Patents by Inventor Kenneth A. Parulski

Kenneth A. Parulski 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).

  • Portable imaging device employing geographic information to facilitate image access and viewing
    Patent number: 7146179
    Abstract: A system and method for accessing and viewing images transmitted from a remote location to a portable imaging device, wherein each of the transmitted images having associated geographic information. The method comprises the steps of: providing the portable imaging device adapted to receive images transmitted from the remote location; determining a geographic location of the portable imaging device; and transmitting at least one image to the portable imaging device in an order dependent on the location of the portable imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Parulski, Pierre Schaeffer, Jay A. Endsley
  • Method for simultaneously recording motion and still images in a digital camera
    Publication number: 20060268117
    Abstract: A method for simultaneously recording motion and still images, includes the steps of: capturing a motion image sequence and accompanying audio of a scene with a digital video camera adapted to record both motion and higher resolution still images; simultaneously capturing a still image sequence having a higher resolution and lower frame rate than the motion capture sequence; compressing the motion image sequence using interframe compression and the accompanying audio and storing the compressed motion image and audio data; and compressing the still images using intraframe coding and storing the compressed still image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Alexander Loui, Kenneth Parulski, Thomas Berarducci, William Jackson, Rajan Joshi
  • Automatically transmitting images from an electronic camera to a service provider using a network configuration file
    Publication number: 20060268123
    Abstract: A network configuration file is generated at a host computer and downloaded to a digital camera. This file contains instruction information for communicating with a selected destination via a communications interface. The digital camera includes a “send” button or LCD icon which allows the user to easily transmit one or more images via a wired or wireless communications interface to a desired destination, which among other possibilities may be an Internet Service Provider or a digital photofinishing center. When the user selects this option, the communications port settings, user account specifics, and destination connection commands are read from the network configuration file on the removable memory card. Examples of these settings include serial port baud rate, parity, and stop bits, as well as account name and password.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Joseph Ward, Kenneth Parulski, James Allen
  • METHOD FOR CREATING AND USING AFFECTIVE INFORMATION IN A DIGITAL IMAGING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20060256382
    Abstract: An image file for storing a still digital image and metadata related to the still digital image, the image file including digital image data representing the still digital image, and metadata that categorizes the still digital image as an important digital image, wherein the categorization uses a range of levels and the range of levels includes at least three different integer values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Inventors: Tomasz Matraszek, Elena Fedorovskaya, Serguei Endrikhovski, Kenneth Parulski
  • IMPROVING THE HIGHLIGHT REPRODUCTION OF AN IMAGING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20060256214
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating a sensor for highlights and for processing highlights is described. In an embodiment, a method includes identifying highlight regions in an image of a scene. The method further includes calculating flare intensity values for the image using the locations of the highlight regions. The method also includes subtracting the flare intensity values from the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Inventors: Steven MacLean, Roger Morton, Kenneth Parulski, Nestor Rodriguez
  • Providing a discounted payment schedule for utilizing and deleting stored images
    Patent number: 7136837
    Abstract: A method of selecting images from a plurality of images previously transferred from a user and stored by a service provider, and ordering services to be provided utilizing the images, including establishing an account for the user with the service provider to permit the user to have access to ordered services; receiving a plurality of images from the user and storing the plurality of images in an electronic database provided by the service provider; displaying image designators for at least a subset of the images for viewing by the user; the user selecting a service to be provided using at least one selected image from the plurality of images stored in the electronic database, providing a price and a lower discounted price for the selected service; and using the discounted price if the user deletes at least one of the plurality of images from the electronic database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: William M. Jackson, Kenneth A. Parulski
  • Automated image processing system and method
    Publication number: 20060250666
    Abstract: A stand-alone image automated processing system and method. The method comprises the steps of: accessing at least one image in digital form; writing the at least one digital image to a photosensitive medium to generate an at least one exposed film image; mechanically transporting the at least one exposed film image to a chemical processor; and automatically chemically processing the at least one exposed film image to generate a film output image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventors: Ronald Wexler, Jeffrey Hall, James Warnick, Kenneth Parulski
