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 has (i) 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 (ii) 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. In addition, light redirecting structures has (b) an output surface opposing to the input surface, wherein the near and far surfaces are opposed to each other at an angle (?1+?2), and the base angle ?1 is greater than or equal to 90 degrees.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multifunction light redirecting film for a liquid crystal display comprising at least one base thermoplastic polymer optical layer having a top surface with a plurality of optical features. The film further provides at least one co-extrudable surface thermoplastic polymer optical layer adjacent the base thermoplastic polymer optical layer, wherein the at least one co-extrudable surface has a pencil hardness of at least 1 H.

Abstract: This invention relates to a display apparatus comprising: a) a light source; b) a light guiding plate for transmitting light from the light source outward from a two-dimensional light-providing surface, one dimension of the light-providing surface defined in a width direction orthogonal to the path of incident light from the light source defined in a width direction orthogonal to the path of incident light from the light source and the other dimension of the light-providing surface defined in a length direction, orthogonal to the width direction; c) a linear divergence reduction surface for reducing the divergence of light from the light providing surface predominantly with respect to the width direction, to provide a linearly divergence-reduced illumination, whereby divergence along the width direction at full-width half-maximum is less than about 50% of divergence at full-width half-maximum along the length direction; d) a liquid crystal display component for modulating the linearly divergence-reduced light

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for creating uniform pressure at a nip comprising the acts of providing a stationary inner core, pivotally mounting a plurality of shoes to the stationary inner core, creating a plurality of annular chambers wherein each of the shoes occupies one of the chambers. In addition, the method further provides filling each of the chambers with a magneto-rheological fluid, surrounding the plurality of chambers, shoes, and stationary inner core with a thin, metal, rotatable shell; detecting a deformation in the shell and changing a magnetic field in at least one of the chambers to change a viscosity of the magneto-rheological fluid to correct the deformation.

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: A reflective polarizer contains: (a) a light-entrance medium having a light-entrance surface and a microstructured surface with a series of prismatic structures, wherein first and second sidewalls of each prismatic structure have an inclination angle of more than 53 degrees with respect to the light-entrance surface; (b) a polarization-selective thin film optical coating on the series of prismatic structures, for transmitting a first polarization of light and reflecting a second polarization; and (c) a light-exit medium on the polarization-selective thin film optical coating that provides a smooth light-exit surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light redirecting film comprising a thin optically transparent substrate having opposite sides, one side of the substrate substantially covered by elongated individual optical elements whose longest dimensions are substantially aligned in a lengthwise direction, wherein the shape of at least some of the optical elements have a visually significant difference, and wherein the layout of optical element shapes and locations is such that objectionable patterns are not visible in the film under standard LCD backlight viewing conditions.

Abstract: A light redirecting article redirects light toward a target angle. The light redirecting article is made from a material having a refractive index greater than 1.6. The light redirecting article has an input surface for accepting incident illumination over a range of incident angles and an output surface with a plurality of light redirecting structures, each light redirecting structure having a near surface and an exit surface for emitting an output light at an emitted light angle, wherein the exit surface is at an oblique angle relative to the plane of the input surface. For incident illumination at either of at least two different principal angles, each principal angle being greater than 60 degrees from normal and the principal angles having a difference of 5 degrees or greater, the emitted light angle is within 5 degrees of the target angle.

Abstract: An optical element comprises at least one optical film wherein at least a portion of the optical film is maintained dimensionally stable by the presence of a mechanism for application of a controlled tensile force to the film wherein the tensile force is applied through a tensioning mechanism protruding through holes or slots in the optical film.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diffusely-reflecting polarizer having a first polymer which is amorphous and having a birefringence of less than about 0.02 and a second polymer, the first polymer being a continuous phase, and the second polymer being a disperse phase whose index of refraction differs from said continuous phase by greater than about 0.05 along a first axis and by less than about 0.05 along a second axis orthogonal to said first axis; wherein the diffuse-reflectivity of said first and second polymers taken together along at least one axis for at least one polarization state of electromagnetic radiation is at least about 50%, the diffuse transmittance of said first and second polymers taken together along at least one axis for at least one polarization state of electromagnetic radiation is at least about 50%.

Abstract: A brightness enhancement article and illumination system provides light from a two-dimensional surface. The brightness enhancement article has a plurality of light collecting structures wherein each light collecting structure is longitudinally extended in a length direction along the surface. The structures may have various lengthwise shapes such as being curved, concentric, radial, or of varying thickness.

Abstract: An optical element comprises a stack of at least three juxtaposed films with at least one inner optical film and two outer transparent films exhibiting high dimensional stability, wherein a controlled tensile force is applied in at least one direction to the two outer films but not the at least one inner film.

Abstract: A display comprises a light source and a light redirecting polymeric film containing a structured surface on at least one side of the film and bearing a polymeric coating over at least part of the structured surface wherein the coating exhibits a variable thickness.

Abstract: A backlight device for a display comprising (1) a side-lit light source, (2) a light guide plate and (3) a turning film comprising a light entry and a light exit surface comprising lenticular elements on the exit surface and prismatic structures on the entry surface, wherein the average values of the parameters of the features and the thickness of the film are selected to provide a peak output angle of ±10° from normal to the light exit surface of the light guide plate and an optical gain of at least 1.25. Also disclosed are methods of making the turning film and a display incorporating the backlight.

Abstract: The invention relates to a display comprising a light source and a light redirecting polymeric film containing a structured surface on at least one side of the film and bearing a discontinuous population of adherent beads bonded to the structured surface.