Patents by Inventor Robert C. Gardner
Robert C. Gardner 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).
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Publication number: 20150378088Abstract: Illumination systems are described for illuminating a target area, e.g., a floor of a room, using active illumination devices in optical communication with passive illumination devices. The active and passive illumination devices of the illumination system are configured and arranged relative to each other in a variety of ways so a variety of intensity distributions can be provided by the illumination system. Such illumination system is implemented to provide light for particular lighting applications, including office lighting, garage lighting, or cabinet lighting.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2014Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: Hans Peter STORMBERG, Louis LERMAN, Robert C. GARDNER, Ingo SPEIER, Allan Brent YORK
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Publication number: 20150333234Abstract: Light-emitting elements such as LEDs are associated with light-converting material such as phosphor and/or other material. A donor substrate comprising the light-converting and/or other material is suitably placed relative to a target substrate associated with the light-emitting elements. A laser or other energy source is then used to transfer the light-converting and/or other material in a pattern via writing or masking from the donor substrate to the target substrate in accordance with the pattern. Addressability and targetability of the transfer process facilitates precise patterning of the target substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2015Publication date: November 19, 2015Inventors: Ingo Speier, Robert C. Gardner, Louis Lerman, Christopher H. Lowery, Allan Brent York
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Publication number: 20150241024Abstract: A luminaire module delivers light with a beam angle of ?. The luminaire module includes a light emitting module and a reflector positioned symmetrically about an axis. Light produced by the light emitting module exits the light emitting module from one or more spatially-extended light emitting portions. The light emitting portion(s) is (are) fully contained within a spatially extended notional design envelope which is used to guide the design of reflector and its corresponding reflective surface, such that when any light exiting the light emitting portions through the design envelope strikes the reflective surface of the reflector, the light does not return to the source and escapes from the luminaire module within a beam angle ?, with no more than a single reflection from a reflector.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2013Publication date: August 27, 2015Inventors: George E. Smith, Robert C. Gardner, Roland H. Haitz, Louis Lerman
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Patent number: 9103953Abstract: This is directed to a LED light fixture having a shaped light guide array with a CPC reflector for directing light off-axis, and methods for constructing the same. A LED light fixture includes a LED module providing light and an elongated light guide array placed adjacent to the LED module. The elongated light guide array can include a curved outer surface through which light is emitted into an environment. To further control the output of light, and to direct light off-axis, the light guide array can include a CPC reflector disposed around a boundary or periphery of the light guide array. The CPC reflector can be angled such that light is directed at angles above a cut-off angle by which the reflector is rotated about a focus.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2011Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Lunera Lighting Inc.Inventors: Robert C. Gardner, Christopher H. Lowery
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Light-Emitting Device with Remote Scattering Element and Total Internal Reflection Extractor Element
Publication number: 20150219820Abstract: A variety of light-emitting devices are disclosed that are configured to output light provided by a light-emitting element (LEE). In general, embodiments of the light-emitting devices feature a light-emitting element, a scattering element that is spaced apart from the light-emitting element and an extractor element coupled to the scattering element, where the extractor element includes, at least in part, a total internal reflection surface. Luminaires incorporating light-emitting devices of this type are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2013Publication date: August 6, 2015Inventors: Hans Peter Stormberg, Robert C. Gardner, Gregory A. Magel, Ferdinand Schinagl, Roland H. Haitz -
Patent number: 9081125Abstract: A variety of illumination devices are disclosed that are configured to manipulate light provided by one or more light-emitting elements (LEEs). In general, embodiments of the illumination devices feature one or more optical couplers that redirect illumination from the LEEs to a reflector which then directs the light into a range of angles. In some embodiments, the illumination device includes a second reflector that reflects at least some of the light from the first reflector. In certain embodiments, the illumination device includes a light guide that guides light from the collector to the first reflector. The components of the illumination device can be configured to provide illumination devices that can provide a variety of intensity distributions. Such illumination devices can be configured to provide light for particular lighting applications, including office lighting, task lighting, cabinet lighting, garage lighting, wall wash, stack lighting, and downlighting.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2013Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Quarkstar LLCInventors: Wilson Dau, Robert C. Gardner, George Lerman, Louis Lerman, Christopher H. Lowery, Brian D. Ogonowsky, George E. Smith, Ingo Speier, Robert V. Steele, Jacqueline Teng, Allan Brent York, Hans Peter Stormberg
