Patents by Inventor Erin A. McDowell
Erin A. McDowell 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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Publication number: 20240142756Abstract: An optical system for displaying an image to a viewer includes a partial reflector, a reflective polarizer, and a first retarder layer. A light ray propagates along the optical axis and passes through the plurality of optical lenses, the partial reflector, the reflective polarizer, and the first retarder layer without being substantially refracted. For a cone of light incident on the optical system from an object comprising a spatial frequency of about 70, 60, 50, 40, or 30 line pairs per millimeter and filling the exit pupil with a chief ray of the cone of light passing through a center of the opening of the exit pupil of the optical system and making an angle of about 20 degrees with the optical axis, a modulation transfer function of the optical system is greater than about 0.2.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2024Publication date: May 2, 2024Inventors: Zhisheng Yun, Timothy L. Wong, Erin A. McDowell
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Patent number: 11927768Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 4, 2022Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Timothy L Wong, Erin A. McDowell, Zhisheng Yun, Gilles J. Benoit, Jo A. Etter
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Patent number: 11907447Abstract: A polymeric film including a major surface having a plurality of intersecting extended structures is described. For at least a majority of the structures in the plurality of extended structures: each structure extends along a length of the structure, has an average width along a direction transverse to the length and generally along the first major surface, and has an average height along a direction generally perpendicular to the first major surface; and the average width of the structure may be in a range of 1 to 200 micrometers, the average height of the structure may be in a range of 1 to 200 micrometers, and the length may be at least 3 times the average width. The extended structures may be randomly or pseudorandomly oriented and may be formed by microreplicating a surface of a paper.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2019Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Brett J. Sitter, Dawn V. Muyres, Jonathan T. Kahl, Vivian W. Jones, Owen M. Anderson, Gordan A. Kuhnley, Joshua J. Loga, Erin A. McDowell
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Patent number: 11899192Abstract: An optical system for displaying an image to a viewer includes a partial reflector, a reflective polarizer, and a first retarder layer. A light ray propagates along the optical axis and passes through the plurality of optical lenses, the partial reflector, the reflective polarizer, and the first retarder layer without being substantially refracted. For a cone of light incident on the optical system from an object comprising a spatial frequency of about 70, 60, 50, 40, or 30 line pairs per millimeter and filling the exit pupil with a chief ray of the cone of light passing through a center of the opening of the exit pupil of the optical system and making an angle of about 20 degrees with the optical axis, a modulation transfer function of the optical system is greater than about 0.2.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2023Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Zhisheng Yun, Timothy L. Wong, Erin A. McDowell
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Publication number: 20230415437Abstract: An optical system includes a partial reflector having an average optical reflectance of at least 30% in a plurality of wavelengths, an image source disposed to emit image light toward the partial reflector, and a reflective polarizer disposed proximate the partial reflector. The reflective polarizer is curved about two orthogonal axes and can include at least one layer substantially optically uniaxial at at least one location. The image light may be transmitted by the reflective polarizer after it is first reflected by the reflective polarizer. Substantially any chief light ray having at least first and second wavelengths at least 150 nm apart in the plurality of wavelengths and emitted by the image source and transmitted by a stop surface or exit pupil of the optical system has a color separation distance of less than 1.5 percent of a field of view.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Timothy L. Wong, Zhisheng Yun, Erin A. McDowell, Gregg A. Ambur
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Patent number: 11787137Abstract: An optical system includes a partial reflector having an average optical reflectance of at least 30% in a desired plurality of wavelengths, a display panel disposed to emit image light toward the partial reflector, and a multilayer reflective polarizer disposed proximate the partial reflector. The multilayer reflective polarizer is curved about two orthogonal axes and includes at least one layer 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 quarter wave retarder may be disposed between the reflective polarizer and the partial reflector.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2021Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Timothy L. Wong, Zhisheng Yun, Erin A. McDowell, Gregg A. Ambur
