Patents by Inventor Travis L. Potts
Travis L. Potts 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: 20190391304Abstract: The present disclosure includes in one instance an optical article comprising a data rich plurality of retroreflective meats that are configured in a spatially defined arrangement, where the plurality of retroreflective elements comprise retroreflective elements having at least two different retroreflective properties, and where data rich means information that is readily machine interpretable. The present disclosure also includes a system comprising the previously mentioned optical article, an optical system, and an inference engine for interpreting and classifying the plurality of retroreflective elements wherein the optical system feeds data to the inference engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2017Publication date: December 26, 2019Inventors: Michael A. McCoy, Glenn E. Casner, Anne C. Gold, Silvia Geciova-Borovova Guttmann, Charles A. Shaklee, Robert W. Shannon, Gautam Singh, Guruprasad Somasundaram, Andrew H. Tilstra, John A. Wheatley, Caroline M. Ylitalo, Arash Sangari, Alexandra R. Cunliffe, Jonathan D. Gandrud, Kui Chen-Ho, Travis L. Potts, Maja Giese, Andreas M. Geldmacher, Katja Hansen, Markus G.W. Lierse, Neeraj Sharma
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Publication number: 20190304303Abstract: Disclosed is an identification system to improve safety on roads and allow for the driver or for the vehicle itself, if it is autonomous or semi-autonomous, to have readable and useful information about road signs, roadways, and adjacent roadway information. The disclosed identification system comprises a marker with marker communication information that can be read by a vehicle information system to provide information to the vehicle. Information that the marker communication information may convey would allow the vehicle information system to detect or recognize, or both detect and recognize critical road sign, roadway information, and adjacent roadway information. Then, the vehicle information system could respond to the information received from the marker communication information.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: Jeffrey D. Janovec, Kenneth L. Smith, Michael R. Duoos, Todd A. Ballen, Travis L. Potts, James Howard, Thomas J. Dahlin
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Patent number: 10339804Abstract: Disclosed is an identification system to improve safety on roads and allow for the driver or for the vehicle itself, if it is autonomous or semi-autonomous, to have readable and useful information about road signs, roadways, and adjacent roadway information. The disclosed identification system comprises a marker with marker communication information that can be read by a vehicle information system to provide information to the vehicle. Information that the marker communication information may convey would allow the vehicle information system to detect or recognize, or both detect and recognize critical road sign, roadway information, and adjacent roadway information. Then, the vehicle information system could respond to the information received from the marker communication information.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2015Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Jeffrey D. Janovec, Kenneth L. Smith, Michael R. Duoos, Todd A. Ballen, Travis L. Potts, James Howard, Thomas J. Dahlin
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Publication number: 20190163980Abstract: In some examples, an optically active article includes a retroreflective substrate; and at least one security element disposed at the retroreflective substrate; an article message disposed at the retroreflective substrate, and wherein the at least one security element comprises validation information that is detectable outside a visible light spectrum, and wherein a combination of the article message and the validation information of the at least one security element indicates whether the optically active article is counterfeit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2017Publication date: May 30, 2019Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Justin M. JOHNSON, James W. HOWARD, James B. SNYDER, Kui CHEN-HO, Suman K. PATEL, Travis L. POTTS, Carla H. BARNES, Tadesse G. NIGATU
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Patent number: 10017001Abstract: Laser-personalizable security articles include multi-layer security documents. The multi-layer security document includes an optically transparent cover layer, a composite image and an imagable layer adjacent to the cover layer. The first surface of the cover layer is at least partially a microstructured surface, where the microstructured surface forms microlenses or a lenticular surface. The composite image is made by a collection of complete or partial images viewed through the microstructured surface of the cover layer. The composite image is located on or within the second surface of the cover layer. The imagable layer is a laser imagable layer. When imaged, a personalized second composite three dimensional image is created on or in the imagable layer.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2012Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kui Chen-Ho, Christopher K. Haas, Douglas S. Dunn, Steven Hin-Chung Kong, David B. Olson, Randy A. Larson, Travis L. Potts
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Publication number: 20170372607Abstract: Disclosed is an identification system to improve safety on roads and allow for the driver or for the vehicle itself, if it is autonomous or semi-autonomous, to have readable and useful information about road signs, roadways, and adjacent roadway information. The disclosed identification system comprises a marker with marker communication information that can be read by a vehicle information system to provide information to the vehicle. Information that the marker communication information may convey would allow the vehicle information system to detect or recognize, or both detect and recognize critical road sign, roadway information, and adjacent roadway information. Then, the vehicle information system could respond to the information received from the marker communication information.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2015Publication date: December 28, 2017Inventors: Jeffrey D. JANOVEC, Kenneth L. SMITH, Michael R. DUOOS, Todd A. BALLEN, Travis L. POTTS, James HOWARD, Thomas J. DAHLIN
