Patents Represented by Attorney Melissa E. Buss
  • Patent number: 8111463
    Abstract: Microlens sheetings with different types of composite images are disclosed, in which the composite image floats above, in, or below the sheeting, or some combination. One type of composite image may be viewable to the unaided eye or an observer and another type of composite image is viewable only to the aided eye of an observer. Methods for providing such an imaged sheeting are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James P. Endle, Lynn E. Lorimor
  • Patent number: 8096584
    Abstract: Techniques are described for authenticating security documents having security images that incorporate multiple security features. The techniques may produce robust template matching results in situations of lighting unevenness, even with stronger occluding objects. The techniques may be particularly useful in validating a security document having a security image composed of one or more “virtual” retroreflective images formed over a background of a repeating retroreflective image. The virtual retroreflective images within the security image provide strong signals that may dominate analysis and validation of the background retroreflective image, thereby resulting incorrect authentication. The techniques provide a modified normalized cross-correlation analysis that masks out the strong signals contributed by the additional security features, such as the retroreflective virtual images, while still allowing for fast and efficient template matching to be performed with respect to the background image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Yiwu Lei
  • Patent number: 8072626
    Abstract: A system for reading and authenticating a composite image in a sheeting. A exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a system for reading and authenticating a sheeting including a composite image that appears to the unaided eye to be floating above or below the sheeting or both. The present invention also relates to methods of reading and authenticating a composite image that appears to the unaided eye to be floating above or below the sheeting or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Martin A. Kenner
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7744987
    Abstract: Multilayer films are provided that exhibit a colored appearance when viewed at an oblique angle as a result of one or more reflection bands in the visible region of the spectrum. The films however provide no substantial reflection bands in either the visible or near infrared regions for light normally incident on the film. The films can be made to shift from clear at normal incidence to an arbitrary designed color at an oblique angle without necessarily becoming cyan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Timothy J. Hebrink, Laurence R. Gilbert, James M. Jonza, Andrew T. Ruff
  • Patent number: 7728732
    Abstract: The present invention relates to RFID devices, including handheld RFID devices, and applications for such devices. The devices and applications may be used in connection with items that are associated with an RFID tag, and optionally a magnetic security element. The devices and applications are described with particular reference to library materials such as books, periodicals, and magnetic and optical media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Sharon R. Garber, Bernard A. Gonzalez, Mitchell B. Grunes, Richard H. Jackson, Gerald L. Karel, John M. Kruse, Richard W. Lindahl, James E. Nash, Chester Piotrowski, John D. Yorkovich
  • Patent number: 7678247
    Abstract: A device that supports a remote identifier for permanent cathodes in the electro-winning process. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a support for a proximity identification device for permanent cathodes that, when interconnected with a remote system, provides for a record of its behavior and position in time of each cathode during its useful life in an electro-winning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mauricio Ribes Fernandez, Hernan Conejeros Obreque, Alexander Cepeda Rojas
  • Patent number: 7619529
    Abstract: Antenna shelf tape is disclosed for use with items having radio frequency identification elements or tags associated with items of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Edward D. Goff, Bernard A. Gonzalez, Chester Piotrowski, Ching-Long Tsai
  • Patent number: 7616332
    Abstract: A system for reading and authenticating a composite image in a sheeting. A exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a system for reading and authenticating a sheeting including a composite image that appears to the unaided eye to be floating above or below the sheeting or both. The present invention also relates to methods of reading and authenticating a composite image that appears to the unaided eye to be floating above or below the sheeting or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Martin A. Kenner
  • Patent number: 7591415
    Abstract: A passport reader for processing a passport having an RFID element associated therewith. A exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a passport reader for processing a passport having an RFID element associated therewith including an RFID interrogation source for interrogating and obtaining information from the RFID element associated with a passport; and an antenna to transmit signals between an RFID element and the RFID interrogation source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Ronald D. Jesme
  • Patent number: 7511601
    Abstract: Various systems and methods of handling items such as files are disclosed, including systems and methods for polling RFID-tagged items while they are stored in storage areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Peter M. Eisenberg, David P. Erickson, Edward D. Goff, Mitchell B. Grunes, Gene J. Hickok, Janet T. Keller, William J. Kelliher, Jr., Jon A. Kirschhoffer, John M. Kruse, Diane E. Morel, Scott D. Pearson, Chester Piotrowski, Edmund J. Ring, Robert A. Sainati, Michele A. Waldner
  • Patent number: 7471205
    Abstract: The present invention relates to RFID devices, including handheld RFID devices, and applications for such devices. The devices and applications may be used in connection with items that are associated with an RFID tag, and optionally a magnetic security element. The devices and applications are described with particular reference to library materials such as books, periodicals, and magnetic and optical media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Sharon R. Garber, Bernard A. Gonzalez, Mitchell B. Grunes, Richard H. Jackson, Gerald L. Karel, John M. Kruse, Richard W. Lindahl, James E. Nash, Chester Piotrowski, John D. Yorkovich
  • Patent number: 7463150
