Patents by Inventor Michael J. Sykora
Michael J. Sykora 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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Publication number: 20150346416Abstract: An illumination device, such as a backlight for electronic display devices, is disclosed. The illumination device includes a viscoelastic lightguide optically coupled to a light source, and a nanovoided polymeric layer is used in conjunction with the lightguide to manage light emitted by the light source. The viscoelastic lightguide may be a pressure sensitive adhesive.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2015Publication date: December 3, 2015Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael J. Sykora, Robert L. Brott, William J. Bryan, Erik A. Aho, Martin Kristoffersen, Michael A. Meis, Kevin R. Schaffer, Audrey A. Sherman, John C. Schultz, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek
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Patent number: 9146342Abstract: An illumination device, such as a backlight for electronic display devices, is disclosed. The illumination device includes a viscoelastic lightguide optically coupled to a light source, and a nanovoided polymeric layer is used in conjunction with the lightguide to manage light emitted by the light source. The viscoelastic lightguide may be a pressure sensitive adhesive.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2011Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael J. Sykora, Robert L. Brott, William J. Bryan, Erik A. Aho, Martin Kristoffersen, Michael A. Meis, Kevin R. Schaffer, Audrey A. Sherman, John C. Schultz, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek
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Patent number: 8988336Abstract: Stereoscopic displays and backlights include a light guide with individually addressable light sources disposed at opposite edges of the light guide, and a light redirecting film disposed in front of the light guide. Light from one light source is emitted from the backlight as a right eye elongated light beam, and light from the opposite light source is emitted as a left eye elongated light beam. Structured surface features, e.g. linear prismatic or linear lenticular features, on the light guide and/or the light redirecting film are oriented such that the elongated light beams are offset from an optical axis of the backlight. Moreover, each of the elongated light beams is oriented to intersect both a first observation plane and a second observation plane perpendicular to the first observation plane, the first observation plane defined by the optical axis and an in-plane axis along which the light sources are disposed.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2010Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Erik A. Aho, Martin B. Wolk, Michael J. Sykora
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Patent number: 8917447Abstract: Microreplicated light redirecting films suitable for use in autostereoscopic displays and backlights are made to incorporate at least one nanovoided layer whose interface with another layer forms an embedded structured surface of the light redirecting film. The nanovoided layer includes a polymer binder and optional nanoparticles, and may have a refractive index less than 1.35 or 1.3. The light redirecting films may be adapted for attachment to one or more other components of an autostereoscopic display, such as a display panel and/or a light guide of a backlight.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2010Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael J. Sykora, William Blake Kolb, Encai Hao, John C. Schultz, Robert L. Brott, William J. Bryan, Scott M. Tapio, Audrey A. Sherman
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Publication number: 20140286043Abstract: Dual-sided optical films have extended prisms formed in one major surface, and extended lenslets formed in an opposite major surface. Some or all of the prisms are compound prisms, in which the two inclined surfaces of each compound prism each include a tip portion, a base portion, and an intermediate portion disposed between the tip portion and the base portion, the intermediate and tip portions forming a concave shape and the intermediate and base portions forming a convex shape, or vice versa. When obliquely incident light, e.g. from a light guide, is incident on the prism side of the film, an output beam emerges from the lenslet side of the film. The output beam has an intensity distribution with a sharp left beam edge and a sharp right beam edge, these beam edges having 10%-to-90% transition angles of no more than 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, or 2 degrees.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2013Publication date: September 25, 2014Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sykora, John A. Wheatley
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Publication number: 20140286044Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2013Publication date: September 25, 2014Inventors: Nicholas A. Johnson, Michael J. Sykora, Michael E. Lauters, John A. Wheatley
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Patent number: 8659830Abstract: Optical films used for 3D autostereoscopic displays include lenses on one surface of the optical film that are registered to prisms on the opposing surface of the optical film. The lenses may be a-cylindrical lenses or cylindrical, and the rotation of the lenses can vary with position on the surface of the optical film. The prisms may be contiguous or non-contiguous. The prisms of the optical film can have a pitch that is different from a pitch of the lenses, or the prism pitch can be substantially the same as the pitch of the lenses.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2009Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robert L. Brott, Michael J. Sykora
