Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm William D. Miller
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Patent number: 7312560Abstract: A light source including an LED that emits excitation light, a layer a phosphor material positioned to receive the excitation light, the phosphor material emitting visible light when illuminated with the excitation light, and a first non-planar flexible multilayer reflector that reflects the excitation light and transmits visible light. The non-planar flexible multilayer reflector is positioned to reflect LED light onto the phosphor material.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2003Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignee: 3M Innovative PropertiesInventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Michael F. Weber, John A. Wheatley
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Patent number: 7303315Abstract: An illumination assembly includes a heat dissipating member having a plurality of circuitized strips disposed thereon a spaced relationship. Each circuitized strip includes an electrically insulative substrate having at least one circuit trace on a first side of the substrate and an electrically and thermally conductive layer on a second side of the substrate, such that the at least one circuit trace is electrically insulated from the second side of the substrate. The circuitized strips have a plurality of vias extending from the first side to the second side of the substrate. A plurality of LEDs are disposed in the plurality of vias, such that each LEDs is disposed on the electrically and thermally conductive layer on the second side of the substrate and electrically connected to the at least one circuit trace on the first side of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2004Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Denny G. Aeschliman, Hung T. Tran, Kenneth A. Epstein, Michael A. Meis, John C. Schultz
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Patent number: 7294861Abstract: A phosphor tape article includes a phosphor layer having a phosphor and a polymeric binder material, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer disposed adjacent the phosphor layer such that light transmitted through the pressure sensitive adhesive layer is received by the phosphor layer, and a release liner disposed on the pressure sensitive adhesive layer. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer is disposed between the release liner and the phosphor layer. The phosphor is suitable for excitation by UV or blue LED light, and the phosphor emission has a characteristic decay rate of less than 1 second. Light emitting devices including pieces of phosphor tape, and methods of making such devices, are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2005Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Craig R. Schardt, David Scott Thompson, Larry A. Meixner, Catherine A. Leatherdale
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Patent number: 7271951Abstract: New constructions of multilayer optical films, laminates thereof, and cards incorporating same are disclosed. In a card, the multilayer optical film can be sandwiched between relatively thick polymer layers using adhesive layers that are at least 0.5 mils thick but that may collectively account for no more than 3 mils of thickness. The cards can if desired be highly transmissive in the visible yet highly opaque in portions of the infrared. The resulting cards can have reduced angel hair formation during card stamping, increased resistance to delamination, and reduced haze.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2005Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael F. Weber, Diane North, David K. Mortenson
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Patent number: 7057682Abstract: A polarizer is used with a liquid crystal display (LCD) cell whose liquid crystal molecules are switched in the plane of the cell. The LCD has birefringent properties that are different from other types of LCD cell and, unlike other types of LCD, the image contrast is maintained and there is little color shift in the dark state when a low birefringence polarizer is used with the SIP LCD cell. In one embodiment, the x-z retardation of the layers between the polarization-sensitive absorbing layer and the LCD is less than 20 nm. In another embodiment, the x-z birefringence is less than 0.0005. The low levels of retardation and birefringence may be achieved by omitting the commonly used cellulose triacetate layer between the polarization-sensitive absorbing layer and the LCD.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2003Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co.Inventors: Philip E. Watson, Philip J. Ralli, John J. Cael
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Patent number: 7052168Abstract: An illumination system includes a light guide for distributing light. Extraction structures are provided to uniformly extract light from the light guide. The structures extract more light out of the light guide when light is propagating in the light guide in a direction toward the light input area than when light is propagating in the light guide in a direction away from the light input area.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2003Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kenneth A. Epstein, Leland R. Whitney, Charles D. Hoyle, Wade D. Kretman
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Patent number: 7038745Abstract: A multiple layer reflective polarizer 12 is described. This element is placed between and optical cavity 24 and an LCD module 16 to form an optical display. The reflective polarizer reflects some light into the optical cavity 24 where it is randomized and may ultimately emerge with the correct polarization to be transmitted out of the display.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2003Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael F. Weber, Olester Benson, Jr., Sanford Cobb, Jr., James M. Jonza, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, David L. Wortman, Carl A. Stover
