Patents by Inventor John Eppolito

John Eppolito 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).

  • Patent number: 4847693
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a novel composite process photography system and method. A negative lens or a curved mirror is used to produce a miniature virtual image of a scene a short distance from a camera. The camera focusses on the virtual images. Props, models, and pictures are superimposed with the virtual image by positioning them at a distance equal to the distance of the virtual image from the camera and using beam splitters to allow the camera simultaneously view the props and the virtual image. In one embodiment of the invention, the virtual image is formed inside a compact enclosure which also contains beam splitters, lighting means, and supports for the mounting of props, photographs, and models, creating in essence a compact special effects studio in a box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Ultramatrix, Inc.
    Inventor: John Eppolito
  • Patent number: 4527872
    Abstract: A composite cinematography system and method in which two identical images are projected towards two separate reflective screens, respectively, with a camera being disposed in the reflective path of one of the screens. The reflection from the other screen is directed into the reflective path and masking means are provided for masking selected complimentary portions of the images on both of the reflecting means to create a special effect. A lens system is provided which forms a reduced focused image of at least one of the images at a location along its respective reflective path and means are disposed in the latter reflective path approximate to the reduced focused image for superimposing an additional image onto the reduced focused image to form a composite image for photographing by the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Inventors: Wally Gentleman, John Eppolito