Patents by Inventor Nathaniel K. Naismith
Nathaniel K. Naismith 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: 11927855Abstract: A display system includes an extended illumination source, a first liquid crystal assembly disposed on the extended illumination source, and a second liquid crystal assembly disposed on the first liquid crystal display assembly. The first liquid crystal assembly includes a bottom reflective polarizer, a top reflective polarizer, and a bottom liquid crystal panel disposed between the top and bottom reflective polarizers. The second liquid crystal assembly includes a top absorbing polarizer, and a top liquid crystal panel disposed between the top absorbing polarizer and the first liquid crystal assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2020Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Inventors: Kristopher J. Derks, Shannon L. Siefken, Tao Liu, Nathaniel K. Naismith
-
Patent number: 11835821Abstract: A backlight for an image forming device includes spaced-apart front and back optical reflectors defining an optical cavity therebetween, and at least one light source for emitting light into the optical cavity. The front optical reflector may be disposed between the image forming device and the back optical reflector. For substantially normally incident light and for nonoverlapping first and second wavelength ranges, the front optical reflector may transmit at least 70% of light for each wavelength in the first wavelength range, and may reflect at least 70% of light for each wavelength in the second wavelength range. The back optical reflector may reflect at least 70% of light for each wavelength in the first wavelength range, and may transmit at least 70% of light for each wavelength in the second wavelength range. The emitted light may have at least one wavelength in the first wavelength range and at least one wavelength in the second wavelength range.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2022Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Quinn D. Sanford, Matthew B. Johnson, Ryan T. Fabick, Nathaniel K. Naismith
-
Patent number: 11618796Abstract: According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a composition includes about 5 to about 40 parts by weight of a solute copolymer component. The solute component optionally has one Tg or Tm of at least 25° C. The composition further includes about 60 to about 95 parts by weight of a solvent monomer. The solvent monomer component includes (meth)acrylate monomers and a multifunctional acrylate. The sum of the solute copolymer component and the solvent monomer component is 100 parts by weight. The composition further includes about 5 to about 100 parts of a plasticizer, relative to the 100 parts. The plasticizer component comprises at least one plasticizer comprising an acid group.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2018Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Ann R. Fornof, Carla S. Thomas, Tien Yi T. H. Whiting, Payam Khodaparast, Nathaniel K. Naismith, Brett J. Sitter, James A. Thielen
-
Patent number: 11560496Abstract: According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a composition includes about 5 to about 40 parts by weight of a solute copolymer component. The solute component optionally has one Tg or Tm of at least 25° C. The composition further includes about 60 to about 95 parts by weight of a solvent monomer. The solvent monomer component includes (meth)acrylate monomers and a multifunctional acrylate. The sum of the solute copolymer component and the solvent monomer component is 100 parts by weight. The composition further includes about 5 to about 100 parts of a plasticizer, relative to the 100 parts.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2018Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Ann R. Fornof, Carla S. Thomas, Tien Yi T. H. Whiting, Payam Khodaparast, Nathaniel K. Naismith, Brett J. Sitter, James A. Thielen
-
Publication number: 20230017066Abstract: An optical system includes a display system including a display having first and second display pixels interspersed with each other across the display. The first and second display pixels emit superimposed different respective first and second images polarized along the first direction. The display system includes a patterned retarder having pluralities of first and second retarder pixels aligned and registered with the respective first and second display pixels in one-to-one correspondence. The first retarder pixels are configured to receive and transmit the first emitted image as the first output image polarized along the first direction. The second retarder pixels are configured to receive, change the polarization direction, and transmit the second emitted image as the second output image polarized along the second direction. A reflective polarizer is configured to receive the first and second output images and substantially transmit the first output image and substantially reflect the second output image.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2020Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventors: Stephan J. Pankratz, Nathaniel K. Naismith
-
Publication number: 20230019291Abstract: A backlight for an image forming device includes spaced-apart front and back optical reflectors defining an optical cavity therebetween, and at least one light source for emitting light into the optical cavity. The front optical reflector may be disposed between the image forming device and the back optical reflector. For substantially normally incident light and for nonoverlapping first and second wavelength ranges, the front optical reflector may transmit at least 70% of light for each wavelength in the first wavelength range, and may reflect at least 70% of light for each wavelength in the second wavelength range. The back optical reflector may reflect at least 70% of light for each wavelength in the first wavelength range, and may transmit at least 70% of light for each wavelength in the second wavelength range. The emitted light may have at least one wavelength in the first wavelength range and at least one wavelength in the second wavelength range.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventors: Quinn D. Sanford, Matthew B. Johnson, Ryan T. Fabick, Nathaniel K. Naismith
