Patents by Inventor John S. Huizinga
John S. Huizinga 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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Patent number: 9551816Abstract: Retroreflecting optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed retroreflecting optical construction includes a retroreflecting layer that has a retroreflecting structured major surface, and an optical film that is disposed on the retroreflecting structured major surface of the retroreflecting layer. The optical film has an optical haze that is not less than about 30%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the retroreflecting optical construction are in physical contact with each other.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2016Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William D. Coggio, John S. Huizinga, Michael L. Steiner, Robert F. Watkins, Encai Hao, William B. Kolb, Peiwang Zhu, Michael Benton Free, Brant U. Kolb, Kui Chen-Ho, Paul E. Humpal, Scott M. Tapio, Kenneth L. Smith
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Publication number: 20160202398Abstract: Retroreflecting optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed retroreflecting optical construction includes a retroreflecting layer that has a retroreflecting structured major surface, and an optical film that is disposed on the retroreflecting structured major surface of the retroreflecting layer. The optical film has an optical haze that is not less than about 30%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the retroreflecting optical construction are in physical contact with each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2016Publication date: July 14, 2016Inventors: WILLIAM D. COGGIO, JOHN S. HUIZINGA, MICHAEL L. STEINER, ROBERT F. WATKINS, ENCAI HAO, WILLIAM B. KOLB, PEIWANG ZHU, MICHAEL BENTON FREE, BRANT U. KOLB, KUI CHEN-HO, PAUL E. HUMPAL, SCOTT M. TAPIO, KENNETH L. SMITH
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Patent number: 9291752Abstract: Retroreflecting optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed retroreflecting optical construction includes a retroreflecting layer that has a retroreflecting structured major surface, and an optical film that is disposed on the retroreflecting structured major surface of the retroreflecting layer. The optical film has an optical haze that is not less than about 30%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the retroreflecting optical construction are in physical contact with each other.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William D. Coggio, John S Huizinga, Michael L. Steiner, Robert F. Watkins, Encai Hao, William B. Kolb, Peiwang Zhu, Michael Benton Free, Brant U. Kolb, Kui Chen-Ho, Paul E. Humpal, Scott M. Tapio, Kenneth L. Smith
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Patent number: 8968629Abstract: An apparatus for casting a patterned surface on both sides of an opaque web. The apparatus includes a first patterned roll, a second pattered roll, and a means for rotating the first and second patterned rolls such that their patterns are transferred to opposite sides of the opaque web while it is in continuous motion. During this process, their patterns are maintained in continuous registration to within at least 100 micrometers.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2014Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: John S. Huizinga, John T. Strand, James N. Dobbs, Thomas B. Hunter, William V. Dower, Daniel H. Carlson, Serge Wetzels, Gregory F. King, Olester Benson, Jr., Jeremy K. Larsen, Michael Benton Free, David W. Kuhns
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Publication number: 20150049384Abstract: Retroreflecting optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed retroreflecting optical construction includes a retroreflecting layer that has a retroreflecting structured major surface, and an optical film that is disposed on the retroreflecting structured major surface of the retroreflecting layer. The optical film has an optical haze that is not less than about 30%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the retroreflecting optical construction are in physical contact with each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2013Publication date: February 19, 2015Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William D. Coggio, John S Huizinga, Michael L. Steiner, Robert F. Watkins, Encai Hao, William B. Kolb, Peiwang Zhu, Michael B. Free, Brant U. Kolb, Kui Chen-Ho, Paul E. Humpal, Scott M. Tapio
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Patent number: 8740599Abstract: An apparatus for casting a patterned surface on both sides of an opaque web. The apparatus includes a first patterned roll, a second pattered roll, and a means for rotating the first and second patterned rolls such that their patterns are transferred to opposite sides of the opaque web while it is in continuous motion. During this process, their patterns are maintained in continuous registration to within at least 100 micrometers.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2010Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: John S. Huizinga, Vincent W. S. King, John T. Strand, James N. Dobbs, William V. Dower, Daniel H. Carlson, Serge Wetzels, Gregory F. King, Olester Benson, Jr., Brian W. Lueck, Haiyan Zhang, Jeremy K. Larsen, M. Benton Free, David W. Kuhns, Samual W. Hunter, Thelma E. Hunter
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Patent number: 8534849Abstract: Retroreflecting optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed retroreflecting optical construction includes a retroreflecting layer that has a retroreflecting structured major surface, and an optical film that is disposed on the retroreflecting structured major surface of the retroreflecting layer. The optical film has an optical haze that is not less than about 30%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the retroreflecting optical construction are in physical contact with each other.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2010Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William D. Coggio, John S. Huizinga, Michael L. Steiner, Robert F. Watkins, Encai Hao, William B. Kolb, Peiwang Zhu, Michael Benton Free, Brant U. Kolb, Kui Chen-Ho, Paul E. Humpal, Kenneth L. Smith, Scott M. Tapio
