Eastman-kodak Company

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.

Walter D Foley

Juha-Pekka J Laine

Benjamin F Lane

Stephen P Smith

Gregory P Blasche

Robin Mark Adrian Dawson

Erik L Waldron

Bruce E Rottner

Paul A Bohn

Sean McClain

Ralph L Piccinino, Jr

Robert J Blackman

Daniel C Davis

Matthew T Jamula

Samuel W Harrison

Francis J Rogomentich

John James Boyle

Dennis N Beaulieu

George L Bender

A digital camera optically couples a monocentric lens to image sensor arrays, without optical fibers, yet shields the image sensor arrays from stray light. In some digital cameras, baffles are disposed between an outer surface of a monocentric lens and each image sensor array to shield the image sensor arrays from stray light. In other such digital cameras, an opaque mask defines a set of apertures, one aperture per image sensor array, to limit the amount of stray light. Some digital cameras include both masks and baffles.

Hemispherical star camera

Methods and apparatus ascertain a geographic position based on topographic contours of ocean surfaces. Observed ocean topographic contours are matched to predicted ocean topography and/or ocean topographic information stored in a database. Such systems and methods do not necessarily require INS, GPS, RF beacons, optical beacons or celestial sightings. These systems and methods may be used as references to correct INS. These systems and methods may be used to ascertain a geographic location of an aircraft, spacecraft, watercraft, landcraft (vehicle), person or the like. Similarly, these systems and methods may be used as part of a guidance system for guiding a craft to a destination. These systems and methods may be used in tandem with, or as backups for, other types of navigation or guidance systems or as one input to a navigation filter.

Navigation by ocean surface topography

A processing apparatus, method and recirculation system utilizes a level sensing probe in a filter housing of the filter assembly. The level sensing probe is adapted to provide a signal to a controller arrangement that includes at least a level sensing circuit, a central processing unit and a solid state relay. The controller arrangement is adapted to shut off a heating element of the filter assembly whenever the solution in the filter housing as defined by the level sensing probe falls below an acceptable minimum level of processing solution. With the arrangement of the present invention, it is possible to maintain re-circulated and/or replenished processing solution in the filter housing at an acceptable minimum level, and whenever the solution falls below such a level the heating element is shut off so as to prevent the overheating of the components of the filter assembly.

Photographic processor having a filter housing with a level sensing probe

In a digital film scanner, invalid image pixel data is identified by a logic circuit which responds jointly to an over range signal from the scanner analog to digital converter and the most significant bit of the pixel data. The logic circuit discriminates between input pixel analog voltages representing valid maximum or minimum pixel data values and values which are outside the conversion range of the A/D converter which correspond to invalid pixel data. An image processing computer selectively responds to these indications to substitute nearby valid pixel data for calculation and to provide appropriate operator warnings or even system shutdown depending on the number of successive invalid pixel data occurrences.

Signal processing apparatus for a photographic film scanner

Film scanner apparatus for a photographic printer system in which the film scanner is provided with reflection and transmission densitometry capability using a single light source for film scanning as well as both transmission and reflection densitometry.

Photographic scanner apparatus with reflection and transmission

A photographic printer having a print station for generating photographic prints from photographic film frame images and an exposure determination film frame image scanner used in determining print exposure operating conditions at the print station. The printer is provided with an index print signal generator responsive to the output of the exposure determination film scanner to produce a matrix of film frame image signals from which index prints are produced by either the print station or by means of a separate printer.

Photographic printer with index print generation

Color film scanning apparatus employs a novel trilinear array image sensor with photosites spaced apart in the linear direction of array by a pitch which is a multiple of the photosite dimension in the linear direction. The resultant scanning apparatus allows positioning of the image sensor in close proximity to the film without the need for interposition of optics for beam splitting or image focusing on the sensor arrays.

Exposure determining color film scanning apparatus for a photofinishing

A photographic film processor having a controller and a drive motor for conveying exposed film from a spool and along a film path through a series of process stations is disclosed. The photographic processor includes: a main power supply and an auxiliary power supply for the processor; a selector switch normally operable to apply main power to the processor and alternatively operable to apply auxiliary power to the processor in the event of an interruption in main power; and a film cutter mechanism including a guillotine blade reciprocable relative to a stationary shear block in the film path, a latch to hold the blade in a ready position, a trip lever responsive to an unwound film spool being pulled against it to release the latch and blade, and a spring to drive the blade through a cutting stroke for cutting the spool from the film, whereby the processor is powered, in the event of an interruption of main power, to finish processing any film which is already in process.

Photographic processor with auxiliary power supply

Method and apparatus are provided for controlling the temperature of processing fluids in photographic processors. A tank of developing fluid includes a dedicated temperature sensor, heating element, and control circuit for controlling the heating element responsive to the temperature sensor. A tail portion of the processor, including at least two additional tanks of processing fluids, includes a single temperature sensor disposed in a selected one of the fluids. Each tank includes a heating element, each heating element being sized in proportion to the corresponding volume of processing fluid to be heated thereby. A single control circuit is provided, responsive to the single temperature sensor, for controlling both of the heating elements.

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Rochester, NY, United States of America

Walter D Foley