Patents Assigned to Polaroid Corporation
  • Compact photographic camera
    Patent number: 6490413
    Abstract: The present invention is a self-developing compact camera having a housing that encloses, in a common cavity thereof, an arrangement comprising a taking lens, shutter, a light-reflector, viewfinder, power source, actuator, a self-developing film compartment, and a spring biased exit flap. The present invention also includes a method of manufacturing said camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Norman D. Staller, Paul D. Gjeltema, Patrick W. Hopkins, Michael G. Rider, Lawrence J. Salvo
  • Squarylium compounds, and processes and intermediates for the synthesis of these compounds
    Patent number: 6482950
    Abstract: Squarylium compounds of the formula: wherein Q1 and Q2 are each independently a pyrylium, thiopyrylium, selenopyrylium, benzpyrylium, benzthiopyrylium or benzselenopyrylium nucleus, and R1 and R2 are each independently an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic group, can be prepared by reacting a squaric acid derivative of the formula: with a compound of the formula Q2CH2R2 in the presence of a base. The derivatives of Formula II may be prepared by condensing a 2,3,4,4-tetrahalocyclobut-2-en-1-one with a compound of the formula Q1CH2R1 in the presence of a base to produce a compound of the formula: wherein Q1 and R1 are as defined above, and X represents chlorine or bromine, and hydrolyzing the compound of Formula III.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Paulina P. Garcia, John W. Lee, John L. Marshall, Donald A. McGowan, Anthony J. Puttick, Thomas K. Spencer, Stephen G. Stroud, Stephen J. Telfer, Michael J. Zuraw
  • System for printing with programmable spatial light modulator and method
    Patent number: 6456421
    Abstract: The present invention provides in one aspect, a method of controlling a SLM comprising the following steps: providing a sequential color SLM controller, and a SLM; providing a means whereby said sequential color SLM controller loads optimum values for a single color into control registers of said SLM, during all the field time slots of each video frame; also causing said SLM to modulate light of said single color, during said field time slots of each video frame, whereby the duty cycle for display of said color is increased relative to operation in a normal sequential color mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Philip D. Chapnik, Bruce K. Johnson, George D. Whiteside, Joseph F. Deck
  • Combination camera
    Patent number: 6456799
    Abstract: The present invention is an imaging apparatus which includes a housing that encloses, in a common cavity thereof, an arrangement comprising a pair of independent cameras constructed in combination with each other, said pair of cameras being a digital camera and a photosensitive film camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventor: Christine L. Enderby
  • Self-service postage stamp assemblage
    Patent number: 6450537
    Abstract: A postage stamp assemblage wherein an indicia bearing element containing a photographic film unit is covered by an overlay sheet containing a transparent zone, allowing the photographic film unit to be visible. The postage stamp assemblage contains machine readable indicia and postage indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventor: Philip R. Norris
  • Diagnostic assay device
    Patent number: 6432358
    Abstract: A diagnostic device adapted to retain a fluid sample to be analyzed until it is desired to initiate the analytical test is described. The device includes a deformable material layer, a well for holding a fluid sample, a porous material and a diagnostic assay element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Philip R. Norris, Peter H. Roth, Robert J. Wadja
  • Processing fluid spread system for an electronic photographic printer and camera and related method thereof
    Patent number: 6417911
    Abstract: A photographic processing fluid spread system, for use with integral type self-processable film unit, by which the thickness of a layer of processing fluid is controlled and restricted in a uniform manner as the processing fluid is spread across preselected portions of the film unit, while the film unit is also simultaneously being progressively exposed and advanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Alfredo G. Kniazzeh, Bruce K. Johnson, Margaret A. Obermiller
  • Image-receiving element
    Patent number: 6403278
    Abstract: An image-receiving element for use in photographic and photothermographic dirrufsion transfer film units of the type where the image-receiving element is designed to be removed, or “peeled-apart” from a photosensitive element following exposure and photographic processing. The present image-receiving element comprises, in sequence, a support, an image-receiving layer and a strip-coat layer which serves to facilitate separation of the image-receiving element from the photosensitive element after photographic processing. The strip-coat layer comprises a cationic homopolymer or a copolymer of an acrylate with a quarternary salt functional group. The strip coat provides a glossy image after photographic processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Agota F. Fehervari, James J. Manning
  • Optical system for use in a photographic printer
    Patent number: 6400442
    Abstract: An optical system is disclosed that minimizes drop-off problems associated with the process of imaging a small light source to a line. In one embodiment, a singly-curved primary mirror is used to maintain a substantially constant magnification factor of the optical system. In another embodiment, the small light source projects radiation through a cylindrical optical component that partially collimates the light, prior to the light impinging upon a doubly-curved primary mirror. Additional embodiments are shown that combine the cylindrical lens with a Schmidt plate, include an optional aperture stop, and include an optional spatial light modulator, as well as embodiments which vary the positioning of the elements in the optical system along the optical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce K. Johnson, Philip D. Chapnik
  • Diagnostic assay system and method having a luminescent readout signal
    Patent number: 6331715
