Patents by Inventor Richard F. Griffith

Richard F. Griffith 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: 8579492
    Abstract: An optical film for use in transparent displays, such as reflective LCDs. The optical film has three-dimensional, prismatic structures that reflect incoming light. The prismatic structures are configured so that the reflecting facets orient the reflected light in desired reflective light pattern. The pattern shape and intensity can be controlled by the shape and dimensions of the various reflecting facets. In one embodiment, the height of the prismatic structure varies along two dimensions of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Epstein, Richard F. Griffith, Alan B. Campbell
  • Patent number: 7695180
    Abstract: Illumination assemblies and systems using same are disclosed. The illumination assembly can include a reflective substrate, and a light source unit including one or more light sources capable of producing illumination light. The assembly can further include a first light extraction surface including an azimuthal beam widening topography, where the first light extraction surface is positioned such that the light source unit is between the first light extraction surface and the reflective substrate. The first light extraction surface can face the light source unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Craig R. Schardt, D. Scott Thompson, Kenneth A. Epstein, Brian W. Ostlie, Richard F. Griffith, Kenneth L. Smith
  • Patent number: 6626545
    Abstract: The present invention is a light directing construction for use in a display apparatus. The light directing construction includes a light directing film that has a prismatic structure having two sides, where one side includes saw tooth formations having tilted surfaces, and a metal coating on the side of the prismatic substrate having the saw-tooth formations. A corrosion-resistant feature is provided on the light directing construction to minimize the effects of corrosion experienced in salt atmospheres. In a first embodiment of the invention, the light directing construction includes an intermediate layer positioned between the light directing film and the metal coating. In a second embodiment of the invention, a peripheral polymeric coating is provided on the light directing constriction. This peripheral coating can be formed with a laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Timothy J. Gardner, Richard F. Griffith
  • Patent number: 6590711
    Abstract: The present invention is a light directing construction for use in a display apparatus. The light directing construction includes a light directing film that has a prismatic structure having two sides, where one side includes saw tooth formations having tilted surfaces, and a metal coating on the side of the prismatic substrate having the saw-tooth formations. A corrosion-resistant feature is provided on the light directing construction to minimize the effects of corrosion experienced in salt atmospheres. In a first embodiment of the invention, the light directing construction includes an intermediate layer positioned between the light directing film and the metal coating. In a second embodiment of the invention, a peripheral polymeric coating is provided on the light directing constriction. This peripheral coating can be formed with a laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Gardner, Richard F. Griffith, Lavern L. Linse, Leo A. Meyer, James A. Stevenson
  • Publication number: 20030095332
    Abstract: The present invention is a light directing construction for use in a display apparatus. The light directing construction includes a light directing film that has a prismatic structure having two sides, where one side includes saw tooth formations having tilted surfaces, and a metal coating on the side of the prismatic substrate having the saw-tooth formations. A corrosion-resistant feature is provided on the light directing construction to minimize the effects of corrosion experienced in salt atmospheres. In a first embodiment of the invention, the light directing construction includes an intermediate layer positioned between the light directing film and the metal coating. In a second embodiment of the invention, a peripheral polymeric coating is provided on the light directing constriction. This peripheral coating can be formed with a laser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Timothy J. Gardner, Richard F. Griffith, Lavern L. Linse, Leo A. Meyer, James A. Stevenson
  • Publication number: 20030058553
    Abstract: An optical film for use in transparent displays, such as reflective LCDs. The optical film has three-dimensional, prismatic structures that reflect incoming light. The prismatic structures are configured so that the reflecting facets orient the reflected light in desired reflective light pattern. The pattern shape and intensity can be controlled by the shape and dimensions of the various reflecting facets. In one embodiment, the height of the prismatic structure varies along two dimensions of the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Epstein, Richard F. Griffith, Alan B. Campbell
  • Publication number: 20030035231
    Abstract: An optical film for use in transparent displays, such as reflective LCDs. The optical film has three-dimensional, prismatic structures that reflect incoming light. The prismatic structures are elongate structures configured so that the reflecting facets orient the reflected light in desired reflective light pattern. The pattern shape and intensity can be controlled by the shape and dimensions of the various reflecting facets. In one embodiment, the height of the prismatic structure varies along the elongate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Epstein, Richard F. Griffith, Alan J. Campbell
  • Patent number: 5701009
    Abstract: Gas detector includes structure (10) defining a gas flow passage (11), means (12) for passing an ultraviolet light beam (13) across the passage, and first and second electrodes (16, 17) downstream of the ultraviolet light means (12), at least one of the first and second electrodes (16, 17) being in the form of a series of electrically separate segments (16a, 17a) extending in a downstream direction, the electrodes (16, 17) being connectable to potential applying means (18) and to means (20) whereby the current passing through each segment (16a, 17a) of a segmented electrode (16, 17) can be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of Defence and Evaluation Research Agency
    Inventors: Richard F. Griffiths, Christopher David Jones
  • Patent number: 5616822
    Abstract: A calibration system includes an air system having a blower unit (10), a flow meter (16) and means (15) for controlling an airflow through a mixing manifold (17) to which a metered amount of a test gas can be added from either a mass flow controller (19) or a syringe drive unit (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, a British Corporation Sole
    Inventors: Richard F. Griffiths, John Lawrence, Aled Williams