-
Patent number: 11487159Abstract: A backlight (100) for an image forming device (70) includes spaced-apart front and back optical reflectors (20, 10) defining an optical cavity (18) therebetween, and at least one light source (15) for emitting light into the optical cavity. The front optical reflector (20) is disposed between the image forming device and the back optical reflector (10). For substantially normally incident light and for non-overlapping first (e.g. visible light) and second (e.g. infrared) wavelength ranges, the front optical reflector (20) may transmit (80c) at least 70% of light (80a) for each wavelength in the first wavelength range, and may reflect (90b) at least 70% of light (90a) for each wavelength in the second wavelength range. The back optical reflector (10) may reflect (80b) at least 70% of light for each wavelength in the first wavelength range, and may transmit (90c) at least 70% of light (90b) for each wavelength in the second wavelength range.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2020Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Quinn D. Sanford, Matthew B. Johnson, Ryan T. Fabick, Nathaniel K. Naismith
-
Publication number: 20220260869Abstract: A display system includes an extended illumination source, a first liquid crystal assembly disposed on the extended illumination source, and a second liquid crystal assembly disposed on the first liquid crystal display assembly. The first liquid crystal assembly includes a bottom reflective polarizer, a top reflective polarizer, and a bottom liquid crystal panel disposed between the top and bottom reflective polarizers. The second liquid crystal assembly includes a top absorbing polarizer, and a top liquid crystal panel disposed between the top absorbing polarizer and the first liquid crystal assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2020Publication date: August 18, 2022Inventors: Kristopher J. Derks, Shannon L. Siefken, Tao Liu, Nathaniel K. Naismith
-
Patent number: 11378723Abstract: A multilayer optical film including a first layer having an index of refraction n1 at a wavelength ? in a range from about 580 nm to about 650 nm, and a second layer having an index of refraction n2 at ? is described. The first and second layers define an interface therebetween comprising a two-dimensional grating. The grating may have an average height H such that |n1?n2|*H is in a range from 0.24 micrometers to 0.3 micrometers. Optical systems including the multilayer optical film are described. A subpixel in a display surface of the optical system may be diffracted into a zero diffraction order and a plurality of first diffraction orders where the intensities of the zero and first diffraction orders are with 10% of each other at ?. The optical system may have a modulation transfer function greater than 0.4 at 10 line pairs per millimeter.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2018Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Zhaohui Yang, Brett J. Sitter, James A. Thielen, Nathaniel K. Naismith
-
Publication number: 20220082889Abstract: A backlight (100) for an image forming device (70) includes spaced-apart front and back optical reflectors (20, 10) defining an optical cavity (18) therebetween, and at least one light source (15) for emitting light into the optical cavity. The front optical reflector (20) is disposed between the image forming device and the back optical reflector (10). For substantially normally incident light and for non-overlapping first (e.g. visible light) and second (e.g. infrared) wavelength ranges, the front optical reflector (20) may transmit (80c) at least 70% of light (80a) for each wavelength in the first wavelength range, and may reflect (90b) at least 70% of light (90a) for each wavelength in the second wavelength range. The back optical reflector (10) may reflect (80b) at least 70% of light for each wavelength in the first wavelength range, and may transmit (90c) at least 70% of light (90b) for each wavelength in the second wavelength range.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2020Publication date: March 17, 2022Inventors: Quinn D. Sanford, Matthew B. Johnson, Ryan T. Fabick, Nathaniel K. Naismith
-
Publication number: 20210286113Abstract: A multilayer optical film including a first layer having an index of refraction n1 at a wavelength ? in a range from about 580 nm to about 650 nm, and a second layer having an index of refraction n2 at ? is described. The first and second layers define an interface therebetween comprising a two-dimensional grating. The grating may have an average height H such that |n1?n2|*H is in a range from 0.24 micrometers to 0.3 micrometers. Optical systems including the multilayer optical film are described. A subpixel in a display surface of the optical system may be diffracted into a zero diffraction order and a plurality of first diffraction orders where the intensities of the zero and first diffraction orders are with 10% of each other at ?. The optical system may have a modulation transfer function greater than 0.4 at 10 line pairs per millimeter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2018Publication date: September 16, 2021Inventors: Zhaohui Yang, Brett J. Sitter, James A. Thielen, Nathaniel K. Naismith
-
Publication number: 20210130521Abstract: According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a composition includes about 5 to about 40 parts by weight of a solute copolymer component. The solute component optionally has one Tg or Tm of at least 25° C. The composition further includes about 60 to about 95 parts by weight of a solvent monomer. The solvent monomer component includes (meth)acrylate monomers and a multifunctional acrylate. The sum of the solute copolymer component and the solvent monomer component is 100 parts by weight. The composition further includes about 5 to about 100 parts of a plasticizer, relative to the 100 parts. The plasticizer component comprises at least one plasticizer comprising an acid group.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2018Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Ann R. Fornof, Carla S. Thomas, Tien Yi T. H. Whiting, Payam Khodaparast, Nathaniel K. Naismith, Brett J. Sitter, James A. Thielen
