Roller Patents (Class 396/33)
  • Patent number: 10652414
    Abstract: According to an example, a scanner apparatus may include a housing, a scan panel positioned on the housing and a lid rotatably mounted to the housing. The lid may be moved between a closed position and an open position, in which in the closed position, the lid covers the scan panel and in the open position, the lid is extended away from the scan panel. The scanner apparatus may also include an optical sensor to detect media placed on the scan panel and a media engine to determine whether the optical sensor has detected a media on the scan panel while the lid is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Gareth Ryan Kelly, Curtis J Behrend, Matthew Douglas Reier, Arthur H Barnes, Kevin Lo
  • Patent number: 10321025
    Abstract: A device having a camera module, installed on the housing of the device such that the position of the camera module relative to the housing can be changed. One of the positions, an exposure position, involves optical elements which are oriented so as to be able to project light onto light-sensitive elements in order to produce an image on one or more sensors. A second position involves being flush against, and as close as possible to, the housing of the mobile device, by means of folding. The overall thickness of the camera module is structurally limited by the thickness of the thickest optical or light-sensitive element. The device contains structural elements for processing a digital representation of an image obtained from the light-sensitive elements. The camera module includes optical elements in the form of a set of thin lenses and/or mirrors, and one or a plurality of light-sensitive elements, namely sensors consisting of light-sensitive pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: ALMALENCE INC.
    Inventors: Dmitry Valerievich Shmunk, Eugene Alexandrovich Panich
  • Patent number: 7973965
    Abstract: A digital camera comprises an image sensor for sensing an image; a card reader configured to read a removable data card carrying distortion information; a printer configured to print a distorted image on print media, the printer including a replaceable print roll carrying both the print media and ink to be printed upon the print media; and a controller for controlling the communication of the distorted images to the printer. The print roll includes an ink reservoir section and the ink reservoir section includes a plurality of bladder type containers for storing respective types of ink. A cavity is provided in the ink reservoir section for receiving an integrated circuit device storing information associated with the print roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20080205867
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotary part, in particular a spreader roller for a web-processing machine. The rotary part has a supporting core with a longitudinal axis, said supporting core being mounted at its two longitudinal ends, and having an elastically flexible outer sleeve which surrounds the supporting core in its circumferential direction and extends, in at least some sections, between the two longitudinal ends of the supporting core. The outer sleeve on the supporting core is non-displaceably mounted on at least one bearing and that the outer sleeve is mounted on at least one displacing point at a distance from the bearing so as to be displaceable perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the supporting core in order for the curvature of the outer sleeve to be adjustable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas Gruber-Nadlinger, Benno Bader, Norbert Gamsjaeger, Georg Gobec, Herbert Schrefl
  • Patent number: 7245827
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus has a pack chamber loaded with an instant film pack which stores by stacking plural pieces of instant film sheets having an image recording section which is exposed and subjected to spreading of a developer to record an image and a developer pool provided on a front end side in a carrying direction from the image recording section, and that carries the instant film sheets stored in the instant film pack loaded in the pack chamber and that performs recording of the image on the instant film sheets, the image recording apparatus comprising: carrying rollers; an exposure section; developing rollers; a carrying roller holding section; and a developing roller holding section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Takagi, Mutsumi Naruse, Yukitaka Takeshita
  • Patent number: 6778765
    Abstract: The present invention provides a camera which restrains a photosensitized material from being unstably discharged, while allowing a reduction in diameter of a pair of rollers that feed the photosensitized material out of the camera as well as a transport apparatus which restrains a transported material from being unstably discharged, while allowing a reduction in diameter of a pair of rollers that feed the transported material out of the camera. According to the present invention, an increase in interval between each roller gear fixed to a corresponding one of a pair of rollers and a corresponding one of two roller driving gears meshing with the respective roller gears is suppressed compared to an increase in interval between the roller gears, fixed to the respective rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mutsumi Naruse
  • Patent number: 6734948
    Abstract: An optical printer capable of controlling the amount of exposure light, and so forth, accurately is disclosed, and the optical printer comprises a light source irradiating light and an optical shutter producing exposure light for exposing a photosensitive object by controlling transmission of the light from the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Futakami, Chikara Aizawa, Toshiyuki Inage, Kenji Mito
