Abstract: Optical or light diffusers (or, simply, “diffusers”) designed and manufactured to include numerous facets arranged in cells or sets in which the planar faces or outward-facing surfaces have orientations and transmission angles (as may be defined by direction cosines of normal) to redirect received light to a region or portion of a predefined light distribution. A method of designing or defining the facets of the diffuser is also provides as are methods of manufacturing the diffusers and apparatus or products that include the new diffusers (such as microdisplays and lighting components). The diffusers are optically designed to produce a user-specified distribution of light. The diffusers can be engineered through the configuration of the facets on its front or outer surface (light transmission surface) to produce nearly any type of light distribution or shape, and the diffuser design facilitates their manufacture using extrusion processes as well as other fabrication techniques.

Abstract: An optical security element to limit counterfeiting. The element includes a lens array with a first side and a second planar side opposite the first side. A plurality of lenses are formed on the first side of the lens array, and an ink layer is provided proximate the second planar side. The ink layer provides an interlaced image, which includes a matrix of frame or image elements under each of a plurality of lens sets or “virtual lenses,” each of which includes at least four lenses arranged in a grouping with an equal or unequal number of lenses on a side (e.g., a 2 by 2 array or a 2 by 3 array). The interlaced element are arranged in non-sequential order in two interlacing axes (e.g., via non-sequential interlacing in both directions) to be distributed throughout an area under the at least four lenses rather than under a single lens.

Abstract: Optical or light diffusers (or, simply, “diffusers”) designed and manufactured to include numerous facets randomly arranged in cells or sets on the diffuser outer (or front) surface in which the planar faces or outward-facing surfaces have orientations and transmission angles (as may be defined by direction cosines of normal) to redirect received light to a region or portion of a predefined light distribution. Methods of designing or defining the facets of the diffuser is also provided. The diffusers are optically designed to produce a user-specified distribution of light. The diffusers can be engineered through the configuration of the facets on its light transmission surface to produce nearly any type of light distribution or shape, and the diffuser design facilitates their manufacture using extrusion processes as well as other fabrication techniques.

Abstract: Optical or light diffusers (or, simply, “diffusers”) designed and manufactured to include numerous facets randomly arranged in cells or sets on the diffuser outer (or front) surface in which the planar faces or outward-facing surfaces have orientations and transmission angles (as may be defined by direction cosines of normal) to redirect received light to a region or portion of a predefined light distribution. The diffusers are optically designed to produce a user-specified distribution of light. The diffusers can be engineered through the configuration of the facets on its (light transmission surface to produce nearly any type of light distribution or shape, and the diffuser design facilitates their manufacture using extrusion processes as well as other fabrication techniques.

Abstract: A visual display assembly useful as an authentication or anti-counterfeiting element. The assembly includes a substrate and, on a surface of the substrate, an array of micro mirrors receiving ambient light. Each mirror includes a reflective surface to reflect the ambient light to display an image that appears to float in a plane, which is spaced a distance apart from the surface of the substrate. The image includes a plurality of pixels, and the array of micro mirrors includes for each of the pixels a set of the micro mirrors each having a reflective surface oriented to reflect the ambient light toward a point on the plane corresponding to one of the pixels. Each of the sets of the micro mirrors includes a plurality of the micro mirrors, and the reflected ambient light each set of micro mirrors intersects to illuminate or write a pixel of an image.

Abstract: An antimicrobial protective film that can be applied to a surface such as a screen of a smartphone or computing device. The user is able to view items displayed on the screen and to interact with the screen via touch or the like. The protective film includes a base layer or film upon which a second layer is formed, and this second layer includes numerous structures, e.g., micro or nano structures. The structures have a geometry that is unfriendly for viruses and bacteria. The structures are embedded with antimicrobial and/or antiviral agents that migrate out of the structures and kill or at least detrimentally affect the viruses or bacteria received within the second layer. This effect is combined with the fact that the structures are made with geometries particularly devastating to microbes during elongation and contraction of the structures with the thermal-based expansion and contraction of the underlying base layer.

Abstract: Optical or light diffusers (or, simply, “diffusers”) designed and manufactured to include numerous facets arranged in cells or sets in which the planar faces or outward-facing surfaces have orientations and transmission angles (as may be defined by direction cosines of normal) to redirect received light to a region or portion of a predefined light distribution. A method of designing or defining the facets of the diffuser is also provides as are methods of manufacturing the diffusers and apparatus or products that include the new diffusers (such as microdisplays and lighting components). The diffusers are optically designed to produce a user-specified distribution of light. The diffusers can be engineered through the configuration of the facets on its front or outer surface (light transmission surface) to produce nearly any type of light distribution or shape, and the diffuser design facilitates their manufacture using extrusion processes as well as other fabrication techniques.

