Patents by Inventor Zane A. Coleman
Zane A. Coleman 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: 20130314942Abstract: A packaging includes a film-based lightguide wherein incident light propagates through the lightguide to a light emitting region where the light is emitted. In one embodiment, a packaging includes a lightguide defining a lightguide region. An array of coupling lightguides are continuous with the lightguide region. Each coupling lightguide terminates in an edge and each coupling lightguide is folded such that the edges of the array of coupling lightguides form a stack defining a light input surface. Alight emitting region is defined within the lightguide region by at least one light extraction feature. A method of making or producing a packaging is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2011Publication date: November 28, 2013Inventors: Anthony J. Nichol, Zane A. Coleman
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Publication number: 20130250618Abstract: In one embodiment, a light emitting device comprises an array of legs extending from a body of film with the bounding edges of the legs stacked, a first light source emitting light of a first color and a second light source emitting light of a second color into the stacked bounding edges where the light emitting region defined within the body is configured to extract light of a third color. In another embodiment, a light emitting device comprises three light sources positioned to direct light into a stacked array of bounding edges. In one embodiment, a method of generating light of adjustable color exiting a surface of a film is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: FLEX LIGHTING II, LLCInventors: Anthony J. Nichol, Zane A. Coleman
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Publication number: 20130208508Abstract: An optically redundant light emitting device includes a light transmitting film comprising an array of coupling light-guides extending from a light emitting area defined within the light transmitting film. Each coupling lightguide is bent to form a stacked array of coupling lightguides. A first group of light sources comprising at least one light source is positioned to emit light into the stacked array of coupling lightguides, and a second group of light sources comprising at least one light source is positioned to emit light into the stacked array of coupling lightguides. A first optical path of the light emitted from the first group of light sources overlaps with a second optical path of the light from the second group of light sources in each coupling lightguide.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2011Publication date: August 15, 2013Applicant: FLEx Lighting ll, LLCInventors: Anthony J. Nichol, Zane A. Coleman
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Publication number: 20130155723Abstract: In one embodiment, a device includes a light transmitting film defining a body and having opposing faces with a thickness between the opposing faces not greater than 0.5 millimeters. A first region is defined within the body representing a region of one or more of a pattern, an indicia, a graphic, and an image that is visible by light extraction when illuminated by light propagating within the film in a waveguide condition. The first region includes a plurality of light extraction features that redirect a portion of light traveling within the film in a waveguide condition that mixes within the legs and the body out of one or more of the opposing faces of the film in the first region.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: FLEX LIGHTING II, LLCInventor: Zane Coleman
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Patent number: 8434909Abstract: In one embodiment, a light emitting device comprises an array of legs extending from a body of film with the bounding edges of the legs stacked, a first light source emitting light of a first color and a second light source emitting light of a second color into the stacked bounding edges where the light emitting region defined within the body is configured to extract light of a third color. In another embodiment, a light emitting device comprises three light sources positioned to direct light into a stacked array of bounding edges. In one embodiment, a method of generating light of adjustable color exiting a surface of a film is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2011Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Flex Lighting II, LLCInventors: Anthony John Nichol, Zane Coleman
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Patent number: 8430548Abstract: An enhanced light fixture containing a volumetric diffuser to control the spatial luminance uniformity and angular spread of light from the light fixture is disclosed. The volumetric diffuser provides increased spatial luminance uniformity and efficient control over the illuminance such that power reductions, reduced cost or reduced size may be achieved. The volumetric diffuser contains one or more regions of volumetric light scattering particles. The spread of illumination of light from a light emitting source can be efficiently controlled by using a thin, low cost, volumetric, diffuser to direct the light in the desired direction. This allows the reduction in number of light sources, a reduction in power requirements, or a more tailored illumination. When the volumetric diffuser is used in combination with a waveguide to extract light, the light is efficiently coupled out of the waveguide in a thin, planar surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2010Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Fusion Optix, Inc.Inventors: Timothy Kelly, Terence Yeo, Zane Coleman
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Patent number: 8408775Abstract: In one embodiment of this invention, an optical element comprises a light recycling directional control element and provides increased spatial color or luminance uniformity, desired angular color uniformity, and customizable light re-direction properties. In one embodiment, the optical element comprises at least one light blocking region and a lenticular lens element. Further embodiments incorporate an anisotropic light backscattering region within a light transmitting layer. The optical element may further comprise a light collimating element or an additional light lenticular lens element and light transmitting region that may be oriented parallel or perpendicular to the first lenticular lens element. Light emitting devices and displays incorporating the light recycling direction control element are further embodiments of this invention.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2009Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Fusion Optix, Inc.Inventor: Zane Coleman