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Patent number: 9575233Abstract: A reflective film includes interior layers arranged to selectively reflect light by constructive or destructive interference, the layers extending from a first zone to a second zone of the film. The film has a first thickness and the interior layers provide a first reflective characteristic in the first zone; the film has a second thickness and the interior layers provide a second reflective characteristic in the second zone. The difference between the first and second reflective characteristics is not substantially attributable to any difference between the first and second thicknesses, which difference may be zero. Rather, the difference in the reflective characteristics is substantially attributable to reduced birefringence of at least some of the interior layers in one zone relative to the other zone. The film may also incorporate absorbing agents to assist in the manufacture or processing of the film. Related methods and articles are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William W. Merrill, Douglas S. Dunn, Travis L. Potts
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Publication number: 20150267098Abstract: A method of making shaped ceramic abrasive particles includes cutting a layer of ceramic precursor material using a laser beam and forming shaped ceramic precursor particles. Further thermal processing provides shaped ceramic abrasive particles. Shaped ceramic abrasive particles producible by the methods and abrasive articles containing them are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2015Publication date: September 24, 2015Inventors: Dennis G. Welygan, Charles J. Studiner, IV, Dwight D. Erickson, Scott A. Baum, Travis L. Potts
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Patent number: 8879151Abstract: A reflective film includes interior layers arranged to selectively reflect light by constructive or destructive interference, the layers extending from a first zone to a second zone of the film. The film has a first thickness and the interior layers provide a first reflective characteristic in the first zone; the film has a second thickness and the interior layers provide a second reflective characteristic in the second zone. The difference between the first and second reflective characteristics is not substantially attributable to any difference between the first and second thicknesses, which difference may be zero. Rather, the difference in the reflective characteristics is substantially attributable to reduced birefringence of at least some of the interior layers in one zone relative to the other zone. The film may also incorporate absorbing agents to assist in the manufacture or processing of the film. Related methods and articles are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2009Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William Ward Merrill, Douglas S. Dunn, Travis L. Potts
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Publication number: 20140308491Abstract: A reflective film includes interior layers arranged to selectively reflect light by constructive or destructive interference, the layers extending from a first zone to a second zone of the film. The film has a first thickness and the interior layers provide a first reflective characteristic in the first zone; the film has a second thickness and the interior layers provide a second reflective characteristic in the second zone. The difference between the first and second reflective characteristics is not substantially attributable to any difference between the first and second thicknesses, which difference may be zero. Rather, the difference in the reflective characteristics is substantially attributable to reduced birefringence of at least some of the interior layers in one zone relative to the other zone. The film may also incorporate absorbing agents to assist in the manufacture or processing of the film. Related methods and articles are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2014Publication date: October 16, 2014Inventors: William W. Merrill, Douglas S. Dunn, Travis L. Potts
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Patent number: 8857028Abstract: A virtual image (VI) device displays an image that appears to lie above or below the plane of the device. A method of manufacturing a VI display device includes calculating an initial VI flux pattern based on an object and then fabricating a substrate having a VI array pattern based on the initial VI flux pattern. A plurality of lenses may then be applied over the VI array pattern. The VI substrate may be static or dynamic, and may show grey scale information. A photomask may be used as an intermediate element in the manufacture of the VI substrate, or may act as the VI substrate itself. A method of producing the initial VI flux pattern includes virtually tracing rays generated by different points of the object to an image plane and ii) summing the rays from the different points. The rays may be traced through a lens array.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2009Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Brian J. Gates, Charles A. Marttila, Travis L. Potts, Serge Wetzels
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Patent number: 8846160Abstract: A method for building three-dimensional articles using a thermal polymerization process in provided. The articles are built by using a composition that includes a thermally polymerizable composition, a thermal initiator, and a nonlinear light-to-heat conversion material such as a reverse saturable dye. The article is built by the sequential exposure of adjacent voxels with a laser beam. Microlens arrays can be used to expose more than one voxel at a time.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2009Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Pingfan Wu, Ying-Yuh Lu, Robin E. Wright, Robert J. DeVoe, Travis L. Potts, Douglas S. Dunn, Wayne S. Mahoney, Dong-Wei Zhu
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Publication number: 20140197625Abstract: Laser-personalizable security articles include multi-layer security documents. The multi-layer security document includes an optically transparent cover layer, a composite image and an imagable layer adjacent to the cover layer. The first surface of the cover layer is at least partially a microstructured surface, where the microstructured surface forms microlenses or a lenticular surface. The composite image is made by a collection of complete or partial images viewed through the microstructured surface of the cover layer. The composite image is located on or within the second surface of the cover layer. The imagable layer is a laser imagable layer. When imaged, a personalized second composite three dimensional image is created on or in the imagable layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2012Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Kui Chen-Ho, Christopher K. Haas, Douglas S. Dunn, Steven Hin-Chung Kong, David B. Olson, Randy A. Larson, Travis L. Potts
