Patents by Inventor David P. Erickson
David P. Erickson 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: 10401233Abstract: Some aspects of the present disclosure feature a sensing device comprising a magnetic bias layer, a resonator, a spacer, and a housing. The spacer includes an environmental change receptor. The thickness of the environmental change receptor rapidly increases in response to a change to an environment variable.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2015Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: David P. Erickson, Chaodi Li, Cheryl Lee Senger Elsbernd, Jia Hu, Andrew P. Bonifas, Orlin B. Knudson, Richard L. Rylander
-
Patent number: 10228319Abstract: Some aspects of the present disclosure feature a system for sensing a change in environment comprising a MMR sensor and a reader. The MMR sensor is configured to be disposed in the environment. The MMR sensor comprises a magnetic bias layer, a resonator, a spacer, and an environmental change receptor. The reader is configured to measure a frequency characteristic of the MMR sensor after the environmental variable changes and the change to the environmental variable is evaluated based on the frequency characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2015Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Richard L. Rylander, Andrew P. Bonifas, David P. Erickson, Jia Hu, Stephen J. Willett, Chaodi Li, Orlin B. Knudson
-
Publication number: 20170234741Abstract: Some aspects of the present disclosure feature a sensing device comprising a magnetic bias layer, a resonator, a spacer, and a housing. The spacer includes an environmental change receptor. The thickness of the environmental change receptor rapidly increases in response to a change to an environment variable.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2015Publication date: August 17, 2017Inventors: David P. Erickson, Chaodi Li, Cheryl Lee Senger Elsbernd, Jia Hu, Andrew P. Bonifas, Orlin B. Knudson, Richard L. Rylander
-
Publication number: 20170227452Abstract: Some aspects of the present disclosure feature a system for sensing a change in environment comprising a MMR sensor and a reader. The MMR sensor is configured to be disposed in the environment. The MMR sensor comprises a magnetic bias layer, a resonator, a spacer, and an environmental change receptor. The reader is configured to measure a frequency characteristic of the MMR sensor after the environmental variable changes and the change to the environmental variable is evaluated based on the frequency characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2015Publication date: August 10, 2017Inventors: Richard L. Rylander, Andrew P. Bonifas, David P. Erickson, Jia Hu, Stephen J. Willett, Chaodi Li, Orlin B. Knudson
-
Patent number: 8289163Abstract: The invention provides one or more signal line structures that produce an electromagnetic field having a magnitude of at least an interrogation threshold of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag for a substantial portion of an interrogation region. The signal lines may be made from copper and laid across a shelf in a storage area. The electromagnetic field may cause the tag to backscatter radio frequency (RF) signals to an RFID reader via the signal line.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2007Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: David P. Erickson, Michele A. Waldner, James P. McGee, Swagata R. Banerjee
-
Publication number: 20090167502Abstract: A Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) system verifies proper placement and functionality of RFID tags with respect to particular end-use RFID systems at the time the RFID tag is applied to an item but before the item is deployed. A device for verifying a location and functionality of an RFID tag on an item includes an item holder, a power coupling mechanism attached to the item holder, and an RFID reader electrically connected to the power coupling mechanism. The power coupling mechanism creates a near field for transmission of read or write commands from the RFID reader to an RFID tag on an item placed on the item holder to verify the location and functionality of the RFID tag as applied to the item with respect to a near-field coupling mechanism of a particular end-use RFID system. The device may include additional power coupling mechanisms for testing the functionality of the tag.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2007Publication date: July 2, 2009Inventors: David P. Erickson, James P. McGee, Michele A. Waldner, Ronald D. Jesme
-
Publication number: 20090085746Abstract: The invention provides one or more signal line structures that produce an electromagnetic field having a magnitude of at least an interrogation threshold of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag for a substantial portion of an interrogation region. The signal lines may be made from copper and laid across a shelf in a storage area. The electromagnetic field may cause the tag to backscatter radio frequency (RF) signals to an RFID reader via the signal line.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2007Publication date: April 2, 2009Inventors: David P. Erickson, Michele A. Waldner, James P. McGee, Swagata R. Banerjee
-
