Christopher M Watkins

US Patent:

6513899, Feb 4, 2003

Filed:

Jun 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/597203

Inventors:

Christopher L. Watkins - Fairborn OH 45324

International Classification:

H04N 146

US Classification:

347 19, 358504

Abstract:

The present invention proposes a method of digitally manipulating inking in digital images to optimize the image by affecting the amount of ink put on the paper. This is accomplished by replacing some inkings with values determined from actual measurement, rather than with values derived from formulas. Digital image data is manipulated by means of multiple transformations, maintaining printed color quality while obtaining a more favorable inking. The technique of the present invention of manipulating inking is calorimetric, in that it is based on precise color measurements. The method of the present invention is based on hard data for the particular print system.

US Patent:

6980330, Dec 27, 2005

Filed:

Jun 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/597437

Inventors:

Michael J. Piatt - Dayton OH, US
Christopher L. Watkins - Fairborn OH, US

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

H04N001/407

US Classification:

358 326, 358521, 382275

Abstract:

The present invention addresses problems encountered in the conversion of continuous tone data into binary data for printing on low resolution imaging systems. Representation of the continuous tone data is only roughly approximated through the conversion to binary data. Artifacts of the binary printing process are objectionable for several reasons. They decrease over all image quality and may sometimes allow for only partial representation of the original data. Partially formed and/or irregularly formed text characters are one such example. This invention addresses this problem by forcing certain levels to be processed through predictable dot dispersion patterns so as to preserve pre-identified portions of the input data stream. Continuous tone image data for imaging on a digital output device is processed by identifying at least one problematic tone level in the binary representation of the image, and identifying at least one non-problematic tone level in the binary representation of the image. Data transformation is then applied to cause the digital output device to replace the at least one problematic tone level in the binary representation of the image with output at the at least one non-problematic tone level in the binary representation of the image.

US Patent:

7050196, May 23, 2006

Filed:

Jun 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/597534

Inventors:

Michael J. Piatt - Dayton OH, US
Terry Wozniak - Springfield OH, US
Christopher L. Watkins - Fairborn OH, US

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

G06F 15/00
G03F 3/08
G06K 9/00

US Classification:

358 19, 358520, 382165

Abstract:

The present invention addresses the quantification of a printed tone scale for each individual color in a printing system, developing a linear tone scale derived in an independent color space and referenced from the shade of the unprinted substrate. The present invention determines the threshold for excessive ink coverage of a printing system on a specified substrate. This determination is based on a subjective evaluation of acceptable thresholds for bleed, cockle, show through, and image density. The method works in conjunction with a predefined test pattern printed on the specified substrate at fixed printing parameters, such as speed, dryer temperature, and web tension. This invention also includes an ability to limit the ink of each independent color in the system as a fraction of the total upper ink limit. Furthermore, this invention allows calibration of the tone scale of each color in the system using the color of the paper as a reference point. In addition, this invention facilitates the generation of separate sets of tone scale transformations for both graphics and text for each color in the system.

US Patent:

7319547, Jan 15, 2008

Filed:

Dec 13, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/301586

Inventors:

Michael J. Piatt - Dayton OH, US
Terry A. Wozniak - Springfield OH, US
Christopher L. Watkins - Fairborn OH, US

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

G06F 15/00
H04N 1/46
G01D 18/00

US Classification:

358 19, 358504, 702 85

Abstract:

A method of determining substrate and ink compatibility includes providing a test pattern having a range of ink loading levels and including test features corresponding to at least one of text and graphics; identifying a substrate; identifying an ink set; printing the test pattern on the identified substrate using the identified ink set; selecting an ink loading level for at least one of the at least one of text and graphics using the test pattern; and generating a tone scale transformation for one or more ink colors of the identified ink set using the selected ink loading level for at least one of the at least one of text and graphics, the selected ink loading level for the at least one of the at least one of text and graphics being dependent on the identified substrate.