Richard Valentino Egan

US Patent:

6595427, Jul 22, 2003

Filed:

Aug 31, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/652427

Inventors:

Vivek K. Soni - Lynnfield MA
J. Barry Mahoney - Andover MA
William T. Plummer - Concord MA
Richard G. Egan - Dover MA

Assignee:

Polaroid Corporation - Waltham MA

International Classification:

G06K 1906

US Classification:

235491, 235468

Abstract:

The present invention relates to encoding and decoding of information using materials that are capable of mildly absorbing radiation over a wide range of infrared wavelengths and substantially non-absorbing in the visible wavelengths. Examples of such encoding of information are bar codes and area markings. Information is encoded in markings on a base medium by depositing or intertexturing on the base medium a material where the surface dimensions, thickness and presence of the material contain the encoded information. The encoding, as disclosed in this invention, utilizes a lower cost, more stable material than a material that is capable of highly absorbing over a range of infrared wavelengths and substantially non-absorbing in the visible wavelengths. However, since the material used in this invention is mildly absorbing in the infrared range, the signal obtained by reflecting or transmitting infrared radiation from the markings will be less distinct. Thus, inventive methods are needed to ensure that the encoded information can be decoded.

US Patent:

6786416, Sep 7, 2004

Filed:

May 27, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/445592

Inventors:

Vivek K. Soni - Lynnfield MA
J. Barry Mahoney - Andover MA
William T. Plummer - Concord MA
Richard G. Egan - Dover MA

Assignee:

Polaroid Corporation - Waltham MA

International Classification:

G06K 1906

US Classification:

235491

Abstract:

The present invention relates to encoding and decoding of information using materials that are mildly absorbing radiation over a wide range of infrared wavelengths and substantially non-absorbing in the visible wavelengths. Examples of such encoding of information are bar codes and area markings. Information is encoded in markings on a base medium by depositing or intertexturing on the base medium a material where the surface dimensions, thickness and presence of the material contain the encoded information. The encoding utilizes a lower cost, more stable material than a material that is highly absorbing over a range of infrared wavelengths and substantially non-absorbing in the visible wavelengths. However, since the material is mildly absorbing in the infrared range, the signal obtained by reflecting or transmitting infrared radiation from the markings will be less distinct. Thus, inventive methods are needed to ensure that the encoded information can be decoded.

US Patent:

6994257, Feb 7, 2006

Filed:

May 27, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/445594

Inventors:

Vivek K. Soni - Lynnfield MA, US
J. Barry Mahoney - Andover MA, US
William T. Plummer - Concord MA, US
Richard G. Egan - Dover MA, US

Assignee:

Polaroid Corporation - Waltham MA

International Classification:

G06K 7/10

US Classification:

235468

Abstract:

The present invention relates to encoding and decoding of information using materials that are capable of mildly absorbing radiation over a wide range of infrared wavelengths and substantially non-absorbing in the visible wavelengths. Examples of such encoding of information are bar codes and area markings. Information is encoded in markings on a base medium by depositing or intertexturing on the base medium a material where the surface dimensions, thickness and presence of the material contain the encoded information. The encoding, as disclosed in this invention, utilizes a lower cost, more stable material than a material that is capable of highly absorbing over a range of infrared wavelengths and substantially non-absorbing in the visible wavelengths. However, since the material used in this invention is mildly absorbing in the infrared range, the signal obtained by reflecting or transmitting infrared radiation from the markings will be less distinct. Thus, inventive methods are needed to ensure that the encoded information can be decoded.

US Patent:

7193640, Mar 20, 2007

Filed:

Oct 31, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/698209

Inventors:

Richard G. Egan - Dover MA, US

Assignee:

Polaroid Corporation - Waltham MA

International Classification:

B41J 2/315

US Classification:

347171

Abstract:

Techniques are disclosed for performing color registration estimation and correction in a multi-head printer. A registration target is printed by the printer and captured by an image capture device (such as a camera) within the printer. The registration target includes a plurality of shapes, each of which is printed by a single one of the print heads in the printer, and which are arranged in a pattern designed to enable cross-web and down-web registration estimates to be generated. The printer analyzes the captured target to generate such cross-web and down-web registration estimates and thereby to generate cross-web and down-web registration corrections. The printer applies the registration corrections to subsequent print jobs, thereby reducing or eliminating misregistration in printed output. The techniques disclosed herein are suitable for use in printers having print heads that differ in resolution from each other.

US Patent:

59697474, Oct 19, 1999

Filed:

Dec 19, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/574673

Inventors:

Richard G. Egan - Dover MA

Assignee:

Polaroid Corporation - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

B41J 247

US Classification:

347256

Abstract:

A light source is disclosed for use an optical printer illuminating a spatial light modulator to efficiently and uniformly project light onto a photosensitive medium while providing a simpler design of the spatial light modulator in the optical printer. The light source uses light emitting diodes opposed across a light pipe. The light from the light emitting diodes propagates in the light pipe until striking a redirection structure which redirects the light out of lateral surface of the light pipe.

US Patent:

45648530, Jan 14, 1986

Filed:

Feb 8, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/699564

Inventors:

Richard G. Egan - Dover MA

Assignee:

Polaroid Corporation - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

G01D 942

US Classification:

346160

Abstract:

An electronic image printing apparatus of the type utilizing a laser addressed liquid crystal light valve includes a single set of XY scanning galvanometer mirrors which operate initially to line scan an original photograph in order to derive electronic image data therefrom. The XY scanning galvanometer mirrors subsequently operate to addressably line scan a laser beam which is modulated in response to the electronic image data, across the surface of the liquid crystal light valve and to thereafter reflect a beam of incoherent light from a projection lamp for transmission through the liquid crystal light valve to expose a photosensitive material and thereby reproduce the image previously line scanned from the original photograph.

US Patent:

60142022, Jan 11, 2000

Filed:

Sep 16, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/931571

Inventors:

Philip D. Chapnik - Newton MA
Bruce K. Johnson - North Andover MA
Richard G. Egan - Dover MA
Joseph DelPico - Brockton MA

Assignee:

Polaroid Corporation - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

G03B 2754
G03B 2752

US Classification:

355 67

Abstract:

An optical system is disclosed wherein an illumination device is used to project colored light into a lens and focus through a spatial light modulator onto a photosensitive medium wherein the illumination device is configured so as to produce a uniform light distribution through the use of an aperture stop, a symmetrical placement of solid state light sources such as LEDs, or by LEDs fabricated such that the top surface emitting the colored light is not obstructed by an electrode or contacts connecting the light-emitting diode to a current source. Such a configuration is accomplished by providing a substantially transparent attachment layer that may include an opaque conductive material, but preferably includes transparent conductive particles that, in combination, attach and electrically connect the LED to a first electrode disposed upon a substrate. The light source is configured and spaced so as to allow incorporation of the light source into a print head, such that the print head can expose a photosensitive medium and focus down to produce a relatively uniform strip of light. The print head remains in relative motion with the photosensitive medium and allows for a delayed printing of some of the color information of each uniform strip of light.

US Patent:

45624623, Dec 31, 1985

Filed:

Sep 2, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/529104

Inventors:

Richard G. Egan - Dover MA

Assignee:

Polaroid Corporation - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

H04N 146
G01D 942
G02B 2714

US Classification:

358 75

Abstract:

A multispectral laser printing system in which beam splitting and beam recombination are accomplished by light refracting optical elements instead of beam splitters in order to materially improve efficiency. In one embodiment such beam splitting and recombination can be achieved by a single light refracting optical element such as a prism.