Abstract: A backlight includes a light source and one or more light recycling films. The light source generates light that exits the light source with an angular exit distribution. The light recycling films are oriented in relation to the light source so that the prism peaks of the recycling films are oriented away from the light source. The recycling films have a range of optimal incident angles that allow light to pass through the recycling films without recycling. The components of the light source, the characteristics of the recycling films, or both, are configured to control the overlap between the exit distribution of the light source and the optimal incident angle range of the recycling films.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for ceiling suspended systems according to various aspects of the present invention include a modular platform for supporting and supplying multiple devices. A wire way bar may facilitate connection and support for the devices, such as light sources and other systems.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for ceiling suspended systems according to various aspects of the present invention include a modular platform for supporting and supplying multiple devices. A wire way bar may facilitate connection and support for the devices, such as light sources and other systems.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for ceiling suspended systems according to various aspects of the present invention include a modular platform for supporting and supplying multiple devices. A wire way bar may facilitate connection and support for the devices, such as light sources and other systems.

Abstract: An optical film structure for backlit displays having two films, both in prisms up configuration. The first film, closer to the light guide, has an array of generally symmetric 90-degree prisms facing the viewer. The second film, farther from the light guide, has an array of generally asymmetric prisms facing the viewer, with one face of the prisms inclined at about 45 degrees and the other face generally perpendicular to the plane of the backlight. The prisms of the first and second films may have an azimuthal angle between them, and may have different pitches from each other. The film structure recycles a portion of the light from the light guide, thereby helping to increase uniformity over the area of the display. The film structure also compresses the light emerging from the light guide, thereby providing a more sharply peaked brightness distribution for the viewer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for ceiling suspended systems according to various aspects of the present invention include a modular platform for supporting and supplying multiple devices. A wire way bar may facilitate connection and support for the devices, such as light sources and other systems.

Abstract: A backlight includes a light source and one or more light recycling films. The light source generates light that exits the light source with an angular exit distribution. The light recycling films are oriented in relation to the light source so that the prism peaks of the recycling films are oriented away from the light source. The recycling films have a range of optimal incident angles that allow light to pass through the recycling films without recycling. The components of the light source, the characteristics of the recycling films, or both, are configured to control the overlap between the exit distribution of the light source and the optimal incident angle range of the recycling films.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for ceiling suspended systems according to various aspects of the present invention include a modular platform for supporting and supplying multiple devices. A wire way bar may facilitate connection and support for the devices, such as light sources and other systems.

Abstract: An optical film structure for backlit displays having two films, both in prisms up configuration. The first film, closer to the light guide, has an array of generally symmetric 90-degree prisms facing the viewer. The second film, farther from the light guide, has an array of generally asymmetric prisms facing the viewer, with one face of the prisms inclined at about 45 degrees and the other face generally perpendicular to the plane of the backlight. The prisms of the first and second films may have an azimuthal angle between them, and may have different pitches from each other. The film structure recycles a portion of the light from the light guide, thereby helping to increase uniformity over the area of the display. The film structure also compresses the light emerging from the light guide, thereby providing a more sharply peaked brightness distribution for the viewer.

Abstract: Films having a structured surface with an engineered feature, such as prism grooves, to be used in displays having a backlight. The films can be arranged in a stack having one or more of the following: birefringent brightness enhancement films, non-birefringent brightness enhancement films, polarizers, diffusers, birefringent turning films, and non-birefringent turning films. Those films can be arranged in any order from the backlight to a viewer.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to optical devices including a light source and an optical film having a first surface disposed to receive light from the light source and a second surface facing away from the light source. The second surface includes a two-dimensional array of closely packed substantially hemispherically-shaped structures. In some implementations of the present disclosure, the optical film further includes a substrate portion having an optical characteristic different from optical characteristics of the second surface comprising the two dimensional array.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating an optical film characterizable by a relationship between gain and thickness to prism pitch ratio (S/p) that varies cyclically are described. The thickness and the prism pitch of the optical film are selected based on the relationship between gain and S/p ratio, to obtain a desired gain. The optical film is formed having the S/p ratio that provides the desired gain.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to optical devices including a light source and an optical film having a first surface disposed to receive light from the light source and a second surface facing away from the light source. The second surface includes a two-dimensional array of closely packed substantially hemispherically-shaped structures. In some implementations of the present disclosure, the optical film further includes a substrate portion having an optical characteristic different from optical characteristics of the second surface comprising the two dimensional array.

Abstract: A brightness enhancement article for use in an optical system is disclosed. The brightness enhancement article has a structured surface including light directing protrusions. The light directing protrusions include a peak and a base, the peak having a rounded contour defined by a first pair of prism facets and the base defined by a second pair of prism facets. The first pair of prism facets has a first included angle and the second pair of prism facets has a second included angle, such that the first included angle is different than the second included angle.

Abstract: Optical films are disclosed, which have a structured surface including a plurality of concave pyramid-shaped structures, each structure having a base including at least two first sides and at least two second sides. In addition, optical devices are disclosed that incorporate the optical films, for example, such that a first surface of the optical film is disposed to receive light from a light source and the structured surface faces away from the light source.

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: An illumination system for a reflective display is particularly useful for microdisplays that use reflective displays. The light source and the reflective image display unit are mounted in a coplanar manner, thus permitting the light source and the display unit to be mounted on a single board, or even on a single substrate. The display unit may include a first light source directing light generally along a first axis and a reflective image display unit disposed with an optical axis substantially parallel to the first axis. A reflective polarizing film is disposed to direct light from the first light source to the reflective image light display unit.

Abstract: An illumination system includes a light guide for distributing light. Extraction structures are provided to uniformly extract light from the light guide. The structures extract more light out of the light guide when light is propagating in the light guide in a direction toward the light input area than when light is propagating in the light guide in a direction away from the light input area.

Abstract: The present invention discloses resistive touch sensors that incorporate microstructured conductive layers. When local electrical contact is made between the microstructured conductive layer and an opposing conductive layer due to a touch input, the resulting signal can be used to determine the location of the touch. The microstructures can be used to penetrate a solid, deformable filler material disposed between the conductive layers, for example to provide more transmission of light through the sensor. The microstructures can also provide additional functionalities such as z-axis sensitivity, image direction, light control, light extraction, and so forth.

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.