Patents by Inventor Billy L. Weaver

Billy L. Weaver has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9360971
    Abstract: An electrode for a touch sensitive device includes micro-wire conductors arranged to define an electrically continuous area and to include interior regions that are electrically discontinuous. The electrically continuous area may be patterned according to a one pattern, and the interior pattern may be patterned according to another pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Roger W. Barton, Billy L. Weaver, Bernard O. Geaghan, Brock A. Hable
  • Publication number: 20160077637
    Abstract: An electrode for a touch sensitive device includes micro-wire conductors arranged to define an electrically continuous electrode trunk area, and including branching elements which extend outward from the electrode trunk area. The electrically continuous trunk area is patterned coincident an underlying reference mesh pattern, as are the branching elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Billy L. Weaver, Roger W. Barton, Thomas Herdtle, Brock A. Hable
  • Patent number: 9229553
    Abstract: An electrode for a touch sensitive device includes micro-wire conductors arranged to define an electrically continuous electrode trunk area, and including branching elements which extend outward from the electrode trunk area. The electrically continuous trunk area is patterned coincident an underlying reference mesh pattern, as are the branching elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Billy L. Weaver, Roger W. Barton, Thomas Herdtle, Brock A. Hable
  • Publication number: 20150138151
    Abstract: Presently described are articles such as antennas, EMI shields, and touch screen sensors as well as patterned substrates having overlaid micropatterns with low visibility. Also described are methods of determining the visibility of a patterned substrate. In one embodiment, a patterned substrate is described comprising a visible light transparent substrate; and at least two overlaid electrically conductive mesh micropatterns, wherein each mesh has a repeating cell geometry and the combination of overlaid micropatterns has a spatial contrast threshold at a distance of 30000 units of greater than ?35 decibels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Cristin E. Moran, Matthew H. Frey, Brian L. Linzie, Billy L. Weaver
  • Publication number: 20150097587
    Abstract: Capacitive sensing devices are provided that include a sensing pattern of conductive traces disposed upon the surface of a substrate and a first passive circuit element that includes a metallic conductor disposed upon the same surface of the substrate. In some embodiments, the first passive circuit element is a component of an electronic circuit that can be, for example, a low pass filter. Provided capacitive sensing devices are useful, for example, when incorporated into projected touch screen display panels for use on electronic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Billy L. Weaver, Matthew H. Frey, Lijun Zu, Cristin E. Moran
  • Patent number: 8970515
    Abstract: Presently described are articles such as antennas, EMI shields, and touch screen sensors as well as patterned substrates having overlaid micropatterns with low visibility. Also described are methods of determining the visibility of a patterned substrate. In one embodiment, a patterned substrate is described comprising a visible light transparent substrate; and at least two overlaid electrically conductive mesh micropatterns, wherein each mesh has a repeating cell geometry and the combination of overlaid micropatterns has a spatial contrast threshold at a distance of 30000 units of greater than ?35 decibels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Cristin E. Moran, Matthew H. Frey, Brian L. Linzie, Billy L. Weaver
  • Patent number: 8941395
    Abstract: Capacitive sensing devices are provided that include a sensing pattern of conductive traces disposed upon the surface of a substrate and a first passive circuit element that includes a metallic conductor disposed upon the same surface of the substrate. In some embodiments, the first passive circuit element is a component of an electronic circuit that can be, for example, a low pass filter. Provided capacitive sensing devices are useful, for example, when incorporated into projected touch screen display panels for use on electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Billy L. Weaver, Matthew H. Frey, Lijun Zu, Cristin E. Moran
  • Publication number: 20140347076
    Abstract: An electrode layer has a plurality of substantially parallel electrodes disposed along a first direction. At least one electrode has a length along the first direction and a width from a first edge to a second edge along a second direction transverse to the first direction. At least one electrode comprises across its width at least one edge section, at least one intermediate section, and at least one central section, wherein an intermediate section is disposed along the electrode width between an edge section and the central section. At least one electrode edge section and intermediate section includes a plurality of electrically isolated regions arranged in a pattern along the electrode length. An electrode conductive area of the edge section is less than an electrode conductive area of the intermediate section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Roger W. Barton, Billy L. Weaver, Matthew W. Gorrell, Brock A. Hable
  • Patent number: 8748911
    Abstract: Light emitting systems are disclosed. The light emitting system emits an output light that has a first color. The light emitting system includes a first electroluminescent device that emits light at a first wavelength in response to a first signal. The first wavelength is substantially independent of the first signal. The intensity of the emitted first wavelength light is substantially proportional to the first signal. The light emitting system further includes a first luminescent element that includes a second electroluminescent device and a first light converting layer. The second electroluminescent device emits light at a second wavelength in response to a second signal. The first light converting layer includes a semiconductor potential well and converts at least a portion of light at the second wavelength to light at a third wavelength that is longer than the second wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Haase, James A. Thielen, Catherine A. Leatherdale, Billy L. Weaver, Terry L. Smith
  • Publication number: 20140152580
