Patents by Inventor Michael L. Steiner

Michael L. Steiner 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: 12216262
    Abstract: An optical system including one or more optical lenses, at least one retarder layer, a reflective polarizer, and a partial reflector is provided. The at least one retarder layer may include first and second retarder layers having different wavelength dispersion curves. The at least one retarder layer may include a first retarder layer having a non-uniform fast axis orientation and/or a non-uniform retardance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael L. Steiner, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Timothy L. Wong, Zhisheng Yun, Jo A. Etter, Gilles J. Benoit, John D. Le, Erin A. McDowell
  • Patent number: 11957032
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a display system. The display system includes a backlight configured to emit substantially collimated polarized light from an emission surface thereof. The emitted polarized light is polarized along a polarization direction. The display system further includes a display panel configured to receive an illumination light and form an image. The display system further includes a grating system substantially coextensive in length and width with the display panel and the emission surface. The grating system includes a plurality of substantially parallel elongated features extending along an in-plane first direction and arranged along an orthogonal in-plane second direction. The grating system is configured to receive and transmit an incident polarized light as a first transmitted light having different first and second polarization states in response to different respective first and second signals applied to the grating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen J. Etzkorn, Michael L. Steiner, Kevin W. Gotrik, Luke A. Schroeder, Nicholas A. Johnson, John A. Wheatley
  • Publication number: 20230413653
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a display system. The display system includes a backlight configured to emit substantially collimated polarized light from an emission surface thereof. The emitted polarized light is polarized along a polarization direction. The display system further includes a display panel configured to receive an illumination light and form an image. The display system further includes a grating system substantially coextensive in length and width with the display panel and the emission surface. The grating system includes a plurality of substantially parallel elongated features extending along an in-plane first direction and arranged along an orthogonal in-plane second direction. The grating system is configured to receive and transmit an incident polarized light as a first transmitted light having different first and second polarization states in response to different respective first and second signals applied to the grating system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen J. Etzkorn, Michael L. Steiner, Kevin W. Gotrik, Luke A. Schroeder, Nicholas A. Johnson, John A. Wheatley
  • Publication number: 20230341715
    Abstract: A display system includes a display configured to emit an image for viewing by a viewer. The display system further includes one or more phase lens layers disposed on, and substantially co-extensive in length and width with the display. Each of the one or more phase lens layers is configured to have different first and second focal lengths for different respective first and second polarization states. The display system further includes a first polarization modifying layer disposed between the display and the one or more phase lens layers. The first polarization modifying layer is configured to receive the emitted image and transmit a transmitted image. The transmitted image has the first and second polarization states in response to different respective first and second signals applied to the first polarization modifying layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen J. Etzkorn, Michael L. Steiner, Kevin W. Gotrik, Luke A. Schroeder, Nicholas A. Johnson, John A. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 11726249
    Abstract: An optical element includes an optical surface configured to receive light at a predetermined wavelength in a range from about 400 nm to about 1000 nm. The optical surface is defined by a vertical axis and a horizontal axis defining four Cartesian quadrants sequentially numbered in a counter-clockwise direction. A first longitudinal section of the optical surface is centered on the vertical axis and a second longitudinal section of the optical surface is centered on the horizontal axis. The first and second longitudinal section each extend across opposite edges of the optical surface and have a same substantially uniform retardance for substantially normally incident light. The optical element includes four discrete retarder sections. Each retarder section is disposed on a respective Cartesian quadrant of the optical surface and has a retardance difference from the substantially uniform retardance of the optical surface that is greater than zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Zhisheng Yun, Michael L. Steiner, Jo A. Etter, Timothy L. Wong, Gilles J. Benoit, John D. Le, Erin A. McDowell, Susan L. Kent
  • Publication number: 20230244010
    Abstract: An optical system includes a display, at least one lens, and at least one of a partial reflector and a reflective polarizer. The optical system forms a virtual image of an image emitted by the display for viewing by an eye. The emitted image includes a plurality of cones of image light. Each cone of image light propagates from a different corresponding location on the emitted image and includes a central light ray propagating along a central axis, such that in each of orthogonal first and second planes that include the central axis, an intensity distribution of the cone of image light as a function of angle relative to the central axis includes a substantially flat peak having a full width of at least 15 degrees across which the peak changes by less than about 20%, and a corresponding fullwidth at half maximum that is less than about 60 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: John D. Le, Timothy L. Wong, Michael L. Steiner, David J. W. Aastuen, Kayla A. McGrath, Matthew C. Dachel