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Patent number: 8149351Abstract: A passive daylight-coupled display having an LCD panel, a diffuser, and a curved reflector behind the LCD panel. For passive backlighting, the diffuser transmits daylight to the reflector, which reflects the daylight to the LCD panel and provides for substantially uniform distribution of the daylight on the LCD panel for backlighting it. A hybrid display includes both a passive backlight and an active backlight for providing backlighting from an active light source.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2008Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Rolf W. Biernath, Jennifer R. Yi, Keith M. Kotchick, John S. Huizinga
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Publication number: 20120038982Abstract: A stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display module includes a liquid crystal display panel and a directional backlight positioned to provide light to the liquid crystal display panel. A double sided prism film is disposed between the liquid crystal display panel and the directional backlight. The prism film includes a first surface having a series of cylindrical lenses adjacent the liquid crystal display panel and a second surface, opposite the first surface, having a series of non-contiguous prisms adjacent the directional backlight. Each of the non-contiguous prisms is separated from adjacent prisms by a transmissive flat portion or an opaque portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2011Publication date: February 16, 2012Inventors: John S. Huizinga, Rolf W. Biernath, Vincent W. King, John C. Schultz, Michael J. Sykora, Robert L. Brott
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Patent number: 8068187Abstract: A stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display module includes a liquid crystal display panel and a directional backlight positioned to provide light to the liquid crystal display panel. A double sided prism film is disposed between the liquid crystal display panel and the directional backlight. The prism film includes a first surface having a series of cylindrical lenses adjacent the liquid crystal display panel and a second surface, opposite the first surface, having a series of non-contiguous prisms adjacent the directional backlight. Each of the non-contiguous prisms is separated from adjacent prisms by a transmissive flat portion or an opaque portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2008Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: John S. Huizinga, Rolf W. Biernath, Vincent W. King, John C. Schultz, Michael J. Sykora, Robert L. Brott
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Patent number: 7931841Abstract: A microreplicated article is disclosed. The article includes an opaque web having first and second opposed surfaces. The first surface includes a first microreplicated structure having a plurality of first features. The second surface includes a second microreplicated structure having a plurality of second features. The first microreplicated structure and the second microreplicated structure retain registration within 100 micrometers.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2006Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: John S. Huizinga, Vincent W. King, John T. Strand, James N. Dobbs, Thomas B. Hunter, Samuel W. Hunter, Thelma E. Hunter, legal representative, William V. Dower, Daniel H. Carlson, Serge Wetzels, Gregory F. King
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Publication number: 20100285231Abstract: An apparatus for casting a patterned surface on both sides of an opaque web. The apparatus includes a first patterned roll, a second pattered roll, and a means for rotating the first and second patterned rolls such that their patterns are transferred to opposite sides of the opaque web while it is in continuous motion. During this process, their patterns are maintained in continuous registration to within at least 100 micrometers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2010Publication date: November 11, 2010Inventors: John S. Huizinga, Vincent W.S. King, John T. Strand, James N. Dobbs, Thomas B. Hunter, Samual W. Hunter, Thelma E. Hunter, William V. Dower, Daniel H. Carlson, Serge Wetzels, Gregory F. King, Oiester Benson, JR., Brian W. Lueck, Haiyan Zhang, Jeremy K. Larsen, M.Benton Free, David W. Kuhns
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Patent number: 7830368Abstract: A keypad having a virtual floating image that appears to a user to be in a plane other than the apparent plane of the keypad surface. More particularly, the indicia on the keypad appear to float above or below the surface of the device. The keypad can be, for example, the keypad on a cell phone. For such an application there would be more than one array of indicia present on the keypad. For example, there might be ten arrays of indicia, which provide the numerals from 0 to 9 and two more arrays to provide virtual images of the * and # keys. In some embodiments, the keypad is integrated with an illumination source that light up the indicia. The present disclosure also provides a method of manufacturing a key pad with a virtual floating image.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2007Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Charles A. Marttila, John T. Strand, Alan G. Hulme-Lowe, M. Benton Free, John S. Huizinga, James N. Dobbs, Serge Wetzels, Glen A. Jerry, Jennifer R. Yi, William R. Dudley
