Patents by Inventor Thomas K. Sciurba

Thomas K. Sciurba 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: 8355159
    Abstract: A method of synchronizing the timing of a plurality of physically coupled print engines wherein the receiving sheet is inverted between a first and a second print engine including determining any change in the speed of the master print engine relative to the speed at original set up and adjusting the timing parameters within the slave print engines based on the speed of the master engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael T. Dobbertin, Thomas K. Sciurba
  • Publication number: 20100327514
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing paper stack level calibration in a reproduction apparatus. According to various aspects of the invention, methods are provided for continuous feeding with a transition from one supply to another, and leaving a controlled number of sheets in the prior supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas K. Sciurba, James A. Zimmer, JR., Michael T. Dobbertin
  • Publication number: 20100296108
    Abstract: A method of synchronizing the timing of a plurality of physically coupled print engines wherein the receiving sheet is inverted between a first and a second print engine including determining any change in the speed of the master print engine relative to the speed at original set up and adjusting the timing parameters within the slave print engines based on the speed of the master engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Michael T. Dobbertin, Thomas K. Sciurba
  • Publication number: 20100296823
    Abstract: A method of synchronizing the timing of a plurality of physically coupled print engines wherein the receiving sheet is inverted between a first and a second print engine including determining a position of one or more timing marks on a first primary imaging member in a first print engine having a first timing, directing a receiving sheet from the first print engine to a second primary imaging member in a second print engine having a second timing, determining an actual arrival time of the receiving sheet relative to a fixed position in the second print engine, and calculating an optimum timing offset using the one or more timing marks on the first primary imaging member, the actual arrival time of the receiving sheet and the distance of the non-printable area to the fixed position in the second engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Michael T. Dobbertin, Ronald W. Stephens, Thomas K. Sciurba, Donald S. Rimai, Donna P. Suchy
  • Patent number: 7815182
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing paper stack level calibration in a reproduction apparatus. According to various aspects of the invention, methods are provided for continuous feeding with a transition from one supply to another, and leaving a controlled number of sheets in the prior supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas K. Sciurba, James A. Zimmer, Jr., Michael T. Dobbertin
  • Publication number: 20090166950
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing paper stack level calibration in a reproduction apparatus. According to various aspects of the invention, methods are provided for continuous feeding with a transition from one supply to another, and leaving a controlled number of sheets in the prior supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas K. Sciurba, James A. Zimmer, JR., Michael T. Dobbertin
  • Patent number: 7088947
    Abstract: In the present invention an image-forming production system includes a marking engine. The marking engine outputs a plurality of printed sheets at a first speed. An inserter is connected to receive the plurality of printed sheets from the marking engine and insert an insert sheet fed at a second speed. The inserter control board transmits synch pulse signals to an inserter speed adjust unit controller when a plurality of sheets approach the inserter speed adjust unit. The inserter speed adjust unit transmits a signal to the inserter speed adjust unit controller indicating an arrival of each of the plurality of sheets. The inserter speed adjust unit controller compares the measured arrival time with the synch pulse signal to adjust a speed of the plurality of sheets and the insert sheet to a third output speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael T. Dobbertin, Thomas K. Sciurba
  • Patent number: 6908082
    Abstract: A system and method for providing the ability to more effectively control a paper stack in a reproduction apparatus. The level control behavior of the paper stack is characterized, and accordingly, additional lift commands are signaled when the behavior indicates that such increments are necessary. The behavior is characterized by sampling data during a sampling period including switch initiated increments. Upon characterization, additional increments are initiated by a source other than the switch initiated increments to more effectively control the paper stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael T. Dobbertin, Thomas K. Sciurba
  • Patent number: 6826384
    Abstract: An image-production system includes a marking engine. The image-forming production system may also include an inserter. The marking engine includes a marking engine controller, a speed adjust system and a registration system. The registration system aligns sheets going to an imaging unit. The speed adjust system controller includes a speed adjust system controller. When at least one sheet approaches the speed adjust system, the marking engine controller transmits a synch pulse signal to the speed adjust system controller. The speed adjust system transmits a signal to the speed adjust system controller of the arrival time of the at least one sheet. The speed adjust system compares the measured arrival time with the synch pulse signal to adjust a speed and timing of the sheet before the sheet is transferred to the registration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael T. Dobbertin, Alan E. Rapkin, Thomas K. Sciurba
