Patents by Inventor Matthew E. Sousa

Matthew E. Sousa 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: 11960683
    Abstract: A display system for sensing a finger of a user applied to the display system includes a display panel; a sensor for sensing the finger; a sensing light source configured to emit a first light having a first wavelength W1; and a reflective polarizer disposed between the display panel and the sensor. For a substantially normally incident light, an optical transmittance of the reflective polarizer versus wavelength for a first polarization state has a band edge such that for a first wavelength range extending from a smaller wavelength L1 to a greater wavelength L2 and including W1, where 30 nm?L2?L1?50 nm and L1 is greater than and within about 20 nm of a wavelength L3 corresponding to an optical transmittance of about 50% along the band edge, the optical transmittance has an average of greater than about 75%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Bharat R. Acharya, Robert D. Taylor, Joseph P. Attard, Benjamin J. Forsythe, David T. Yust, Matthew E. Sousa, Jason S. Petaja, Anthony M. Renstrom, William Blake Kolb, Matthew S. Cole, Matthew S. Stay, Matthew R. D. Smith, Jeremy O. Swanson, Tri D. Pham, David A. Rosen, Qunyi Chen, Lisa A. DeNicola, Quinn D. Sanford, Carl A. Stover, Lin Zhao, Gilles J. Benoit
  • Publication number: 20240053522
    Abstract: An optical construction includes a reflective polarizer and an optical film. The optical film includes a matrix and a plurality of first particles dispersed in the matrix. Each of the matrix and the plurality of first particles includes a silicone polyoxamide and an acrylate polymer. For substantially normally incident light and for at least a first wavelength in a first wavelength range, the reflective polarizer reflects about 60% for a first polarization state and transmits about 40% for an orthogonal second polarization state. For at least a second wavelength in a second wavelength range, each of the reflective polarizer and the optical film transmits about 60% of an incident light for each of the first and second polarization states. For at least the first wavelength, optical film has an optical haze and a depolarization ratio. A ratio of the depolarization ratio to the optical haze is less than 0.1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Bharat R. Acharya, Brett J. Sitter, Robert D. Taylor, Zhicheng Tian, James P. DiZio, Quinn D. Sanford, Kent C. Hackbarth, Matthew E. Sousa
  • Patent number: 11885999
    Abstract: An optical construction includes a reflective polarizer and an optically diffusive film disposed on the reflective polarizer. The reflective polarizer includes an outer layer including a plurality of first particles partially protruding from a first major surface thereof to form a structured major surface. A first optically diffusive layer is conformably disposed on the structured major surface. The optically diffusive film includes a second optically diffusive layer including a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed therein, and a structured layer including a structured major surface. For a substantially normally incident light and a visible wavelength range from about 450 nm to about 650 nm and an infrared wavelength range from about 930 nm to about 970 nm, the second optically diffusive layer has an average specular transmittance Vs in the visible wavelength range and an average specular transmittance Is in the infrared wavelength range, where Is/Vs?2.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATION PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Bharat R. Acharya, Robert D. Taylor, Joseph P. Attard, Benjamin J. Forsythe, David T. Yust, Matthew E. Sousa, Jason S. Petaja, Anthony M. Renstrom, William Blake Kolb, Matthew S. Cole, Matthew S. Stay, Matthew R.D. Smith, Jeremy O. Swanson, Tri D. Pham, David A. Rosen, Qunyi Chen, Lisa A. DeNicola, Quinn D. Sanford, Carl A. Stover, Lin Zhao, Gilles J. Benoit
  • Publication number: 20230341615
