Abstract: Light emitting assembly includes at least one film, sheet, plate or substrate positioned between a light source and a display for redirecting at least some of the light emitted by the light source. One side of the film, sheet, plate or substrate may have a pattern of reflective or refractive surfaces or deformities and the other side may have corresponding or aligned optical deformities of well defined shape. Light emitted from the light source that strikes a reflective or refractive surface or deformity on the one side of the film, sheet, plate or substrate passes through the film, sheet, plate or substrate and is redirected by at least one corresponding optical deformity on the other side of the film, sheet, plate or substrate.

Abstract: The transreflectors may comprise a transparent substrate having reflective surfaces and other light transmissive surfaces for respectively reflecting and transmitting a greater portion of the light striking opposite sides of the substrate. Alternatively, the transreflectors may comprise two or more transparent substrates of different indices of refraction bonded together, with a pattern of optical deformities in the mating side of one of the substrates and an inverse pattern of optical deformities in the mating side of an other substrate in mating engagement with each other. The transreflectors are used in a transreflector system or display to transmit more of the light emitted by a backlight or other light source incident on one side of the transreflectors and reflect more of the light incident on the opposite side of the transreflectors. The transreflectors and backlight may be tuned to each other to enable the transreflectors to better transmit more of the light emitted by the backlight.

Abstract: Light emitting assembly includes at least one film, sheet, plate or substrate positioned between a light source and a display for redirecting at least some of the light emitted by the light source. One side of the film, sheet, plate or substrate may have a pattern of reflective or refractive surfaces or deformities and the other side may have corresponding or aligned optical deformities of well defined shape. Light emitted from the light source that strikes a reflective or refractive surface or deformity on the one side of the film, sheet, plate or substrate passes through the film, sheet, plate or substrate and is redirected by at least one corresponding optical deformity on the other side of the film, sheet, plate or substrate.

Abstract: Light redirecting films and film systems include a thin optically transparent substrate having a pattern of individual optical elements of well defined shape on or in the substrate. At least some of the optical elements may vary at different locations on the substrate to redistribute or redirect light passing through the substrate.

Abstract: The transreflectors may comprise a transparent substrate having reflective surfaces and other light transmissive surfaces for respectively reflecting and transmitting a greater portion of the light striking opposite sides of the substrate. Alternatively, the transreflectors may comprise two or more transparent substrates of different indices of refraction bonded together, with a pattern of optical deformities in the mating side of one of the substrates and an inverse pattern of optical deformities in the mating side of an other substrate in mating engagement with each other. The transreflectors are used in a transreflector system or display to transmit more of the light emitted by a backlight or other light source incident on one side of the transreflectors and reflect more of the light incident on the opposite side of the transreflectors. The transreflectors and backlight may be tuned to each other to enable the transreflectors to better transmit more of the light emitted by the backlight.

Abstract: The light redirecting films of the present invention have a pattern of individual optical elements that may intersect and/or interlock each other to achieve substantially complete surface coverage of at least one of the surfaces occupied by the optical elements. At least some of the optical elements may have at least one flat surface and at least one curved surface that may intersect each other to a greater extent on the curved surface than on the flat surface to increase the relative percentage of flat surface area to curved surface area of the intersecting optical elements to increase the on axis gain of light passing through the film.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light redirecting polymeric film comprising a plurality of polymeric individual optical elements wherein the elements comprise curved wedge shaped features in the plane of the film, having a length in the range of 800 to 4000 micrometers.

Abstract: Light redirecting films and film systems include a thin optically transparent substrate having a pattern of individual optical elements of well defined shape on or in the substrate. At least some of the optical elements may vary at different locations on the substrate to redistribute or redirect light passing through the substrate.

Abstract: The light redirecting films include a thin optically transparent substrate having a pattern of non-interlocking individual optical elements oriented and placed to produce a desired surface coverage of at least one of the surfaces of the transparent substrate of the transparent substrate occupied by the optical elements. At least some of the optical elements may have at least one flat surface and at least one curved surface that may intersect each other to a greater extent on the curved surface than on the flat surface to increase the relative percentage of flat surface area to curved surface area of the intersecting optical elements to increase the on axis gain of light passing through the film.

Abstract: The transreflectors may comprise two or more transparent substrates of different indices of refraction bonded together, with a pattern of optical deformities in the mating side of one of the substrates and an inverse pattern of optical deformities in the mating side of an other substrate in mating engagement with each other. The transreflectors are used in a transreflector system or display to transmit more of the light emitted by a backlight or other light source incident on one side of the transreflectors and reflect more of the light incident on the opposite side of the transreflectors.

