Abstract: A coating method includes: forming multiple through holes in a coating film including a support sheet and a transfer layer on the support sheet, the multiple through holes passing through only the transfer layer; after the forming of the multiple through holes, disposing the coating film so that the transfer layer faces a surface of a target object; pressing the coating film against the surface of the target object from a side of the support sheet so that the transfer layer is transferred to the surface of the target object; and, after the pressing, peeling off the support sheet from the transfer layer.

Abstract: A planar decorative material (11), for interior furnishing, with perforations (12), in particular for the automotive industry, which serves to be illuminated, on its rear side (13), with a illumination device (18) and permits a part of the light of the illumination device (18) to pass from the rear side (13) of the decorative material (11) through the perforations (12) to the visible side (14) of the decorative material (11), wherein a film (20) adheres onto the rear side (13) of the decorative material (11), and the perforations (12) extend through the film (20) as far as to the visible side (14) of the decorative material (11), and the film (20) is an adhesive film activatable by increase in temperature and/or pressure, which can be permanently adhesively-bonded onto the illumination device (18) under increase in temperature to a temperature T2 and/or increase in pressure to a pressure p2. The present invention also relates to a manufacturing method.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to light management constructions comprising microstructured prismatic elements useful in the preparation of sun-facing light redirecting films having reduced glare.

Abstract: Light-redirecting optical system for building fenestrations, such as glass doors and windows, storefront glazing systems, and curtain walls, that can collect and redirect daylight into the interior of a building. The light-redirecting optical system includes an outward-facing light-redirecting optical surface and an inward-facing light-redirecting surface. The outward-facing light-redirecting optical surface collects and redirects daylight mostly upward toward the inward-facing light-redirecting surface. The inward-facing light-redirecting surface receives the redirected daylight and further redirects it into the interior environment at pre-determined angles; so that all specular rays of light are at or above the horizon for a wide range of incident angles of daylight striking the outward-facing light-redirecting optical surface. The light-redirecting optical surfaces can be fabricated on a film or flexible substrate that may be directly applied to glass, acrylic, or other glazing surfaces.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to light management constructions comprising microstructured prismatic elements useful in the preparation of room-facing light redirecting films having reduced glare.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to light management constructions comprising microstructured prismatic elements useful in the preparation of sun-facing light redirecting films having reduced glare.

Abstract: A window well assembly for providing natural light to an interior of a dwelling comprising a light-refracting block, a flange, an outer gasket, an internal gasket, a reinforcing band, and a fastener. The window well assembly is installed into a wall in the dwelling where the light-refracting block externally protrudes from the wall for natural light refraction into the interior of the dwelling. The light-refracting block comprises a block body that presents an external receiving side, an external transmitting side, an upper wall-interfacing side, a lower wall-interfacing side, and an internal emergent side. Natural light enters the external receiving side or external transmitting side and refracts through the block body until emitted through the internal emergent side.

Abstract: A window assembly having at least one pane is presented for use in a building. Positioned within the pane are a plurality of spaced-apart micro-louvers which extend substantially across the length of the pane. The micro-louvers are positioned to block transmission of direct sunlight through the pane when the sun is at a selected angle above the horizon or higher. The angle at and above which direct light is blocked can be selected to be approximately 30 or 45 degrees above the horizon, for example. The angle can be selected based on the latitude of the location of the window assembly, the time of day during which direct sunlight is blocked, etc. The micro-louvers may have reflective surfaces, be colored as desired, be opaque or translucent.

Abstract: An optical article for directing and distributing light including an optically transmissive light diffusing sheet and a reflective grid disposed in energy exchange relationship with the diffusing sheet. The reflective grid includes one or more parallel arrays of reflective surfaces configured to partially transmit and partially redirect a parallel beam of light into one or more directions that are not coincident with the original propagation direction of the incident light beam.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solar tracking skylight system for illumination, primarily including a light guide, a solar tracking controller, a two-axis tracking mechanism, an energy converter and energy storage system, and a weather protective cover. The system uses the solar tracking controller to detect the direction of the light, thereby enabling the two-axis tracking mechanism to move toward the light to facilitate the light guide in collecting light and diffusing it indoors for illumination use. The protective cover provides waterproofing, and the energy converter and energy storage system is used to store electrical energy generated by the solar energy panel for system use. External power is not needed for the system to operate and provide indoor lighting, thereby achieving the objective of saving energy and reducing carbon emissions.

