Abstract: An optically transmissive light directing sheeting and a method of making the same are disclosed. The light directing sheeting includes a core sheet of an elastic material that can be laminated onto other surfaces or sandwiched between sheets of various rigid materials. The core sheet includes a plurality of deep and narrow parallel channels configured to direct light by means of a total internal reflection. The method includes a step of slitting of a soft, optically transmissive plastic sheet with a blade and forming at least one array of substantially parallel linear slits in a surface of the sheet, a step of stretching the sheet in a direction perpendicular to the linear slits, and a step of bonding the sheet to a different sheet of an optically transmissive, rigid material. Various light directing devices employing the light directing sheeting are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present application discloses a display substrate including a base substrate; and a plurality of pixels on the base substrate. Each of the plurality of pixels in the display substrate includes a color generating layer on the base substrate; a first reflective layer surrounding at least one side of the color generating layer in plan view of the base substrate; and a second reflective layer having a light transmissive area and a light reflective area, the light transmissive area spaced apart from the first reflective layer in a direction perpendicular to the base substrate, the light reflective area configured to be spaced apart from the color generating layer in the direction perpendicular to the base substrate by an adjustable distance relative to the color generating layer.

Abstract: An organic EL display panel includes a substrate and a bank layer on the substrate. The bank layer defines a first sub-pixel region and a second sub-pixel region that have elongated shapes and different light-emission colors from each other. The bank layer has a plurality of concave portions. When an imaginary line J is drawn in a lateral direction (X direction) from a center point in a longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the first sub-pixel region, an intersection point out of two intersection points where the imaginary line and an edge of the first sub-pixel region intersect is defined as a reference point. A minimum distance between the reference point and an edge of one of the concave portions closest to the reference point is shorter than a minimum distance between the reference point and an edge of the second sub-pixel region closest to the reference point.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a lighting system for a transparent LCD having opposing vertical edges, the system having a mullion lighting assembly positioned adjacent to each vertical edge of the transparent LCD, each mullion lighting assembly having sidewalls defining a center channel. A plurality of LEDs are positioned along the sidewall of each mullion assembly and on a side of the sidewall that opposes the center channel. The LEDs are preferably placed in conductive thermal communication with the sidewall. A fan is positioned to draw cooling air through the center channel. A lens may be positioned adjacent to the LEDs to collimate the light. Louvers may be used to direct the emitted light away from the LCD, so as to reflect off the goods within a display case or the cavity within the display case. Some embodiments may use a flange to direct the emitted light away from the LCD.

Abstract: When first grooves are formed by irradiating a lower surface facing a light outgoing surface of a light guide plate for an illuminating device with laser beams, an outer circumferential region is firstly irradiated with the laser beams to form second grooves. Then, the second grooves are inspected. Next, irradiation conditions of the laser beams are adjusted based on an inspection result of the second grooves, irradiation positions of the laser beams are linearly displaced from formation positions of the second grooves, and formation of the first grooves in the scattering reflection region is then started.

Abstract: A backlight system includes: a light-emitting section (1) having a plurality of light sources that emit beams of light at different dominant wavelengths from one another; and an imaging optical system (3) including a plurality of microlenses (3a) that focus beams of light emitted from the light-emitting section (1), the backlight system irradiating a liquid crystal panel with beams of light having passed through the imaging optical system (3), the liquid crystal panel including a plurality of pixels arrayed at a predetermined pitch from each other, on the assumption that the pitch at which the pixels are arrayed is denoted as P and the imaging optical system (3) has an imaging magnification of (1/n), the light sources (1) being arrayed at a pitch (P1) given as P1=n×P, the microlenses (3a) being arrayed at a pitch (P2) given as P2=(n/(n+1))×P.

Abstract: Disclosed are a display device and a method for manufacturing an optical member. The display device includes a light source; a plurality of wavelength conversion particles to convert a wavelength of a light generated from the light source; and a tube to receive the wavelength conversion particles, wherein a scattering pattern is formed on at least one surface of the tube.

Abstract: A chromaticity correction device corrects chromaticity of a video signal displayed on a display panel of a display device to correspond to a change in a luminance value of the display panel. The chromaticity correction device includes a luminance detection unit which detects the luminance value, a backlight driving level detection unit which detects a backlight driving level, a temperature detection unit which detects an internal device temperature or an ambient temperature, a reference luminance value calculation unit which estimates a reference luminance value in a characteristic of an initial state, a chromaticity calculation unit which obtains a chromaticity change amount of white point chromaticity and estimated white point chromaticity that is an estimated value of current white point chromaticity, a chromaticity correction value calculation unit which obtains a chromaticity correction value and a chromaticity correction circuit which corrects the chromaticity of the video signal.

