Patents by Inventor James E. Roddy

James E. Roddy 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: 8796627
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided having a source for illuminating a remote surface with at least one wavelength of light (e.g., in the range of 940 to 970 nm), a detector for receiving returned illumination from the surface and providing an analog signal representative of the returned illumination, and a controller which samples the analog signal to obtain sample data representative of amplitude of light of the source returned from the surface by the detector. The controller determines the presence of water (or moisture, liquid, ice, vapor or heavy gases) on the surface in accordance with the sample data. An audible alarm is activatable by the controller. The source and detector are in a housing in perpendicular or non-perpendicular orientations with respect to the surface. Such housing being mountable at a distance from the surface where water detection is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Techwell Consulting LLC
    Inventors: Thomas L. Rockwell, James E. Roddy
  • Publication number: 20120140233
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided having a source for illuminating a remote surface with at least one wavelength of light (e.g., in the range of 940 to 970 nm), a detector for receiving returned illumination from the surface and providing an analog signal representative of the returned illumination, and a controller which samples the analog signal to obtain sample data representative of amplitude of light of the source returned from the surface by the detector. The controller determines the presence of water (or moisture, liquid, ice, vapor or heavy gases) on the surface in accordance with the sample data. An audible alarm is activatable by the controller. The source and detector are in a housing in perpendicular or non-perpendicular orientations with respect to the surface. Such housing being mountable at a distance from the surface where water detection is desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas L. Rockwell, James E. Roddy
  • Patent number: 7782347
    Abstract: A printing apparatus (100) for printing digital images onto a photosensitive medium (140) employing, for exposure energy, a light source (20) that uses various arrays of LEDs (32). The printing apparatus (100) may form the print image using sequential modulation, one color at a time, or by applying all colors simultaneously. Arrangements of discrete LEDs (32) may include high-intensity devices configured with collector cones (41) arranged as a multicone structure (141), with parabolic reflectors (65), or collimating lenses (36). Large area LEDs (46) may alternately be used, arranged on an angled mounting surface (64), for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Martin E. Oehlbeck, Richard L. Druzynski, Robert J. Zolla, James E. Roddy
  • Patent number: 7369268
    Abstract: A printing apparatus (100) for printing digital images onto a photosensitive medium (140) employing, for exposure energy, a light source (20) that uses various arrays of LEDs (32). The printing apparatus (100) may form the print image using sequential modulation, one color at a time, or by applying all colors simultaneously. Arrangements of discrete LEDs (32) may include high-intensity devices configured with collector cones (41) arranged as a multicone structure (141), with parabolic reflectors (65), or collimating lenses (36). Large area LEDs (46) may alternately be used, arranged on an angled mounting surface (64), for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Martin E. Oehlbeck, Richard L. Druzynski, Robert J. Zolla, James E. Roddy
  • Patent number: 7301497
    Abstract: A method for display of radar data includes performing a first radar scan to obtain, for at least one object (24), a first range reading, a first azimuth reading, and a first altitude reading. A second radar scan is then performed to obtain, for the at least one object (24), a second range reading, a second azimuth reading, and a second altitude reading. Position and travel direction of the at least one object (24) are computed within a predetermined cylindrical volume (20), according to readings from the first and second radar scans. An icon (34) is assigned to the at least one object (24). A reference point (R) is determined for the predetermined cylindrical volume. The icon (34) is then displayed within the predetermined cylindrical volume (20) in stereoscopic form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, William M. Barnick
  • Patent number: 7165842
    Abstract: An improved autostereoscopic display apparatus (10) forms left and right virtual images for pupil imaging by forming, through a beamsplitter (16), a real intermediate image near the focal surface of a curved mirror (24). A circular polarizer (90) is disposed at a position between viewing pupils (14l, 14r) and the beamsplitter (16), minimizing glare due to stray light reflection from the curved mirror surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joshua M. Cobb, Mark E. Bridges, Allan M. Waugh, James E. Roddy
  • Patent number: 7057654
    Abstract: An imaging camera apparatus (20) for capturing images electronically and providing output data for four separate color channels, red, green, blue, and a fourth saturated primary color, expanding the color gamut over conventional three color channel cameras. An image acquisition unit (120) directs input light to one, two, or four photosensors (30) for obtaining four-color image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla, Nelson A. Blish, Lou Horvath