  • Publication number: 20230115202
    Abstract: An optical element includes an optical surface configured to receive light at a predetermined wavelength in a range from about 400 nm to about 1000 nm. The optical surface is defined by a vertical axis and a horizontal axis defining four Cartesian quadrants sequentially numbered in a counter-clockwise direction. A first longitudinal section of the optical surface is centered on the vertical axis and a second longitudinal section of the optical surface is centered on the horizontal axis. The first and second longitudinal section each extend across opposite edges of the optical surface and have a same substantially uniform retardance for substantially normally incident light. The optical element includes four discrete retarder sections. Each retarder section is disposed on a respective Cartesian quadrant of the optical surface and has a retardance difference from the substantially uniform retardance of the optical surface that is greater than zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Zhisheng Yun, Michael L. Steiner, Jo A. Etter, Timothy L. Wong, Gilles J. Benoit, John D. Le, Erin A. McDowell, Susan L. Kent
  • Publication number: 20230092755
    Abstract: A recycling optical cavity is defined at least by first and second optical films and is configured to receive a test material therein. The test material is configured to emit at least a second light having a second wavelength when irradiated with a first light having a first wavelength. For at least one of s- and p-polarized incident lights incident in an incident plane, and at the first and second wavelengths: at a first incident angle, the first optical film has respective optical transmittances T11(?1) and T12(?1), and the second optical film has respective optical transmittances T21(?1) and T22(?1), wherein T11(?1)>T12(?1), T21(?1), T22(?1); and at a second incident angle, the first optical film has respective optical transmittances T11(?2) and T12(?2), and the second optical film has respective optical transmittances T21(?2) and T22(?2), wherein T21(?2)>T11(?2), T12(?2), T22(?2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Bharat R. Acharya, Tonya D. Bonilla, Jessica E. DeMay, Stephen M. Kennedy, Aaron M. Marcella, Raj Rajagopal, Mark A. Roehrig, David A. Rosen, Jonah Shaver, Brett J. Sitter, Gregory W. Sitton, Michael L. Steiner, John A. Wheatley, Zhaohui Yang, Antonia E. Schaefer
  • Patent number: 11567253
    Abstract: A patterned optical retarder including non-overlapping first (21) and second (27) regions with respective first and second major surfaces having different RMS surface roughnesses. For substantially normally incident light over a wavelength range from about 400 nm to about 1000 nm, the optical retarder has different retardances in the respective first and second regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Jo A. Etter, Stephen P. Maki, Michael L. Steiner, James A. Phipps
  • Patent number: 11520179
    Abstract: The invention provides an electrophoretic medium comprising at least two types of particles having substantially the same electrophoretic mobility but differing colors. The invention also provides article of manufacture comprising a layer of a solid electro-optic medium, a first adhesive layer on one surface of the electro-optic medium, a release sheet covering the first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer on an opposed second surface of the electro-optic medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Gregg M. Duthaler, Karl R. Amundson, Barrett Comiskey, Alberto Goenaga, John E. Ritter, Michael L. Steiner, Robert W. Zehner
  • Publication number: 20220350066
    Abstract: An optical assembly including a first optical substrate including a first major surface; a multilayer polymeric optical film disposed on the first major surface of the first optical substrate and including a plurality of polymeric layers numbering greater than about 50 in total; and a first optical bonding layer having an average thickness of less than about 0.5 microns and disposed between, and making physical contact to, the first major surface of the first optical substrate and the multilayer polymeric optical film, the first optical bonding layer bonding the first optical substrate to the multilayer polymeric optical film and including a silanated amine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: John D. Le, Kazuta Saito, Michael L. Steiner
  • Patent number: 11435616
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 11435514
    Abstract: An optical element includes an optical surface configured to receive light at a predetermined wavelength in a range from about 400 nm to about 1000 nm. The optical surface is defined by a vertical axis and a horizontal axis defining four Cartesian quadrants sequentially numbered in a counter-clockwise direction. A first longitudinal section of the optical surface is centered on the vertical axis and a second longitudinal section of the optical surface is centered on the horizontal axis. The first and second longitudinal section each extend across opposite edges of the optical surface and have a same substantially uniform retardance for substantially normally incident light. The optical element includes four discrete retarder sections. Each retarder section is disposed on a respective Cartesian quadrant of the optical surface and has a retardance difference from the substantially uniform retardance of the optical surface that is greater than zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Zhisheng Yun, Michael L. Steiner, Jo A. Etter, Timothy L. Wong, Gilles J. Benoit, John D. Le, Erin A. McDowell, Susan L. Kent
