Patents by Inventor Ryan Tatzel
Ryan Tatzel 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).
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Publication number: 20220082846Abstract: A system includes a view screen with polarized output. A window capable of blocking the polarized output at least in part cloaks the view screen to frustrate viewing of the view screen through the window. In some cases, the window comprises an array of panels capable of blocking multiple polarizations. The array may disrupt multiple different polarized view screen outputs while maintaining transparency to unpolarized light. In some cases, the window capable of blocking polarized output may be paired with view screen cover that converts view screen output in an unblocked polarization to one of the one or more polarizations blocked by the window.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2021Publication date: March 17, 2022Applicant: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Andrew Graham, Skylar Thorne Kelly, Carl C. Cobb, Ryan Tatzel
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Patent number: 11221497Abstract: A system includes a view screen with polarized output. A window capable of blocking the polarized output at least in part cloaks the view screen to frustrate viewing of the view screen through the window. In some cases, the window comprises an array of panels capable of blocking multiple polarizations. The array may disrupt multiple different polarized view screen outputs while maintaining transparency to unpolarized light. In some cases, the window capable of blocking polarized output may be paired with view screen cover that converts view screen output in an unblocked polarization to one of the one or more polarizations blocked by the window.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2018Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: STEELCASE INC.Inventors: Andrew Graham, Skylar Thorne Kelly, Carl C. Cobb, Ryan Tatzel
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Patent number: 10295837Abstract: A variable transmission window includes a patterned first polarizer and an opposing patterned second polarizer. The first polarizer includes an optically transmissive first substrate; alternating first and second domains attached to the first substrate, the first domains having a polarization axis that is perpendicular to a polarization axis of the second domains; and blackout bars configured to block visible light, each blackout bar overlapping opposing edge regions of adjacent corresponding first and second domains. The second polarizer includes an optically transmissive second substrate; and alternating third and fourth domains attached to the second substrate, the third domains having a polarization axis that is perpendicular to a polarization axis of the fourth domains. The second polarizer may also include blackout bars overlapping opposing edge regions of adjacent corresponding third and fourth domains.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2016Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: VG SMARTGLASS, LLCInventors: Ryan Tatzel, Michael Stacey, Abhiroop Chattopadhyay
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Publication number: 20180348536Abstract: A system includes a view screen with polarized output. A window capable of blocking the polarized output at least in part cloaks the view screen to frustrate viewing of the view screen through the window. In some cases, the window comprises an array of panels capable of blocking multiple polarizations. The array may disrupt multiple different polarized view screen outputs while maintaining transparency to unpolarized light. In some cases, the window capable of blocking polarized output may be paired with view screen cover that converts view screen output in an unblocked polarization to one of the one or more polarizations blocked by the window.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Applicant: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Andrew Graham, Skylar Thorne Kelly, Carl C. Cobb, Ryan Tatzel
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Patent number: 9871594Abstract: Various embodiments include a variable transmission device including a first smart window panel, a second smart window panel, and a mechanical device configured to linearly translate at least a portion of the first panel relative to the second panel. Further embodiments include a method of varying radiation transmission including the steps of providing a variable transmission device, comprising a first smart window panel, a second smart window panel, and a mechanical device and actuating the mechanical device to linearly translate at least a portion of the first panel relative to the second panel.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2013Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: VG SMARTGLASS, LLCInventors: Ryan Tatzel, William McLeod, William Glaser
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Publication number: 20170146808Abstract: A variable transmission window includes a patterned first polarizer and an opposing patterned second polarizer. The first polarizer includes an optically transmissive first substrate; alternating first and second domains attached to the first substrate, the first domains having a polarization axis that is perpendicular to a polarization axis of the second domains; and blackout bars configured to block visible light, each blackout bar overlapping opposing edge regions of adjacent corresponding first and second domains. The second polarizer includes an optically transmissive second substrate; and alternating third and fourth domains attached to the second substrate, the third domains having a polarization axis that is perpendicular to a polarization axis of the fourth domains. The second polarizer may also include blackout bars overlapping opposing edge regions of adjacent corresponding third and fourth domains.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2016Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: Ryan TATZEL, Michael STACEY, Abhiroop CHATTOPADHYAY
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Patent number: 9122013Abstract: The various embodiments include variable optical transmission devices with uniform or patterned polarizers or wave retarders configured to provide continuous or nearly continuous variations in light transmission based on linear translation. For example, embodiments include a variable transmission window including a first uniform polarizer with a first polarization axis, a second uniform polarizer with a second polarization axis, a first patterned wave retarder positioned between the first and second polarizers and including a first plurality of domains configured to vary in at least one of optic axis, thickness, or birefringence, and a second patterned wave retarder positioned between the first and second polarizers and including a second plurality of domains configured to vary in at least one of optic axis, thickness, or birefringence. The first or second wave retarder is configured to be linearly translatable relative to the other wave retarder.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2013Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: SMARTERSHADE, INC.Inventors: Ryan Tatzel, William McLeod
