Patents by Inventor William J. Bryan

William J. Bryan 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: 8917447
    Abstract: Microreplicated light redirecting films suitable for use in autostereoscopic displays and backlights are made to incorporate at least one nanovoided layer whose interface with another layer forms an embedded structured surface of the light redirecting film. The nanovoided layer includes a polymer binder and optional nanoparticles, and may have a refractive index less than 1.35 or 1.3. The light redirecting films may be adapted for attachment to one or more other components of an autostereoscopic display, such as a display panel and/or a light guide of a backlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael J. Sykora, William Blake Kolb, Encai Hao, John C. Schultz, Robert L. Brott, William J. Bryan, Scott M. Tapio, Audrey A. Sherman
  • Publication number: 20140347724
    Abstract: A projection system includes a projection screen defining a shape and a projector configured to project an image onto the projection screen. The projector may project a static or dynamic image that has substantially the same shape as the projection screen or otherwise block portions of the projected image that are projected outside of the projection screen with the aid of a physical mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: John C. Schultz, William J. Bryan
  • Publication number: 20140240981
    Abstract: A backlight that includes a front reflector and a back reflector that form a hollow light recycling cavity including an output surface is disclosed. The backlight further includes one or more light sources disposed to emit light into the light recycling cavity. The front reflector includes an on-axis average reflectivity of at least 90% for visible light polarized in a first plane, and an on-axis average reflectivity of at least 25% but less than 90% for visible light polarized in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael F. Weber, Timothy J. Hebrink, Timothy J. Nevitt, John A. Wheatley, Craig R. Schardt, Rolf W. Biernath, William J. Bryan, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, David G. Freier, Myron K. Jordan, Kristopher J. Derks, Zhaohui Yang, Edward J. Kivel
  • Patent number: 8740442
    Abstract: A backlight that includes a front reflector and a back reflector that form a hollow light recycling cavity including an output surface is disclosed. The backlight further includes one or more light sources disposed to emit light into the light recycling cavity. The front reflector includes an on-axis average reflectivity of at least 90% for visible light polarized in a first plane, and an on-axis average reflectivity of at least 25% but less than 90% for visible light polarized in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael F. Weber, Timothy J. Hebrink, Timothy J. Nevitt, John A. Wheatley, Craig R. Schardt, Rolf W. Biernath, William J. Bryan, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, David G. Freier, Myron K. Jordan, Kristopher J. Derks, Zhaohui Yang, Edward J. Kivel
  • Publication number: 20140003086
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) reactor having a substrate RF bias that is capable of control of the RF phase difference between the ICP source (a first RF source) and the substrate bias (a second RF source) for plasma processing reactors used in the semiconductor industry. Control of the RF phase difference provides a powerful knob for fine process tuning. For example, control of the RF phase difference may be used to control one or more of average etch rate, etch rate uniformity, etch rate skew, critical dimension (CD) uniformity, and CD skew, CD range, self DC bias control, and chamber matching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Kevin R. Schaffer, David Scott Thompson, Zhaohui Yang, Encai Hao, Audrey A. Sherman, Michael A. Meis, William J. Bryan
  • Publication number: 20130235614
    Abstract: An illumination device, such as a backlight for electronic display devices, is disclosed. The illumination device includes a viscoelastic lightguide optically coupled to a light source, and a nanovoided polymeric layer is used in conjunction with the lightguide to manage light emitted by the light source. The viscoelastic lightguide may be a pressure sensitive adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael J. Sykora, Robert L. Brott, William J. Bryan, Erik A. Aho, Martin Kristoffersen, Michael A. Meis, Kevin R. Schaffer, Audrey A. Sherman, John C. Schultz, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek
  • Publication number: 20130170218
    Abstract: An illumination device, such as a backlight for electronic display devices, is disclosed. The illumination device includes a lightguide optically coupled to a light source, and a viscoelastic layer and a nanovoided polymeric layer are used in conjunction with the lightguide to manage light emitted by the light source. The viscoelastic layer may be a pressure sensitive adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael J. Sykora, Robert L. Brott, William J. Bryan, Erik A. Aho, Martin Kristoffersen, Michael A. Meis, Kevin R. Schaffer, Audrey A. Sherman, John C. Schultz, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek
  • Patent number: 8469575
