Patents by Inventor Patrick Laurence Kroger

Patrick Laurence Kroger 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: 7673957
    Abstract: A method for use with an ink jet printhead having a plurality of nozzles, each of the plurality of nozzles having associated therewith a respective heating element, includes printing with the plurality of nozzles a test pattern while varying an energy of a respective heater pulse used to energize each respective heating element at each of a plurality of printhead carrier positions; scanning the test pattern with a reflectance sensor to generate reflectance data associated with the energy of the respective heater pulse used to energize each respective heating element at each of the plurality of printhead carrier positions; and determining an optimal non-nucleating heater pulse for use with the ink jet printhead based on the reflectance data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Lee Anderson, Patrick Laurence Kroger
  • Patent number: 7049620
    Abstract: A method of correcting for sensitivity variation of media sensors includes determining a first signal level corresponding to a first calibration media having a first glossiness; determining a second signal level corresponding to a second calibration media having a second glossiness, the second glossiness being greater than the first glossiness; and determining a corrected normalized signal level ratio of an unknown media based on the first signal level of the first calibration media and the second signal level of the second calibration media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: John Philip Bolash, Mahesan Chelvayohan, Patrick Laurence Kroger
  • Patent number: 7044573
    Abstract: A printhead alignment test pattern has spaced-apart images at least partially aligned along an axis. Each image includes leading and trailing edge portions having respective image-outermost leading and trailing edges spaced apart along the axis and includes an intervening portion located between the leading and trailing edge portions. The leading and trailing edge portions have a higher print density than the intervening portion. A method for determining a printhead misalignment of a printer prints the test pattern, moves a sensor along the axis over the images, obtains data from the sensor, determines the locations along the printhead scan axis of the leading and/or trailing edges of the images using the data, and calculates the printhead misalignment from the determined locations of the leading and/or trailing edges of the images. The test pattern reduces cockling of the print media which improves the accuracy of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: David Golman King, Patrick Laurence Kroger
  • Patent number: 6938975
    Abstract: A method of reducing printing defects in an ink jet printer including at least one printhead mounted to a printhead carrier for printing on a print media sheet, includes the steps of determining a vertical alignment error for at least one printhead and adjusting a sheet feed increment for the print media sheet based on the vertical alignment error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: David Golman King, Patrick Laurence Kroger, Michael Anthony Marra, III, Randall David Mayo
  • Patent number: 6900449
    Abstract: A media type sensing method for an imaging apparatus includes the steps of changing a light intensity of a light source by changing a drive signal, while monitoring for an output change of a comparator; determining a drive signal value of the drive signal at a point of detection of the output change; and correlating the drive signal value to a specific media type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Lexmark International Inc.
    Inventors: John Philip Bolash, Mahesan Chelvayohan, Patrick Laurence Kroger
  • Publication number: 20040135106
    Abstract: A media type sensing method for an imaging apparatus includes the steps of changing a light intensity of a light source by changing a drive signal, while monitoring for an output change of a comparator; determining a drive signal value of the drive signal at a point of detection of the output change; and correlating the drive signal value to a specific media type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: John Philip Bolash, Mahesan Chelvayohan, Patrick Laurence Kroger
  • Patent number: 6749288
    Abstract: A jet head box for a semiconductor substrate and nozzle plate containing fluid jet actuators. The jet head box includes an elongate substantially rigid body having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The body also includes a first recessed portion defining a substrate pocket area in the first surface thereof. An elongate slot extends through the body from the second surface to the first surface in the substrate pocket area. An encapsulant dam is provided adjacent at least one end thereof. A shelf is adjacent the encapsulant dam. The jet head box provides a low cost construction for simple miniature fluid jetting devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Jude Ahne, Frank Edward Anderson, Patrick Laurence Kroger, Randall David Mayo, Sean Terrance Weaver
  • Publication number: 20040085387
    Abstract: A jet head box for a semiconductor substrate and nozzle plate containing fluid jet actuators. The jet head box includes an elongate substantially rigid body having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The body also includes a first recessed portion defining a substrate pocket area in the first surface thereof. An elongate slot extends through the body from the second surface to the first surface in the substrate pocket area. An encapsulant dam is provided adjacent at least one end thereof. A shelf is adjacent the encapsulant dam. The jet head box provides a low cost construction for simple miniature fluid jetting devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Adam Jude Ahne, Frank Edward Anderson, Patrick Laurence Kroger, Randall David Mayo, Sean Terrance Weaver
  • Publication number: 20030156148
    Abstract: A printhead alignment test pattern has spaced-apart images at least partially aligned along an axis. Each image includes leading and trailing edge portions having respective image-outermost leading and trailing edges spaced apart along the axis and includes an intervening portion located between the leading and trailing edge portions. The leading and trailing edge portions have a higher print density than the intervening portion. A method for determining a printhead misalignment of a printer prints the test pattern, moves a sensor along the axis over the images, obtains data from the sensor, determines the locations along the printhead scan axis of the leading and/or trailing edges of the images using the data, and calculates the printhead misalignment from the determined locations of the leading and/or trailing edges of the images. The test pattern reduces cockling of the print media which improves the accuracy of the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: David Golman King, Patrick Laurence Kroger
  • Patent number: 6604808
