Patents by Inventor Robert Lee Erwin

Robert Lee Erwin 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: 8827532
    Abstract: Lightguides are disclosed. More particularly, lightguides that include a lightguiding layer and a light extracting layer having a structured surface are disclosed. The light guiding layer is optically coupled to a first set of structures of the structured surface at given locations, and is not optically coupled to a second set of structures at given locations, thereby producing total internal reflection at the second locations. The selective optical coupling may be achieved by a number of different contemplated means as discussed herein. The lightguides allow for distribution of light along with redirection towards an image viewer without a number of commonly required optical elements in backlights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Qingbing Wang, Gary T. Boyd, Tri D. Pham, Robert Lee Erwin, David Scott Thompson
  • Publication number: 20120268967
    Abstract: Lightguides are disclosed. More particularly, lightguides that include a lightguiding layer and a light extracting layer having a structured surface are disclosed. The light guiding layer is optically coupled to a first set of structures of the structured surface at given locations, and is not optically coupled to a second set of structures at given locations, thereby producing total internal reflection at the second locations. The selective optical coupling may be achieved by a number of different contemplated means as discussed herein. The lightguides allow for distribution of light along with redirection towards an image viewer without a number of commonly required optical elements in backlights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Qingbing Wang, Gary T. Boyd, Tri D. Pham, Robert Lee Erwin, David Scott Thompson
  • Publication number: 20120058310
    Abstract: A method for cutting a pattern in a work piece (50), wherein the pattern includes adjacent features (52,53) separated by a pitch spacing P. The method includes providing a cutting tool assembly (74) having a first tool shank with a first cutting tip (22) to create a first feature (52) in the work piece (50) and a second tool shank with a second cutting tip (23) to create a second feature (53) in the work piece (50), wherein a distance Y between the first cutting tip and the second cutting tip is equal to nP, and wherein n is an odd integer greater than 1. The work piece is rotated (C) with respect to the cutting tool assembly (74), and the cutting tool is advanced along a lateral direction (B) with respect to the rotating work piece (50), wherein the cutting tool (74) is advanced along the lateral direction a distance of 2P for each rotation of the work piece (50).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Dale L. Ehnes, Alan B. Campbell, Mark E. Gardiner, Robert Lee Erwin