Patents by Inventor Michael W. Dolezal

Michael W. Dolezal 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: 10753746
    Abstract: A digitizer system includes a substrate with indicia that uniquely define local areas of the substrate. A multi-mode sensor device, such as a stylus, may sense radiation emitted from the features, and selectively switch to a mode of operation that can sense the indicia and determine therefrom the location of the stylus relative to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard O. Geaghan, Michael W. Dolezal
  • Publication number: 20200030936
    Abstract: A computing system may send and receive data from a variety of other devices, such as abrading tools and consumable abrasive products. The computing system may use this data for various purposes, such as tracking worker vibration dosage, monitoring inventory, promoting use of personal protective equipment, and other purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Orlin B. Knudson, Rufus C. Sanders, Joseph B. Eckel, Bradley M. Johnson, Karl M. Kropp, Richard L. Rylander, David H. Redinger, Ronald D. Jesme, Andrew R. Henry, Theo L. Simon, Paul H. R. Jolly, Justin Tungjunyatham, Marc A. Egeland, Michael W. Dolezal, Adam C. Nyland
  • Publication number: 20200030938
    Abstract: A computing system may send and receive data from a variety of other devices, such as abrading tools and consumable abrasive products. The computing system may use this data for various purposes, such as tracking worker vibration dosage, monitoring inventory, promoting use of personal protective equipment, and other purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Orlin B. Knudson, Rufus C. Sanders, Joseph B. Eckel, Bradley M. Johnson, Karl M. Kropp, Richard L. Rylander, David H. Redinger, Ronald D. Jesme, Andrew R. Henry, Theo L. Simon, Paul H. R. Jolly, Justin Tungjunyatham, Marc A. Egeland, Michael W. Dolezal, Adam C. Nyland
  • Publication number: 20190181321
    Abstract: At least some aspects of the present disclosure direct to a flexible thermoelectric module. The thermoelectric module includes a flexible substrate, a plurality of p-type thermoelectric elements and a plurality of n-type thermoelectric elements, a first set of connectors, and a second set of connectors. The substrate includes a plurality of vias filled with an electrically conductive material or thermoelectric elements. In some cases, the plurality of p-type thermoelectric elements and the plurality of n-type thermoelectric elements are disposed on the flexible substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Jae Yong Lee, Roger W. Barton, Donato G. Caraig, Ankit Mahajan, Ravi Palaniswamy, James F. Poch, Michael W. Dolezal
  • Publication number: 20190181323
    Abstract: At least some aspects of the present disclosure direct to a flexible thermoelectric module. The thermoelectric module includes a flexible substrate, a plurality of p-type thermoelectric elements and a plurality of n-type thermoelectric elements, a first set of connectors, and a second set of connectors. The substrate includes a plurality of vias filled with an electrically conductive material or thermoelectric elements. In some cases, the plurality of p-type thermoelectric elements and the plurality of n-type thermoelectric elements are disposed on the flexible substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Jae Yong Lee, Roger W. Barton, Emily L. Bowen, Donato G. Caraig, Gareth A. Hughes, Ravi Palaniswamy, James F. Poch, Michael W. Dolezal
  • Patent number: 9904386
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for patterning one or more portions of a microstructure comprised of a flexible substrate, a conductor disposed on the substrate, and a metal layer disposed on the conductor, wherein the conductor is comprised of a stack of a first and a second transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer, and a metal doped silicon oxide layer sandwiched between the two TCO layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Muthu Sebastian, Michael W. Dolezal
  • Patent number: 9782955
    Abstract: Touch sensor layer constructions and methods of making such constructions are described. More particularly, touch sensor constructions that utilize patterned conductive layers that may be applied by a sacrificial release liner, eliminating one or more glass and/or film substrate from touch sensor stacks, and methods of making such constructions are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael W. Dolezal, Robert R. Kieschke, Ta-Hua Yu, Mark A. Roehrig, Pradnya V. Nagarkar, Matthew S. Stay, Shawn C. Dodds, Bernard O. Geaghan
  • Publication number: 20160334895
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for patterning one or more portions of a microstructure comprised of a flexible substrate, a conductor disposed on the substrate, and a metal layer disposed on the conductor, wherein the conductor is comprised of a stack of a first and a second transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer, and a metal doped silicon oxide layer sandwiched between the two TCO layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Muthu Sebastian, Michael W. Dolezal
  • Publication number: 20160200086
    Abstract: Touch sensor layer constructions and methods of making such constructions are described. More particularly, touch sensor constructions that utilize patterned conductive layers that may be applied by a sacrificial release liner, eliminating one or more glass and/or film substrate from touch sensor stacks, and methods of making such constructions are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Michael W. Dolezal, Robert R. Kieschke, Ta-Hua Yu, Mark A. Roehrig, Pradnya V. Nagarkar, Matthew S. Stay, Shawn C. Dodds, Bernard O. Geaghan
  • Publication number: 20140240720
    Abstract: A method includes passing an interrogating light beam through a Fourier transform lens and onto the surface of a material to form a Fraunhofer diffraction pattern of one or more surface features of the material. An image of the diffraction pattern is processed to determine the dimensions of the feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Yi Qiao, Michael W. Dolezal, David L. Hofeldt, Jack W. Lai, Catherine P. Tarnowski
  • Publication number: 20140145066
    Abstract: A digitizer system includes a substrate with indicia that uniquely define local areas of the substrate. A multi-mode sensor device, such as a stylus, may sense radiation emitted from the features, and selectively switch to a mode of operation that can sense the indicia and determine therefrom the location of the stylus relative to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Bernard O. GEAGHAN, Michael W. DOLEZAL
  • Patent number: 8459807