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of providing a self-contained processor having a luminescent testing material capable of generating a read-out signal in response to contact with a reagent of interest in a test sample. In an alternate aspect, the present invention also provides a portable and self-contained diagnostic assay system for detecting and recording the presence of a luminescent signal generated by a reaction between a luminescent testing material and a reagent in a test sample on a self-developing film assemblage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Mauchan, Philip R. Norris
  • Film unit drive assembly for an electronic photographic printer and camera and related method thereof
    Patent number: 6330397
    Abstract: An electronic photographic printer having a film unit drive assembly that advances the film unit (self-developing type) past a stationary print head for emitting consecutive lines of image data on the film unit to effect progressive exposure on the film unit simultaneously as a fluid spread system spreads the processing fluid over the film unit to effect processing of exposed portions of the film unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce K. Johnson, Magaret A. Obermiller, Unhyi Yang, Chin-Loo Lama
  • Apparatus for performing diagnostic testing
    Patent number: 6328930
    Abstract: A hand-held portable diagnostic assay system for conducting and recording luminescent reactions for generating and recording luminescent read-out signals generated by a testing assembly and recordable on an image recording medium. A carrier assembly receives the testing assembly and is operable between first and second conditions. An assembly prevents unintended insertion of the testing assembly into the carrier assembly when in the first condition, and a mechanism prevents unintended removal of the testing assembly from the carrier assembly when in the second condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Mauchan, Paul L. Graham, A. Brian Holland, Peter H. Roth
  • Method and system for reducing image artifacts
    Patent number: 6327431
    Abstract: A self developing photographic apparatus comprising: a housing including a film exit slot; exposure means operable for effecting an exposure; a film assemblage of the self-developing type including at least one exposable area and a rupturable reservoir containing processing fluid being associated with a corresponding exposable area. The apparatus also includes pressure applying means operable for rupturing the reservoir to thereby dispense and spread the fluid over the exposable area so as to initiate development of latent images as the film is withdrawn from the housing. Also included is at least one film engaging assembly coupled to the housing and located exteriorly of the film exit slot. In another embodiment, the invention includes a method of processing a film assemblage such that the film spreading fluid is applied substantially uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Harry R. Parsons, Paul D. Gjeltema, Lawrence J. Salvo
  • Optical apparatus for producing a high-brightness multi-laser radiation source
    Patent number: 6324320
    Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed suitable for coupling discrete sources of radiation beams onto the input end of an optical fiber or a fiber laser, the optical apparatus comprising a unitary beam deflector having a plurality of deflecting facets where each deflecting facet is oriented so as to deflect an incident beam of radiation into the fiber, an input afocal relay optical system to image a beam of radiation onto a corresponding deflecting facet, and an output afocal relay optical system to image the facet beam images onto the optical fiber or laser fiber end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas S. Goodman
  • Processing fluid spread system for a detachable electronic photographic printer and camera
    Patent number: 6317561
    Abstract: A readily portable imaging system for use in the field and, more particularly, to an electronic camera and electronic printer housed and readily connectable with respect to each other in the field, and wherein the electronic printer comprises a photographic processing fluid spread system, for use with integral type self-processible film unit, by which the thickness of a layer of processing fluid is controlled and restricted in a uniform manner as the processing fluid is spread across preselected portions of the film unit, while the film unit is also simultaneously being exposed and advanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Alfredo G. Kniazzeh, Bruce K. Johnson, Margaret A. Obermiller
  • Process and composition for generation of acid
    Patent number: 6307085
    Abstract: A process for generation of acid uses a medium comprising a first acid-generating component capable of generating a first acid, and a secondary acid generator, this secondary acid generator being capable of thermal decomposition to form a secondary acid, the thermal decomposition of the secondary acid generator being catalyzed by the first acid. At least part of the medium is exposed to so as to cause formation of the first acid from the first acid-generating component; and the medium is then heated to cause, in the exposed part of the medium, acid-catalyzed thermal decomposition of the secondary acid generator and formation of the secondary acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Jurgen M. Grasshoff, John L. Marshall, Richard A. Minns, Socorro M. Ramos, Stephen G. Stroud, Stephen J. Telfer, Haixin Yang, Roger A. Boggs, Eric S. Kolb
  • Film advancement assembly for a self-developing camera
    Patent number: 6301438
    Abstract: A film advancement assembly for a self-developing and folding camera. The camera comprising a main frame assembly and a lens assembly. The lens assembly being 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. A gear train is mounted on the main frame member and is operative to drive a pair of spread rolls, and operative to drive a film pick to advance a film unit. A motor is mounted on the main frame assembly and is operative to power the gear train, the motor being disposed proximate a bottom surface of the main frame assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Michael N. Burdenko, Juan C. VanDijk, Kenneth J. Launie
  • LCD projector
    Patent number: D451528
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: John P. Gaewsky, Jaesung J. Han, Richard S. Sarvas, James F. Shanley
  • Folded photographic apparatus
    Patent number: D459380
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Jonas R. Brickus, Jose M. Perez, Gerd Schmieta, Mark Biasotti
  • Erect photographic apparatus
    Patent number: D463812
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Jonas R. Brickus, Jose M. Perez, Gerd Schmieta, Mark Biasotti