Patents by Inventor Stephen J. Willett
Stephen J. Willett 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: 20140253849Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to beamsplitters useful in color combiners, and in particular color combiners useful in small size format projectors such as pocket projectors. The disclosed beamsplitters and color combiners include a tilted dichroic reflective polarizer plate having at least two dichroic reflective polarizers tilted at different angles relative to incident light beams, with light collection optics to combine at least two colors of light.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2012Publication date: September 11, 2014Inventors: Yarn Chee Poon, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Philip E. Watson, Xiaohui Cheng, Kim Leong Tan, Stephen J. Willett
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Publication number: 20140211173Abstract: A projection subsystem includes a light engine that provides a collection lens, a collimator and at least one solid state light emitter. A projection lens assembly receives the image and provides a projection beam having a luminous flux level. The projection subsystem has a portability efficacy.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2013Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Patrick R. Destain, Jennifer L. Grace, John E. Duncan, Tomasz A. Pol, William E. Phillips, III, Michael W. O'Keefe, Alexander A. Glinski, Stephen J. Willett
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Patent number: 8654444Abstract: Optical elements, color combiners using the optical elements, and image projectors using the color combiners are described. The optical elements can be configured as color combiners that receive different wavelength spectrums of light and produce a combined light output that includes the different wavelength spectrums of light. In one aspect, the received light inputs are unpolarized, and the combined light output is polarized in a desired state. The optical elements are configured to minimize the passage of light which may be damaging to wavelength-sensitive components in the light combiner. Image projectors using the color combiners can include imaging modules that operate by reflecting or transmitting polarized light.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2009Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Charles L. Bruzzone, Philip E. Watson, Stephen J. Willett, Dale R. Lutz
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Patent number: 8587873Abstract: Wide-angle projection lens, as well as optical engines and projection display devices comprising such projections lens are described. In one embodiment, a wide-angle projection lens is described comprising in sequential order from a screen side a first lens group of negative refractive power, a second lens group of positive refractive power, a third lens group of positive refractive power; and a fourth lens group of positive refractive power. At least one lens group has an aspheric surface. The ratio of the focal length of the wide-angle projection lens (F) to the focal length of each of the lens groups (F1, F2, F3, and F4) is such that |F1/F|>1.3, F2/F>2, 1<F3/F<2 and 1.5<F4/F<8.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2011Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Zhisheng Yun, Stephen J. Willett, Ernesto M. Rodriguez, Jr.
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Patent number: 8542441Abstract: Optical elements, color combiners using the optical elements, and image projectors using the color combiners are described. The optical elements can be configured as color combiners that receive different wavelength spectrums of light and produce a combined light output that includes the different wavelength spectrums of light. The optical elements include a wavelength selective dichroic mirror that reflects a major portion of actinic light that can damage a reflective polarizer within the optical element. The wavelength selective dichroic mirror transmits a major portion of other wavelengths of light. The resulting color combiners using the optical element may have improved durability compared to a color combiner lacking the wavelength selective dichroic mirror. Image projectors using the color combiners can include reflective (including digital micro-mirror) or polarization (including liquid crystal) imaging modules.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2009Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Stephen J. Willett, Charles L. Bruzzone
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Publication number: 20130235464Abstract: Wide-angle projection lens, as well as optical engines and projection display devices comprising such projections lens are described. In one embodiment, a wide-angle projection lens is described comprising in sequential order from a screen side a first lens group of negative refractive power, a second lens group of positive refractive power, a third lens group of positive refractive power; and a fourth lens group of positive refractive power. At least one lens group has an aspheric surface. The ratio of the focal length of the wide-angle projection lens (F) to the focal length of each of the lens groups (F1, F2, F3, and F4) is such that |F1/F|>1.3, F2/F>2, 1<F3/F<2 and 1.5<F4/F<8.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2011Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Zhisheng Yun, Stephen J. Willett, Ernesto M. Rodriguez, JR.
