Patents by Inventor Thomas Rapoza

Thomas Rapoza 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: 20050065631
    Abstract: A method for symmetrically aligning a pattern piece relative to a work material defining a pattern with varying repeat dimensions. The method including selectively capturing first and second images of areal portions of the work material corresponding to respective first and second reference points on said pattern piece, displaying the first and second images adjacent one another, and moving the pattern displayed in one of the first and second images an adjustment distance, such that the pattern defined by the work material is substantially aligned with respect to first and second images. The position of the pattern piece is then moved relative to the work material proportional to the adjustment distance so that the first and second reference points are symmetrically aligned with respect to the repeating pattern. The images can also be rotated about an axis substantially perpendicular to or parallel with the plane of the work material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Applicant: Gerber Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Rapoza
  • Patent number: 6580962
    Abstract: In a method for aligning a spatial array of pattern pieces comprising a marker, a work material processing apparatus defining a support surface adapted to carry work material is provided and at least one layer of work is spread thereon. Images of said work material at a reference point and match point are captured and superimposed over one another these superimposed images being projected onto a display. One of said images of said work material at said reference point in said image of said work material at said match point is moved relative to the other to substantially align the images. The position of a matching pattern piece contained within the marker is then moved in accordance with the amount of relative movement to align the pattern of the sheet material within a boundary defined by the matching pattern piece with that defined by the reference pattern piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Gerber Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Rapoza, Andrew Zink, Jeffrey Monroe
  • Publication number: 20030033047
    Abstract: In a method for aligning a spatial array of pattern pieces comprising a marker a work material processing apparatus defining a support surface adapted to carry work material is provided and at least one layer of work is spread thereon. Images of said work material at a reference point and match point are captured and superimposed over one another these superimposed images being projected onto a display. One of said images of said work material at said reference point in said image of said work material at said match point is moved relative to the other to substantially align the images. The position of a matching pattern piece contained within the marker is then moved in accordance with the amount were moved relative to one to align the pattern of the sheet material within a boundary defined by the matching pattern piece with that defined by the reference pattern piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas Rapoza, Andrew Zink, Jeffrey Monroe