Patents by Inventor Michael Check

Michael Check 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: 12720926
    Abstract: A light-emitting diode (LED) chip with reflective layers having high reflectivity is disclosed. The LED chip may include an active LED structure including an active layer between an n-type layer and a p-type layer. A first reflective layer is adjacent the active LED structure and comprises a plurality of dielectric layers with varying optical thicknesses. The plurality of dielectric layers may include a plurality of first dielectric layers and a plurality of second dielectric layers of varying thicknesses and compositions. The LED chip may further include a second reflective layer that includes an electrically conductive path through the first reflective layer. An adhesion layer may be provided between the first reflective layer and the second reflective layer. The adhesion layer may comprise a metal oxide that promotes improved adhesion with reduced optical losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2024
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2026
    Assignee: CreeLED, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Check, Kevin Haberern
  • Patent number: 12720932
    Abstract: Light-emitting devices including solid-state light-emitting devices, light-emitting diode (LED) devices, and LED packages with support elements for improved near-field and far-field emissions are disclosed. LED chips may be mounted to support elements in a manner that directs light through the support elements in desired emission directions. Support elements include optical structures that spread and mix light laterally within the support element. Optical structures include various light-altering layers, such as light-diffusing layers or light-reflective layers, that are arranged to effectively increase internal reflections for lateral spreading of light. Patterned arrangements of light-altering layers include portions that mask direct emissions for LED chips, thereby redistributing emissions laterally to increase near-field and/or far-field uniformity across an increased portion of emitting surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2026
    Assignee: CreeLED, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher P. Hussell, Boris Dzyubenko, Florin A. Tudorica, Michael Check, Robert David Schmidt, Joseph M. Favale, Jr., Zhenyu Zhong
  • Publication number: 20260239799
    Abstract: Light-emitting diode (LED) devices and more particularly light-directing features in LED packages and related devices are disclosed. Light-directing features include patterns or micropatterns in surfaces of light-directing layers to form features that tailor light emissions. LED packages include one or more LED chips, and light-directing features may be spatially tailored across LED package surfaces to provide increased far field emission uniformity. Certain LED packages include multiple LED chips such that some LED chips are positioned offset from center. Arrangements of light-directing features are disclosed that improve uniformity of LED chips positioned offset from center relative to LED chips centrally positioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2025
    Publication date: August 13, 2026
    Inventors: David Suich, Michael Check, Joseph G. Sokol, Colin Blakely
  • Publication number: 20260239803
    Abstract: Light-emitting diode (LED) devices, and more particularly, flexible lead frames in LED packages are disclosed. Exemplary lead frames are provided that are flexible to dampen thermal expansion or contraction of the lead frame on which the LED device is mounted relative to the thermal expansion or contraction of the LED device. Relief elements in the lead frame can reduce the force applied to the LED device when the LED package undergoes temperature changes, and thereby lowering the likelihood of the LED device cracking or suffering other damage that impacts the reliability and operation of the LED device in the LED package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2025
    Publication date: August 13, 2026
    Inventors: Michael Check, David Suich, Joseph G. Sokol, Colin Blakely
  • Patent number: 12690308
    Abstract: Solid-state lighting devices including light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and more particularly identification markers for LED packages and related methods are disclosed. Identification markers may include materials incorporated within LED packages that are transparent in a visible spectrum but detectable when illuminated with light outside the visible spectrum. When radiated with light outside the visible spectrum, identification markers may provide light in the visible spectrum. Alternatively, identification markers may provide light outside the visible spectrum that is detectable with equipment capable of detecting nonvisible light. Identification markers are generally configured to not be readily visible under inspection as a way to make LED packages more difficult for copying in counterfeit products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2026
    Assignee: CreeLED, Inc.
    Inventors: David Suich, Colin Blakely, Michael Check, Joseph G. Sokol, Andre Pertuit
  • Patent number: 12684914
    Abstract: Solid-state lighting devices including light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and more particularly lumiphoric material structures for LED packages and related methods are disclosed. Cover structures with predefined color points for LED packages may include multiple lumiphoric material structures that are bonded together and arranged within LED packages. Lumiphoric material structures may include preformed and hardened structures, such as phosphor-in-glass or phosphor-in-ceramic, that are bonded together to form cover structures. Certain lumiphoric material structures include multiple sublayers of varying quantities and/or compositions of lumiphoric materials. Lumiphoric material structures with targeted color points may also be reduced to powder form and mixed within a binder for application in LED packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2026
    Assignee: CreeLED, Inc.