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Patent number: 6905219Abstract: A display device having an indicator interposed between two light controlling elements. The light controlling elements act in cooperation to restrict the viewing angle of the display in at least two directions. Only one of the light collimating elements restricts the angle of ambient light entering the display.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2002Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Gary E. Gaides
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Patent number: 6900936Abstract: An illumination system for a reflective display is particularly useful for microdisplays that use reflective displays. The light source and the reflective image display unit are mounted in a coplanar manner, thus permitting the light source and the display unit to be mounted on a single board, or even on a single substrate. The display unit may include a first light source directing light generally along a first axis and a reflective image display unit disposed with an optical axis substantially parallel to the first axis. A reflective polarizing film is disposed to direct light from the first light source to the reflective image light display unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2004Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Gary T. Boyd, Richard A. Miller, Leland R. Whitney
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Patent number: 6894821Abstract: Display apparatuses are shown capable of displaying information in a reflective mode using only ambient light and in a transmissive mode using a light source. In one embodiment, the display apparatus includes a reflecting polarizer disposed between a light modulating layer and an isotropic light cavity. The light cavity reflects incident light with a first degree of depolarization. The reflecting polarizer reflects light with a second degree of depolarization for at least one polarization that is greater than the first degree of depolarization. In another embodiment of the display apparatus, a microstructured film is included above a light cavity and below a light modulating system where the microstructured film includes sawtooth formations having at least a tilted surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2002Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Keith M. Kotchick
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Patent number: 6829071Abstract: Optical devices using reflective polarizers and, in particular, diffusely reflective polarizers are provided. Many of the optical devices utilize the diffusely reflecting and specularly transmitting properties of diffusely reflecting polarizers to enhance their optical characteristics. The optical devices include a lighting system which uses a reflector formed from a diffusely reflecting polarizer attached to a specular reflector. Another optical device is a display apparatus which uses a diffusely reflecting polarizer layer in combination with a turning lens which folds shallow angle light toward a light modulating layer. Other optical devices exploit the depolarizing characteristics of a diffusely reflecting polarizer when reflecting light. Still other optical devices use diffusely reflecting polarizers to recycle light and improve display illumination.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2001Date of Patent: December 7, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Richard C. Allen, Elisa M. Cross, Ronald J. Tabar
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Patent number: 6801276Abstract: An optical component including a mirror surface, a structured polymer layer including one side having structured elements, and a filler layer adjacent to the side of the structured polymer layer having the structured elements. The filler layer fills in the structured elements and has one substantially planar side. The filler layer has a refractive index Nf, the structured polymer layer has a refractive index of Ns, and Ns is different from Nf. The optical component is useful to direct backreflected ambient light to a peak angle that is different than a glare peak. A display device is also described including a first and second polarizer, a liquid crystal layer below the first polarizer, a mirror surface below the liquid crystal layer, and a structured polymer layer comprising one side having structured elements.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2000Date of Patent: October 5, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kenneth A. Epstein, Olester Benson, Jr., Andrew J. Ouderkirk
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Patent number: 6785049Abstract: An illumination system for a reflective display is particularly useful for microdisplays that use reflective displays. The light source and the reflective image display unit are mounted in a coplanar manner, thus permitting the light source and the display unit to be mounted on a single board, or even on a single substrate. The display unit may include a first light source directing light generally along a first axis and a reflective image display unit disposed with an optical axis substantially parallel to the first axis. A reflective polarizing film is disposed to direct light from the first light source to the reflective image light display unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2000Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Gary T. Boyd, Richard A. Miller, Leland R. Whitney
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Patent number: 6710941Abstract: The present invention is a screen, such as is used in back-lit projection screens, having a Fresnel lens laminated to another layer for support. The screen includes a Fresnel lens having an output surface, and a dispersing screen supportingly attached on a first side to the output surface of the Fresnel lens.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2002Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Daniel W. Hennen, Robert S. Moshrefzadeh, John C. Nelson, Scott M. Tapio, Patrick A. Thomas