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Publication number: 20100265584Abstract: Retroreflecting optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed retroreflecting optical construction includes a retroreflecting layer that has a retroreflecting structured major surface, and an optical film that is disposed on the retroreflecting structured major surface of the retroreflecting layer. The optical film has an optical haze that is not less than about 30%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the retroreflecting optical construction are in physical contact with each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2010Publication date: October 21, 2010Inventors: William D. Coggio, John S. Huizinga, Michael L. Steiner, Robert F. Watkins, Encai Hao, William B. Kolb, Peiwang Zhu, Michael Benton Free, Brant U. Kolb, Kui Chen-Ho, Paul E. Humpal, Kenneth L. Smith, Scott M. Tapio
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Patent number: 7767273Abstract: An apparatus for casting a patterned surface on both sides of an opaque web. The apparatus includes a first patterned roll, a second pattered roll, and a means for rotating the first and second patterned rolls such that their patterns are transferred to opposite sides of the opaque web while it is in continuous motion. During this process, their patterns are maintained in continuous registration to within at least 100 micrometers.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2006Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: John S. Huizinga, Vincent W. S. King, John T. Strand, James N. Dobbs, Thomas B. Hunter, Samual W. Hunter, legal representative, Thelma E. Hunter, legal representative, William V. Dower, Daniel H. Carlson, Serge Wetzels, Gregory F. King, Olester Benson, Jr., Brian W. Lueck, Haiyan Zhang, Jeremy K. Larsen, M. Benton Free, David W. Kuhns
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Publication number: 20100141869Abstract: A passive daylight-coupled display having an LCD panel, a diffuser, and a curved reflector behind the LCD panel. For passive backlighting, the diffuser transmits daylight to the reflector, which reflects the daylight to the LCD panel and provides for substantially uniform distribution of the daylight on the LCD panel for backlighting it. A hybrid display includes both a passive backlight and an active backlight for providing backlighting from an active light source.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2008Publication date: June 10, 2010Inventors: Rolf W. Biernath, Jennifer R. Yi, Keith M. Kotchick, John S. Huizinga
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Patent number: 7677101Abstract: Techniques are described for estimating the propagation velocity through a surface acoustic wave sensor. In particular, techniques which measure and exploit a proper segment of phase frequency response of the surface acoustic wave sensor are described for use as a basis of bacterial detection by the sensor. As described, use of velocity estimation based on a proper segment of phase frequency response has advantages over conventional techniques that use phase shift as the basis for detection.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2004Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Wenyuan Xu, John S. Huizinga
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Publication number: 20090316058Abstract: A stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display module includes a liquid crystal display panel and a directional backlight positioned to provide light to the liquid crystal display panel. A double sided prism film is disposed between the liquid crystal display panel and the directional backlight. The prism film includes a first surface having a series of cylindrical lenses adjacent the liquid crystal display panel and a second surface, opposite the first surface, having a series of non-contiguous prisms adjacent the directional backlight. Each of the non-contiguous prisms is separated from adjacent prisms by a transmissive flat portion or an opaque portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2008Publication date: December 24, 2009Inventors: John S. Huizinga, Rolf W. Biernath, Vincent W. King, John C. Schultz, Michael J. Sykora, Robert L. Brott
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Publication number: 20090249969Abstract: A printer for digital printing in which ink is deposited in metered amounts on a substrate. The printer includes a wheel rotatable by a shaft of a motor, an idler disposed in a paint reservoir, and a segment of wire disposed around the wheel and the idler. A computer controls movement of the wire by controlling the rotation of the wheel. As the motor rotates the wheel, ink contained within the paint reservoir coats the wire and is drawn by the wire in front of an air stream, which pulls the ink from the wire and carries it toward the substrate. The wire has features to increase a solution volume of the ink on the wire. The ink is applied to the substrate in vector mode to form well defined fine lines an image and a raster mode to form wider lines less well defined than the fine lines.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2008Publication date: October 8, 2009Inventors: M. Benton Free, Daniel W. Hennen, John S. Huizinga, Mark D. Fiegen
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Patent number: 7576905Abstract: A diffraction grating for which the intensity and/or direction of the diffracted light is electronically modulated using the electrophoresis of an index-modifying species. Index-modifying dye ions are dissolved in an electrophoretic medium maintained adjacent the diffraction grating. Application of a voltage across the medium moves many of the ions into the region adjacent the grating such that the ions absorb the incident light or otherwise modify the local index of refraction so as to change the optical characteristics of the diffracted light. Application of an opposite voltage across the medium moves many of the ions away from the grating, allowing light rays to diffract in a different manner when encountering the grating.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2007Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company, The University of British ColumbiaInventors: Lorne A. Whitehead, John S. Huizinga