Benjamin A Jacobson

US Patent:

6335999, Jan 1, 2002

Filed:

Mar 22, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/533043

Inventors:

Roland Winston - Chicago IL
Robert L. Holman - Evanston IL
Benjamin A. Jacobson - Chicago IL
Robert M. Emmons - Woodbury MN
Philip Gleckman - Eindhoven, NL

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining Mfg. Co. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 610

US Classification:

385146, 385 43, 385901, 385129, 385131, 359559, 362558

Abstract:

An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A layer has an optical index of referaction n l, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angel of inclination. A back surface spans the top, bottom and side surface. A first layer is coupled to the bottom surface of the layer and has an index of refraction n. The first layer index n causes light input through the back surface of the layer to be preferentially output into the first layer. A second layer is coupled to the bottom of the first layer and selectively causes output of light into ambient. Additional layers, such as alight polarization layer, a polarization converting layer and a post LCD diffuser layer can be used to make preferential use of polarized light of diffuse light having passed through the LCD layer to enhance viewing of the output light.

US Patent:

6671452, Dec 30, 2003

Filed:

Nov 27, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/995497

Inventors:

Roland Winston - Chicago IL
Robert L. Holman - Evanston IL
Benjamin A. Jacobson - Chicago IL
Robert M. Emmons - Woodbury MN
Philip Gleckman - Eindhoven, NL

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - Saint Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 610

US Classification:

385146, 385 43, 385901, 385129, 359559, 362558

Abstract:

An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A layer has an optical index of referaction n , and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angel of inclination. A back surface spans the top, bottom and side surface. A first layer is coupled to the bottom surface of the layer and has an index of refraction n. The first layer index n causes light input through the back surface of the layer to be preferentially output into the first layer. A second layer is coupled to the bottom of the first layer and selectively causes output of light into ambient. Additional layers, such as alight polarization layer, a polarization converting layer and a post LCD diffuser layer can be used to make preferential use of polarized light of diffuse light having passed through the LCD layer to enhance viewing of the output light.

US Patent:

6993242, Jan 31, 2006

Filed:

Aug 14, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/641304

Inventors:

Roland Winston - Chicago IL, US
Robert L. Holman - Evanston IL, US
Benjamin A. Jacobson - Chicago IL, US
Robert M. Emmons - Woodbury MN, US
Philip Gleckman - Eindhoven, NL

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - Saint Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 6/10

US Classification:

385146, 385 43, 385129, 385901

Abstract:

An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A layer has an optical index of referaction n, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angel of inclination φ. A back surface spans the top, bottom and side surface. A first layer is coupled to the bottom surface of the layer and has an index of refraction n. The first layer index ncauses light input through the back surface of the layer to be preferentially output into the first layer. A second layer is coupled to the bottom of the first layer and selectively causes output of light into ambient. Additional layers, such as alight polarization layer, a polarization converting layer and a post LCD diffuser layer can be used to make preferential use of polarized light of diffuse light having passed through the LCD layer to enhance viewing of the output light.

US Patent:

7068446, Jun 27, 2006

Filed:

May 4, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/838948

Inventors:

Benjamin D. Jacobson - Chicago IL, US
Robert D. Gengelbach - Rochester NY, US

Assignee:

Illumitech Inc. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G02B 17/00

US Classification:

359726, 359727, 359729

Abstract:

A nonimaging optical system for processing a first and second light distribution. The nonimaging optical system includes at least two refractive surfaces, at least one reflective surface nearer to the first light distribution along at least one ray path than the nearer of the two refracting surfaces and the reflective surface and the refractive surfaces cooperating to redirect light edge rays of the first light distribution into the neighborhood of the edge of the second light distribution with a single reflection from the reflecting surface.

US Patent:

7108386, Sep 19, 2006

Filed:

May 12, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/844153

Inventors:

Benjamin A. Jacobson - Chicago IL, US
Robert D. Gengelbach - Rochester NY, US

Assignee:

Illumitech Inc. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

F21V 9/16

US Classification:

362 84, 362293, 362800, 257 99

Abstract:

A high brightness LED phosphor coupling device. A semiconductor light source is encapsulated by a medium of first index of refraction, a layer of phosphor surrounded by a second medium of second index of refraction of optical index less than the first index and a light coupler for redirecting most of the light from the light source to an area of the phosphor about equal to the area of the light source multiplied by the square of the ratio of the first to the second index of refraction.

US Patent:

7209628, Apr 24, 2007

Filed:

May 16, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/130066

Inventors:

Roland Winston - Chicago IL, US
Robert L. Holman - Evanston IL, US
Benjamin A. Jacobson - Chicago IL, US
Robert M. Emmons - Woodbury MN, US
Philip Gleckman - Eindhoven, NL

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 6/10

US Classification:

385146, 385 43, 385129, 385901

Abstract:

An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A layer has an optical index of refraction n, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angel of inclination φ. A back surface spans the top, bottom and side surface. A first layer is coupled to the bottom surface of the layer and has an index of refraction n. The first layer index ncauses light input through the back surface of the layer to be preferentially output into the first layer. A second layer is coupled to the bottom of the first layer and selectively causes output of light into ambient. Additional layers, such as alight polarization layer, a polarization converting layer a and a post LCD diffuser layer can be used to make preferential use of polarized light of diffuse light having passed through the LCD layer to enhance viewing of the output light.

US Patent:

7246921, Jul 24, 2007

Filed:

Feb 3, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/050542

Inventors:

Benjamin A. Jacobson - Chicago IL, US
Robert D. Gengelbach - Rochester NY, US

Assignee:

Illumitech, Inc. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

F21V 29/00
F21V 7/00

US Classification:

362294, 362298

Abstract:

An LED light source using back-reflecting collection optics with a supporting structure and heat sink to block only a small amount of light. A reflector has a front and back side with an LED positioned on the front side of the reflector. A heat conducting body is positioned at least partially between the reflector and the LED. The heat conducting body provides a pathway for heat to flow from the LED toward the back side of the reflector.

US Patent:

7418188, Aug 26, 2008

Filed:

Jun 28, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/478408

Inventors:

Roland Winston - Chicago IL, US
Robert L. Holman - Evanston IL, US
Benjamin A. Jacobson - Chicago IL, US
Robert M. Emmons - Woodbury MN, US
Philip Gleckman - Eindhoven, NL

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - Saint Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 6/26

US Classification:

385146, 385 43, 385901, 385129, 385131

Abstract:

An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A layer has an optical index of referaction n, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angle of inclination φ. A back surface spans the top, bottom and side surface. A first layer is coupled to the bottom surface of the layer and has an index of refraction n. The first layer index ncauses light input through the back surface of the layer to be preferentially output into the first layer. A second layer is coupled to the bottom of the first layer and selectively causes output of light into ambient. Additional layers, such, as alight polarization layer, a polarization converting layer and a post LCD diffuser layer can be used to make preferential use of polarized light of diffuse light having passed through the LCD layer to enhance viewing of the output light.