Patents by Inventor John A Wheatley

John A Wheatley 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).

  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRESENTING USER SELECTED SCENES
    Publication number: 20180279007
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for presenting user selected scenes. A media guidance application may generate for display a listing for a media asset, wherein a play length of the media asset includes a non-selectable play length portion and a selectable play length portion. The media guidance application may generate for display a first scene option corresponding to a first scene and a second scene option corresponding to a second scene. The media guidance application may receive a user selection of the first or second scene option and incorporate the selected scene into the selectable play length portion of the media asset. The media guidance application may generate for display the media asset with the selected scene incorporated into the selectable play length portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Brian Peterson, Vanessa Wickenkamp, David John Wheatley, Walter R. Klappert
  • COLLIMATING LIGHT GUIDE
    Publication number: 20180267228
    Abstract: A light guide includes a light input surface, a first major surface orthogonal to the light input surface, a second major surface opposing the first major, a plurality of discrete light extraction features disposed on the second major surface and a plurality of closely packed prisms disposed along the second major surface. The plurality of discrete light extraction features separate the plurality of closely packed prisms from the second major surface. Each of the closely packed prisms include a first prism surface forming a first angle with the second surface in a range from 80 to 100 degrees or in a range from 85 to 95 degrees or in a range from 87 to 93 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth A. EPSTEIN, John A. WHEATLEY, Tao LIU
  • NON-CONTACT FRICTION RIDGE CAPTURE DEVICE
    Publication number: 20180268193
    Abstract: A non-contact friction ridge capture device is described. The device comprises a device housing, the device housing including an electronics compartment and an illumination shield, with an opening between the electronics compartment and the illumination shield into which a user can insert the user's hand. The device further comprising a camera disposed in the electronics compartment for capturing an image of at least one friction ridge surface on a user's hand. The device further comprises a light source disposed in the electronics compartment, the light source emitting light in the direction of the illumination shield, wherein the peak wavelength of emitted light is in the range of 440 to 570 nanometers (nm). The user's hand is not required to contact the device when the camera captures the image of at least one friction ridge surface on a user's hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: David J. BADZINSKI, Robert L. BROTT, Alexander DOMEK, Douglas DUNN, Jonathan D. GRANDRUD, Robert D. LORENTZ, Michael A. MEIS, Theresa MEYER, Anthony J. SABELLI, Shannon D. SCOTT, Blake R. SHAMLA, Robert W. SHANNON, John A. WHEATLEY, Glenn E. CASNER, Brett A. HOWELL
  • COLLIMATING STEP-WEDGE LIGHT GUIDE
    Publication number: 20180246266
    Abstract: A light guide includes a light input surface, a first major surface orthogonal to the light input surface and a second major surface opposing the first major surface and forming a converging wedge with the first major surface. The second surface includes a plurality of doublet light extraction features closely-packed or separated by a land feature. Each doublet feature includes a first prism feature having a first shape and a second prism feature having a second shape and the second shape is different than the first shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth A. EPSTEIN, John A. WHEATLEY
  • Variable viewing angle optical systems
    Patent number: 10008164
    Abstract: Optical systems are described that include a switchable diffuser, a display panel, a lighting component and a diffuser controller. The diffuser controller is configured to switch the state of the switchable diffuser when the diffuser controller determines that the diffuser state is to be changed. The diffuser controller may be configured to vary an output level of the display panel in association with a change in state of the switchable diffuser. The optical system may also include a switching device which may be separable from the display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Guanglei Du, John A. Wheatley, Christopher R. Yungers, James M. Hillis
  • Systems and methods for presenting user selected scenes
    Patent number: 9930405
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for presenting user selected scenes. A media guidance application may generate for display a listing for a media asset, wherein a play length of the media asset includes a non-selectable play length portion and a selectable play length portion. The media guidance application may generate for display a first scene option corresponding to a first scene and a second scene option corresponding to a second scene. The media guidance application may receive a user selection of the first or second scene option and incorporate the selected scene into the selectable play length portion of the media asset. The media guidance application may generate for display the media asset with the selected scene incorporated into the selectable play length portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Peterson, Vanessa Wickenkamp, David John Wheatley, Walter R. Klappert
  • Optical systems having variable viewing angles
    Patent number: 9921345