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Patent number: 8586285Abstract: A sheeting and a method of forming a sheeting from a master tool are described where the sheeting has a composite image that floats above or below the sheeting. The method includes providing a first sheeting comprising a first array of microlenses and a photopolymerizable first material layer adjacent to the first array of microlenses. Another step is exposing the first sheeting to a radiation source to form a master tool comprising a plurality of polymerized first structured areas in the first material layer, wherein at least some of the first structured areas include a portion shape in common with at least some of the first structured areas and wherein each first structured area is associated with one of the first array of microlenses. Yet another step is replicating the plurality of first structured areas using a substance that conforms to the plurality of structured areas to form a second material layer having a plurality of replicated structured areas.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2008Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Brian J. Gates, Robert T. Krasa, Travis L. Potts, Serge Wetzels
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Publication number: 20130212952Abstract: A method of making shaped ceramic abrasive particles includes cutting a layer of ceramic precursor material using a laser beam and forming shaped ceramic precursor particles. Further thermal processing provides shaped ceramic abrasive particles. Shaped ceramic abrasive particles producible by the methods and abrasive articles containing them are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2011Publication date: August 22, 2013Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Dennis G. Welygan, Charles J. Studiner, IV, Dwight D. Erickson, Scott A. Baum, Edward J. Woo, Pingfan Wu, Travis L. Potts
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Publication number: 20110269865Abstract: A method for building three-dimensional articles using a thermal polymerization process in provided. The articles are built by using a composition that includes a thermally polymerizable composition, a thermal initiator, and a nonlinear light-to-heat conversion material such as a reverse saturable dye. The article is built by the sequential exposure of adjacent voxels with a laser beam. Microlens arrays can be used to expose more than one voxel at a time.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2009Publication date: November 3, 2011Inventors: Pingfan Wu, Ying-Yuh Lu, Robin E. Wright, Robin J. DeVoe, Travis L. Potts, Douglas S. Dunn, Wayne S. Mahoney, Dong-Wei Zhu
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Publication number: 20110255163Abstract: A reflective film includes interior layers arranged to selectively reflect light by constructive or destructive interference, the layers extending from a first zone to a second zone of the film. The film has a first thickness and the interior layers provide a first reflective characteristic in the first zone; the film has a second thickness and the interior layers provide a second reflective characteristic in the second zone. The difference between the first and second reflective characteristics is not substantially attributable to any difference between the first and second thicknesses, which difference may be zero. Rather, the difference in the reflective characteristics is substantially attributable to reduced birefringence of at least some of the interior layers in one zone relative to the other zone. The film may also incorporate absorbing agents to assist in the manufacture or processing of the film. Related methods and articles are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2009Publication date: October 20, 2011Inventors: William Ward Merrill, Douglas S. Dunn, Travis L. Potts
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Publication number: 20110179631Abstract: A virtual image (VI) device displays an image that appears to lie above or below the plane of the device. A method of manufacturing a VI display device includes calculating an initial VI flux pattern based on an object and then fabricating a substrate having a VI array pattern based on the initial VI flux pattern. A plurality of lenses may then be applied over the VI array pattern. The VI substrate may be static or dynamic, and may show grey scale information. A photomask may be used as an intermediate element in the manufacture of the VI substrate, or may act as the VI substrate itself. A method of producing the initial VI flux pattern includes virtually tracing rays generated by different points of the object to an image plane and ii) summing the rays from the different points. The rays may be traced through a lens array.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2009Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Brian J. Gates, Charles A. Marttila, Travis L. Potts, Serge Wetzels
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Publication number: 20110109965Abstract: A virtual image display device has a lens array and a virtual image substrate disposed behind the lens array. The virtual image substrate is provided with a virtual image pattern registered to lenses of the lens array. In some embodiments the virtual image pattern can include grey scale information, where the grey scale information includes information in at least one of color and shape. In a static virtual image substrate, the virtual image information can include pixels of at least two different colors. An optical mask can have a virtual image pattern arranged so that a virtual image of an object appears to a viewer when a lens array is applied to the mask. In other embodiments, an optical mask can include an intermediate virtual image pattern containing information for manufacturing a virtual image substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2009Publication date: May 12, 2011Inventors: Brian J. Gates, Charles A. Marttila, Travis L. Potts
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Publication number: 20100316959Abstract: A sheeting and a method of forming a sheeting from a master tool are described where the sheeting has a composite image that floats above or below the sheeting. The method includes providing a first sheeting comprising a first array of microlenses and a photopolymerizable first material layer adjacent to the first array of microlenses. Another step is exposing the first sheeting to a radiation source to form a master tool comprising a plurality of polymerized first structured areas in the first material layer, wherein at least some of the first structured areas include a portion shape in common with at least some of the first structured areas and wherein each first structured area is associated with one of the first array of microlenses. Yet another step is replicating the plurality of first structured areas using a substance that conforms to the plurality of structured areas to form a second material layer having a plurality of replicated structured areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2008Publication date: December 16, 2010Inventors: Brian J. Gates, Robert T. Krasa, Travis L. Potts, Serge Wetzels