Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Warren W. Kurz
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Patent number: 5057816Abstract: A multizone intruder detection system comprises a supervisory circuit for verifying, while the system is disarmed, that each of a plurality of intrusion sensors is, indeed, functional. The supervisory circuit inhibits rearming of a disarmed system until it determines that each sensor has successfully operated within a relatively brief time interval just prior to the time an attempt is made to arm the system. A timing circuit, activated by a preliminary arm signal, operates to establish a time window (e.g. 10 minutes) within which the operability of each sensor must be verified (i.e. walk-tested) as a precondition to system arming. Preferably, the timing circuit is reset by each sensor alarm output, whereby the system user is given the full time window to walk-test each sensor. By virtue of the invention, sensor sabotage in a disarmed system can be mitigated.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1990Date of Patent: October 15, 1991Assignee: Detection SystemInventors: Karl H. Kostusiak, James E. Berube
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Patent number: 5057852Abstract: Apparatus and method of producing image edge enhancement in four-color printers. The true black color is aligned for printing between the cyan, magenta, and yellow colors. When a black edge is desired, process black and true black are both used to produce the pixels along the edge. Because the process and true black pixels are interleaved with each other along the edge, the effective resolution is doubled and the sharpness is enhanced along the edge.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1989Date of Patent: October 15, 1991Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Joseph F. Formica, William E. Hunt, Thomas R. Knapp, Thomas L. Kowalczyk
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Patent number: 5052120Abstract: A sheet to be clamped includes registration holes at its edges. The leading and trailing ends of the sheet are superimposed, then positioned and clamped with respect to a cylinder by means of a clamping bar. The sheet is tensioned by use of an adjustable tensioner rod. Vernier-type scales on the sheet and cylinder aid in measuring and setting the desired tension. A longitudinal edge of the sheet is located by pins suitably located on the cylinder. In alternative embodiments, the clamping bar and tensioner rod are combined in a unit, or the clamping bar is formed in split sections to receive the sheet therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1990Date of Patent: October 1, 1991Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventor: Cor Lubberts
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Patent number: 5049897Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for line scanning a beam receiving member, wherein a scanning beam is angularly or laterally displaced to compensate for potential scan line spacing error. The beam is displaced according to error arising from variation (flutter) in the relative motion of the beam and the beam receiving member, or according to error arising from movement of the receiving member while the scanning beam travels to a start of scan position, or both. Embodiments of beam displacement means include a row-addressable light valve array and an area-addressable light valve array.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 1990Date of Patent: September 17, 1991Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventor: Yee S. Ng
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Patent number: 5043703Abstract: An autodyne microwave motion-detection system includes a supervisory circuit for monitoring the operating status of the microwave energy-producing component of the system. According to a preferred embodiment, the supervisory circuit of the invention comprises a relatively low-cost, "general purpose UHF" diode, i.e. a multipurpose diode commonly used in circuits designed to accommodate UHF frequencies of up to only about 3 Gigahertz. The supervisory diode is positioned within, or in close proximity to, the resonant cavity of the microwave energy-producing element, the latter being designed to produce microwave energy at a substantially higher frequency (e.g., 10.5 Gigahertz). Due to its close proximity to the microwave energy-producing element (e.g. a Gunn diode) and its presence within the energy field produced thereby, the supervisory diode develops a small, but readily detectable, voltage whenever such element is radiating microwave energy.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1990Date of Patent: August 27, 1991Assignee: Detection Systems, Inc.Inventors: William S. Dipoala, Daniel F. Pedtke
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Patent number: 5031832Abstract: A remote-controlled snow-making system responds to certain electrical signals to control the quality (i.e., moisture content) of the snow produced by such system and the direction in which the snow is projected. The system comprises a plurality of conventional snow-guns, each being connected to water and compressed air supplies via motor-controlled valves. The relative settings of such valves determines the water-to-air ratio within the gun and, hence, snow quality. Each snow-gun is movably mounted so that the direction in which it projects a spray of machine-made snow can be adjusted in both elevation and azimuth. Separate motors control the elevation and azimuth positions of each snow-gun. A control circuit, remotely addressable, e.g., by radio waves, controls the operation of the motor-controlled valves and the gun-position motors. By virtue of the invention, man-made snow can be produced more efficiently, more reliably, and with substantially less human involvement and, hence, cost.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1990Date of Patent: July 16, 1991Assignee: Ratnik Industries Inc.Inventors: H. Ronald Ratnik, Mark R. Meadows, John L. Stephens
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Patent number: 5020042Abstract: Apparatus for selectively reversing a magnetic bias field (e.g., to switch between recording and erasing modes in a magnetooptic recording system) includes a rod-shaped permanent magnet having its magnetic poles oriented along the cross-sectional dimension thereof. The rod is mounted for axial rotation within a concentrically arranged tube of electrically conductive material, and means are provided for biasing the rotational position of the magnet toward either of two nominal positions, 1/2.degree. apart. Upon being subjected to a torque, the magnet rotates toward either of its nominal positions, and oscillatory movement about such nominal positions is damped by eddy-current-produced magnetic forces in the conductive tube.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1989Date of Patent: May 28, 1991Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: William T. Fearnside, David M. Orlicki
