Patents by Inventor Michael E. Lauters

Michael E. Lauters 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: 11585966
    Abstract: The disclosure describes asymmetric turning films (ATFs) that may be used in conjunction with multiple light sources in a liquid crystal display assembly to provide multiple different characteristic output distributions of light. In some examples, the ATFs include a structured surface defining a plurality of microstructures having two or more faces with each face configured to reflect light in different directions. The microstructure may define a microstructure axis and an angle gradient characterizing the rotation of the microstructure axis across the structured surface of the ATF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Epstein, Nicholas A. Johnson, Michael E. Lauters, Shannon L. Siefken, Gary T. Boyd
  • Publication number: 20210165138
    Abstract: The disclosure describes asymmetric turning films (ATFs) that may be used in conjunction with multiple light sources in a liquid crystal display assembly to provide multiple different characteristic output distributions of light. In some examples, the ATFs include a structured surface defining a plurality of microstructures having two or more faces with each face configured to reflect light in different directions. The microstructure may define a microstructure axis and an angle gradient characterizing the rotation of the microstructure axis across the structured surface of the ATF.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Epstein, Nicholas A. Johnson, Michael E. Lauters, Shannon L. Siefken, Gary T. Boyd
  • Patent number: 10955592
    Abstract: The disclosure describes asymmetric turning films (ATFs) that may be used in conjunction with multiple light sources in a liquid crystal display assembly to provide multiple different characteristic output distributions of light. In some examples, the ATFs include a structured surface defining a plurality of microstructures having two or more faces with each face configured to reflect light in different directions. The microstructure may define a microstructure axis and an angle gradient characterizing the rotation of the microstructure axis across the structured surface of the ATF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Epstein, Nicholas A. Johnson, Michael E. Lauters, Shannon L. Siefken, Gary T. Boyd
  • Patent number: 10809445
    Abstract: A light control film and display assemblies that includes such a film. The light control film including a substrate defining first and second major surfaces with the first major surface including a plurality louvers spanning in a first direction substantially perpendicular to a normal of the first major surface, and with the second major surface comprises a plurality of linear microstructures spanning in the first direction. In some examples, each louver of the plurality of louvers substantially aligns with a corresponding microstructure of the plurality of microstructures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Johnson, Richard V. Pallarino, Kenneth A. Epstein, Michael E. Lauters
  • Patent number: 10761320
    Abstract: An optical stack including a periodically varying optical film layer and a grating assembly for reducing moiré is described. The grating assembly includes first and second layers where an interface between the first and second layers define a grating having a peak to valley height and an index contrast. The index contrast multiplied by the peak to valley height may be between 150 nm and 350 nm and the grating has a pitch in the range of 2 micrometers to 50 micrometers. Each of the first and second layers may be viscoelastic or elastomeric adhesive layers, crosslinked resin layers, or soluble resin layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Brett J. Sitter, Matthew M. Philippi, Mary M. Pichotta, Chi Zhang, Daniel W. Hennen, Gary T. Boyd, Michael E. Lauters
  • Publication number: 20200057343
    Abstract: The disclosure describes asymmetric turning films (ATFs) that may be used in conjunction with multiple light sources in a liquid crystal display assembly to provide multiple different characteristic output distributions of light. In some examples, the ATFs include a structured surface defining a plurality of microstructures having two or more faces with each face configured to reflect light in different directions. The microstructure may define a microstructure axis and an angle gradient characterizing the rotation of the microstructure axis across the structured surface of the ATF.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Kenneth A. EPSTEIN, Nicholas A. JOHNSON, Michael E. LAUTERS, Shannon L. SIEFKEN, Gary T. BOYD
  • Publication number: 20190346615
    Abstract: A light control film and display assemblies that includes such a film. The light control film including a substrate defining first and second major surfaces with the first major surface including a plurality louvers spanning in a first direction substantially perpendicular to a normal of the first major surface, and with the second major surface comprises a plurality of linear microstructures spanning in the first direction. In some examples, each louver of the plurality of louvers substantially aligns with a corresponding microstructure of the plurality of microstructures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Nicholas A. JOHNSON, Richard V. PALLARINO, Kenneth A. EPSTEIN, Michael E. LAUTERS