    Abstract: An optical construction includes a reflective polarizer and an optically diffusive film disposed on the reflective polarizer. The reflective polarizer includes an outer layer including a plurality of first particles partially protruding from a first major surface thereof to form a structured major surface. A first optically diffusive layer is conformably disposed on the structured major surface. The optically diffusive film includes a second optically diffusive layer including a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed therein, and a structured layer including a structured major surface. For a substantially normally incident light and a visible wavelength range from about 450 nm to about 650 nm and an infrared wavelength range from about 930 nm to about 970 nm, the second optically diffusive layer has an average specular transmittance Vs in the visible wavelength range and an average specular transmittance Is in the infrared wavelength range, where Is/Vs?2.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Bharat R. Acharya, Robert D. Taylor, Joseph P. Attard, Benjamin J. Forsythe, David T. Yust, Matthew E. Sousa, Jason S. Petaja, Anthony M. Renstrom, William Blake Kolb, Matthew S. Cole, Matthew S. Stay, Matthew R.D. Smith, Jeremy O. Swanson, Tri D. Pham, David A. Rosen, Qunyi Chen, Lisa A. DeNicola, Quinn D. Sanford, Carl A. Stover, Lin Zhao, Gilles J. Benoit
  • Publication number: 20230228919
    Abstract: Optical films and stacks include at least one optically diffusive layer. The optically diffusive layer can include a plurality of nanoparticles and a polymeric material bonding the nanoparticles to each other to form a plurality of nanoparticle aggregates defining a plurality of voids therebetween. For substantially normally incident light and a visible wavelength range from about 450 nm to about 650 nm and an infrared wavelength range from about 930 nm to about 970 nm: in the visible wavelength range, the optical film or optically diffusive layer has an average specular transmittance Vs; and in the infrared wavelength range, the optical film or optically diffusive layer has an average total transmittance It and an average specular transmittance Is, Is/It?0.6, Is/Vs?2.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew E. Sousa, Matthew S. Cole, Jeremy O. Swanson, Bharat R. Acharya, Jason S. Petaja, Anthony M. Renstrom, Tri D. Pham, David A. Rosen, Qunyi Chen, Lisa A. DeNicola, Quinn D. Sanford
  • Publication number: 20230228918
    Abstract: An optically diffusive film includes an optical substrate layer with opposing first and second major surfaces; and an optical layer disposed on the second major surface of the optical substrate layer and including a structured major surface having a plurality of spaced apart elongated structures elongated along a same first direction and arranged at a substantially uniform density, each elongated structure including a peak such that, in a plane of a cross-section of the elongated structure that is parallel to the first direction and comprises the peak, the elongated structure has a substantially flat top region; wherein for substantially normally incident light and a visible wavelength range and an infrared wavelength range, the optical substrate layer has an average total transmittance or reflectance of greater than about 60% in the visible wavelength range and an average specular transmittance of greater than about 60% in the infrared wavelength range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Tri D. Pham, David A. Rosen, Qunyi Chen, Lisa A. DeNicola, Quinn D. Sanford, Matthew S. Cole, Bharat R. Acharya, Matthew E. Sousa, Robert D. Taylor, Benjamin J. Forsythe
  • Publication number: 20230214062
    Abstract: A display system for sensing a finger of a user applied to the display system includes a display panel; a sensor for sensing the finger; a sensing light source configured to emit a first light having a first wavelength W1; and a reflective polarizer disposed between the display panel and the sensor. For a substantially normally incident light, an optical transmittance of the reflective polarizer versus wavelength for a first polarization state has a band edge such that for a first wavelength range extending from a smaller wavelength L1 to a greater wavelength L2 and including W1, where 30 mn?L2?L1?50 nm and L1 is greater than and within about 20 nm of a wavelength L3 corresponding to an optical transmittance of about 50% along the band edge, the optical transmittance has an average of greater than about 75%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Bharat R. Acharya, Robert D. Taylor, Joseph P. Attard, Benjamin J. Forsythe, David T. Yust, Matthew E. Sousa, Jason S. Petaja, Anthony M. Renstrom, William Blake Kolb, Matthew S. Cole, Matthew S. Stay, Matthew R.D. Smith, Jeremy O. Swanson, Tri D. Pham, David A. Rosen, Qunyi Chen, Lisa A. DeNicola, Quinn D. Sanford, Carl A. Stover, Lin Zhao, Gilles J. Benoit
  • Patent number: 11619771
    Abstract: Systems including one or both of a light emitter or a light receiver or a detectable object; and an optical filter adjacent one or both of the light emitter or the light receiver, wherein the optical filter includes at least one wavelength transmission selective layer an absorber component, wherein the wavelength transmission selective layer at least partially reduces the transmission of wavelengths from 701 nm to 849 nm incident thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Neeraj Sharma, Guanglei Du, John A. Wheatley, Matthew E. Sousa, Jeremy O. Swanson
