Patents by Inventor Matthew B. Johnson

Matthew B. Johnson 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).

  • Patent number: 12699214
    Abstract: A multilayer optical film includes a plurality of alternating polymeric first and second layers and optically absorptive material dispersed in at least one layer of the multilayer optical film. The multilayer optical film has an average optical transmittance in a visible wavelength range extending from about 450 nm to about 650 nm of about 0.5% to about 40%, an average optical reflectance in the visible wavelength range of less than about 40%, and an average optical reflectance in an infrared wavelength range extending from about 850 nm to about 1200 nm of greater than about 60%. For illuminant D65 light incident on the multilayer optical film, the multilayer optical film reflects and transmits portions of the incident light as reflected and transmitted lights that have color shifts below specified limits in a CIE L*a*b* color space. A glass laminate includes the multilayer optical film disposed between glass layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2026
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Raghunath Padiyath, Lin Zhao, Gilles J. Benoit, Matthew B. Johnson, Edward J. Kivel
  • Publication number: 20260160925
    Abstract: A multilayer optical film includes a plurality of alternating first and second polymeric layers numbering at least 50 in total. The first and second polymeric layers have respective indices of refraction nx1 and nx2 along a same in-plane first direction, wherein 0.1?(nx1?nx2)?0.25 at at least one visible wavelength in a visible wavelength range extending from about 420 nanometres (nm) to about 680 nm. For a substantially normally incident light polarized along the first direction, the plurality of alternating first and second polymeric layers reflects greater than about 80% of the incident light for at least a first wavelength in a first wavelength range extending from about 380 nm to about 680 nm, and has an average optical absorbance of less than about 1% for a second wavelength range extending from about 380 nm to about 400 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Publication date: June 11, 2026
    Inventors: Adam D. Haag, Matthew B. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20260147148
    Abstract: A reflective polarizer includes a plurality of first layers disposed on a plurality of polymeric second layers. Each of at least 30% of the first layers includes at least 30% by weight of an inorganic material. For an incident light incident in a plane and a first incident angle, the reflective polarizer and the first layers have respective average optical reflectances R3v and R1v in a visible wavelength range and respective average optical reflectances R3ir and R1ir in an infrared wavelength range, R1v<R3v and (R1ir?R3ir)>10%, when the incident light is polarized along a first direction; and for the visible wavelength range and for a second incident angle, the plurality of polymeric second layers has an average optical reflectance R2v(x) when the plane includes the first direction and an average optical reflectance R2v(y) when the plane includes a second direction, 5% <R2v(y)<R2v(x)<60%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2026
    Publication date: May 28, 2026
    Inventors: Matthew B. Johnson, Brianna N. Wheeler, Martin J. Sisolak
  • Publication number: 20260140295
    Abstract: Multilayer reflective polarizers are described. In particular, multilayer reflective polarizers that include both crystalline high index layers and low index layers are disclosed. These reflective polarizers may be particularly suitable for combiner applications, including automotive heads up display applications with demanding ambient environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2026
    Publication date: May 21, 2026
    Inventors: Adam D. Haag, Matthew B. Johnson, Carl A. Stover, Timothy J. Nevitt, William F. Edmonds, Stephen A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 12631873
    Abstract: An integral optical stack including a structured optical film having alternating first and second segments including plurality of polymeric layers. Each pair of first and second segments define an inclusion angle of between about 50 degrees and about 110 degrees therebetween. Planarizing films are disposed on opposite first and second sides of the structured optical film. Each of the first and second sides has an average peak-to-valley nonlinearity. The planarizing films reduce the average peak-to-valley nonlinearity of the corresponding side of the structured optical film by at least a factor of 2. For each incident angle of between about zero and 30 degrees, the plurality of polymeric layers in each of the first and second segments has an average optical transmittance of greater than about 70% in a visible wavelength range and an optical reflectance of greater than about 60% for at least one wavelength in an infrared wavelength range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2026
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventor: Matthew B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 12601908
