Patents by Inventor Donald J. Howe

Donald J. Howe 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).

  • Device for focus and alignment control in optical recording and/or playback apparatus
    Patent number: 4385373
    Abstract: A device for controlling focus and alignment of a light beam, e.g. in apparatus for optical recording and playback with high density data storage media such as optical discs, includes a plurality of independently addressable piezoelectric bender elements which control the position of lens means of such apparatus. The bender elements can be selectively addressed with electric fields to effect focus and/or tracking alignment adjustments of the active light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1983
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Donald J. Howe