Abstract: A backlight includes a lightguide, a light source disposed with respect to the lightguide to introduce light into the lightguide and a turning film. Optical structures are formed in one of an output surface and a back surface of the lightguide. The optical structures are arranged to extract light from the lightguide. A back reflector is disposed adjacent the back surface. The optical structures are formed to include a varying pattern arranged to mask non-uniformities in the output of the lightguide.

Abstract: An optical construction that is static-dissipative and includes a static-dissipative layer buried within optical material.

Abstract: An integrated optical assembly including a light management component with an entry surface and a light delivery component having an exit surface attached to the entry surface of the light management component is disclosed The light management component and the light delivery component are attached together in a manner that defines voids between the entry surface of the light management component and the exit surface of the light delivery component. The voids between the light management component and the light delivery component may provide an air interface over substantial portions of the entry surface of the light management component.

Abstract: A scheme of identifying nonfunctional two-way radios from among a known group of two-way radios expected to be operating within a region may include establishing a corresponding window of time for each of the two-way radios expected to be operating within the region. For each of the established windows of time, a transmission from the corresponding radio is awaited. If, for a particular radio, no transmission is detected within its corresponding window of time, the absence of the transmission is recorded. Finally, if, for a particular radio, the number of times absence of transmission has been recorded exceeds a threshold, the particular radio is identified as nonfunctional.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a projection screen includes a diffuse reflecting polarizer that diffusively reflects light polarized in a first direction and transmits light polarized in a second direction. The projection screen may also include a second polarizer adjacent a back side of the diffuse reflecting polarizer, wherein the second polarizer is oriented to transmit light polarized in the second direction. The projection screen may appear substantially diffuse when viewed from a front side and substantially transparent when viewed from a back side.

Abstract: An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A layer has an optical index of referaction n1, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angel of inclination ?. A back surface spans the top, bottom and side surface. A first layer is coupled to the bottom surface of the layer and has an index of refraction n2. The first layer index n2 causes light input through the back surface of the layer to be preferentially output into the first layer. A second layer is coupled to the bottom of the first layer and selectively causes output of light into ambient. Additional layers, such as alight polarization layer, a polarization converting layer and a post LCD diffuser layer can be used to make preferential use of polarized light of diffuse light having passed through the LCD layer to enhance viewing of the output light.

Abstract: Microperforated polymeric films and sound absorbers using such films are provided. The microperforated polymeric films may be relatively thin and flexible and may further include holes having a narrowest diameter less than the film thickness and a widest diameter greater than the narrowest diameter. The microperforated polymeric films of a sound absorber may also have relatively large free span portions, which, in certain embodiments, may vibrate in response to incident sound waves.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is directed to an illumination device. The illumination device includes a light emitting diode that emits a radiation pattern, wherein a maximum luminous intensity of the radiation pattern is displaced relative to a center axis of the light emitting diode. The illumination device may also include a number of light guides positioned to be illuminated by the light emitting diode. The invention utilizes the “batwing” radiation pattern of a light emitting diode to effectively illuminate a number of light guides with a single light emitting diode. Each light guide is offset from a center axis of the light emitting diode to capture light that is annularly displaced. This offset positioning of the light guides allows the light guides to effectively capture light from the light emitting diode where light intensity is greatest.

Abstract: The present invention includes a backlight system incorporating a back reflector and/or a lamp cavity reflector constructed of a multilayer optical film.

Abstract: A flexible screen with a mechanism for releasably attaching the screen to a transparent door or window is disclosed. A method of use is also disclosed.