  • Recording audio enabling software and images on a removable storage medium
    Patent number: 7133597
    Abstract: A method of recording audio enabling software and images on a removable storage medium including providing a plurality of digital files representing colored digital images, transferring such digital files onto the removable storage medium, and providing audio enabling software and transferring such software onto the removable storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Susan T. Tingey, Paul B. Gilman, Kenneth A. Parulski
  • METHOD FOR RATING IMAGES TO FACILITATE IMAGE RETRIEVAL
    Publication number: 20060239676
    Abstract: A method for rating images to facitilate image retrival that includes, storing a plurality of digital image files in a digital memory; displaying the plurality of stored digital image files; permitting a user to select ratings for each of the plurality of displayed images, wherein the rating indicates how much the user likes each displayed image. Whereupon being responsive to the user ratings, user image values are provided for each of the the plurality of displayed images. Additionally, the user image values are stored as metadata in each of the plurality of stored digital image files corresponding to the plurality of displayed images, wherein the user image value uses a multi-point scale and wherein a maximum point value corresponds to a best rating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Inventors: Kenneth Parulski, John McCoy
  • Method for rating images to facilitate image retrieval
    Patent number: 7127164
    Abstract: A method for rating images to facitilate image retrival that includes, storing a plurality of digital image files in a digital memory; displaying the plurality of stored digital image files; permitting a user to select ratings for each of the plurality of displayed images, wherein the rating indicates how much the user likes each displayed image. Whereupon being responsive to the user ratings, user image values are provided for each of the the plurality of displayed images. Additionally, the user image values are stored as metadata in each of the plurality of stored digital image files corresponding to the plurality of displayed images, wherein the user image value uses a multi-point scale and wherein a maximum point value corresponds to a best rating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Parulski, John R. McCoy
  • Method for providing image goods and/or services to a customer
    Patent number: 7111317
    Abstract: A system and method for obtaining photographic products and/or services and for the sharing of digital images without the need of a computer. In particular a cable set top box and cable communication network is used for communication with third parties, including image service providers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Dale F. McIntyre, Craig S. Willand, William C. Brumlow, Jr., Joel White, Kenneth A. Parulski
  • Digital camera for capturing a sequence of full and reduced resolution digital images and storing motion and still digital image data
    Patent number: 7110025
    Abstract: A method for simultaneously recording motion and still images, includes the steps of: capturing a motion image sequence and accompanying audio of a scene with a digital video camera adapted to record both motion and higher resolution still images; simultaneously capturing a still image sequence having a higher resolution and lower frame rate than the motion capture sequence; compressing the motion image sequence using interframe compression and the accompanying audio and storing the compressed motion image and audio data; and compressing the still images using intraframe coding and storing the compressed still image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Alexander C. Loui, Kenneth A. Parulski, Thomas N. Berarducci, William M. Jackson, Rajan L. Joshi
  • Digital camera using an express zooming mode to provide expedited operation over an extended zoom range
    Publication number: 20060187310
    Abstract: An electronic camera includes an express zoom mode for producing an expedited operation over an extended zoom range. The electronic camera includes a first zoom lens for forming a first image of the scene on a first image sensor, a first zoom positioner for adjusting the first zoom lens through a first plurality of discrete zoom positions, a second zoom lens for forming a second image of the scene on a second image sensor, and a second zoom positioner for adjusting the second zoom lens through a second plurality of discrete zoom positions. A zoom controller enables an express mode when a user specifies a zoom transition from a present zoom setting within one of the plurality of discrete zoom positions to a target zoom setting within the other of the plurality of discrete zoom positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventors: Wilbert Janson, Kenneth Parulski
  • Digital camera using multiple lenses and image sensors to provide an extended zoom range
    Publication number: 20060187312
