John R Schultz

US Patent:

7163327, Jan 16, 2007

Filed:

Dec 2, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/726222

Inventors:

Gordon D. Henson - Lake Elmo MN, US
Barbara A. DeBaun - Woodbury MN, US
Michael A. Meis - Stillwater MN, US
John C. Schultz - Afton MN, US
John J. Simbal - Lakeway TX, US
Ronald D. Davis - Cottage Grove MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

F21V 7/04

US Classification:

362554, 362555, 362580

Abstract:

An illumination system includes a plurality of radiation generating sources, such as LED dies. A corresponding plurality of optical waveguides is also provided, with each waveguide having a first and a second end, with each first end being in optical communication with the corresponding LED die. An array of corresponding passive optical elements is interposed between the plurality of LED dies and the corresponding first ends of the plurality of optical waveguides. The illumination system provides for substantially high light coupling efficiency and an incoherent light output that can appear to the human observer as arising from a single point of light. In addition, the light can be output remotely at one or more locations and in one or more directions.

US Patent:

7285802, Oct 23, 2007

Filed:

Dec 21, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/018605

Inventors:

Andrew J. Ouderkirk - Woodbury MN, US
Hung T. Tran - Woodbury MN, US
John C. Schultz - Afton MN, US
John A. Wheatley - Lake Elmo MN, US
Joseph A. Hoffman - Minneapolis MN, US
Kay-Uwe Schenke - Hubertusweg, DE
Michael A. Meis - Stillwater MN, US
Stephen J. Pojar - Marine-on-the-St. Croix MN, US
Wolfgang N. Lehnhardt - Düsseldorf, DE

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

H01L 33/00

US Classification:

257 98, 257 99, 362373

Abstract:

An illumination assembly including a thermally conductive substrate, a patterned conductive layer proximate a major surface of the thermally conductive substrate, a dielectric layer positioned between the patterned conductive layer and the major surface of the substrate, and at least one LED including a post that is attached to the thermally conductive substrate such that at least a portion of the post is embedded in the thermally conductive substrate is disclosed. The at least one LED can be thermally connected to the thermally conductive substrate through the post and electrically connected to the patterned conductive layer. The dielectric layer can be reflective.

US Patent:

7303315, Dec 4, 2007

Filed:

Nov 5, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/982651

Inventors:

Andrew J. Ouderkirk - Woodbury MN, US
Denny G. Aeschliman - Austin TX, US
Hung T. Tran - Woodbury MN, US
Kenneth A. Epstein - St. Paul MN, US
Michael A. Meis - Stillwater MN, US
John C. Schultz - Afton MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

H01L 33/00
F21V 29/00

US Classification:

362294, 362249, 362373, 362800, 257 99

Abstract:

An illumination assembly includes a heat dissipating member having a plurality of circuitized strips disposed thereon a spaced relationship. Each circuitized strip includes an electrically insulative substrate having at least one circuit trace on a first side of the substrate and an electrically and thermally conductive layer on a second side of the substrate, such that the at least one circuit trace is electrically insulated from the second side of the substrate. The circuitized strips have a plurality of vias extending from the first side to the second side of the substrate. A plurality of LEDs are disposed in the plurality of vias, such that each LEDs is disposed on the electrically and thermally conductive layer on the second side of the substrate and electrically connected to the at least one circuit trace on the first side of the substrate.

US Patent:

7658526, Feb 9, 2010

Filed:

Mar 12, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/046815

Inventors:

Gordon D. Henson - Lake Elmo MN, US
Barbara A. DeBaun - Woodbury MN, US
Michael A. Meis - Stillwater MN, US
John C. Schultz - Afton MN, US
John J. Simbal - Lakeway TX, US
Ronald D. Davis - Cottage Grove MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - Saint Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 6/04

US Classification:

362554, 362511, 362558, 362241

Abstract:

An illumination system includes a plurality of radiation generating sources, such as LED dies. A corresponding plurality of optical waveguides is also provided, with each waveguide having a first and a second end, with each first end being in optical communication with the corresponding LED die. An array of corresponding passive optical elements is interposed between the plurality of LED dies and the corresponding first ends of the plurality of optical waveguides. The illumination system provides for substantially high light coupling efficiency and an incoherent light output that can appear to the human observer as arising from a single point of light. In addition, the light can be output remotely at one or more locations and in one or more directions.

US Patent:

7660509, Feb 9, 2010

Filed:

May 24, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/439764

Inventors:

William J. Bryan - Mahtomedi MN, US
John C. Schultz - Afton MN, US
Michael A. Meis - Stillwater MN, US
Patrick R. Destain - Loveland OH, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - Saint Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 6/10
G02F 1/1335
F21V 7/04

US Classification:

385146, 349 65, 362610, 362621

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.

US Patent:

7750983, Jul 6, 2010

Filed:

Oct 1, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/243052

Inventors:

Martin Kristoffersen - Maplewood MN, US
Michael J. Sykora - Deer Park WI, US
John C. Schultz - Afton MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - Saint Paul MN

International Classification:

G02F 1/1335
H04N 13/00

US Classification:

349 15, 349 16, 349 41, 349 58, 349 61

Abstract:

A stereoscopic 3D display with stretched film. The display includes a liquid crystal display panel, drive electronics configured to drive the liquid crystal display panel with alternating left eye and right eye images, and a light guide and a backlight positioned to provide light to the liquid crystal display. A frame is positioned between the liquid crystal display panel and the light guide, and a 3D film is stretched over the frame.

US Patent:

7911547, Mar 22, 2011

Filed:

Oct 2, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/865841

Inventors:

Robert L. Brott - Woodbury MN, US
William J. Bryan - Mahtomedi MN, US
David J. Lundin - Woodbury MN, US
Michael A. Meis - Stillwater MN, US
John C. Schultz - Afton MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - Saint Paul MN

International Classification:

G02F 1/1335
G01C 3/14

US Classification:

349 15, 356 12, 349 61, 349 62, 349 65

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. Each segment first and second light source is selectively turned on and off in a particular pattern and each segment light source selectively transmits light into the light guide first side or light guide second side to form a scanning backlight.

US Patent:

7941028, May 10, 2011

Filed:

Jul 8, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/499165

Inventors:

William J. Bryan - Mahtomedi MN, US
John C. Schultz - Afton MN, US
Michael A. Meis - Stillwater MN, US
Patrick R. Destain - Loveland OH, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - Saint Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 6/10
G02F 1/1335
F21V 7/04

US Classification:

385146, 349 65, 362610, 362621

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.