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 &phgr;. 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: A backlight assembly for use in a transmissive display system is described. The backlight assembly includes a light source that illuminates a light chamber. A transmissive display is positioned adjacent the light chamber so that light that exits the chamber illuminates the transmissive 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: Information display protectors for display devices having an information display area, comprising a stack of flexible substantially transparent sheets, the sheets having on one side thereof an adhesive layer and having on the other side thereof a hardcoat layer comprising inorganic oxide particles dispersed in a binder matrix and a low surface energy fluorinated compound, the stack being cut so that the sheets will fit the information display area. The low surface energy fluorinated compound can be part of the hardcoat layer or can be a separate layer atop the hardcoat layer. The protectors have very good scratch, smudge and glare resistance. The stack of protectors can be stored, for example, on a personal digital assistant or its cover or case.

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 &OHgr;/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: An article includes an antireflection composite material, a substrate, and an inorganic layer deposited onto the substrate. The inorganic layer has a thickness of from about 1 nm to about 10 nm. The article includes a polymer layer in contact with the inorganic layer to form an outer surface of the antireflection composite material. The polymer layer has a thickness of from about 70 nm to about 120 nm.

Abstract: Projection screens and convenient and efficient methods of making such projection screens are provided. Recycled glass is reformed to provide glass microspheres of sufficient quality for use in a projection screen.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an elongate light guide includes providing a moving mold assembly with at least two mold parts, wherein the mold parts have an engaged portion and a non-engaged portion. The mold parts are moved such that the non-engaged portions move in a first direction and the engaged portions move in a second direction different from the first direction to form an elongate regenerated mold cavity having a longitudinal axis, wherein the cavity comprises a molding surface with at least one structure transverse to the longitudinal axis. A thermosettable material is introduced into the cavity and at least partially polymerized in the cavity to form a light guide therein. The light guide is then removed from the mold assembly.

Abstract: An optical fiber comprising a core capable of transmitting light incident from one end in the lengthwise direction toward the other end, the core consisting of a polymer of a polymerizable stock material that contains a polymerizable hydroxy monomer with a hydroxyl group in the molecule, wherein the content of the polymerizable hydroxy monomer is 0.5 to 9 wt % with respect to the total of the polymerizable stock material, and the minimum dimension (R) in the direction orthogonal to the lengthwise direction of the core and the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the core have a relationship represented by the following Inequality 1:117/R+23<Tg<1050/R2+39 where the unit of R is mm, and the unit of Tg is ° C.

Abstract: A light-illuminating rod comprises a flexible rod member formed from a light piping plastic material and a light diffusible reflective film which is fixedly bonded to part of the outer periphery of the rod member along the longitudinal direction thereof. The light diffusible reflective film comprises a light-transmittable polymer and light diffusible reflective particles dispersed in the polymer. The light-transmittable polymer contains from 10 to 100% by weight of an adhesive polymer based on the total amount of the light-transmittable polymer. The light-transmittable polymer further contains from 2 to 90% by weight of a dispersible polymer having hydrophilic functional groups within the molecule based on the total amount of the light-transmittable polymer. In one embodiment, the light diffusible reflective particles contain from 10 to 100% by weight of an inorganic material based on the total amount of the light diffusible reflective particles.

Abstract: Shaped, microperforated sound absorbers and methods of making the same are herein provided. In one embodiment, the sound absorber is produced from a polymeric, typically plastic, film having a series of microperforations formed over all or a portion of the film surface. The film is then formed to produce the desired three-dimensional shape. The depth of the three-dimensional shape is controlled to provide the desired cavity depth which, in turn, influences the sound absorption spectrum. After forming, the three-dimensional shape is maintained without the need for additional supports or frames. Deformation of the microperforations due to the forming process does not substantially interfere with the sound absorption properties of the film. Further, film resonance over largely unsupported portions also has little effect on the sound absorption spectrum.

