Patents by Inventor David C. Smart

David C. Smart 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: 6735388
    Abstract: A camera has a body having an exposure frame surrounding an exposure opening. The exposure frame has a window. A mask core is mounted in the body. The mask core has an axis of rotation extending transverse to the exposure frame. The mask core has a plurality of sectors arranged about the axis of rotation. Each sector has an active position adjoining the window. Each sector shades the window differently in the respective active position. A drive is coupled to the mask core. The drive selectively rotates the mask core between the active positions of each of the sectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: David C. Smart
  • Patent number: 6728483
    Abstract: A camera has a body and a film holder having an exposure frame surrounding an exposure opening. A taking lens system is mounted to the body. The taking lens system has an optical axis. The taking lens system transmits a scene image through the exposure opening. A screener is mounted to the body. The screener is movable, relative to the exposure frame, between a primary position and a plurality of different secondary positions. The screener shadows the exposure frame differently in each secondary position. The exposure frame is unshaded when the screener is in the primary position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David C. Smart, Anthony Dirisio, Joel S. Lawther, Robert L. Walker, Edward B. Gindele, David A. Hodder
  • Publication number: 20040071462
    Abstract: In a photography method, a determination is made that a set of captured images includes one or more encoded captured images having a partial shading encodement. The partial shading is partial shadowing or partial filtering or a combination of the two. The encodement has a predetermined edge pattern and is disposed within a predetermined subarea of an image. An encoded captured image is digitized to provide a digital image having a plurality of pixels. A plurality of pixel templates of an edge pattern and the pixels in the subarea of the digital image are convolved to provide a plurality of template position metrics. Each pixel template has the same shape. Each pixel template is differently located in said subarea. The highest of the template position metrics and a predetermined threshold template position metric value of the edge pattern are compared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Edward B. Gindele, Joel S. Lawther, David C. Smart
  • Publication number: 20040071465
    Abstract: A camera has a body and a film holder having an exposure frame surrounding an exposure opening. A taking lens system is mounted to the body. The taking lens system has an optical axis. The taking lens system transmits a scene image through the exposure opening. A screener is mounted to the body. The screener is movable, relative to the exposure frame, between a primary position and a plurality of different secondary positions. The screener shadows the exposure frame differently in each secondary position. The exposure frame is unshaded when the screener is in the primary position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David C. Smart, Anthony Dirisio, Joel S. Lawther, Robert L. Walker, Edward B. Gindele, David A. Hodder
  • Publication number: 20040071464
    Abstract: A camera has a body having an exposure frame surrounding an exposure opening. The exposure frame has a window. A mask core is mounted in the body. The mask core has an axis of rotation extending transverse to the exposure frame. The mask core has a plurality of sectors arranged about the axis of rotation. Each sector has an active position adjoining the window. Each sector shades the window differently in the respective active position. A drive is coupled to the mask core. The drive selectively rotates the mask core between the active positions of each of the sectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: David C. Smart
  • Publication number: 20040070676
    Abstract: In a photography method, a film image is scanned and digitized to provide a digital image. An identifier associated with the film image is read. The identifier points to a group of filter effects. Each filter effect has a preassigned digital modification. The modifications are not remedial for the respective filter effects. One of the filter effects is detected in the digital image. Responsive to the detecting of that filter effect, the preassigned digital modification is applied to the digital image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joel S. Lawther, Anthony DiRisio, David C. Smart, Edward B. Gindele
  • Patent number: 6711355
    Abstract: A camera, used with photographic film, has a body having an exposure support surrounding an exposure opening. The body defines an encoder light path. An encoder is mounted in the body in alignment with the encoder light path. The encoder has an axis of rotation. The encoder has a marker occupying part of the encoder light path. The marker has a pair of subunits. The subunits are opposed relative to the axis of rotation. A drive is coupled to the encoder. The drive selectively rotates the encoder about the axis of rotation between a primary position and a plurality of secondary positions. The subunits are both disposed in the encoder light path in all of the positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David C. Smart, Craig A. Baker
  • Patent number: 6549728
    Abstract: An interface control assembly for a one-time-use camera having a recording device includes a controller for receiving and storing photofinishing information and a communication device that transfers the information from the controller to the recording device of the camera to cause the information to be written on a filmstrip. The photography arrangement includes a one-time-use camera as well as the interface control arrangement. This permits the one-time-use camera to be customized with a magnetic recording on the film while providing the expensive components involved in magnetic recording on the film outside of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David C. Smart, Craig A. Baker, Michael L. Wash
  • Publication number: 20020071666
    Abstract: An interface control assembly for a one-time-use camera having a recording device includes a controller for receiving and storing photofinishing information and a communication device that transfers the information from the controller to the recording device of the camera to cause the information to be written on a filmstrip. The photography arrangement includes a one-time-use camera as well as the interface control arrangement. This permits the one-time-use camera to be customized with a magnetic recording on the film while providing the expensive components involved in magnetic recording on the film outside of the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David C. Smart, Craig A. Baker, Michael L. Wash
  • Patent number: 6298200
