Robert D Swanson

US Patent:

55552528, Sep 10, 1996

Filed:

Nov 28, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/345961

Inventors:

George W. Brock - La Jolla CA
Robert E. Swanson - Del Mar CA

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

C03B 1724

US Classification:

354106

Abstract:

Magnetic record/reproduce apparatus for recording or reproducing information on a magnetic layer of a filmstrip in a camera, and more particularly, modular magnetic recording apparatus for optional attachment to photographic still cameras. Power and control signals supplied from within the module define the format and content of information recorded or reproduced from tracks in a substantially transparent magnetic layer. In one embodiment, the camera contains a record/reproduce head in the film transport path. In a further embodiment, the module contains the record/reproduce head, and the camera is adapted to receive the record/reproduced head in a record/reproduced aperture and position it in the film transport path on attachment of the module to the camera housing. In both embodiments, the magnetic head is preferably an elongated multi-head element array. Preferably the magnetic head aperture of the second embodiment is shaped to receive the elongated multi-head array as either a single elongated opening or a row of individual head receiving openings aligned in the cross-film direction, and a light tight flexible, opaque membrane is stretched over the magnetic head aperature so that the multi-head array may be inserted therein and physically bear against the membrane and the magnetic layer of the film strip adjacent to the membrane.

US Patent:

53903536, Feb 14, 1995

Filed:

May 23, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/704556

Inventors:

Robert E. Swanson - Del Mar CA

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

G06F 700

US Classification:

395800

Abstract:

A programmable formatter for providing a data format in response to programmable commands comprises a memory for storing at least program instructions which define the data format; an instruction register for receiving and holding a current program instruction read out of the memory from a given address; a field state machine for indicating when the current program instruction has been completed; an instruction decoder for decoding the program instruction and for specifying information required by a decoded instruction; a repetition counter for counting a number of iterations specified by the current instruction; a data register for storing and outputting fixed patterns specified by the current program instruction; and a next state logic circuit for requesting a next program instruction from the memory when the current program instruction has been completed.

US Patent:

55722695, Nov 5, 1996

Filed:

May 8, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/437204

Inventors:

George W. Brock - La Jolla CA
Robert E. Swanson - Del Mar CA
Sheldon W. Hower - San Diego CA

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

G03B 1724
G03B 2900

US Classification:

396320

Abstract:

A magnetic recording and/or reproducing head system particularly for use for writing and/or reading information on tracks in a magnetics-on-film (MOF) layer in the image area of photographic filmstrips, wherein the system provides for mounting of such magnetic heads on a suspension and translation system to move the magnetic heads from track to track of the MOF layer and longitudinally along a selected track. The filmstrip exhibits a lengthwise curvature of a predetermined sign and a cross-film curvature. The filmstrip is advanced to a stationary position in a curved transport path in the length dimension of the filmstrip, the curved transport path having a curvature radius of the same sign as the predetermined curvature sign of the filmstrip. The filmstrip edges are engaged in edge guides such that the transport path curvature and the edge guides negate cross-film curvature. The magnetic head is lengthwise translated along the selected track following the curvature radius on a head track selection assembly which includes a head track guide connected between first ends of a pair of positioning arms extending across the film edge guides for supporting the magnetic head for engagement and lengthwise translation with the filmstrip selected track by pivotal movement thereof.

US Patent:

58548092, Dec 29, 1998

Filed:

Apr 29, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/640985

Inventors:

Robert Earl Swanson - Del Mar CA
Thomas Daniel Carr - Leucadia CA

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

H04B 166

US Classification:

375240

Abstract:

A data recovery technique for jitter tolerant peak detected channels. The number of consecutive zeros between ones are reproduced in a run-length coded, peak detected channel. The interval (time, distance) is measured between peaks of a run-length encoded digital data signal wherein peaks represent ones and absence of peaks represent zeros. A look-up-table is provided having entries for all possible intervals between peaks for the run-length code used and corresponding entries for the number of zeros between ones. The measured interval is applied to the look-up-table to produce a string of zero bits between one bits.

US Patent:

55722679, Nov 5, 1996

Filed:

Aug 23, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/294285

Inventors:

Robert E. Swanson - Del Mar CA
Tomasz Jagielinski - Carlsbad CA
George W. Brock - La Jolla CA

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

G03B 2900

US Classification:

396319

Abstract:

A magnetic recorder includes multiple permanent magnetic elements having magnetic orientations that impart a sequence of magnetic transitions to magnetic media of a photographic filmstrip contained within a camera. The permanent magnetic elements are external to the camera. The sequence of magnetic transitions comprise information that can be subsequently retrieved and provided to the photographic processor and/or photographer. The information can include identification of locale or other information of interest to the photographer. The magnetic recorder requires no power supply and is easily operated by a photographer virtually without regard to weather conditions.

US Patent:

57422443, Apr 21, 1998

Filed:

Apr 22, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/636075

Inventors:

Robert Earl Swanson - Del Mar CA
Thomas Daniel Carr - Leucadia CA
Norman Lee Koren - Encinitas CA

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

H03M 700

US Classification:

341 59

Abstract:

An input string of binary data bits which is a random sequence of 0s and 1s is selectively spaced encoded into an output string of binary channel bits which is a sequence of 0s and 1s. An input string of binary data bits are recursively encoded according to run-length selection means having rate p/q where p is the number of input data bits that are encoded into q-channel bits. The channel bits obey constraints such that the encoding specifies an ordered n element list of integers that are the lengths of the selected runs of consecutive zeros, denoted b. sub. 0 -1, b. sub. 1 -1,. . . , b. sub. n-1 -1, and such that the element list of integers does not contain all the integers between the minimum element, b. sub. 0, and the maximum element, b. sub. n-1.

US Patent:

46744851, Jun 23, 1987

Filed:

Dec 12, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/740751

Inventors:

Robert E. Swanson - La Jolla CA

International Classification:

A61H 102

US Classification:

128 75

Abstract:

A patient controlled traction device in which a mechanical advantage pulley system is used to multiply the traction applied by a weight and in which a mechanical advantage pulley system is used to enable the patient to relieve the force of the traction by the application of a relatively small force, substantially less than the weight utilized.