Abstract: An illumination device that is relatively bright and uniform in appearance includes a light guide, which has a light guide core having an optically smooth surface for propagating light therethrough. A light emitting region, which extends along a portion of the core, includes at least one light extraction structure located along the optically smooth surface of the light guide core. The light extraction structure, which includes an optically reflective surface extending into the light guide core, is oriented to reflect light at an angle less than a critical angle necessary for light to propagate through the light guide core. A diffuse reflective material is disposed around at least a portion of the light guide. The diffuse reflective material directs at least a portion of the light reflected by the light extraction structure back through the light guide so that light is emitted through the light emitting region of the optically smooth surface.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an illumination apparatus that includes a light guide within a recessed housing. A light source, such as a light emitting diode can be used to provide light to the light guide. The light is transmitted through the light guide via total internal reflection (TIR), and can be emitted in a controlled manner to ensure that a desired angular distribution of light is achieved without substantially illuminating interior side walls of the recessed housing. In this manner, efficient lighting can be provided. In one embodiment, the invention is can be implemented within a cosmetic compact that includes a mirror. The compact may incorporate aspects of the invention by implementing a light guide within a ring-shaped recess of the compact to provide facial lighting to a user.

Abstract: A display includes an optical film that has a surface structure, such as a prismatically structured surface for increasing the brightness of the display. The structured surface is bonded to an opposing surface of a second film using a layer of adhesive, by penetrating the structured surface into the adhesive layer to a depth less than a feature height of the structured surface. The bonded film structure provides additional strength to the films and reduces the possibility of film damage during display assembly.

Abstract: An optical element, such as a lightguide or an optical film, is formed with a predetermined, programmed pattern of optical structures. The optical structures may be arranged to selectively correct for non-uniformities in the output a lightguide, or may be arranged to otherwise enhance the performance of a display.

Abstract: An antisoiling hardcoated film comprising a substantially transparent substrate, a hardcoat layer comprising inorganic oxide particles dispersed in a binder matrix, and an antisoiling layer comprising a perfluoropolyether. The antisoiling layer can be very thin, thus reducing the cost of the perfluoropolyether. The film has very good scratch, smudge and glare resistance and very good interlayer adhesion and durability. The film can be in the form of a single flexible substrate or a stack of such substrates. The film or stack can be sized to fit the display screen of an electronic display device such as a personal digital assistant or cell phone.

Abstract: Substantially transparent electrodes are formed on a substrate by a process including forming on the substrate, in order, a bottom high index layer, a metallic conductive layer, and a top high index layer with a conductivity of at least about 400 ?/square; and chemically etching the bottom high index layer, the top high index layer and the conductive layer to form discrete electrodes in the metallic conductive layer.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes at least two light-emitting elements, the light-emitting elements having at least two light-emitting zones which are disposed in a regular pattern throughout the entire length and allow light to be emitted in different light-emission intensities, each of the light-emitting elements allowing light to be emitted in continuous sequence from the light-emitting zones in one direction, wherein adjacent light-emitting elements are positioned with a predetermined distance deviation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is directed toward an apparatus that includes a first layer and a second layer attached with one another via sets of fastening elements formed on the layers. The fastening elements may comprise hook-like elements that engage one another in an interlocking arrangement to attach the layers, or alternatively, the fastening elements may take any form envisioned by a designer. In any case, the apparatus may also form a light guide that can be illuminated with a light source to transmit light by total internal reflection (TIR).

Abstract: In one embodiment, a microreplication tool includes gas release features that allow gas to escape from microreplication cavities of the tool. The gas release features can be disposed at the bottoms of the respective cavities to avoid air entrapment within the cavities of the tool during the microreplication process. In this manner, the quality of the microreplicated product can be improved.

Abstract: A compact, and low maintenance back lit illuminated sign (10), especially such a back lit sign suitable for use on a vehicle. The shallow back lit illuminated sign (10) comprises a housing (12), a light source (30) suitable for supplying light to a light fiber (20), and at least one side-light emitting fiber (20). The housing (12) has a sign face (14) and an interior surface (16, 18) that includes a back surface (19). The sign face (14) has an illuminated area that diffusely transmits light. The back surface (19) is located at a depth from the sign face (14). One or more side-light emitting fibers (20) are connected so as to receive light from the light source (30) and are mounted within the housing (12) so as to limit the amount of emitted light, from the fiber(s) (20), that travels directly to the sign face (14).