Patents by Inventor Graeme R. Mann

Graeme R. Mann 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: 7821621
    Abstract: A method and systems for recovering an image and/or information from a document layer(s) is provided. A first light source directs light to the document. A second light source directs light towards a beam splitting mirror which reflects the light towards the document. An image receiver receives the first and second reflected light from the document layer(s). The image receiver passes a signal to a personal computer which processes the received information. Such processing is to establish whether the document includes a retroreflective laminate, a plain polyester laminate, or neither. Additionally, further processing can establish whether the document has been tampered with, altered, or forged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Graeme R. Mann
  • Publication number: 20080224462
    Abstract: A transparent tamper-indicating data sheet is provided wherein a transparent durable layer (a first major component), such as polyester or a multilayer optical film (MOF), is adhered to a fragile layer (a second major component), such as a holographic foil or a security laminate, such as Confirmâ„¢ Security Laminate, either the fragile sheet or film or the durable layer being printed with identification and/or verification information. The components of the transparent data sheet are laminated together with or without an adhesive layer between the two major components. The two major components have the same outside dimensions and are congruent. Evidence of tampering with the identification or verification information is easily viewed from either side of the transparent data sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Andrew D. Dubner, Brian W. Dunne, James M. Jonza, Lynn E. Lorimor, Graeme R. Mann, Shivshankar Venkataramani
  • Patent number: 7259841
    Abstract: A document (10) is covered by a laminate (13) comprising a layer of microspheres (16) over an adhesive layer (14) covering a source image (12) such as a photograph, printed matter, or a bar code arranged on a substrate (11). Light impinging on the document (10) is split by the optical properties of the microspheres (16) and underlying specular reflectors. The remaining light passes through the microspheres (16), through the adhesive layer (14) and strikes the substrate (11) or source image (12) on the document (10), and is reflected (18) and scattered (20). Alternatively, the laminate (13) can comprise a plain or clear layer of polyester without microspheres over the adhesive layer (14). Light impinging on the laminate (13) passes through the polyester and laminate (14) to strike the substrate (11) or source image (12) where it is reflected and scattered. A first light source (24) directs light to the document (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Graeme R. Mann
  • Patent number: 7255909
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a security laminate comprising a retroreflective layer comprising a plurality of retroreflective microbeads partially embedded in and protruding from a beadbond layer and having image receptive material disposed around the protruding microspheres. In another embodiment, the security laminate further comprises indicia patterns viewable in retroreflective light. In another embodiment, the security laminate is imaged on the image receptive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Graeme R. Mann, Brian W. Dunne, Paul D. Graham, Thomas Junck, Mark F. Schulz
  • Publication number: 20040022420
    Abstract: A document (10) is covered by a laminate (13) comprising a layer of microspheres (16) over an adhesive layer (14) covering a source image (12) such as a photograph, printed matter, or a bar code arranged on a substrate (11). Light impinging on the document (10) is split by the optical properties of the microspheres (16) and underlying specular reflectors. The remaining light passes through the microspheres (16), through the adhesive layer (14) and strikes the substrate (11) or source image (12) on the document (10), and is reflected (18) and scattered (20). Alternatively, the laminate (13) can comprise a plain or clear layer of polyester without microspheres over the adhesive layer (14). Light impinging on the laminate (13) passes through the polyester and laminate (14) to strike the substrate (11) or source image (12) where it is reflected.and scattered. A first light source (24) directs light to the document (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Graeme R. Mann
  • Publication number: 20030170425
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a security laminate comprising a retroreflective layer comprising a plurality of retroreflective microbeads partially embedded in and protruding from a beadbond layer and having image receptive material disposed around the protruding microspheres. In another embodiment, the security laminate further comprises indicia patterns viewable in retroreflective light. In another embodiment, the security laminate is imaged on the image receptive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Graeme R. Mann, Brian W. Dunne, Paul D. Graham, Thomas Junck, Mark F. Schulz
  • Patent number: 6611612
    Abstract: A document (10) is covered by a laminate (13) comprising a layer of microspheres (16) over an adhesive layer (14) covering a source image (12) such as a photograph, printed matter, or a bar code arranged on a substrate (11). Light impinging on the document (10) is split by the optical properties of the microspheres (16) and underlying specular reflectors. The remaining light passes through the microspheres (16), through the adhesive layer (14) and strikes the substrate (11) or source image (12) on the document (10), and is reflected (18) and scattered (20). Alternatively, the laminate (13) can comprise a plain or clear layer of polyester without microspheres over the adhesive layer (14). Light impinging on the laminate (13) passes through the polyester and laminate (14) to strike the substrate (11) or source image (12) where it is reflected and scattered. A first light source (24) directs light to the document (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Graeme R. Mann
  • Publication number: 20020034320
    Abstract: A document (10) is covered by a laminate (13) comprising a layer of microspheres (16) over an adhesive layer (14) covering a source image (12) such as a photograph, printed matter, or a bar code arranged on a substrate (11). Light impinging on the document (10) is split by the optical properties of the microspheres (16) and underlying specular reflectors. The remaining light passes through the microspheres (16), through the adhesive layer (14) and strikes the substrate (11) or source image (12) on the document (10), and is reflected (18) and scattered (20). Alternatively, the laminate (13) can comprise a plain or clear layer of polyester without microspheres over the adhesive layer (14). Light impinging on the laminate (13) passes through the polyester and laminate (14) to strike the substrate (11) or source image (12) where it is reflected and scattered. A first light source (24) directs light to the document (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventor: GRAEME R. MANN
  • Patent number: 6019287
    Abstract: A document (10) is covered by a laminate (13) comprising a layer of microspheres (16) over an adhesive layer (14) covering a source image (12) such as a photograph, printed matter, or a bar code arranged on a substrate (11). Light impinging on the document (10) is split by the optical properties of the microspheres (16) and underlying specular reflectors. The remaining light passes through the microspheres (16), through the adhesive layer (14) and strikes the substrate (11) or source image (12) on the document (10), and is reflected (18) and scattered (20). Alternatively, the laminate (13) can comprise a plain or clear layer of polyester without microspheres over the adhesive layer (14). Light impinging on the laminate (13) passes through the polyester and laminate (14) to strike the substrate (11) or source image (12) where it is reflected and scattered. A first light source (24) directs light to the document (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Graeme R. Mann
  • Patent number: 5260690
    Abstract: A responder assembly for an article inventory control system employs a plurality of sensors for detection of sensitized markers attached to inventory items. By processing signals from each of the plurality of sensors, a detection pattern is provided to determine whether none, one, or more than one marker is present within a zone of sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Graeme R. Mann, Rick L. Naylor