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Patent number: 5019866Abstract: In a reprographic or graphic arts application halftoned latent images of a continuous tone original image are created by imagewise exposure of a photosensitive member through a pressurized screen assembly. A transparent platen supports the original with one or more lamps being provided to illuminate the original resting on the platen. The light image produced is transmitted by an optical system through the pressurized screen assembly to the image plane of a photosensitive member to create the latent image. A pressurized cell within the screen assembly prevents sagging of the screen such that in the image plane of the projected image, the spacing of the halftone imaged pattern is uniform. A single blower system is provided to supply either a negative or positive pressure for the cell, depending upon the direction of sag.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 1989Date of Patent: May 28, 1991Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventor: John E. Morse
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Patent number: 5016238Abstract: Disclosed herein is a linear actuator for controlling the movement of a payload along a linear trajectory. Such actuator is particularly useful, for example, in controlling the radial position of a write/read head in an optical or magnetic recorder/player. The actuator comprises a simple elongated ferromagnetic member, preferably having a substantially triangular cross-section. Such member is surrounded by a coil to which a payload-bearing carriage is rigidly connected. Bearing devices are provided for slidably mounting the carriage for movement on and along the ferromagnetic member. A plurality of magnets serve to establish a magnetic field through which the coil, upon applicaiton of a current, is advanced along the ferromagnetic member. The ferromagnetic member serves the dual function of conducting magnetic flux and guiding the payload along the linear trajectory.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1989Date of Patent: May 14, 1991Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Boris A. Shtipelman, Paul Heppner
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Patent number: 5013136Abstract: A method and apparatus for anamorphically shaping a beam of radiation and for deflecting such beam by 90.degree. independently of beam wavelength shifts within a predetermined wavelength range. The apparatus of the invention comprises an achromatic prism comprising a pair of prism elements of different optical materials. The prism elements are joined together to define a complex prism having four faces which interact with an incident beam to achieve a desired beam shaping and deflection. Two of such faces are parallel, one face being in a plane parallel to the direction of propagation of an incident beam, and the other being in a plane perpendicular to the beam exiting the prism.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 1990Date of Patent: May 7, 1991Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Frank R. Whitehead, Ingolf Sander
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Patent number: 5012380Abstract: A flexible magnetic data storage disk with a ferromagnetic surveillance ring-shaped marker integrally bonded to the disk substrate around the central aperture. A series of slits are formed in the disk substrate under the marker to serve as "tear initiators" if a user attempts to remove the surveillance marker thus rendering the disk unusable and thereby protecting the data on the disk from unauthorized removal from a secure area.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1989Date of Patent: April 30, 1991Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Peter J. Harissis, Jeffrey P. Serbicki
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Patent number: 5004865Abstract: A device for splicing together two lengths of fluid-cooled, electric cable of the type comprising an electrical conductor surrounding by a flexible conduit through which a cooling fluid, e.g., water, can flow for the purpose of conducting thermal energy away from the cable while the cable conducts high current. The splicing device comprises an electrically-conductive tubular member having a pair of spaced holes in the tube wall. The tubular member is adapted to be crimped at both ends upon the respective ends of the conductor portion of two lengths of such cable, and the outside diameter of such member is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the flexible conduit portion of the cable so that the respective ends of the conduit portion of such two lengths of cable can snugly slide over the tubular member from opposite ends. The holes are located in the tubular member to allow fluid to flow substantially uninterrupted from one cable length, through the tubular member, to the other cable length.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 1989Date of Patent: April 2, 1991Inventor: Theodore A. Krupnicki
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Patent number: 4998714Abstract: A sheet-feeding apparatus comprises sheet-feeding rollers for advancing sheets, one at a time, from a stack of sheet material. The sheet-feeding rollers are supported by a drive shaft which is mounted for movement toward and away from the sheet stack so that the feed rollers may be selectively displaced from the stack, for example, to effect sheet replenishment. A cam surface associated with a slidable stack support cooperates with a cam-follower associated with the roller shaft to effect displacement of the feed rollers from the stack during sliding movement of the stack support. A pair of one-way clutches and a rack and pinion arrangement cooperate to allow the sheet-feed rollers to rotate freely during initial contact with the top sheet in the stack, thereby avoiding premature feeding of such sheet during a stack reloading process.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1989Date of Patent: March 12, 1991Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Steven J. Sparer, William I. Morris