  • Patent number: 10388230
    Abstract: Backlights are disclosed. More particularly, temporally multiplexed backlights utilizing asymmetric turning films are disclosed. The disclosed backlights are capable of displaying a primary image to on-axis viewers while simultaneously providing a secondary image to off-axis viewers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Johnson, Kenneth A. Epstein, James M. Hillis, Michael E. Lauters
  • Patent number: 10371350
    Abstract: Optical systems are disclosed. More particularly, optical systems including an asymmetric turning film (110) with at least a first (120) and second light source (130) are disclosed. Selection of geometries for the asymmetric turning film can enable different output viewing angles depending on the selective illumination of the first light source, the second light source, or both. The optical systems disclosed may be suitable in both luminaires and displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Johnson, Gilles J. Benoit, John A. Wheatley, Kenneth A. Epstein, David Scott Thompson, Michael E. Lauters
  • Patent number: 10247872
    Abstract: Dual-sided optical films have extended split spreading structures formed on one major surface, and extended prisms formed on an opposite major surface. One portion of each split spreading structure has a low light spreading characteristic, and another portion has a high light spreading characteristic. For each split spreading structure, the low light spreading portion may be disposed alongside the high light spreading portion. The split spreading structures may be arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the prisms. Light that enters a given prism from one inclined surface thereof can be associated primarily with light transmitted through the low light spreading portion of the split spreading structure, and light that enters the given prism from the other inclined surface thereof can be associated primarily with light transmitted through the high light spreading portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Johnson, Michael J. Sykora, Michael E. Lauters, John A. Wheatley
  • Publication number: 20180329207
    Abstract: An optical stack including a periodically varying optical film layer and a grating assembly for reducing moiré is described. The grating assembly includes first and second layers where an interface between the first and second layers define a grating having a peak to valley height and an index contrast. The index contrast multiplied by the peak to valley height may be between 150 nm and 350 nm and the grating has a pitch in the range of 2 micrometers to 50 micrometers. Each of the first and second layers may be viscoelastic or elastomeric adhesive layers, crosslinked resin layers, or soluble resin layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Brett J. Sitter, Matthew M. Philippi, Mary M. Pichotta, Chi Zhang, Daniel W. Hennen, Gary T. Boyd, Michael E. Lauters
  • Publication number: 20180031757
    Abstract: Dual-sided optical films have extended split spreading structures formed on one major surface, and extended prisms formed on an opposite major surface. One portion of each split spreading structure has a low light spreading characteristic, and another portion has a high light spreading characteristic. For each split spreading structure, the low light spreading portion may be disposed alongside the high light spreading portion. The split spreading structures may be arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the prisms. Light that enters a given prism from one inclined surface thereof can be associated primarily with light transmitted through the low light spreading portion of the split spreading structure, and light that enters the given prism from the other inclined surface thereof can be associated primarily with light transmitted through the high light spreading portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Johnson, Michael J. Sykora, Michael E. Lauters, John A. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 9784902
    Abstract: Dual-sided optical films have extended split spreading structures formed on one major surface, and extended prisms formed on an opposite major surface. One portion of each split spreading structure has a low light spreading characteristic, and another portion has a high light spreading characteristic. For each split spreading structure, the low light spreading portion may be disposed alongside the high light spreading portion. The split spreading structures may be arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the prisms. Light that enters a given prism from one inclined surface thereof can be associated primarily with light transmitted through the low light spreading portion of the split spreading structure, and light that enters the given prism from the other inclined surface thereof can be associated primarily with light transmitted through the high light spreading portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Johnson, Michael J. Sykora, Michael E. Lauters, John A. Wheatley