Abstract: A decollimator for a daylighting system includes a conical section having a circular end, a square end, and a conical shape tapering inwardly from the circular end to the square end. A mixing zone section is attached to the square end of the conical section and has a square cross sectional shape of a substantially constant cross sectional dimension. The decollimator also includes either a window with a converging Fresnel lens on the circular end of the conical section, a window with a diverging Fresnel lens on an end of the mixing zone section opposite the conical section, or both. When the conical section receives collimated light, the conical section, the mixing zone section, and the Fresnel lens together decollimate the light and provide the decollimated light out of the mixing zone section.

Abstract: A window assembly (100,110,120,130) for irradiating infrared light (L) comprises a light guide (5) for infrared light (L), which is formed by a gap between a first transparent substrate (2), having an exterior surface and an interior surface, which faces the light guide (5), and a second transparent substrate (3) substantially parallel to the first transparent substrate (2) and having an exterior surface and an interior surface, which faces the light guide (5) and the interior surface of the first transparent substrate (3). A first and a second reflective layer (12,13), that are both substantially reflective for infrared light (L), extend over the interior surfaces of respectively the first and the second transparent substrate (2,3). The second reflective layer (13) is provided with an opening (21) through which at least part of the infrared light (L) exits the light guide (5).

Abstract: Optical devices according to the present invention include a multilayer optical film in which at least one of the layers comprises an oriented birefringent polymer. The multilayer optical film exhibits low absorptivity and can reflect light approaching at shallow angles as well as normal to the film.

Abstract: Optical devices such as backlight assemblies, according to the present invention include a multilayer optical film in which at least one of the layers comprises an oriented birefringent polymer. The multilayer optical film exhibits low absorptivity and can reflect light approaching at shallow angles as well as normal to the film.

Abstract: An artificial and natural lighting system placed in the roof of a building that is substantially self-contained and powered. A photovoltaic cell provides electricity stored in a battery to power light emitting diodes. A highly reflective interior coating applied to the light shaft maximizes lighting intensity. A sensor detects illumination intensity and temperature within the light shaft to control the balance of natural and artificial light provided to maintain predetermined illumination intensity. The light shaft is insulated to reduce heat transfer and a thermal collector removes heat from the building. In one embodiment, a Fresnel lens is utilized to focus natural light onto the photovoltaic cell. In another embodiment, conventional fluorescent lighting powered by external line voltage is combined with light emitting diodes powered primarily by a rechargeable battery.

Abstract: Optical devices according to the present invention include a multilayer optical film in which at least one of the layers comprises an oriented birefringent polymer. The multilayer optical film exhibits low absorptivity and can reflect light approaching at shallow angles as well as normal to the film.

Abstract: The invention relates to a phase annulus consisting of a phase shifting thin-film system, which, in the case of a cemented system, has the following structure: (first) substrate-Ag-nH-cement-(second) substrate, or a structure: (first) substrate-n1-Ag-n2-cement-(second) substrate. In the case of an uncemented structure, the thin-film system has the following structure: substrate-Ag-nH-air, wherein nH, n1 or n2 represent the respective refractive index of a dielectric film. Phase shifting of the positive phase contrast can be regulated in a targeted manner.

Abstract: A light diffuser includes a light scattering element particularly useful for ornamental and decorative purposes. The light scattering element has macroscopic chaotically or quasi-chaotically formed refracting planes and/or reflection planes. The light scattering element further includes a casing filled with a liquid medium. The light scattering element further includes a flexible material with macroscopic chaotically or quasi-chaotically formed exterior surfaces. The light diffuser includes viscous prisms that cause diffractions and refractions with light, interferences such as superposition of light waves, highly varied polarizations, dispersions and beam concentrations.