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Patent number: 9034674Abstract: Light-emitting elements such as LEDs are associated with light-converting material such as phosphor and/or other material. A donor substrate comprising the light-converting and/or other material is suitably placed relative to a target substrate associated with the light-emitting elements. A laser or other energy source is then used to transfer the light-converting and/or other material in a pattern via writing or masking from the donor substrate to the target substrate in accordance with the pattern. Addressability and targetability of the transfer process facilitates precise patterning of the target substrate.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Quarkstar LLCInventors: Ingo Speier, Robert C. Gardner, Louis Lerman, Chris Lowery, Allan Brent York
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Patent number: 9028120Abstract: A variety of illumination devices are disclosed that are configured to manipulate light provided by one or more light-emitting elements (LEEs). In general, embodiments of the illumination devices feature one or more optical couplers that redirect illumination from the LEEs to a reflector which then directs the light into a range of angles. In some embodiments, the illumination device includes a second reflector that reflects at least some of the light from the first reflector. In certain embodiments, the illumination device includes a light guide that guides light from the collector to the first reflector. The components of the illumination device can be configured to provide illumination devices that can provide a variety of intensity distributions. Such illumination devices can be configured to provide light for particular lighting applications, including office lighting, task lighting, cabinet lighting, garage lighting, wall wash, stack lighting, and downlighting.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2012Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Quarkstar LLCInventors: Wilson Dau, Robert C. Gardner, George Lerman, Louis Lerman, Christopher H. Lowery, Brian D. Ogonowsky, George E. Smith, Ingo Speier, Robert V. Steele, Jacqueline Teng, Allan Brent York
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Publication number: 20150003059Abstract: A variety of light-emitting devices for general illumination utilizing solid state light sources (e.g., light emitting diodes) are disclosed. In general, the devices include a scattering element in combination with an extractor element. The scattering element, which may include elastic and/or inelastic scattering centers, is spaced apart from the light source element. Opposite sides of the scattering element have asymmetric optical interfaces, there being a larger refractive index mismatch at the interface facing the light emitting element than the interface between the scattering element and the extractor element. Such a structure favors forward scattering of light from the scattering element. In other words, the system favors scattering out of the scattering element into the extractor element over backscattering light towards the light source element.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2012Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Roland H. Haitz, George E. Smith, Robert C. Gardner, Louis Lerman
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Patent number: 8899808Abstract: A luminaire module includes at least one light-emitting element (LEE); a light guide (LG) extending in a first direction from a first end of LG to a second end of LG to receive at the first end light emitted by the LEE and configured to guide the light to the second end; and an optical extractor (OE) optically coupled to LG at the second end to receive light from the LEE guided from the first end to the second end of LG. OE includes a first interface configured to reflect a first portion of the light exiting the LG and transmit a second portion of the light exiting the LG so that the second portion of the light exits OE to an ambient environment in the first direction, and a second interface configured to transmit light incident thereon to the ambient environment in a direction different from the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2014Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Quarkstar LLCInventors: Ingo Speier, Wilson Dau, Robert C. Gardner, George Lerman, Louis Lerman, Christopher H. Lowery, Brian D. Ogonowsky, George E. Smith, Robert V. Steele, Jacqueline Teng, Allan Brent York