    Abstract: A heads-up display for viewing by an eye of a passenger of a vehicle includes a windshield with a reflective polarizer disposed adjacent to a first outermost glass surface of the windshield, a display configured to emit an image toward the windshield, the windshield reflecting between 15% and 85% of the emitted image toward the passenger, and a phase retarding plate disposed in an optical path between the display and the windshield. The windshield is configured to receive the image emitted by the display after the image has been transmitted by the phase retarding plate and to reflect at least a portion of the received image as a reflected image toward the eye of the passenger. The phase retarding plate modifies a polarization state of the reflected image to improve a viewing characteristic of the reflective image depending on a viewing angle of the eye of the passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2026
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephan J. Pankratz, Matthew B. Johnson, William F. Edmonds, Jan Thomas Krapp
  • Patent number: 12596276
    Abstract: An optical film includes a plurality of first layers disposed on a plurality of polymeric second layers. Each of at least 30% of the first layers includes at least 30% by weight of an inorganic material. For a substantially normally incident light, a blue wavelength range extending from about 420 nm to about 480 nm, a green wavelength range extending from about 490 nm to about 560 nm, and a red wavelength range extending from about 590 nm to about 670 nm, the optical film and the plurality of second layers have respective average optical reflectances Rof(b) 10 and R2(b) in the blue wavelength range, Rof(g) and R2(g) in the green wavelength range, and Rof(r) and R2(r) in the red wavelength range, where 0?Rof(b)?R2(b)?25%; Rof(g)?R2(g)>30%; and each of Rof(r) and R2(r) is greater than about 60% and |Rof(r)?R2(r)| is less than about 20%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2025
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2026
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Gilles J. Benoit, Lin Zhao, Matthew B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 12554055
    Abstract: A reflective polarizer includes a plurality of first layers disposed on a plurality of polymeric second layers. Each of at least 30% of the first layers includes at least 30% by weight of an inorganic material. For an incident light incident in a plane and a first incident angle, the reflective polarizer and the first layers have respective average optical reflectances R3v and R1v in a visible wavelength range and respective average optical reflectances R3ir and R1ir in an infrared wavelength range, R1v<R3v and (R1ir?R3ir)>10%, when the incident light is polarized along a first direction; and for the visible wavelength range and for a second incident angle, the plurality of polymeric second layers has an average optical reflectance R2v(x) when the plane includes the first direction and an average optical reflectance R2v(y) when the plane includes a second direction, 5%<R2v(y)<R2v(x)<60%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2026
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew B. Johnson, Brianna N. Wheeler, Martin J. Sisolak
  • Publication number: 20260042393
    Abstract: A mirror system for a side- or rear-view mirror of a vehicle includes a light absorbing layer and an optical film having a plurality of layers disposed on the light absorbing layer. For substantially normally incident light and a blue, green, and red wavelength range extending from about 420-485 nm, 525-575 nm and 625-740 nm, respectively, and for at least one polarization state, the plurality of layers includes a reflection band having a substantially flat top region at least 100 nm wide. The reflection band includes left and right band edges at respective short and long wavelength sides. The plurality of layers has an average optical reflectance R1 of greater than about 70% and a standard of deviation of less than about 5% in the substantially flat top region. An average optical reflectance Rb is less than about 0.8R1 in the blue wavelength range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2025
    Publication date: February 12, 2026
    Inventors: Matthew B. Johnson, John F. VanDerlofske, III
  • Publication number: 20260043955
    Abstract: An optical stack includes a reflective polarizer including a plurality of interference layers and an absorbing polarizer disposed on the reflective polarizer. The plurality of interference layers transmits at least about 85% of an incident light having a first polarization state, reflects at least about 80% of the incident light having a second polarization state, and transmits less than about 0.1% of the incident light having the second polarization state. The absorbing polarizer has a first transmittance for the first polarization state and a second transmittance for the second polarization state. An average of the first and second transmittances is greater than about 0.46. The second transmittance has a first standard deviation. The optical stack has a transmittance for the second polarization state having a second standard deviation which is less than the first standard deviation by at least about 10%. A display includes the optical stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2025
