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Andrew J. Ouderkirk

Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Singapore SG

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090323180MULTILAYER OPTICAL FILMS HAVING ONE OR MORE REFLECTION BANDS - Multilayer optical films having one or more reflection bands are provided. The films include alternating polymeric layers configured to selectively reflect and transmit visible light at a design angle of incidence, where the selective reflection includes first and second visible reflection bands. At least one of the first and second visible reflection bands is a first-order reflection.12-31-2009
20100051970PLANARIZED LED WITH OPTICAL EXTRACTOR - A light emitting article is disclosed and includes a light emitting diode having an n-layer or p-layer with a first refractive index value. A planarizing layer having a refractive index value equal to or greater than the first refractive index value is disposed on the n-layer or p-layer, and a patterned electrode is disposed on the n-layer or p-layer. An extractor having a light input surface is optically coupled to the planarizing layer.03-04-2010
20100051971HIGH EFFICIENCY LIGHT EMITTING ARTICLES AND METHODS OF FORMING THE SAME - A light emitting article (03-04-2010
20100156953THIN HOLLOW BACKLIGHTS WITH BENEFICIAL DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS - A backlight unit (06-24-2010
20100165660BACKLIGHT AND DISPLAY SYSTEM USING SAME - 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.07-01-2010
20110007392LIGHT COMBINER - Light combiners and light splitters, and methods of using light combiners and light splitters are described. In particular, the description relates to light combiners and splitters that combine and split, respectively, light of different wavelength spectrums using polarizing beam splitters. The polarizing beam splitters include a reflective polarizer to efficiently split incident light into transmitted and reflected beams having different polarization directions. Reflectors and quarter-wave retarders are positioned facing selected prism faces of the polarizing beam splitters, to affect the polarization state of light passing through the prism faces. The reflectors can be dichroic filters adapted to reflect light that is outside a selected wavelength range, so that light of different wavelength spectrums can be affected at different prism faces. The surfaces of each polarizing beam splitter can be polished so that the light utilization efficiency is increased due to total internal reflection within the polarizing beam splitter. The light combiners can combine up to five unpolarized different color lights to produce an unpolarized polychromatic light output, which may be white light useful for a projection display. The light splitters can split unpolarized polychromatic light to produce up to five unpolarized different color light outputs.01-13-2011
20110043719OPTICALLY TRANSMISSIVE COMPOSITE FILM FRAME - Optical display backlight assemblies having a transmissive optical film affixed to a frame which at least partially surrounds a backlight, are disclosed. The transmissive optical film can provide an increased bending resistance to the frame. The increase in bending resistance of the frame also increases the bending resistance of a display which incorporates the backlight assemblies. The optical film can be in tension after being affixed to the frame, and the tension in the film also can result in a flatter film surface with less sag. The film can be placed in tension prior to being affixed to the frame, the frame can be elastically distorted prior to affixing the film to impart tension to the film, or the film can develop tension by shrinkage after being affixed to the frame.02-24-2011
20110149547OPTICAL ELEMENT AND COLOR COMBINER - Optical elements, color combiners using the optical elements, and image projectors using the color combiners are described. The optical element includes color selective dichroic filters and a reflective polarizer. A line passing perpendicularly through each of the color selective dichroic filters intercepts the reflective polarizer at approximately 45 degrees. The optical element can also include retarders positioned adjacent to the color selective dichroic filters. The color combiner includes partially reflective light sources coupled to the optical element. Unpolarized light having different colors can enter the color combiner through the dichroic filters, and combined light of a desired polarization state can exit the color combiner. Light having an undesired polarization state can be recycled to the desired polarization state within the color combiner, so that light utilization efficiency is increased. The image projector includes a color combiner coupled to an imaging source and projection elements, so that a first portion of the combined light is directed to the projection element, and a second portion of the combined light is recycled back into the color combiner.06-23-2011
20110156616ELECTRICALLY PIXELATED LUMINESCENT DEVICE - Electrically pixelated luminescent devices, methods for forming electrically pixelated luminescent devices, systems including electrically pixelated luminescent devices, methods for using electrically pixelated luminescent devices.06-30-2011
20110186877LIGHT EMITTING DIODE WITH BONDED SEMICONDUCTOR WAVELENGTH CONVERTER - An electroluminescent device emits light at a pump wavelength. A first photoluminescent element covers first and second regions of the electroluminescent device and converts at least some of the pump light from the first region of the electroluminescent device to light at a first wavelength. A second photoluminescent element covers the second region of the electroluminescent device without covering the first region of the electroluminescent device and converts at least some of the light of the pump wavelength to light at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. In some embodiments the first and second photoluminescent elements convert substantially all of the pump light incident from the first and second regions of the electroluminescent device respectively. An etch-stop layer may separate the first and second photoluminescent elements.08-04-2011
20110235175POLARIZATION CONVERTING COLOR COMBINER - Optical elements, color combiners using the optical elements, and image projectors using the color combiners are described. The optical elements can be configured as color combiners that receive different wavelength spectrums of light and produce a combined light output that includes the different wavelength spectrums of light. In one aspect, the received light inputs are unpolarized, and the combined light output is polarized in a desired state. In one aspect, the received light inputs are unpolarized, and the combined light output is also unpolarized. The optical elements can be configured to minimize the passage of light which may be damaging to wavelength-sensitive components in the light combiner. Image projectors using the color combiners can include imaging modules that operate by reflecting or transmitting polarized light.09-29-2011
20110242653POLARIZATION CONVERTING COLOR COMBINER - Optical elements, color combiners using the optical elements, and image projectors using the color combiners are described. The optical elements can be configured as color combiners that receive different wavelength spectrums of light and produce a combined light output that includes the different wavelength spectrums of light. In one aspect, the received light inputs are unpolarized, and the combined light output is polarized in a desired state. The optical elements are configured to minimize the passage of light which may be damaging to wavelength-sensitive components in the light combiner. Image projectors using the color combiners can include imaging modules that operate by reflecting or transmitting polarized light.10-06-2011
20110256648Method of Making Double-sided Wavelength Converter and Light Generating Device Using Same - A method of forming a light conversion element includes providing a semiconductor construction having a first photoluminescent element epitaxially grown together with a second photoluminescent element. A first region is etched in the first photoluminescent element from a first side of the semiconductor construction and a second region is etched in the second photoluminescent element from a second side of the semiconductor construction. In some embodiments the wavelength converter is attached to an electroluminescent element, such as a light emitting diode (LED).10-20-2011

