IP Library Granted Patent US 7,327,380
Granted Patent B2
US 7,327,380 · App. 10/355,932 · Granted Feb 5, 2008

Apparatus for printing a multibit image

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,327,380
App. No.
10/355,932
Granted
Feb 5, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for printing a multibit per pixel image ( 10 ) from a halftone binary digital bitmap having pixels having a multibit per pixel image memory for receiving the multibit per pixel image; a lookup table ( 16 ) external to the memory disposed in a programmable gate array ( 18 ) for converting the multibit per pixel image to a base duty cycle ( 20 ) wherein the base duty cycle is disposed in the programmable gate array and is adapted for creating a modulated drive signal ( 22 ) from the base duty cycle to modulate an exposure ( 24 ) for each pixel in the multibit per pixel image; and a printer ( 28 ) adapted for using the modulated exposure to print an image, having a dpi greater than 1400, further comprising a drum ( 32 ) capable of spinning, and an encoder ( 34 ) disposed on the drum for providing a home signal ( 36 ) and a pixel rate ( 38 ).

Claims (10)

1. An apparatus for printing a multibit per pixel image from a halftone binary digital bitmap having pixels comprising:

a) memory for receiving said multibit per pixel image;

b) lookup table external to said memory disposed in a programmable gate array for converting said multibit per pixel image to a base duty cycle and wherein said base duty cycle is disposed in said programmable gate array and is adapted for creating a modulated drive signal from said base duty cycle to modulate an exposure for each pixel in said multibit per pixel image;

c) a printer adapted for using said modulated exposure to print an image, having a dpi greater than 1400, further comprising a drum capable of spinning;

d) an encoder disposed on said drum for providing a home signal and a pixel rate; and

e) a phase lock loop in communication with said programmable gate array to modify said pixel rate to a multiple of said pixel rate forming a high frequency pixel clock which is 2 n times the pixel rate, wherein n is an integer.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a trailing edge extension circuit programmed into said programmable gate array for extending the end of said modulated exposure by a trailing edge extension (TEE) count.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein said TEE count is determined from said look-up table.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said printer further comprises at least one laser driver board which modulates a current for at least one laser diode which couples to at least one fiber optic to deliver optical energy to at least one printing lens focused on said drum.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said printer is a color printer.

Assignments (10)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 24, 2020
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC
To: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY; FAR EAST DEVELOPMENT LTD.; FPC INC.; KODAK (NEAR EAST) INC.; KODAK AMERICAS LTD.; KODAK REALTY INC.; LASER PACIFIC MEDIA CORPORATION; QUALEX INC.; KODAK PHILIPPINES LTD.; NPEC INC.
Reel/Frame 052773/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 1, 2019
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK N.A.
To: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
Reel/Frame 049056/0265 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 1, 2019
From: BANK OF AMERICA N.A., AS AGENT
To: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
Reel/Frame 049056/0377 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 11, 2019
From: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
To: MIRACLON CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 048857/0633 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT (FIRST LIEN) Recorded Sep 5, 2013
From: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY; FAR EAST DEVELOPMENT LTD.; FPC INC.; KODAK (NEAR EAST), INC.; KODAK IMAGING NETWORK, INC.; KODAK PORTUGUESA LIMITED; KODAK REALTY, INC.; LASER-PACIFIC MEDIA CORPORATION; PAKON, INC.; QUALEX INC.; KODAK PHILIPPINES, LTD.; NPEC INC.; CREO MANUFACTURING AMERICA LLC; KODAK AVIATION LEASING LLC; KODAK AMERICAS, LTD.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE
Reel/Frame 031158/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Sep 5, 2013
From: CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC., AS SENIOR DIP AGENT; WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS JUNIOR DIP AGENT
To: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY; PAKON, INC.
Reel/Frame 031157/0451 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT (SECOND LIEN) Recorded Sep 5, 2013
From: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY; FAR EAST DEVELOPMENT LTD.; FPC INC.; KODAK (NEAR EAST), INC.; KODAK AMERICAS, LTD.; KODAK IMAGING NETWORK, INC.; KODAK PORTUGUESA LIMITED; KODAK REALTY, INC.; LASER-PACIFIC MEDIA CORPORATION; PAKON, INC.; QUALEX INC.; KODAK PHILIPPINES, LTD.; NPEC INC.; CREO MANUFACTURING AMERICA LLC; KODAK AVIATION LEASING LLC
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031159/0001 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Sep 5, 2013
From: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY; FAR EAST DEVELOPMENT LTD.; FPC INC.; KODAK (NEAR EAST), INC.; KODAK AMERICAS, LTD.; KODAK IMAGING NETWORK, INC.; KODAK PORTUGUESA LIMITED; KODAK REALTY, INC.; LASER-PACIFIC MEDIA CORPORATION; PAKON, INC.; QUALEX INC.; KODAK PHILIPPINES, LTD.; NPEC INC.; CREO MANUFACTURING AMERICA LLC; KODAK AVIATION LEASING LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 031162/0117 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 1, 2013
From: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY; PAKON, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 030122/0235 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 21, 2012
From: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY; PAKON, INC.
To: CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 028201/0420 →