  • Publication number: 20170175976
    Abstract: Optical systems are disclosed. More particularly, optical systems including an asymmetric turning film (110) with at least a first (120) and second light source (130) are disclosed. Selection of geometries for the asymmetric turning film can enable different output viewing angles depending on the selective illumination of the first light source, the second light source, or both. The optical systems disclosed may be suitable in both luminaires and displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Johnson, Gilles J. Benoit, John A. Wheatley, Kenneth A. Epstein, David Scott Thompson, Michael E. Lauters
  • Publication number: 20170116930
    Abstract: Backlights are disclosed. More particularly, temporally multiplexed backlights utilizing asymmetric turning films are disclosed. The disclosed backlights are capable of displaying a primary image to on-axis viewers while simultaneously providing a secondary image to off-axis viewers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Johnson, Kenneth A. Epstein, James M. Hillis, Michael E. Lauters
  • Patent number: 9329311
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a light control film that is capable of transmitting light, or allowing a viewer to observe information, only within a viewing region centered around the normal (perpendicular line) to a surface. The light control film generally blocks information or light outside of this viewing region, and provides security in all directions including right-and-left and up-and-down of the film. The light control film includes a plurality of light-transmissive cavities that are surrounded by a light absorbing material, such that each of the plurality of cavities is optically isolated from adjacent cavities. Each of the light-transmissive cavities effectively block light which enters the cavity outside of a viewing (that is, cutoff) angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Kurt J. Halverson, Raymond J. Kenney, Brian W. Lueck, Kenneth A.P. Meyer, Scott M. Tapio, Michael E. Lauters, Olester Benson, Jr., Gary E. Gaides
  • Patent number: 9229261
    Abstract: An electronically switchable privacy film suitable for use in display devices are described. The electronically switchable privacy film comprises a pair of mutually opposing transparent electrodes; an optically transparent microstructured layer disposed between the transparent electrodes, the microstructured layer comprising a plurality of microstructured ribs extending across a surface thereof such that the microstructured ribs form an alternating series of ribs and channels; and electronically switchable material disposed in the channels, the electronically switchable material being capable of modulation between high and low light scattering states upon application of an electric field across the transparent electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Evan L. Schwartz, Mark J. Pellerite, Daniel W. Hennen, Marc D. Radcliffe, Michael L. Steiner, Marie A. Boulos, Michael E. Lauters, Gary T. Boyd, John P. Baetzold, John J. Stradinger, Vivian W. Jones
  • Patent number: 9229253
    Abstract: An electronically switchable privacy films suitable for use in display devices are described. The electronically switchable privacy film comprises a pair of mutually opposing transparent electrodes; an optically transparent microstructured layer disposed between the transparent electrodes, the microstructured layer comprising a plurality of microstructured ribs extending across a surface thereof such that the microstructured ribs form an alternating series of ribs and channels; and electronically switchable material disposed in the channels, the electronically switchable material being capable of modulation between high and low absorption states upon application of an electric field across the transparent electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Evan L. Schwartz, Mark J. Pellerite, Daniel W. Hennen, Marc D. Radcliffe, Michael L. Steiner, Marie A. Boulos, Michael E. Lauters, Gary T. Boyd, John P. Baetzold, John J. Stradinger, Vivian W. Jones
  • Patent number: 9063284
    Abstract: Light control films, and a method for manufacturing tools used to microreplicate light control films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Vivian W. Jones, Silva K. Theiss, Mark E. Gardiner, Michael E. Lauters, Gary E. Gaides
  • Publication number: 20150009563
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a film stack having a light-control film, such as a privacy filter, and a p-polarization color shifting film. The present invention also relates to articles, such as displays, incorporating the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Michael E. Lauters, Yufeng Liu, Stephen A. Johnson, Michael F. Weber, Huiwen Tai