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Patent number: 4992338Abstract: A multilayer, direct-overwrite, magneto-optic recording elment comprises first and second layers of magnetic materials having different magnetic coercivities and Curie temperatures. Such layers are spaced apart by an intermediate layer comprising a readily polarizable non-magnetic metal. The intermediate layer serves to control the degree of magnetic exchange interaction between the magnetic layers, and prevents the constituents of the magnetic layers from diffusing between such layers.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1990Date of Patent: February 12, 1991Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Tukaram K. Hatwar, Douglas G. Stinson
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Patent number: 4989830Abstract: A rotatable valve stem in a fluid (e.g. water) hydrant controls the axial position of a plug relative to a valve seat to control fluid-flow through the valve seat. The valve stem is threaded into a bushing of the hydrant so that rotational movement of the stem causes axial movement thereof. According to the invention, rotation of such valve stem is motorized by the coupling of a rotatably-driven drive shaft of an electric motor to the valve stem. The motor and, optionally, a gearing arrangement are enclosed by a protective housing supported by the hydrant. The motor is slidably mounted within the protective housing to accommodate axial movement of the motor caused by the axial movement of the valve stem and its coupled motor drive shaft.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1990Date of Patent: February 5, 1991Assignee: Ratnik Industries, Inc.Inventor: H. Ronald Ratnik
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Patent number: 4990930Abstract: A continuous-tone thermal printer includes a transport mechanism for advancing a print medium past a thermal print head while continuous-tone image information is being printed, line-by-line, on the medium. To increase the rate at which thermal prints are produced, the printer includes asynchronous motor-control apparatus for selectively accelerating the movement of the print medium relative to the print head to quickly locate the print head at the start of a new image line immediately following the printing of that pixel(s) having the highest image density in the preceding image line. Preferably, such motor-control apparatus includes a digital signal processor which determines the maximum pixel density on each line. Upon printing such maximum pixel density, the digital signal processor causes a motor controller to temporarily increase the print medium velocity past the thermal print head to the start of the next image line.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1990Date of Patent: February 5, 1991Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Christopher A. Ludden, David A. Johnson
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Patent number: 4988873Abstract: Apparatus for scan-stimulating a transparent image-storage phosphor to recover a latent image previously formed therein by, for example, an imagewise exposure to x-radiation. Such apparatus includes a source of stimulating radiation and optical apparatus for causing the stimulating radiation to appear (to the storage phosphor) to diverge from the same position in space as the source (x-ray) used to form the latent image in the phosphor. By scanning the phosphor with stimulating radiation propagating along the same path as that traversed by the imagewise-exposing radiation, the recovered image is significantly sharper than prior art techniques.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1989Date of Patent: January 29, 1991Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Anthony R. Lubinsky, Robert W. Kulpinski
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Patent number: 4989189Abstract: Apparatus for playing-back information on a magneto-optic recording element includes a diffraction grating for splitting a read beam reflected from the recording element and modified by the recorded information into three beams. Two of such beams (i.e., the upper and lower first order diffracted beams) are used in a differential detection scheme to recover the recorded information, and the third beam (i.e., the zero order beam) is used to provide focus and/or tracking information.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 1988Date of Patent: January 29, 1991Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Ingolf Sander, Alan B. Marchant
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Patent number: 4987304Abstract: Apparatus for scanning a transparent storage phosphor including, a source of stimulating radiation, scanning apparatus, apparatus for supporting the transparent phosphor and apparatus for optically directing the scanning radiation from the scanning apparatus so that it always strikes the phosphor perpendicular to the surface of the phosphor. Preferably, the apparatus for directing the scanning radiation is a telecentric lens system located between the scanning apparatus and the phosphor.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1989Date of Patent: January 22, 1991Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Robert W. Kulpinski, Anthony R. Lubinsky
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Patent number: 4987502Abstract: A low-wear floppy disk drive system includes an anti-wear controller which randomly selects successive disk tracks to which it directs the disk read/write head whenever the disk drive is idle, so as to more evenly distribute head contact wear across lesser used portions of the disk, and thus increase disk life. The anti-wear controller does not intercede until after the disk drive has been idle for a minimum idle time (e.g. 15 seconds). After a maximum number (e.g., 6) of such idle periods--after the head has been moved a maximum number of times to randomly selected tracks--the anti-wear controller stops the disk rotation, thus stopping head contact wear on the disk altogether. The system excludes the most frequently used disk tracks--i.e., those tracks storing the disk file allocation tables--from the random selection. The system further excludes the innermost tracks on the disk--where the media is less compliant and disk wear more rapid--from the random selection.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1986Date of Patent: January 22, 1991Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventor: Robin J. Freeze