Abstract: A visual display assembly useful as an authentication or anti-counterfeiting element. The assembly includes a substrate and, on a surface of the substrate, an array of micro mirrors receiving ambient light. Each mirror includes a reflective surface to reflect the ambient light to display an image that appears to float in a plane, which is spaced a distance apart from the surface of the substrate. The image includes a plurality of pixels, and the array of micro mirrors includes for each of the pixels a set of the micro mirrors each having a reflective surface oriented to reflect the ambient light toward a point on the plane corresponding to one of the pixels. Each of the sets of the micro mirrors includes a plurality of the micro mirrors, and the reflected ambient light each set of micro mirrors intersects to illuminate or write a pixel of an image.

Abstract: Optical or light diffusers (or, simply, “diffusers”) designed and manufactured to include numerous facets arranged in cells or sets in which the planar faces or outward-facing surfaces have orientations and transmission angles (as may be defined by direction cosines of normal) to redirect received light to a region or portion of a predefined light distribution. A method of designing or defining the facets of the diffuser is also provides as are methods of manufacturing the diffusers and apparatus or products that include the new diffusers (such as microdisplays and lighting components). The diffusers are optically designed to produce a user-specified distribution of light. The diffusers can be engineered through the configuration of the facets on its front or outer surface (light transmission surface) to produce nearly any type of light distribution or shape, and the diffuser design facilitates their manufacture using extrusion processes as well as other fabrication techniques.

Abstract: Optical or light diffusers (or, simply, “diffusers”) designed and manufactured to include numerous facets arranged in cells or sets in which the planar faces or outward-facing surfaces have orientations and transmission angles (as may be defined by direction cosines of normal) to redirect received light to a region or portion of a predefined light distribution. A method of designing or defining the facets of the diffuser is also provides as are methods of manufacturing the diffusers and apparatus or products that include the new diffusers (such as microdisplays and lighting components). The diffusers are optically designed to produce a user-specified distribution of light. The diffusers can be engineered through the configuration of the facets on its front or outer surface (light transmission surface) to produce nearly any type of light distribution or shape, and the diffuser design facilitates their manufacture using extrusion processes as well as other fabrication techniques.

Abstract: Optical or light diffusers (or, simply, “diffusers”) designed and manufactured to include numerous facets arranged in cells or sets in which the planar faces or outward-facing surfaces have orientations and transmission angles (as may be defined by direction cosines of normal) to redirect received light to a region or portion of a predefined light distribution. A method of designing or defining the facets of the diffuser is also provides as are methods of manufacturing the diffusers and apparatus or products that include the new diffusers (such as microdisplays and lighting components). The diffusers are optically designed to produce a user-specified distribution of light. The diffusers can be engineered through the configuration of the facets on its front or outer surface (light transmission surface) to produce nearly any type of light distribution or shape, and the diffuser design facilitates their manufacture using extrusion processes as well as other fabrication techniques.

Abstract: A visual display assembly useful as an authentication or anti-counterfeiting element. The assembly includes a substrate and, on a surface of the substrate, an array of micro mirrors receiving ambient light. Each mirror includes a reflective surface to reflect the ambient light to display an image that appears to float in a plane, which is spaced a distance apart from the surface of the substrate. The image includes a plurality of pixels, and the array of micro mirrors includes for each of the pixels a set of the micro mirrors each having a reflective surface oriented to reflect the ambient light toward a point on the plane corresponding to one of the pixels. Each of the sets of the micro mirrors includes a plurality of the micro mirrors, and the reflected ambient light each set of micro mirrors intersects to illuminate or write a pixel of an image.

Abstract: Products, such as branding labels, credit cards, and currency, that are fabricated so as to include an optical security element, which is designed to provide enhanced optical focusing onto each color used in the printed image (or in the ink layer). The optical security assembly may include a carrier film or substrate. An image element, e.g., a printed ink layer, is provided on a first surface of the carrier film/substrate, and the optical security assembly further includes an array or plurality of micro lenses on a second surface of the carrier film/substrate opposite the image element (when the substrate/carrier film is transparent). In order to make the registration and print requirements easier, pixels are isolated into sections of the printed ink layer, which can then be arranged to align with sets of lenses (i.e., each set/group of lenses may be dedicated to focusing upon a particular color of ink).

