Patents by Inventor Ron E. Dufort

Ron E. Dufort 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: 20240152685
    Abstract: An input/output of a system receives an electronic file comprising text. A processor of the system identifies keywords in the text. The processor correlates the keywords to music attributes and matches the music attributes to musical works. The processor determines computer network locations of the musical works. The processor also adds links to the network locations of the musical works to the electronic file to create a music-enhanced electronic file. The input/output outputs the music-enhanced electronic file that now contains the links to the musical works.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Dara N. Lubin, Elizabeth L. Barrese, Elizabeth M. Crossen, Ron E. Dufort, Matthew J. Ochs
  • Patent number: 11977831
    Abstract: An input/output of a system receives an electronic file comprising text. A processor of the system identifies keywords in the text. The processor correlates the keywords to music attributes and matches the music attributes to musical works. The processor determines computer network locations of the musical works. The processor also adds links to the network locations of the musical works to the electronic file to create a music-enhanced electronic file. The input/output outputs the music-enhanced electronic file that now contains the links to the musical works.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Dara N. Lubin, Elizabeth L. Barrese, Elizabeth M. Crossen, Ron E. Dufort, Matthew J. Ochs
  • Patent number: 11890873
    Abstract: An inkjet printer detects vibrations within the printer and compensates for the detected vibrations by adjusting a gap between the printheads and the media transport. Additionally, the inkjet printer detects media sheet heights that may cause damage as they pass through the print zone of the printer and adjusts the gap to enable the media sheets to pass through the print zone without contacting the printheads. A method of operating an inkjet printer so configured is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Ron E. Dufort, Elizabeth L Barrese, Dara N. Lubin, Matthew J. Ochs
  • Patent number: 11801680
    Abstract: A method of operating a printer iteratively performs printhead purges and test pattern analysis until either every printhead has a number of inoperative inkjets that is less than a predetermined threshold or a maximum number of iterations is reached. An error message is generated for each printhead having a number of inoperative inkjets that is greater than the predetermined threshold. The iterative performance of the printhead purges and test pattern analysis is performed automatically prior to the commencement of printing operations with the printer to remove subjective and time-consuming analysis by a printer operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Elizabeth L. Barrese, Dara N. Lubin, Ron E. Dufort, Matthew J. Ochs
  • Publication number: 20230241897
    Abstract: An inkjet printer detects vibrations within the printer and compensates for the detected vibrations by adjusting a gap between the printheads and the media transport. Additionally, the inkjet printer detects media sheet heights that may cause damage as they pass through the print zone of the printer and adjusts the gap to enable the media sheets to pass through the print zone without contacting the printheads. A method of operating an inkjet printer so configured is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Ron E. Dufort, Elizabeth L. Barrese, Dara N. Lubin, Matthew J. Ochs
  • Publication number: 20230226821
    Abstract: A method of operating a printer iteratively performs printhead purges and test pattern analysis until either every printhead has a number of inoperative inkjets that is less than a predetermined threshold or a maximum number of iterations is reached. An error message is generated for each printhead having a number of inoperative inkjets that is greater than the predetermined threshold. The iterative performance of the printhead purges and test pattern analysis is performed automatically prior to the commencement of printing operations with the printer to remove subjective and time-consuming analysis by a printer operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Elizabeth L. Barrese, Dara N. Lubin, Ron E. Dufort, Matthew J. Ochs
  • Publication number: 20230068167
    Abstract: A processor identifies print defect locations where printing defects occur and a assigns different sensitivity values to different zones of a job image being prepared for printing by a printing engine. The processor changes the orientation of the job image to a revised orientation, relative to print media, to avoid locating one or more high-sensitivity zones of the job image in the print defect locations. The high-sensitivity zones are ones of the zones having a sensitivity value above a threshold sensitivity value. The printing engine prints the job image on the print media at the revised orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Dara N. Lubin, Elizabeth L. Barrese, Ron E. Dufort, Matthew J. Ochs
  • Patent number: 11453162
    Abstract: A system treats uneven surfaces of additive manufactured objects to improve the transparency and glossiness of the surfaces. The system operates an actuator to dip the additive manufactured object into a bath of fluid material that is the same as the material used to form the uneven surface to smooth the surface of the object and operates a sprayer to apply another fluid material to a surface of the object that is identified as being rougher based on the object's geometric data. A heater is provided to dry non-UV curable material applied to the object and a source of UV radiation is provided to cure UV curable material applied to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Ron E. Dufort, Linn C. Hoover, Erwin Ruiz, Mandakini Kanungo
