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).

  • Publication number: 20140376100
    Abstract: Light control films, and a method for manufacturing tools used to microreplicate light control films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Vivian W. Jones, Silva K. Theiss, Mark E. Gardiner, Michael E. Lauters, Gary E. Gaides
  • Publication number: 20140286044
    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: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Johnson, Michael J. Sykora, Michael E. Lauters, John A. Wheatley
  • Publication number: 20140232960
    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: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    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
  • Publication number: 20140226093
    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: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20140204464
    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: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    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: 8659829
    Abstract: Optical films are described comprising a color shifting film comprising a matte surface layer; and light control microstructured layer disposed proximate the color shifting film. The optical film may comprise a matte layer disposed on a major surface of the color shifting film and the light control micro structured layer disposed on the color shifting film at an interface that is free of adhesive. Alternatively, the optical film may comprise a film stack comprising a light control film having a light control microstructured layer, a color shifting film, and an adhesive layer between the light control film and color shifting film. In some embodiments, the matte layer comprises matte particles. In other embodiments, the matte layer comprises a plurality of microstructures and no greater than 50% of the microstructures comprise embedded matte particles. In some embodiments, the microstructures are substantially free of embedded matte particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Christopher B. Walker, Jr., Michael E. Lauters, Joan M. Noyola
  • Patent number: 8503122
    Abstract: Film stacks and displays incorporating the same are described. More specifically film stacks that combine a light control film and a color shifting film proximate to one another and, in some embodiments, adhered together are described, as well as displays incorporating such film stacks. Such film stacks may combine the “blacking out” functionality of a conventional louver film (LCF) and the color shifting effect of a multilayer optical film (MOF).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: YuFeng Liu, Michael E. Lauters, Ade Babatunde
  • Publication number: 20130135750
    Abstract: Optical films are described comprising a color shifting film comprising a matte surface layer; and light control microstructured layer disposed proximate the color shifting film The optical film may comprise a matte layer disposed on a major surface of the color shifting film and the light control micro structured layer disposed on the color shifting film at an interface that is free of adhesive. Alternatively, the optical film may comprise a film stack comprising a light control film having a light control microstructured layer, a color shifting film, and an adhesive layer between the light control film and color shifting film In some embodiments, the matte layer comprises matte particles. In other embodiments, the matte layer comprises a plurality of microstructures and no greater than 50% of the microstructures comprise embedded matte particles. In some embodiments, the microstructures are substantially free of embedded matte particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher B. Walker, JR., Michael E. Lauters, Joan M. Noyola
  • Patent number: 8213082
    Abstract: Provided is a light control film and displays incorporating same. In particular, provided are light control films comprising a light input surface and a light output surface opposite the light input surface. The light control films further comprise alternating transmissive and absorptive regions disposed between the light input surface and the light output surface. Each transmissive region has an index of refraction N1, and each absorptive region having an index of refraction N2, where N2-N1 is not less than?0.005. The light control films have an average pitch of successive absorptive regions of 0.070 mm or less. Light incident to the light input surface exits the light output surface with a maximum relative brightness ratio (RBR) in a direction perpendicular to the light output surface of 65 or greater, and exits the light output surface with an effective polar viewing angle (EPVA) of 45° or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gary E. Gaides, Michael E. Lauters
  • Publication number: 20120154885
    Abstract: Light control films, and a method for manufacturing tools used to microreplicate light control films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Vivian W. Jones, Silva K. Theiss, Mark E. Gardiner, Michael E. Lauters, Gary E. Gaides
  • Patent number: 7993747
    Abstract: A light emitting composition includes a light-emitting lumophore-functionalized nanoparticle, such as an organic-inorganic light-emitting lumophore-functionalized nanoparticle. A light emitting device includes an anode, a cathode, and a layer containing such a light-emitting composition. In an embodiment, the light emitting device can emit white light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Amane Mochizuki, Jesse Dan Froehlich, Sheng Li, Toshitaka Nakamura, Robin Irene Young, Ghassan E. Jabbour, Michael E. Lauters
  • Publication number: 20100271721
    Abstract: Provided is a light control film and displays incorporating same. In particular, provided are light control films comprising a light input surface and a light output surface opposite the light input surface. The light control films further comprise alternating transmissive and absorptive regions disposed between the light input surface and the light output surface. Each transmissive region has an index of refraction N1, and each absorptive region having an index of refraction N2, where N2?N1 is not less than ?0.005. The light control films have an average pitch of successive absorptive regions of 0.070 mm or less. Light incident to the light input surface exits the light output surface with a maximum relative brightness ratio (RBR) in a direction perpendicular to the light output surface of 65 or greater, and exits the light output surface with an effective polar viewing angle (EPVA) of 45° or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Gary E. Gaides, Michael E. Lauters
  • Publication number: 20100201242
    Abstract: Film stacks and displays incorporating the same are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: YuFeng Liu, Michael E. Lauters, Ade Babatunde