Patents by Inventor Andrew J. Ouderkirk

Andrew J. Ouderkirk 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: 10488673
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an integrated optical component array and method of making an integrated optical component array useful for projection devices or other optical devices. The integrated optical component array can be a PBS array fabricated such that the individual PBS cubes having several elements can be assembled in a massively parallel manner and then singulated as individual optical components, and can result in a large reduction in manufacturing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John D. Le, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Joseph C. Carls, Cameron T. Murray, Richard J. Ferguson, Cory C. Barum
  • Patent number: 10485473
    Abstract: A portable sensor for measuring a hydration level of an object in close physical proximity with the sensor includes a portable housing having a total volume of less than about 50 cm3. First circuitry disposed in the housing includes a thermal source, a controller electrically coupled to the thermal source, a temperature sensing element, and a processor coupled to the temperature sensing element. When the object is in close physical proximity with the sensor, the thermal source is energized by the controller with a signal having a known function of time. The object affects a time variation of a temperature of the thermal source, the temperature sensing element senses the affected time variation of the temperature of the thermal source, and the processor determines a hydration level of the object based on a characteristic of the affected time variation of the temperature of the thermal source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew P. Bonifas, Ronald D. Jesme, Nicholas T. Gabriel, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Erin A. McDowell
  • Patent number: 10444496
    Abstract: A multilayer reflective polarizer convex along orthogonal first and second axes orthogonal to an optical axis passing thorough an apex of the multilayer reflective polarizer is described. The multilayer reflective polarizer has at least one first location having a radial distance r1 from the optical axis and a displacement s1 from a plane perpendicular to the optical axis at the apex, where s1/r1 is in a range of about 0.2 to about 0.8. The multilayer reflective polarizer may have at least one inner layer substantially optically uniaxial at at least one first location away from the apex. For an area of the reflective polarizer defined by s1 and r1, a maximum variation of a transmission axis of the reflective polarizer may be less than about 2 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gregg A. Ambur, Timothy L. Wong, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Zhisheng Yun
  • Patent number: 10429662
    Abstract: Polarizing beam splitter plates and systems incorporating such beam splitter plates are described. The polarizing beam splitter plate includes a first substrate and a multilayer optical film reflective polarizer that is disposed on the first substrate. The polarizing beam splitter plate includes a first outermost major surface and an opposing second outermost major surface that makes an angle of less than about 20 degrees with the first outermost major surface. The polarizing beam splitter plate is adapted to reflect an imaged light received from an imager towards a viewer or screen with the reflected imaged light having an effective pixel resolution of less than 12 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Joseph C. Carls
  • Publication number: 20190285902
    Abstract: A display system including an imager for forming an image, and a projection lens system for projecting the image formed by the imager is described. For each pixel in the plurality of pixels, the imager is configured to emit a cone of light having a central ray having a direction that varies with location of the pixel in the imager. The variation may increase a brightness of an image projected through the projection lens system by at least 30 percent. The display system may include a light guide having a light insertion portion adapted to receive light; a light transport portion disposed to receive light from the light insertion portion; and a light extraction portion disposed to receive light from the light transport portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Timothy L. Wong, Erin A. McDowell, Zhisheng Yun, Gilles J. Benoit, Jo Anne Etter
  • Publication number: 20190271848
    Abstract: An image combiner, also referred to as a combiner optic, of a near-eye display system or the like transmits enough light so a user can see remote objects in a “world view”, while also reflecting enough light so the user can simultaneously see a projected image in a “projected” (augmented) view. The disclosed image combiners use two partial reflectors configured to form a wedged reflective cavity. In the display system, light from an imaging device follows a path to the user's eye that includes three reflections in the wedged cavity. By using this capability of the wedged cavity, the combiner optic can have a substantially reduced thickness, and lower profile, than a combiner optic that uses only one partial reflector and only one reflection in the optical path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Erin A. McDowell, Timothy L. Wong
  • Publication number: 20190265466