Abstract: An image display apparatus and a liquid-crystal display device using such an optical filter for diffusing pixels while suppressing the occurrence of moire. A diffuser (optical filter) 13 comprising a combination of a diffraction grating 26 and a birefringence plate 27 is disposed on an LCD 11 in an opposing relation to the viewer side. The diffraction grating 26 diffuses each pixel of the LCD 11 into three points in the vertical direction by a shift amount of POy/3 (POy: same color pixel pitch in the vertical direction). Further, the birefringence plate 27 diffuses each diffused pixel into two points in the horizontal direction by a shift amount of Pox/2 (Pox: same color pixel pitch in the horizontal direction). Thus, the diffuser 13 diffuses each pixel of the LCD 11 into six pixels to thereby optically erase a matrix-like pixel pattern.

Abstract: A retroreflective vision control panel which includes an opaque sheet material coated with retroreflective light reflecting particles and a dark opaque color on the reverse side thereof, and an image formed over top the retroreflective particles using colored light permeable translucent inks or films to form an image thereon. The opaque sheet and image have a plurality of perforations spaced therethrough. Translucent light-permeable sheet material is provided on the back side of the panel and overlaid on one or the other side with translucent inks to form a second image. An observer on the front side of the panel will observe one or the other of the images, depending upon the relative intensity of the light incident on the front and back sides of the panel.

Abstract: A retroreflective vision control panel which includes an opaque sheet material coated with retroreflective light reflecting particles and a dark opaque color on the reverse side thereof, and an image formed over top the retroreflective particles using colored light permeable translucent inks or films to form an image thereon. The opaque sheet and image have a plurality of perforations spaced therethrough. Translucent light-permeable sheet material is provided on the back side of the panel and overlaid on one or the other side with translucent inks to form a second image. An observer on the front side of the panel will observe one or the other of the images, depending upon the relative intensity of the light incident on the front and back sides of the panel.

Abstract: An optical component comprises at least one substantially planar element having a plurality of elementary surfaces capable of acting to reflect by total internal reflection light incident thereon through the corresponding said element within a first range of incident angles associated with each surface, and to refract light incident thereon through the corresponding said element within a second range of incident angles associated with each surface. Refracted light at low angles of incidence passes straight through to provide a view through the component.

Abstract: An improved display product and method of making a display wherein a perforated panel is provided with layers of paint which are kept on the panel. Thus, a sign painter can have a wide latitude of designs which can be applied to see-through graphics. The resulting product can be opaque to an observer looking from one side of a display product yet the observer is able to see through the product from the other side of the product. A window to be provided with a display product is masked with masking paper and masking tape to cover the exposed parts. A perforated panel is cut to fit the window and attached over the masking paper and the masking tape. The perforated panel is painted with an image that is desired.

Abstract: A retro-reflective vision control panel which includes an opaque sheet material coated with retro-reflective light reflecting particles and a dark opaque color on the reverse side thereof, and an image formed over top the retro-reflective particles using colored light permeable translucent inks or films to form an image thereon. The opaque sheet and image have a plurality of perforations spaced thereover such that when the light level on the image side of said panel is slightly less than, equal to, or greater than that on the other side, an observer on the image side clearly sees the image while an observer on the other side sees through the panel without seeing any trace whatsoever of the image or design.

Abstract: One or more panels define a support for an image layer and a relatively dark layer. Holes extend through the panel and the layer. The holes allow viewing through the panels in one direction without seeing the image, yet the image can be viewed by looking at the panel assembly from the opposite direction. Thus, the image is suitable as an advertising medium as applied to the transparent windows of buildings, vehicles and the like. A person sitting in a building or in a vehicle cannot see the image on a window by looking outwardly through the window. Looking in the opposite direction, from outside to inside the vehicle, a person will see the image through the assembly of panels.

Abstract: A diffuse reflecting and specularly transmitting optical shutter structure comprises an optically rough layer of an optically thin optical shutter, and two additional layers disposed on either side of the optical shutter. These two additional layers have refractive indices which approximately match. The surfaces of these two additional layers adjacent to the optical shutter conform to the optically rough surfaces of the optical shutter and the non-adjacent surfaces to the optical shutter of these two additional layers are optically smooth.