Patent applications by Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Singapore SG

Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Woodbury, MN US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090079909DISPLAY INCORPORATING REFLECTIVE POLARIZER - A display includes a liquid crystal display panel, an optical cavity producing substantially collimated light and a birefringent reflective polarizer.03-26-2009
20090128737Multifunctional thick film reflective polarizer for displays - Multilayer reflective polarizers are disclosed that utilize a thick film multilayer stack and that are suitable for use in liquid crystal display devices. The disclosed polarizers can be mechanically stiff and suitable for use as a plate or substrate for other light control films within the display. The polarizers can also include diffusing means to scatter transmitted light of the pass state, reflected light of the block state, or both.05-21-2009
20090155540POST-FORMABLE MULTILAYER OPTICAL FILMS AND METHODS OF FORMING - Articles including post-formed multilayer optical films with layers of at least one strain-induced birefringent material, methods of manufacturing such articles by post-forming multilayer optical films, and multilayer optical films that are particularly well-suited to post-forming operations are disclosed. The articles, methods and multilayer optical films of the present invention allow for post-forming of multilayer optical films including strain-induced index of refraction differentials while retaining the desired optical properties of the multilayer optical films.06-18-2009
20090251776MULTILAYER POLARIZING FIBERS AND POLARIZERS USING SAME - A polarizing film is made of multilayer polarizing fibers embedded within a matrix. The fibers are formed with layers of at least a first and a second polymer material. Layers of the first polymer material are disposed between layers of the second polymer material. At least one of the first and second polymer materials is birefringent. In some embodiments the thickness of the layers of at least one of the materials varies across the fiber, and may include layers are selected as quarter-wavelength thickness for light having a wavelength of more than 700 nm.10-08-2009
20090273925LED ILLUMINATION ASSEMBLY WITH COMPLIANT FOIL CONSTRUCTION - An illumination assembly includes a compliant substrate comprising a first and second electrically conductive foil separated by an electrically insulating layer. The insulating layer includes a polymer material loaded with particles that enhance thermal conductivity of the insulating layer. A plurality of LED dies are disposed on the first conductive foil.11-05-2009
20100230835COMPOSITE POLYMER FIBERS - A composite polymer fiber comprises a polymer filler material and a plurality of polymer scattering fibers disposed within the filler material. At least one of the filler material and the scattering fibers is formed of a birefringent material. The refractive indices of the filler material and the scattering fibers can be substantially matched for light incident in a first polarization state on the composite polymer fiber and unmatched for light incident in an orthogonal polarization state. The scattering fibers may be arranged to form a photonic crystal within the composite fiber. The composite fibers may be extruded and may be formed into a yarn, a weave or the like. If the filler material is soluble, it may be washed out of the yarn or weave, and the scattering fibers may then be infiltrated with a resin that is subsequently cured.09-16-2010
20110149554STRUCTURED COMPOSITE OPTICAL FILMS - Optical films having structured surfaces are used, inter alia, for managing the propagation of light within a display. As displays become larger, it becomes more important that the film be reinforced so as to maintain rigidity. An optical film of the invention has a first layer comprising inorganic fibers embedded within a polymer matrix. The first layer has a structured surface to provide an optical function to light passing therethrough. The film may have various beneficial optical properties, for example, light that propagates substantially perpendicularly through the first layer may be subject to no more than a certain level of haze or light incident on the film may be subject to a minimum value of brightness gain. Various methods of manufacturing the films are described.06-23-2011

Patent applications by Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Woodbury, MN US

Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Grange Garden SG

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20110216396HIGH DURABILITY COLOR COMBINER - Optical elements, color combiners using the optical elements, and image projectors using the color combiners are described. The optical elements can be configured as color combiners that receive different wavelength spectrums of light and produce a combined light output that includes the different wavelength spectrums of light. The optical elements include a wavelength selective dichroic mirror that reflects a major portion of actinic light that can damage a reflective polarizer within the optical element. The wavelength selective dichroic mirror transmits a major portion of other wavelengths of light. The resulting color combiners using the optical element may have improved durability compared to a color combiner lacking the wavelength selective dichroic mirror. Image projectors using the color combiners can include reflective (including digital micro-mirror) or polarization (including liquid crystal) imaging modules.09-08-2011

Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Grande Garden SG

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20110260601LIGHT GENERATING DEVICE HAVING DOUBLE-SIDED WAVELENGTH CONVERTER - A light emitting device includes a wavelength converter attached to a light emitting diode (LED). The wavelength converter may have etched patterns on both the first and second sides. In some embodiments the first and second sides of the converter each include a respective structure having a different width at its top than at its base. The wavelength converter may include a first photoluminescent element substantially overlying a first region of the LED without overlying a second region of the LED, while a second photoluminescent element substantially overlies the second region without overlying the first region. In some embodiments a passivation layer is disposed over the etched pattern of the first side. A window layer may be disposed between the first and second photoluminescent elements, with non-epitaxial material disposed on first and second sides of one region of the window layer.10-27-2011