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Publication number: 20120294620Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) remote control (10) has a user interface and transmits an RF signal (11) which designates a device (14) to be controlled and a command for that device. The RF signal is received by an intermediary device (12). The intermediary device, in turn, generates and broadcasts a plurality of high-power IR signals (13A-13F). These signals may be received directly by a controlled device (14A) or may be received indirectly by a controlled device (14B, 14C) after one or more reflections from objects (16A, 16B) and/or room surfaces (18). Thus, reliable control of the devices (14) is obtained even in situations where merely transmitting a typical IR signal may not provide reliable control of the device (14).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2012Publication date: November 22, 2012Inventors: Michael Meyer, Zane Coleman
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Publication number: 20120288283Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) remote control (10) has a user interface and transmits an RF signal (11) which designates a device (14) to be controlled and a command for that device. The RF signal is received by an intermediary device (12). The intermediary device, in turn, generates and broadcasts a plurality of high-power IR signals (13A-13F). These signals may be received directly by a controlled device (14A) or may be received indirectly by a controlled device (14B, 14C) after one or more reflections from objects (16A, 16B) and/or room surfaces (18). Thus, reliable control of the devices (14) is obtained even in situations where merely transmitting a typical IR signal may not provide reliable control of the device (14).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2012Publication date: November 15, 2012Inventors: Michael Meyer, Zane Coleman
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Publication number: 20120287674Abstract: A lightguide includes a film including a body with opposing faces having a thickness not greater than 0.5 millimeters therebetween. An array of strips has an array direction extending from the body of the film, wherein each strip in the array of strips has a curved or angled lateral edge. A method for manufacturing a lightguide is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2012Publication date: November 15, 2012Applicant: FLEX LIGHTING II, LLCInventors: Anthony J. Nichol, Zane A. Coleman
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Patent number: 8249408Abstract: Embodiments of this invention include composite articles having specific optical properties. In one embodiment of this invention, a composite comprises high and low refractive index light transmitting material and surface relief features. In further embodiments, the composite comprises volumetric dispersed phase domains that may be asymmetric in shape. In one embodiment of this invention, the composite is an optical film providing light collimating features along two orthogonal planes perpendicular to the surface of the film. In another embodiment, the composite has improved optical, thermal, mechanical, or environmental properties. In further embodiments of this invention, the composite is manufactured by optically coupling or extruding two or more light transmitting materials, and forming inverted light collimating surface relief features or light collimating surface relief features.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2011Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Fusion Optix, Inc.Inventor: Zane Coleman
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Patent number: 8231256Abstract: In one embodiment of this invention, a light fixture comprises a light source, a collimating element, an optical cavity and a multi-functional non-imaging optical component (MNOC) comprising an anisotropic light scattering film. In another embodiment of this invention, the MNOC further comprises a surface relief feature which redirects a portion of the incident light. The present invention provides a system and method of controlling the output of light from a light fixture. One or more volumetric anisotropic diffusing components are utilized to control both the photometric distribution and visual appearance of the light fixture. A high degree of optical control is obtained with durable components that can be easily customized to optimize optical performance in light fixtures designed as pendants, wall sconces, wallwashers, downlights, and tasklights. The luminance and color uniformity as well as the illuminance and color uniformity of illumination can be controlled and improved.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2008Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Inventors: Zane Coleman, Timothy Kelly
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Patent number: 8233803Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) remote control (10) has a user interface and transmits an RF signal (11) which designates a device (14) to be controlled and a command for that device. The RF signal is received by an intermediary device (12). The intermediary device, in turn, generates and broadcasts a plurality of high-power IR signals (13A-13F). These signals may be received directly by a controlled device (14A) or may be received indirectly by a controlled device (14B, 14C) after one or more reflections from objects (16A, 16B) and/or room surfaces (18). Thus, reliable control of the devices (14) is obtained even in situations where merely transmitting a typical IR signal may not provide reliable control of the device (14).Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2011Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Transmitive, LLCInventors: Michael Meyer, Zane Coleman
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Patent number: 8177408Abstract: In one embodiment of this invention, a light filtering directional control element provides increased spatial color or luminance uniformity and desired angular color uniformity and customizable light re-direction properties. In one embodiment of this invention, a light filtering directional control element directs light off-axis and focuses light in the far field. In a further embodiment of this invention a light fixture comprising the light filtering collimation element has a spatial luminance uniformity greater than 80%, a color uniformity ?u?v? of less than 0.04 and a short mixing distance. In a further embodiment, the light fixture incorporating the element has electronically or manually configurable light output profile.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2009Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Inventor: Zane Coleman
