Patents by Inventor Robert J. Zolla

Robert J. Zolla 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: 6736514
    Abstract: A display apparatus (10) for projection of a color image from digital data onto a surface (140) comprises a first modulation system which provides a first modulated beam. The first modulation system comprises a first spatial light modulator for modulating a first incident light beam in order to form the first modulated beam according to the digital data; a first light source provides a first color beam as the first incident light beam; and a second light source provides a second color beam as the first incident light beam. A second modulation system provides a second modulated beam. The second modulation system comprises a second spatial light modulator for modulating a second incident light beam in order to form the second modulated beam according to the digital data; a third light source provides a third color beam as the second incident light beam; and a fourth light source provides a fourth color beam as the second incident light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Louis S. Horvath, James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla
  • Patent number: 6738127
    Abstract: A printing apparatus (110) for selectively printing an image from image data either onto any member of a set of photosensitive media (140), including a first photosensitive medium (140) having a relatively low contrast response and a second photosensitive medium (140) having a relatively high contrast response. The printing apparatus (110) uses a spatial light modulator (136) for forming an image, having at least a first set of setup voltage conditions for printing onto the first photosensitive medium (140) and a second set of setup voltage conditions for printing onto the second photosensitive medium (140). An adjustable polarizing component in the path of output light from the spatial light modulator (136), has at least a first contrast setting for the first photosensitive medium (140) and a second contrast setting for the second photosensitive medium (140).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla
  • Publication number: 20040070736
    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: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla, Nelson A. Blish, Louis S. Horvath
  • Publication number: 20030234911
    Abstract: A display apparatus (10) for projection of a color image from digital data onto a surface (140) comprises a first modulation system which provides a first modulated beam. The first modulation system comprises a first spatial light modulator for modulating a first incident light beam in order to form the first modulated beam according to the digital data; a first light source provides a first color beam as the first incident light beam; and a second light source provides a second color beam as the first incident light beam. A second modulation system provides a second modulated beam. The second modulation system comprises a second spatial light modulator for modulating a second incident light beam in order to form the second modulated beam according to the digital data; a third light source provides a third color beam as the second incident light beam; and a fourth light source provides a fourth color beam as the second incident light beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Louis S. Horvath, James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla
  • Publication number: 20030214633
    Abstract: A method and projection system (10) for increasing the color gamut of images projected onto a display surface (140) by using four or more light sources (12), where the light sources (12) are selected for high brightness and narrow wavelength characteristics and are selected from optimal wavelengths for color gamut expansion. Light sources (12) for large-scale projection environments are preferably lasers. Smaller systems may employ LEDs or other relatively saturated, relatively bright light sources (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla, William R. Markis
  • Patent number: 6648475
    Abstract: A method and projection system (10) for increasing the color gamut of images projected onto a display surface (140) by using four or more light sources (12), where the light sources (12) are selected for high brightness and narrow wavelength characteristics and are selected from optimal wavelengths for color gamut expansion. Light sources (12) for large-scale projection environments are preferably lasers. Smaller systems may employ LEDs or other relatively saturated, relatively bright light sources (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla, William R. Markis
  • Patent number: 6636292
    Abstract: A writing apparatus (10) for forming images from digital data onto color motion picture film or other photosensitive media (32), the apparatus employing a single spatial light modulator (30) and having a hybrid light source (20) with three components: a red laser (40), a green laser (42), and one or more blue LEDs (18). Each component of the light source is adapted to the sensitometric response characteristics of a particular motion picture film type. The apparatus allows high-speed imaging to photosensitive media (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla
  • Patent number: 6624949
    Abstract: A writing apparatus (10) for forming images from digital data onto color motion picture film or other photosensitive medium (32), the apparatus employing a single spatial light modulator (30) and having an illumination system (14) comprising a dichroic prism (26) and a plurality of light sources (20). The dichroic prism (26) directs light from each light source (20) onto a common output axis, thereby providing an incident light beam for modulation by the spatial light modulator (30). The apparatus allows high-speed imaging optimized for photosensitive media (32). Additional sensor (12) and logic components allow writing apparatus (10) to adapt to different types of photosensitive media (32) without requiring any retooling or manual adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla, Richard J. Federico
  • Publication number: 20030160881
    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: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla, Nelson A. Blish, Lou Horvath
  • Publication number: 20030160859
    Abstract: A color printer (10) for imaging onto a photosensitive medium (140) that contains four or more layers for providing images having an expanded color gamut. Color printer (10) directs polarized light from each of four or more light sources (12) to a spatial light modulator (20) for forming an image to be printed. Modulated light is conditioned as necessary, then focused through a print lens (110) onto photosensitive medium (140). Light sources 12 can be lasers, LEDs, or other suitable components. Embodiments may use a single spatial light modulator (20) shared with each color path or a spatial light modulator (20) in each of the four color paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla
  • Publication number: 20030147144
    Abstract: A writing apparatus (10) for forming images from digital data onto color motion picture film or other photosensitive medium (32), the apparatus employing a single spatial light modulator (30) and having an illumination system (14) comprising a dichroic prism (26) and a plurality of light sources (20). The dichroic prism (26) directs light from each light source (20) onto a common output axis, thereby providing an incident light beam for modulation by the spatial light modulator (30). The apparatus allows high-speed imaging optimized for photosensitive media (32). Additional sensor (12) and logic components allow writing apparatus (10) to adapt to different types of photosensitive media (32) without requiring any retooling or manual adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla, Richard J. Federico
  • Patent number: 6574032
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus (10) for forming images from digital data, typically for printing or projection, the apparatus employing a spatial light modulator (30). The spatial light modulator (30) has a mounting (70) that is flexible in at least one direction in the plane that contains the surface of the spatial light modulator (30). An actuator (80) moves the mounting (70) at a speed that is at least a multiple of the refresh rate of the spatial light modulator (30), causing the movement of the spatial light modulator (30) to effect dithering of output pixels. This enlarges the effective pixel size to improve fill factor and reduce pixelization anomalies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla
  • Publication number: 20030071888
    Abstract: A two level image writer (10) for forming an image from digital data onto a photosensitive medium comprising an illumination system on a first level for providing incident light beams. The illumination system comprising 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 and three polarizing beamsplitters (73, 75, 77) on the second level receive the polarized beams from the fold mirrors. Each polarizing beamsplitter isolates polarization states of each of the first, second, and third polarized light beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla, Richard L. Druzynski
  • Publication number: 20030058419
    Abstract: A writing apparatus (10) for forming images from digital data onto color motion picture film or other photosensitive media (32), the apparatus employing a single spatial light modulator (30) and having a hybrid light source (20) with three components: a red laser (40), a green laser (42), and one or more blue LEDs (18). Each component of the light source is adapted to the sensitometric response characteristics of a particular motion picture film type. The apparatus allows high-speed imaging to photosensitive media (32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James E. Roddy, Robert J. Zolla
  • Patent number: 6249384
    Abstract: A method of detecting the relative skew between a reference beam and transparent lenticular material of the type having a repeating pattern of cylindrical lenses, comprising the steps of: forming a beam of light; focusing the beam of light into a line with a width smaller than the pitch of the cylindrical lenses onto the lenticular material; moving the lenticular material relative to the beam in a direction such that the beam crosses the longitudinal axes of the cylindrical lenses to modulate the angle of reflection or refraction of the beam of light; and sensing the position of the line of modulated beam of light along a line parallel to the longitudinal axes of the cylindrical lenses to determine the skew or relative angular location of lenticular material to the focused line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joshua M. Cobb, Robert J. Zolla, Jeffrey R. Hawver