Patents Assigned to Polaroid Corporation
-
Patent number: 6061372Abstract: Disclosed is a two-level current driver suitable for driving a semiconductor laser for printing applications, the laser driver including a primary power source for producing a first current pulse of amplitude I.sub.1 and of duration T.sub.2, a secondary power source for producing a second current pulse of amplitude I.sub.2 and of duration T.sub.1, means for combining the outputs of the power sources, and sensing means for detecting the current pulse output from the primary power source.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1998Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: Polaroid CorporationInventors: William T. Plummer, Marc Thompson, Douglas S. Goodman, Peter P. Clark
-
Patent number: 6055375Abstract: A photographic apparatus for use with self-developing film wherein the apparatus comprises a light-tight housing assembly having a film unit exit for allowing the film units to exit the housing assembly; an exposure control assembly including a shutter button; the exposure control assembly includes a biased carriage assembly movable between ambient, strobe and strobe charge positions in response to manual displacement thereof; a spread roller assembly including spread rollers for spreading the processing fluid in the film units; a manually operable drive mechanism is mounted in the housing assembly for bidirectional linear movement between extended and retracted positions and carries a pick for engaging and advancing a topmost film unit of the film stack into the nip, and for rotatably driving the spread roller member in response to pulling of the drive mechanism by an operator to process the film unit and eject the same from the exit; and, an interlocking assembly cooperates with the shutter button and the dType: GrantFiled: February 4, 1998Date of Patent: April 25, 2000Assignee: Polaroid CorporationInventors: Lawrence M. Douglas, John P. Kirby, Kenneth J. Launie, Frank S. Silveira
-
Patent number: 6055258Abstract: A semiconductor laser device is disclosed in which the device comprises one or more ion-implanted regions as a means to decrease the occurrence of device failures attributable to dark-line defects. The ion-implanted regions, which are formed between the laser gain cavity and the regions of probable dark-line defect origination, serve to modify the electrical, optical, and mechanical properties of the device lattice structure, thus reducing or eliminating the propagation of dark-line defects emanating from constituent defects or bulk material imperfections which may be present in the device.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1998Date of Patent: April 25, 2000Assignee: Polaroid CorporationInventors: Dana M. Beyea, Todd Martin Dixon, Edward M. Clausen, Jr.
-
Patent number: 6055374Abstract: A foldable camera having a base housing containing a self-developing film unit, and an upper housing including an objective lens. The housings extend generally parallel to each other, and in the folded inoperative position, the upper housing overlies and engages the lower housing forming a compact unit. In moving between the folded and unfolded positions, the upper housing moves through planes generally parallel to the base housing, such action being provided by a linkage. A foldable flash unit is movable between a folded inoperative position extending over the upper housing and covering the objective lens, and an unfolded position projecting above the upper housing to expose a flash.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 1998Date of Patent: April 25, 2000Assignee: Polaroid CorporationInventor: Lawrence M. Douglas
-
Patent number: 6054246Abstract: An imaging medium comprises a substrate carrying a color-change layer. This color-change layer comprises two layers or phases comprising two color-forming reagents which react upon heating to cause a change in the color of the layer. The color-change layer is deactivated by exposure to actinic radiation such that after deactivation it no longer undergoes its thermal color-change. The color-change layer is detachable from the substrate by heating to a temperature lower than required to cause the color change, so that upon contact of the imaging medium with a receiving sheet each individual pixel of the color-change layer may be left attached to the substrate, transferred to the receiving sheet but left uncolored, or transferred to the receiving sheet and colored to a color level determined by the energy used in the associated thermal print head element.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1998Date of Patent: April 25, 2000Assignee: Polaroid CorporationInventors: Jayprakash C. Bhatt, Daoshen Bi, F. Richard Cottrell, Rong C. Liang, William C. Schwarzel, Tung F. Yeh
-
Patent number: 6046815Abstract: An optical printer is disclosed which detects photo speed, cartridge presence, pick location and door closure using only two sets of photo detectors. The disclosed optical printer uses a low-profile gear and switching mechanism which allows placement of the optical printer within a standard computer bay.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1997Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Assignee: Polaroid CorporationInventor: Bruce K. Johnson
-
Patent number: 6037950Abstract: A method and system for facilitating image transfer between transform spaces by establishing a configurable, extensible, integrated profile generation and maintenance environment in a computer system includes the steps of providing a profile generation environment, a profile viewing environment, a profile editing environment, and a profile validation environment. The software for implementing the profile generation integrates each of the available environments, is configured to cause a desired sequence of steps to take place, and is extensible by allowing the addition or modification of capabilities without the need to update the main software program in terms of recompilation or relinking.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 1997Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Assignee: Polaroid CorporationInventors: Israel Meir, Mitchell R. Balonon-Rosen, Jay E. Thornton, Daniel P. Bybell, Michael C. Antin, F. Richard Cottrell
-
Patent number: 6038403Abstract: A camera housing a strip of receiving sheet of self-developable film material; a strip of negative photosensitive film material of the self-developing type having discrete exposable portions spaced apart thereon. A pressure applying assembly e merges the strips into the superimposable relationship to form corresponding separated image forming subassemblies in response to pulling the strips from the camera. The assembly effects release of processing fluid in rupturable containers on the sheet to initiate processing of the film. A device is operative in one mode for allowing pulling of the strips and thereby the formation of an image forming subassemblies through the pressure applying device, and in a second mode for automatically stopping formation and processing of a successive one of the image forming subassemblies. In one embodiment, the device is connected to the shutter unit and is operated when the shutter is actuated.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 1997Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Assignee: Polaroid CorporationInventor: John E. Meschter
-
Patent number: 6020983Abstract: A method is provided for the manufacture of a holographic eye-covering article, the eye-covering article having an interference pattern corresponding to a predetermined three-dimensional object holographically prerecorded in a planar hologram layer, the interference pattern capable of being "played back" to an observer without being "played back" to said bearer. Functionality of the eye-covering article is effected in part by a light transmissive eyepiece, the eyepiece being uniaxially-curved and preferably comprising in sequence a thin web, a planar layer comprising the holographically prerecorded interference pattern, an adhesive layer, and a rigid optical substrate.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1996Date of Patent: February 1, 2000Assignee: Polaroid CorporationInventors: Martha J. Neu, James J. Sullivan, Jr.
