Patents by Inventor Kenneth L. Smith

Kenneth L. Smith 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: 20250164675
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to reflective microstructures where at least part of the reflective surface of the microstructure is radially symmetric around a given axis. The disclosure is also directed to articles comprising the reflective microstructures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventors: Susannah C. Clear, Travis L. Potts, Jincy Jose, Kenneth L. Smith, John M. DeSutter
  • Publication number: 20240421477
    Abstract: Radar retroreflective (R3) devices including an electromagnetic absorber are provided. The electromagnetic absorber is disposed on selected areas of the device to reduce specular reflection without substantially reducing retroreflection of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2022
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Inventors: Jaewon Kim, Raymond P. Johnston, John J. Sullivan, Shawn T. Brovold, Matthew C. Messina, Charles D. Hoyle, Kenneth L. Smith, Dipankar Ghosh, Zhonghua Lu, Robert A. Sainati
  • Patent number: 11953706
    Abstract: Wavelength-selective films are visibly apparent under the selective wavelength. Wavelength-selective films typically reflect off axis the selected wavelength and therefore can provide high-contrast against a background when applied in a pattern on a substrate. However, it is difficult to apply unique patterned embedded images from film. Disclosed is a cost-effective method and construction of a patterned wavelength-selective image to a substrate. In the disclosed wavelength-selective image, wavelength-selective film particles are applied to an adhesive pattern to create the wavelength-selective image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Kui Chen-Ho, Kenneth L. Smith, Douglas S. Dunn, Tien Yi T. H. Whiting, John A. Wheatley, Bryan T. Whiting, Taylor J. Kobe, Anthony F. Schultz, Duane D. Fansler, Jonah Shaver
  • Patent number: 11602888
    Abstract: Continuous additive manufacturing apparatuses are provided. An apparatus includes an actinic radiation-transparent substrate having a major surface and an irradiation source configured to direct actinic radiation through the actinic radiation-transparent substrate at predetermined dosages at predetermined locations. The apparatus further includes a means for depositing a composition onto the major surface of the actinic radiation-transparent substrate and a means for conveying the actinic radiation-transparent substrate or the irradiation source with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Carsten Franke, Kenneth L. Smith, Jesse R. Behnke, Robert L. W. Smithson, Lucas D. Crestik, Olester Benson, Jr., Alexander J. Huffman
  • Patent number: 11597856
    Abstract: A continuous method of manufacturing adhesives is provided. The method includes obtaining an actinic radiation-polymerizable adhesive precursor composition disposed on a major surface of an actinic radiation-transparent substrate and irradiating a first portion of the actinic radiation-polymerizable adhesive precursor composition through the actinic radiation-transparent substrate for a first irradiation dosage. The method further includes moving the actinic radiation-transparent substrate and irradiating a second portion of the actinic radiation-polymerizable adhesive precursor composition through the actinic radiation-transparent substrate for a second irradiation dosage. Optionally, the method also includes irradiating a third portion of the actinic radiation-polymerizable adhesive precursor composition through the actinic radiation-transparent substrate prior to moving the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Carsten Franke, Kenneth L. Smith, Jesse R. Behnke, Robert L. W. Smithson, Lucas D. Crestik, Olester Benson, Jr., Alexander J. Huffman, Michael A. Kropp, John P. Baetzold, Serkan Yurt
  • Publication number: 20220404160
    Abstract: Selecting navigation routes based on infrastructure performance values that indicate infrastructure performance of pathway articles. To select navigation routes, a computing device receives one or more infrastructure performance values. The infrastructure performance values can indicate infrastructure performance of the pathway article and may correspond to a roadway portion. The computing device may determine, based at least in part on the one or more infrastructure performance values, a navigation route comprising a set of roadway portions from an initial location to a subsequent location. The computing device may perform at least one operation based at least in part on the navigation route comprising the set of roadway portions from the initial location to the subsequent location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Panagiotis D. Stanitsas, Andrew W. Long, Payas Tikotekar, Kenneth L. Smith, Richard A. Fundakowski, Onur Sinan Yordem
  • Publication number: 20220324454