  • Patent number: 11448808
    Abstract: Example systems may include one or both of a light emitter and a light receiver, and an optical filter. The optical filter may include a wavelength selective scattering layer configured to scatter visible light. The optical filter may include a wavelength selective reflecting layer having a predetermined transmission band configured to compensate for a color deviation. The optical filter may include a broadband reflecting layer having a predetermined reflection band configured to compensate for a color deviation. The optical filter may include a low-index layer configured to reduce a color deviation in light emitted by the light emitter or received by the light receiver. The wavelength selective scattering layer may include nanoparticles dispersed in a binder, wherein the ratio of the nanoparticles to the binder by weight is at least 50%. Example articles may include example optical filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Guanglei Du, John A. Wheatley, Matthew E. Sousa, Anthony M. Renstrom, Neeraj Sharma
  • Publication number: 20220234382
    Abstract: A transfer article with a thickness of less than 3 micrometers includes a first acrylate layer that is releasable from a metal or doped semiconductor release layer at a release value of from 2 to 50 grams/inch. The article includes a functional layer overlaying the first acrylate layer. The functional layer includes at least one microfractured inorganic layer about 3 nanometers to about 200 nanometers thick, which has a plurality of toolmarks interspersed with cracks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Kevin W. Gotrik, Scott J. Jones, Huiwen Tai, Joan M. Frankel, Robert R. Owings, Bhaskar V. Velamakanni, Jeanne M. Bruss, David J. Rowe, Matthew E. Sousa, Bradley L. Givot
  • Patent number: 11360248
    Abstract: Systems including one or both of a light emitter or a light receiver and an optical filter adjacent one or both of the light emitter or the light receive are described. The optical filter includes a wavelength selective scattering layer that scatters near-infrared light less than visible light. The wavelength selective scattering layer includes a plurality of particles. The plurality of particles have an imaginary refractive index less than 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Neeraj Sharma, Guanglei Du, Matthew E. Sousa, Jeremy O. Swanson, Jung-Sheng Wu
  • Publication number: 20210333455
    Abstract: An optical film including a plurality of alternating first and second layers disposed on a skin layer is described. The skin layer has an average thickness greater than about 2 microns. A transmittance of the film for substantially normally incident light includes a band edge separating first and second wavelength ranges, where each range is at least 250 nm wide. A reflectance of the film is greater than about 95% for each wavelength in the first wavelength range; an average transmittance of the film is greater than about 80% in the second wavelength range; and a difference between maximum and minimum values of the optical transmittance of the film in the second wavelength range is less than about 30%. The band edge may have a slope that is greater than about 2%/nm. The transmittance may increase monotonically at least from about 10% to about 70% with increasing wavelength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Ryan T. FABICK, Matthew E. SOUSA, William B. BLACK, Edward J. KIVEL
  • Publication number: 20210229834
    Abstract: The systems and techniques of this disclosure relate to improving work safety in confined spaces by, for example, using machine vision to analyze location marking labels in the confined space to control an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) within the confined space. In one example, a system includes a UAV that includes an imaging device and a processor communicatively coupled to the imaging device. The processor may be configured to receive, from the imaging device, an image of a confined space, detect a location marking label within the image, process the image to decode data embedded on the location marking label, and control navigation of the UAV within the confined space based on the data decoded from the location marking label.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: James W. Howard, James L.C. Werness, Jr., Caroline M. Ylitalo, Claire R. Donoghue, John A. Wheatley, Robert D. Lorentz, Tien Yi T.H. Whiting, Matthew E. Sousa, Carla H. Barnes
  • Publication number: 20210080632