    Abstract: A digital camera includes a first image sensor, a first wide angle lens for forming a first image of a scene on the first image sensor; a second image sensor, a zoom lens for forming a second image of the same scene on the second image sensor, a control element for selecting either a first sensor output from the first image sensor or a second sensor output from the second image sensor, and a processing section for producing the output image from the selected sensor output. In one variation of this embodiment, the first lens is also a zoom lens, where the maximum focal length of the first lens is less than or equal to the minimum focal length of the second zoom lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventors: Peter Labaziewicz, Wilbert Janson, Kenneth Parulski
  • Camera phone using multiple lenses and image sensors to provide an extended zoom range
    Publication number: 20060187338
    Abstract: A camera phone includes a phone stage for generating voice signals, a first image sensor for generating a first sensor output, a first fixed focal length wide angle lens for forming a first image of the scene on the first image sensor, a second image sensor for generating a second sensor output, and a second fixed focal length telephoto lens pointing in the same direction as the first lens and forming a second image of the same scene on the second image sensor. A control element selects either the first sensor output from the first image sensor or the second sensor output from the second image sensor. A processing section produces the output image signals from the selected sensor output, and a cellular stage processes the image and voice signals for transmission over a cellular network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventors: Michael May, Paul Ludington, Kenneth Parulski, Wilbert Janson
  • Compact image capture assembly using multiple lenses and image sensors to provide an extended zoom range
    Publication number: 20060187311
    Abstract: An optical image capture assembly for use in an electronic camera includes a first image sensor for generating a first sensor output; a first lens for forming a first image of the scene on the first image sensor; a second image sensor for generating a second sensor output; and a zoom lens for forming a second image of the scene on the second image sensor. The camera is contained within an enclosure and, in one variation of the assembly, either the first lens or the zoom lens (or both) forms its image through a folded optical system in which an optical path between the lens and its respective image sensor is folded at an angle in order to conserve space within the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventors: Peter Labaziewicz, Wilbert Janson, Kenneth Parulski
  • Digital camera using multiple fixed focal length lenses and multiple image sensors to provide an extended zoom range
    Publication number: 20060187322
    Abstract: An electronic camera includes a plurality of three or more image sensors for generating three or more sensor outputs; a plurality of three or more fixed focal length lenses for forming a corresponding three or more images of the scene on the corresponding three or more image sensors, each of the lenses providing a different field of view of the scene; a control element for selecting one of the sensor outputs from one of the image sensors; and a processing section for producing the output image from the selected sensor output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventors: Wilbert Janson, Kenneth Parulski
  • Cropping a digital image and preserving reserves
    Publication number: 20060177132
    Abstract: A method of cropping a digital image and preserving a reserve for subsequent use includes cropping the digital image to produce a first cropped digital image, the first cropped digital image having a first size and a first aspect ratio; determining, based on the location of the cropping, at least one reserve portion of the image adjacent to at least one edge of the first cropped digital image; and storing, in an image file, the first cropped digital image and the reserve(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Inventors: William Jackson, Kenneth Parulski, James McGarvey
  • System and camera for creating lenticular output from digital images
    Patent number: 7088396
    Abstract: A digital camera for capturing images to be provided to a lenticular apparatus, including: a digital camera that can capture digital images; a memory that stores the captured digital images; a processor for processing the captured digital images, a display for displaying a motion sequence of captured images, and a user interface on the digital camera that enables a user to select a subset of the captured digital images and store the selected subset of the captured digital images in the memory prior to transmitting to a lenticular apparatus for constructing a lenticular hardcopy of the subset of the captured digital images, wherein the processor is used to produce a processed motion sequence including the adjacency effects that will be visible in the lenticular hardcopy, and the display is used to display the processed motion sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: John R. Fredlund, Kenneth A. Parulski, Joseph A. Manico, Raymond E. Wess, Martin A. Parker
  • Method and apparatus for calibrating a sensor for highlights and for processing highlights
    Patent number: 7088388
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating a sensor for highlights and for processing highlights is described. In an embodiment, a method includes identifying highlight regions in an image of a scene. The method further includes calculating flare intensity values for the image using the locations of the highlight regions. The method also includes subtracting the flare intensity values from the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Steven D. MacLean, Roger A. Morton, Kenneth A. Parulski, Nestor M. Rodriguez