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Patent number: 11726249Abstract: An optical element includes an optical surface configured to receive light at a predetermined wavelength in a range from about 400 nm to about 1000 nm. The optical surface is defined by a vertical axis and a horizontal axis defining four Cartesian quadrants sequentially numbered in a counter-clockwise direction. A first longitudinal section of the optical surface is centered on the vertical axis and a second longitudinal section of the optical surface is centered on the horizontal axis. The first and second longitudinal section each extend across opposite edges of the optical surface and have a same substantially uniform retardance for substantially normally incident light. The optical element includes four discrete retarder sections. Each retarder section is disposed on a respective Cartesian quadrant of the optical surface and has a retardance difference from the substantially uniform retardance of the optical surface that is greater than zero.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2022Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Zhisheng Yun, Michael L. Steiner, Jo A. Etter, Timothy L. Wong, Gilles J. Benoit, John D. Le, Erin A. McDowell, Susan L. Kent
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Patent number: 11693243Abstract: A polarizing beam splitting system is described. The polarizing beam splitting system may include first and second prisms where the volume of the first prism is no greater than half the volume of the second prism. The first prism includes first and second surfaces and a light source may be disposed adjacent the first surface and an image forming device may be disposed adjacent the second surface. The first prism has a first hypotenuse and the second prism has a second hypotenuse. A reflective polarizer is disposed between the first and second hypotenuses.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2019Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Zhisheng Yun, Erin A. McDowell, Timothy L. Wong, Kandyce M. Bohannon
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Publication number: 20230152590Abstract: Projection systems and components thereof are described that are well suited to miniaturization.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2023Publication date: May 18, 2023Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Erin A. McDowell, Zhisheng Yun
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Publication number: 20230148263Abstract: An optical system for displaying an image to a viewer includes a partial reflector, a reflective polarizer, and a first retarder layer. A light ray propagates along the optical axis and passes through the plurality of optical lenses, the partial reflector, the reflective polarizer, and the first retarder layer without being substantially refracted. For a cone of light incident on the optical system from an object comprising a spatial frequency of about 70, 60, 50, 40, or 30 line pairs per millimeter and filling the exit pupil with a chief ray of the cone of light passing through a center of the opening of the exit pupil of the optical system and making an angle of about 20 degrees with the optical axis, a modulation transfer function of the optical system is greater than about 0.2.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2023Publication date: May 11, 2023Inventors: Zhisheng Yun, Timothy L. Wong, Erin A. McDowell
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Patent number: 11630290Abstract: An optical system for displaying an image to a viewer includes a partial reflector, a reflective polarizer, and a first retarder layer. A light ray propagates along the optical axis and passes through the plurality of optical lenses, the partial reflector, the reflective polarizer, and the first retarder layer without being substantially refracted. For a cone of light incident on the optical system from an object comprising a spatial frequency of about 70, 60, 50, 40, or 30 line pairs per millimeter and filling the exit pupil with a chief ray of the cone of light passing through a center of the opening of the exit pupil of the optical system and making an angle of about 20 degrees with the optical axis, a modulation transfer function of the optical system is greater than about 0.2.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2018Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Zhisheng Yun, Timothy L. Wong, Erin A. McDowell
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Publication number: 20230115202Abstract: An optical element includes an optical surface configured to receive light at a predetermined wavelength in a range from about 400 nm to about 1000 nm. The optical surface is defined by a vertical axis and a horizontal axis defining four Cartesian quadrants sequentially numbered in a counter-clockwise direction. A first longitudinal section of the optical surface is centered on the vertical axis and a second longitudinal section of the optical surface is centered on the horizontal axis. The first and second longitudinal section each extend across opposite edges of the optical surface and have a same substantially uniform retardance for substantially normally incident light. The optical element includes four discrete retarder sections. Each retarder section is disposed on a respective Cartesian quadrant of the optical surface and has a retardance difference from the substantially uniform retardance of the optical surface that is greater than zero.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2022Publication date: April 13, 2023Inventors: Zhisheng Yun, Michael L. Steiner, Jo A. Etter, Timothy L. Wong, Gilles J. Benoit, John D. Le, Erin A. McDowell, Susan L. Kent
