Patents by Inventor Michael Meis

Michael Meis 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: 20090211130
    Abstract: An internally illuminated sign includes a case at least partially lined with highly reflective layer and a display surface. The sign also includes light sources that emit light in directions approximately parallel to the display surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Joseph A. Hoffman, Ellen O. Aeling, Michael A. Meis
  • Publication number: 20090059614
    Abstract: An illumination system includes a plurality of radiation generating sources, such as LED dies. A corresponding plurality of optical waveguides is also provided, with each waveguide having a first and a second end, with each first end being in optical communication with the corresponding LED die. An array of corresponding passive optical elements is interposed between the plurality of LED dies and the corresponding first ends of the plurality of optical waveguides. The illumination system provides for substantially high light coupling efficiency and an incoherent light output that can appear to the human observer as arising from a single point of light. In addition, the light can be output remotely at one or more locations and in one or more directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Gordon D. Henson, Barbara A. DeBaun, Michael A. Meis, John C. Schultz, John J. Simbal, Ronald D. Davis
  • Patent number: 7481563
    Abstract: An LED backlight assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a housing having a plurality of internal surfaces. At least one of the internal surfaces is a light emission surface and an opposing surface is a reflective surface. An optical film is disposed between the light emission surface and the reflective surface. The optical film includes at least one of a diffusing film, a reflective polarizing film, a multilayer optical film, and a structured surface film. An array of LEDs in electrical communication is disposed on the optical film. At least one LED of the array of LEDs has an illumination field that is directed toward the reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John R. David, Ellen O. Aeling, Michael A. Meis
  • Patent number: 7456805
    Abstract: A display includes a solid state light device and a spatial light modulator in optical communication with the solid state light device. The solid state light device includes an array of solid state radiation sources to generate radiation, where each solid state radiation source includes a controllable radiation output. The solid state light device further includes an array of optical concentrators, where each optical concentrator receives radiation from a corresponding one of the array of solid state radiation sources. The solid state light device further includes a plurality of optical fibers, where each of the plurality of optical fibers includes an input end that receives concentrated radiation from a corresponding optical concentrator. The spatial light modulator includes a plurality of controllable elements operable to modulate light from the solid state light device. The display can be used in a variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Michael A. Meis
  • Publication number: 20080232740
    Abstract: A light injector includes a tapered solid light guide having a light input end, an opposing light output end, and a total internal reflection surface defining a longitudinal outer surface there between. The light input end includes an aperture extending into the tapered solid light guide defined by an aperture surface. A specularly reflective layer or film is disposed adjacent to the total internal reflection surface. A distance between the specularly reflective layer or film and the total internal reflection surface defines a first air gap. The aperture is configured to accept a lambertian light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Michael A. Meis, David J. Lundin, Scott D. Gullicks, Charles D. Hoyle
  • Patent number: 7418017
    Abstract: A description is given of an optical structure (100), in particular for determining and stabilizing the relative phase of short pulses, which contains a broadening device (6) for broadening the frequency spectrum of pulses of electromagnetic radiation, and a frequency multiplier device (8) for multiplying at least one frequency component of the pulses, wherein a focusing lens optic (7) is arranged between the broadening device and the frequency multiplier device, which focusing lens optic can be used to focus the pulses into the frequency multiplier device (8). Uses of this optical structure are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Menlo Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Ronald Holzwarth, Michael Mei
  • Patent number: 7360924
    Abstract: An illumination system includes a plurality of radiation generating sources, such as LED dies. A corresponding plurality of optical waveguides is also provided, with each waveguide having a first and a second end, with each first end being in optical communication with the corresponding LED die. An array of corresponding passive optical elements is interposed between the plurality of LED dies and the corresponding first ends of the plurality of optical waveguides. The illumination system provides for substantially high light coupling efficiency and an incoherent light output that can appear to the human observer as arising from a single point of light. In addition, the light can be output remotely at one or more locations and in one or more directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gordon D. Henson, Barbara A. DeBaun, Michael A. Meis, John C. Schultz, John J. Simbal, Ronald D. Davis
  • Publication number: 20080084512