-
Patent number: 10928563Abstract: A microstructured diffuser is described comprising a light transmissive film comprising a first microstructured surface comprising a plurality of peaks and valleys. A coating is disposed on the first microstructured surface. The coating partially fills the valleys forming a second microstructured surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2014Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Nathaniel K. Naismith, William F. Edmonds, Jason S. Petaja, Brandt K. Carter, Jeffrey L. Solomon, Sara S. Merritt, Tri D. Pham
-
Patent number: 10606124Abstract: Recycling backlights are described. More specifically, recycling backlights including structured reflectors are described. The structured reflector redirects light at least for angles emitted from a lightguide and retroreflects other light, the retroreflected light having incidence angles not emitted by the lightguide.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2017Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Nathaniel K. Naismith, Stephen J. Etzkorn, David A. Rosen
-
Publication number: 20200010729Abstract: According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a composition includes about 5 to about 40 parts by weight of a solute copolymer component. The solute component optionally has one Tg or Tm of at least 25° C. The composition further includes about 60 to about 95 parts by weight of a solvent monomer. The solvent monomer component includes (meth)acrylate monomers and a multifunctional acrylate. The sum of the solute copolymer component and the solvent monomer component is 100 parts by weight. The composition further includes about 5 to about 100 parts of a plasticizer, relative to the 100 parts.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2018Publication date: January 9, 2020Inventors: Ann R. Fornof, Carla S. Thomas, Tien Yi T. H. Whiting, Payam Khodaparast, Nathaniel K. Naismith, Brett J. Sitter, James A. Thielen
-
Publication number: 20190302530Abstract: Recycling backlight systems are described. In particular, recycling backlight systems including a circular reflective polarizer, a reflector with a metalized reflective surface, and a lightguide disposed between the reflector and the circular reflective polarizer are described. The described backlights can increase recycling backlight efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2017Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: Nathaniel K. Naismith, Stephen J. Etzkorn
-
Publication number: 20190265547Abstract: Recycling backlights are described. More specifically, recycling backlights including structured reflectors are described. The structured reflector redirects light at least for angles emitted from a lightguide and retroreflects other light, the retroreflected light having incidence angles not emitted by the lightguide.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2017Publication date: August 29, 2019Inventors: Nathaniel K. Naismith, Stephen J. Etzkorn, David A. Rosen
-
Patent number: 9761843Abstract: An emissive display comprising an OLED, a first birefringent reflective polarizer, a second birefringent reflective polarizer optically between the OLED and the first birefringent reflective polarizer, a first linear absorbing polarizer having a contrast ratio of less than 100:1 optically between the first birefringent reflective polarizer and the second birefringent reflective polarizer, a second linear absorbing polarizer having a contrast ratio of less than 100:1, where the first birefringent reflective polarizer is optically between the second linear absorbing polarizer and the first linear absorbing polarizer, and a structured optical film optically between the OLED and the second birefringent reflective polarizer.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2013Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Adam D. Haag, Ghidewon Arefe, Kenneth A. Epstein, Nathaniel K. Naismith, Seong Taek Lee, Sergey Lamansky, William A. Tolbert
-
Patent number: 9562998Abstract: Tags are made from optical films to provide a pattern that is inconspicuous to ordinary observers, but that is detectable by a camera or other imaging device. The pattern is provided by first and second portions of a patterned layer, the first portions selectively filtering at least a portion of blue visible light from other visible light wavelengths. Filtering in the portion of the blue region helps make the pattern inconspicuous. The tags may also include an indicia layer configured to mark a location of the pattern, and a contrast enhancing layer disposed behind the patterned layer and configured to enhance a contrast of the pattern. In some cases, the first portions of the patterned layer may filter optical wavelengths other than blue, such as near-infrared light. The pattern may comprise machine-readable information, e.g., a linear bar code or a 2-D bar code. Associated methods and systems are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2013Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William F. Edmonds, Nathaniel K. Naismith, Martin B. Wolk, Michael Benton Free, William W. Merrill, David T. Yust, John F. Van Derlofske, III, Jun Xiao, Albert T. Schmitz
-
Publication number: 20160216413Abstract: A microstructured diffuser is described comprising a light transmissive film comprising a first microstructured surface comprising a plurality of peaks and valleys. A coating is disposed on the first microstructured surface. The coating partially fills the valleys forming a second microstructured surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2014Publication date: July 28, 2016Inventors: Nathaniel K. Naismith, William F. Edmonds, Jason S. Petaja, Brandt K. Carter, Jeffrey L. Solomon, Sara S. Merritt, Tri D. Pham