Patents by Inventor David L. Wortman
David L. Wortman 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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Patent number: 7833593Abstract: Optical devices according to the present invention include a multilayer optical film in which at least one of the layers comprises an oriented birefringent polymer. The multilayer optical film exhibits low absorptivity and can reflect light approaching at shallow angles as well as normal to the film.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2007Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Michael F. Weber, Sanford Cobb, Jr., David L. Wortman
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Patent number: 7423708Abstract: A multiple layer reflective polarizer 12 is described. This element is placed between and optical cavity 24 and an LCD module 16 to form an optical display. The reflective polarizer reflects some light into the optical cavity 24 where it is randomized and may ultimately emerge with the correct polarization to be transmitted out of the display.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2005Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael F. Weber, Olester Benson, Jr., Sanford Cobb, Jr., James M. Jonza, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, David L. Wortman, Carl A. Stover
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Patent number: 7147903Abstract: Optical devices such as backlight assemblies, according to the present invention include a multilayer optical film in which at least one of the layers comprises an oriented birefringent polymer. The multilayer optical film exhibits low absorptivity and can reflect light approaching at shallow angles as well as normal to the film.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2005Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Michael F. Weber, Sanford Cobb, Jr., David L. Wortman
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Patent number: 7038745Abstract: A multiple layer reflective polarizer 12 is described. This element is placed between and optical cavity 24 and an LCD module 16 to form an optical display. The reflective polarizer reflects some light into the optical cavity 24 where it is randomized and may ultimately emerge with the correct polarization to be transmitted out of the display.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2003Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael F. Weber, Olester Benson, Jr., Sanford Cobb, Jr., James M. Jonza, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, David L. Wortman, Carl A. Stover
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Patent number: 6934082Abstract: Optical devices using reflective polarizers and, in particular, diffusely reflective polarizers are provided. Many of the optical devices utilize the diffusely reflecting and specularly transmitting properties of diffusely reflecting polarizers to enhance their optical characteristics. The optical devices include a lighting system which uses a reflector formed from a diffusely reflecting polarizer attached to a specular reflector. Another optical device is a display apparatus which uses a diffusely reflecting polarizer layer in combination with a turning lens which folds shallow angle light toward a light modulating layer. Other optical devices exploit the depolarizing characteristics of a diffusely reflecting polarizer when reflecting light. Still other optical devices use diffusely reflecting polarizers to recycle light and improve display illumination.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2004Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Richard C. Allen, Sanford Cobb, Jr., Elisa M. Cross, Susan L. Kent, Timothy J. Nevitt, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Ronald J. Tabar, David L. Wortman
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Patent number: 6924014Abstract: Optical devices according to the present invention include a multilayer optical film in which at least one of the layers comprises an oriented birefringent polymer. The multilayer optical film exhibits low absorptivity and can reflect light approaching at shallow angles as well as normal to the film.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2003Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: 3MInnovative Properties CompanyInventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Michael F. Weber, Sanford Cobb, Jr., David L. Wortman
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Patent number: 6905220Abstract: The present invention includes a backlight system incorporating a back reflector and/or a lamp cavity reflector constructed of a multilayer optical film.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2002Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: David L. Wortman, Sanford Cobb, Jr., Brian D. Cull, Michael F. Weber, Andrew J. Ouderkirk
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Patent number: 6888675Abstract: A transflector is described which increases efficiency and brightness under both ambient and supplemental lighting conditions in visual display applications. In one embodiment, the transflector includes a reflective polarizing element that reflects one polarization of light and transmits the other. In an alternate embodiment, the transflector includes a reflective polarizing element and a diffusing element such that the transflector diffusely reflects light of one polarization and transmits the other. The transflector is useful for both reflective and transflective liquid crystal displays.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2001Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Sanford Cobb, Jr., Brian D. Cull, Michael F. Weber, David L. Wortman
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Publication number: 20040175552Abstract: Optical devices according to the present invention include a multilayer optical film in which at least one of the layers comprises an oriented birefringent polymer. The multilayer optical film exhibits low absorptivity and can reflect light approaching at shallow angles as well as normal to the film.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2003Publication date: September 9, 2004Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Michael F. Weber, Sanford Cobb, David L. Wortman
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Patent number: 6641883Abstract: Optical devices such as light pipes which incorporate multilayer optical films in which the refractive indices of two adjacent layers in the thickness direction are substantially matched or are small relative to the difference in refractive indices of said two adjacent layers in an given in-plane direction which is at least 0.05. The multilayer optical film exhibits low absorptivity and can reflect light approaching at shallow angles as well as normal to the film.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2001Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael F. Weber, David L. Wortman, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Sanford Cobb, Jr.
