Patents by Inventor Michael F. Weber
Michael F. Weber 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).
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Patent number: 11934161Abstract: System and method provide wireless distributed lighting control systems implementing a secure peer-to-peer, self-organizing and self-healing mesh network of actuators and system inputs. The system and method can be designed specifically for indoor and outdoor lighting where actuators include in-fixture, on-fixture and circuit control modules with ON/OFF and full range dimming capabilities, and system inputs include occupancy/vacancy sensors, daylight sensors and switches. A unique messaging protocol facilitates wireless and wired communication between actuators and system inputs, and provides web-based commissioning and monitoring of the lighting control system using a wireless access point accessible from a local network or Internet which can provide an intuitive and easy to use Graphical User Interface (GUI).Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: HLI SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Theodore E. Weber, Terrence R. Arbouw, Ronald K. Bender, Ronald J. Cummings-Kralik, Michael D. Crane, Thomas J. Hartnagel, Robert A. Martin, Peter A. Moyle, Gregory F. Smith, Stephan K. Zitz
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Patent number: 11435616Abstract: Optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed optical construction includes a reflective polarizer layer, and an optical film that is disposed on the reflective polarizer layer. The optical film has an optical haze that is not less than about 50%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the optical construction are in physical contact with each other. The optical construction has an axial luminance gain that is not less than about 1.2.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2020Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Encai Hao, Fei Lu, William Blake Kolb, Brian W. Ostlie, Adam D. Haag, Michael Benton Free, William D. Coggio, Michael L. Steiner, Soemantri Widagdo, Kui Chen-Ho, Lan H. Liu, Robert F. Kamrath, Scott M. Tapio, John A. Wheatley, Charles D. Hoyle, Michael F. Weber
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Patent number: 11237312Abstract: A hybrid polarizer includes an absorbing element having a first major surface and a second major surface. The hybrid polarizer also includes a first birefringent reflective polarizer disposed on the first major surface of the absorbing element, the first birefringent reflective polarizer having a first pass axis and a first block axis. The hybrid polarizer further includes a second birefringent reflective polarizer disposed on the second major surface of the absorbing element, the second reflective polarizer having a second pass axis and a second block axis.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2019Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Michael F. Weber, Timothy J. Nevitt, Roger J. Strharsky
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Patent number: 10962806Abstract: Optical lenses are described and include a polymeric interference filter disposed on a curved polymeric substrate. The optical lens has an average light transmission of less than 2% across a band of blue light from 400 nm to at least 420 and up to 440 nm and substantially transmits blue light greater than 450 nm.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2017Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Michael F. Weber, James E. Watson, Mark R. Strenger, Stephen A. Johnson, Chad R. Wold
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Publication number: 20210033766Abstract: Polarizer stacks are described. More particularly, polarizer stacks that include an absorbing polarizer and multiple reflective polarizers, including at least one collimating reflective polarizer are described. Such polarizer stacks are capable of emitted light that is both collimated and color neutral. Backlights incorporating such polarizer stacks are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2020Publication date: February 4, 2021Inventors: Adam D. Haag, Timothy J. Nevitt, Michael F. Weber, Robert D. Taylor, Carl A. Stover
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Patent number: 10838127Abstract: Polarizer stacks are described. More particularly, polarizer stacks that include an absorbing polarizer and multiple reflective polarizers, including at least one collimating reflective polarizer are described. Such polarizer stacks are capable of emitted light that is both collimated and color neutral. Backlights incorporating such polarizer stacks are also described.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2014Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Adam D. Haag, Timothy J. Nevitt, Michael F. Weber, Robert D. Taylor, Carl A. Stover
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Publication number: 20200233268Abstract: Optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed optical construction includes a reflective polarizer layer, and an optical film that is disposed on the reflective polarizer layer. The optical film has an optical haze that is not less than about 50%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the optical construction are in physical contact with each other. The optical construction has an axial luminance gain that is not less than about 1.2.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2020Publication date: July 23, 2020Inventors: Encai HAO, Fei LU, William Blake KOLB, Brian W. OSTLIE, Adam D. HAAG, Michael Benton FREE, William D. COGGIO, Michael L. STEINER, Soemantri WIDAGDO, Kui CHEN-HO, Lan H. LIU, Robert F. KAMRATH, Scott M. TAPIO, John A. WHEATLEY, Charles D. HOYLE, Michael F. WEBER