  • Patent number: 6999838
    Abstract: A system and method of stabilizing laser output levels includes a laser (10), an injection circuit for injecting a radio frequency waveform, and a control circuit for energizing and stabilizing the laser. The radio frequency waveform injected by the injection circuit has a high duty cycle to maintain high output power while providing a stable multimode spectrum. A back facet photodiode sensor (102) detects radiation emitted from a back facet semiconductor laser (101) and provides a feedback signal to the control circuit (41) for maintaining the laser output power. The response of the photodiode is not fast enough to track intensity variations due to the RF waveform, and thus provides feedback to the control circuit (41) only when there is a substantial need to adjust laser power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, William R. Markis
  • Patent number: 6980321
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of printing images onto a photosensitive media (140) using multiple reflective spatial light modulators (87, 88, 89, 90, 95, 97). In the apparatus and method, illumination optics uniformize and image light from at least one light source (20) through polarization beamsplitting elements (60, 63). The polarization beamsplitting elements (60, 63) divide the illumination light into two polarization states. One polarization state of the illumination light illuminates the reflective spatial light modulators (87, 88, 89, 90, 95, 97) in a telecentric manner. The reflective spatial light modulators (87, 88, 89, 90, 95, 97) are addressed with image data signals. The reflective spatial light modulators (87, 88, 89, 90, 95, 97) modulate the polarized illumination light on a site by site basis and reflect the modulated light back through the polarization beamsplitting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Sujatha Ramanujan, David Kessler, James E. Roddy
  • Patent number: 6980280
    Abstract: A two level image writer (10) forms an image from digital data onto a photosensitive medium. A first level illumination system has a first source (20) for emitting a first polarized light beam having a first color; a second source (22) for emitting a second polarized light beam having a second color; and a third source (26) for emitting a third polarized light beam having a third color. A fold mirrors directs each beam to a second level. Three polarizing beamsplitters (73, 75, 77) on the second level receive the polarized beams from the fold mirrors and isolate polarization states of each of the first, second, and third polarized light beam. Three spatial light modulators (90, 95, 97) on the second level modulate the first, second, and third polarized light beam from the polarizing beamsplitter prisms to form an array of image pixels according to said digital data. A diechroic combiner (86) combines the three modulated light beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla, Richard L. Druzynski
  • Patent number: 6930797
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of printing images (10) onto a photosensitive media (140) using multiple reflective spatial light modulators. In the apparatus and method, illumination optics (25) uniformize and image light from at least one light source through polarization beamsplitting elements (80). The polarization beamsplitting elements (80) divide the illumination light into two polarization states. One polarization state of the illumination light illuminates the reflective spatial light modulators in a telecentric manner. The reflective spatial light modulators are addressed with image data signals. The reflective spatial light modulators modulate the polarized illumination light on a site by site basis and reflect the modulated light back through the polarized beamsplitting elements (80). The modulated light beams are combined to form an image, which is directed through a print lens (110) to expose a photosensitive media (140).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Sujatha Ramanujan, David Kessler, James E. Roddy
  • Patent number: 6930759
    Abstract: A printing method and apparatus (100) for pre-exposing a digital watermark along a length of photosensitive medium at the time of manufacture is disclosed. The printing apparatus has an illumination source (60) for providing an exposure illumination, first and second LCD spatial light modulators (90a, 90b) for modulating the exposure illumination to form first and second exposure patterns according to image data, combining optics providing a single output path for directing both first and second exposure patterns onto the photosensitive medium and transport means for providing, during exposure, lengthwise displacement of the photosensitive medium with respect to the output path. The first and second exposure patterns form, lengthwise along the photosensitive medium, a latent image with modulated stripes having a predetermined intensity corresponding to the exposure patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla, Louis S. Horvath
  • Patent number: 6882356