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Publication number: 20150071655Abstract: Various embodiments include a variable transmission device including a first smart window panel, a second smart window panel, and a mechanical device configured to linearly translate at least a portion of the first panel relative to the second panel. Further embodiments include a method of varying radiation transmission including the steps of providing a variable transmission device, comprising a first smart window panel, a second smart window panel, and a mechanical device and actuating the mechanical device to linearly translate at least a portion of the first panel relative to the second panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2013Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: Ryan Tatzel, William McLeod, William Glaser
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Publication number: 20140139788Abstract: The various embodiments include variable optical transmission devices with uniform or patterned polarizers or wave retarders configured to provide continuous or nearly continuous variations in light transmission based on linear translation. For example, embodiments include a variable transmission window including a first uniform polarizer with a first polarization axis, a second uniform polarizer with a second polarization axis, a first patterned wave retarder positioned between the first and second polarizers and including a first plurality of domains configured to vary in at least one of optic axis, thickness, or birefringence, and a second patterned wave retarder positioned between the first and second polarizers and including a second plurality of domains configured to vary in at least one of optic axis, thickness, or birefringence. The first or second wave retarder is configured to be linearly translatable relative to the other wave retarder.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2013Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: SmarterShade Inc.Inventors: Ryan Tatzel, William McLeod
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Patent number: 8508681Abstract: The various embodiments include variable optical transmission devices with uniform or patterned polarizers or wave retarders configured to provide continuous or nearly continuous variations in light transmission based on linear translation. For example, embodiments include a variable transmission window including a first uniform polarizer with a first polarization axis, a second uniform polarizer with a second polarization axis, a first patterned wave retarder positioned between the first and second polarizers and including a first plurality of domains configured to vary in at least one of optic axis, thickness, or birefringence, and a second patterned wave retarder positioned between the first and second polarizers and including a second plurality of domains configured to vary in at least one of optic axis, thickness, or birefringence. The first or second wave retarder is configured to be linearly translatable relative to the other wave retarder.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2011Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: SmarterShade, Inc.Inventors: Ryan Tatzel, William McLeod
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Patent number: 8310757Abstract: A light transmissive panel comprising a first sheet and a second sheet, wherein each sheet is made up of a non-birefringent substrate and a wire grid polarizer pattern of continuously varying absorption axis orientation formed on the non-birefringent substrate. The wire grid polarizer patterns on each of the first and second sheet are mechanically translatable relative to each other, wherein the mechanical translation controls transmission of light through the light transmissive panel. Light transmissive panels wherein each sheet of the panel is made of a wire grid polarizer that is laminated with a continuous variable thickness wave plate retarder, wherein the continuous variable thickness wave plate retarder rotates input light by an amount determined by the thickness of the wave plate retarder.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2008Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: SmarterShade, Inc.Inventors: William McLeod, Ryan Tatzel
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Publication number: 20120176675Abstract: A light transmissive panel is provided comprising a first sheet and a second sheet, wherein each sheet is made up of a nonbirefringant substrate and a wire grid polarizer pattern of continuously varying absorption axis orientation formed on the nonbirefringant substrate. The wire grid polarizer patterns on each of the first and second sheet are mechanically translatable relative to each other, wherein the mechanical translation controls transmission of light through the light transmissive panel. Also taught is an example wherein each sheet of the panel is made of a wire grid polarizer that is laminated with a continuous variable thickness wave plate retarder, wherein the continuous variable thickness wave plate retarder rotates input light by an amount determined by the thickness of the wave plate retarder. Also taught is an example wherein each sheet of the panel is made up of a traditional polarizer and continuously varying thickness wave retarder.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2012Publication date: July 12, 2012Inventors: William McLeod, Ryan Tatzel
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Publication number: 20120169950Abstract: The various embodiments include variable optical transmission devices with uniform or patterned polarizers or wave retarders configured to provide continuous or nearly continuous variations in light transmission based on linear translation. For example, embodiments include a variable transmission window including a first uniform polarizer with a first polarization axis, a second uniform polarizer with a second polarization axis, a first patterned wave retarder positioned between the first and second polarizers and including a first plurality of domains configured to vary in at least one of optic axis, thickness, or birefringence, and a second patterned wave retarder positioned between the first and second polarizers and including a second plurality of domains configured to vary in at least one of optic axis, thickness, or birefringence. The first or second wave retarder is configured to be linearly translatable relative to the other wave retarder.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2011Publication date: July 5, 2012Inventors: Ryan Tatzel, William McLeod
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Publication number: 20100053751Abstract: A light transmissive panel is provided comprising a first sheet and a second sheet, wherein each sheet is made up of a nonbirefringant substrate and a wire grid polarizer pattern of continuously varying absorption axis orientation formed on the nonbirefringant substrate. The wire grid polarizer patterns on each of the first and second sheet are mechanically translatable relative to each other, wherein the mechanical translation controls transmission of light through the light transmissive panel. Also taught is an example wherein each sheet of the panel is made of a wire grid polarizer that is laminated with a continuous variable thickness wave plate retarder, wherein the continuous variable thickness wave plate retarder rotates input light by an amount determined by the thickness of the wave plate retarder. Also taught is an example wherein each sheet of the panel is made up of a traditional polarizer and continuously varying thickness wave retarder.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2008Publication date: March 4, 2010Inventors: William McLeod, Ryan Tatzel