    Abstract: Optical systems are described that include a lighting component, a switchable diffuser adjacent the lighting component, and a low-absorbing optical component disposed adjacent the switchable diffuser opposite the lighting component or disposed adjacent the lighting component opposite the switchable diffuser or disposed adjacent the lighting component opposite the display panel. The switchable diffuser is capable of being in either a substantially clear state or in a first hazy state. The low-absorbing optical component provides a collimating effect or a turning effect when the lighting component is illuminated and the switchable diffuser is in the substantially clear state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: John A. Wheatley, Guanglei Du, Robert L. Brott
  • DUAL-SIDED FILM WITH SPLIT LIGHT SPREADING STRUCTURES
    Publication number: 20180031757
    Abstract: Dual-sided optical films have extended split spreading structures formed on one major surface, and extended prisms formed on an opposite major surface. One portion of each split spreading structure has a low light spreading characteristic, and another portion has a high light spreading characteristic. For each split spreading structure, the low light spreading portion may be disposed alongside the high light spreading portion. The split spreading structures may be arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the prisms. Light that enters a given prism from one inclined surface thereof can be associated primarily with light transmitted through the low light spreading portion of the split spreading structure, and light that enters the given prism from the other inclined surface thereof can be associated primarily with light transmitted through the high light spreading portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Johnson, Michael J. Sykora, Michael E. Lauters, John A. Wheatley
  • Microstructured transfer tapes
    Patent number: 9879157
    Abstract: Transfer tapes include an optically transparent adhesive layer with a first major surface and a second major surface, with at least one of the major surfaces including a microstructured pattern that is a permanent feature of the adhesive surface. The microstructured surface alters the direction of light. The optically transparent composition may include a low Tg polymeric component with a Tg of less than 20° C., and an acid or base functionality, and a high Tg polymeric component with a Tg of greater than 20° C., and an acid or base functionality, such that the functionality of the low Tg polymeric component and the functionality of the high Tg polymeric component form an acid-base interaction when mixed. The transfer tapes can be adhered to substrates to provide a microstructured surface to the substrate surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Audrey A. Sherman, Kevin R. Schaffer, Robert L. Brott, Rolf W. Biernath, Joseph W. Woody, V, John A. Wheatley
  • OPTICAL SYSTEM WITH SWITCHABLE DIFFUSER
    Publication number: 20180003364
    Abstract: An optical system including a lighting component and a switchable diffuser in optical communication with the lighting component. The optical system may further include a low absorbing optical component. At least one outer surface of the switchable diffuser and/or the low absorbing optical component includes light redirecting structures. When the switchable diffuser is in a first state and the optical system produces a light output, the light redirecting structures are configured to increase the full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of the light output of the optical system in at least one direction by at least 5 degrees relative to that of an otherwise equivalent optical system that does not include the light redirecting structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: John A. Wheatley, Guanglei Du, Kenneth A. Epstein
  • Direct-lit backlight having light recycling cavity with concave transflector
    Patent number: 9857518
    Abstract: Direct-lit backlights and associated methods and components are disclosed in which a transflector that partially transmits and partially reflects incident light is shaped to form at least one concave structure facing a back reflector of the backlight. This provides at least one recycling cavity therebetween, the at least one recycling cavity substantially filling the output area of the backlight. At least one light source is disposed behind the output area to inject light into each cavity, and can be positioned in the recycling cavity or behind an aperture in the back reflector. The cavities are preferably shallow and wide, having a width-to-depth ratio of at least 5 or 10, and can provide uniform brightness and color at the output area with sparsely distributed light sources and in a thin profile backlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: David Scott Thompson, Craig R. Schardt, Brian W. Ostlie, Scott J. Kienitz, John A. Wheatley
  • LIGHT AND HEAT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR INDOOR HORTICULTURE
    Publication number: 20170367274
    Abstract: A system for heat and light management for indoor horticulture is described. More particularly, a system including light sources, a light distribution chamber, and circulating water is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: John A. WHEATLEY, Guanglei DU
  • OPTICAL FILMS WITH MICROSTRUCTURED LOW REFRACTIVE INDEX NANOVOIDED LAYERS AND METHODS THEREFOR
    Publication number: 20170368569
    Abstract: A microstructured article includes a nanovoided layer having opposing first and second major surfaces, the first major surface being microstructured to form prisms, lenses, or other features. The nanovoided layer includes a polymeric binder and a plurality of interconnected voids, and optionally a plurality of nanoparticles. A second layer, which may include a viscoelastic layer or a polymeric resin layer, is disposed on the first or second major surface. A related method includes disposing a coating solution onto a substrate. The coating solution includes a polymerizable material, a solvent, and optional nanoparticles. The method includes polymerizing the polymerizable material while the coating solution is in contact with a microreplication tool to form a microstructured layer. The method also includes removing solvent from the microstructured layer to form a nanovoided microstructured article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, William Blake Kolb, Michael Benton Free, Audrey A. Sherman, John A. Wheatley, David S. Thompson, Matthew S. Stay, Encai Hao