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Publication number: 20140334126Abstract: A variety of light-emitting devices are disclosed that are configured to output light provided by a light source. In general, embodiments of the light-emitting devices feature a light source and an extractor element coupled to the light source, where the extractor element includes, at least in part, a total internal reflection (TIR) surface. Luminaires incorporating light-emitting devices of this type are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2014Publication date: November 13, 2014Inventors: Ingo Speier, Hans Peter Stormberg, Robert C. Gardner, Gregory A. Magel, Ferdinand Schinagl, Roland H. Haitz
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Publication number: 20140306250Abstract: The present technology provides a solid-state lighting device and method of manufacturing same. The device can include a carrier substrate having registration features on a first side; light-emitting elements (LEEs) operatively coupled with the registration features; electrically conductive elements (ECEs) operatively coupled with a first side, where the ECEs operatively interconnect the LEEs; and one or more cover layers operatively coupled with the LEEs. The ECEs, furthermore, can be configured to operatively connect the LEEs to a source of power.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2012Publication date: October 16, 2014Applicant: Quarkstar LLCInventors: Robert C. Gardner, Christopher H. Lowery, Allan Brent York
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Patent number: 8833969Abstract: An illumination system is described including a plurality of illumination devices, each device including (i) light-emitting elements (LEEs) arranged along a corresponding first axis; (ii) an optical extractor extending along a corresponding longitudinal axis parallel to the first axis; and (iii) a light guide positioned to receive at a first end of the light guide light emitted by the LEEs and guide it to a second end of the light guide. The optical extractor is optically coupled to the light guide at the second end and is shaped to redirect the light guided by the light guide into a range of angles on either side of the light guide. The illumination devices are connected to each other to form a polygon such that the longitudinal axes of the connected illumination devices lie in a common plane.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2013Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Quarkstar LLCInventors: Ingo Speier, Wilson Dau, Robert C. Gardner, George Lerman, Louis Lerman, Christopher H. Lowery, Brian D. Ogonowsky, George E. Smith, Robert V. Steele, Jacqueline Teng, Allan Brent York
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Publication number: 20140126235Abstract: A luminaire module includes at least one light-emitting element (LEE); a light guide (LG) extending in a first direction from a first end of LG to a second end of LG to receive at the first end light emitted by the LEE and configured to guide the light to the second end; and an optical extractor (OE) optically coupled to LG at the second end to receive light from the LEE guided from the first end to the second end of LG. OE includes a first interface configured to reflect a first portion of the light exiting the LG and transmit a second portion of the light exiting the LG so that the second portion of the light exits OE to an ambient environment in the first direction, and a second interface configured to transmit light incident thereon to the ambient environment in a direction different from the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2014Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: Quarkstar LLCInventors: Ingo Speier, Wilson Dau, Robert C. Gardner, George Lerman, Louis Lerman, Christopher H. Lowery, Brian D. Ogonowsky, George E. Smith, Robert V. Steele, Jacqueline Teng, Allan Brent York
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Publication number: 20140104868Abstract: An illumination system is described including a plurality of illumination devices, each device including (i) light-emitting elements (LEEs) arranged along a corresponding first axis; (ii) an optical extractor extending along a corresponding longitudinal axis parallel to the first axis; and (iii) a light guide positioned to receive at a first end of the light guide light emitted by the LEEs and guide it to a second end of the light guide. The optical extractor is optically coupled to the light guide at the second end and is shaped to redirect the light guided by the light guide into a range of angles on either side of the light guide. The illumination devices are connected to each other to form a polygon such that the longitudinal axes of the connected illumination devices lie in a common plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: Quarkstar LLCInventors: Ingo Speier, Wilson Dau, Robert C. Gardner, George Lerman, Louis Lerman, Christopher H. Lowery, Brian D. Ogonowsky, George E. Smith, Robert V. Steele, Jacqueline Teng, Allan Brent York
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Patent number: 8602586Abstract: A variety of illumination devices are disclosed that are configured to manipulate light provided by one or more light-emitting elements (LEEs). In general, embodiments of the illumination devices feature one or more optical couplers that redirect illumination from the LEEs to a reflector which then directs the light into a range of angles. In some embodiments, the illumination device includes a second reflector that reflects at least some of the light from the first reflector. In certain embodiments, the illumination device includes a light guide that guides light from the collector to the first reflector. The components of the illumination device can be configured to provide illumination devices that can provide a variety of intensity distributions. Such illumination devices can be configured to provide light for particular lighting applications, including office lighting, task lighting, cabinet lighting, garage lighting, wall wash, stack lighting, and downlighting.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Quarkstar LLCInventors: Wilson Dau, Robert C. Gardner, George Lerman, Louis Lerman, Christopher H. Lowery, Brian D. Ogonowsky, George E. Smith, Ingo Speier, Robert V. Steele, Jacqueline Teng, Allan Brent York
