Patent US3146919A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5621571A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5621571A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Integrated retroreflective electronic display
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1994-02-14
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Granted: 1997-04-15
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Expires: 2014-02-14
Abstract
Abstract An integrated retroreflective data communication display for visual and electromagnetic communication is described. The display may be configured as an integrated retroreflective electronic license plate, with printed visual information, similar to the information printed on traditional license plates, on retroreflective sheeting. An antenna network is integrated within the license plate for electromagnetic communication and may be connected to external electronic modules. The display may also be configured as an integrated retroreflective electronic road sign, also providing visual and electromagnetic information in a unitary structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Heinrich Bantli
- 👤 Thomas I. Bradshaw
- 👤 Stephen W. Mohn
- 👤 Edmund J. Ring
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:02
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/067; G06K19/07; G06K19/077; G06K19/07701; G06K19/07703; B; B60; B60R; B60R13/00; B60R13/10; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/12; G02B5/126; G02B5/128; G06K19/07749; G06K19/08; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/01; G08G1/017; G06K2019/06215; G06K2019/0629
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
48 words
A retroreflective apparatus for both visual and electromagnetic data communication, said apparatus comprising: retroreflective means for retroreflecting incident light, said retroreflecting means having visual information thereon; antenna means for electromagnetic communication; and coupling means for allowing coupling to said antenna means; wherein said retroreflective apparatus is substantially rigid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
48 words
A retroreflective apparatus for both visual and electromagnetic data communication, said apparatus comprising: retroreflective means for retroreflecting incident light, said retroreflecting means having visual information thereon; antenna means for electromagnetic communication; and coupling means for allowing coupling to said antenna means; wherein said retroreflective apparatus is substantially rigid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
131 words
The retroreflective apparatus for both visual and electromagnetic data communication according to claim 1, wherein said retroreflective means comprises retroreflective sheeting having first and second faces and wherein said antenna means comprises: a generally planar dielectric substrate having first and second faces, said first face of said dielectric substrate being disposed in parallel and adjacent said second face of said retroreflective sheeting; radiating means disposed between said second face of said retroreflective sheeting and said first face of said dielectric substrate for radiating electromagnetic energy; and a generally planar electrically conductive member having a first face and a second face for acting as a ground plane for said radiating means, said first face of said electrically conductive member being disposed in parallel and adjacent said second face of said dielectric substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
85 words
The retroreflective apparatus for both visual and electromagnetic data communication according to claim 2, wherein said retroreflective sheeting comprises: a base sheet having a monolayer of microspheres which are partially embedded in one of its surfaces, said base sheet having specular light reflecting means underlying and in optical connection with the embedded surface of said microspheres; a cover sheet disposed in spaced relation from said layer of retroreflective elements; and a network of narrow intersecting bonds extending between said cover sheet and said base sheet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The retroreflective apparatus for both visual and electromagnetic data communication according to claim 3, wherein said specular light reflecting means comprises a substantially hemispherical reflective coating on each microsphere.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The retroreflective apparatus for both visual and electromagnetic data communication according to claim 4, wherein said coating is a metal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The retroreflective apparatus for both visual and electromagnetic data communication according to claim 5, wherein said metal is aluminum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The retroreflective apparatus for both visual and electromagnetic data communication according to claim 2, wherein said retroreflective sheeting comprises a sheet having first and second sides, said first side being substantially flat and said second side having an array of cube-corner retroreflective elements thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The retroreflective apparatus for both visual and electromagnetic data communication according to claim 2, wherein said radiating means comprises a first microstrip patch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The retroreflective apparatus for both visual and electromagnetic data communication according to claim 8, wherein said coupling means comprises: a microstrip transmission line connected to said microstrip patch; and a coaxial line connected to said microstrip transmission line.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
130 words
The retroreflective apparatus for both visual and electromagnetic data communication according to claim 8, wherein said coupling means comprises: a second generally planar dielectric substrate having first and second faces, said first face of said second generally planar dielectric substrate being disposed in parallel and adjacent said second face of said electrically conductive member; a microstrip transmission line having first and second faces, said first face of said transmission line being disposed in parallel and adjacent said second face of said second generally planar dielectric substrate and aligned with said microstrip patch; and a coaxial line connected to said microstrip transmission line and said electrically conductive member; and said electrically conductive member having an aperture from said first face to said second face, said aperture aligned with said microstrip patch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
The retroreflective apparatus for both visual and electromagnetic data communication according to claim 10, wherein an array of microstrip patches includes said first microstrip patch and wherein said electrically conductive member has a plurality of apertures from said first face to said second face, each of said apertures aligned with a corresponding microstrip patch from said array of microstrip patches.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-04-14 | 2000-10-14 | 2001-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-04-14 | 2004-10-14 | 2005-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-04-14 | 2008-10-14 | 2009-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |