Patents by Inventor John C. Schultz

John C. Schultz 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).

  • Publication number: 20160320525
    Abstract: A sensor comprising a thin film photovoltaic pixel is fitted with optics to provide a field-of-view for the sensing of persons, or other objects, entering or exiting said field-of-view. When a person enters the field-of-view, a processor may sense such entry, then provide signals to other electronic apparatus indicative of such an event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Scott E. BRIGHAM, Kenneth A. EPSTEIN, Kiran S KANUKURTHY, John C. SCHULTZ, Philip E WATSON
  • Publication number: 20160225031
    Abstract: A system comprising two or more cards, at least one being a sensor card, and at least one being a response card, provide interactivity features for traditional print-type advertising content. The sensor card senses an environmental variable, such as the presence of a person, then wirelessly communicates to a proximately located response card, which initiates an activity based on the received wireless communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Philip E Watson, Scott E Brigham, John C Schultz
  • Publication number: 20160225299
    Abstract: A system for obscuring a sensing device associated with a printed graphic while preserving the device's sensing functionally by use of a piece of perforated film printed to match the printed graphic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Philip E Watson, Scott E Brigham, William J Bryan, John C Schultz
  • Publication number: 20160097895
    Abstract: An optical article, such as a backlight for electronic display devices, is disclosed. The optical article includes a lightguide, a viscoelastic layer disposed on the light guide and a nanovoided polymeric layer disposed on the viscoelastic layer. The nanovoided polymeric layer comprises a plurality of interconnected nanovoids and at least some of the interconnected nanovoids are connected to one another by hollow passages. The lightguide may be optically coupled to a light source, and the viscoelastic layer and the nanovoided polymeric layer may be used in conjunction with the lightguide to manage light emitted by the light source. The viscoelastic layer may be a pressure sensitive adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael J. Sykora, Robert L. Brott, William J. Bryan, Erik A. Aho, Martin Kristoffersen, Michael A. Meis, Kevin R. Schaffer, Audrey A. Sherman, John C. Schultz, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek
  • Patent number: 9304243
    Abstract: An illumination device, such as a backlight for electronic display devices, is disclosed. The illumination device includes a viscoelastic lightguide optically coupled to a light source, and a nanovoided polymeric layer is used in conjunction with the lightguide to manage light emitted by the light source. The viscoelastic lightguide may be a pressure sensitive adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael J. Sykora, Robert L. Brott, William J. Bryan, Erik A. Aho, Martin Kristoffersen, Michael A. Meis, Kevin R. Schaffer, Audrey A. Sherman, John C. Schultz, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek
  • Publication number: 20160037144
    Abstract: A projection system (400) capable of projection alignment includes a projector (410), a shaped projection screen (420), one or more alignment marks (425), an image sensor (430), and a processing unit (440). The projector is configured to project an image. The shaped projection screen is configured to receive the projected image and display the projected image, the projector having a projection area (415) on the shaped projection screen. The one or more alignment marks are proximate to a border of the projection screen. The image sensor is configured to capture an image of the shaped projection screen and generate a sensor signal corresponding to the captured image. The processing unit is electronically coupled to the image sensor and configured to receive the sensor signal and determine the positions of the one or more alignment marks based on the sensor signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John C. SCHULTZ, Eric C. LOBNER, Robert W. SHANNON, Glenn E. CASNER, Quinn D. SANFORD, Rolf W. BIERNATH
  • Patent number: 9244284
    Abstract: An optical light redirecting film that can be made by microreplication, and that is suitable for use in an autostereoscopic backlight or display, includes opposed first and second structured surfaces. The first structured surface includes lenticular features and the second structured surface includes prismatic features. In some cases, at least a first prismatic feature has a first prism optical axis that is tilted relative to a thickness axis of the film perpendicular to the film plane. In some cases, at least a first lenticular feature has a first lenticular optical axis that is tilted relative to the thickness axis. In some cases, the film may have a central film caliper (thickness) at a central portion of the film and an edge film caliper at a first edge portion of the film, the central film caliper being greater than the edge film caliper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael J. Sykora, Robert L. Brott, John C. Schultz, Corey D. Balts