-
Patent number: 6019525Abstract: A photographic film assemblage comprising: a plurality of photographic elements connected in end-to-end fashion and a separable portion connected to and between adjacent pairs of the elements is disclosed wherein each of the separable portions has at least a weakened segment that separates when pulled and allows adjacent pairs of the elements to separate. At least one layer is connected to one of the elements so as to extend generally longitudinally along the film assemblage and be in overlying relationship to at least the weakened portion. The layer is constructed and sized to reduce friction on the film assemblage in operative relationship to the pressure applying members to thereby enhance separation of the separable portions and the elements.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1999Date of Patent: February 1, 2000Assignee: Polaroid CorporationInventor: Philip R. Norris
-
Patent number: 6015907Abstract: 2,4,6-Trisubstituted pyridines wherein at least one of the substituents is a para-(N,N-diarylamino)phenyl group, and the other two substituents are alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl groups are useful as image dyes in acid-mediated imaging media, since the colored forms of these dyes display improved photostability as compared with similar trisubstituted pyridines which lack the para-(N,N-diarylamino)phenyl group. Salts of these trisubstituted pyridines are also useful in sensitizing 'onium salts to blue visible or similar radiation.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 1997Date of Patent: January 18, 2000Assignee: Polaroid CorporationInventor: John L. Marshall
-
Patent number: 6014166Abstract: A system operative with photon tunneling microscopy presents an image on a two-dimensional display which is perceived as a three-dimensional presentation by a person viewing the display. An optical image of the subject produced by the microscope is scanned by means of a television vidicon which converts the optical signal to an electric signal representing depth of a surface feature. The electric signal is outputted to the display wherein the image is presented as a set of line scans parallel to the horizontal axis of the display, and wherein the magnitude of the electric signal is plotted on the vertical axis of the display. A variable delay is introduced to be either increased or decreased stepwise between successive ones of the line scans. This results in a tilting of the presentation to the right or the left. Two tilted views are presented simultaneously, one to one eye and one to the other eye of an observer, to give a perception of a three-dimensional view.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1995Date of Patent: January 11, 2000Assignee: Polaroid CorporationInventor: John M. Guerra
-
Patent number: 6014202Abstract: An optical system is disclosed wherein an illumination device is used to project colored light into a lens and focus through a spatial light modulator onto a photosensitive medium wherein the illumination device is configured so as to produce a uniform light distribution through the use of an aperture stop, a symmetrical placement of solid state light sources such as LEDs, or by LEDs fabricated such that the top surface emitting the colored light is not obstructed by an electrode or contacts connecting the light-emitting diode to a current source. Such a configuration is accomplished by providing a substantially transparent attachment layer that may include an opaque conductive material, but preferably includes transparent conductive particles that, in combination, attach and electrically connect the LED to a first electrode disposed upon a substrate.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1997Date of Patent: January 11, 2000Assignee: Polaroid CorporationInventors: Philip D. Chapnik, Bruce K. Johnson, Richard G. Egan, Joseph DelPico
-
Patent number: 6011577Abstract: Disclosed is a laser print head, suitable for use with a recording medium, comprising a print head base comprising a plurality of mounting surfaces, one or more optical radiation source removably affixed to a first base mounting surface, at least one collimating lens, at least one focusing lens affixed to a second base mounting surface, a pre-objective lens affixed to a third base mounting surface; an objective lens, and one or more optional mirror facets.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1997Date of Patent: January 4, 2000Assignee: Polaroid CorporationInventors: Douglas S. Goodman, William T. Plummer, Jeffrey W. Roblee
-
Patent number: 6010790Abstract: An ink jet recording sheet comprises a support carrying an ink-receiving layer, this layer comprising a hydrophilic polymer, preferably poly(vinyl alcohol) and a poly(vinylbenzyl quaternary ammonium salt) of the formula: ##STR1## wherein each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 is independently alkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; each of R.sup.7, R.sup.8 and R.sup.9 is independently alkyl of from 1 to 18 carbon atoms and the total number of carbon atoms in R.sup.7, R.sup.8 and R.sup.9 is from 13 to 20; each M.sup.- is an anion; and each of a, b and c is the molar proportion of the respective repeating units.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 1997Date of Patent: January 4, 2000Assignee: Polaroid CorporationInventors: Yung T. Chen, Gerald P. Harwood, Jr., Michael S. Viola
-