    Abstract: Systems including one or both of a light emitter or a light receiver and an optical filter adjacent one or both of the light emitter or the light receive are described. The optical filter includes a wavelength selective scattering layer that scatters near-infrared light less than visible light. The wavelength selective scattering layer includes a plurality of particles. The plurality of particles have an imaginary refractive index less than 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Neeraj Sharma, Guanglei Du, Matthew E. Sousa, Jeremy O. Swanson, Jung-Sheng Wu
  • Publication number: 20200341180
    Abstract: The disclosed light directing article has an optical element and a conformal retarder with predefined thickness that contours with the optical element. In one aspect, the light directing article is a retroreflective article, which further comprises a phase reversing optical reflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Kui CHEN-HO, Michael A. MCCOY, John A. WHEATLEY, Susannah C. CLEAR, Michelle L. TOY, Alex P. PONGRATZ, Matthew E. SOUSA, Matthew B. JOHNSON, Gilles BENOIT, David J.W. AASTUEN, Guanglei DU, Tien Yi T.H. WHITING, Kevin W. GOTRIK, Christopher A. MERTON, Ying XIA, Olester BENSON, JR., Charles A. SHAKLEE, Travis L. POTTS, Carla S. THOMAS
  • Publication number: 20200292737
    Abstract: Systems including one or both of a light emitter or a light receiver or a detectable object; and an optical filter adjacent one or both of the light emitter or the light receiver, wherein the optical filter includes at least one wavelength transmission selective layer an absorber component, wherein the wavelength transmission selective layer at least partially reduces the transmission of wavelengths from 701 nm to 849 nm incident thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Neeraj Sharma, Guanglei Du, John A. Wheatley, Matthew E. Sousa, Jeremy O. Swanson
  • Publication number: 20190339432
    Abstract: Example systems may include one or both of a light emitter and a light receiver, and an optical filter. The optical filter may include a wavelength selective scattering layer configured to scatter visible light. The optical filter may include a wavelength selective reflecting layer having a predetermined transmission band configured to compensate for a color deviation. The optical filter may include a broadband reflecting layer having a predetermined reflection band configured to compensate for a color deviation. The optical filter may include a low-index layer configured to reduce a color deviation in light emitted by the light emitter or received by the light receiver. The wavelength selective scattering layer may include nanoparticles dispersed in a binder, wherein the ratio of the nanoparticles to the binder by weight is at least 50%. Example articles may include example optical filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Guanglei DU, John A. WHEATLEY, Matthew E. SOUSA, Anthony M. RENSTROM, Neeraj SHARMA
  • Patent number: 10162218
    Abstract: A backlight includes a front and back reflector forming a light recycling cavity and one or more light source members disposed to emit light into the light recycling cavity. The front reflector being partially reflective to provide an output illumination area. The front reflector has a blue sloped transmission spectra, at normal incidence with a range among bin values from 15% to 100%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Timothy J. Nevitt, Michael F. Weber, John A. Wheatley, Matthew E. Sousa, Tao Liu
  • Publication number: 20160370653
    Abstract: A backlight includes a front and back reflector forming a light recycling cavity and one or more light source members disposed to emit light into the light recycling cavity. The front reflector being partially reflective to provide an output illumination area. The front reflector has a blue sloped transmission spectra, at normal incidence with a range among bin values from 15% to 100%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Timothy J. Nevitt, Michael F. Weber, John A. Wheatley, Matthew E. Sousa, Tao Liu
  • Patent number: 9441809
    Abstract: A backlight (10) includes a front and back reflectors (12,14) forming a light recycling cavity (16) and one or more light source members (24a, 24b, 24c) disposed to emit light into the light recycling cavity. The front reflector (12) being partially reflective to provide an output illumination area. The front reflector (12) has a blue sloped transmission spectra, at normal incidence with a range among bin values from 15% to 100%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy J. Nevitt, Michael F. Weber, John A. Wheatley, Matthew E. Sousa, Tao Liu