    Abstract: Predicting future infrastructure performance of a pathway article based on data for infrastructure performance features that influence predicted infrastructure performance at a future point in time. To predict infrastructure performance at a future point in time, a computing device receives one or more sets of infrastructure performance data for a pathway article that correspond respectively to infrastructure performance features. The infrastructure performance features may influence predicted infrastructure performance of the pathway article at a future point in time and the infrastructure performance data may correspond to a roadway portion. The computing device may generate, based at least in part on applying the one or more sets of infrastructure performance data to a model, at least one infrastructure performance prediction value that indicates predicted infrastructure performance of the pathway article at the future point in time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Panagiotis D. Stanitsas, Payas Tikotekar, Kenneth L. Smith, Richard A. Fundakowski, Susannah C. Clear, Onur Sinan Yordem
  • Publication number: 20220292749
    Abstract: In some examples, a computing device includes one or more computer processors configured to receive, from an image capture device, an image of a physical scene that is viewable by an operator of a vehicle, wherein the physical scene is at least partially in a trajectory of the vehicle; receive, from an eye-tracking sensor, eye-tracking data that indicates a portion of the physical scene at which vision of the operator is directed; generate, based at least in part on excluding the portion of the physical scene at which vision of the operator is directed, a description of the physical scene; and perform at least one operation based at least in part on the description of the physical scene that is generated based at least in part on excluding the portion of the physical scene at which the vision of the operator is directed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Brian E. Brooks, Andrew W. Long, Kenneth L. Smith, James B. Snyder, Payas Tikotekar, Carla H. Barnes
  • Publication number: 20220126381
    Abstract: A new technique for making cube corner elements that involves end milling is used in the fabrication of cube corner elements having non-orthogonal dihedral angles and dihedral angle errors, and arrays of such cube corner elements. A given optical face of a cube corner element may be a compound face with two constituent faces. In some cases, the constituent faces may be parallel and coplanar such that a given dihedral angle error pertains to the entire optical face, while in other cases, the two constituent faces may not be parallel, and may be associated with different dihedral angle errors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Nelson D. Sewall, Christopher S. Grinde, Todd A. Ballen, Kenneth L. Smith
  • Patent number: 11253933
    Abstract: A new technique for making cube corner elements that involves end milling is used in the fabrication of cube corner elements having non-orthogonal dihedral angles and dihedral angle errors, and arrays of such cube corner elements. A given optical face of a cube corner element may be a compound face with two constituent faces. In some cases, the constituent faces may be parallel and coplanar such that a given dihedral angle error pertains to the entire optical face, while in other cases, the two constituent faces may not be parallel, and may be associated with different dihedral angle errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Nelson D. Sewall, Christopher S. Grinde, Todd A. Ballen, Kenneth L. Smith
  • Patent number: 11138880
    Abstract: In some examples, a computing device includes one or more computer processors, a communication device, and a memory comprising instructions that cause the one or more computer processors to: receive, using the communication device and from a set of vehicles, different sets of infrastructure data for a particular infrastructure article that is proximate to each respective vehicle of the set of vehicles, wherein each respective vehicle in the set of vehicles comprises at least one infrastructure sensor that generates infrastructure data descriptive of infrastructure articles that are proximate to the respective vehicle; determine, based at least in part on the different sets of infrastructure data for the particular infrastructure article from each respective vehicle of the set of vehicles, a quality metric for the infrastructure article; and perform at least one operation based at least in part on the quality metric for the infrastructure article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Smith, Justin M. Johnson, James B. Snyder, James W. Howard, Michael E. Hamerly, Onur Sinan Yordem
  • Publication number: 20210286111
    Abstract: Wavelength-selective films are visibly apparent under the selective wavelength. Wavelength-selective films typically reflect off axis the selected wavelength and therefore can provide high-contrast against a background when applied in a pattern on a substrate. However, it is difficult to apply unique patterned embedded images from film. Disclosed is a cost-effective method and construction of a patterned wavelength-selective image to a substrate. In the disclosed wavelength-selective image, wavelength-selective film particles are applied to an adhesive pattern to create the wavelength-selective image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Kui CHEN-HO, Kenneth L. SMITH, Douglas S. DUNN, Tien Yi T.H. WHITING, John A. WHEATLEY, Bryan T. WHITING, Taylor J. KOBE, Anthony F. SCHULTZ, Duane D. FANSLER, Jonah SHAVER
  • Publication number: 20210247199