    Inventors: Andre Pertuit, Michael Check, David Suich, Colin Blakely, Robert Wilcox
  • Patent number: 12684926
    Abstract: Lighting-emitting devices and more particularly light-emitting diode (LED) chips with multiple wavelength emissions and related methods are disclosed. LED chips include separately formed active LED structures that are bonded together to form a single LED chip capable of emitting multiple wavelengths. Each active LED structure may be separately patterned into a number of individual light-emitting junctions such that after bonding, a single LED chip includes multiple light-emitting junctions from multiple active LED structures. Patterns of individual light-emitting junctions may be selected so that when bonded together, emissions from different active LED structures may pass through LED chips with reduced interactions with one another. Certain aspects include vertical and horizontal offset positions for light-emitting junctions formed from different active LED structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2026
    Assignee: CreeLED, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Blakely, Michael Check, David Suich, Andre Pertuit, Robert Wilcox
  • Publication number: 20260198160
    Abstract: Light-emitting diode (LED) devices and more particularly submount structures in LED devices and related methods are disclosed. Submount structures include submounts with sidewall connectors along perimeter sidewalls that electrically couple chip bonding pads on top submount surfaces to package bonding pads on submount bottom surfaces. LED devices include LED packages, such as chip-scale LED packages, with reduced footprints where electrically conductive paths are provided as one or more metal layers on the perimeter sidewalls. Exemplary methods include various sequences for depositing the sidewall connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2025
    Publication date: July 9, 2026
    Inventors: Colin Blakely, David Suich, Andre Pertuit, Joseph G. Sokol, Robert Wilcox, Michael Check
  • Publication number: 20260182095
    Abstract: Solid-state lighting devices including light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and more particularly contact structures in LED chips for reducing voiding of bonding metals are disclosed. LED chips include active LED structures on carrier submounts and contact structures arranged to receive external electrical connections adjacent the active LED structures. Exemplary contact structures include contacts electrically coupled to active LED structures and dielectric structures beneath the contacts. Dielectric structures are arranged beneath portions of the contacts while still allowing electrical connections therethrough. Such dielectric structures may be provided as regions of dielectric material with spacings that control topography of underlying bonding metals to reduce voiding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2026
    Publication date: June 25, 2026
    Inventors: Michael Check, Justin White, Steven Wuester, Nikolas Hall, Kevin Haberern, Colin Blakely, Jesse Reiherzer
  • Publication number: 20260173599
    Abstract: Light-emitting diode (LED) devices, and more particularly selectable-color LED chips are disclosed. An exemplary LED chip includes arrangements of p-contacts and an n-contact for a continuous active LED structure that provides selectable injection of current. Various combinations of wavelength conversion elements may be positioned on different regions configured for selectable injection of current so that color mixing in aggregate emissions is controlled by selectively changing current injection across the various regions of the active LED structure. Exemplary LED chip structures and corresponding arrangements of wavelength conversion elements are disclosed for a variety of selectable-color applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2024
    Publication date: June 18, 2026
    Inventors: Andre Pertuit, Michael Check, Colin Blakely, David Suich, Joseph G. Sokol, Robert Wilcox
  • Publication number: 20260164867
    Abstract: Light-emitting diode (LED) devices and, more particularly, self-folding lead frames in LED packages are disclosed. Exemplary lead frame structures are provided that include relief lines formed in the lead frame structure that, in response to a force being applied to the lead frame structure, for example, when an LED chip is placed on the lead frame structure, cause the lead frame to self-fold into a predefined shape. The self-folding lead frame can provide the LED package with better manipulation of light control from the package itself than conventional lead frames, while simplifying the manufacturing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2024
    Publication date: June 11, 2026
    Inventors: Michael Check, David Suich, Joseph G. Sokol, Colin Blakely
  • Publication number: 20260150436
    Abstract: Light-emitting diode (LED) components, and more particularly, LED components that have substrates with recessed cavities are disclosed for LED matrix applications. LED matrix applications involve an array of LEDs closely spaced together, resulting in conventional applications, an undesired level of crosstalk where light from one LED chip excites the phosphors and/or epitaxial layers on a neighboring LED chip. The present disclosure describes LED components with recessed cavities on a substrate, where the LED chips can be placed in the cavities, enabling the sidewalls of the cavities to prevent cross-talk between the LED chips in the LED matrix. The recessed cavities in the substrate can be used for flip-chip mounted chips or LED chips with vertical geometry. Additionally, an LED matrix can have recesses with varying depths to enable customized emission patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2024
    Publication date: May 28, 2026
    Inventors: David Suich, Michael Check, Joseph G. Sokol, Colin Blakely
  • Publication number: 20260150449
    Abstract: Light-emitting devices, and more particularly, LED chips that have pillars or pillar-like structures for plugged substrates are disclosed. Pillars can be formed of metal that plug into hollow vias of a substrate, enabling the LED chip to have electrical contact with a submount on which the substrate is mounted. The pillars can facilitate easier mounting of the LED chips to the submount in a surface mount device (SMD) context. The pillars can also serve as alignment pins to improve the die attach process. The substrate can include back-side metal contacts to facilitate the electrical contact between the pillars and the submount. In other embodiments, the hollow vias can extend all the way through the substrate allowing the pillars to make direct electrical contact with the submount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2024
    Publication date: May 28, 2026
    Inventors: David Suich, Michael Check, Joseph G. Sokol, Robert Wilcox, Andre Pertuit, Colin Blakely
  • Publication number: 20260136727