Patent number: 6008834Abstract: A bouncing ball scanner is described which is a ball driven in a reciprocal motion for reflecting image-bearing light onto a photosensitive medium. The image-bearing light can be dictated by a computer, in which case the photosensitive medium may be film for a printed output, or the image-bearing light may be reflected from a subject having an image imprinted thereon, and the photosensitive medium may be a charge coupled device where the image is being read into a computer. The bouncing ball scanner comprises a ball being driven in a reciprocal motion by electromagnetic forces acting thereon. The motion of the bouncing ball is substantially linear in each direction so as to allow ease of calculation of ball position thereby ease of knowledge of pixel position on the photosensitive medium.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1995Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: Polaroid CorporationInventors: John R. Lewis, Kestutius Norvaisa, Steve R. Gomez, Jacinto P. Carrera, Ernest C. Wettstein
-
Patent number: 6007660Abstract: Apparatus and method suitable for making a plurality of laminated substrates by applying a plurality of laminate sheets to corresponding plurality of substrates. The apparatus includes a lamina supply member capable of holding a supply of lamina from which successive sheets of lamina can be cut. A cutter is disposed in the apparatus such that the cutter is capable of cutting through the lamina to provide said successive sheets of laminate. A heater is provided for bonding each successive sheet of laminate to a corresponding substrate whereby the corresponding laminated substrate is formed. The supply of lamina is characterized by a current leading edge. The supply of lamina is cut through along a cutting line at a predetermined distance from the current leading edge of the lamina. This provides a first sheet of laminate having a trailing edge at the cutting line. Cutting also provides the lamina supply with a successive leading edge at the cutting line.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1997Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: Polaroid CorporationInventor: Maurice J. Forkert
-
Patent number: 6009277Abstract: An imaging apparatus and method for singulating individual film units from a self-developing integral film which units are carried serially in spaced apart relationship to each other are provided. The imaging portion of each unit is stiffer than associated leading and trailing portions whereby the leading portion beyond the pressure applying assembly is severed, while the severed flexible portion is diverted toward a receiving area therefor as the film unit advances along a path. Thereafter, provision is made for severing the strip along a trailing edge adjacent the imaging portion as the imaging portion advances along the path towards the exit; and, diverting the relatively flexible trailing portion from the path to a receiving area therefor as the film unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1998Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: Polaroid CorporationInventor: Philip R. Norris
-
Patent number: 6008907Abstract: A system and method for calibrating a printer includes the steps or functions of: printing a predetermined color test pattern with the printer by transforming data, representing said predetermined color test pattern, from a device-independent color space to a device-dependent color space associated with the printer by use of a color transform, said predetermined color test pattern including a set of color patches with one of said color patches representing a preferred mid-gray hue; providing a predetermined reference gray surface; comparing said reference gray surface to said set of colored patches of the printed test pattern to find a closest matching one of said patches, if the closest matching one of said patches is the patch representing the preferred mid-gray hue, then ending the method; otherwise determining, for each color channel of the printer, a solution set of correction values as a function of believed gray versus actual gray, said solution set derived from and including a white point, a black poiType: GrantFiled: October 15, 1997Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: Polaroid CorporationInventors: Michael J. Vigneau, Jay E. Thornton, Bror O. Hultgren, III
-
Patent number: 6004719Abstract: A process for producing an image uses an imaging medium comprising an acid-generating layer or phase comprising a mixture of a superacid precursor, a sensitizing dye and a secondary acid generator, and a color-change layer comprising an image dye. The sensitizing dye has first and second forms, the first form having substantially greater substantial absorption in a first wavelength range than the second form. The superacid precursor is not capable, in the absence of the first form of the sensitizing dye, of being decomposed by radiation in the first wavelength range. The secondary acid generator is capable of thermal decomposition, catalyzed by superacid, to form a secondary acid. While at least part of the sensitizing dye is in its first form, the medium is imagewise exposed to radiation in the first wavelength range, thereby causing, in the exposed areas of the acid-generating layer, the formation of superacid.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1997Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Assignee: Polaroid CorporationInventors: Russell A. Gaudiana, Robert W. Haddock, Serajul Haque, Iris B. Kliman Bloom, John L. Marshall, Socorro M. Ramos, Larry C. Takiff, Stephen J. Telfer, Michael A. Young