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Publication number: 20030164914Abstract: A multiple layer reflective polarizer 12 is described. This element is placed between and optical cavity 24 and an LCD module 16 to form an optical display. The reflective polarizer reflects some light into the optical cavity 24 where it is randomized and may ultimately emerge with the correct polarization to be transmitted out of the display.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2003Publication date: September 4, 2003Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael F. Weber, Olester Benson, Sanford Cobb, James M. Jonza, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, David L. Wortman, Carl A. Stover
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Patent number: 6543153Abstract: A multiple layer reflective polarizer 12 is described. This element is placed between and optical cavity 24 and an LCD module 16 to form an optical display. The reflective polarizer reflects some light into the optical cavity 24 where it is randomized and may ultimately emerge with the correct polarization to be transmitted out of the display.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1999Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael F. Weber, Olester Benson, Jr., Sanford Cobb, Jr., James M. Jonza, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, David L. Wortman, Carl A. Stover
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Patent number: 6515785Abstract: Optical devices using reflective polarizers and, in particular, diffusely reflective polarizers are provided. Many of the optical devices utilize the diffusely reflecting and specularly transmitting properties of diffusely reflecting polarizers to enhance their optical characteristics. The optical devices include a lighting system which uses a reflector formed from a diffusely reflecting polarizer attached to a specular reflector. Another optical device is a display apparatus which uses a diffusely reflecting polarizer layer in combination with a turning lens which folds shallow angle light toward a light modulating layer. Other optical devices exploit the depolarizing characteristics of a diffusely reflecting polaizer when reflecting light. Still other optical devices use diffusely reflecting polarizers to recycle light and improve display illumination.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1999Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Sanford Cobb, Jr., David L. Wortman
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Publication number: 20020141194Abstract: The present invention includes a backlight system incorporating a back reflector and/or a lamp cavity reflector constructed of a multilayer optical film.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2002Publication date: October 3, 2002Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: David L. Wortman, Sanford Cobb, Brian D. Cull, Michael F. Weber, Andrew J. Ouderkirk
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Patent number: 6447135Abstract: A lightguide includes an input edge surface, a back surface and an output surface. A reflector is directly secured to the back surface by, for example, adhesive bonding.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1999Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: David L. Wortman, Sanford Cobb, Kenneth A. Epstein, Mark E. Gardiner, Wade D. Kretman
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Publication number: 20010036013Abstract: Optical devices using reflective polarizers and, in particular, diffusely reflective polarizers are provided. Many of the optical devices utilize the diffusely reflecting and specularly transmitting properties of diffusely reflecting polarizers to enhance their optical characteristics. The optical devices include a lighting system which uses a reflector formed from a diffusely reflecting polarizer attached to a specular reflector. Another optical device is a display apparatus which uses a diffusely reflecting polarizer layer in combination with a turning lens which folds shallow angle light toward a light modulating layer. Other optical devices exploit the depolarizing characteristics of a diffusely reflecting polarizer when reflecting light. Still other optical devices use diffusely reflecting polarizers to recycle light and improve display illumination.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2001Publication date: November 1, 2001Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Richard C. Allen, Sanford Cobb, Elisa M. Cross, Susan L. Kent, Timothy J. Nevitt, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Ronald J. Tabar, David L. Wortman
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Publication number: 20010021445Abstract: Optical devices according to the present invention include a multilayer optical film in which at least one of the layers comprises an oriented birefringent polymer. The multilayer optical film exhibits low absorptivity and can reflect light approaching at shallow angles as well as normal to the film.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2001Publication date: September 13, 2001Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael F. Weber, David L. Wortman, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Sanford Cobb
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Publication number: 20010008464Abstract: A transflector is described which increases efficiency and brightness under both ambient and supplemental lighting conditions in visual display applications. In one embodiment, the transflector includes a reflective polarizing element that reflects one polarization of light and transmits the other. In an alternate embodiment, the transflector includes a reflective polarizing element and a diffusing element such that the transflector diffusely reflects light of one polarization and transmits the other. The transflector is useful for both reflective and transflective liquid crystal displays.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2001Publication date: July 19, 2001Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Sanford Cobb, Brian D. Cull, Michael F. Weber, David L. Wortman
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Patent number: 6262842Abstract: A transflector is described which increases efficiency and brightness under both ambient and supplemental lighting conditions in visual display applications. In one embodiment, the transflector includes a reflective polarizing element that reflects one polarization of light and transmits the other. In an alternate embodiment, the transflector includes a reflective polarizing element and a diffusing element such that the transflector diffusely reflects light of one polarization and transmits the other. The transflector is useful for both reflective and transflective liquid crystal displays.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2000Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Sanford Cobb, Jr., Brian D. Cull, Michael F. Weber, David L. Wortman
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Patent number: 6210785Abstract: Optical devices such as light pipes which incorporate multilayer optical films in which the refractive indices of two adjacent layers in the thickness direction are substantially matched or are small relative to the difference in refractive indices of said two adjacent layers in an given in-plane direction which is at least 0.05. The multilayer optical film exhibits low absorptivity and can reflect light approaching at shallow angles as well as normal to the film.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael F. Weber, David L. Wortman, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Sanford Cobb, Jr.