    Abstract: A method for determining the skew of a printhead of a printer. At least three images are printed which are at least partially aligned substantially along the printhead scan direction with the middle image printed from one of the upper and lower portions of the printhead and with the adjacent images printed from the other of the upper and lower portions of the printhead. A sensor is moved in the printhead scan direction over the images. A function is calculated from the sensor output, wherein the calculated function indicates the skew of the printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: David Golman King, Patrick Laurence Kroger, Randall David Mayo
  • Patent number: 6600151
    Abstract: An optical encoder assembly for an optical encoder for determining rotation of a rotatable shaft. An encoder housing is non-engageable with the shaft. A receiver plate is attached to the encoder housing, has a first side and a substantially opposing second side, and has a through hole and a window both extending from the first side to the second side, wherein the through hole is engageable with the shaft. An encoder mask is attached to the first side of the receiver plate, has a shaft hole engageable with the shaft, and has a mask grating positioned over the window. A light emitter is aligned to face the first side of the receiver plate and is positioned over the mask grating. A light detector is attached to the second side of the receiver plate and is positioned over the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Lloyd Chapman, Adam Jude Ahne, Michael Anthony Marra, III, Christopher Alan Adkins, Barry Baxter Stout, Patrick Laurence Kroger, David Michael Cseledy
  • Patent number: 6561613
    Abstract: A method for determining a printhead misalignment of a printer. One step includes printing a printhead alignment test pattern including spaced-apart images at least partially aligned substantially along a printhead scan axis. A sensor is moved along the printhead scan axis at a known speed over the plurality of images. Sampled data points are obtained from the sensor at a known sampling rate. Another step includes determining the locations along the printhead scan axis of the edges of the images using the sampled data points, the known speed of the sensor, and the known sampling rate. An additional step includes calculating the printhead misalignment from the determined locations of the edges of the images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Kelly Cunnagin, Eric Todd DeBusschere, Charles Aaron Judge, David Golman King, Patrick Laurence Kroger
  • Publication number: 20030067503
    Abstract: A method for determining a printhead misalignment of a printer. One step includes printing a printhead alignment test pattern including spaced-apart images at least partially aligned substantially along a printhead scan axis. A sensor is moved along the printhead scan axis at a known speed over the plurality of images. Sampled data points are obtained from the sensor at a known sampling rate. Another step includes determining the locations along the printhead scan axis of the edges of the images using the sampled data points, the known speed of the sensor, and the known sampling rate. An additional step includes calculating the printhead misalignment from the determined locations of the edges of the images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Stephen Kelly Cunnagin, Eric Todd DeBusschere, Charles Aaron Judge, David Golman King, Patrick Laurence Kroger
  • Publication number: 20030052261
    Abstract: An optical encoder assembly for an optical encoder for determining rotation of a rotatable shaft. An encoder housing is non-engageable with the shaft. A receiver plate is attached to the encoder housing, has a first side and a substantially opposing second side, and has a through hole and a window both extending from the first side to the second side, wherein the through hole is engageable with the shaft. An encoder mask is attached to the first side of the receiver plate, has a shaft hole engageable with the shaft, and has a mask grating positioned over the window. A light emitter is aligned to face the first side of the receiver plate and is positioned over the mask grating. A light detector is attached to the second side of the receiver plate and is positioned over the window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Alexander Lloyd Chapman, Adam Jude Ahne, Michael Anthony Marra, Christopher Alan Adkins, Barry Baxter Stout, Patrick Laurence Kroger, David Michael Cseledy
  • Publication number: 20030007025
    Abstract: A method for determining the skew of a printhead of a printer. At least three images are printed which are at least partially aligned substantially along the printhead scan direction with the middle image printed from one of the upper and lower portions of the printhead and with the adjacent images printed from the other of the upper and lower portions of the printhead. A sensor is moved in the printhead scan direction over the images. A function is calculated from the sensor output, wherein the calculated function indicates the skew of the printhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: David Golman King, Patrick Laurence Kroger, Randall David Mayo
  • Publication number: 20030001917
    Abstract: An alignment detector that detects an alignment of a printhead of a printer, with the alignment detector including a photodetector and a single focusing element focusing a point on a media to a point on the photodetector. The alignment detector can be used to detect the alignment of the printer by scanning the alignment detector across the media and detecting predetermined marks previously printed on the media by imaging the predetermined marks using the alignment detector. The area between the single focusing element and the photodetector may be filled by a translucent material, such that there is no air gap between the two.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Dave Golman King, Patrick Laurence Kroger
  • Patent number: 6485124
    Abstract: An alignment detector that detects an alignment of a printhead of a printer, with the alignment detector including a photodetector and a single focusing element focusing a point on a media to a point on the photodetector. The alignment detector can be used to detect the alignment of the printer by scanning the alignment detector across the media and detecting predetermined marks previously printed on the media by imaging the predetermined marks using the alignment detector. The area between the single focusing element and the photodetector may be filled by a translucent material, such that there is no air gap between the two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Dave Golman King, Patrick Laurence Kroger
  • Patent number: 6478401
    Abstract: A method for determining vertical misalignment between first and second print heads involves printing a test pattern of first and second alternating slanted blocks extending horizontally. The first slanted blocks are printed by the first print head and the second slanted blocks are printed by the second print head. A known edge angle of the first and second slanted blocks is substantially the same. A sensor is moved across the test pattern for evaluating misalignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: David Golman King, Patrick Laurence Kroger