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Patent number: 8564740Abstract: A backlight suitable for use in an autostereoscopic display includes a light guide and a first and second light source assembly. The light guide has opposed first and second major surfaces, and opposed first and second side surfaces. The first and second light source assemblies are disposed to inject visible light into the light guide through the first and second side surfaces, respectively. Substantially all of the first side surface highly transmits a second light portion out of the light guide into air, the second light portion originating from the second light source assembly, and substantially all of the second side surface highly transmits a first light portion in a corresponding fashion. One or more first non-emitting surfaces of the first light source assembly are disposed at least partially between two light-emitting surfaces of the first light source assembly, and are adapted to substantially absorb visible light to reduce crosstalk.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2010Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: John C. Schultz, Michael J. Sykora
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Publication number: 20130235614Abstract: An illumination device, such as a backlight for electronic display devices, is disclosed. The illumination device includes a viscoelastic lightguide optically coupled to a light source, and a nanovoided polymeric layer is used in conjunction with the lightguide to manage light emitted by the light source. The viscoelastic lightguide may be a pressure sensitive adhesive.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2011Publication date: September 12, 2013Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael J. Sykora, Robert L. Brott, William J. Bryan, Erik A. Aho, Martin Kristoffersen, Michael A. Meis, Kevin R. Schaffer, Audrey A. Sherman, John C. Schultz, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek
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Publication number: 20130170218Abstract: An illumination device, such as a backlight for electronic display devices, is disclosed. The illumination device includes a lightguide optically coupled to a light source, and a viscoelastic layer and a nanovoided polymeric layer are used in conjunction with the lightguide to manage light emitted by the light source. The viscoelastic layer may be a pressure sensitive adhesive.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2011Publication date: July 4, 2013Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael J. Sykora, Robert L. Brott, William J. Bryan, Erik A. Aho, Martin Kristoffersen, Michael A. Meis, Kevin R. Schaffer, Audrey A. Sherman, John C. Schultz, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek
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Publication number: 20130009329Abstract: A manufacturing system includes a sensing system that provides high-resolution feedback for web guiding and tension control. The system may be especially useful for web material that is manufactured to include micro-replicated structures with micron size scale. A micro-replication station forms a pattern of micro-replicated lenses on a web material. The sensing system illuminates a measurement area on the web material and detects an angular distribution of light exiting a set of the micro-replicated lenses within the first measurement area. A control system that adjusts at least one process control parameter of the transport system based on the detected angular distribution.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2011Publication date: January 10, 2013Inventors: David L. Hofeldt, Robert L. Brott, Daniel H. Carlson, James N. Dobbs, Andrzej P. Jaworski, Glen A. Jerry, John T. Strand, Michael J. Sykora, Karl K. Stensvad
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Patent number: 8339444Abstract: A display apparatus includes an autosteroscopic liquid crystal display panel having a frame response time of less than 10 milliseconds, and a backlight positioned to provide light to the autosteroscopic liquid crystal display. The backlight includes a right eye solid state light source and a left eye solid state light source capable of being modulated between the right eye solid state light source and a left eye solid state light source at a rate of at least 90 Hertz.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2007Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: John C. Schultz, William J. Bryan, Alan G. Hulme-Lowe, Michael J. Sykora, Billy L. Weaver
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Patent number: 8339333Abstract: Methods of reducing perceived image crosstalk in a multiview display. One method includes providing an image stream to a display having a horizontal dimension that extends from a first side of the display to an opposing second side of the display. The image stream includes a temporal sequence of images where at least a first image view and then a second image view are displayed on the display in a time sequential manner. The temporal sequence of images are conditioned before being displayed in order to reduce perceived displayed image crosstalk between the first and second image views. The conditioning includes modifying a color intensity of at least selected pixels along the horizontal dimension based on a non-constant crosstalk correction function for the horizontal dimension.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2008Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Glenn E. Casner, John C. Schultz, Michael J. Sykora, Brian E. Brooks
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Publication number: 20120236403Abstract: An optical light redirecting film that can be made by microreplication, and that is suitable for use in an autostereoscopic backlight or display, includes opposed first and second structured surfaces. The first structured surface includes lenticular features and the second structured surface includes prismatic features. In some cases, at least a first prismatic feature has a first prism optical axis that is tilted relative to a thickness axis of the film perpendicular to the film plane. In some cases, at least a first lenticular feature has a first lenticular optical axis that is tilted relative to the thickness axis. In some cases, the film may have a central film caliper (thickness) at a central portion of the film and an edge film caliper at a first edge portion of the film, the central film caliper being greater than the edge film caliper.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2011Publication date: September 20, 2012Inventors: Michael J. Sykora, Robert L. Brott, John C. Schultz, Corey D. Balts