    Abstract: A backlight that includes a front reflector and a back reflector that form a hollow light recycling cavity including an output surface is disclosed. The backlight further includes one or more light sources disposed to emit light into the light recycling cavity. The front reflector includes an on-axis average reflectivity of at least 90% for visible light polarized in a first plane, and an on-axis average reflectivity of at least 25% but less than 90% for visible light polarized in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael F. Weber, Timothy J. Hebrink, Timothy J. Nevitt, John A. Wheatley, Craig R. Schardt, Rolf W. Biernath, William J. Bryan, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, David G. Freier, Myron K. Jordan, Kristopher J. Derks, Zhaohui Yang, Edward J. Kivel
  • Patent number: 8339444
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes an autosteroscopic liquid crystal display panel having a frame response time of less than 10 milliseconds, and a backlight positioned to provide light to the autosteroscopic liquid crystal display. The backlight includes a right eye solid state light source and a left eye solid state light source capable of being modulated between the right eye solid state light source and a left eye solid state light source at a rate of at least 90 Hertz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John C. Schultz, William J. Bryan, Alan G. Hulme-Lowe, Michael J. Sykora, Billy L. Weaver
  • Patent number: 8236226
    Abstract: Methods for changing the shape of a surface of an article are disclosed. The methods may include providing a liquid polymer precursor, casting the precursor against a first tool assembly, curing the precursor to form a shape memory polymer substrate, deforming one or more surfaces of the substrate, and mobilizing the shape memory polymer to shift the deformed surface of the substrate from a deformed shape to a pre-set shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Audrey A. Sherman, William J Bryan, Robert K. Galkiewicz, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, James R. Starkey, Wendi J. Winkler, Haiyan Zhang, Jeffrey M. Olofson
  • Publication number: 20120020110
    Abstract: A backlight is disclosed and includes a visible light transmissive body primarily propagating light by TIR with a light input surface and a light output surface and a light guide portion and a light input portion. The light guide portion has a light reflection surface and a light emission surface. The light input portion has opposing side surfaces that are not parallel. One of the opposing surfaces is co-planar with either the light emission surface or the light reflection surface. A light source is disposed adjacent to the light input surface. The light source emits light into the light input portion. A reflective layer is disposed adjacent to or on the opposing side surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: William J. Bryan, John C. Schultz, Michael A. Meis, Patrick R. Destain
  • Patent number: 8059217
    Abstract: A scanning backlight for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display apparatus includes a light guide formed from a plurality of segments. Each segment has a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and a first surface extending between the first and second sides and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface substantially re-directs light and the second surface substantially transmits light. The plurality of segments are arranged substantially in parallel and with the second surfaces transmitting light in substantially the same direction to provide backlighting for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display. A first light source is disposed along the first side of each segment for transmitting light into the light guide from the first side, and a second light source is disposed along the second side of each segment for transmitting light into the light guide from the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Brott, William J. Bryan, David J. Lundin, Michael A. Meis, John C. Schultz
  • Patent number: 8059933
    Abstract: A backlight is disclosed and includes a visible light transmissive body primarily propagating light by TIR with a light input surface and a light output surface and a light guide portion and a light input portion. The light guide portion has a light reflection surface and a light emission surface. The light input portion has opposing side surfaces that are not parallel. One of the opposing surfaces is co-planar with either the light emission surface or the light reflection surface. A light source is disposed adjacent to the light input surface. The light source emits light into the light input portion. A reflective layer is disposed adjacent to or on the opposing side surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William J. Bryan, John C. Schultz, Michael A. Meis, Patrick R Destain
  • Publication number: 20110198781
    Abstract: Methods for changing the shape of a surface of an article are disclosed. The methods may include providing a liquid polymer precursor, casting the precursor against a first tool assembly, curing the precursor to form a shape memory polymer substrate, deforming one or more surfaces of the substrate, and mobilizing the shape memory polymer to shift the deformed surface of the substrate from a deformed shape to a pre-set shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Audrey A. Sherman, William J. Bryan, Robert K. Galkiewicz, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, James R. Starkey, Wendi J. Winkler, Haiyan Zhang, Jeffrey M. Olofson
  • Publication number: 20110134347