  • Patent number: 6625395
    Abstract: In a digital instant camera, a fixed exposure head emits a printing light to an instant film contained in a film pack, and a spreading roller performs a developing process. While the instant film is conveyed by the spreading roller toward the outside of the camera, the exposure head emits the printing light in synchronism with the conveyance of the instant film. A conveyance speed of the instant film is suddenly increased at the moment that a developer pod provided on the instant film is broken by the spreading roller. A brake roller, however, prevents the conveyance speed from suddenly increasing. In virtue of the brake roller, the printing light may be surely emitted to the instant film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiichiro Kitagawa
  • Publication number: 20030152377
    Abstract: The present invention provides a camera which restrains a photosensitized material from being unstably discharged, while allowing a reduction in diameter of a pair of rollers that feed the photosensitized material out of the camera as well as a transport apparatus which restrains a transported material from being unstably discharged, while allowing a reduction in diameter of a pair of rollers that feed the transported material out of the camera. According to the present invention, an increase in interval between each roller gear fixed to a corresponding one of a pair of rollers and a corresponding one of two roller driving gears meshing with the respective roller gears is suppressed compared to an increase in interval between the roller gears, fixed to the respective rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mutsumi Naruse
  • Patent number: 6417911
    Abstract: A photographic processing fluid spread system, for use with integral type self-processable film unit, by which the thickness of a layer of processing fluid is controlled and restricted in a uniform manner as the processing fluid is spread across preselected portions of the film unit, while the film unit is also simultaneously being progressively exposed and advanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Alfredo G. Kniazzeh, Bruce K. Johnson, Margaret A. Obermiller
  • Patent number: 6337950
    Abstract: A processing liquid spreading device for instant film unit comprising: a pair of processing liquid spreading rollers; a motor for driving the pair of processing liquid spreading rollers; and a reduction gear to transmit a rotation of an output shaft of the motor to the pair of processing liquid spreading rollers while reducing a rotational speed of the output shaft, wherein the reduction gear includes a driving gear and a driven irregular formed gear which rotates one turn or less to complete a film unit transportation cycle from starting to advance the film unit by picking the trailing end thereof to making the trailing end emerge from the pair of rollers and has configuration that a distance between the rotational axis and the periphery varies along the periphery so that the torque of the output shaft can vary as the film unit is transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidemi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6330397
    Abstract: An electronic photographic printer having a film unit drive assembly that advances the film unit (self-developing type) past a stationary print head for emitting consecutive lines of image data on the film unit to effect progressive exposure on the film unit simultaneously as a fluid spread system spreads the processing fluid over the film unit to effect processing of exposed portions of the film unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce K. Johnson, Magaret A. Obermiller, Unhyi Yang, Chin-Loo Lama
  • Publication number: 20010009612
    Abstract: A processing liquid spreading device for instant film unit comprising: a pair of processing liquid spreading rollers; a motor for driving the pair of processing liquid spreading rollers; and a reduction gear to transmit a rotation of an output shaft of the motor to the pair of processing liquid spreading rollers while reducing a rotational speed of the output shaft, wherein the reduction gear includes a driving gear and a driven irregular formed gear which rotates one turn or less to complete a film unit transportation cycle from starting to advance the film unit by picking the trailing end thereof to making the trailing end emerge from the pair of rollers and has configuration that a distance between the rotational axis and the periphery varies along the periphery so that the torque of the output shaft can vary as the film unit is transported.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Inventor: Hidemi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6078750
    Abstract: A camera according to the present invention includes a first cavity to accommodate conventional film material having multiple frames, each frame having a corresponding indicia disposed on the conventional film material to identify the corresponding frame and a second cavity to accommodate self-developable film material having multiple image forming portions, each image forming portion having a corresponding indicia disposed on the self-developable film material to identify the corresponding image forming portion and a corresponding frame of conventional film material. The camera further includes a light path for exposing simultaneously one of the multiple frames of the conventional film material and one of the multiple image forming portions of the self-developable film material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventor: Philip R. Norris
  • Patent number: 6055375