    Abstract: An optical system and a magnifying device including the optical system are described. The optical system includes a reflective polarizer, a partial reflector, and a retarder disposed between the reflective polarizer and the partial reflector. The reflective polarizer is curved about two orthogonal axes and includes at least one layer that is substantially optically uniaxial at at least one location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Zhisheng Yun, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Timothy L. Wong, Erin A. McDowell, Gregg A. Ambur
  • Publication number: 20190265465
    Abstract: Optical systems including a partial reflector, a reflective polarizer, and a retarder disposed between the partial reflector and the reflective polarizer are described. The reflective polarizer is curved about two orthogonal axes and includes at least one layer that is substantially optically uniaxial at at least one location. The optical system is adapted to provide an adjustable focus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Timothy L. Wong, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Zhisheng Yun, Erin A. McDowell, Gregg A. Ambur
  • Publication number: 20190265467
    Abstract: An optical stack includes first and second lenses, a partial reflector, a reflective polarizer, and a retarder. The reflective polarizer is curved about two orthogonal axes and includes at least one layer that is substantially optically uniaxial at at least one location. An optical system includes the optical stack disposed between an image surface and an exit surface. The optical system is configured such that substantially any chief ray transmitted from the image surface to the exit surface is first incident on the reflective polarizer at an angle of incidence less than 30 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Zhisheng Yun, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Timothy L. Wong, Erin A. McDowell, Gregg A. Ambur
  • Patent number: 10379369
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an integrated optical component array and method of making an integrated optical component array useful for projection devices or other optical devices. The integrated optical component array can be a PBS array fabricated such that the individual PBS cubes having several elements can be assembled in a massively parallel manner and then singulated as individual optical components, and can result in a large reduction in manufacturing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: John D. Le, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Joseph C. Carls, Cameron T. Murray, Richard J. Ferguson, Cory C. Barum
  • Publication number: 20190235235
    Abstract: An optical system includes a reflective surface, a display adapted to emit image light toward the reflective surface, and a multilayer reflective polarizer disposed proximate the reflective surface. The multilayer reflective polarizer is curved about two orthogonal axes and includes at least one layer that is substantially optically uniaxial at at least one location. The image light is transmitted by the multilayer reflective polarizer after it is first reflected by the multilayer reflective polarizer. A head-mounted display includes a first optical system and a second optical system disposed proximate the first optical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Timothy L. Wong, Zhisheng Yun, Erin A. McDowell, Gregg A. Ambur
  • Patent number: 10345598
    Abstract: An image combiner, also referred to as a combiner optic, of a near-eye display system or the like transmits enough light so a user can see remote objects in a “world view”, while also reflecting enough light so the user can simultaneously see a projected image in a “projected” (augmented) view. The disclosed image combiners use two partial reflectors configured to form a wedged reflective cavity. In the display system, light from an imaging device follows a path to the user's eye that includes three reflections in the wedged cavity. By using this capability of the wedged cavity, the combiner optic can have a substantially reduced thickness, and lower profile, than a combiner optic that uses only one partial reflector and only one reflection in the optical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Erin A. McDowell, Timothy L. Wong
  • Patent number: 10338393
    Abstract: An optical system and a magnifying device including the optical system are described. The optical system includes an exit pupil, a reflective polarizer proximate the exit pupil, a partial reflector disposed adjacent the reflective polarizer opposite the exit pupil, and a quarter wave retarder disposed between the reflective polarizer and the partial reflector. The reflective polarizer is curved about two orthogonal axes and the partial reflector is spaced apart from the reflective polarizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Zhisheng Yun, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Timothy L. Wong, Erin A. McDowell, Gregg A. Ambur
  • Patent number: 10338380
    Abstract: Integral optical stacks and optical systems including the integral optical stack are described. The integral optical stack may include first and second lenses, a partial reflector, a reflective polarizer curved about two orthogonal axes, and a quarter wave retarder. The reflective polarizer is curved about two orthogonal axes and includes at least one layer that is substantially optically biaxial at at least one first location on the at least one layer away from an optical axis of the optical stack and substantially optically uniaxial at at least one second location away from the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Zhisheng Yun, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Timothy L. Wong, Erin A. McDowell, Gregg A. Ambur
