Abstract: The present invention relates to encoding and decoding of information using materials that are capable of mildly absorbing radiation over a wide range of infrared wavelengths and substantially non-absorbing in the visible wavelengths. Examples of such encoding of information are bar codes and area markings. Information is encoded in markings on a base medium by depositing or intertexturing on the base medium a material where the surface dimensions, thickness and presence of the material contain the encoded information. The encoding, as disclosed in this invention, utilizes a lower cost, more stable material than a material that is capable of highly absorbing over a range of infrared wavelengths and substantially non-absorbing in the visible wavelengths. However, since the material used in this invention is mildly absorbing in the infrared range, the signal obtained by reflecting or transmitting infrared radiation from the markings will be less distinct.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 31, 2000
Date of Patent:
July 22, 2003
Assignee:
Polaroid Corporation
Inventors:
Vivek K. Soni, J. Barry Mahoney, William T. Plummer, Richard G. Egan
Abstract: A product is placed in an inner package, which in turn is placed into outer package. The inner and outer packages have overlying transparent or cut-out or window portions overlying the product or portions of the product enabling the product to be viewed without opening or dismantling of the package assembly. Similarly an information sheet is placed in the outer package below the transparent or cut-out or window portion of the outer package enabling the information sheet to be read without opening the package assembly.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 7, 2000
Date of Patent:
July 8, 2003
Assignee:
Polaroid Corporation
Inventors:
Joan Catherine Holmes, Robert M. Vuillemenot
Abstract: A method and system for initializing and formatting a recording media comprising phase change material using a uniform field of radiation. Also a method for initializing phase change material on a continuous web which will be used to manufacture a plurality of recording media.
Abstract: A photographic film with a polymeric acid-reacting neutralizing layer comprising a half ester of isobutylene/maleic anhydride copolymer is provided herein. This polymeric acid-reacting neutralizing layer is used to attenuate a photographic film's development process, which is effective under alkali conditions, by lowering the pH of the alkaline processing composition.
Abstract: Disclosed is a film assemblage of the self-developing type comprising a first and a second sheet in juxtaposed relationship to one another. Each of the sheets contains a plurality of exposure cut-outs at spaced apart intervals. Portions of the first and second rectangular sheets which separate individual exposure cut-outs contain a frangible line running in a direction perpendicular to the major axis of the rectangular sheet. The film assemblage further comprises a plurality of positive receiving sheets, a plurality of negative or photosensitive sheets, an elastic carrier sheet, a plurality of photographic processing fluid supply pods and a plurality of photographic processing fluid collection traps. The relationship between these elements in the film assemblage of the present invention is fully disclosed.
Abstract: The present invention relates to a hand-held diagnostic testing system and method employing apparatus that can effect a chemiluminescent reaction and record the same on photographic film.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 13, 1999
Date of Patent:
April 29, 2003
Assignee:
Polaroid Corporation
Inventors:
Donald E. Mauchan, Philip R. Norris, Leonard Polizzotto
Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed suitable for overlapping a plurality of radiation beams at the input end of an optical waveguide device, such as an optical fiber or fiber laser. The optical apparatus includes a plurality of deflecting facets, where each deflecting facet is oriented so as to deflect incident beams of radiation so that the deflected beams emanate from a virtual multi-beam radiation point source. An output relay optical system captures the deflected beams and causes them to overlap at the input end of the optical waveguide device. Input relay optical systems, which may be tiltable plane parallel plates, may be disposed between sources of the radiation beams and be used to redirect the radiation beams so that they emanate from a virtual multi-beam radiation point source. Methods for adjusting components of the optical apparatus to fine-tune the positions and directions of the radiation beams for more precise overlapping are also disclosed.
