Patents Represented by Attorney Robert S. Moshrefzadeh
  • Patent number: 7737430
    Abstract: An adapted LED is provided comprising a short-wavelength LED and a re-emitting semiconductor construction, wherein the re-emitting semiconductor construction comprises at least one potential well not located within a pn junction. The potential well(s) are typically quantum well(s). The adapted LED may be a white or near-white light LED. The re-emitting semiconductor construction may additionally comprise absorbing layers surrounding or closely or immediately adjacent to the potential well(s). In addition, graphic display devices and illumination devices comprising the adapted LED according to the present invention are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Miller, Michael A. Haase, Terry L. Smith, Xiaoguang Sun
  • Patent number: 7719015
    Abstract: An LED is provided comprising two or more light-emitting Type II interfaces wherein at least two of the Type II interfaces differ in transition energy by at least 5%, or more typically by at least 10%, and wherein at least one of the Type II interfaces is within a pn junction. Alternately, an LED is provided comprising two or more light-emitting Type II interfaces wherein at least two of the Type II interfaces differ in transition energy by at least 5%, or more typically by at least 10%. The Type II interfaces may include interfaces from a layer which is an electron quantum well and not a hole quantum well, interfaces to a layer which is a hole quantum well and not an electron quantum well; and interfaces that satisfy both conditions simultaneously. The Type II interfaces may be within a pn or pin junction or not within a pn or pin junction. In the later case, emission from the Type II interfaces may be photopumped by a nearby light source. The LED may be a white or near-white light LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Miller, Michael A. Haase
  • Patent number: 7700938
    Abstract: An adapted LED is provided comprising a short-wavelength LED and a re-emitting semiconductor construction, wherein the re-emitting semiconductor construction comprises at least one potential well not located within a pn junction. The potential well(s) are typically quantum well(s). The adapted LED may be a white or near-white light LED. The re-emitting semiconductor construction may additionally comprise absorbing layers surrounding or closely or immediately adjacent to the potential well(s). In addition, graphic display devices and illumination devices comprising the adapted LED according to the present invention are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Miller, Michael A. Haase, Terry L. Smith, Xiaoguang Sun
  • Patent number: 7702202
    Abstract: An optical device and a sensor system incorporating same are disclosed. The optical device includes a microresonator that has a core with input and output ports. The output port is different than the input port. The optical device further includes first and second optical waveguides. Each optical waveguide has a core with input and output faces. The output face of the core of the first optical waveguide physically contacts the input port of the core of the microresonator. The input face of the core of the second optical waveguide physically contacts the output port of the core of the microresonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Barry J. Koch, Terry L. Smith, Yasha Yi, Chunmei Guo
  • Patent number: 7700939
    Abstract: An adapted LED is provided comprising a short-wavelength LED and a re-emitting semiconductor construction, wherein the re-emitting semiconductor construction comprises at least one potential well not located within a pn junction. The potential well(s) are typically quantum well(s). The adapted LED may be a white or near-white light LED. The re-emitting semiconductor construction may additionally comprise absorbing layers surrounding or closely or immediately adjacent to the potential well(s). In addition, graphic display devices and illumination devices comprising the adapted LED according to the present invention are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Miller, Michael A. Haase, Terry L. Smith, Xiaoguang Sun
  • Patent number: 7655127
    Abstract: Method of fabricating electronic devices is disclosed. The method includes the steps of forming an anodized layer that has a thickness greater than a desired thickness, and forming an electrically conductive layer on the anodized layer. The method further includes the steps of removing the conductive layer in a selected area to expose the anodized layer, and removing the exposed anodized layer until the anodized layer in the exposed area has the desired thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael W. Bench, Steven D. Theiss, Grace L. Ho
  • Patent number: 7595890
    Abstract: There are several different applications where it is desirable to increase the amount of material that can be introduced to the surface of a microresonator that has whispering gallery modes. The use of a porous surface on the microresonator permits greater amounts of the material to be captured on or near the surface of the microresonator, resulting in an increased optical interaction between the material and the light propagating in the whispering gallery mode(s) of the microresonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Xudong Fan, Mark T. Anderson, Craig R. Schardt
  • Patent number: 7551359
    Abstract: A beam splitter apparatus comprises a beam splitter and a plurality of prisms disposed about the beam splitter. The beam splitter apparatus is configured to split an incident laser beam into a plurality of beamlets exhibiting substantially equal energy and traversing substantially equal optical path lengths through the beam splitter apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew J. Murnan, Dean Faklis
  • Patent number: 7541610
    Abstract: A light source is provided including an LED component having an emitting surface, which may include: i) an LED capable of emitting light at a first wavelength; and ii) a re-emitting semiconductor construction which includes a second potential well not located within a pn junction having an emitting surface; or which may alternately include a first potential well located within a pn junction and a second potential well not located within a pn junction; and which additionally includes a converging optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Michael A. Haase
  • Patent number: 7532790
    Abstract: A method of making a microresonator device includes the steps of providing at least a first substrate and providing a waveguide integrated on the substrate. The waveguide includes a core and a metal cladding layer on at least part of one boundary of the core. Another step is positioning a microresonator so that it is in an optically coupling relationship with the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Terry L. Smith, Barry J. Koch, Michael A. Haase, Jun-Ying Zhang, Robert W. Wilson, Xudong Fan
  • Patent number: 7498802
