Abstract: The present invention provides a composite light guiding plate comprising a light guiding layer comprising an incident face for receiving light from at least one light source, a light guiding output surface that is also generally orthogonal to the incident face, a featured surface, opposite the light-guiding output surface and generally orthogonal to the input face for redirecting light through the light guiding output surface. Further, the featured surface comprises a plurality of rows of linear prismatic structures extended in a length direction that is substantially perpendicular to the incident face and having height and width dimensions of 10 to 200 microns and wherein the length-to-width aspect ratio of the linear prismatic structures is greater than 100:1 the thickness of the light guiding layer is less than 1 mm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multilayered integrated backlight illumination assembly for an LCD display comprising a substrate for providing structural and functional support to the assembly, a bottom reflector provided on the substrate and a plurality of solid state light sources provided in an opening of the bottom reflector for providing a point light source. The invention further provides a plurality of primary light films having light redirecting areas provided between the plurality of solid state light sources for redirecting and spreading the point light source to a uniform plane of light, a plurality of secondary light films having light redirecting areas provided between the plurality of solid state light sources for redirecting and spreading the point light source to a uniform plane of light and a binding means for binding the primary and secondary light films together.

Abstract: A solid waveguide comprises opposite TIR surfaces further comprising: a) at least one light input surface for coupling light from a solid state light source; b) at least one mixing section; c) at least one light emitting surface; and d) a desired pattern of light redirecting features located on one TIR surface or between the TIR surfaces.

Abstract: A backlight apparatus for directing light toward a display panel and the resulting display device comprises an elongated illuminator that is disposed to direct light towards the display panel and a light diffusing element for uniformizing the light redirected from the two or more elongated illuminators to provide backlight illumination. Such an apparatus provides a more even light distribution to the display.

Abstract: The invention relates to a base comprising a closed cell foam core sheet having a closed cell foam layer with a density gradient between the center of the core and the surfaces of the core. The invention also relates to a method of making such a base by adding a first concentration of a first blowing agent to a first polymer to form a first mixture, adding a second concentration of a second blowing agent to a second polymer to form a second mixture, and extruding the mixtures to form the closed cell foam core sheet. The invention also relates to a method of making such a closed cell foam core sheet base comprising the steps of adding a blowing agent to a polymer to form a mixture, melting the mixture, extruding the mixture from a die, and rapidly quenching the mixture against a high heat transfer surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multilayered integrated backlight illumination assembly for an LCD display comprising a substrate for providing structural and functional support to the assembly, a bottom reflector provided on the substrate and a plurality of solid state light sources provided in an opening of the bottom reflector for providing a point light source. The invention further provides a plurality of primary light films having light redirecting areas provided between the plurality of solid state light sources for redirecting and spreading the point light source to a uniform plane of light, a plurality of secondary light films having light redirecting areas provided between the plurality of solid state light sources for redirecting and spreading the point light source to a uniform plane of light and a binding means for binding the primary and secondary light films together.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated backlight illumination assembly for an LCD display comprising, a substrate for providing structural and functional support to the assembly, a bottom reflector provided on the substrate and a plurality of solid state light sources provided in an opening of the bottom reflector for providing a point light source. Further, the invention provides a plurality of light films with a thickness between 10 microns to 3mm and having light redirecting areas provided between the plurality of solid state light sources for redirecting and spreading the point light source to a uniform plane of light and a top diffuser for diffusing the uniform plane of light, and wherein the plurality of light films has a thickness between 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm and a bending stiffness between 50 to 1200 millinewtons.

Abstract: A backlight apparatus for directing light toward a display panel and the resulting display device comprises a solid lightguide comprising opposite TIR surfaces, containing a desired pattern of light redirecting surface features located between the TIR surfaces and interrupting one of the TIR surfaces, the features having a refractive index differing from that of the solid material of the light guide. Such an apparatus provides a more even light distribution to the display.

Abstract: A voided semi-crystalline polymeric integrated optical diffuser film is provided with surface beads. The film is useful when incorporated into a display device such as an LC display.

Abstract: A backlight for a display comprises a reflector box containing reflective areas and aperture areas and mini lightbars located in a region below the reflector box and arranged to provide light through the apertures.

Abstract: A backlight apparatus for directing light toward a display panel and the resulting display device comprises a solid lightguide comprising opposite TIR surfaces, containing a desired pattern of light redirecting surface features located between the TIR surfaces and interrupting one of the TIR surfaces, the features having a refractive index differing from that of the solid material of the light guide. Such an apparatus provides a more even light distribution to the display.

Abstract: A backlight comprises in order a lightguide plate with a sidelit light source and bonded thereto a light extraction unit containing in order from the lightguide plate, a first polymeric layer, an adhesive layer, a second polymeric layer bearing features at least partly embedded in the adhesive layer wherein the materials of the first polymeric layer, the adhesive layer, and the second polymeric layer differ by less than 0.05 in refractive index, the interstitial regions between the non-embedded portions of the features containing a material having a refractive index at least 0.1 lower than that of the material comprising the features.

Abstract: A solid waveguide comprises opposite TIR surfaces further comprising: a) at least one light input surface for coupling light from a solid state light source; b) at least one mixing section; c) at least one light emitting surface; and d) a desired pattern of light redirecting features located on one TIR surface or between the TIR surfaces.

Abstract: This invention provides method for placing indicia on a support for an imaging element comprising embossing indicia, such as a logo, on a roller; providing a support wherein said support comprises a closed cell foam core and adhered thereto at least one flange layer, wherein said closed cell foam core comprises a polymer that has been expanded through the use of a blowing agent; and pressing said support against said embossed roller.

Abstract: A process for making a multiphase birefringent film and resulting shaped article comprise (a) a first polymeric material forming a continuous phase in all directions and (b) a second polymeric material that is continuous in only one direction disposed within the first phase, the second polymeric material being predominately curvilinear in shape and substantially extending the length of the film, at least one of the phases being birefringent and the two phases being substantially matched in refractive index in at least one direction The shaped article and process for making provides a diffusely reflecting polarizer.

Abstract: A light assembly comprises a light source, an optically transmissive self- supporting substrate, and coupled with but unattached to the substrate, a voided high Tg semi-crystalline polymeric optical diffuser film that shrinks less than 1% as a result of thermal shrinkage testing.

Abstract: An optical device comprises a direct backlight and an optical element comprising an arrangement of one or more optical films confined between two integrally bound optically transmissive substrates that together are self-supporting.

Abstract: A backlight apparatus for directing light toward a display panel and the resulting display device comprises an elongated illuminator that is disposed to direct light towards the display panel and a light diffusing element for uniformizing the light redirected from the two or more elongated illuminators to provide backlight illumination. Such an apparatus provides a more even light distribution to the display.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of manufacturing micro-cell arrays. Such an array may find use in a number of applications such as, for example, a video display, electronic paper, and signage. The microcell arrays find particular use in electromodulating displays.

Abstract: A process for making a diffusely reflecting polarizer comprises the steps of arranging polymeric fibers containing certain fibrils and forming a solid film. A diffusely-reflective polarizer employs the film to effect polarization.