    Abstract: Techniques are described for forming microlens sheeting having composite images that appear to float with respect to the plane of the sheeting. As one example, a method comprises forming one or more images within a sheeting having a surface of microlenses, wherein at least one of the images is a partially complete image, and wherein each of the images is associated with a different one of the microlenses, wherein the microlenses have refractive surfaces that transmit light to positions within the sheeting to produce a plurality of composite images from the images formed within the sheeting so that each of the composite images appears to float with respect to the plane of the sheeting, and wherein forming the one or more images comprises forming the one or more images such that each of the composite images is associated with a different viewing angle range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Sammuel D. Herbert, Charles J. Studiner, IV, Robert L. W. Smithson, Robert T. Krasa, Pingfan Wu, Douglas S. Dunn, Michael W. Dolezal
  • Publication number: 20120019607
    Abstract: Translucent, transparent, or semi-translucent microlens sheetings with composite images are disclosed, in which a composite image floats above or below the sheeting, or both. The composite image may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. The sheeting may have at least one layer of material having a surface of microlenses that form one or more images at positions internal to the layer of material, at least one of the images being a partially complete image. Additional layers, such as retroreflective, translucent, transparent, or optical structure layers may also be incorporated into the sheeting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Douglas S. Dunn, Robert L.W. Smithson, Robert T. Krasa, Michael W. Dolezal
  • Patent number: 8057980
    Abstract: Translucent, transparent, or semi-translucent microlens sheetings with composite images are disclosed, in which a composite image floats above or below the sheeting, or both. The composite image may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. The sheeting may have at least one layer of material having a surface of microlenses that form one or more images at positions internal to the layer of material, at least one of the images being a partially complete image. Additional layers, such as retroreflective, translucent, transparent, or optical structure layers may also be incorporated into the sheeting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Inventors: Douglas S. Dunn, Robert L. W. Smithson, Robert T. Krasa, Michael W. Dolezal, Jeffrey M. Florczak, Stephen P. Maki, Richard M. Osgood, III
  • Publication number: 20110236651
    Abstract: Microlens sheetings with composite images are disclosed, in which the composite image floats above or below the sheeting, or both. The composite image may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. Methods for providing such an imaged sheeting are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: James P. Endle, Robert T. Krasa, William V. Dower, Michael W. Dolezal
  • Patent number: 7981499
    Abstract: Microlens sheetings with composite images are disclosed, in which the composite image floats above or below the sheeting, or both. The composite image may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. Methods for providing such an imaged sheeting are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James P. Endle, Robert T. Krasa, William V. Dower, Michael W. Dolezal
  • Publication number: 20100182666
    Abstract: Techniques are described for forming microlens sheeting having composite images that appear to float with respect to the plane of the sheeting. As one example, a method comprises forming one or more images within a sheeting having a surface of microlenses, wherein at least one of the images is a partially complete image, and wherein each of the images is associated with a different one of the microlenses, wherein the microlenses have refractive surfaces that transmit light to positions within the sheeting to produce a plurality of composite images from the images formed within the sheeting so that each of the composite images appears to float with respect to the plane of the sheeting, and wherein forming the one or more images comprises forming the one or more images such that each of the composite images is associated with a different viewing angle range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Sammuel D. Herbert, Charles J. Studiner, IV, Robert L.W. Smithson, Robert T. Krasa, Pingfan Wu, Douglas S. Dunn, Michael W. Dolezal
  • Publication number: 20080118862
    Abstract: Translucent, transparent, or semi-translucent microlens sheetings with composite images are disclosed, in which a composite image floats above or below the sheeting, or both. The composite image may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. The sheeting may have at least one layer of material having a surface of microlenses that form one or more images at positions internal to the layer of material, at least one of the images being a partially complete image. Additional layers, such as retroreflective, translucent, transparent, or optical structure layers may also be incorporated into the sheeting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Douglas S. Dunn, Robert L.W. Smithson, Robert T. Krasa, Michael W. Dolezal, Jeffrey M. Florczak, Robert T. Krasa, Stephen P. Maki, Richard M. Osgood
  • Patent number: 7336422
    Abstract: Translucent, transparent, or semi-translucent microlens sheetings with composite images are disclosed, in which a composite image floats above or below the sheeting, or both. The composite image may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. The sheeting may have at least one layer of material having a surface of microlenses that form one or more images at positions internal to the layer of material, at least one of the images being a partially complete image. Additional layers, such as retroreflective, translucent, transparent, or optical structure layers may also be incorporated into the sheeting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Douglas S. Dunn, Robert L. W. Smithson, Robert T. Krasa, Michael W. Dolezal
  • Patent number: 5658656
    Abstract: A method of using a material as an acoustical barrier in an ambient medium. The material comprises microbubbles having average outer diameters of 5 to 150 microns, bound together at their contact points. The material is characterized by either a porosity of 20 to 60 percent, or by voids between the microbubbles which have characteristic diameter within an order of magnitude of the viscous skin depth of the ambient medium, as calculated at 1 kHz; an air flow resistivity of 0.5.times.10.sup.4 to 4.times.10.sup.7 mks rayls/meter, and an attenuation of sound comparable to mass law performance. The microbubbles can be sintered into direct contact with each other, or one of many types of binder material can be used to support the microbubbles within a composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Leland R. Whitney, Michael W. Dolezal, Ronald W. Gerdes, Gary N. Harvieux, Charles A. Marttila, Joseph G. Mandell, Thomas J. Scanlan