William R Plummer

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:

44987480, Feb 12, 1985

Filed:

Dec 3, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/446598

Inventors:

Peter W. J. Jones - Belmont MA
William T. Plummer - Concord MA
Dennis W. Purcell - Medford MA

Assignee:

Polaroid Corporation - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

G03B 1748

US Classification:

354 79

Abstract:

A camera for photographing architectural scale models and the like to obtain photographs having natural full-scale perspective. The camera includes a film back adapted to receive panchromatic, preferably, self-processable type film. From the film back extends a relatively long body which tapers rather sharply from the film back to a narrow pedestal-like base upon which the camera stands and which allows easy access to model features. An optical system resides in the base and includes a long focal length positive lens and pinhole adapted to the long tapered body and an afocal, simple reversed Galilean telescope which serves to establish the camera field of view. Chromatic aberrations which might otherwise cause multiple images due to the long camera optical path are eliminated by appropriate filtering.

US Patent:

51769727, Jan 5, 1993

Filed:

Sep 11, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/757910

Inventors:

Iris B. K. Bloom - Waltham MA
Richard A. Minns - Arlington MA
William T. Plummer - Concord MA

Assignee:

Polaroid Corporation - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

G03C 554
G03C 180

US Classification:

430 14

Abstract:

An imaging medium comprises means for providing a light-reflecting layer, an image-receiving layer for receiving image-forming components, a transparent layer superposed over the image-receiving layer such that an image in the image-receiving layer can be viewed through the transparent layer against the light-reflecting layer, and an image enhancement layer disposed between the image-receiving layer and the transparent layer, the image enhancement layer having a refractive index less than that of the transparent layer and the image-receiving layer and not greater than about 1. 43. The image enhancement layer decreases internal reflections within the medium and thereby improves the quality of the image seen. The imaging medium can be used as the imaging element of a diffusion transfer process film unit.

US Patent:

60668571, May 23, 2000

Filed:

Sep 11, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/151496

Inventors:

Stephen D. Fantone - Lynnfield MA
Luis A. Figarella - Nashua NH
David A Imrie - Woburn MA
Harry McKinley - Southampton MA
William T. Plummer - Concord MA
Howard Stern - Greenlawn NY
Jon E. Van Tassell - Winthrop MA

Assignee:

Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. - Canton MA

International Classification:

G02B 704
G06K 710

US Classification:

250566

Abstract:

A focusable imaging system particularly suitable for use in acquiring digital images for subsequent processing such as in a hand held, omnidirectional symbology or bar code reader by which linear and two dimensional (matrix, maxi-code) bar codes may be imaged over relatively long working distances. The imaging system includes an focusing objective taking lens and a two-dimensional photodetector that operate to form an image of an object such as a bar code in X and Y directions simultaneously and generate an electrical signal representative of the object or code for subsequent downstream processing by which information embedded in the object or bar code may be extracted. Focusing is achieved via a rotating disk that carries a plurality of optical shims or other light controlling surfaces to provide for different focus zones. A through-the-lens (TTL) targeting system is provided to visually assist the user in positioning the reader for a variety of code modalities to assure that a bar code or the like will be captured within the field of view and be sharply imaged on the photodetector when the lens is focused. Two different forms of artificial illumination are provided to accommodate nearby objects or codes that may be either specular or partially diffuse and more distant objects or codes where the reflection characteristics have less impact on image contrast.

US Patent:

39763684, Aug 24, 1976

Filed:

Dec 4, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/529407

Inventors:

Mary Conlin McCann - Belmont MA
William T. Plummer - Concord MA
Vivian K. Walworth - Concord MA

Assignee:

Polaroid Corporation - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

G02B 504
G02B 718

US Classification:

350286

Abstract:

The invention is an optical element, one version of which is useful for operating an automatic exposure control of a self-contained camera coupled to a microscope without detracting from the brightness of the magnified image to be recorded on the camera's film format. The article includes three reflecting surfaces arranged to extract a small part of the light emerging from the microscope's eyepiece and direct it into the photodetector of the automatic exposure control. A lensrefracts the light, after the third reflection, to improve the distribution of the light onto the camera's photodetector. The article is suitable for manufacture as a homogeneous molding of transparent plastic.

US Patent:

44430671, Apr 17, 1984

Filed:

Mar 23, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/246224

Inventors:

R. Calvin Owen - Lincoln MA
William T. Plummer - Concord MA

Assignee:

Polaroid Corporation - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

G02B 904
G02B 906
G02B 1318
G02B 1502

US Classification:

350422

Abstract:

A zone focusing lens system is provided for use as a photographic camera objective. In the system, a fixed positive meniscus is placed ahead of the system aperture stop and is provided with an aspheric surface that is structured primarily to correct for off-axis aberrations. A lens disk having a plurality of different meniscus lens elements is located so that each of its elements can be selectively rotated into alignment proximate the system aperture stop to provide system focal lengths appropriate for sharply focusing objects located within different distance ranges. Each of the lens disk elements is provided with an aspheric surface that is structured primarily to reduce spherical aberrations.