Patents by Inventor John A. Edmond

John A. Edmond 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: 10451251
    Abstract: Lamps and bulbs are disclosed generally comprising different combinations and arrangements of a light source, a reflective optical element, and a separate diffusing layer. This arrangement allows for the fabrication of lamps and bulbs that are efficient, reliable and cost effective and can provide an essentially omni-directional emission pattern, even with a light source comprised of an arrangement of LEDs. The lamps according to the present invention can also comprise thermal management features that provide for efficient dissipation of heat from the LEDs, which in turn allows the LEDs to operate at lower temperatures. The lamps can also comprise optical elements to help change the emission pattern from the generally directional pattern of the LEDs to a more omni-directional pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: IDEAL INDUSTRIES LIGHTING, LLC
    Inventors: Michael S. Leung, Eric J. Tarsa, John A. Edmond
  • Patent number: 10439107
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to light emitting devices and methods of manufacture thereof, including side and/or multi-surface light emitting devices. Embodiments according to the present disclosure include the use of a functional layer, which can comprise a stand-off distance with one or more portions of the light emitter to improve the functional layer's stability during further device processing. The functional layer can further comprise winged portions allowing for the coating of the lower side portions of the light emitter to further interact with emitted light and a reflective layer coating on the functional layer to further improve light extraction and light emission uniformity. Methods of manufacture including methods utilizing virtual wafer structures are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Sten Heikman, James Ibbetson, Zhimin Jamie Yao, Fan Zhang, Matthew Donofrio, Christopher P. Hussell, John A. Edmond
  • Patent number: 9897267
    Abstract: Light emitter components, systems, and related methods having improved optical efficiency and a lower manufacturing cost are disclosed. In one aspect, a light emitter component can include a substrate having an elongated body and first and second ends. At least a first trace and a second trace can be provided on the substrate. In some aspects, the first trace can be disposed proximate the first end of the substrate and the second trace can be disposed proximate the second end of the substrate, with no other portion of the first trace or second trace being disposed between the first and second ends of the substrate. In some aspects, a string of LED chips can be provided on the substrate. The string of LED chips can be disposed between the first and second ends of the substrate. Angled traces, gaps and light emitter components can also be provided in some aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher P. Hussell, Sung Chul Joo, Erin Welch, Peter Scott Andrews, Joseph G. Clark, John A. Edmond, Jesse C. Reiherzer
  • Patent number: 9490235
    Abstract: Light emitting devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment a light emitting device can include an emission area having one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted over an irregularly shaped mounting area. The light emitting device can further include a retention material disposed about the emission area. The retention material can also be irregularly shaped, and can be dispensed. Light emitting device can include more than one emission area per device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Edmond, Hua-Shuang Kong, Matthew Donofrio
  • Patent number: 9484499
    Abstract: A light emitting diode is disclosed that includes an active structure formed of at least p-type and n-type epitaxial layers of Group III nitride on a conductive carrier substrate. A conductive bonding system joins the active structure to the conductive carrier substrate. A first transparent ohmic contact is on the active structure adjacent the conductive carrier substrate, a second transparent ohmic contact is on the active structure opposite the conductive carrier substrate, and a third ohmic contact is on the conductive carrier substrate opposite from the active structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: John A. Edmond, David B. Slater, Jr., Michael J. Bergmann
  • Publication number: 20160189954
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices are fabricated by providing a growth substrate having a thickness within a preselected range and then bonding a lower surface of the growth substrate to an upper surface of the carrier substrate to form a composite substrate. One or more semiconductor growth processes are performed at one or more growth temperatures of at least 500° C. to form one or more semiconductor layers on an upper surface of the composite substrate. The growth substrate is separated from the carrier substrate after the one or more semiconductor growth processes are completed so that the carrier substrate may be reused with a second growth substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Hua-Shuang Kong, John A. Edmond, Matthew Donofrio, Michael J. Bergmann, David B. Slater, JR.
  • Patent number: 9178121
    Abstract: A light emitting diode is disclosed that includes a light emitting active structure formed from the Group III nitride material system, a bonding structure supporting the Group III nitride active structure, and a mounting substrate supporting the bonding structure. The mounting substrate includes a material that reflects at least fifty percent of light having the frequencies emitted by the active structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Edmond, Hua-Shuang Kong
  • Patent number: 8907366
    Abstract: Semiconductor light emitting devices, such as light emitting diodes, include a substrate, an epitaxial region on the substrate that includes a light emitting region such as a light emitting diode region, and a multilayer conductive stack including a current spreading layer, on the epitaxial region. A barrier layer is provided on the current spreading layer and extending on a sidewall of the current spreading layer. The multilayer conductive stack can also include an ohmic layer between the reflector and the epitaxial region. The barrier layer further extends on a sidewall of the ohmic layer. The barrier layer can also extend onto the epitaxial region outside the multilayer conductive stack. The barrier layer can be fabricated as a series of alternating first and second sublayers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Slater, Jr., Bradley E. Williams, Peter S. Andrews, John A. Edmond, Scott T. Allen
  • Publication number: 20140268728
    Abstract: Light emitter components, systems, and related methods having improved optical efficiency and a lower manufacturing cost are disclosed. In one aspect, a light emitter component can include a substrate having an elongated body and first and second ends. At least a first trace and a second trace can be provided on the substrate. In some aspects, the first trace can be disposed proximate the first end of the substrate and the second trace can be disposed proximate the second end of the substrate, with no other portion of the first trace or second trace being disposed between the first and second ends of the substrate. In some aspects, a string of LED chips can be provided on the substrate. The string of LED chips can be disposed between the first and second ends of the substrate. Angled traces, gaps and light emitter components can also be provided in some aspects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher P. Hussell, Sung Chul Joo, Erin Welch, Peter Scott Andrews, Joseph G. Clark, John A. Edmond, Jesse C. Reiherzer
