Patents by Inventor Robert J. Zolla

Robert J. Zolla 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).

  • Publication number: 20100280929
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and system for determining a billing structure for outputting documents using an image processing apparatus. If image data of the document includes color pixels, a billing structure is determined for each page based on an amount of color coverage. The marked color pixel locations of the image data to be output in the device dependent space are counted. Each color pixel location comprises at least one color plane. In some cases, a ratio of the count of the marked color pixel locations to a maximum number of pixel locations may be used to determine the amount on the page. Processing and determining a billing structure based on image data in the device dependent space, irrespective of the amount of ink/toner or color planes used, avoids charging a customer for color print job when only a small amount of color pixels are printed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Fuller COFFEY, James B. Campbell, Rafael Diaz, David Sponable, Robert J. Zolla
  • Patent number: 7782347
    Abstract: A printing apparatus (100) for printing digital images onto a photosensitive medium (140) employing, for exposure energy, a light source (20) that uses various arrays of LEDs (32). The printing apparatus (100) may form the print image using sequential modulation, one color at a time, or by applying all colors simultaneously. Arrangements of discrete LEDs (32) may include high-intensity devices configured with collector cones (41) arranged as a multicone structure (141), with parabolic reflectors (65), or collimating lenses (36). Large area LEDs (46) may alternately be used, arranged on an angled mounting surface (64), for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Martin E. Oehlbeck, Richard L. Druzynski, Robert J. Zolla, James E. Roddy
  • Patent number: 7777859
    Abstract: An apparatus (20) forms a latent indicium onto a sensitized medium, using an area energy source (26) for applying a substantially uniform sensitizing energy over an area of the sensitized medium and a pixel exposure source (30) for applying radiant energy to expose a pattern of pixels (14) onto the area of the sensitized medium for forming the indicium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Zolla, Paul W. Jones, John A. Heath, Thomas F. Powers, Scott P. MacKenzie
  • Patent number: 7369268
    Abstract: A printing apparatus (100) for printing digital images onto a photosensitive medium (140) employing, for exposure energy, a light source (20) that uses various arrays of LEDs (32). The printing apparatus (100) may form the print image using sequential modulation, one color at a time, or by applying all colors simultaneously. Arrangements of discrete LEDs (32) may include high-intensity devices configured with collector cones (41) arranged as a multicone structure (141), with parabolic reflectors (65), or collimating lenses (36). Large area LEDs (46) may alternately be used, arranged on an angled mounting surface (64), for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Martin E. Oehlbeck, Richard L. Druzynski, Robert J. Zolla, James E. Roddy
  • Patent number: 7227671
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for recording a watermark pattern on a color recording medium that forms an image using a number N of colorants, the method comprising the step of forming the watermark pattern using at least two colorants, but fewer than N colorants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Zolla, Paul W. Jones, J. Allen Heath, Scott P. MacKenzie, Thomas F. Powers
  • Patent number: 7068297
    Abstract: A method is provided for applying a watermark pattern along a length of photosensitive medium, the photosensitive medium having a frame pitch in the length direction that is the sum of an image frame height plus an interframe distance. The method exposes watermark tiles contiguously along the length of the photosensitive medium, wherein each watermark tile has a height dimension that is an integral divisor of the frame pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Paul W. Jones, J. Allen Heath, Robert J. Zolla, Scott P. MacKenzie, Thomas F. Powers
  • Patent number: 7057654
    Abstract: An imaging camera apparatus (20) for capturing images electronically and providing output data for four separate color channels, red, green, blue, and a fourth saturated primary color, expanding the color gamut over conventional three color channel cameras. An image acquisition unit (120) directs input light to one, two, or four photosensors (30) for obtaining four-color image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla, Nelson A. Blish, Lou Horvath
  • Patent number: 6980280
    Abstract: A two level image writer (10) forms an image from digital data onto a photosensitive medium. A first level illumination system has a first source (20) for emitting a first polarized light beam having a first color; a second source (22) for emitting a second polarized light beam having a second color; and a third source (26) for emitting a third polarized light beam having a third color. A fold mirrors directs each beam to a second level. Three polarizing beamsplitters (73, 75, 77) on the second level receive the polarized beams from the fold mirrors and isolate polarization states of each of the first, second, and third polarized light beam. Three spatial light modulators (90, 95, 97) on the second level modulate the first, second, and third polarized light beam from the polarizing beamsplitter prisms to form an array of image pixels according to said digital data. A diechroic combiner (86) combines the three modulated light beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla, Richard L. Druzynski
  • Patent number: 6980226
    Abstract: A method is provided for applying a watermark pattern along a length of photosensitive medium, the photosensitive medium having a frame pitch in the length direction that is the sum of an image frame height plus an interframe distance. The method exposes watermark tiles contiguously along the length of the photosensitive medium, wherein each watermark tile has a height dimension that is an integral divisor of the frame pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Paul W. Jones, J. Allen Heath, Robert J. Zolla, Scott P. MacKenzie, Thomas F. Powers
  • Patent number: 6930759
    Abstract: A printing method and apparatus (100) for pre-exposing a digital watermark along a length of photosensitive medium at the time of manufacture is disclosed. The printing apparatus has an illumination source (60) for providing an exposure illumination, first and second LCD spatial light modulators (90a, 90b) for modulating the exposure illumination to form first and second exposure patterns according to image data, combining optics providing a single output path for directing both first and second exposure patterns onto the photosensitive medium and transport means for providing, during exposure, lengthwise displacement of the photosensitive medium with respect to the output path. The first and second exposure patterns form, lengthwise along the photosensitive medium, a latent image with modulated stripes having a predetermined intensity corresponding to the exposure patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla, Louis S. Horvath