  • Patent number: 11327700
    Abstract: Various systems and methods maintain a print job of a user in a print queue and identify the user approaching a printing device using a user identification device operatively connected to the printing device. Such systems/methods alter the position of the print job within the print queue (e.g., to a higher priority position) or even begin printing the print job when the user identification device identifies the user approaching the printing device (i.e., before the user reaches the printing device). Systems and methods can also identify the urgency of the user using the user identification device. The amount that the print queue is altered can be based on the amount that the urgency of the user is elevated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Elizabeth M. Crossen, Ron E. Dufort, Dara N. Lubin
  • Patent number: 11318666
    Abstract: A system for producing three-dimensional objects forms fluid paths within the support structure to facilitate the removal of the support structure following manufacture of the object. The system includes a first ejector configured to eject a first material towards a platen to form an object, a second ejector configured to eject a second material towards the platen to form support for portions of the object, at least one portion of the support having a body with at least one fluid path that connects at least one opening in the body to at least one other opening in the body, and a fluid source that connects to the at least one fluid path of the support to enable fluid to flow through the at least one fluid path to remove at least an inner portion of the support from the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Mantell, Andrew W. Hays, Linn C. Hoover, Ron E. Dufort, Erwin Ruiz, Patrick J. Howe
  • Publication number: 20200316851
    Abstract: A system for producing three-dimensional objects forms fluid paths within the support structure to facilitate the removal of the support structure following manufacture of the object. The system includes a first ejector configured to eject a first material towards a platen to form an object, a second ejector configured to eject a second material towards the platen to form support for portions of the object, at least one portion of the support having a body with at least one fluid path that connects at least one opening in the body to at least one other opening in the body, and a fluid source that connects to the at least one fluid path of the support to enable fluid to flow through the at least one fluid path to remove at least an inner portion of the support from the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: David A. Mantell, Andrew W. Hays, Linn C. Hoover, Ron E. Dufort, Erwin Ruiz, Patrick J. Howe
  • Patent number: 10710298
    Abstract: A system for producing three-dimensional objects forms fluid paths within the support structure to facilitate the removal of the support structure following manufacture of the object. The system includes a first ejector configured to eject a first material towards a platen to form an object, a second ejector configured to eject a second material towards the platen to form support for portions of the object, at least one portion of the support having a body with at least one fluid path that connects at least one opening in the body to at least one other opening in the body, and a fluid source that connects to the at least one fluid path of the support to enable fluid to flow through the at least one fluid path to remove at least an inner portion of the support from the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Mantell, Andrew W. Hays, Linn C. Hoover, Ron E. Dufort, Erwin Ruiz, Patrick J. Howe
  • Publication number: 20200197976
    Abstract: A system treats uneven surfaces of additive manufactured objects to improve the transparency and glossiness of the surfaces. The system operates an actuator to dip the additive manufactured object into a bath of fluid material that is the same as the material used to form the uneven surface to smooth the surface of the object and operates a sprayer to apply another fluid material to a surface of the object that is identified as being rougher based on the object's geometric data. A heater is provided to dry non-UV curable material applied to the object and a source of UV radiation is provided to cure UV curable material applied to the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Ron E. Dufort, Linn C. Hoover, Erwin Ruiz, Mandakini Kanungo
  • Patent number: 10625292
    Abstract: A system treats uneven surfaces of additive manufactured objects to improve the transparency and glossiness of the surfaces. The system operates a sprayer to apply fluid material used to form the uneven surface to the uneven surface to smooth the surface or the system operates an actuator to dip the additive manufactured object into a bath of fluid material that is the same as the material used to form the uneven surface to smooth the surface. A heater is provided to dry non-UV curable material applied to the uneven surface and a source of UV radiation is provided to cure UV curable material applied to the uneven surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Ron E. Dufort, Linn C. Hoover, Erwin Ruiz, Mandakini Kanungo
  • Patent number: 10589950