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Patent number: 10649274Abstract: Optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed optical construction includes a reflective polarizer layer, and an optical film that is disposed on the reflective polarizer layer. The optical film has an optical haze that is not less than about 50%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the optical construction are in physical contact with each other. The optical construction has an axial luminance gain that is not less than about 1.2.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2015Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Encai Hao, Fei Lu, William Blake Kolb, Brian W. Ostlie, Adam D. Haag, Michael Benton Free, William D. Coggio, Michael L. Steiner, Soemantri Widagdo, Kui Chen-Ho, Lan H. Liu, Robert F. Kamrath, Scott M. Tapio, John A. Wheatley, Charles D. Hoyle, Michael F. Weber
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Patent number: 10634832Abstract: Low loss, high reflectivity wide band mirror films provide a desired mix of specular reflection and diffuse reflection or scattering to provide semi-specular reflectivity. The mirror films generally include both a specularly reflective multilayer optical film (MOF) having a wide reflection band, and a scattering layer. In some cases a low refractive index TIR layer is sandwiched between the MOF and the scattering layer. In other cases the scattering layer contacts the MOF directly. In embodiments that include the TIR layer, the TIR layer preferably has a nanovoided morphology and includes a plurality of particles and a polymer binder. In embodiments wherein the scattering layer contacts the MOF directly, the scattering layer preferably also has a nanovoided morphology and includes a plurality of particles and a polymer binder.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2018Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William D. Coggio, William B. Black, Michael F. Weber, Huiwen Tai
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Publication number: 20200073038Abstract: A hybrid polarizer includes an absorbing element having a first major surface and a second major surface. The hybrid polarizer also includes a first birefringent reflective polarizer disposed on the first major surface of the absorbing element, the first birefringent reflective polarizer having a first pass axis and a first block axis. The hybrid polarizer further includes a second birefringent reflective polarizer disposed on the second major surface of the absorbing element, the second reflective polarizer having a second pass axis and a second block axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: Michael F. Weber, Timothy J. Nevitt, Roger J. Strharsky
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Patent number: 10444546Abstract: An optical filter including a polymeric multilayer optical film is provided. The optical film has a reflection band having a reflection band edge that is, independent of location, one of a short wavelength band edge at a short wavelength side of the reflection band and a long wavelength band edge at a long wavelength side of the reflection band. The reflection band edge has a normal incidence reflection band edge wavelength that varies with location and that is a first wavelength at a first location and a second wavelength at a second location different from the first location. The first wavelength may be higher than the second wavelength by at least 2 percent.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2016Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Chad R. Wold, Michael F. Weber, Myron K. Jordan
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Patent number: 10162218Abstract: A backlight includes a front and back reflector forming a light recycling cavity and one or more light source members disposed to emit light into the light recycling cavity. The front reflector being partially reflective to provide an output illumination area. The front reflector has a blue sloped transmission spectra, at normal incidence with a range among bin values from 15% to 100%.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Timothy J. Nevitt, Michael F. Weber, John A. Wheatley, Matthew E. Sousa, Tao Liu
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Publication number: 20180292588Abstract: Low loss, high reflectivity wide band mirror films provide a desired mix of specular reflection and diffuse reflection or scattering to provide semi-specular reflectivity. The mirror films generally include both a specularly reflective multilayer optical film (MOF) having a wide reflection band, and a scattering layer. In some cases a low refractive index TIR layer is sandwiched between the MOF and the scattering layer. In other cases the scattering layer contacts the MOF directly. In embodiments that include the TIR layer, the TIR layer preferably has a nanovoided morphology and includes a plurality of particles and a polymer binder. In embodiments wherein the scattering layer contacts the MOF directly, the scattering layer preferably also has a nanovoided morphology and includes a plurality of particles and a polymer binder.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2018Publication date: October 11, 2018Inventors: William D. Coggio, William B. Black, Michael F. Weber, Huiwen Tai
