifies measurements of the object and of the features of the object. The controller compares the measurements to expected measurements and adds material or removes material from the object in response to the identified measurements being outside a predetermined range about the expected measurements.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2018Publication date: August 30, 2018Inventors: Donald E. Thresh, James D. VanBortel, Michael N. Soures, Richard B. Gruszewski
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Patent number: 10011078Abstract: A three-dimensional object printer generates image data of an object being formed in the printer with a plurality of light sources and a plurality of optical sensor arrays. A controller receives the image data and identifies measurements of the object and of the features of the object. The controller compares the measurements to expected measurements and adds material or removes material from the object in response to the identified measurements being outside a predetermined range about the expected measurements.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2015Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Donald E. Thresh, James D. VanBortel, Michael N. Soures, Richard B. Gruszewski
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Publication number: 20180001554Abstract: 3-D printing system include development stations positioned to electrostatically transfer build and support materials to an intermediate transfer surface, a transfer station adjacent the intermediate transfer surface, guides adjacent the transfer station, and platens moving on the guides. The guides are shaped to direct the platens to repeatedly pass the transfer station and come in contact with the intermediate transfer surface at the transfer station. The intermediate transfer surface transfers a layer of the build and support materials to the platens each time the platens contact the intermediate transfer surface at the transfer station to successively form layers of the build and support materials on the platens. The platens and the intermediate transfer surface include alignment features.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2016Publication date: January 4, 2018Applicant: Xerox CorporationInventors: Donald Thresh, Michael N. Soures, Jonathan Ireland, James D. Van Bortel, Bruce H. Smith