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Patent number: 11579452Abstract: Projection systems and components thereof are described that are well suited to miniaturization.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Erin A. McDowell, Zhisheng Yun
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Publication number: 20230003929Abstract: A reflective polarizing imaging lens includes at least one optical film having an active area that is curved in two orthogonal directions. Edges of the optical film are arranged to form seams between segments of the optical film in the active area of the reflective polarizing imaging lens.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2022Publication date: January 5, 2023Inventors: Robert M. Jennings, Jo A. Etter, Susan L. Kent, Erin A. McDowell, Timothy L. Wong, Zhisheng Yun
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Patent number: 11467329Abstract: A reflective polarizing imaging lens includes at least one optical film having an active area that is curved in two orthogonal directions. Edges of the optical film are arranged to form seams between segments of the optical film in the active area of the reflective polarizing imaging lens.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2019Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Robert M. Jennings, Jo A. Etter, Susan L. Kent, Erin A. McDowell, Timothy L. Wong, Zhisheng Yun
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Patent number: 11435514Abstract: An optical element includes an optical surface configured to receive light at a predetermined wavelength in a range from about 400 nm to about 1000 nm. The optical surface is defined by a vertical axis and a horizontal axis defining four Cartesian quadrants sequentially numbered in a counter-clockwise direction. A first longitudinal section of the optical surface is centered on the vertical axis and a second longitudinal section of the optical surface is centered on the horizontal axis. The first and second longitudinal section each extend across opposite edges of the optical surface and have a same substantially uniform retardance for substantially normally incident light. The optical element includes four discrete retarder sections. Each retarder section is disposed on a respective Cartesian quadrant of the optical surface and has a retardance difference from the substantially uniform retardance of the optical surface that is greater than zero.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2018Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Zhisheng Yun, Michael L. Steiner, Jo A. Etter, Timothy L. Wong, Gilles J. Benoit, John D. Le, Erin A. McDowell, Susan L. Kent
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Publication number: 20220236568Abstract: Optical systems for displaying an image are described. The optical systems include a first and second optical lenses separated by air. A partial reflector is disposed on and conforms to a major surface of the first optical lens where the major surface can have a best-fit spherical radius of curvature in a range from 20 mm to 200 mm. A reflective polarizer is disposed on and conforms to a major surface of the first optical lens where the major surface can have a best-fit spherical radius of curvature greater than about 500 mm. A retarder layer is disposed between the reflective polarizer and the partial reflector. The first optical lens can have an optical birefringence of less than 15 nm/cm and the second optical lens can have an optical birefringence of greater than 15 nm/cm. A method of fabricating an optical assembly is described.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2020Publication date: July 28, 2022Inventors: Zhisheng Yun, Timothy L. Wong, Susan L. Kent, Erin A. McDowell, John D. Le, Jo A. Etter
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Publication number: 20220229306Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2022Publication date: July 21, 2022Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Timothy L. Wong, Erin A. McDowell, Zhisheng Yun, Gilles J. Benoit, Jo A. Etter
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Publication number: 20220187603Abstract: An optical system (200) provides wide field of view in a compact system having a low profile. The optical system (200) includes a display (10), a reflective polarizer (60), a minor (100), and a partial reflector (110), to provide a folded optical path between an image source and an eye of a viewer (30).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2019Publication date: June 16, 2022Inventors: Yi hang LV, Zhisheng Yun, Timothy L. Wong, Susan L. Kent, Erin A. McDowell
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Publication number: 20220171217Abstract: A bi-focal prescription eyewear lens includes a substrate and a reflective polarizer, or a partial reflector, bonded to the substrate. A reflective polarizer substantially transmits light having a first polarization state and substantially reflects light having an orthogonal second polarization state. The bi-focal optical lens has a first focal length for light having the first polarization state and a second focal length for light having the second polarization state. The first focal length is longer than the second focal length. Without the reflective polarizer or partial reflector, the bi-focal optical lens would have a single focal length. Eyeglasses can include the bi-focal prescription eyewear lens.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2022Publication date: June 2, 2022Inventors: Zhisheng Yun, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Susan L. Kent, Erin A. McDowell, Timothy L. Wong, John D. Le, Michael L. Steiner