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Patent number: 8459800Abstract: A projection subsystem includes a light engine that provides a collection lens, a collimator and at least one solid state light emitter. A projection lens assembly receives the image and provides a projection beam having a luminous flux level. The projection subsystem has a portability efficacy.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2011Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Patrick R. Destain, Jennifer L. Grace, John E. Duncan, Tomasz A. Pol, William E. Phillips, III, Michael W. O'Keefe, Alexander A. Glinski, Stephen J. Willett
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Publication number: 20130141801Abstract: Projection lens having improved properties such as a high throughput are described. In one embodiment, a projection lens is described comprising in sequential order from a screen side a first lens group, a second lens group of positive refractive power, and a third lens group of positive refractive power. At least one lens group has an aspheric surface. The ratio of the focal length of the projection lens (F) to the focal length of each of the lens groups (F1, F2, and F3) is such that |F1/F|>5, 0.5<|F2/F|<0.9, and 1<F3/F<8. In another embodiment, a projection lens is described comprising in sequential order from a screen side a first lens group, a second lens group of positive refractive power, and a third lens group of positive refractive power. At least one lens group has an aspheric surface. The ratio of the focal length of the projection lens (F) to the focal length of each of the lens groups (F1, F2, and F3) is such that |F1/F|>5, 0.5<|F2/F|<2.0, and 1.4<F3/F<8.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2011Publication date: June 6, 2013Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Zhisheng Yun, Stephen J. Willett
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Patent number: 8408721Abstract: An imaging light source module that includes a plurality of light guides, a plurality of light emitting sources, and an intermediate image surface is disclosed. Each of the plurality of light guides has an entrance face, an exit face, and at least one side wall, and all of the light guides are capable of delivering light along associated light distribution axes intersecting a common reference point. Each of the plurality of light emitting sources delivers light only to a single light guide of the plurality of light guides. The intermediate image surface comprises a plurality of pixels, where each pixel receives light from the exit face of a single associated light guide of the plurality of light guides.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2009Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Roy A. Auerbach, Stephen J. Willett, Simon Magarill
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Publication number: 20130044293Abstract: Projection subsystems are described. More, particularly, projection subsystems that include a light source and a polarizing beam splitter are described. The polarizing beam splitters of the presently described projection subsystems are capable of avoiding performance degradation even after exposure to large doses of incident light.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2012Publication date: February 21, 2013Inventors: Stephen J. Willett, Craig R. Schardt, David J.W. Aastuen
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Publication number: 20120287406Abstract: A projection subsystem includes a light engine that provides a collection lens, a collimator and at least one solid state light emitter. A projection lens assembly receives the image and provides a projection beam having a luminous flux level. The projection subsystem has a portability efficacy.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2011Publication date: November 15, 2012Inventors: Patrick R. Destain, Jennifer L. Grace, John E. Duncan, Tomasz A. Pol, William E. Phillips, III, Michael W. O'Keefe, Alexander Glinski, Stephen J. Willett
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Patent number: 8274220Abstract: A light source, includes an LED emitter and a meniscus lens having a hollow cavity in which the LED emitter is disposed. The meniscus lens is in exemplary embodiments hyperhemispheric, and it produces a high quality optical image of the LED emitter. The cavity of the lens is filled with air, such as terrestrial atmosphere, inert gas, or vacuum.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2011Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Patrick R. Destain, Stephen J. Willett
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Publication number: 20120188519Abstract: A projection system and a display that incorporates the projection system are provided. The projection system includes at least one electroluminescent device that emits a first wavelength of light, at least one semiconductor multilayer stack that downconverts the first wavelength of light to a second wavelength of light, and a scanning optical element that transmits the light along a scanned direction. The electroluminescent device can be part of an array of electroluminescent devices, and can be monolithic. The semiconductor multilayer stack can be part of an array of semiconductor multilayer stacks, and can also be monolithic. The scanning optical element can be positioned to scan the electroluminescent device across the semiconductor multilayer stack, or it can be positioned to scan the downconverted light after it has left the semiconductor multilayer stack.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2010Publication date: July 26, 2012Applicant: 3m Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Stephen J. Willett, Martin B. Wolk, Terry L. Smith, Roy A. Auerbach, Michael A. Haase, Steven G. Saxe, Tommie W. Kelley
