Patents by Inventor John B. Millard

John B. Millard 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: 4779118
    Abstract: A camera having an automatic exposure system for providing decreasing aperture-interval values with increasing ambient light levels including an ambient light level sensor element for detecting an ambient light level equal to a predetermined high ambient light level and a control system for overriding the automatic exposure system in response to detecting of said predetermined level for providing a fixed effective aperture and fixed exposure time interval corresponding to the aperture-interval value defined by the automatic exposure system at the predetermined level whereby increased exposure is provided at light levels greater than the predetermined level to thereby provide a scene overexposure increasing with the amount of ambient light exceeding the predetermined level so as to provide acceptable exposure of a subject within that high light level scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: John B. Millard, George D. Whiteside
  • Patent number: 4474441
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically controlling exposure of a photographic film by evaluating non-visible spectral scene light frequencies. Particularly for artificially lit scenes, an evaluation of predominantly infrared frequencies is preferred. In one embodiment, the IR scene lighting is evaluated under control of the shutter aperture system while in another embodiment, the strobe itself is controlled by its own photodetector responsive to IR scene light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventor: John B. Millard
  • Patent number: 4358186
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically controlling exposure of a photographic film by evaluating selected spectral scene light frequencies during certain ambient light portions of an exposure interval and evaluating scene light frequencies exclusive of visible frequencies during other portions of the interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1982
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce K. Johnson, John B. Millard
  • Patent number: 4096501
    Abstract: Unwanted localized image effects in diffusion transfer photographs are minimized by partially removing portions of the two transverse cassette walls which constrain retained film units against lateral movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1978
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Beals, John B. Millard