  • Publication number: 20160021350
    Abstract: A projection system capable of projection alignment includes a projector, a shaped projection screen, an image sensor, and a processing unit. The projector is configured to project a series of alignment content to the shaped projection screen. The image sensor is configured to capture a series of projected alignment content. The processing unit is electronically coupled to the image sensor and configured to receive the series of captured alignment content and determine at least part of general boundary of the shaped projection screen based on the series of captured alignment content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: John C Schultz, Eric C Lobner, Glenn E Casner, Rolf W Biernath, Quinn D Sanford
  • Patent number: 9239417
    Abstract: An illumination device, such as a backlight for electronic display devices, is disclosed. The illumination device includes a lightguide optically coupled to a light source, and a viscoelastic layer and a nanovoided polymeric layer are used in conjunction with the lightguide to manage light emitted by the light source. The viscoelastic layer may be a pressure sensitive adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael J. Sykora, Robert L. Brott, William J. Bryan, Erik A. Aho, Martin Kristoffersen, Michael A. Meis, Kevin R. Schaffer, Audrey A. Sherman, John C. Schultz, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek
  • Patent number: 9207384
    Abstract: A backlight is disclosed and includes a visible light transmissive body primarily propagating light by TIR with a light input surface and a light output surface and a light guide portion and a light input portion. The light guide portion has a light reflection surface and a light emission surface. The light input portion has opposing side surfaces that are not parallel. One of the opposing surfaces is co-planar with either the light emission surface or the light reflection surface. A light source is disposed adjacent to the light input surface. The light source emits light into the light input portion. A reflective layer is disposed adjacent to or on the opposing side surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: William J. Bryan, John C. Schultz, Michael A. Meis, Patrick R. Destain
  • Patent number: 9208704
    Abstract: Hybrid signage capable of self illumination and having an active backlight. The signage includes a turning film having a structured surface for redirecting light in order to passively illuminate a printed graphic or shaped sign when the backlight is off. In the shaped sign, the shape provides the content, such as letters, to be conveyed to the viewer instead of a graphic. The signage can be actively illuminated when the backlight is on to supplemental the passive illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Erik A. Aho, Audrey A. Sherman, Michael A. Meis, Kevin R. Schaffer, Patrick A. Thomas, John C. Schultz, Michael H. Hansberry, William J. Bryan, David A. Harper
  • Publication number: 20150346416
    Abstract: An illumination device, such as a backlight for electronic display devices, is disclosed. The illumination device includes a viscoelastic lightguide optically coupled to a light source, and a nanovoided polymeric layer is used in conjunction with the lightguide to manage light emitted by the light source. The viscoelastic lightguide may be a pressure sensitive adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael J. Sykora, Robert L. Brott, William J. Bryan, Erik A. Aho, Martin Kristoffersen, Michael A. Meis, Kevin R. Schaffer, Audrey A. Sherman, John C. Schultz, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek
  • Publication number: 20150285371
    Abstract: A flexible binary pump system for a motor vehicle transmission includes a shaft, a first vane pump mounted on the shaft and having a first rotor with a first diameter and a first width and a second vane pump mounted on the shaft and having a second rotor with a second diameter and a second width. The first vane pump provides hydraulic fluid to the transmission at a first pressure, and the second vane pump provides hydraulic fluid to the transmission at a second pressure. The first diameter, first width, second diameter, and second width are selected to optimize power consumption of the binary pump system and hydraulic fluid budget for the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: John C. Schultz, Daryl A. Wilton, Philip C. Lundberg
  • Patent number: 9146342
    Abstract: An illumination device, such as a backlight for electronic display devices, is disclosed. The illumination device includes a viscoelastic lightguide optically coupled to a light source, and a nanovoided polymeric layer is used in conjunction with the lightguide to manage light emitted by the light source. The viscoelastic lightguide may be a pressure sensitive adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael J. Sykora, Robert L. Brott, William J. Bryan, Erik A. Aho, Martin Kristoffersen, Michael A. Meis, Kevin R. Schaffer, Audrey A. Sherman, John C. Schultz, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek