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Patent number: 8115384Abstract: A light source, includes an LED emitter and a meniscus lens having a hollow cavity in which the LED emitter is disposed. The meniscus lens is in exemplary embodiments hyperhemispheric, and it produces a high quality optical image of the LED emitter. The cavity of the lens is filled with air, such as terrestrial atmosphere, inert gas, or vacuum.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2007Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Patrick R. Destain, Stephen J. Willett
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Patent number: 8070295Abstract: A projection subsystem includes a light engine that provides a collection lens, a collimator and at least one solid state light emitter. A projection lens assembly receives the image and provides a projection beam having a luminous flux level. The projection subsystem has a portability efficacy.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2011Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Patrick R. Destain, Jennifer L. Grace, John E. Duncan, Tomasz A. Pol, William E. Phillips, III, Michael W. O'Keefe, Alexander Glinski, Stephen J. Willett
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Publication number: 20110242653Abstract: Optical elements, color combiners using the optical elements, and image projectors using the color combiners are described. The optical elements can be configured as color combiners that receive different wavelength spectrums of light and produce a combined light output that includes the different wavelength spectrums of light. In one aspect, the received light inputs are unpolarized, and the combined light output is polarized in a desired state. The optical elements are configured to minimize the passage of light which may be damaging to wavelength-sensitive components in the light combiner. Image projectors using the color combiners can include imaging modules that operate by reflecting or transmitting polarized light.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2009Publication date: October 6, 2011Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Charles L. Bruzzone, Philip E. Watson, Stephen J. Willett, Dale R. Lutz
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Publication number: 20110241518Abstract: A light source, includes an LED emitter and a meniscus lens having a hollow cavity in which the LED emitter is disposed. The meniscus lens is in exemplary embodiments hyperhemispheric, and it produces a high quality optical image of the LED emitter. The cavity of the lens is filled with air, such as terrestrial atmosphere, inert gas, or vacuum.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2011Publication date: October 6, 2011Inventors: Patrick R. Destain, Stephen J. Willett
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Publication number: 20110216396Abstract: Optical elements, color combiners using the optical elements, and image projectors using the color combiners are described. The optical elements can be configured as color combiners that receive different wavelength spectrums of light and produce a combined light output that includes the different wavelength spectrums of light. The optical elements include a wavelength selective dichroic mirror that reflects a major portion of actinic light that can damage a reflective polarizer within the optical element. The wavelength selective dichroic mirror transmits a major portion of other wavelengths of light. The resulting color combiners using the optical element may have improved durability compared to a color combiner lacking the wavelength selective dichroic mirror. Image projectors using the color combiners can include reflective (including digital micro-mirror) or polarization (including liquid crystal) imaging modules.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2009Publication date: September 8, 2011Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Stephen J. Willett, Charles L. Bruzzone
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Publication number: 20110141442Abstract: An imaging light source module that includes a plurality of light guides, a plurality of light emitting sources, and an intermediate image surface is disclosed. Each of the plurality of light guides has an entrance face, an exit face, and at least one side wall, and all of the light guides are capable of delivering light along associated light distribution axes intersecting a common reference point. Each of the plurality of light emitting sources delivers light only to a single light guide of the plurality of light guides. The intermediate image surface comprises a plurality of pixels, where each pixel receives light from the exit face of a single associated light guide of the plurality of light guides.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2009Publication date: June 16, 2011Inventors: Roy A. Auerbach, Stephen J. Willett, Simon Magarill
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Publication number: 20110122371Abstract: A projection subsystem includes a light engine that provides a collection lens, a collimator and at least one solid state light emitter. A projection lens assembly receives the image and provides a projection beam having a luminous flux level. The projection subsystem has a portability efficacy.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2011Publication date: May 26, 2011Inventors: Patrick R. Destain, Jennifer L. Grace, John E. Duncan, Tomasz A. Pol, William E. Phillips, III, Michael W. O'Keefe, Alexander Glinski, Stephen J. Willett