    Abstract: A printing method and apparatus (100) for pre-exposing a digital watermark image onto a photosensitive medium (140) at the time of manufacture is disclosed. For exposure energy, the apparatus employs a single color light source (60) consisting of an array of LEDs. The LEDs are spatially modulated in intensity by means of a reflective LCD array (91). The photosensitive medium (140) may be compensated to allow such single color pre-exposure while avoiding hue shift and contrast loss. The exposure at the film may be increased by: employing partial frame illumination, pulsing the LEDs with high currents with short pulse durations and low duty cycles, employing two LCD devices (91, 92) to utilize both polarizations, and dichroically combining two LED (60, 61) arrays of slightly different wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla, Leslie Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 6871956
    Abstract: An autostereoscopic optical apparatus (10) for viewing a stereoscopic virtual image comprises a left image to be viewed by an observer (12) at a left viewing pupil (14l) and a right image to be viewed by the observer at a right viewing pupil (14r). The apparatus comprises a left pupil imaging system for forming the left image. A right pupil imaging system forms the right image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joshua M. Cobb, David Kessler, James E. Roddy
  • Patent number: 6863402
    Abstract: A display system (10) for digital color images using six color light sources (12) or two or more multicolor LED arrays (212, 213) or OLEDs (220, 222) to provide an expanded color gamut. Apparatus (10) uses two or more spatial light modulators (20, 21), which may be cycled between two or more color light sources (12) or LED arrays (212, 213) to provide a six-color display output. Pairing of modulated colors using relative luminance helps to minimize flicker effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla, Nelson A. Blish, Louis S. Horvath
  • Patent number: 6857748
    Abstract: A display system (10) for digital color images using six color light sources (12) or two or more multicolor LED arrays (212, 213) or OLEDs (220, 222) to provide an expanded color gamut. Apparatus (10) uses two or more spatial light modulators (20, 21), which may be cycled between two or more color light sources (12) or LED arrays (212, 213) to provide a six-color display output. Pairing of modulated colors using relative luminance helps to minimize flicker effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla, Nelson A. Blish, Louis S. Horvath
  • Patent number: 6834961
    Abstract: An autostereoscopic optical apparatus (10) provides a stereoscopic virtual image to be viewed by an observer at a left viewing pupil (14l) and a right viewing pupil (14r). Apparatus (10) has left and right image generation systems (100l) for forming left and right curved images, each image generation system having a curved mirror (92), a beamsplitter (102) disposed between the vertex of the curved mirror (92) and the mirror's center of curvature, and an image source (94) for providing image-bearing light to the curved mirror (92). The curved mirror (92) cooperates with the beamsplitter to form an intermediate image of the image source (94). A field lens (112) is disposed near the intermediate image for imaging the mirror center of curvature toward the image center of curvature. A ball lens segment (130) is centered at the image center of curvature for forming the curved image from the intermediate image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joshua M. Cobb, David Kessler, James E. Roddy
  • Publication number: 20040207820
    Abstract: A display system (10) for digital color images using six color light sources (12) or two or more multicolor LED arrays (212, 213) or OLEDs (220, 222) to provide an expanded color gamut. Apparatus (10) uses two or more spatial light modulators (20, 21), which may be cycled between two or more color light sources (12) or LED arrays (212, 213) to provide a six-color display output. Pairing of modulated colors using relative luminance helps to minimize flicker effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla, Nelson A. Blish, Louis S. Horvath
  • Publication number: 20040207821
    Abstract: A display system (10) for digital color images using six color light sources (12) or two or more multicolor LED arrays (212, 213) or OLEDs (220, 222) to provide an expanded color gamut. Apparatus (10) uses two or more spatial light modulators (20, 21), which may be cycled between two or more color light sources (12) or LED arrays (212, 213) to provide a six-color display output. Pairing of modulated colors using relative luminance helps to minimize flicker effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla, Nelson A. Blish, Louis S. Horvath
  • Publication number: 20040156111
    Abstract: A printing method and apparatus (100) for pre-exposing a digital watermark image onto a photosensitive medium (140) at the time of manufacture is disclosed. For exposure energy, the apparatus employs a single color light source (60) consisting of an array of LEDs. The LEDs are spatially modulated in intensity by means of a reflective LCD array (91). The photosensitive medium (140) may be compensated to allow such single color pre-exposure while avoiding hue shift and contrast loss. The exposure at the film may be increased by: employing partial frame illumination, pulsing the LEDs with high currents with short pulse durations and low duty cycles, employing two LCD devices (91, 92) to utilize both polarizations, and dichroically combining two LED (60, 61) arrays of slightly different wavelengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla, Leslie Gutierrez