  • BATCH AUTHENTICATION OF MATERIALS FOR AUTOMATED ANTI COUNTERFEITING
    Publication number: 20170363772
    Abstract: Systems and methods for authenticating material samples are provided. Characteristic features are measured for a batch of material samples that comprise substantially the same composition and are produced by substantially the same process. The measured characteristic features have respective variability that is analyzed to extract statistical parameters. In some cases, reference ranges are determined based on the extracted statistical parameters for the batch of material samples. The corresponding statistical parameters of a test material sample are compared to the reference ranges to verify whether the test material sample is authentic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Anthony J. Sabelli, Jennifer F. Shumacher, Yanina Shkel, Brian J. Stankiewicz, Glenn E. Casner, John A. Wheatley, Andrew P. Bonifas, Ravishankar Sivalingam
  • OPTICAL DEVICE INCLUDING SWITCHABLE DIFFUSER
    Publication number: 20170343189
    Abstract: Optical devices are disclosed. In particular, optical devices including a collimated light source (140), at switchable diffuser (110), and at least one light deflecting element (120, 130) are disclosed. The electrically switchable diffuser (110), in combination with the at least light deflecting element (120, 130) can provide significant changes in the overall distribution of light at the electrically switchable diffuser (110) is switched between two or more states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: John A. Wheatley, Guanglei Du
  • Apodized broadband partial reflectors
    Patent number: 9823396
    Abstract: A broadband partial reflector includes a multilayer polymeric optical film having a total number of optical repeating units that monotonically increases in thickness value from a first side to a second side of the multilayer polymeric optical film. A baseline optical repeating unit thickness profile is defined by a first plurality of optical repeating units and having a first average slope, and a first apodized thickness profile of the multilayer polymeric optical film is defined by a second plurality of optical repeating units having a second average slope being at least 5 times greater than the first average slope. The second plurality of optical repeating units define the first side of the multilayer polymeric optical film and join the first plurality of optical repeating units. The second plurality of optical repeating units are in a range from 3-15% of the total number of optical repeating units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael F. Weber, Timothy J. Nevitt, John A. Wheatley
  • Light assembly
    Patent number: 9816679
    Abstract: Light assembly having reflector, light source, an outer light cover, and a curved transflective surface. Embodiments of light assemblies described herein are useful, for example, as signs, backlights, displays, task lighting, luminaire, and vehicle (e.g., cars, trucks, airplanes, etc.) components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Stephen K. Eckhardt, Barry S. Carpenter, David A. Ender, David J. Lundin, Mark E. Napierala, Jennifer J. Sahlin, David F. Slama, Karl A. Vick, John A. Wheatley
  • Systems and methods for automatically adjusting volume of a media asset based on navigation distance
    Patent number: 9785398
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically adjusting volume of a media asset are provided. A display of a content navigation page is generated. The content navigation page is associated with a media asset. A navigation distance from a current position in the content navigation page to the media asset within the content navigation page is determined. The navigation distance is cross-referenced with a database of volume levels associated with navigation distances to identify a volume level that is associated with the navigation distance. Audio of the media asset is caused to be presented at the identified volume level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventor: David John Wheatley
  • Dual-sided film with split light spreading structures
    Patent number: 9784902
    Abstract: Dual-sided optical films have extended split spreading structures formed on one major surface, and extended prisms formed on an opposite major surface. One portion of each split spreading structure has a low light spreading characteristic, and another portion has a high light spreading characteristic. For each split spreading structure, the low light spreading portion may be disposed alongside the high light spreading portion. The split spreading structures may be arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the prisms. Light that enters a given prism from one inclined surface thereof can be associated primarily with light transmitted through the low light spreading portion of the split spreading structure, and light that enters the given prism from the other inclined surface thereof can be associated primarily with light transmitted through the high light spreading portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Johnson, Michael J. Sykora, Michael E. Lauters, John A. Wheatley
  • Light cartridge
    Patent number: D809696
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Business Lighting Solutions Limited
    Inventor: Christopher John Wheatley