    Abstract: An electrode for a touch sensitive device includes micro-wire conductors arranged to define an electrically continuous electrode trunk area, and including branching elements which extend outward from the electrode trunk area. The electrically continuous trunk area is patterned coincident an underlying reference mesh pattern, as are the branching elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Billy L. WEAVER, Roger W. BARTON, Thomas HERDTLE, Brock A. HABLE
  • Patent number: 8659641
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes an liquid crystal display panel having a frame response time of less than 5 milliseconds, drive electronics configured to drive the liquid crystal display panel to black between images that are provided to the liquid crystal display panel at a rate of at least 90 images per second, and a backlight positioned to provide light to the liquid crystal display panel. The backlight includes a right eye solid state light source and a left eye solid state light source capable of being modulated between the right eye solid state light source and a left eye solid state light source at a rate of at least 90 Hertz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Scott E. Brigham, John C. Schultz, Billy L. Weaver
  • Publication number: 20130082970
    Abstract: A touch screen display sensor is provided that includes a transparent touch-sensing element disposed upon the surface of a transparent substrate and a force-sensing element disposed within the transparent touch-sensing element. The force-sensing element includes two sets of bands of micromesh and can include a pressure-responsive material between the bands of micromesh. The bands of micromesh include traces of a metallic conductor. The sets of bands of micromesh are spaced apart and occupy substantially parallel planes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew H. Frey, Robert R. Kieschke, Billy L. Weaver
  • Patent number: 8339444
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes an autosteroscopic liquid crystal display panel having a frame response time of less than 10 milliseconds, and a backlight positioned to provide light to the autosteroscopic liquid crystal display. The backlight includes a right eye solid state light source and a left eye solid state light source capable of being modulated between the right eye solid state light source and a left eye solid state light source at a rate of at least 90 Hertz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John C. Schultz, William J. Bryan, Alan G. Hulme-Lowe, Michael J. Sykora, Billy L. Weaver
  • Publication number: 20120280947
    Abstract: A stylus including a pressure sensitive membrane deployed as a pressure sensor therein. The pressure sensitive membrane is deformed upon the application of pressure to the stylus tip. The deformation changes an electrical property of the pressure sensitive membrane, said property being measured and used as an analog for pressure applied by a user to a surface via the stylus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Billy L. WEAVER, Karl M. KROPP
  • Publication number: 20120127114
    Abstract: A conductive element in a touch sensitive device, such as an electrode in a mutual capacitive touch sensor, that includes conductors arranged in a location pattern that may be sensed and analyzed, and a position on the touch sensor determined therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Billy L. WEAVER, Brock A. Hable
  • Publication number: 20120125882
    Abstract: A method of patterning a conductor on a substrate, the conductor including a unique location indicia that may be sensed with a sensing device, and the location on the substrate determined therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Billy L. Weaver, Brock A. Hable
  • Patent number: 8179362
    Abstract: A scanning backlight for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display apparatus includes a light guide having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and having a first surface extending between the first and second sides and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface substantially re-directs light and the second surface substantially transmits light. A plurality of first light sources are arranged along the first side of the light guide for transmitting light into the light guide from the first side and a plurality of second light sources are arranged along the second side of the light guide for transmitting light into the light guide from the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Scott E. Brigham, John C. Schultz, Billy L. Weaver
  • Publication number: 20120062497
    Abstract: A touch-sensitive device with stylus includes a touch panel, a stylus drive unit, a stylus sense unit, a touch panel drive unit, and a measurement unit. A touch by a stylus proximate to a touch panel electrode changes a capacitive coupling between the touch panel electrode and a stylus electrode. The amplitude of the response signal is responsive to the capacitive coupling between the touch panel electrode and the stylus electrode, and is measured to provide an indication of the position of the stylus electrode relative to the touch panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas J. REBESCHI, Billy L. Weaver, Brock A. Hable
  • Publication number: 20120062499
    Abstract: A touch-sensitive device with stylus includes a touch panel, a touch panel drive unit, a stylus sense unit, and a measurement unit. A touch by a stylus proximate to a touch panel electrode changes a capacitive coupling between the touch panel electrode and a stylus electrode. The amplitude of the response signal is responsive to the capacitive coupling between the touch panel electrode and the stylus electrode, and is measured to provide an indication of the position of the stylus electrode relative to the touch panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Billy L. WEAVER, Thomas J. Rebeschi, Brock A. Hable
  • Publication number: 20120062498
    Abstract: A touch-sensitive device with stylus includes a touch panel, a stylus drive unit, a touch panel sense unit, and a measurement unit. A touch by a stylus proximate to a touch panel electrode changes a capacitive coupling between the touch panel electrode and a stylus electrode. The amplitude of the response signal is responsive to the capacitive coupling between the touch panel electrode and the stylus electrode, and is measured to provide an indication of the position of the stylus electrode relative to the touch panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Billy L. WEAVER, Brock A. HABLE, Thomas J. REBESCHI