    Publication date: February 12, 2026
    Inventors: Takashi Fujita, Hideaki Shirotori, Chikara Abe, Matthew B. Johnson, Brianna N. Wheeler, Adam D. Haag
  • Patent number: 12487454
    Abstract: A windshield of a vehicle includes a reflective polarizer. The windshield is configured to receive and reflect an image light emitted by a display toward a passenger of the vehicle, such that for a substantially normally incident light, the windshield has first and second reflection spectra versus wavelength for the incident light polarized along respective first and second directions. The first reflection spectrum includes a plurality of reflection bands. Each of the reflection bands has a maximum reflectance R1max between 20% and 80%. Between each pair of adjacent reflection bands in the plurality of reflection bands, the first reflection spectrum has a minimum reflectance R1min between 5% and 25%. In the visible wavelength range, the second reflection spectrum has a maximum reflectance R2max and a minimum reflectance R2min, such that R2max and R2min are within 15% of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2025
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Adam D. Haag, Brianna N. Wheeler, Matthew B. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20250360693
    Abstract: A glass laminate including first and second glass layers, a reflective film having opposed first and second major surfaces and disposed between the first and second glass layers with the first and second major surfaces facing the respective first and second glass layers, a first adhesive layer disposed between and bonding together the first glass layer and the reflective film, and a second adhesive layer disposed between and bonding together the second glass layer and the 10 reflective film is described. The second adhesive layer is thicker than the first adhesive layer such that the first major surface of the reflective film is separated from an outermost major surface of the first glass layer by a distance d1, the second major surface of the reflective film is separated from an outermost major surface of the second glass layer by a distance d2, and 0.05?d1/d2?0.9.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2025
    Publication date: November 27, 2025
    Inventors: John F. VANDERLOFSKE, III, Eileen M. FRANEY, Stephan J. PANKRATZ, Matthew B. JOHNSON, Brianna N. WHEELER, Adam D. HAAG, Kristy A. GILLETTE, Jonah SHAVER
  • Patent number: 12474515
    Abstract: An optical stack includes a reflective polarizer including a plurality of interference layers and an absorbing polarizer disposed on the reflective polarizer. The plurality of interference layers transmits at least about 85% of an incident light having a first polarization state, reflects at least about 80% of the incident light having a second polarization state, and transmits less than about 0.1% of the incident light having the second polarization state. The absorbing polarizer has a first transmittance for the first polarization state and a second transmittance for the second polarization state. An average of the first and second transmittances is greater than about 0.46. The second transmittance has a first standard deviation. The optical stack has a transmittance for the second polarization state having a second standard deviation which is less than the first standard deviation by at least about 10%. A display includes the optical stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2025
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Takashi Fujita, Hideaki Shirotori, Chikara Abe, Matthew B. Johnson, Brianna N. Wheeler, Adam D. Haag
  • Patent number: 12466320
    Abstract: A mirror system for a side- or rear-view mirror of a vehicle includes a light absorbing layer and an optical film having a plurality of layers disposed on the light absorbing layer. For substantially normally incident light and a blue, green, and red wavelength range extending from about 420-485 nm, 525-575 nm and 625-740 nm, respectively, and for at least one polarization state, the plurality of layers includes a reflection band having a substantially flat top region at least 100 nm wide. The reflection band includes left and right band edges at respective short and long wavelength sides. The plurality of layers has an average optical reflectance R1 of greater than about 70% and a standard of deviation of less than about 5% in the substantially flat top region. An average optical reflectance Rb is less than about 0.8R1 in the blue wavelength range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2025
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew B. Johnson, John F. VanDerlofske, III
  • Patent number: 12403674
    Abstract: A glass laminate including first and second glass layers, a reflective film having opposed first and second major surfaces and disposed between the first and second glass layers with the first and second major surfaces facing the respective first and second glass layers, a first adhesive layer disposed between and bonding together the first glass layer and the reflective film, and a second adhesive layer disposed between and bonding together the second glass layer and the reflective film is described. The second adhesive layer is thicker than the first adhesive layer such that the first major surface of the reflective film is separated from an outermost major surface of the first glass layer by a distance d1, the second major surface of the reflective film is separated from an outermost major surface of the second glass layer by a distance d2, and 0.05?d1/d2?0.9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2024