Abstract: There is described a thermal recording system which utilizes a donor element comprising a substrate and a thermal transfer material layer having a dye-containing phase which is amorphous and wherein the dye or dyes present in the amorphous phase form a continuous film. Imagewise heating of the medium transfers portions of the transfer layer to a receiver sheet, thus forming an image. The transfer layer may also include a non-dye phase comprising a thermal solvent. During the heating of the donor element, the crystalline thermal solvent melts and dissolves or liquefies at least a portion of the dye-containing phase, thereby lowering the temperature at which transfer of the transfer layer occurs.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 21, 2000
Date of Patent:
March 25, 2003
Assignee:
Polaroid Corporation
Inventors:
Michael J. Arnost, Alain Bouchard, Yongqi Deng, Edward J. Dombrowski, Russell A. Gaudiana, Serajul Haque, Fariza B. Hasan, John L. Marshall, Stephen J. Telfer, William T. Vetterling, Michael S. Viola
Abstract: A lens cover assembly for a folding camera includes a main frame assembly and a lens assembly pivotally mounted on the main frame assembly and movable between a closed position in which the lens assembly is disposed at least in part within the main frame assembly and an open position in which the lens assembly upstands from the main frame assembly, the lens assembly having a lens therein. A lens cover member is pivotally mounted on the lens assembly and is movable between a first position in which the lens cover member completely covers the lens, and a second position in which the lens cover member is removed from the lens. A mechanical linkage interconnects the main frame assembly and the lens cover member and is operative, upon moving the lens assembly from the closed position to the open position, to move the lens cover member to the second position, and further operative, upon moving the lens assembly from the open position to the closed position, to move the lens cover member to the first position.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 10, 2001
Date of Patent:
March 4, 2003
Assignee:
Polaroid Corporation
Inventors:
Kenneth J. Launie, Robert L. Stephansky
Abstract: A compact light weight printhead capable of direct quasi-contact printing includes an OLED—Color Filter structure disposed on a fiber optic faceplate substrate. The OLED—Color Filter structure includes an OLED structure emitting over a broad range of wavelengths and color filter arrays that selectively transmit radiation in different distinct ranges of wavelengths. The printhead is designed for contact or quasi-contact printing printing. The printhead design ensures that the desired pixel sharpness and reduced crosstalk is achieved. Two possible different arrangements for the printhead are disclosed. One arrangement includes at least one array of OLED elements and at least one color filter array. Each color filter array in this arrangement includes at least one triplet of color filters, and each element in each the triplet is capable of transmitting radiation in a distinct wavelength range different from the distinct wavelength range of the other two color filters in the same triplet.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 28, 2000
Date of Patent:
February 25, 2003
Assignee:
Polaroid Corporation
Inventors:
Russell A. Gaudiana, Richard G. Egan, Bennett H. Rockney, Joseph DelPico
Abstract: A compact camera for producing images on self-developing film, said camera comprising an assembly including a light-tight main frame, a first housing member, and a second housing member; wherein said assembly is arranged to minimize the height of said camera.
Abstract: The present invention is an improved film assemblage of the self developing type that allows separation of both the pod and trap portions of the film frame, but sealing of the ends of the separated film portions including pod, trap, and image area. The present invention also provides such a film assemblage of the foregoing type whereby further ensuring uniform flow of the processing fluid during the spreading process. A method of manufacturing said film is also provided.
Abstract: An electronic exposure control system for an active pixel CMOS image sensor includes a row decoder and a column decoder for respective row-wise and column-wise addressing of the image signal generating pixels. The decoders receive row and column addresses and control signals from a controller. The row addresses received by the row decoder are alternately switched between a predetermined row address for resetting the image signals of pixels in said row and another predetermined spaced apart row address for enabling the image signals of pixels in said selected row to be read out by the column decoder. By providing a predetermined sequence of row addresses, a “rolling shutter” can be created and/or the exposure time of the pixels can be selected to be different from the time to expose an entire frame. The image sensor can also be operated in an interlaced mode and/or specific areas on the image sensor can be selected to be reset and read out.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 24, 1997
Date of Patent:
February 4, 2003
Assignee:
Polaroid Corporation
Inventors:
Vincent S. Clark, Peter K. Duane, R. Daniel McGrath
Abstract: A method of controlling exposure of a scene image comprising the following steps: sensing a scene for image data; deriving values representative of a brightness map of the scene; sensing the scene for image data; deriving values representative of a range map; comparing the range map with the scene brightness map; and controlling the exposure by controlling artificial illumination upon the scene. In an alternate aspect, a system is provided for controlling exposure of a scene image comprising the following elements: at least one sensor assembly; a source of artificial illumination; and a processing means.
Abstract: Diagnostic assay system for conducting a luminescent test and recording luminescent signals generated thereby on an image recording material. The system comprising a light-tight housing assembly, an image recording system, and an assembly for holding at least one chemical implementation device mounted in the assembly. The system also including a movable shutter mechanism and a biasing device for moving the shutter. The present invention also includes, in one embodiment, a method of conducting a chemiluminescent test comprising: providing a implementation and diagnostic testing device; placing the implementation device in the assembly; applying a force to a penetrating member; moving a shutter actuator; actuating a timer; returning the shutter; and then ejecting the image.
Abstract: A thermal transfer recording system wherein an area of a thermal transfer imaging medium is heated imagewise while in contact only with a thermal printing head and the imaged area of the thermal transfer recording medium subsequently transferred to a receiver material.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 29, 2001
Date of Patent:
December 10, 2002
Assignee:
Polaroid Corporation
Inventors:
Jayprakash C. Bhatt, Hyung-Chul Choi, F. Richard Cottrell, Anemarie De Young
Abstract: A holographic recording medium comprises (a) an acid generator capable of generating an acid upon exposure to actinic radiation; and (b) a polymer comprising a plurality of high refractive index moieties, a plurality of low refractive index moieties, and a plurality of acid-sensitive linking groups connecting the high and low refractive index moieties. When an interference pattern is formed within this medium, in the light areas of this interference pattern acid is generated by the acid generator and cleaves the acid-sensitive linking groups, thereby causing separation of either the high or the low refractive index moieties from the polymer, and formation of a hologram within the medium.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 17, 1996
Date of Patent:
December 3, 2002
Assignee:
Polaroid Corporation
Inventors:
Pradeep K. Dhal, Eric S. Kolb, Richard A. Minns