Dennis A Howe

US Patent:

44478992, May 8, 1984

Filed:

Jun 18, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/160769

Inventors:

Frederick F. Geyer - Rochester NY
Dennis G. Howe - Fairport NY

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

G11B 700
G11B 2504

US Classification:

369111

Abstract:

An improved method of optically writing and/or reading high density involves: (1) predeterminedly positioning a flat, uniformly thick, flexible, optical disc with respect to an axis of rotation; (2) rotating the disc on such axis at a high speed and in a predeterminedly spaced relation to a predeterminedly shaped, smooth, featureless reference surface and (3) coupling a central region between the disc and reference surface to an ambient gas source. Related apparatus and disc configurations, including embodiments having flexible disc covers, also are disclosed.

US Patent:

43597505, Nov 16, 1982

Filed:

Apr 30, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/259127

Inventors:

Dennis G. Howe - Pittsford NY

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

G01D 1534

US Classification:

3461351

Abstract:

An optical disc of the type having a thermally deformable recording layer overlying a reflectively surfaced support features a crenelated disc support surface having grooves of predetermined depth and interleaved lands arranged in a spiral or concentric pattern. The recording layer's outer surface is nominally planar so that the differences in thickness between "over-land" and "over-groove" portions thereof impart high phase-shift contrast to light of a given read wavelength.

US Patent:

43365450, Jun 22, 1982

Filed:

Dec 18, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/217646

Inventors:

Dennis G. Howe - Pittsford NY
Alan B. Marchant - Rochester NY
Joseph J. Wrobel - Rochester NY

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

G01D 900
G01D 1534

US Classification:

346 11

Abstract:

A recording element adapted for real-time writing and reading with light of a single given wave-length utilizes a recording stratum, including a heat-deformable dye-binder layer, overlying a reflective support and is characterized by the dye-binder layer having optical constants such that its reflectance versus thickness variation curve has a first reflectance minimum having a high depth of modulation and the recording stratum having a nominal thickness sufficiently greater than the thickness corresponding to the first reflectance minimum to effect reflection of a significant portion of light of such given wavelength.

US Patent:

42220700, Sep 9, 1980

Filed:

Mar 13, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/885921

Inventors:

Dennis G. Howe - Fairport NY
Harold T. Thomas - Rochester NY
James K. Lee - Rochester NY

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

H04N 576
B32B 3116

US Classification:

3581285

Abstract:

Video information is commonly recorded on a master record device such as a video disc by focussing a modulated recording beam on the master disc and rotating the disc relative to the focussed recording beam. During exposure, the recording beam travels across the rotating master disc so that a spiral track of video information is recorded. Because of the extremely small depth of focus, typically less than a micron, focus maintenance is simplified if the master disc recording surface is optically flat. This requirement has led to the use of a relatively expensive master video disc comprised of optically polished glass, quartz or other rigid material. In accordance with the present invention, a method of recording video information on a master disc is provided which permits the use of an inexpensive flexible master disc comprised of ESTAR or other similar material, and yet which enables an extremely small depth of focus to be accurately maintained.

US Patent:

41508807, Apr 24, 1979

Filed:

Jun 13, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/806205

Inventors:

Dennis G. Howe - Fairport NY
Richard N. Blazey - Rochester NY
James C. Owens - Pittsford NY

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

G02F 133

US Classification:

350358

Abstract:

An acoustooptic deflection cell diffracts a multi-color beam into a plurality of different mono-color beams of distinct scan angles. An optical system intercepts the diffracted light beams, equalizes the differenct scan angles and realigns the beams to register at an image plane. Equalization of the scan angles may be accomplished by a prism system, while realignment may be done with a mirror system.

US Patent:

42452473, Jan 13, 1981

Filed:

Jul 19, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/058990

Inventors:

Bruce G. Fike - Rochester NY
Dennis G. Howe - Fairport NY
Evan A. Edwards - Pittsford NY

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

H04N 126

US Classification:

3581286

Abstract:

Facsimile recording on a video disc, wherein a document such as a bank check is recorded as a frame of video information, generally requires that the frame of recorded information be displayed or transformed into a hard copy reproduction of the original document. In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the frame of video information is recorded on a video disc as two fields of interlaced lines recorded on adjacent circular tracks. Upon playback, the circular tracks are alternately read to produce the customary video display of two interlaced fields. To provide a hard copy reproduction of the original document, the circular tracks are simultaneously read and the resultant signal fed to a signal processing circuit. The output of the signal processing circuit comprises, in alternation, lines of video information from each field. This output signal is fed to a printer device which prints, line-by-line, a hard copy reproduction of the original document.

US Patent:

43609082, Nov 23, 1982

Filed:

Feb 25, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/124381

Inventors:

Dennis G. Howe - Fairport NY
Joseph J. Wrobel - Rochester NY

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

G11B 700
G11B 724
G11B 726

US Classification:

369109

Abstract:

Optical disc structure physically optimized for real-time recording and playback of high-density information and methods and apparatus pertaining to such disc structure. One disclosed disc embodiment is designed for heat-deformation recording and reflective read-out and, in regard to the chosen reading wave-length, is optimized in recording stratum thickness and optical constants for high sensitivity writing and high contrast, phase interference reading. Another disclosed disc embodiment is further optimized in thickness and optical constants with respect to a chosen writing wavelength to further enhance writing sensitivity and reduce requisite writing power.

US Patent:

45381593, Aug 27, 1985

Filed:

Apr 16, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/600643

Inventors:

Mool C. Gupta - W. Webster NY
Joseph J. Wrobel - Rochester NY
Dennis G. Howe - Pittsford NY

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

G01D 1534
G03C 176

US Classification:

3461351

Abstract:

A recording element comprising a support having thereon a heat-deformable optical recording layer having a transparent ceramic overcoat characterized in that the overcoat has a thickness up to about 0. 05. mu. m is disclosed.