    Abstract: A scanning backlight for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display apparatus includes a light guide formed from a plurality of segments. Each segment has a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and a first surface extending between the first and second sides and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface substantially re-directs light and the second surface substantially transmits light. The plurality of segments are arranged substantially in parallel and with the second surfaces transmitting light in substantially the same direction to provide backlighting for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display. A first light source is disposed along the first side of each segment for transmitting light into the light guide from the first side, and a second light source is disposed along the second side of each segment for transmitting light into the light guide from the second side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Robert Brott, William Bryan, David Lundin, Michael Meis, John Schultz
  • Publication number: 20080084513
    Abstract: A backlight for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display apparatus includes a light guide formed from a plurality of segments. Each segment has a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and a first surface extending between the first and second sides and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface substantially re-directs light and the second surface substantially transmits light. The plurality of segments are arranged substantially in parallel with the second surfaces transmitting light in substantially the same direction to provide backlighting for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display. A light source is disposed along only one of the first side or second side of each segment for transmitting light into the light guide from either the first side or second side. Each segment light source is selectively turned on and off in a particular pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Robert Brott, Dale Ehnes, David Lundin, Michael Meis, John Nelson
  • Publication number: 20080074901
    Abstract: An LED backlight assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a housing having a plurality of internal surfaces. At least one of the internal surfaces is a light emission surface and an opposing surface is a reflective surface. An optical film is disposed between the light emission surface and the reflective surface. The optical film includes at least one of a diffusing film, a reflective polarizing film, a multilayer optical film, and a structured surface film. An array of LEDs in electrical communication is disposed on the optical film. At least one LED of the array of LEDs has an illumination field that is directed toward the reflective surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: John R. David, Ellen O. Aeling, Michael A. Meis
  • Publication number: 20080074871
    Abstract: A thermally conductive LED assembly is disclosed. The thermally conductive LED assembly includes an elongate conductor cable having a first conductor and a second conductor extending along a length of the elongate conductor cable and a thermally conducting and electrically insulating polymer layer disposed between first conductor and second conductor and a second electrically insulating polymer layer is disposed on the first conductor or second conductor. The electrically insulating polymer layer having a thermal impedance value in a range from 2.5 to 15 C°-cm2/W and a plurality of light emitting diodes are disposed along the length of the elongate conductor cable. Each light emitting diode is in electrical communication with the first conductor and the second conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Michael A. Meis, Susan L. Korpela, Jeffrey R. Janssen, Patrick J. Hager, Ellen O. Aeling
  • Publication number: 20080069159
    Abstract: The invention concerns a laser system with a frequency comb generator for generating a comb of optical frequencies having an offset frequency and a plurality of equidistant modes, wherein the laser system further preferably comprises at least one stabilizer for stabilizing the frequency comb onto a certain offset frequency and/or onto a certain mode spacing. The laser system further comprises an optical amplifier for amplifying the frequency comb coupled out of the frequency comb generator, the amplification factor of this amplifier being variable; and the amplifier is followed by a Raman medium for generating a Raman shift of the frequency comb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Peter Adel, Marc Fischer, Michael Mei, Ronald Holzwarth
  • Publication number: 20080062688
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to illumination devices, and methods for making the same. The device, in particular, includes a first conductor layer, a first insulator layer disposed on the first conductor layer and having at least one first aperture defined therein through the first insulator layer, a second conductor layer disposed on the first insulator layer and having at least one second aperture defined therein through the second conductor layer and positioned to align with the at least one first aperture, and a light manipulation layer disposed on the second conductor layer and having at least one pair of apertures defined therein through the light manipulation layer including a third aperture and a fourth aperture, where the third aperture is positioned to align with the at least one second and first apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Ellen O. Aeling, John R. David, Michael A. Meis, Ronald S. Steelman
  • Patent number: 7329887
