Abstract: A method for forming a light-redirecting article is provided wherein a surface of a substrate is conditioned by applying a layer of an embedment material. A close-packed layer of microspheres is assembled using drying-assisted self-assembly and applied to the conditioned surface. Microspheres are then embedded halfway into the surface of the layer of the embedment material.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical diffuser film with linear domains of varying diffusion, the linear domains comprising light scattering particles located on at least one surface of the film, wherein the linear domains are tapered such that the thickness at a center of a cross section of the linear domain is thicker than that at an edge of the linear domain.

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: The present invention provides a light redirecting article for redirecting light toward a target angle, the light redirecting article comprising: an input surface comprising a plurality of light redirecting structures each light redirecting structure having a near surface having two slopes, sloping away from normal in one direction as defined by a first inclination base angle ?1, a second inclination angle ?2, and a first half apex angle ?2, for accepting incident illumination over a range of incident angles and a far surface sloping away from normal, in the opposite direction relative to the input surface, as defined by a second base angle ?1 and a second half apex angle ?1. The invention further provides an output surface opposing to the input surface wherein the near and far surfaces are opposed to each other at an angle (?1+?2) that is in the range from 60 to 70 degrees, and the base angle ?1 is in the range from 82 to 87 degrees.

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: The present invention provides an optical element having an optical film, the optical element comprising a support frame having a shaft therein, the support frame being provided around a perimeter of the optical element and the optical film having slots on a periphery thereon, the periphery of the optical film being provided on the support frame. The invention further provides a pin provided in each of the slots and protruding into the support frame and slidable on the shaft by a controlled tensile force and a spring mechanism that is slidable on the shaft for providing the controlled tensile force to the optical film, wherein the optical film is an asymmetric diffuser.

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: 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: The invention relates to an optical element including a substrate, a wire grid on one side of said substrate, and prismatic light collimating features on the other side of said substrate

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method of making a solid film. Viscous material (163) is input into a nip between a patterned roller (165) and a belt (167). The nip between the patterned roller (165) and belt (167) is facilitated by a compliant roller (169). Accordingly, a film may be produced that has discrete optical elements and a smooth backside.

Abstract: A compliant pressure roller (10) for creating uniform pressure at a nip comprises a stationary inner core (12). A plurality of shoes (14) is pivotally mounted to the stationary inner core. Dividers (16) create a plurality of annular chambers (18) wherein each of the shoes occupies one of the chambers. A non-Newtonian fluid (70) fills each of the chambers. A plurality of actuators is connected to at least one of the shoes. A thin, rotatable shell surrounds the plurality of chambers, shoes, and stationary inner core.

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: The invention relates to a polymeric optical film comprising a base provided with integral optical features on at least one side, wherein the features have two or more sides that form a ridge line, wherein the optical film has light leakage through crossed polarizers of less than 1.0%.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus comprises: (a) at least one light source; (b) a light guide for accepting light from the at least one light source and for guiding the light using total internal reflection, the light guide having a top surface; (c) a light extracting film having an input surface optically coupled with the top surface and an output surface for providing light, wherein the input surface comprises a plurality of features which are optically coupled to the top surface of the light guide, such features having: (i) a first side comprising two or more planar segments; and (ii) a second side comprising two or more planar segments, and wherein either the length of at least some of the features is less than the width of the film or the first and second sides intersect at an apex.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a turning film and a backlight containing the film. The turning film comprises a light entry and a light exit surface comprising first prismatic structures on the exit surface and second prismatic structures or lenticular structures on the light entry surface, wherein (a) the first prismatic elements are characterized by a far base angle (?1) and a near base angle (?2); and (b) the second prismatic or lenticular elements are characterized by a far base angle (?1) and a near base angle (?2); provided that the values of the angles in subparagraphs (a) and (b) are selected to provide a reduced degree of color separation compared to the same film with only the first prismatic elements on the exit surface.

Abstract: A backlight unit contains a light source, a light guiding plate, and a turning film having a light entry and a light exit surface comprising first prismatic structures on the exit surface, wherein (a) the first prismatic structures on the turning film are characterized by a far base angle (?1) and a near base angle (?2); (b) the light source comprising an array of individual sources of differing colors; (c) the light guiding plate being located to provide light from each individual light source having a different principle angle to the turning film for each color; and the light guiding plate being arranged in a manner relative to the light source and the turning film and its first prismatic structures and base angles so as to reduce the amount of color separation at the exit surface of the turning film compared to the same device using a single light source.

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: In an example embodiment, a wire grid polarizer includes a plurality of parallel conductors having a pitch (P), a width (W), and a height (H). In example embodiments, a fill-factor (W/P) is greater than approximately 0.18 and less than approximately 0.25. In another example embodiment, a display system includes a light source and a light-valve. The display system also includes a wire grid polarizer that includes a plurality of parallel conductors having a pitch (P), a width (W), and a height (H). In example embodiments, a fill-factor (W/P) is greater than approximately 0.18 and less than approximately 0.25.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light diffuser comprising a thermoplastic layer containing thermoplastic polymeric material and microvoids having a substantially circular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the direction of light travel and having a diffuse light transmission efficiency of at least 65%.