  • Publication number: 20040135307
    Abstract: A system and method for providing the ability to more effectively control a paper stack in a reproduction apparatus. The level control behavior of the paper stack is characterized, and accordingly, additional lift commands are signaled when the behavior indicates that such increments are necessary. The behavior is characterized by sampling data during a sampling period including switch initiated increments. Upon characterization, additional increments are initiated by a source other than the switch initiated increments to more effectively control the paper stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Michael T. Dobbertin, Thomas K. Sciurba
  • Publication number: 20040062582
    Abstract: An image-production system includes a marking engine. The image-forming production system may also include an inserter. The marking engine includes a marking engine controller, a speed adjust system and a registration system. The registration system aligns sheets going to an imaging unit. The speed adjust system controller includes a speed adjust system controller. When at least one sheet approaches the speed adjust system, the marking engine controller transmits a synch pulse signal to the speed adjust system controller. The speed adjust system transmits a signal to the speed adjust system controller of the arrival time of the at least one sheet. The speed adjust system compares the measured arrival time with the synch pulse signal to adjust a speed and timing of the sheet before the sheet is transferred to the registration system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Michael T. Dobbertin, Alan E. Rapkin, Thomas K. Sciurba
  • Publication number: 20040061280
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing paper stack level calibration in a reproduction apparatus. According to various aspects of the invention, methods are provided for continuous feeding with a transition from one supply to another, and leaving a controlled number of sheets in the prior supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas K. Sciurba, James A. Zimmer, Michael T. Dobbertin
  • Patent number: 6698747
    Abstract: A system and method for providing the ability to more effectively control a paper stack in a reproduction apparatus. The level control behavior of the paper stack is characterized, and accordingly, additional lift commands are signaled when the behavior indicates that such increments are necessary. The behavior is characterized by sampling data during a sampling period including switch initiated increments. Upon characterization, additional increments are initiated by a source other than the switch initiated increments to more effectively control the paper stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Michael T. Dobbertin, Thomas K. Sciurba
  • Publication number: 20030103248
    Abstract: A method and system for managing a document production system comprises detecting a first time period for at least one marking-engine originating sheet to reach a fixed reference point via a first media path of the document production system. A second time period is detected for at least one inserter-originating sheet to reach a fixed reference point via a second media path of the document production system. A feed timing command of an inserter is adjusted so the first time period and the second time period are synchronized for the coordinated introduction of at least one inserter-originating sheet into a set of marking-engine originating sheets at a combination point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas K. Sciurba, Michael T. Dobbertin
  • Patent number: 6554269
    Abstract: A method of operating a vacuum corrugated belt feeder, which may or may not have a positive air pressure separator, during non-feed cycle time. “The result being” to separate a sheet from a sheet supply stack, which method comprises agitating the top sheets in the stack by actuating the vacuum and/or the positive air pressure separator during non-feed cycle time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmashinen AG
    Inventors: Michael T. Dobbertin, Thomas K. Sciurba
  • Publication number: 20020140159
    Abstract: A system and method for providing the ability to more effectively control a paper stack in a reproduction apparatus. The level control behavior of the paper stack is characterized, and accordingly, additional lift commands are signaled when the behavior indicates that such increments are necessary. The behavior is characterized by sampling data during a sampling period including switch initiated increments. Upon characterization, additional increments are initiated by a source other than the switch initiated increments to more effectively control the paper stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Michael T. Dobbertin, Thomas K. Sciurba
  • Patent number: 5394458
    Abstract: A reproduction apparatus includes a communication interface having an RS-232 interface and a modem, thereby permitting both on-site and remote communication with a diagnostic and administrative device. The RS-232 interface and modem enable the use of standard hardware and non-dedicated telephone lines for the purpose of recording apparatus usage, feature utilization, and performing diagnostic routines on the reproduction apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James D. Allen, Tomas Roztocil, Peter R. Connelie, Thomas K. Sciurba