Patents by Inventor Steven M. Spiro

Steven M. Spiro 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: 9171392
    Abstract: A method of integrating a radial zoom effect with a complementary radial image transition effect includes integrating the effects such that the two blended radial effects share a common center, and thereby share common displacement paths during the perceived transition. In addition to the visual appeal of the effect, the invention also resolves operational incompatibilities between the practice of commercial photography and the practice of lenticular printing. A lenticular product is formed in accordance with this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: TRACER IMAGING LLC
    Inventors: Steven M. Spiro, Stephen S. Daniell, Daniel L. Lau
  • Patent number: 8980405
    Abstract: An automated lenticular photographic system includes an interface that permits a user to upload image files and image processing and printing equipment that is in communication with the interface for receiving the uploaded image files and processing the uploaded image files to create an interlaced print image file that is used to produce an interlaced print sheet containing interlaced print images. A pair of registration marks is formed on the interlaced print sheet outside of borders of the interlaced print images to assist in aligning the interlaced print sheet with a lenticular lens sheet. A registration system detects whether the lenticular lens sheet is off-centered and skewed relative to the interlaced print sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Tracer Imaging LLC
    Inventors: Stephen S. Daniell, Steven M. Spiro, David Whelan, James Anderson, Daniel L. Lau
  • Publication number: 20140370946
    Abstract: A case for a mobile electronic device is configured such that it is not necessary to fully separate parts of the case in order to install, remove or replace a graphic insert. The user is only required to access an interior bay to a degree sufficient to introduce or extract a graphic insert. This access is accomplished by the limited relative displacement of two distinct structural components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Stephen S. Daniell, Steven M. Spiro, Theodore J. Bonnano
  • Patent number: 8913323
    Abstract: A combined use of a pervasively textured anilox supply roll and a customized, locally patterned flexographic roll is provided for forming a lenticular product. The customized, locally patterned flexographic roll includes an intermittent raised and recessed surface pattern analogous to a type used in a “spot” ink application. In the present case, however, the applied material is transparent and preferably matched in its refractive index to the lenticular sheet. Relevant aspects of the invention also register the selectively coated areas with graphic features on the planar reverse side of the lenticular sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Tracer Imaging LLC
    Inventor: Steven M. Spiro
  • Patent number: 8804186
    Abstract: An automated lenticular photographic system includes an interface that permits a user to upload image files and image processing and printing equipment that is in communication with the interface for receiving the uploaded image files and processing the uploaded image files to create an interlaced print image file that is used to produce an interlaced print sheet containing interlaced print images. A pair of registration marks is formed on the interlaced print sheet outside of borders of the interlaced print images. The system also includes a processing station where the interlaced print sheet is aligned with a lenticular lens sheet with a registration system that detects whether the lenticular lens sheet is off-centered and skewed relative to the interlaced print sheet. The system also includes means for controllably adjusting the position of the lenticular lens sheet relative to the interlaced print sheet until proper registration between the lenticular lens sheet and the interlaced print sheet is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Tracer Imaging LLC
    Inventors: Stephen S. Daniell, Steven M. Spiro, David Whelan, James Anderson, Daniel L. Lau
  • Patent number: 8474164
    Abstract: A checkout divider having an optically variable effect. The divider includes a sleeve including optically variable material that is disposed upon a face of the sleeve. The sleeve is formed to take on a three-dimensional structure. The divider includes a pair of end caps that are configured to fixedly receive each end of the sleeve. The divider also includes a curved bearing surface associated with the end caps. The curved bearing surface is disposable such that upon disturbance of an equilibrium of the checkout divider, the optically variable material exhibits a change in aspect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Tracer Imaging LLC
    Inventor: Steven M. Spiro
  • Publication number: 20130052430
    Abstract: A method of integrating a radial zoom effect with a complementary radial image transition effect includes integrating the effects such that the two blended radial effects share a common center, and thereby share common displacement paths during the perceived transition. In addition to the visual appeal of the effect, the invention also resolves operational incompatibilities between the practice of commercial photography and the practice of lenticular printing. A lenticular product is formed in accordance with this method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Tracer Image LLC
    Inventors: Steven M. Spiro, Stephen S. Daniell, Daniel L. Lau
  • Publication number: 20130033755
    Abstract: A combined use of a pervasively textured anilox supply roll and a customized, locally patterned flexographic roll is provided for forming a lenticular product. The customized, locally patterned flexographic roll includes an intermittent raised and recessed surface pattern analogous to a type used in a “spot” ink application. In the present case, however, the applied material is transparent and preferably matched in its refractive index to the lenticular sheet. Relevant aspects of the invention also register the selectively coated areas with graphic features on the planar reverse side of the lenticular sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: Tracer Imaging LLC
    Inventor: Steven M. Spiro
  • Patent number: 8336234
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a perforated card includes a plurality of separable components that includes a tag suitable for the inclusion of personal data such as an address. The tag includes an opening. The card also includes a strap that is separably attached to at least a portion of the tag. The strap is insertable through the opening of the tag and is configured to be fixedly attached about a handle of a piece of luggage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Tracer Imaging LLC
    Inventor: Steven M. Spiro
  • Publication number: 20120291321
    Abstract: A checkout divider having an optically variable effect. The divider includes a sleeve including optically variable material that is disposed upon a face of the sleeve. The sleeve is formed to take on a three-dimensional structure. The divider includes a pair of end caps that are configured to fixedly receive each end of the sleeve. The divider also includes a curved bearing surface associated with the end caps. The curved bearing surface is disposable such that upon disturbance of an equilibrium of the checkout divider, the optically variable material exhibits a change in aspect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: Tracer Imaging LLC
    Inventor: Steven M. Spiro
  • Publication number: 20120125217
    Abstract: An automated lenticular photographic system includes an interface that permits a user to upload image files and image processing and printing equipment that is in communication with the interface for receiving the uploaded image files and processing the uploaded image files to create an interlaced print image file that is used to produce an interlaced print sheet containing interlaced print images. A pair of registration marks is formed on the interlaced print sheet outside of borders of the interlaced print images to assist in aligning the interlaced print sheet with a lenticular lens sheet. A registration system detects whether the lenticular lens sheet is off-centered and skewed relative to the interlaced print sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Tracer Imaging LLC
    Inventors: Stephen S. Daniell, Steven M. Spiro, David Whelan, James Anderson, Daniel L. Lau
  • Publication number: 20120067238
    Abstract: An automated lenticular photographic system includes an interface that permits a user to upload image files and image processing and printing equipment that is in communication with the interface for receiving the uploaded image files and processing the uploaded image files to create an interlaced print image file that is used to produce an interlaced print sheet containing interlaced print images. A pair of registration marks is formed on the interlaced print sheet outside of borders of the interlaced print images. The system also includes a processing station where the interlaced print sheet is aligned with a lenticular lens sheet with a registration system that detects whether the lenticular lens sheet is off-centered and skewed relative to the interlaced print sheet. The system also includes means for controllably adjusting the position of the lenticular lens sheet relative to the interlaced print sheet until proper registration between the lenticular lens sheet and the interlaced print sheet is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Tracer Imaging LLC
    Inventors: Stephen S. Daniell, Steven M. Spiro, David Whelan, James Anderson, Daniel L. Lau
  • Publication number: 20110107629
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a perforated card includes a plurality of separable components that includes a tag suitable for the inclusion of personal data such as an address. The tag includes an opening. The card also includes a strap that is separably attached to at least a portion of the tag. The strap is insertable through the opening of the tag and is configured to be fixedly attached about a handle of a piece of luggage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Tracer Image
    Inventor: Steven M. Spiro