Abstract: An optical fiber (100) is disclosed which emits light radially along its peripheral surface (12). A light extractor provided on the core (1) includes both a reflective light extraction element (2) and a transmissive light extraction element (3) in order to increase the light emission luminance from the optical fiber, the transmission light extraction element is preferably a light extracting film (3) comprising a plurality of integrally formed light transmissive projections (31) closely adhered to the core (1) and through which light is extracted. Gaps (4) between the film (3) and the core (1) are formed by the projections (31). The optical fiber may be used as a linear light source.

Abstract: An illuminated frontlit display includes a front light guide having at least one light input face that supplies light to the guide, a viewing face, and a light output face opposite the viewing face, the light output face having a light extraction layer thereon, the extraction layer having a substantially flat light exit face and containing buried reflective facets that extract supplied light from the guide through the light exit face to a reflective light valve and back through the viewing face of the guide to a viewer.

Abstract: An optical film having structures that vary in height along their length where the variations have a nominal period of less than forty times the nominal height of the structures is taught. In some embodiments of the invention the variation is random.

Abstract: To provide a reflection sheet, using a thinner, lower stiffness film, for use in surrounding a straight tube type fluorescent lamp in an edge type liquid crystal display panel back light device, which reflection sheet can realize a higher brightness of the back light device. A reflection sheet comprising: a film support having a thickness of 25 to 50 &mgr;m and, applied on a surface of the support, a reflective paint coat comprised of a mixture of a resin binder of a (meth)acrylate copolymer with a small particle balloon having a particle diameter of 0.05 to 10 &mgr;m and an inside empty diameter to particle diameter ratio of 0.2 to 0.9.

Abstract: A light guide including a light guide body having a light re-directing side positioned opposite from a light output side. A plurality of elongate prisms are located adjacent the light output side of the light guide body. The prisms extend side-by-side relative to one another along lengths. The prisms include upper edges defining heights of the prisms. The upper edges extend along the lengths of the prisms. Each upper edge includes a plurality of edge segments having different magnitudes of slope. The light guide also includes a plurality of light extraction structures located adjacent the light re-directing side of the light guide body for reflecting light toward the light output side. The light extraction structures include elongated projections each having a plateau segment and first and second facets. The elongated projections are separated by lands that are recessed relative to the plateau segments. The first and second facets extend from the plateau segments to the lands.

Abstract: A microfabricated structure to interact with electromagnetic waves, such as a visual display apparatus for positioning movable particles, the structure comprising a substrate containing a plurality of pockets and/or a plurality of posts, and a plurality of optically anisotropic particles placed in the substrate. Pockets are sealable in relation to other pockets and to air, and each pocket being capable of positioning at least one particle.

Abstract: A microstructure to interact with electromagnetic waves by changing optical aspect in selected areas in response to an external signal, the microstructure comprising: a plurality of responsive elements, each responsive element capable of presenting at least two different optical aspects and changing between the optical aspects based on an applied external signal; and a support substrate containing the responsive elements, wherein at least a part of the support substrate defines an optical structure containing a plurality of assisting optical elements each optically enlarging an image from the responsive elements associated with the assisting optical element.

Abstract: Shaped refractive articles having compound curved surfaces enable a light source to provide substantially uniform illumination of a linear or planar target. The refractive articles can comprise an input edge or face and an output edge or face, the input edge or face having at least one shaped notch or cavity that can at least partially envelop a light source, wherein the notch or cavity has at least two oppositely signed curved portions shaped to provide substantially uniform illumination of a target by the source. The articles can also be optically coupled to and at least partially envelop a light source, and can have an output edge or surface having at least two oppositely signed curved portions shaped to provide substantially uniform illumination of a target region by the source. The shaped articles can be used in, for example, lighting devices, frontlights, backlights and electronic displays.

Abstract: Glass microspheres and rear projection screens containing glass microspheres, which combine a desirable index of refraction (preferably, no greater than about 1.70) and low levels of defects (e.g., bubbles, visible haziness, frostiness, or opacity, substantially nonspherical shapes) upon formation are provided. Also provided is a coating method of placing microspheres on a film for use in a rear projection screen.