Publication number: 20090085750Abstract: The invention is directed to an extended radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag. The extended RFID tag includes an ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID tag having a dipole antenna attached to a first surface of a substrate. The extended RFID tag further includes an antenna extension attached to the UHF RFID tag and overlapping at least a portion of the dipole antenna for electromagnetically coupling the antenna extension and the dipole antenna in operation. The extended RFID tag further includes an insulator positioned between the dipole antenna and the antenna extension to electrically isolate the dipole antenna from the antenna extension.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2007Publication date: April 2, 2009Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michele A. Waldner, David P. Erickson, James P. McGee, Swagata R. Banerjee, Robert A. Sainati
-
Patent number: 7511601Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 20, 2002Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: 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: 7304577Abstract: Various radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are described that dynamically vary their resonant frequency to reduce or eliminate the potential effects of electromagnetic “tag-to-tag” coupling. An RFID tag, for example, includes a main antenna tuned to a first resonant frequency, and switching circuitry that dynamically changes the resonant frequency of the main antenna. The switching circuitry may selectively couple electrical elements, such as capacitive elements, inductive elements, or combinations thereof, to vary the resonant frequency of the RFID tag. The RFID tag may include a sensing circuit that determines when to selectively couple the electrical element to the main antenna to adjust the resonant frequency of the main antenna.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2006Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michele A. Waldner, David P. Erickson
-
Patent number: 7295120Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 10, 2004Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michele A. Waldner, David P. Erickson
-
Patent number: 7132946Abstract: Various radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are described that dynamically vary their resonant frequency to reduce or eliminate the potential effects of electromagnetic “tag-to-tag” coupling. An RFID tag, for example, includes a main antenna tuned to a first resonant frequency, and switching circuitry that dynamically changes the resonant frequency of the main antenna. The switching circuitry may selectively couple electrical elements, such as capacitive elements, inductive elements, or combinations thereof, to vary the resonant frequency of the RFID tag. The RFID tag may include a sensing circuit that determines when to selectively couple the electrical element to the main antenna to adjust the resonant frequency of the main antenna.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2004Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michele A. Waldner, David P. Erickson
-
Publication number: 20020196126Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2002Publication date: December 26, 2002Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Peter M. Eisenberg, David P. Erickson, Edward D. Goff, Mitchell B. Grunes, Gene J. Hickok, Janet T. Keller, William J. Kelliher, Jon A. Kirschhoffer, John M. Kruse, Diane E. Morel, Scott D. Pearson, Chester Piotrowski, Edmund J. Ring, Robert A. Sainati, Michele A. Waldner
-
Publication number: 20020180588Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2001Publication date: December 5, 2002Inventors: David P. Erickson, William J. Kelliher, Robert A. Sainati, Michele A. Waldner
-
Patent number: 5755226Abstract: A method and apparatus for the direct noninvasive prediction of hematocrit in mammalian blood using photoplethysmography techniques and data processing. The method and apparatus also include optional prediction of other analytes of interest: percent oxygen saturation of mammalian blood and methemoglobin of stored blood. The method and apparatus can be used for the immediate, periodic, or continuous noninvasive diagnosis or monitoring of hematocrit levels in mammalian patients without pain to the patient or exposure of the health care practitioner to the blood of the patient.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1996Date of Patent: May 26, 1998Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Hatim M. Carim, Orlin B. Knudson, Bruce P. Ekholm, David P. Erickson, William J. Kelliher, Jr., Michael J. Rude
-
Patent number: 5553615Abstract: A method and apparatus for the direct noninvasive prediction of hematocrit in mammalian blood using photoplethysmography techniques and data processing. The method and apparatus also include optional prediction of other analytes of interest: percent oxygen saturation of mammalian blood and methemoglobin of stored blood. The method and apparatus can be used for the immediate, periodic, or continuous noninvasive diagnosis or monitoring of hematocrit levels in mammalian patients without pain to the patient or exposure of the health care practitioner to the blood of the patient.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1994Date of Patent: September 10, 1996Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Hatim M. Carim, Orlin B. Knudson, Bruce P. Ekholm, David P. Erickson, William J. Kelliher, Jr., Michael J. Rude