    Abstract: An inductive sensor includes an inductor comprising conductive loops and at least one hinge mechanically coupling the loops. Operation of the hinge changes the position of the loops and causes a change in the inductance of the sensor. A sensor material may be oriented with respect to the loops so that a dimensional change of the sensor material operates the hinge and causes the change in the position of the loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Kenichi Takahata
  • Patent number: 7486855
    Abstract: An optical microresonator system and a sensor system incorporating same are disclosed. The optical microresonator system includes an optical waveguide and an optical microcavity that is optically coupled to the optical waveguide. The microcavity is capable of supporting primarily one or more resonant modes. The optical microresonator system further includes an optical microresonator that is optically coupled to the microcavity and is capable of supporting a resonant mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Terry L. Smith, Yasha Yi, Barry J. Koch
  • Patent number: 7477242
    Abstract: A capacitive touch screen is described with a touch area including a substantially transparent conductive polymer. The capacitive touch screen also includes circuitry connecting the conductive polymer of the touch area to a power source, where the circuitry is configured to determine a location of a capacitive coupling on the touch area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Elisa M. Cross, Robert S. Moshrefzadeh, Frank J. Bottari, Darran R. Cairns, Anthony F. Chernefsky, Paul J. Richter
  • Patent number: 7456744
    Abstract: A remote sensing device includes a sensor and reference circuit. A resonant circuit of the sensor has a resonant characteristic modifiable by exposure to an external condition. The sensor is configured to produce a sensor signal associated with the modifiable resonant characteristic. A reference circuit of the remote sensing device is configured to produce a reference signal suitable for use in conjunction with the sensor signal. The reference signal is used to account for variations of the sensor signal due to variations in the inductive coupling between the remote sensing device and a reader designed to detect the reference signal and the sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David W. Kuhns, M. Benton Free
  • Patent number: 7444045
    Abstract: Microresonators, such as a microsphere resonators and planar microresonators, are optically coupled to waveguides for input and output of light. It is important that the relative positions of the microresonator and the waveguide are maintained stable, while still maintaining high cavity Q and ease of launching and extracting the optical beams. Structures are provided on a substrate that are useful for maintaining the position of the microresonator relative to the waveguide. The structures provide for vertical or horizontal coupling between the waveguide and the microresonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Xudong Fan, John E. Potts, Terry L. Smith, Robert W. Wilson
  • Patent number: 7438423
    Abstract: An illumination system and a projection system incorporating same are disclosed. The illumination system includes a two-dimensional array of independently operable light sources. Each light source illuminates substantially the entire active area of a pixelated optical light modulator. Each light source emits light in different emission directions. Each emission direction is directed to a respective location in the active area. Each pixel in the active area is illuminated by an incident cone of light from the two-dimensional array of independently operable light sources. The cone has a cone angle and includes at least one light ray from each light source. The cone angle of at least one such cone of light can be controlled by adjusting the intensity of one or more of the independently operable light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Arlie R. Conner
  • Patent number: 7424197
    Abstract: An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A layer has an optical index of referaction n1, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angel of inclination ?. A back surface spans the top, bottom and side surface. A first layer is coupled to the bottom surface of the layer and has an index of refraction n2. The first layer index n2 causes light input through the back surface of the layer to be preferentially output into the first layer. A second layer is coupled to the bottom of the first layer and selectively causes output of light into ambient. Additional layers, such as alight polarization layer, a polarization converting layer and a post LCD diffuser layer can be used to make preferential use of polarized light of diffuse light having passed through the LCD layer to enhance viewing of the output light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Roland Winston, Robert L. Holman, Benjamin A. Jacobson, Robert M. Emmons, Philip Gleckman
  • Patent number: 7418188
    Abstract: An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A layer has an optical index of referaction n1, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angle of inclination ?. A back surface spans the top, bottom and side surface. A first layer is coupled to the bottom surface of the layer and has an index of refraction n2. The first layer index n2 causes light input through the back surface of the layer to be preferentially output into the first layer. A second layer is coupled to the bottom of the first layer and selectively causes output of light into ambient. Additional layers, such, as alight polarization layer, a polarization converting layer and a post LCD diffuser layer can be used to make preferential use of polarized light of diffuse light having passed through the LCD layer to enhance viewing of the output light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Roland Winston, Robert L. Holman, Benjamin A. Jacobson, Robert M. Emmons, Philip Gleckman
  • Patent number: 7402831
    Abstract: An adapted LED is provided comprising a short-wavelength LED and a re-emitting semiconductor construction, wherein the re-emitting semiconductor construction comprises at least one potential well not located within a pn junction. The potential well(s) are typically quantum well(s). The adapted LED may be a white or near-white light LED. The re-emitting semiconductor construction may additionally comprise absorbing layers surrounding or closely or immediately adjacent to the potential well(s). In addition, graphic display devices and illumination devices comprising the adapted LED according to the present invention are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Miller, Michael A. Haase, Terry L. Smith, Xiaoguang Sun
  • Patent number: 7352933
    Abstract: The use of bulge-like microcavities in microcavity sensors provides advantages in alignment and reproducibility in manufacturing. Arrays of bulge-like microcavities may be used with multiple waveguides. In addition, the bulge-like microcavity may be formed with at least an outer layer made of a polymer material, and may be made entirely from polymer material. This facilitates manufacturing in that the microcavity may be molded, and may also be reproducibly molded in an array configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Xudong Fan, Robert W. Wilson