  • Patent number: 10330930
    Abstract: Optical systems including a partial reflector, a reflective polarizer, and a quarter wave retarder disposed between the partial reflector and the reflective polarizer are described. The reflective polarizer is curved about two orthogonal axes and has at least one location having a radial distance r1 from an optical axis passing through an apex of the reflective polarizer and a displacement s1 from a plane perpendicular to the optical axis at an apex of the reflective polarizer, where s1/r1 is at least 0.1. The optical system is adapted to provide an adjustable dioptric correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy L. Wong, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Zhisheng Yun, Erin A. McDowell, Gregg A. Ambur
  • Patent number: 10302950
    Abstract: A head-mounted display including a first optical system is described. The first optical system includes a partial reflector and a multilayer reflective polarizer disposed adjacent to and spaced apart from the partial reflector. The multilayer reflective polarizer is curved about orthogonal first and second axes and includes at least one layer that is substantially optically uniaxial at at least one location. Each chief ray that passes through the first optical system is first incident on the multilayer reflective polarizer at an angle of incidence less than 30 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Timothy L. Wong, Zhisheng Yun, Erin A. McDowell, Gregg A. Ambur
  • Patent number: 10295154
    Abstract: Broadband solid state light sources include remote phosphor LED(s), short-wavelength direct emitting LED(s), and long-wavelength direct emitting LED(s). A diffuse or clear cover member covers these LEDs. Each remote phosphor LED includes an LED, a phosphor layer, and a dichroic reflector. The light sources can provide a broadband output light over a wide color range, and can do so efficiently while energizing a high percentage or proportion of the total number of LEDs in the system. The broadband output may for example exhibit a color difference of at least 0.2 in CIE chromaticity units, and/or a correlated color temperature difference of at least 4000 or 5000 Kelvin, while energizing more than half, or at least 60%, or at least 70%, of the total number of LEDs. Numbers of LEDs can be replaced with effective numbers of LEDs if LEDs of substantially different sizes are included in the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Inventor: Andrew J. Ouderkirk
  • Publication number: 20190142332
    Abstract: A portable sensor for measuring a hydration level of an object in close physical proximity with the sensor includes a portable housing having a total volume of less than about 50 cm3. First circuitry disposed in the housing includes a thermal source, a controller electrically coupled to the thermal source, a temperature sensing element, and a processor coupled to the temperature sensing element. When the object is in close physical proximity with the sensor, the thermal source is energized by the controller with a signal having a known function of time. The object affects a time variation of a temperature of the thermal source, the temperature sensing element senses the affected time variation of the temperature of the thermal source, and the processor determines a hydration level of the object based on a characteristic of the affected time variation of the temperature of the thermal source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew P. Bonifas, Ronald D. Jesme, Nicholas T. Gabriel, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Erin A. McDowell
  • Publication number: 20190113756
    Abstract: A viewing device is disclosed. The device includes a projector that projects a first imaged light, and a polarizing beam splitter plate that receives the projected first imaged light from the projector and reflects the received first imaged light for viewing by a viewer. The polarizing beam splitter plate also receives a second image and transmits the second image for viewing by the viewer. The polarizing beam splitter plate includes a substrate and a multilayer optical film reflective polarizer that is adhered to the substrate. The reflective polarizer substantially reflects polarized light having a first polarization state and substantially transmits polarized light having a second polarization state perpendicular to the first polarization state. The polarizing beam splitter plate includes a first outermost major surface and an opposing second outermost major surface that makes an angle of less than about 20 degrees with the first outermost major surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Max Powers
  • Patent number: 10252940
    Abstract: A method of coating film in a roll. A film is wound into a roll with gaps between the layers of the film in the roll. A fluid is forced through the roll such that the fluid deposits a coating on at least one side of the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Robert R. Kieschke, Erin A. McDowell, Nicholas T. Gabriel, Eugene V. Johnson, Kelly S. Johnson