    Abstract: Example systems disclosed herein include a pathway-article assisted vehicle (PAAV) that utilizes an autonomous navigation system for navigating temporary zones on vehicle pathways. The PAAV includes at least image capture device and a computing device. The image capture device generates an image that includes an indication of a temporary zone on a vehicle pathway, such as a pathway article proximate to the vehicle pathway that indicates the temporary zone. The computing device processes the image to obtain the indication of the temporary zone from the image, such as a code on the pathway article, and modifies, based on the indication of the temporary zone, a mode of autonomous operation of the PAAV while operating within the temporary zone on the vehicle pathway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Justin M. Johnson, James W. Howard, James B. Snyder, Travis L. Potts, Kenneth L. Smith, Tamara M. Meehan Russell
  • Publication number: 20210221389
    Abstract: A system and method for determining a sensing capability of a PAAV and for performing at least one operation of the PAAV as a function of at least one policy applied to the sensing capability determined for the PAAV. A sensing capability of the PAAV is determined at least in part on sensor data received from at least one sensor accuracy measurement feature deployed along a pathway. At least one operation of the PAAV is performed as a function of at least one policy applied to the sensing capability determined for the PAAV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew W. Long, James B. Snyder, Panagiotis D. Stanitsas, James W. Howard, Benjamin W. Watson, Kenneth L. Smith, James L. C. Werness, Jr., Claire R. Donoghue, Justin M. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20210168269
    Abstract: The disclosure describes an example vehicle assistance system including a light sensor, a pixelated filter array adjacent the light sensor, and a full-field optically-selective element adjacent the pixelated filter array. The optically-selective element is configured to selectively direct an optical component of light incident on the optically-selective element across the pixelated filter array to the light sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: John A. WHEATLEY, Gilles J.B. BENOIT, John D. LE, Zhisheng YUN, Jonah SHAVER, Susannah C. CLEAR, Timothy J. NEVITT, Kui CHEN-HO, Kenneth L. SMITH, David J.W. AASTUEN
  • Patent number: 11016229
    Abstract: An optical filter including a polarizer and a visible light blocking filter is described. The polarizer is configured to transmit at least 60 percent of light in a first infrared wavelength range that is incident on the polarizer at normal incidence in a first polarization state, to transmit less than 30 percent of light in a second infrared wavelength that is incident on the polarizer at normal incidence in a second polarization state orthogonal to the first polarization state, and to transmit less than 30 percent of light in a third infrared wavelength range that is incident on the polarizer with a 50 degree angle of incidence in the second polarization state. The visible light blocking filter configured to transmit at least 60 percent of light in the first infrared wavelength range at normal incidence in the first polarization state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: John A. Wheatley, Gilles J. Benoit, Todd A. Ballen, Kenneth L. Smith, Guanglei Du, Edward J. Kivel, Rolf W. Biernath, Jordan D. Whitney, Daniel J. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20210088702
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The disclosure further relates to retroreflective sheeting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventor: Kenneth L. SMITH
  • Patent number: 10948734
    Abstract: A light control film includes a plurality of spaced apart substantially parallel first light absorbing regions arranged along a first direction, each first light absorbing region having a width and a height, the plurality of first light absorbing regions including nonoverlapping first and second sub-pluralities of the plurality of first light absorbing regions, the first sub-plurality of the plurality of first light absorbing regions having a first viewing angle, the second sub-plurality of the plurality of first light absorbing regions having a different second viewing angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Michael J. Sykora, Robert R. Kieschke, Kenneth L. Smith, Olester Benson, Jr., Gary E. Gaides, Tao Liu, Thomas J. Blong, Gary T. Boyd
  • Publication number: 20210039669
    Abstract: In some examples, a method of validating operation of a vehicle, includes determining, by the vehicle, a first version of a vehicle operating parameter via a vehicle instrument employed in a first measurement approach; calculating, by the vehicle, a second version of the vehicle operating parameter based on information indicated by two or more pathway articles associated with a vehicle pathway; determining, by the vehicle, if the first version of the vehicle operating parameter is approximately equal to the second version of the vehicle operating parameter; if the first version of the vehicle operating parameter is approximately equal to the second version of the vehicle operating parameter, validating the first measurement approach; and if the first version of the vehicle operating parameter is not approximately equal to the second version of the vehicle operating parameter, performing, by the vehicle, one or more actions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Benjamin W. Watson, John A. Wheatley, James B. Snyder, Kenneth L. Smith
  • Patent number: 10884166
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The disclosure further relates to retroreflective sheeting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Smith