Patents by Inventor Mary B. Poppendieck

Mary B. Poppendieck 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).

  • Front light extraction film for light guiding systems and method of manufacture
    Patent number: 5995690
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a front light extraction tape for coupling light out of a light guiding device. The tape has a flexible, light transmissive outer portion and a light coupling element secured to a lower surface of the outer portion without using adhesive. An input surface of the light coupling element is contactable with an output surface of the light guiding device for receiving light therefrom. A reflecting surface of the light coupling element is aligned so as to reflect light received into the light coupling element through the light transmissive outer portion. The light coupling element may be formed integrally with the outer portion so as to avoid a material interface between the light coupling element and the outer portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Arthur L. Kotz, Mary B. Poppendieck, Michiru Hata