    Abstract: Solid-state lighting devices including light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and more particularly microparticle arrangements in LED packages are disclosed. Microparticles and corresponding microparticle layers are structured to internally recirculate light received from an LED chip and/or a recipient lumiphoric material layer to promote increased color mixing and color over angle uniformity. Microparticles are structured with particle sizes that exceed wavelengths of light provided by LED chips and/or lumiphoric materials to elicit internal recirculating of light. Arrangements and/or particle sizes of microparticles are disclosed that tailor light recycling and color mixing to various applications with targeted emission patterns. Related methods include forming microparticles and corresponding microparticle layers before encapsulants of LED packages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2024
    Publication date: May 14, 2026
    Inventors: David Suich, Michael Check, Andre Pertuit, Joseph G. Sokol, Robert Wilcox, Colin Blakely
  • Patent number: 12622108
    Abstract: Solid-state lighting devices including light-emitting diode (LED) chips and more particularly interconnect structures for improved LED chip performance are disclosed. Interconnect structures are disclosed within LED chips that are structured to increase perimeter contact areas within localized LED chip areas without substantial increases to overall areas occupied by the interconnect structures. By increasing contact perimeters of interconnects within a certain area, increased current injection efficiency may be provided. Interconnect structures for increased current injection are disclosed for both n-type layers and p-type layers. Interconnect structures may include patterned dielectric materials within interconnect openings and corresponding interconnects that are formed around the patterned dielectric materials. Additional interconnect structures include nested patterns and extensions that provide enhanced adhesion along LED chip perimeters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2026
    Assignee: CreeLED, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Check, Justin White, Steven Wuester, Kevin Haberern, Colin Blakely, Jesse Reiherzer
  • Publication number: 20260123116
    Abstract: Solid-state lighting devices including light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and more particularly identification markers for LED packages and related methods are disclosed. Identification markers may include materials incorporated within LED packages that are transparent in a visible spectrum but detectable when illuminated with light outside the visible spectrum. When radiated with light outside the visible spectrum, identification markers may provide light in the visible spectrum. Alternatively, identification markers may provide light outside the visible spectrum that is detectable with equipment capable of detecting nonvisible light. Identification markers are generally configured to not be readily visible under inspection as a way to make LED packages more difficult for copying in counterfeit products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2024
    Publication date: April 30, 2026
    Inventors: David Suich, Colin Blakely, Michael Check, Joseph G. Sokol, Andre Pertuit
  • Publication number: 20260123121
    Abstract: Solid-state lighting devices and more particularly infrared light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with filter structures are disclosed. Filter structures include long-pass filters configured to pass wavelength-converted light while reflecting light from underlying LED chips. Filter structures further include various dual band-pass filters and multiple band-pass filters in combination with long-pass filters that provide targeted emissions in specific infrared wavelength bands. Filter structures may be provided as part of cover structures over LED chips as various multiple-layer dielectric layer sequences. Infrared light-absorbing particles may be provided in combination with filter structures to provide further targeted emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2024
    Publication date: April 30, 2026
    Inventors: David Suich, Austin Spencer, Michael Check, Joseph G. Sokol, Colin Blakely
  • Publication number: 20260101609
    Abstract: Light-emitting diode (LED) devices and more particularly LED chips with optically pumped quantum well structures are disclosed. LED chips include electrically pumped quantum well structures positioned proximate p-n junctions, and optically pumped quantum well structures positioned to receive photons of light generated by the electrically pumped quantum well structures and re-emit light having longer peak wavelengths. Aggregate emissions may include broader emission spectrums. Moreover, aggregate emissions may predominately be provided by light from the electrically pumped quantum well structures while light from the optically pumped quantum well structures may provide wavelengths that appear brighter to the human eye to increase luminous flux.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2024
    Publication date: April 9, 2026
    Inventors: Joseph G. Sokol, Michael Check, David Suich, Colin Blakely, Robert Wilcox, Andre Pertuit
  • Publication number: 20260101614
    Abstract: Light-emitting diode (LED) devices and more particularly coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) structures in submounts of LEDs are disclosed. Thermal expansion structures include arrangements of vias within submounts that provide variable CTE values across submount surfaces and/or within thicknesses of submounts. Vias may comprise air-filled vias and/or vias filled with various materials that provide variable CTE values. Vias may further be formed with variable thicknesses within submounts to further tailor CTE values. Submounts may include flexible submounts adept for mounting to irregular surfaces with vias structure to provide CTE compensation. Further aspects are described in the context of chip-scale packaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2024
    Publication date: April 9, 2026
    Inventors: Michael Check, Colin Blakely
  • Publication number: 20260096256
    Abstract: Light-emitting diode (LED) devices and more particularly lens structures in multiple-chip LED packages are disclosed. Lens structures include separate lenses positioned to reduce optical decoupling from corresponding LED chips. Individual lenses for each individual LED chip provide flexibility in tailoring each lens to provide a portion of aggregate emissions with a targeted profile. Multiple lenses may be integrally formed from a common encapsulant material. Other lens structures include separate lenses provided on or through encapsulant materials. Combinations of different LED chip structures and different lens structures within a common LED package are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2024
    Publication date: April 2, 2026
    Inventors: Andre Pertuit, Michael Check, Colin Blakely, David Suich, Joseph G. Sokol, Robert Wilcox, F James Claire