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Publication number: 20180239171Abstract: An optical filter including a polymeric multilayer optical film is provided. The optical film has a reflection band having a reflection band edge that is, independent of location, one of a short wavelength band edge at a short wavelength side of the reflection band and a long wavelength band edge at a long wavelength side of the reflection band. The reflection band edge has a normal incidence reflection band edge wavelength that varies with location and that is a first wavelength at a first location and a second wavelength at a second location different from the first location. The first wavelength may be higher than the second wavelength by at least 2 percent.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2016Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Chad R. Wold, Michael F. Weber, Myron K. Jordan
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Patent number: 10054803Abstract: Certain filters have been found to enhance color discrimination for individuals with color vision deficiency (CVD), aka color-blind individuals. The filters generally include a multilayer optical film with a strong, narrow reflection band in part of the green region of the visible spectrum. The film has an average internal transmission from 420-680 nm of at least 50%, 60%, or 70%, and an average internal transmission?10%, 5%, 2%, or 1% over a 10 nm wide range that includes 550 nm associated with a reflection band having a width (FWHM) of 60 nm or 50 nm or less. The filter may include a magenta layer disposed on a viewer side of the multilayer optical film to reduce glare, the magenta layer selectively absorbing green light. The magenta layer combined with the multilayer optical film may provide a rejection band whose width (FWHM) is 60 nm or less.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2014Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Chad R. Wold, Michael F. Weber
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Publication number: 20180164482Abstract: A hybrid polarizer includes an absorbing element having a first major surface and a second major surface. The hybrid polarizer also includes a first birefringent reflective polarizer disposed on the first major surface of the absorbing element, the first birefringent reflective polarizer having a first pass axis and a first block axis. The hybrid polarizer further includes a second birefringent reflective polarizer disposed on the second major surface of the absorbing element, the second reflective polarizer having a second pass axis and a second block axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2018Publication date: June 14, 2018Inventors: Michael F. Weber, Timothy J. Nevitt, Roger J. Strharsky
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Publication number: 20180164483Abstract: A hybrid polarizer includes an absorbing element having a first major surface and a second major surface. The hybrid polarizer also includes a first birefringent reflective polarizer disposed on the first major surface of the absorbing element, the first birefringent reflective polarizer having a first pass axis and a first block axis. The hybrid polarizer further includes a second birefringent reflective polarizer disposed on the second major surface of the absorbing element, the second reflective polarizer having a second pass axis and a second block axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2018Publication date: June 14, 2018Inventors: Michael F. Weber, Timothy J. Nevitt, Roger J. Strharsky
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Patent number: 9995861Abstract: Low loss, high reflectivity wide band mirror films provide a desired mix of specular reflection and diffuse reflection or scattering to provide semi-specular reflectivity. The mirror films generally include both a specularly reflective multilayer optical film (MOF) having a wide reflection band, and a scattering layer. In some cases a low refractive index TIR layer is sandwiched between the MOF and the scattering layer. In other cases the scattering layer contacts the MOF directly. In embodiments that include the TIR layer, the TIR layer preferably has a nanovoided morphology and includes a plurality of particles and a polymer binder. In embodiments wherein the scattering layer contacts the MOF directly, the scattering layer preferably also has a nanovoided morphology and includes a plurality of particles and a polymer binder.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2011Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: William D. Coggio, William B. Black, Michael F. Weber, Huiwen Tai
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Publication number: 20180113328Abstract: Optical lenses are described and include a polymeric interference filter disposed on a curved polymeric substrate. The optical lens has an average light transmission of less than 2% across a band of blue light from 400 nm to at least 420 and up to 440 nm and substantially transmits blue light greater than 450 nm.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2017Publication date: April 26, 2018Inventors: Michael F. Weber, James E. Watson, Mark R. Strenger, Stephen A. Johnson, Chad R. Wold
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Patent number: 9891362Abstract: A hybrid polarizer includes an absorbing element having a first major surface and a second major surface. The hybrid polarizer also includes a first birefringent reflective polarizer disposed on the first major surface of the absorbing element, the first birefringent reflective polarizer having a first pass axis and a first block axis. The hybrid polarizer further includes a second birefringent reflective polarizer disposed on the second major surface of the absorbing element, the second reflective polarizer having a second pass axis and a second block axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2014Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Michael F. Weber, Timothy J. Nevitt, Roger J. Strharsky