    Abstract: A scanning backlight for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display apparatus includes a light guide formed from a plurality of segments. Each segment has a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and a first surface extending between the first and second sides and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface substantially re-directs light and the second surface substantially transmits light. The plurality of segments are arranged substantially in parallel and with the second surfaces transmitting light in substantially the same direction to provide backlighting for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display. A first light source is disposed along the first side of each segment for transmitting light into the light guide from the first side, and a second light source is disposed along the second side of each segment for transmitting light into the light guide from the second side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Robert L. Brott, William J. Bryan, David J. Lundin, Michael A. Meis, John C. Schultz
  • Patent number: 7951319
    Abstract: Methods for changing the shape of a surface of an article are disclosed. The methods may include providing a liquid polymer precursor, casting the precursor against a first tool assembly, curing the precursor to form a shape memory polymer substrate, deforming one or more surfaces of the substrate, and mobilizing the shape memory polymer to shift the deformed surface of the substrate from a deformed shape to a pre-set shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Audrey A. Sherman, William J Bryan, Robert K. Galkiewicz, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, James R. Starkey, Wendi J. Winkler, Haiyan Zhang, Jeffrey M. Olofson
  • Patent number: 7941028
    Abstract: A backlight is disclosed and includes a visible light transmissive body primarily propagating light by TIR with a light input surface and a light output surface and a light guide portion and a light input portion. The light guide portion has a light reflection surface and a light emission surface. The light input portion has opposing side surfaces that are not parallel. One of the opposing surfaces is co-planar with either the light emission surface or the light reflection surface. A light source is disposed adjacent to the light input surface. The light source emits light into the light input portion. A reflective layer is disposed adjacent to or on the opposing side surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William J. Bryan, John C. Schultz, Michael A. Meis, Patrick R. Destain
  • Publication number: 20110099864
    Abstract: A backlight is disclosed and includes a visible light transmissive body primarily propagating light by TIR with a light input surface and a light output surface and a light guide portion and a light input portion. The light guide portion has a light reflection surface and a light emission surface. The light input portion has opposing side surfaces that are not parallel. One of the opposing surfaces is co-planar with either the light emission surface or the light reflection surface. A light source is disposed adjacent to the light input surface. The light source emits light into the light input portion. A reflective layer is disposed adjacent to or on the opposing side surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: William J. Bryan, John C. Schultz, Michael A. Meis, Patrick R. Destain
  • Patent number: 7911547
    Abstract: A scanning backlight for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display apparatus includes a light guide formed from a plurality of segments. Each segment has a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and a first surface extending between the first and second sides and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface substantially re-directs light and the second surface substantially transmits light. The plurality of segments are arranged substantially in parallel and with the second surfaces transmitting light in substantially the same direction to provide backlighting for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display. A first light source is disposed along the first side of each segment for transmitting light into the light guide from the first side, and a second light source is disposed along the second side of each segment for transmitting light into the light guide from the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Brott, William J. Bryan, David J. Lundin, Michael A. Meis, John C. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20100208041
    Abstract: 3D stereoscopic viewing enabled by the use of a fast switching speed LCD panel, dynamic backlight, and low cost glasses. The system utilizes an LCD panel with an LED backlight and wavelength selective glasses to isolate each channel by color. The system is based on alternating left and right image frames on an LCD panel. The left and right frames are illuminated by two slightly different red-green-blue light sources that are synchronized sequentially. The light sources are designed to emit light of different spectral composition. The viewer wears glasses where the left lens or filter passes only the spectrum of light used for the left channel of data, and the right lens or filter passes only the spectrum of light used for the right channel of data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Vadim N. Savvateev, William J. Bryan, Anthony J. Piekarczyk, Scott E. Brigham, Kathy L. Hagen, Martin B. Wolk, Craig R. Schardt