Abstract: Optical assembly includes a light emitting panel member having at least one light input area for receiving light from two or more different colored light sources. A pattern of individual optical deformities on or in at least one surface area of the panel member contains at least two different configurations of optical deformities to promote color mixing within the panel member and cause light of a preferred color to be emitted therefrom.

Abstract: Light emitting assembly includes at least one film, sheet, plate or substrate positioned between a light source and a display for redirecting at least some of the light emitted by the light source. One side of the film, sheet, plate or substrate may have a pattern of reflective or refractive surfaces or deformities and the other side may have corresponding or aligned optical deformities of well defined shape. Light emitted from the light source that strikes a reflective or refractive surface or deformity on the one side of the film, sheet, plate or substrate passes through the film, sheet, plate or substrate and is redirected by at least one corresponding optical deformity on the other side of the film, sheet, plate or substrate.

Abstract: Light redirecting films and film systems include a thin optically transparent substrate having a pattern of individual optical elements of well defined shape on or in the substrate. At least some of the optical elements may vary at different locations on the substrate to redistribute or redirect light passing through the substrate.

Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include one or more light emitting panel members each having at least one pattern of optical deformities that may be varied in size, shape, density, placement, angle, rotation and/or type to obtain at least one light output distribution having a form or shape of at least one of text, graphics, logo or image. At least some of the optical deformities may be shaped or oriented preferentially to cause different colored light propagating through the panel member in different directions to create a multi-colored light output distribution. Also, a plurality of panel members each having a different light output distribution may be placed in overlying relation to one another to produce a composite output distribution when viewed through the panel members or a display overlying the panel members.

Abstract: The method of selecting a light redirecting film or optical panel includes the steps of providing a length of film or substrate having a pattern of optical elements that varies, then selecting an area of the film or substrate that has a pattern of the optical elements that best suits a particular application, and removing the selected area from the film or substrate to provide the light redirecting film or optical panel. The pattern may be a repeating pattern that varies at different locations on the film or substrate and may comprise a roll of the film or substrate from which the selected area(s) is removed.

Abstract: The transreflectors may comprise a transparent substrate having reflective surfaces and other light transmissive surfaces for respectively reflecting and transmitting a greater portion of the light striking opposite sides of the substrate. Alternatively, the transreflectors may comprise two or more transparent substrates of different indices of refraction bonded together, with a pattern of optical deformities in the mating side of one of the substrates and an inverse pattern of optical deformities in the mating side of an other substrate in mating engagement with each other. The transreflectors are used in a transreflector system or display to transmit more of the light emitted by a backlight or other light source incident on one side of the transreflectors and reflect more of the light incident on the opposite side of the transreflectors. The transreflectors and backlight may be tuned to each other to enable the transreflectors to better transmit more of the light emitted by the backlight.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light redirecting polymeric film comprising a plurality of polymeric individual optical elements wherein the elements comprise curved wedge shaped features in the plane of the film, having a length in the range of 800 to 4000 micrometers.

Abstract: The light redirecting films of the present invention have a pattern of individual optical elements that may intersect and/or interlock each other to achieve substantially complete surface coverage of at least one of the surfaces occupied by the optical elements. At least some of the optical elements may have at least one flat surface and at least one curved surface that may intersect each other to a greater extent on the curved surface than on the flat surface to increase the relative percentage of flat surface area to curved surface area of the intersecting optical elements to increase the on axis gain of light passing through the film.

Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include one or more light emitting panel members each having at least one pattern of optical deformities that may be varied in size, shape, density, placement, angle, rotation and/or type to obtain at least one light output distribution having a form or shape of at least one of text, graphics, logo or image. At least some of the optical deformities may be shaped or oriented preferentially to cause different colored light propagating through the panel member in different directions to create a multi-colored light output distribution. Also, a plurality of panel members each having a different light output distribution may be placed in overlying relation to one another to produce a composite output distribution when viewed through the panel members or a display overlying the panel members.

Abstract: The methods involve using a tool to cut or form multiple optical element shaped cavities in a surface of a substrate without rotating the tool or substrate during the cutting or forming process. At least some of the cavities are cut or formed to have at least two surfaces that come together to form a ridge and that are quite small relative to the length and width of the substrate. Thereafter the substrate is used to form optical films, components or wave guides having multiple optical elements on at least one surface corresponding to the cavities in the substrate.