    Abstract: A photographic apparatus for use with self-developing film wherein the apparatus comprises a light-tight housing assembly having a film unit exit for allowing the film units to exit the housing assembly; an exposure control assembly including a shutter button; the exposure control assembly includes a biased carriage assembly movable between ambient, strobe and strobe charge positions in response to manual displacement thereof; a spread roller assembly including spread rollers for spreading the processing fluid in the film units; a manually operable drive mechanism is mounted in the housing assembly for bidirectional linear movement between extended and retracted positions and carries a pick for engaging and advancing a topmost film unit of the film stack into the nip, and for rotatably driving the spread roller member in response to pulling of the drive mechanism by an operator to process the film unit and eject the same from the exit; and, an interlocking assembly cooperates with the shutter button and the d
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Douglas, John P. Kirby, Kenneth J. Launie, Frank S. Silveira
  • Patent number: 6038403
    Abstract: A camera housing a strip of receiving sheet of self-developable film material; a strip of negative photosensitive film material of the self-developing type having discrete exposable portions spaced apart thereon. A pressure applying assembly e merges the strips into the superimposable relationship to form corresponding separated image forming subassemblies in response to pulling the strips from the camera. The assembly effects release of processing fluid in rupturable containers on the sheet to initiate processing of the film. A device is operative in one mode for allowing pulling of the strips and thereby the formation of an image forming subassemblies through the pressure applying device, and in a second mode for automatically stopping formation and processing of a successive one of the image forming subassemblies. In one embodiment, the device is connected to the shutter unit and is operated when the shutter is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventor: John E. Meschter
  • Patent number: 6009277
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus and method for singulating individual film units from a self-developing integral film which units are carried serially in spaced apart relationship to each other are provided. The imaging portion of each unit is stiffer than associated leading and trailing portions whereby the leading portion beyond the pressure applying assembly is severed, while the severed flexible portion is diverted toward a receiving area therefor as the film unit advances along a path. Thereafter, provision is made for severing the strip along a trailing edge adjacent the imaging portion as the imaging portion advances along the path towards the exit; and, diverting the relatively flexible trailing portion from the path to a receiving area therefor as the film unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventor: Philip R. Norris
  • Patent number: 5943511
    Abstract: A compact dual imaging camera is disclosed wherein conventional and self-developing photographic films are generally simultaneously exposed from a common scene through separate taking apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Farrington, Philip R. Norris, Norman D. Staller
  • Patent number: 5870633
    Abstract: An improved camera and method of processing for use with an associated film assemblage of the self-developing type, wherein the assemblage is provided with a plurality of self-developing film frames are disclosed. Each frame carries an integral self-developing unit as well as an associated processing fluid pod. Each exposed frame is manually pulled through pressure applying members for rupturing the pod and spreading the fluid before exiting. Simultaneously, the next successive film unit is pulled from a container therefor and indexed by means on the assemblage to the film plane as the pulled unit is automatically separated from the remainder of the assemblage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Inventor: Philip R. Norris
  • Patent number: 5838999
    Abstract: There is disclosed an improved image recording method and camera for simultaneously obtaining dual latent images on respective 35 mm and self-developing films. The self-developing film contains a plurality of separate film units arranged on a strip which are sequentially pulled from the camera so that a leading one of exposed film units separate from the strip as the latter is being pulled and after an exposed film unit has been processed. Advancement of the film strip also effects advancement of the 35 mm film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventor: Philip R. Norris
  • Patent number: 5838997
    Abstract: The principal embodiment of the present invention is a preloaded single-use instant camera. The single-use instant camera is provided with user-inaccessible film holding compartment in a sealed light-tight enclosure and a predetermined number of pressure-processable film units stacked in said compartment. The preloaded single-use instant camera is also provided with user operated manual means for sequentially withdrawing the preloaded pressure-processable film units, whereby withdrawal effect processing of said units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence M. Douglas
  • Patent number: 5805936
    Abstract: A camera according to the present invention has an arrangement that a film is discharged to a side toward a subject after a picture has been taken, the instant camera comprising a grip portion formed on a right portion of a camera body when viewed in a normal photography state and from a position of a photographer operating the camera, an optical system disposed on a left portion of the camera body when viewed from the said position of the photographer and including at least a photographing lens, and a film cartridge loading portion which is capable of loading a film cartridge into a position between the grip portion of the camera body and the optical system in such a manner that an exposure surface of the film accommodated in the film cartridge faces the optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Matsuzaki, Kazunori Mizokami, Yuta Sato, Yoshitaka Naito, Fumio Tomikawa, Masaharu Hamada