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Publication number: 20120154450Abstract: Stereoscopic displays and backlights include a light guide with individually addressable light sources disposed at opposite edges of the light guide, and a light redirecting film disposed in front of the light guide. Light from one light source is emitted from the backlight as a right eye elongated light beam, and light from the opposite light source is emitted as a left eye elongated light beam. Structured surface features, e.g. linear prismatic or linear lenticular features, on the light guide and/or the light redirecting film are oriented such that the elongated light beams are offset from an optical axis of the backlight. Moreover, each of the elongated light beams is oriented to intersect both a first observation plane and a second observation plane perpendicular to the first observation plane, the first observation plane defined by the optical axis and an in-plane axis along which the light sources are disposed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Inventors: Erik A. Aho, Martin B. Wolk, Michael J. Sykora
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Publication number: 20120038982Abstract: A stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display module includes a liquid crystal display panel and a directional backlight positioned to provide light to the liquid crystal display panel. A double sided prism film is disposed between the liquid crystal display panel and the directional backlight. The prism film includes a first surface having a series of cylindrical lenses adjacent the liquid crystal display panel and a second surface, opposite the first surface, having a series of non-contiguous prisms adjacent the directional backlight. Each of the non-contiguous prisms is separated from adjacent prisms by a transmissive flat portion or an opaque portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2011Publication date: February 16, 2012Inventors: John S. Huizinga, Rolf W. Biernath, Vincent W. King, John C. Schultz, Michael J. Sykora, Robert L. Brott
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Patent number: 8098347Abstract: A backlight for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display apparatus includes a light guide having a light emission surface and an opposing light extraction surface, a first side extends between the light emission surface and the light extraction surface, and a second side extends between the light emission surface and the light extraction surface, the second side opposing the first side. A centerline extends parallel to the first side and second side and is equidistant from the first side and the second side. A center elongated prism extends along the centerline and forms a portion of the light extraction surface. A plurality of elongated prisms extend parallel to the center elongated prism wherein the prisms are progressively more canted for each subsequent elongated prism further from the center elongated prism. A plurality of light sources disposed along the first side and the second side.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2008Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Robert L. Brott, Michael J. Sykora, John C. Schultz, John C. Nelson
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Patent number: 8068187Abstract: A stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display module includes a liquid crystal display panel and a directional backlight positioned to provide light to the liquid crystal display panel. A double sided prism film is disposed between the liquid crystal display panel and the directional backlight. The prism film includes a first surface having a series of cylindrical lenses adjacent the liquid crystal display panel and a second surface, opposite the first surface, having a series of non-contiguous prisms adjacent the directional backlight. Each of the non-contiguous prisms is separated from adjacent prisms by a transmissive flat portion or an opaque portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2008Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: John S. Huizinga, Rolf W. Biernath, Vincent W. King, John C. Schultz, Michael J. Sykora, Robert L. Brott
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Publication number: 20110285927Abstract: A backlight suitable for use in an autostereoscopic display includes a light guide and a first and second light source assembly. The light guide has opposed first and second major surfaces, and opposed first and second side surfaces. The first and second light source assemblies are disposed to inject visible light into the light guide through the first and second side surfaces, respectively. Substantially all of the first side surface highly transmits a second light portion out of the light guide into air, the second light portion originating from the second light source assembly, and substantially all of the second side surface highly transmits a first light portion in a corresponding fashion. One or more first non-emitting surfaces of the first light source assembly are disposed at least partially between two light-emitting surfaces of the first light source assembly, and are adapted to substantially absorb visible light to reduce crosstalk.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2010Publication date: November 24, 2011Inventors: John C. Schultz, Michael J. Sykora
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Publication number: 20110273636Abstract: An LCD device with 3D and 2D sections. The device includes an LCD panel, a light guide with a backlight, and an embedded 3D-2D film stack positioned between the LCD panel and the light guide. The 3D and 2D sections provide for simultaneously viewing visual content in 3D and 2D formats. The device can also include a frame providing a barrier between the 3D and 2D sections and can include other features to enhance the display.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2011Publication date: November 10, 2011Inventors: John C. Schultz, Michael J. Sykora, Martin Kristoffersen, Kathy L. Hagen, Glenn E. Casner, Bonnie W. Albrecht, Robert L. Brott, Scott E. Brigham, John C. Nelson