    Abstract: A photon emitting device comprises a plurality of solid state radiation sources to generate radiation. The solid state radiation sources can be disposed in an array pattern. Optical concentrators, arranged in a corresponding array pattern, receive radiation from corresponding solid state radiation sources. The concentrated radiation is received by a plurality of optical waveguides, also arranged in a corresponding array pattern. Each optical waveguide includes a first end to receive the radiation and a second end to output the radiation. A support structure is provided to stabilize the plurality of optical waveguides between the first and second ends. The photon emitting device can provide a replacement for a discharge lamp device in various applications including road illumination, spot lighting, back lighting, image projection and radiation activated curing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gordon D. Henson, Bonnie Weiskopf Albrecht, Donald K. Larson, John J. Simbal, Michael A. Meis, Michael E. Griffin, Bruce R. Broyles
  • Patent number: 7317182
    Abstract: A backlight may include a light guide and a light input. The light guide may have a light reflection surface and a light emission surface. The light input may include a diverging wedge having a narrow end and opposing side surfaces extending to the narrow end. A light source well may be formed in the light input, and a light source may be disposed within the light source well. An encapsulant may be disposed about the light source, within the light source well. A specularly reflective film or layer may be disposed adjacent to but not in intimate contact with the opposing side surfaces and may reflect more than 80% of visible light incident on the multilayer polymeric mirror film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John C. Schultz, Michael A. Meis
  • Publication number: 20070279931
    Abstract: A backlight is disclosed and includes a visible light transmissive body primarily propagating light by TIR with a light input surface and a light output surface and a light guide portion and a light input portion. The light guide portion has a light reflection surface and a light emission surface. The light input portion has opposing side surfaces that are not parallel. One of the opposing surfaces is co-planar with either the light emission surface or the light reflection surface. A light source is disposed adjacent to the light input surface. The light source emits light into the light input portion. A reflective layer is disposed adjacent to or on the opposing side surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: William Bryan, John Schultz, Michael Meis, Patrick Destain
  • Patent number: 7303315
    Abstract: An illumination assembly includes a heat dissipating member having a plurality of circuitized strips disposed thereon a spaced relationship. Each circuitized strip includes an electrically insulative substrate having at least one circuit trace on a first side of the substrate and an electrically and thermally conductive layer on a second side of the substrate, such that the at least one circuit trace is electrically insulated from the second side of the substrate. The circuitized strips have a plurality of vias extending from the first side to the second side of the substrate. A plurality of LEDs are disposed in the plurality of vias, such that each LEDs is disposed on the electrically and thermally conductive layer on the second side of the substrate and electrically connected to the at least one circuit trace on the first side of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Denny G. Aeschliman, Hung T. Tran, Kenneth A. Epstein, Michael A. Meis, John C. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20070274094
    Abstract: A backlight may include a light guide and a light input. The light guide may have a light reflection surface and a light emission surface. The light input may include a diverging wedge having a narrow end and opposing side surfaces extending to the narrow end. A light source may be disposed adjacent to one of the opposing side surfaces and may emit light into the light input portion. A multilayer polymeric mirror film may be disposed adjacent to the opposing side surfaces but not in intimate contact therewith and may reflect more than 95% of visible light incident on the multilayer polymeric mirror film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: John C. Schultz, Jacob Moskovich, William J. Bryan, Michael A. Meis
  • Publication number: 20070272839
    Abstract: A backlight may include a light guide and a light input. The light guide may have a light reflection surface and a light emission surface. The light input may include a diverging wedge having a narrow end and opposing side surfaces extending to the narrow end. A light source well may be formed in the light input, and a light source may be disposed within the light source well. An encapsulant may be disposed about the light source, within the light source well. A specularly reflective film or layer may be disposed adjacent to but not in intimate contact with the opposing side surfaces and may reflect more than 80% of visible light incident on the multilayer polymeric mirror film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: John Schultz, Michael Meis
  • Patent number: 7296916
    Abstract: An illumination assembly including a thermally conductive substrate, a reflective layer proximate a first major surface of the thermally conductive substrate, a patterned conductive layer positioned between the reflective layer and the first major surface of the thermally conductive substrate and electrically isolated from the thermally conductive substrate, and at least one LED including a post that is attached to the thermally conductive substrate is disclosed. The at least one LED can be thermally connected to the thermally conductive substrate through the post and electrically connected to the patterned conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Michael A. Meis, Hung T. Tran, Joseph A. Hoffman