  • Patent number: 5802413
    Abstract: Apparatus for capturing and printing images on photosensitive sheets includes an electronic camera having a display; and an image sensor means for producing a digital image of a subject. In response to the digital image, the electronic camera displays an image on the display. The printer includes a light tight storage structure for receiving the photographic sheets. The printer receives the electronic camera and includes optics for focusing the image on the display along a single optical path onto a photosensitive sheet at an exposure position. The printer further includes a shutter member having a shutter aperture for controlling the aperture to cause light from the display image to illuminate the photosensitive sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Stanley W. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 5732287
    Abstract: There are provided a method, system, and apparatus for automatically cleaning a spread roller system for use in a photographic apparatus of the self-developing type. A cleaning apparatus includes a pod of cleaning fluid rupturable as it passes through a nip of a pair of spread rollers. The cleaning apparatus includes at least an opening which distributes the cleaning fluid over the rollers following pod rupture as the apparatus passes through the nip. Such an apparatus can be included in a film assemblage which comprises a film cassette housing a stack of film units of the self-developable type, wherein the cleaning apparatus is at the top of the stack and is opaque so as to also serve as a dark slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventor: John B. Morse
  • Patent number: 5652919
    Abstract: In order to allow a quantitative measurement of the operation of an image blurring correction function by adding an effective test function to a camera, an image blurring correction mechanism detects the shaken states of the camera with respect to two orthogonal axes around the photographing optical axis of the camera. The image blurring correction mechanism is arranged in the optical path between a photographing lens and a film and has two axes of freedom corresponding to the above two axes. An external communication (control) terminal is used for external communication with a main microcomputer in the camera. When a test mode command is externally input to the camera via the external communication terminal, a sub-microcomputer in a shake compensation circuit performs specific operation control, through the main microcomputer, to execute a shake compensation function with respect to the image blurring correction mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Itoh
  • Patent number: 5639302
    Abstract: There are provided a method, system, and apparatus for automatically cleaning a spread roller system for use in a photographic apparatus of the self-developing type. A cleaning apparatus includes a pod of cleaning fluid rupturable as it passes through a nip of a pair of spread rollers. The cleaning apparatus includes at least an opening which distributes the cleaning fluid over the rollers following pod rupture as the apparatus passes through the nip. Such an apparatus can be included in a film assemblage which comprises a film cassette housing a stack of film units of the self-developable type, wherein the cleaning apparatus is at the top of the stack and is opaque so as to also serve as a dark slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventor: John B. Morse
  • Patent number: 5608477
    Abstract: A single-use instant camera includes a main body, having the taking lens and the shutter mechanism. A film unit containing chamber is formed in the main body, and contains a plurality of instant film units stacked on one another. The containing chamber is opened toward a rear and has a front wall. An exposure aperture is formed in the front wall, and receives the image-recording portion of the film units, to provide the film units with exposure to light entered through the taking lens from an object to be photographed. A front cover is disposed in front of the main body to cover the main body. An advancing claw mechanism is disposed between the front cover and the main body, and advances an exposed one of the film units to be exited. A flash device is disposed between the front cover and the main body, and applies illuminating light to the object. A back lid is disposed behind the containing chamber, is engaged with the main body, and closes the containing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuru Shimizu, Ko Aosaki, Michio Cho
  • Patent number: 5574531
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for use in shuttling a film container housing a photosensitive film unit between an image recording apparatus and a film processor. When the shuttle is in operative relationship within the image recording apparatus, the film unit is exposable and when the shuttle is being transferred it is done so in a lighttight manner. The shuttle includes a portable lighttight housing assembly for removably receiving the film container. The housing assembly includes an exposure aperture registerable with a film container exposing aperture, such as occurs when the film container is received within the shuttle. For selectively blocking the image forming light there is provided a blocking means which is coupled to the housing assembly and is operable with a control means for automatically changing conditions between its light blocking and unblocking states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Salvo