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2025
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: John F. Vanderlofske, III, Eileen M. Franey, Stephan J. Pankratz, Matthew B. Johnson, Brianna N. Wheeler, Adam D. Haag, Kristy A. Gillette, Jonah Shaver
  • Publication number: 20250231332
    Abstract: Optical films are described. In particular, optical films including a reflective polarizer portion and an infrared portion, with no adhesive between these two portions, are described. These optical films may be particularly suitable for combiner applications, including automotive heads up display applications with demanding ambient environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2025
    Publication date: July 17, 2025
    Inventors: Adam D. Haag, Matthew B. Johnson, Carl A. Stover, Timothy J. Nevitt
  • Patent number: 12360307
    Abstract: An optical system includes an extended illumination source configured to emit light from an extended emission surface thereof toward a display panel. The emitted light includes substantially distinct blue, green and red emission spectra having respective blue, green and red peaks at respective blue, green and red peak wavelengths, and corresponding blue, green and red full widths at half maxima (FWHMs). The blue FWHM extends from a smaller blue wavelength to a longer blue wavelength. The optical system further includes reflective polarizer disposed on the emission surface of the extended illumination source. The reflective polarizer includes a plurality of first polymeric layers. The optical system also includes an optical filter disposed between the reflective polarizer and the emission surface of the extended illumination source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Adam D. Haag, Matthew B. Johnson, Ryan T. Fabick
  • Patent number: 12352996
    Abstract: A multilayer optical film includes a plurality of alternating polymeric first and second layers numbering at least 20 in total. The polymeric first layers include between about 10% and 50% by weight of polyethylene terephthalate and between about 50% and 90% by weight of polyethylene naphthalate. For a substantially normally incident light and for a visible wavelength range, the multilayer optical film has respective average optical transmissions of between about 10% and 30% when the incident light is polarized along a first direction and greater than about 60% when the incident light is polarized along an in-plane orthogonal second direction. For a p-polarized incident light and for at least one wavelength in an infrared wavelength range, the multilayer optical film has optical transmissions T1 and T2 for respective incident angles of less than about 10 degrees and greater than about 40 degrees, wherein T2?T1 is less than about 40%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew B. Johnson, Takashi Fujita, Jeffery N. Jackson
  • Publication number: 20250216676
    Abstract: A heads-up display includes a windshield with a standardized wedge profile and an embedded reflective polarizer and a display. The reflective polarizer is disposed between, and spaced apart from, opposing outermost first and second major glass surfaces of the windshield. The heads-up display forms a virtual image for viewing by the eye of a passenger. An image emitted by the display may include a first image ray emitted from a predetermined region of the display and incident on the outermost first major glass surface of the windshield at an angle of incidence greater than about 60 degrees, with at least 90% of the incident first emitted image ray polarized in a plane of incidence of the first emitted image ray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2025
    Publication date: July 3, 2025
    Inventors: Stephan J. Pankratz, William F. Edmonds, Matthew B. Johnson, John F. VanDerlofske, III
  • Publication number: 20250199361
    Abstract: An optical film includes a plurality of first layers disposed on a plurality of polymeric second layers. Each of at least 30% of the first layers includes at least 30% by weight of an inorganic material. For a substantially normally incident light, a blue wavelength range extending from about 420 nm to about 480 nm, a green wavelength range extending from about 490 nm to about 560 nm, and a red wavelength range extending from about 590 nm to about 670 nm, the optical film and the plurality of second layers have respective average optical reflectances Rof(b) 10 and R2(b) in the blue wavelength range, Rof(g) and R2(g) in the green wavelength range, and Rof(r) and R2(r) in the red wavelength range, where 0?Rof(b)?R2(b)?25%; Rof(g)?R2(g)>30%; and each of Rof(r) and R2(r) is greater than about 60% and |Rof(r)?R2(r)| is less than about 20%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2025
    Publication date: June 19, 2025
    Inventors: Gilles J. Benoit, Lin Zhao, Matthew B. Johnson