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Patent number: 6692647Abstract: A beaded light dispersing film has a substrate layer, and an optically transparent layer, having a predetermined thickness, disposed over a side of the substrate layer. Optically transmitting beads are arranged to penetrate at least partially into the transparent layer to define clear apertures at interfaces between the beads and the transparent layer. The bead radius is greater than the predetermined thickness. An absorbing layer is disposed on the transparent layer, in interstices between the beads. A method of manufacturing the film includes disposing optically transparent beads partially in an optically transparent layer disposed over a transparent substrate layer. The optically transparent layer has a thickness less than half a diameter of a transparent bead. An absorbing layer overlies the optically transparent layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2001Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robert S. Moshrefzadeh, Ragunath Padiyath, Richard J. Pokorny, Hsin-hsin Chou, Jeffrey C. Chang, Colleen M. Brenner
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Patent number: 6626545Abstract: The present invention is a light directing construction for use in a display apparatus. The light directing construction includes a light directing film that has a prismatic structure having two sides, where one side includes saw tooth formations having tilted surfaces, and a metal coating on the side of the prismatic substrate having the saw-tooth formations. A corrosion-resistant feature is provided on the light directing construction to minimize the effects of corrosion experienced in salt atmospheres. In a first embodiment of the invention, the light directing construction includes an intermediate layer positioned between the light directing film and the metal coating. In a second embodiment of the invention, a peripheral polymeric coating is provided on the light directing constriction. This peripheral coating can be formed with a laser.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2002Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Timothy J. Gardner, Richard F. Griffith
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Patent number: 6624934Abstract: Rear projection screens use lenticular lens films as light dispersing components. A single lenticular lens film includes lenticular lenses having different focal powers, or includes lenticular lenses formed in two dimensional patterns. The lenticular lens films improve the brightness uniformity over the entire screen as viewed by a viewer who is located at a specific position. The specific position is typically selected to be the most probable location of the viewer for the particular application.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1999Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robert S. Moshrefzadeh, John C. Nelson, Patrick A. Thomas
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Patent number: 6624936Abstract: A polarizer has low color shift and is particularly well suited to use in an LCD display. The polarizer has a double pass color shift of |&Dgr;x|≦0.005 and |&Dgr;y|≦0.005 for illumination by a C-illuminant, and a double pass contrast modulation of at least 90%. The display includes two or more layers stacked together, at least one of the layers being an absorbing polarizer having a double pass color shift of |&Dgr;x|≦0.005 and |&Dgr;y|≦0.005 for illumination by a C-illuminant. A polarizer with a selected color shift is also used with a rear projection screen having a dispersing layer stacked together with first absorbing polarizer. The polarizer has a single pass color shift with at least one of &Dgr;x and &Dgr;y being negative under illumination by a C-illuminant, and a polarization co-efficiency greater than 90%.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2001Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Keith M. Kotchick, Ikuko Ebihara, Gregory E. Gilligan
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Patent number: 6590711Abstract: The present invention is a light directing construction for use in a display apparatus. The light directing construction includes a light directing film that has a prismatic structure having two sides, where one side includes saw tooth formations having tilted surfaces, and a metal coating on the side of the prismatic substrate having the saw-tooth formations. A corrosion-resistant feature is provided on the light directing construction to minimize the effects of corrosion experienced in salt atmospheres. In a first embodiment of the invention, the light directing construction includes an intermediate layer positioned between the light directing film and the metal coating. In a second embodiment of the invention, a peripheral polymeric coating is provided on the light directing constriction. This peripheral coating can be formed with a laser.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2000Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co.Inventors: Timothy J. Gardner, Richard F. Griffith, Lavern L. Linse, Leo A. Meyer, James A. Stevenson
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Patent number: 6583930Abstract: A birefringent interference polarizer which may be fabricated from readily available materials using established coextrusion techniques is provided. The polarizer has a level of light absorption near zero and can be fabricated to polarize and reflect light of specific wavelengths while transmitting light of other wavelengths. The polarizer includes multiple alternating oriented layers of at least first and second polymeric materials having respective nonzero stress optical coefficients which are sufficiently different to produce a refractive index mismatch between the first and second polymeric materials in a first plane which is different from the refractive index mismatch between the first and second polymeric materials in a second plane normal to the first plane. The refractive index mismatch in the first plane is preferably at least 0.03.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1998Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative PropertiesInventors: Walter J. Schrenk, Victor S. Chang, John A. Wheatley