Patents by Inventor Patrick R. Fleming

Patrick R. Fleming 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: 20170268733
    Abstract: A lightguide functioning as a luminaire. The luminaire includes at least one solid state light source, such as an LED, and a lightguide configured to receive light from the solid state light source. Light from the light source is coupled into the lightguide and transported within it by total internal reflection until the light exits the lightguide. A shape of the lightguide causes and directs extraction of the light, and can also be used to create a particular pattern of the extracted light. Such shapes include linear wedges and twisted wedges. Optical films can be included on the light input and output surfaces of the lightguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: RAYMOND P. JOHNSTON, ROBERT L. BROTT, PATRICK R. FLEMING, KARL J.L. GEISLER, KAYLA A. HAGENS, STEVEN G. LUCHT, CHARLES N. DEVORE, JOSEPH W. WOODY, V, DAVID SCOTT THOMPSON
  • Patent number: 9765950
    Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides for a light duct sensor that can monitor an average light flux through light duct useful for architectural lighting. The present disclosure provides for a system that allows a minimally obtrusive sampling of the light in a duct. It samples a small fraction of a cross sectional area of a light duct that is distributed across potentially the entire cross sectional area, without creating a significant disturbance to the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas R. Corrigan, Patrick R. Fleming
  • Patent number: 9759663
    Abstract: The disclosure provides microstructured articles and methods useful for detecting an analyte in a sample. The articles include microwell arrays. The articles can be used with an optical system component in methods to detect or characterize an analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kurt J. Halverson, Raymond J. Kenney, Olester Benson, Jr., Raymond P. Johnston, Guoping Mao, Patrick R. Fleming, George Van Dyke Tiers, Naiyong Jing
  • Publication number: 20170028940
    Abstract: Retroreflective articles comprise a substrate and a bar code provided on the substrate. The bar code comprises at least one human-readable information which provides framing information and a machine-readable information which provides variable information. The human-readable information is visible under a first condition and invisible under a second condition, and the machine-readable information is invisible under the first condition and visible under the second condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Patrick R. Fleming, Thomas J. Dahlin
  • Patent number: 9471863
    Abstract: Retroreflective articles comprise a substrate and a bar code provided on the substrate. The bar code comprises at least one human-readable information which provides framing information and a machine-readable information which provides variable information. The human-readable information is visible under a first condition and invisible under a second condition, and the machine-readable information is invisible under the first condition and visible under the second condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Patrick R. Fleming, Thomas J. Dahlin
  • Patent number: 9279548
    Abstract: A light collimating horn assembly having two horns, one contained within the other. The horns have reflective surfaces facing each other. A light source, such as a ring of light emitting diodes, is located between the reflective surfaces of the horns. The horns at least partially collimate light from the light source transmitted between the reflective surfaces and exiting from the horns. The horns can be configured to provide controlled collimation in order to substantially collimate light for a spot light or partially but not substantially collimate light for a flood light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventor: Patrick R. Fleming
  • Publication number: 20160047512
    Abstract: A light collimating horn assembly having two horns, one contained within the other. The horns have reflective surfaces facing each other. A light source, such as a ring of light emitting diodes, is located between the reflective surfaces of the horns. The horns at least partially collimate light from the light source transmitted between the reflective surfaces and exiting from the horns. The horns can be configured to provide controlled collimation in order to substantially collimate light for a spot light or partially but not substantially collimate light for a flood light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventor: Patrick R. Fleming
  • Publication number: 20160025637
    Abstract: The disclosure provides microstructured articles and methods useful for detecting an analyte in a sample. The articles include microwell arrays. The articles can be used with an optical system component in methods to detect or characterize an analyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Kurt J. Halverson, Raymond J. Kenney, Olester Benson, JR., Raymond P. Johnston, Guoping Mao, Patrick R. Fleming, George Van Dyke Tiers, Naiyong Jing
  • Publication number: 20150353029
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the formation of high contrast, wavelength independent retroreflective sheeting made by including a light scattering material on at least a portion of the retroreflective sheeting. The light scattering material reduces the brightness of the retroreflective sheeting without substantially changing the appearance of the retroreflective sheeting when viewed under scattered light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Patrick R. Fleming, Thomas J. Dahlin, Thomas V. Kusilek, Robert L. Smithson
  • Publication number: 20150298446
