Patents by Inventor David Charles Willms

David Charles Willms 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).

  • RETRO-REFLECTIVE DISC TARGET HAVING EXPOSED RETRO-REFLECTIVE BEADS
    Publication number: 20260079288
    Abstract: A retro-reflective marker comprising a bare retro-reflective layer; a protective layer with a near-infrared (NIR) wavelength specific anti-reflective coating; and a border with an NIR absorbent coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2025
    Publication date: March 19, 2026
    Inventors: Larry Chen, David Charles Willms, Athanasios Tommy Balkos, Shaulaine White
  • TEXTURED RETRO-REFLECTIVE MARKER
    Publication number: 20250362436
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a retro-reflective marker and a device configured to receive the retro-reflective marker in a socket located on the top surface of the device. The retro-reflective marker comprises a retro-reflective layer having a first retro-reflectance capability. The retro-reflective layer comprises a textured surface, a portion of the textured surface having a surface topology such that surface normal vectors positioned across the portion extend from the portion of the textured surface in different directions, and a plurality of retro-reflective micro elements distributed across the textured surface. The retro-reflective marker further comprises a border defining a retro-reflective area of the retro-reflective layer, where a portion of the border provides a second retro-reflectance capability lower than the first retro-reflectance capability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2025
    Publication date: November 27, 2025
    Inventors: Larry Chen, Derek Peter Zwambag, Shaulaine White, Athanasios Tommy Balkos, Kirsten Galea, David Charles Willms
  • Textured retro-reflective marker
    Patent number: 12313867
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a retro-reflective marker and a device configured to receive the retro-reflective marker in a socket located on the top surface of the device. The retro-reflective marker comprises a retro-reflective layer having a first retro-reflectance capability. The retro-reflective layer comprises a textured surface, a portion of the textured surface having a surface topology such that surface normal vectors positioned across the portion extend from the portion of the textured surface in different directions, and a plurality of retro-reflective micro elements distributed across the textured surface. The retro-reflective marker further comprises a border defining a retro-reflective area of the retro-reflective layer, where a portion of the border provides a second retro-reflectance capability lower than the first retro-reflectance capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: Northern Digital Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Chen, Derek Peter Zwambag, Shaulaine White, Athanasios Tommy Balkos, Kirsten Galea, David Charles Willms