Patents by Inventor Russell W. Gruhlke

Russell W. Gruhlke 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: 5897184
    Abstract: A reduced-thickness backlighter for an autostereoscopic display is disclosed having a lightguide and at least one light source parallel to an edge of the lightguide so as to be substantially coplanar with the lightguide. The lightguide is provided with a first surface which has a plurality of reflective linear regions, such as elongated grooves or glossy lines, parallel to the illuminated edge of the lightguide. Preferably the lightguide further has a second surface which has a plurality of lenticular lenses for reimaging the reflected light from the linear regions into a series of thin vertical lines outside the guide. Because of the reduced thickness of the backlighter system, autostereoscopic viewing is enabled in applications requiring thin backlighter systems. In addition to taking up less space, the reduced-thickness backlighter uses less lamps and less power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Dimension Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse B Eichenlaub, Russell W Gruhlke
  • Patent number: 5841143
    Abstract: A detection method is integrated with a filtering method and an enhancement method to create a fluorescence sensor (10) that can be miniaturized. The fluorescence sensor (10) comprises a thin film geometry including a waveguide layer (16), a metal film layer (20) and sensor layer (32). The thin film geometry of the fluorescence sensor allows the detection of fluorescent radiation over a narrow wavelength interval. This enables wavelength discrimination and eliminates the detection of unwanted light from unknown or spurious sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Margaret Tuma, Russell W. Gruhlke