    Abstract: Methods of preparing adhesive-backed articles and methods of applying adhesives backed articles are described. The adhesive-backed articles include a compliant film and a pressure-sensitive adhesive having a microstructured surface opposite the compliant film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Haruyuki Mikami, Patrick R. Fleming, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek
  • Patent number: 9145098
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the formation of high contrast, wavelength independent retroreflective sheeting made by including a light scattering material on at least a portion of the retroreflective sheeting. The light scattering material reduces the brightness of the retroreflective sheeting without substantially changing the appearance of the retroreflective sheeting when viewed under scattered light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Patrick R. Fleming, Thomas J. Dahlin, Thomas V. Kusilek, Robert L. W. Smithson
  • Patent number: 9085121
    Abstract: Methods of preparing adhesive-backed articles and methods of applying adhesives backed articles are described. The adhesive-backed articles include a compliant film and a pressure-sensitive adhesive having a microstructured surface opposite the compliant film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Haruyuki Mikami, Patrick R. Fleming, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek
  • Patent number: 9039245
    Abstract: A light directing composite film includes a planar top major surface, a planar bottom major surface, a plurality of lenticular lens elements disposed between the top major surface and the bottom major surface, and a plurality of light reflection regions and light transmission regions disposed between the plurality of lenticular lens and the planar bottom major surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael A. Meis, David G. Freier, Patrick R. Fleming
  • Publication number: 20150138823
    Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure provides for a light duct sensor that can monitor an average light flux through light duct useful for architectural lighting. The present disclosure provides for a system that allows a minimally obtrusive sampling of the light in a duct. It samples a small fraction of a cross sectional area of a light duct that is distributed across potentially the entire cross sectional area, without creating a significant disturbance to the light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas R. Corrigan, Patrick R. Fleming
  • Patent number: 9033765
    Abstract: A coated abrasive article comprises an abrasive layer secured to a backing. The abrasive layer comprises abrasive particles secured by at least one binder to a first major surface of the backing. A supersize is disposed on at least a portion of the abrasive layer. The coated abrasive article has a melt flow zone adjacent to an edge of the coated abrasive article, wherein the melt flow zone has a maximum width of less than 100 micrometers, and the melt flow zone has a maximum height of less than 40 micrometers. Methods of using infrared lasers to ablate coated abrasive articles are also disclosed, wherein a laser wavelength is matched to a component of the coated abrasive article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Edward J. Woo, Pingfan Wu, Patrick R. Fleming, Ian R. Owen, Schoen A. Schuknecht, Frederick P. LaPlant
  • Patent number: 9025828
    Abstract: One embodiment of the apparatuses, methods, and systems of the present disclosure is a license plate, sticker, or ALPR system having enhanced or increased accuracy. At least one of the license plate, sticker, or ALPR system includes useful information that is transmitted over a first channel and checking information that is transmitted over a second channel. The second channel is devoted solely to transmitting the checking information (e.g., the second channel does not transmit useful information). In other words, the license plates, stickers, and ALPR systems of the present disclosure include at least one channel that is devoted solely to transmitting checking information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gerald L. Karel, Thomas J. Dahlin, Patrick R. Fleming
  • Publication number: 20150070900
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a compact spotlight that can change the area which it illuminates. The spotlight incorporates a wide angle light source, a catadioptric lens, and a bearing system for moving the catadioptric lens, the light source, or both. Movement of the light source relative to the catadioptric lens along the optical axis can change the beam diameter of the spotlight, while providing an acceptable illumination pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Patrick R. Fleming, Thomas R.J. Corrigan, Lars A. Smeenk, Thomas R. Hoffend, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150069916
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for controlling spot lights, such as theater or display lights, which incorporates a handheld remote control that uses intuitive motions for selecting, positioning, dimming and other lighting setup functions. The present disclosure describes a spotlight control device, a lighting system including the spotlight control device, and a method for spotlight control. The spotlight control device incorporates a first light source that emits a first control beam that activates a desired spotlight. The activated spotlight can provide feedback to indicate that it has been activated. A second light source from the control device emits a second control beam that is used to direct the activated spotlight to an illumination region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Patrick R. Fleming, Thomas R.J. Corrigan, Jun Xiao
  • Patent number: D736966
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventor: Patrick R. Fleming
  • Patent number: D768316
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick R. Fleming, Kayla A. McGrath