Clyde Wallace Hinkle

US Patent:

20010052932, Dec 20, 2001

Filed:

Dec 22, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/748788

Inventors:

Robert Young - Austin TX, US
Richard Ball - Austin TX, US
G. Mooty - Austin TX, US
Marc Digby - Austin TX, US
Christopher Hansen - Austin TX, US
Clyde Hinkle - Austin TX, US
Jon Isom - Austin TX, US
Philip Cannata - Austin TX, US

International Classification:

H04N005/253

US Classification:

348/096000

Abstract:

One aspect of the invention is a digital film processing system having a first light source operable to illuminate film. The digital film processing system also includes a first sensor operable to produce a first output in response to a first amount of light reflected from the film for a first time interval and a second sensor operable to produce a second output in response to a second amount of light passed through the film for the first time interval. The digital film processing system further includes processing circuitry coupled to the first light source and operable to adjust the output of the first light source in response to the first and second outputs so that the first sensor and the second sensor do not saturate. More particularly, the processing circuitry is further operable to adjust image data obtained from the film in response to the first and second outputs. In a further embodiment, the processing circuitry is further operable to adjust the output of the first light source in response to a film type.

US Patent:

20010030686, Oct 18, 2001

Filed:

Dec 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/746859

Inventors:

Robert Young - Austin TX, US
Marc Digby - Austin TX, US
Christopher Hansen - Indianapolis IN, US
Clyde Hinkle - Austin TX, US
Jon Isom - Austin TX, US
G. Mooty - Austin TX, US

International Classification:

H04N005/253
H04N009/47

US Classification:

348/096000

Abstract:

One aspect of the invention is a method for signal modulation adjustment. The method comprises illuminating a reference target and a region of film with a first light source for a first time interval. The method further comprises capturing image data from the film in response to a first amount of light reflected from the film with a first sensor for a first integration time. The method also comprises approximately simultaneously producing a first reference output in response to a first amount of light reflected from the reference target in a field of view of a reference sensor. More particularly, the method further comprises adjusting the data in response to the reference output. In a further embodiment, the method comprises adjusting an output illumination level of the first light source in response to the first reference output before a next time interval.

US Patent:

20010030750, Oct 18, 2001

Filed:

Jan 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/753431

Inventors:

Robert Young - Austin TX, US
Richard Ball - Austin TX, US
Mark Bishop - Austin TX, US
Marc Digby - Austin TX, US
Christopher Hansen - Indianapolis IN, US
Clyde Hinkle - Austin TX, US
Philip Cannata - Austin TX, US

International Classification:

G01N021/00

US Classification:

356/444000

Abstract:

One aspect of the present invention is a system for estimating sensor and illumination non-uniformities. The system comprises a first light source, and a first sensor operable to capture light reflected from a first side of film illuminated by the light source while the film has a developer chemical applied thereto and processing circuitry coupled to the first sensor. The processing circuitry is operable to capture a first plurality of readings from the sensor responsive to light reflected from an unexposed region of film to determine a first set of non-uniformity data and adjust image data obtained from the film in response to the first set of non-uniformity data. In a further embodiment, the processing circuitry is further operable to dim the first light source for at least a portion of the time that the sensor is being used to sense the unexposed region of the film. The processing circuitry may also capture a second plurality of readings from the sensor while the first light source is dimmed to determine a second set of non-uniformity data and adjust image data obtained from the film in response to the second set of non-uniformity data.