  • Patent number: 6917758
    Abstract: A method for obtaining an adjusted digital image which is compensated for a watermark exposure is described comprising: determining a first sensitometric response of a photographic media without a watermark exposure; determining a second sensitometric response of the photographic media with a watermark exposure; generating a look-up table (LUT) from the first and second sensitometric responses; and modifying a digital representation of an image which is to be printed onto the photographic media in accordance with the look-up table to produce an adjusted digital image. The adjusted digital image may be printed directly onto a final print photographic film that receives a watermark exposure, or may be printed onto a printing negative photographic film to produce a printing negative with an adjusted image, which adjusted image is then printed onto a final print photographic film that receives a watermark exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Zolla, Paul W. Jones
  • Patent number: 6882356
    Abstract: A printing method and apparatus (100) for pre-exposing a digital watermark image onto a photosensitive medium (140) at the time of manufacture is disclosed. For exposure energy, the apparatus employs a single color light source (60) consisting of an array of LEDs. The LEDs are spatially modulated in intensity by means of a reflective LCD array (91). The photosensitive medium (140) may be compensated to allow such single color pre-exposure while avoiding hue shift and contrast loss. The exposure at the film may be increased by: employing partial frame illumination, pulsing the LEDs with high currents with short pulse durations and low duty cycles, employing two LCD devices (91, 92) to utilize both polarizations, and dichroically combining two LED (60, 61) arrays of slightly different wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla, Leslie Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 6863402
    Abstract: A display system (10) for digital color images using six color light sources (12) or two or more multicolor LED arrays (212, 213) or OLEDs (220, 222) to provide an expanded color gamut. Apparatus (10) uses two or more spatial light modulators (20, 21), which may be cycled between two or more color light sources (12) or LED arrays (212, 213) to provide a six-color display output. Pairing of modulated colors using relative luminance helps to minimize flicker effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla, Nelson A. Blish, Louis S. Horvath
  • Patent number: 6857748
    Abstract: A display system (10) for digital color images using six color light sources (12) or two or more multicolor LED arrays (212, 213) or OLEDs (220, 222) to provide an expanded color gamut. Apparatus (10) uses two or more spatial light modulators (20, 21), which may be cycled between two or more color light sources (12) or LED arrays (212, 213) to provide a six-color display output. Pairing of modulated colors using relative luminance helps to minimize flicker effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla, Nelson A. Blish, Louis S. Horvath
  • Publication number: 20040207821
    Abstract: A display system (10) for digital color images using six color light sources (12) or two or more multicolor LED arrays (212, 213) or OLEDs (220, 222) to provide an expanded color gamut. Apparatus (10) uses two or more spatial light modulators (20, 21), which may be cycled between two or more color light sources (12) or LED arrays (212, 213) to provide a six-color display output. Pairing of modulated colors using relative luminance helps to minimize flicker effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla, Nelson A. Blish, Louis S. Horvath
  • Publication number: 20040207820
    Abstract: A display system (10) for digital color images using six color light sources (12) or two or more multicolor LED arrays (212, 213) or OLEDs (220, 222) to provide an expanded color gamut. Apparatus (10) uses two or more spatial light modulators (20, 21), which may be cycled between two or more color light sources (12) or LED arrays (212, 213) to provide a six-color display output. Pairing of modulated colors using relative luminance helps to minimize flicker effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla, Nelson A. Blish, Louis S. Horvath
  • Publication number: 20040156111
    Abstract: A printing method and apparatus (100) for pre-exposing a digital watermark image onto a photosensitive medium (140) at the time of manufacture is disclosed. For exposure energy, the apparatus employs a single color light source (60) consisting of an array of LEDs. The LEDs are spatially modulated in intensity by means of a reflective LCD array (91). The photosensitive medium (140) may be compensated to allow such single color pre-exposure while avoiding hue shift and contrast loss. The exposure at the film may be increased by: employing partial frame illumination, pulsing the LEDs with high currents with short pulse durations and low duty cycles, employing two LCD devices (91, 92) to utilize both polarizations, and dichroically combining two LED (60, 61) arrays of slightly different wavelengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla, Leslie Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 6769772
    Abstract: A display system (10) for digital color images using six color light sources (12) or two or more multicolor LED arrays (212, 213) or OLEDs (220, 222) to provide an expanded color gamut. Apparatus (10) uses two or more spatial light modulators (20, 21), which may be cycled between two or more color light sources (12) or LED arrays (212, 213) to provide a six-color display output. Pairing of modulated colors using relative luminance helps to minimize flicker effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla, Nelson A. Blish, Louis S. Horvath
  • Publication number: 20040135874
    Abstract: A printing apparatus (100) for printing digital images onto a photosensitive medium (140) employing, for exposure energy, a light source (20) that uses various arrays of LEDs (32). The printing apparatus (100) may form the print image using sequential modulation, one color at a time, or by applying all colors simultaneously. Arrangements of discrete LEDs (32) may include high-intensity devices configured with collector cones (41) arranged as a multicone structure (141), with parabolic reflectors (65), or collimating lenses (36). Large area LEDs (46) may alternately be used, arranged on an angled mounting surface (64), for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Martin E. Oehlbeck, Richard L. Druzynski, Robert J. Zolla, James E. Roddy
  • Patent number: 6762785
    Abstract: A color printer (10) for imaging onto a photosensitive medium (140) that contains four or more layers for providing images having an expanded color gamut. Color printer (10) directs polarized light from each of four or more light sources (12) to a spatial light modulator (20) for forming an image to be printed. Modulated light is conditioned as necessary, then focused through a print lens (110) onto photosensitive medium (140). Light sources 12 can be lasers, LEDs, or other suitable components. Embodiments may use a single spatial light modulator (20) shared with each color path or a spatial light modulator (20) in each of the four color paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla