Polaroid Corporation

Richard Paglia

John M Reynard

Thomas N Carignan

David V Cronin

David D Pape

James Albert Ionson

Patrick L Finelli

John P Kirby

Werner Metz

Joseph F Rich

Joseph R Rich

Tzu-Chiang Hsieh

An electronic imaging module is disclosed which is removably insertable into a photographic camera for reversibly converting the camera into an electronic imaging camera. The electronic imaging module includes a sensing unit, a processing unit, and a coupling unit. The sensing unit detects an object image and converts the image to a corresponding electrical signal. The processing unit, which is configured for location within the camera's film cassette holder, includes a storage unit for storing the electrical signal and a transmission link for transmitting the electrical signal to external devices such as a control unit or a base unit. The coupling unit couples the sensing unit to the processor unit. The coupling unit is adjustable to ensure that the sensing unit is in alignment with the camera optical path and the film plane and the processing unit is secured within the film cassette holder.

Electronic imaging module for reversibly converting a photographic

An ultrasonic transducer assembly capable of being operated in a corrosive and/or abrasive environment that might otherwise degrade transducer performance and/or damage transducer related components. The assembly includes an ultrasonic transducer of the type having a vibratile diaphragm supported at its periphery by a support housing and having the diaphragm center portion spaced a predetermined distance from a protective perforated cover. A channel is provided in the transducer between opposite sides of the vibratile diaphragm to avoid temperature induced pressure differentials between gases (air) present in the space immediately adjacent opposite diaphragm surfaces. A plastic film is adhesively attached to the outer surface of this diaphragm-protecting cover and the entire transducer is enclosed within an outer housing. A flexible seal engages the plastic film and an outer housing surface. With this arrangement the outer housing interior is divided into two isolated spacial volumes with one volume being in direct communication with the atmosphere and with the other volume (formed by the outer housing, plastic film and flexible seal) forming a chamber that completely isolates the entire ultrasonic transducer from its operating environment. A tube couples the interior of the transducer containing chamber to a corrosive gas and foreign particle free environment at a remote protected location for the purpose of neutralizing any performance-degrading and/or protective film distorting pressure differentials between the two spacial volumes while avoiding direct contact between the transducer and/or related components and environmental components in the atmosphere potentially harmful to transducer performance, during such pressure neutralization.

Ultrasonic transducer for use in a corrosive/abrasive environment

A capacitance-type electrostatic transducer is provided that can be operated in an environment where it may be subjected to excessive mechanical vibrations. Unwanted gain variations and/or spurious electrical signals produced by said transducer when operated in such an environment are precluded, at reduced cost, by mechanically attaching the electrically conductive transducer spring that urges the backplate into cooperative engagement with the vibratile diaphragm of said transducer, to said transducer backplate.

Ultrasonic transducer for use in a vibratory environment

Method and apparatus for significantly reducing the size and cost of an electroacoustical transducer. The transducer assembly includes a backplate with a grooved electrically conductive surface and a spring whose center portion supports the center portion of said backplate. The vibratile diaphragm of said transducer cooperatively engages said grooved backplate surface and the periphery of said diaphragm is bonded to a peripheral extension of said spring while said spring is being compressed under a predetermined amount of spring-flexing force.

Sonic transducer having diaphragm tensioning spring directly attached to

A method and device for significantly improving the efficiency and sensitivity of an electroacoustical transducer. A relatively inelastic vibratile diaphragm is preformed to the shape of a mating backplate prior to the time it is actually mated to said backplate. By such preforming, the efficiency and sensitivity reducing effects from a wrinkled transducer diaphragm are minimized in that said wrinkles move to a diaphragm region where they have no effect on transducer sensitivity when the backplate is subsequently mated to said diaphragm.

Method for controlling wrinkles in a vibratile diaphragm

Conformity between a cooperatively engaged vibratile diaphragm and backplate of a capacitance-type electrostatic transducer assembly is improved, and unwanted mechanical vibrations in said backplate are substantially reduced, by means of a low cost, easily fabricated spring in engagement with the housing of said transducer assembly that presses on selected peripheral portions of said transducer backplate.

Spring force biasing means for a capacitance-type electrostatic

Method and device for controlling wrinkles in a vibratile diaphragm

A photographic camera having an integral flash unit therein is further configured to accommodate the ready removal and insertion of a substantially flat, thin storage capacitor from a location immediately inside one planar wall section of the camera. Upon receipt of the storage capacitor, the camera is further arranged to provide structure which operates to restrain a widthwise expansion of the capacitor which might otherwise tend to occur with extended usage of the capacitor without initially imposing any compressive forces on the capacitor which might otherwise tend to alter the electrical characteristics thereof.

Strobe camera with flat capacitor

An electroacoustical transducer assembly of the type including a housing having a cylindrical side portion and a flanged end, a diaphragm having an insulative layer and an electrically conductive layer and having the periphery of said diaphragm in a fixed position with respect to said flanged end of said housing, a backplate having an electrically conductive surface and having said conductive surface in contact with said insulative layer of said diaphragm, is provided with a leaf spring having its end in cooperative interlocking engagement with said cylindrical side portion of said housing and having its intermediate portion resiliently pressing on said backplate.

Spring force biasing means for electroacoustical transducer components

A film-engaging mechanism for incorporation in a camera which uses self-developing film has a receptacle for a film cassette and a processor for developing the film. The receptacle houses a replaceable film cassette, positions it to align the foremost film unit therein at the image surface of the camera, and advances each film unit for transport to the processor. The processor is aligned to receive each film unit advanced out of the receptacle, and subjects it to the critical operations that assure proper photographic development. The film-engaging mechanism thus brings together, in a single, readily-mounted assembly, the camera structure necessary for engaging a self-developing film unit in a camera to ensure proper photographic treatment, but leaves the design, construction and fabrication of the camera otherwise free of the film-engaging requirements.

Growing community of inventors

Carlisle, MA, United States of America

Richard Paglia