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Patent number: 8506112Abstract: A variety of illumination devices are disclosed that are configured to manipulate light provided by one or more light-emitting elements (LEEs). In general, embodiments of the illumination devices feature one or more optical couplers that redirect illumination from the LEEs to a reflector which then directs the light into a range of angles. In some embodiments, the illumination device includes a second reflector that reflects at least some of the light from the first reflector. In certain embodiments, the illumination device includes a light guide that guides light from the collector to the first reflector. The components of the illumination device can be configured to provide illumination devices that can provide a variety of intensity distributions. Such illumination devices can be configured to provide light for particular lighting applications, including office lighting, task lighting, cabinet lighting, garage lighting, wall wash, stack lighting, and downlighting.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Quarkstar LLCInventors: Wilson Dau, Robert C. Gardner, George Lerman, Louis Lerman, Christopher H. Lowery, Brian D. Ogonowsky, George E. Smith, Ingo Speier, Robert V. Steele, Jacqueline Teng, Allan Brent York
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Publication number: 20130201715Abstract: A variety of illumination devices are disclosed that are configured to manipulate light provided by one or more light-emitting elements (LEEs). In general, embodiments of the illumination devices feature one or more optical couplers that redirect illumination from the LEEs to a reflector which then directs the light into a range of angles. In some embodiments, the illumination device includes a second reflector that reflects at least some of the light from the first reflector. In certain embodiments, the illumination device includes a light guide that guides light from the collector to the first reflector. The components of the illumination device can be configured to provide illumination devices that can provide a variety of intensity distributions. Such illumination devices can be configured to provide light for particular lighting applications, including office lighting, task lighting, cabinet lighting, garage lighting, wall wash, stack lighting, and downlighting.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2012Publication date: August 8, 2013Applicant: Quarkstar LLCInventors: Wilson Dau, Robert C. Gardner, George Lerman, Louis Lerman, Christopher H. Lowery, Brian D. Ogonowsky, George E. Smith, Ingo Speier, Robert V. Steele, Jacqueline Teng, Allan Brent York
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Publication number: 20130037838Abstract: Light-emitting elements such as LEDs are associated with light-converting material such as phosphor and/or other material. A donor substrate comprising the light-converting and/or other material is suitably placed relative to a target substrate associated with the light-emitting elements. A laser or other energy source is then used to transfer the light-converting and/or other material in a pattern via writing or masking from the donor substrate to the target substrate in accordance with the pattern. Addressability and targetability of the transfer process facilitates precise patterning of the target substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2012Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: QUARKSTAR LLCInventors: Ingo Speier, Robert C. Gardner, Louis Lerman, Chris Lowery, Allan Brent York
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Publication number: 20130039090Abstract: A variety of illumination devices are disclosed that are configured to manipulate light provided by one or more light-emitting elements (LEEs). In general, embodiments of the illumination devices feature one or more optical couplers that redirect illumination from the LEEs to a reflector which then directs the light into a range of angles. In some embodiments, the illumination device includes a second reflector that reflects at least some of the light from the first reflector. In certain embodiments, the illumination device includes a light guide that guides light from the collector to the first reflector. The components of the illumination device can be configured to provide illumination devices that can provide a variety of intensity distributions. Such illumination devices can be configured to provide light for particular lighting applications, including office lighting, task lighting, cabinet lighting, garage lighting, wall wash, stack lighting, and downlighting.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2012Publication date: February 14, 2013Inventors: Wilson Dau, Robert C. Gardner, George Lerman, Louis Lerman, Christopher H. Lowery, Brian D. Ogonowsky, George E. Smith, Ingo Speier, Robert V. Steele, Jacqueline Teng, Allan Brent York