  • Publication number: 20140217443
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to light emitting devices and methods of manufacture thereof, including side and/or multi-surface light emitting devices. Embodiments according to the present disclosure include the use of a functional layer, which can comprise a stand-off distance with one or more portions of the light emitter to improve the functional layer's stability during further device processing. The functional layer can further comprise winged portions allowing for the coating of the lower side portions of the light emitter to further interact with emitted light and a reflective layer coating on the functional layer to further improve light extraction and light emission uniformity. Methods of manufacture including methods utilizing virtual wafer structures are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Sten Heikman, James Ibbetson, Zhimin Jamie Yao, Fan Zhang, Matthew Donofrio, Christopher P. Hussell, John A. Edmond
  • Publication number: 20140167065
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to LED chips having improved overall emission by reducing the light-absorbing effects of barrier layers adjacent mirror contacts. In one embodiment, a LED chip comprises one or more LEDs, with each LED having an active region, a first contact under the active region having a highly reflective mirror, and a barrier layer adjacent the mirror. The barrier layer is smaller than the mirror, such that it does not extend beyond the periphery of the mirror. In another possible embodiment, an insulator is further provided, with the insulator adjacent the barrier layer and adjacent portions of the mirror not contacted by the active region or by the barrier layer. In yet another embodiment, a second contact is provided on the active region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: CREE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Bergmann, Matthew Donofrio, Sten Heikman, Kevin S. Schneider, Kevin W. Haberern, John A. Edmond
  • Patent number: 8686429
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to LED chips having improved overall emission by reducing the light-absorbing effects of barrier layers adjacent mirror contacts. In one embodiment, a LED chip comprises one or more LEDs, with each LED having an active region, a first contact under the active region having a highly reflective mirror, and a barrier layer adjacent the mirror. The barrier layer is smaller than the mirror such that it does not extend beyond the periphery of the mirror. In another possible embodiment, an insulator is further provided, with the insulator adjacent the barrier layer and adjacent portions of the mirror not contacted by the active region or by the barrier layer. In yet another embodiment, a second contact is provided on the active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Bergmann, Matthew Donofrio, Sten Heikman, Kevin S. Schneider, Kevin W. Haberern, John A. Edmond
  • Publication number: 20140048822
    Abstract: Semiconductor light emitting devices, such as light emitting diodes, include a substrate, an epitaxial region on the substrate that includes a light emitting region such as a light emitting diode region, and a multilayer conductive stack including a current spreading layer, on the epitaxial region. A barrier layer is provided on the current spreading layer and extending on a sidewall of the current spreading layer. The multilayer conductive stack can also include an ohmic layer between the reflector and the epitaxial region. The barrier layer further extends on a sidewall of the ohmic layer. The barrier layer can also extend onto the epitaxial region outside the multilayer conductive stack. The barrier layer can be fabricated as a series of alternating first and second sublayers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Slater, JR., Bradley E. Williams, Peter S. Andrews, John A. Edmond, Scott T. Allen
  • Patent number: 8643195
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer, substrate, and bonding structure is disclosed that includes a device wafer that includes, for example, a plurality of light emitting diodes, a contact metal layer (or layers) on one side of the device wafer opposite the light emitting diodes, and a bonding metal system on the contact metal layer that predominates by weight in nickel and tin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Slater, Jr., John A. Edmond, Hua-Shuang Kong
  • Patent number: 8604502
    Abstract: Semiconductor light emitting devices, such as light emitting diodes, include a substrate, an epitaxial region on the substrate that includes a light emitting region such as a light emitting diode region, and a multilayer conductive stack including a reflector layer, on the epitaxial region. A barrier layer is provided on the reflector layer and extending on a sidewall of the reflector layer. The multilayer conductive stack can also include an ohmic layer between the reflector and the epitaxial region. The barrier layer further extends on a sidewall of the ohmic layer. The barrier layer can also extend onto the epitaxial region outside the multilayer conductive stack. The barrier layer can be fabricated as a series of alternating first and second sublayers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Slater, Jr., Bradley E. Williams, Peter S. Andrews, John A. Edmond, Scott T. Allen
  • Patent number: 8357923
    Abstract: A light emitting diode is disclosed that includes a support structure and a Group III nitride light emitting active structure mesa on the support structure. The mesa has its sidewalls along an indexed crystal plane of the Group III nitride. A method of forming the diode is also disclosed that includes the steps of removing a substrate from a Group III nitride light emitting structure that includes a sub-mount structure on the Group III nitride light emitting structure opposite the substrate, and thereafter etching the surface of the Group III nitride from which the substrate has been removed with an anisotropic etch to develop crystal facets on the surface in which the facets are along an index plane of the Group III nitride. The method can also include etching the light emitting structure with an anisotropic etch to form a mesa with edges along an index plane of the Group III nitride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Edmond, David B. Slater, Jr., Hua Shuang Kong, Matthew Donofrio
  • Patent number: D691569
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Edmond, Michael J. Bergmann, Matthew Donofrio, Winston T. Parker
  • Patent number: D711840
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Lowes, Eric J. Tarsa, Sten Heikman, Bernd Keller, John A. Edmond, Jesse Reiherzer, Hormoz Benjamin
  • Patent number: D718258
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Lowes, Eric J. Tarsa, Sten Heikman, Bernd Keller, John A. Edmond, Jesse Reiherzer, Hormoz Benjamin, Christopher P. Hussell
  • Patent number: D725613
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Lowes, Eric J. Tarsa, Sten Heikman, Bernd Keller, John A. Edmond, Jesse Reiherzer, Hormoz Benjamin