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle identification tag and methods of verifying the validity of a vehicle identification tag. One embodiment provides a vehicle identification tag including a first portion having a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tag and a second portion, where information on the first portion and information on the second portion assist a user in verifying that the vehicle identification tag is a valid vehicle identification tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Sundar J. Rajan
  • Patent number: 7422781
    Abstract: A tamper indicating device. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a backing having a first side and a second side, wherein the backing comprises a first phase and a second phase, wherein the backing has a first level of light diffusion, and when a peeling force is applied to the backing, the backing fractures or internally delaminates and has a second level of light diffusion that is a higher level of light diffusion than the first level of light diffusion; a flood coat applied to the second side of the backing, the flood coat defining a window therein; and a mask applied to the tamper indicating device, the mask being in partial or whole registration with the window in the flood coat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Raymond R. Gosselin
  • Patent number: 7383864
    Abstract: A radio-frequency identification tag and tape applicator. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides an applicator that includes a tag and tape handling system having a base, a tape supply holder attached to the base, a tag supply holder attached to the base, a tag applying mechanism attached to the base for applying a tag to a length of tape and that includes a taping head for applying the tag and the length of tape to an object. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a radio-frequency identification tag applicator that includes a tag supply holder, a carrier roll holder, a carrier path from the supply roll holder to the carrier roll holder, a tag dispensing mechanism along the carrier path between the supply roll holder and the carrier roll holder for applying a tag to an object, and an interrogator for writing information to tags along the carrier path between the tag supply holder and the tag dispensing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Peter B. Hogerton, Karl M. Kropp, Gary K. Kuhn, Michael R. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7372364
    Abstract: Techniques for detecting radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags are disclosed. For example, an exit control system is described that detects unauthorized removal of articles from a protected facility. A series of antennas are setup to produce interrogation corridors located near the exit of the protected area. RFID tags are attached to the articles to be protected. Each tag includes information that uniquely identifies the article to which it is affixed and status information as to whether the articles removal from the facility is authorized. The RF reader outputs RF signals through the antennas to create electromagnetic fields within the interrogation corridors. The reader outputs RF power from a single port to the multiple antennas via a splitter/combiner. In this way, a single RF reader with only one transmitter/receiver port simultaneously interrogates multiple antennas. A variety of techniques are described by which the reader can detect the removal of an unauthorized article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas C. Mercer, Ronald D. Jesme, Edward D. Goff
  • Patent number: 7336422
    Abstract: Translucent, transparent, or semi-translucent microlens sheetings with composite images are disclosed, in which a composite image floats above or below the sheeting, or both. The composite image may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. The sheeting may have at least one layer of material having a surface of microlenses that form one or more images at positions internal to the layer of material, at least one of the images being a partially complete image. Additional layers, such as retroreflective, translucent, transparent, or optical structure layers may also be incorporated into the sheeting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Douglas S. Dunn, Robert L. W. Smithson, Robert T. Krasa, Michael W. Dolezal
  • Patent number: 7315248
    Abstract: A radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tags that are useful on metal or other conductive surface and to methods for manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, the radio frequency identification tag includes: a substrate including a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface; a radio frequency identification antenna attached to the first major surface of the substrate; an integrated circuit attached to the antenna; and a first composite layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: William C. Egbert
  • Patent number: 7310734
    Abstract: An improved computer network security system and a personal identifier device used for controlling network with real time authentication of both a person's identity and presence at a computer workstation is provided. A new user is registered to a portable personal digital identifier device and, within the portable personal digital identifier device, an input biometric of the user is received and a master template is derived therefrom and securely maintained in storage. A private key and public key encryption system is utilized to authenticate a user registered to the portable personal digital identifier device. The personal digital identifier device verifies the origin of a digitally signed challenge message from the network security manager component. A digitally and biometrically signed challenge response message is produced and transmitted by the personal digital identifier device in response to the verified challenge message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Alan Boate, Brian Reed
  • Patent number: 7295120
    Abstract: A device for verifying a location of a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag on an item. One embodiment of the invention provides a device for verifying the location of an RFID tag on an item including: an item holder; and an RF antenna attached to the item holder, where the item holder includes a readable volume where the RF antenna can read or write to an RFID tag, and where the item holder includes a non-readable volume where the RF antenna cannot read or write to an RFID tag. The present invention also relates to methods of verifying the location of a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag on an item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michele A. Waldner, David P. Erickson