Abstract: Products, such as branding labels and currency, fabricated to include an optical security element. The optical security assembly may include a carrier film or substrate. An image element, e.g., a printed ink layer, is provided on a first surface of the carrier film/substrate, and the optical security assembly further includes an array or plurality of micro lenses on a second surface of the carrier film/substrate opposite the image element. In order to make the registration and print requirements easier, a mask is provided between the printed ink layer to define color pixels, and the printed ink layer is provided in the form of color blocks in a checkboard pattern with each block aligned with a portion of the mask and a subset of the holes or openings that define the viewable color pixels.

Abstract: Products, such as branding labels, credit cards, and currency, that are fabricated so as to include an optical security element, which is designed to provide enhanced optical focusing onto each color used in the printed image (or in the ink layer). The optical security assembly may include a carrier film or substrate. An image element, e.g., a printed ink layer, is provided on a first surface of the carrier film/substrate, and the optical security assembly further includes an array or plurality of micro lenses on a second surface of the carrier film/substrate opposite the image element (when the substrate/carrier film is transparent). In order to make the registration and print requirements easier, pixels are isolated into sections of the printed ink layer, which can then be arranged to align with sets of lenses (i.e., each set/group of lenses may be dedicated to focusing upon a particular color of ink).

Abstract: A visual display assembly useful as an authentication or anti-counterfeiting element. The assembly includes a substrate and, on a surface of the substrate, an array of micro mirrors receiving ambient light. Each mirror includes a reflective surface to reflect the ambient light so as to display an image that appears to float in a plane, which is spaced a distance apart from the surface of the substrate. The image includes a plurality of pixels, and the array of micro mirrors includes for each of the pixels a set of the micro mirrors each having a reflective surface oriented to reflect the ambient light toward a point on the plane corresponding to one of the pixels. Each of the sets of the micro mirrors includes a plurality of the micro mirrors, and the reflected ambient light each set of micro mirrors intersects to illuminate or write a pixel of an image.

Abstract: Products, such as branding labels, credit cards, and currency, that are fabricated so as to include an optical security element, which is designed to provide enhanced optical focusing onto each color used in the printed image (or in the ink layer). The optical security assembly may include a carrier film or substrate. An image element, e.g., a printed ink layer, is provided on a first surface of the carrier film/substrate, and the optical security assembly further includes an array or plurality of micro lenses on a second surface of the carrier film/substrate opposite the image element (when the substrate/carrier film is transparent). In order to make the registration and print requirements easier, pixels are isolated into sections of the printed ink layer, which can then be arranged to align with sets of lenses (i.e., each set/group of lenses may be dedicated to focusing upon a particular color of ink).

Abstract: A visual display assembly useful as an authentication or anti-counterfeiting element. The assembly includes a substrate and, on a surface of the substrate, an array of micro mirrors receiving ambient light. Each mirror includes a reflective surface to reflect the ambient light to display an image that appears to float in a plane, which is spaced a distance apart from the surface of the substrate. The image includes a plurality of pixels, and the array of micro mirrors includes for each of the pixels a set of the micro mirrors each having a reflective surface oriented to reflect the ambient light toward a point on the plane corresponding to one of the pixels. Each of the sets of the micro mirrors includes a plurality of the micro mirrors, and the reflected ambient light each set of micro mirrors intersects to illuminate or write a pixel of an image.

Abstract: A visual display assembly useful as an authentication or anti-counterfeiting element. The assembly includes a substrate and, on a surface of the substrate, an array of micro mirrors receiving ambient light. Each mirror includes a reflective surface to reflect the ambient light so as to display an image that appears to float in a plane, which is spaced a distance apart from the surface of the substrate. The image includes a plurality of pixels, and the array of micro mirrors includes for each of the pixels a set of the micro mirrors each having a reflective surface oriented to reflect the ambient light toward a point on the plane corresponding to one of the pixels. Each of the sets of the micro mirrors includes a plurality of the micro mirrors, and the reflected ambient light each set of micro mirrors intersects to illuminate or write a pixel of an image.

Abstract: Products, such as branding labels and currency, fabricated to include an optical security element. The optical security assembly may include a carrier film or substrate. An image element, e.g., a printed ink layer, is provided on a first surface of the carrier film/substrate, and the optical security assembly further includes an array or plurality of micro lenses on a second surface of the carrier film/substrate opposite the image element. In order to make the registration and print requirements easier, a mask is provided between the printed ink layer to define color pixels, and the printed ink layer is provided in the form of color blocks in a checkboard pattern with each block aligned with a portion of the mask and a subset of the holes or openings that define the viewable color pixels.