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Publication number: 20120082461Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) remote control (10) has a user interface and transmits an RF signal (11) which designates a device (14) to be controlled and a command for that device. The RF signal is received by an intermediary device (12). The intermediary device, in turn, generates and broadcasts a plurality of high-power IR signals (13A-13F). These signals may be received directly by a controlled device (14A) or may be received indirectly by a controlled device (14B, 14C) after one or more reflections from objects (16A, 16B) and/or room surfaces (18). Thus, reliable control of the devices (14) is obtained even in situations where merely transmitting a typical IR signal may not provide reliable control of the device (14).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2011Publication date: April 5, 2012Applicant: Transmitive, LLCInventors: Michael Meyer, Zane Coleman
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Publication number: 20110286222Abstract: Embodiments of this invention include composite articles having specific optical properties. In one embodiment of this invention, a composite comprises high and low refractive index light transmitting material and surface relief features. In further embodiments, the composite comprises volumetric dispersed phase domains that may be asymmetric in shape. In one embodiment of this invention, the composite is an optical film providing light collimating features along two orthogonal planes perpendicular to the surface of the film. In another embodiment, the composite has improved optical, thermal, mechanical, or environmental properties. In further embodiments of this invention, the composite is manufactured by optically coupling or extruding two or more light transmitting materials, and forming inverted light collimating surface relief features or light collimating surface relief features.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2011Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicant: FUSION OPTIX INC.Inventor: Zane Coleman
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Patent number: 8033674Abstract: The present invention provides a polarization-sensitive light homogenizer and a backlight and display using the same. The homogenizer improves the spatial luminance and color uniformity, increases the luminance in a direction normal to the homogenizer and provides increased luminance through polarized light recycling within the light homogenizer and backlight. In one embodiment, the homogenizer includes a polarization-sensitive anisotropic light-scattering (PDALS) region, a non-polarization-sensitive anisotropic light-scattering region, and a substantially non-scattering region. In a further embodiment, the non-scattering region is birefringent. The spatially non-uniform incident light flux from a backlight including one or more non-extended light emitting sources is scattered efficiently by the NPDASL region and is incident on the PDALS region which backscatters light orthogonal to the polarization state desired for efficient illumination of a liquid crystal display panel.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2010Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Fusion Optix, Inc.Inventors: Zane Coleman, Terence Yeo, Timothy Kelly
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Patent number: 8033706Abstract: In one embodiment of this invention, a lightguide comprises a low refractive index region disposed between light extracting region and a non-scattering region. In further embodiment of this invention, volumetric scattering lightguide comprises a low refractive index region disposed between a volumetric scattering region and a non-scattering region. In some embodiments, a light emitting device comprising a volumetric scattering lightguide can angularly filter light input into the edge of a volumetric scattering lightguide by controlling the refractive index of the low refractive index region relative to the refractive index of the non-scattering region to prevent direct illumination of the volumetric scattering region, provide a luminance uniformity greater than 70%, or improve the angular luminous intensity of the light emitting device.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2010Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Fusion Optix, Inc.Inventors: Timothy Kelly, Zane Coleman, Terence Yeo
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Publication number: 20110227487Abstract: In one embodiment, a light emitting device comprises an array of legs extending from a body of film with the bounding edges of the legs stacked, a first light source emitting light of a first color and a second light source emitting light of a second color into the stacked bounding edges where the light emitting region defined within the body is configured to extract light of a third color. In another embodiment, a light emitting device comprises three light sources positioned to direct light into a stacked array of bounding edges. In one embodiment, a method of generating light of adjustable color exiting a surface of a film is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: FLEX LIGHTING II, LLCInventors: Anthony Nichol, Zane Coleman
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Patent number: 7991257Abstract: Embodiments of this invention include composite articles having specific optical properties. In one embodiment of this invention, a composite comprises high and low refractive index light transmitting material and surface relief features. In further embodiments, the composite comprises volumetric dispersed phase domains that may be asymmetric in shape. In one embodiment of this invention, the composite is an optical film providing light collimating features along two orthogonal planes perpendicular to the surface of the film. In another embodiment, the composite has improved optical, thermal, mechanical, or environmental properties. In further embodiments of this invention, the composite is manufactured by optically coupling or extruding two or more light transmitting materials, and forming inverted light collimating surface relief features or light collimating surface relief features.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2008Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Fusion Optix, Inc.Inventor: Zane Coleman