  • Publication number: 20150262517
    Abstract: Hybrid signage capable of self illumination and having an active backlight. The signage includes a turning film having a structured surface for redirecting light in order to passively illuminate a printed graphic or shaped sign when the backlight is off. In the shaped sign, the shape provides the content, such as letters, to be conveyed to the viewer instead of a graphic. The signage can be actively illuminated when the backlight is on to supplemental the passive illumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Erik A. Aho, Audrey A. Sherman, Michael A. Meis, Kevin R. Schaffer, Patrick A. Thomas, John C. Schultz, Michael H. Hansberry, William J. Bryan, David A. Harper
  • Patent number: 9127674
    Abstract: A vane pump for an automatic transmission includes a housing which may be spaced from the axis of the transmission input shaft axis and driven by a chain or gear train driven by the torque converter hub or disposed on and about the axis of the transmission input shaft and driven at engine speed. The vane pump includes a pair of port plates which reside on the end faces of a pump body having a cylindrical chamber which receives an eccentrically disposed rotor that is coupled to a stub shaft in an off-axis arrangement. The rotor includes a plurality of radial slots which receive a like plurality of vanes. The outer ends or edges of the vanes are in contact with the wall of the cylindrical chamber and the inner ends or edges are in contact with a pair of vane rings received within recesses in the ends of the rotor. The vanes are thus constrained between the wall of the chamber and the vane rings which positively determine their radial positions as they and the rotor rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventor: John C. Schultz
  • Patent number: 9108498
    Abstract: A hybrid drive system in a vehicle includes a prime mover, a starting device connected to the prime mover, and a transmission having a transmission input shaft connected to the starting device. A pump/motor is functionally interconnected between the starting device and the transmission. A first accumulator is in fluid communication with the motor/pump for storing a hydraulic fluid under pressure and a second accumulator is in fluid communication with the pump/motor for storing hydraulic fluid discharged from the first accumulator. Discharge of the first accumulator drives the pump/motor to provide a drive torque to the transmission input shaft and to provide a drive torque to the prime mover for starting the prime mover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: John C. Schultz, Daryl A. Wilton
  • Publication number: 20150185403
    Abstract: A backlight is disclosed and includes a visible light transmissive body primarily propagating light by TIR with a light input surface and a light output surface and a light guide portion and a light input portion. The light guide portion has a light reflection surface and a light emission surface. The light input portion has opposing side surfaces that are not parallel. One of the opposing surfaces is co-planar with either the light emission surface or the light reflection surface. A light source is disposed adjacent to the light input surface. The light source emits light into the light input portion. A reflective layer is disposed adjacent to or on the opposing side surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: William J. Bryan, John C. Schultz, Michael A. Meis, Patrick R. Destain
  • Patent number: 9070312
    Abstract: Hybrid signage capable of self illumination and having an active backlight. The signage includes a turning film having a structured surface for redirecting light in order to passively illuminate a printed graphic or shaped sign when the backlight is off. In the shaped sign, the shape provides the content, such as letters, to be conveyed to the viewer instead of a graphic. The signage can be actively illuminated when the backlight is on to supplemental the passive illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Erik A. Aho, Audrey A. Sherman, Michael A. Meis, Kevin R. Schaffer, Patrick A. Thomas, John C. Schultz, Michael H. Hansberry, William J. Bryan, David A. Harper
  • Publication number: 20150121732
    Abstract: Hybrid signage capable of self illumination and having an active backlight. The signage includes a turning film having a structured surface for redirecting light in order to passively illuminate a printed graphic or shaped sign when the backlight is off. In the shaped sign, the shape provides the content, such as letters, to be conveyed to the viewer instead of a graphic. The signage can be actively illuminated when the backlight is on to supplemental the passive illumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: ERIK A. AHO, AUDREY A. SHERMAN, MICHAEL A. MEIS, KEVIN R. SCHAFFER, PATRICK A. THOMAS, JOHN C. SCHULTZ, MICHAEL H. HANSBERRY, WILLIAM J. BRYAN, DAVID A. HARPER