  • Publication number: 20220171217
    Abstract: A bi-focal prescription eyewear lens includes a substrate and a reflective polarizer, or a partial reflector, bonded to the substrate. A reflective polarizer substantially transmits light having a first polarization state and substantially reflects light having an orthogonal second polarization state. The bi-focal optical lens has a first focal length for light having the first polarization state and a second focal length for light having the second polarization state. The first focal length is longer than the second focal length. Without the reflective polarizer or partial reflector, the bi-focal optical lens would have a single focal length. Eyeglasses can include the bi-focal prescription eyewear lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Zhisheng Yun, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Susan L. Kent, Erin A. McDowell, Timothy L. Wong, John D. Le, Michael L. Steiner
  • Patent number: 11294255
    Abstract: A front plane laminate useful in the manufacture of electro-optic displays comprises, in order, a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer, a layer of an electro-optic medium in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive layer, an adhesive layer and a release sheet. This front plane laminate can be prepared as a continuous web, cut to size, the release sheet removed and the laminate laminated to a backplane to form a display. Methods for providing conductive vias through the electro-optic medium and for testing the front plane laminate are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Gregg M. Duthaler, John E. Ritter, Michael L. Steiner
  • Patent number: 11281026
    Abstract: An optical lens including first and second polarizers, a partial reflector disposed between the first and second polarizers, a first phase retarder disposed between the first polarizer and the partial reflector, and a second phase retarder disposed between the partial reflector and the second polarizer is described. The optical lens is a single piece configured for use in an eyewear. Eyewear including at least one of the optical lenses is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Zhisheng Yun, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Susan L. Kent, Erin A. McDowell, Timothy L. Wong, John D. Le, Michael L. Steiner
  • Publication number: 20220011557
    Abstract: An optical system including one or more optical lenses, at least one retarder layer, a reflective polarizer, and a partial reflector is provided. The at least one retarder layer may include first and second retarder layers having different wavelength dispersion curves. The at least one retarder layer may include a first retarder layer having a non-uniform fast axis orientation and/or a non-uniform retardance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Michael L. Steiner, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Timothy L. Wong, Zhisheng Yun, Jo A. Etter, Gilles J. Benoit, John D. Le, Erin A. McDowell
  • Publication number: 20210332269
    Abstract: Release layers that can be included in various adhesive tape products and release liners for adhesive layers are provided. The release layer is a cured reaction product of a curable release composition that contains i) a siloxane polymer having at least two hydrolyzable groups and having a weight average molecular weight of at least 1000 Daltons, ii) a crosslinker, iii) a silane additive, iv) a photoacid generator, and v) an optional silicate resin. The crosslinker is a compound of formula Si(OR5)4 or is a compound having at least two silyl groups of formula —Si(R4)x(OR5)3-x where R4 is alkyl or aryl, R5 is alkyl, and the variable xis an integer equal to 0 or 1. The silane additive is a compound having two silyl groups of formula —Si(R6)2(OR7) or a single silyl group of formula —Si(R10) (OR9)2 where R6 is alkyl or aryl, R7 is alkyl, R9 is alkyl, and R10 is alkyl or aryl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Marie A. Boulos, Jitendra S. Rathore, Maria A. Appeaning, Georgiy Teverovskiy, Scott M. LeBow, Michael L. Steiner, Chris J. Tanley
  • Patent number: 11156814
    Abstract: An optical system including one or more optical lenses, at least one retarder layer, a reflective polarizer, and a partial reflector is provided. The at least one retarder layer may include first and second retarder layers having different wavelength dispersion curves. The at least one retarder layer may include a first retarder layer having a non-uniform fast axis orientation and/or a non-uniform retardance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael L. Steiner, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Timothy L. Wong, Zhisheng Yun, Jo A. Etter, Gilles J. Benoit, John D. Le, Erin A. McDowell
  • Publication number: 20210129480
    Abstract: A lamination transfer article includes an elastomeric layer with a first major surface including an array of discrete microstructures separated by land areas, wherein the microstructures in the array have a top surface; a first tie layer overlying at least some of the top surfaces of the microstructures of the elastomeric layer, wherein the land areas on the first major surface are uncovered by the first tie layer; and a second layer on a second major surface of the elastomeric layer, wherein the second layer is chosen from a second tie layer and a polymeric carrier film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: John D. Le, Michael Benton Free, Margot A. Branigan, Susan L. Kent, Michael L. Steiner, Robert M. Jennings, Richard J. Ferguson