Patrick J Thomas

US Patent:

6449089, Sep 10, 2002

Filed:

Mar 23, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/274585

Inventors:

Robert M. Moshrefzadeh - St. Paul MN
Patrick A. Thomas - Maplewood MN
Hassan Sahouani - Hastings MN
Daniel Croswell - Brooklyn Park MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G03B 2156

US Classification:

359454, 359460

Abstract:

Projection screen assemblies include one or more birefringent retarding layers and one or more polarizing layers. The retarding and polarizing layers reduce the unwanted reflection of ambient and image light. One embodiment of a screen assembly includes a dispersing layer having an input side to receive light from a light source and a first retarding layer disposed to alter the polarization of the light transmitted by the dispersing film. A first polarizer substantially transmits light received from the first retarding layer in a first polarization state and absorbs light received from the first retarding layer in a second polarization state orthogonal to the first polarization state.

US Patent:

6515798, Feb 4, 2003

Filed:

Jun 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/606642

Inventors:

Hsin-Hsin Chou - Woodbury MN
Patrick A. Thomas - Maplewood MN
Jeffrey C. Chang - North Oaks MN
Robert M. Moshrefzadeh - St. Paul MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G03B 2160

US Classification:

359443, 359449

Abstract:

A rear projection screen assembly is described that includes a diffuser and a polarizer. The diffuser has particles dispersed within a binder. The particles and the binder have different refractive indices and are chosen such that the diffuser spreads light of an initial polarization state a cone of angles while substantially preserving the initial polarization state of the light. The diffuser also substantially depolarizing a portion of the light that is laterally scattered in the diffuser. The polarizer is disposed to receive light transmitted through the diffuser. The polarizer transmits light of the initial polarization state while absorbing a portion of the laterally scattered light that has a different polarization state. The resolution of the overall screen assembly may be made higher while also improving other characteristics of the screen assembly.

US Patent:

7057810, Jun 6, 2006

Filed:

Dec 11, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/733066

Inventors:

Patrick A. Thomas - Maplewood MN, US
John C. Nelson - The Sea Ranch CA, US
Scott M. Tapio - Falcon Heights MN, US
Michael L. Graetz - Stillwater MN, US
Amy J. Gates - Cottage Grove MN, US
Peter M. Olofson - Oakdale MN, US
Robert L. Brott - Woodbury MN, US
Robert S. Moshrefzadeh - Oakdale MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G03B 21/56
G03B 21/60
C03C 15/00

US Classification:

359443, 359454, 359459, 216 95

Abstract:

A film for a screen has a light transmitting substrate and a plurality of structures disposed on the substrate. An optical material at least partially fills cavities between the structures. A method of forming a film includes providing a light transmitting substrate having a plurality of structures disposed thereon and at least partially filling the cavities therebetween with an optical material.

US Patent:

7184210, Feb 27, 2007

Filed:

Mar 23, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/387539

Inventors:

Patrick A. Thomas - Maplewood MN, US
John C. Nelson - The Sea Ranch CA, US
Scott M. Tapio - Falcon Heights MN, US
Michael L. Graetz - Stillwater MN, US
Amy J. Gates - Cottage Grove MN, US
Peter M. Olofson - Oakdale MN, US
Robert L. Brott - Woodbury MN, US
Robert S. Moshrefzadeh - Oakdale MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G03B 21/56
G03B 21/60

US Classification:

359443, 359453, 359455, 359459, 359460

Abstract:

A film for a screen has a light transmitting substrate and a plurality of structures disposed on the substrate. An optical material at least partially fills cavities between the structures. A method of forming a film includes providing a light transmitting substrate having a plurality of structures disposed thereon and at least partially filling the cavities therebetween with an optical material.

US Patent:

7593017, Sep 22, 2009

Filed:

Aug 15, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/464620

Inventors:

James A. Thielen - Shoreview MN, US
Scott J. Reckinger - Boulder CO, US
Richard J. Moore - Maplewood MN, US
Patrick A. Thomas - Lake Elmo MN, US
Manoj Nirmal - St. Paul MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - Saint Paul MN

International Classification:

G09G 5/00
G06T 15/50
G09G 5/02
H04N 11/20
G01S 7/40
G06F 3/01
G06F 3/00

US Classification:

345581, 345426, 345630, 345698, 345 12, 348445, 434 3, 715700, 715722

Abstract:

A system for generating and providing a simulated image. Based upon a source image and first parameters for a first display device, the system generates and displays a simulated image on second display device having second parameters. The first parameters are different from the second parameters, and the simulated image displayed on the second display device provides a visual indication of how the source image would appear when displayed on the first display device. The parameters can include a resolution in pixels per inch and a fill factor for the display device. The system can also be used to provide a visual indication of how the source image would appear when displayed on the second display device under varying lighting conditions and viewing angles.

US Patent:

53823176, Jan 17, 1995

Filed:

Feb 18, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/198837

Inventors:

Patrick A. Thomas - Maplewood MN

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B05D 512

US Classification:

156654

Abstract:

A method of selectively applying a coating to either the upper or lower surface of a bilevel substrate. The method includes the steps of applying a layer of photoresist over the substrate and moving a doctor blade across the substrate, thereby removing the photoresist from the upper surface while leaving it on the lower surface. The photoresist is then hardened by drying and/or curing. The photoresist is then used to facilitate removal of the coating from either the upper or lower surface of the bilevel substrate.

US Patent:

53784944, Jan 3, 1995

Filed:

Feb 18, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/198895

Inventors:

Patrick A. Thomas - Maplewood MN
Robert P. Wenz - Woodbury MN

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

B05D 512

US Classification:

427 58

Abstract:

A method of applying a thin coating to the lower surface of a bilevel substrate includes the following steps: A liquid coating, such as a material useful as an alignment layer, is applied over a bilevel substrate, such as an LCD panel. The bilevel substrate may have flat-topped ribs or other protrusions so long as the tops of the protrusions are coplanar. Next, a leveling device, such as a doctor blade, is moved across the upper surface of the bilevel substrate so that the liquid coating is removed from the upper surface but remains on the lower surface. Finally, the liquid coating is hardened and shrunk, e. g. , by drying or curing, resulting in a highly uniform hardened coating, such as an alignment layer, on the lower surface of the bilevel substrate.

US Patent:

61634026, Dec 19, 2000

Filed:

Jun 11, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/095835

Inventors:

Hsin-Hsin Chou - Woodbury MN
Patrick A. Thomas - Maplewood MN
Jeffrey C. Chang - North Oaks MN
Robert M. Moshrefzadeh - St. Paul MN

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G03B 2160

US Classification:

359443

Abstract:

A rear projection screen assembly is described that includes a diffuser and a polarizer. The diffuser has particles dispersed within a binder. The particles and the binder have different refractive indices and are chosen such that the diffuser spreads light of an initial polarization state a cone of angles while substantially preserving the initial polarization state of the light. The diffuser also substantially depolarizing a portion of the light that is laterally scattered in the diffuser. The polarizer is disposed to receive light transmitted through the diffuser. The polarizer transmits light of the initial polarization state while absorbing a portion of the laterally scattered light that has a different polarization state. The resolution of the overall screen assembly may be made higher while also improving other characteristics of the screen assembly.