John J Simbal

US Patent:

6365061, Apr 2, 2002

Filed:

Feb 17, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/251774

Inventors:

Lewis S. Damer - St. Paul MN
Stephen W. Farnsworth - Loveland CO
Robert S. Jackson - Little Canada MN
Mark P. Lubratt - White Bear Township MN
Robert C. Martin - Stillwater MN
David M. Perry - Lafayette CO
John J. Simbal - Lakeway TX
Daniel P. Stubbs - Marine-On-St.-Croix MN

Assignee:

Imation Corp. - Oakdale MN

International Classification:

B44C 122

US Classification:

216 65, 216 22, 264400, 2191216, 21912168

Abstract:

Methods and systems for laser etching of optical servo patterns on magnetic data storage media using two or more beams of laser energy produced from a single source of laser energy to produce a servo pattern on the magnetic data storage media. By using two or more etching beams, the time required to produce a servo pattern on the magnetic data storage media can be significantly reduced. Alternatively, each servo track in the servo pattern can be written more than once. The servo patterns thus formed can be read optically or they may be read magnetically using magnetic overwriting (if the servo pattern is formed in a magnetic coating on the media). In either case, the servo patterns are either permanently formed in the media when read optically, or they can be recreated after bulk erasing if they are provided using magnetic overwriting. In yet another alternative, the servo patterns may be read both magnetically and optically, with the magnetic and optical reading occurring simultaneously or sequentially.

US Patent:

6808648, Oct 26, 2004

Filed:

Feb 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/072125

Inventors:

Lewis S. Damer - St. Paul MN
Stephen W. Farnsworth - Loveland CO
Robert S. Jackson - Little Canada MN
Mark P. Lubratt - White Bear Township MN
Robert C. Martin - Stillwater MN
David M. Perry - Lafayette CO
John J. Simbal - Lakeway TX
Daniel P. Stubbs - Marine-On-St.-Croix MN

Assignee:

Imation Corp. - Oakdale MN

International Classification:

B44C 122

US Classification:

216 65, 216 22, 2191216, 21912168

Abstract:

Methods and systems for laser etching of optical servo patterns on magnetic data storage media using two or more beams of laser energy produced from a single source of laser energy to produce a servo pattern on the magnetic data storage media. By using two or more etching beams, the time required to produce a servo pattern on the magnetic data storage media can be significantly reduced. Alternatively, each servo track in the servo pattern can be written more than once. The servo patterns thus formed can be read optically or they may be read magnetically using magnetic overwriting (if the servo pattern is formed in a magnetic coating on the media). In either case, the servo patterns are either permanently formed in the media when read optically, or they can be recreated after bulk erasing if they are provided using magnetic overwriting. In yet another alternative, the servo patterns may be read both magnetically and optically, with the magnetic and optical reading occurring simultaneously or sequentially.

US Patent:

6853772, Feb 8, 2005

Filed:

May 13, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/436836

Inventors:

James M. Battiato - Austin TX, US
John J. Simbal - Lakeway TX, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B006/34

US Classification:

385 37, 385 52

Abstract:

A tunable interferometer for creating an interference pattern of variable periodicity at a fixed location is disclosed. The interferometer includes an optical element for splitting an input beam into a first write beam and a second write beam which are parallel to one another and have a variable distance therebetween. The interferometer also includes a beam directing element for receiving the parallel first and second write beams to intersect at the fixed location with an angle of intersection which is a function of the variable distance between the parallel first and second write beams received.

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:

7329887, Feb 12, 2008

Filed:

Dec 2, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/726225

Inventors:

Gordon D. Henson - Lake Elmo MN, US
Bonnie Weiskopf Albrecht - Lake Elmo MN, US
Donald K. Larson - Cedar Park TX, US
John J. Simbal - Lakeway TX, US
Michael A. Meis - Stillwater MN, US
Michael E. Griffin - Maplewood MN, US
Bruce R. Broyles - Oakdale MN, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

H01J 1/62

US Classification:

2504941, 313501, 359726

Abstract:

A photon emitting device comprises a plurality of solid state radiation sources to generate radiation. The solid state radiation sources can be disposed in an array pattern. Optical concentrators, arranged in a corresponding array pattern, receive radiation from corresponding solid state radiation sources. The concentrated radiation is received by a plurality of optical waveguides, also arranged in a corresponding array pattern. Each optical waveguide includes a first end to receive the radiation and a second end to output the radiation. A support structure is provided to stabilize the plurality of optical waveguides between the first and second ends. The photon emitting device can provide a replacement for a discharge lamp device in various applications including road illumination, spot lighting, back lighting, image projection and radiation activated curing.

US Patent:

7403680, Jul 22, 2008

Filed:

Dec 2, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/726244

Inventors:

John J. Simbal - Lakeway TX, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 6/26

US Classification:

385 31, 385 88, 257 98

Abstract:

An illumination system has individual light emitting diodes (LEDs) that are optically coupled via reflective couplers to respective optical fibers. The respective optical fibers may then be bundled. The shape of the reflective coupler may be selected to increase the coupling efficiency between the LED and its optical fiber. The reflective coupler may be formed as an aperture through a sheet, having a first shape at the input side and a second shape, different form the first shape, at the second side. The reflective coupler may be formed as an aperture through a body, where at least a first portion of the interior surface of the aperture conforms to a two-dimensional (2-D) surface and at least a second portion of the interior surface conforms to a three-dimensional (3-D) surface.

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:

7360924, Apr 22, 2008

Filed:

Dec 29, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/618403

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 1/00

US Classification:

362241, 362247, 257 98

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.