    Abstract: An exposure count indicator for providing a visible indication of the number of frames that remain available to be exposed or are actually exposed on a filmstrip in a camera, comprises a numerical scale of successive exposure count indicia at least divided into an initial range of indicia that are evenly spaced from one another a particular distance and a remaining range of indicia that are evenly spaced from one another a different distance less than the particular distance the exposure count indicia that are in the initial range are spaced from one another, in order that when one views the respective indicia in the remaining range after all of the indicia in the initial range have been viewed it can serve as a warning that one is coming closer to the end of the filmstrip because the indicia in the remaining range are spaced apart a lesser distance than the indicia in the initial range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Loretta E. Allen, David C. Smart
  • Patent number: 6275656
    Abstract: In a method for associating a film unit and a one-time use camera, a first copy of a unique identifier is recorded on the film unit. A logical memory unit and the identifier are associated. The logical memory unit is physically remote from the film unit. The film unit is loaded in the one-time use camera body. A second copy of the unique identifier is recorded on the one-time use camera body. The second copy is accessible independent of the film unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David Cipolla, David C. Smart
  • Patent number: 6272287
    Abstract: In a method and system for handling photofinishing customization data for a film unit having a unique identifier, a logical memory unit is allocated to the film unit. The logical memory unit is remote from the film unit. The logical memory unit has the identifier and a plurality of photofinishing parameters for the film unit. Changes in the photofinishing parameters are written in the logical memory unit from remote input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David Cipolla, David C. Smart
  • Patent number: 6240251
    Abstract: A photography system includes a plurality of film units and a remotely-accessed look-up table. The film units each have an access code that can be accessed independent of a filmstrip or digital image store. The look-up table has a read-write logical memory unit allocated to each of the film units. The logical memory units each have an access right secured by a respective access code. In a method, the access code is generated, the logical memory unit is allocated to the film unit, and the film unit is sold or otherwise transferred. The film unit is accompanied by the access code for that film unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David C. Smart, David Cipolla
  • Patent number: 6222993
    Abstract: A method authorizes the holder of a film unit to access a look-up table having stored data The film unit bears an access code having an encrypted first segment. In the method, the film unit is registered and the first segment is detected. The first segment is decrypted to obtain a code value. The code value is matched to a second segment and access to the stored data is allowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David C. Smart, David Cipolla
  • Patent number: 6201931
    Abstract: A method and system that handle user and producer photofinishing customization data for a film unit having a unique identifier. In the method, a user access code is generated. A logical memory unit is allocated to the film unit. The logical memory unit is remote from the film unit. The logical memory unit indicates the identifier. The logical memory unit has a user subunit and a producer subunit. The subunits are each independently writable and have separate access rights. The user access code, but not the producer access code, accompanies the film unit when it is sold or otherwise transferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David Cipolla, David C. Smart, Robert L. Walker
  • Patent number: 6192193
    Abstract: A method is provided for storing information related to a photographic film unit that includes a local data memory such as magnetic media or an electronic memory unit. In the method, a logical memory unit and the film unit are associated. The logical memory unit is physically remote from the film unit. Exposure-independent information for the film unit is written to the logical memory unit. Exposure-dependent information is written to the local data memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David C. Smart, David Cipolla
  • Patent number: 6185371
    Abstract: A photofinishing system includes film units, a remote look-up table, and photofinishing apparatus. The photofinishing apparatus has a reader to read identifiers on the film units, a communicator to interface with the look-up table to poll the table for photofinishing parameters for the film units, and a processor that generates digital images responsive to the photofinishing parameters. In a method, a film unit containing a plurality of captured images is received. A remote look-up table having a logical memory unit uniquely associated with the film unit is accessed. The logical memory unit designates a plurality of photofinishing parameters for the film unit. The film unit is processed responsive to the photofinishing parameters. Information about the processing of the film unit is recorded in the logical memory unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David C. Smart, David Cipolla
  • Patent number: 6147744
    Abstract: A method provides archival storage of information related to a photographic film unit having a local data memory. In the method, a logical memory is allocated to the film unit. The logical memory unit is physically remote from the film unit. Photofinishing parameters for the film unit are written to the logical memory unit for use by a photofinishing unit. The photofinishing parameters are also written to the local data memory. After an expiration of time, the logical memory unit is no longer maintained. A replacement logical memory unit can be later reallocated to the film unit and the information in the local data memory can be written to the replacement logical memory unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David C. Smart, David Cipolla
  • Patent number: 6144807
    Abstract: A method keeps photographic film current. In the method, a logical memory unit is allocated to the photographic film unit. The logical memory unit is remote from the film unit. A plurality of photofinishing parameters for the film unit are designated. The logical memory unit is maintained for a time period sufficient to cause aging. The photofinishing parameters are updated counteractive to the aging and photofinishing can then be performed using the updated parameters for the film unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David C. Smart, David Cipolla, David A. Hodder
  • Patent number: 6104877
    Abstract: A method and system for compensating for film unit defects. In the method, a film unit is manufactured that has a unique identifier and a predetermined image quality defect. The image quality defect is subject to compensation by a predetermined digital compensation. A logical memory unit is allocated to the film unit. The logical memory unit is remote from the film unit. The logical memory unit indicates the identifier and a plurality of photofinishing parameters for the film unit including the predetermined digital compensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David C. Smart, David Cipolla