    Abstract: A gravity-assisted registration system suited to use in a printing device includes a transport member with a surface on which an associated sheet is translated in a process direction. The surface defines an angle with respect to horizontal in a cross-process direction. A registration wall, adjacent a lower end of the surface, defines a registration edge for registering the sheet. A drive mechanism drives at least one rotation mechanism, for translating sheet in the process direction, each rotation mechanism including at least one drive member with an axis of rotation parallel to the surface in the cross-process direction, Each drive member includes a sliding mechanism, at a periphery of the drive member, enabling the sheet to slide, under gravity, on the surface, toward the registration wall into an alignment position, in contact with the registration wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Roberto A. Irizarry, Carlos M. Terrero, Jeffrey N. Swing, Michael J. Linder, Elizabeth M. Crossen, Ron E. Dufort, Dara N. Lubin, Daniel M. McHugh
  • Patent number: 10562211
    Abstract: A system for manufacturing a three-dimensional object facilitates the removal of support material from the object. The system includes a controller configured to move a platen to position the object at a position opposite a microwave radiator and then operate the microwave radiator to change the phase of the support material from solid to liquid. The controller either monitors the expiration of a predetermined time period or a temperature of the object to determine when the microwave radiator operation is terminated. The microwave radiation does not damage the object because the support material has a dielectric loss factor that is greater than the dielectric loss factor of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Ron E. Dufort, Erwin Ruiz, Linn C. Hoover, David K. Ahl, Patrick J. Howe, Andrew W. Hays
  • Patent number: 10434711
    Abstract: A three-dimensional object printer comprises a conveyor having a surface configured to convey a three-dimensional object in a first direction; and a leveling assembly configured to level a surface of the three-dimensional object as the conveyer conveys the three-dimensional object in the first direction, the leveling assembly comprising (i) a roller having a cylindrical shape, the roller having an outer surface that moves upon the surface of the three-dimensional object to level the surface of the three-dimensional object; and (ii) a guide device arranged between the roller and the planar surface of the conveyer, the device being configured to mechanically interact with the roller to maintain a constant distance between the outer surface of the roller and the planar surface of the conveyer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron M. Moore, Ron E. Dufort, Timothy G. Shelhart, Timothy D. Slattery
  • Publication number: 20190300314
    Abstract: A gravity-assisted registration system suited to use in a printing device includes a transport member with a surface on which an associated sheet is translated in a process direction. The surface defines an angle with respect to horizontal in a cross-process direction. A registration wall, adjacent a lower end of the surface, defines a registration edge for registering the sheet. A drive mechanism drives at least one rotation mechanism, for translating sheet in the process direction, each rotation mechanism including at least one drive member with an axis of rotation parallel to the surface in the cross-process direction, Each drive member includes a sliding mechanism, at a periphery of the drive member, enabling the sheet to slide, under gravity, on the surface, toward the registration wall into an alignment position, in contact with the registration wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Roberto A. Irizarry, Carlos M. Terrero, Jeffrey N. Swing, Michael J. Linder, Elizabeth M. Crossen, Ron E. Dufort, Dara N. Lubin, Daniel M. McHugh
  • Patent number: 10391712
    Abstract: A method of operating a cleaning system removes support material from parts made by a three-dimensional printer. The method operates the cleaning system to correlate data for features on a part located within a receptacle with structural data in a file used by the three-dimensional printer to fabricate the part. The method then operates one or more actuators to locate a fluid directing nozzle pneumatically connected to a pressurized fluid source opposite areas containing support material and operates the pressurized fluid source to enable pressurized fluid to be directed by the fluid directing nozzle at the support material. The method includes generating image data of the cleaned areas with an image sensor so the removal of the support material can be confirmed, and if an area is not sufficiently cleaned, the cleaning operation can be repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Linn C. Hoover, Erwin Ruiz, Ron E. Dufort, Patrick J. Howe
  • Patent number: 10350873
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object facilitates the removal of support material from the object. The method includes forming at least a portion of a support for the object with support material containing nanoparticles of a material that readily converts microwave energy into heat. The object and support are moved to a position opposite a microwave radiator and the microwave radiator is operated to begin a change of the phase of the portion of the support material containing the nanoparticles before beginning a change of the phase of a portion of the support made from the support material alone. A controller either monitors the expiration of a predetermined time period or a temperature of the object to determine when the microwave radiator operation is terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Ron E. Dufort, Linn C. Hoover, Erwin Ruiz, Patrick J. Howe, Andrew W. Hays