Patents by Inventor Clyde W. Hinkle

Clyde W. Hinkle 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: 6788335
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method for signal modulation adjustment. The method comprises illuminating a reference target and a region of film with a first light source for a first time interval. The method further comprises capturing image data from the film in response to a first amount of light reflected from the film with a first sensor for a first integration time. The method also comprises approximately simultaneously producing a first reference output in response to a first amount of light reflected from the reference target in a field of view of a reference sensor. More particularly, the method further comprises adjusting the data in response to the reference output. In a further embodiment, the method comprises adjusting an output illumination level of the first light source in response to the first reference output before a next time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert S. Young, Jr., Marc C. Digby, Christopher P. Hansen, Clyde W. Hinkle, II, Jon Isom, G. Gregory Mooty
  • Patent number: 6707557
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a system for estimating sensor and illumination non-uniformities. The system comprises a first light source, and a first sensor operable to capture light reflected from a first side of film illuminated by the light source while the film has a developer chemical applied thereto and processing circuitry coupled to the first sensor. The processing circuitry is operable to capture a first plurality of readings from the sensor responsive to light reflected from an unexposed region of film to determine a first set of non-uniformity data and adjust image data obtained from the film in response to the first set of non-uniformity data. In a further embodiment, the processing circuitry is further operable to dim the first light source for at least a portion of the time that the sensor is being used to sense the unexposed region of the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert S. Young, Jr., Richard D. Ball, Mark S. Bishop, Marc C. Digby, Christopher P. Hansen, Clyde W. Hinkle, II, Philip E. Cannata
  • Publication number: 20010052932
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a digital film processing system having a first light source operable to illuminate film. The digital film processing system also includes a first sensor operable to produce a first output in response to a first amount of light reflected from the film for a first time interval and a second sensor operable to produce a second output in response to a second amount of light passed through the film for the first time interval. The digital film processing system further includes processing circuitry coupled to the first light source and operable to adjust the output of the first light source in response to the first and second outputs so that the first sensor and the second sensor do not saturate. More particularly, the processing circuitry is further operable to adjust image data obtained from the film in response to the first and second outputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: Robert S. Young, Richard D. Ball, G. Gregory Mooty, Marc C. Digby, Christopher P. Hansen, Clyde W. Hinkle, Jon D. Isom, Philip E. Cannata
  • Publication number: 20010030686
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method for signal modulation adjustment. The method comprises illuminating a reference target and a region of film with a first light source for a first time interval. The method further comprises capturing image data from the film in response to a first amount of light reflected from the film with a first sensor for a first integration time. The method also comprises approximately simultaneously producing a first reference output in response to a first amount of light reflected from the reference target in a field of view of a reference sensor. More particularly, the method further comprises adjusting the data in response to the reference output. In a further embodiment, the method comprises adjusting an output illumination level of the first light source in response to the first reference output before a next time interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventors: Robert S. Young, Marc C. Digby, Christopher P. Hansen, Clyde W. Hinkle, Jon D. Isom, G. Gregory Mooty
  • Publication number: 20010030750
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a system for estimating sensor and illumination non-uniformities. The system comprises a first light source, and a first sensor operable to capture light reflected from a first side of film illuminated by the light source while the film has a developer chemical applied thereto and processing circuitry coupled to the first sensor. The processing circuitry is operable to capture a first plurality of readings from the sensor responsive to light reflected from an unexposed region of film to determine a first set of non-uniformity data and adjust image data obtained from the film in response to the first set of non-uniformity data. In a further embodiment, the processing circuitry is further operable to dim the first light source for at least a portion of the time that the sensor is being used to sense the unexposed region of the film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventors: Robert S. Young, Richard D. Ball, Mark S. Bishop, Marc C. Digby, Christopher P. Hansen, Clyde W. Hinkle, Philip E. Cannata