Abstract: An optical member including: a Fresnel lens sheet for deflecting and emitting deflected light, A louver for restricting a direction of light rays, where the louver restricts the traveling direction of incident light from the deflecting element to a direction that is parallel to the optical path of the incident light, and emits the restricted light. The Fresnel lens sheet is disposed so that a machined surface thereof faces the louver.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystal display device includes an optical switching member; a light guide plate made of a thermoplastic material, which includes at least one light introducing portion on at least one side surface thereof; and a light source disposed on the at least one side surface, in which: the at least one light introducing portion includes, in plan view of the light guide plate: a first portion extending from a light incident surface, which is an end surface of the at least one light introducing portion, while keeping a substantially constant width; and a second portion, which extends from the first portion and has a form which widens; and at least the second portion is connected to a front surface of the light guide plate through an inclined surface which is smoothly continuous with the front surface of the light guide plate.

Abstract: When first grooves are formed by irradiating a lower surface facing a light outgoing surface of a light guide plate for an illuminating device with laser beams, an outer circumferential region is firstly irradiated with the laser beams to form second grooves. Then, the second grooves are inspected. Next, irradiation conditions of the laser beams are adjusted based on an inspection result of the second grooves, irradiation positions of the laser beams are linearly displaced from formation positions of the second grooves, and formation of the first grooves in the scattering reflection region is then started.

Abstract: The invention is an optical element for limiting the propagation of light in oblique directions with respect to the optical element surface, and includes: a transparent substrate and a light ray control layer formed on a flat surface of said transparent substrate, wherein the light ray control layer has a transparent portion and a light absorbing portion, the transparent portion has a plurality of independent pattern elements having an identical configuration separated by said light absorbing portion and arranged at intervals.

Abstract: A planar light source, Fresnel lens sheet, and louver are disposed in the stated order in a light source apparatus. The Fresnel lens sheet deflects and focuses in one dimension light that has entered from the planar light source. The louver is disposed in the optical path of the light emitted from the Fresnel lens sheet, and the directivity of the light can be increased by restricting the traveling direction of the light to the focal direction of the Fresnel lens sheet. The light utilization ratio can thereby be increased, the directivity of planarly emitted light can be increased, and the brightness can be made uniform at the point of observation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a functional element substrate to which a pixel is formed in a predetermined cycle; an opposed substrate formed on the functional element substrate; and an optical device arranged on the opposed substrate, which includes a transparent layer and an optical absorption layer arranged in a cycle of 1/n (n is an integer number) of the cycle of arranging the pixel, and restricts spread of transmitted light.

Abstract: The invention provides a reflective plate that includes a first reflective part having a predetermined surface roughness and a second reflective part having a surface roughness that is less than the predetermined surface roughness of the first reflective part. The invention also provides a reflective plate that is capable of supplying a liquid crystal panel with substantially uniform light.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystal display device in which uneven brightness in a side-light type backlight unit is reduced, the uneven brightness being generated through reflection of light from a light source at an interface of an engaging cutout portion for preventing a light guide plate from shifting. A light guide plate (60) includes a cutout portion (82) through which a light guide plate support pin (80) provided upright to a lower frame fitting is inserted, at a lower side adjacent to a left side at which a light bar (64) is arranged. Further, at the lower side, a cutout portion (84) having a shallower recess than that of the cutout portion (82) and positioned in front of the cutout portion (82) when viewed from the light bar (64) is provided.

Abstract: A backlight device includes a housing, a light source, a diffuse plate and a fixing member. The housing has an open surface. The light source is arranged in the housing. The diffuser plate is arranged on the open surface of the housing and allows light emitted from the light source to pass therethrough while diffusing the light. The fixing member prevents the diffuser plate from bending in a direction in which light passes through the diffuser plate. A part of the fixing member has transmittance adjusted to substantially equalize luminance distribution of light passed through the diffuser plate.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a backlight module and a liquid crystal display (LCD). A backlight module comprising an optical film, at least one light source, at least one reflecting housing and a reflecting surface. The reflecting surface and the optical film are symmetrically disposed with respect to the light source, and are disposed in identical side of the light source; the reflecting housing comprises a first reflecting layer and a second reflecting layer; the reflecting surface has a predetermined trajectory, and corresponds to the first reflecting layer and the light source. In the predetermined trajectory, the lights entering into the reflecting surface are reflected by the reflecting surface and enter into the optical film.

Abstract: A display device comprising a light source and having an optical waveguide, a louver, an anisotropic scattering sheet, and a transmissive liquid crystal panel disposed along the path of light emitted from the light source. The light-restricting direction of the louver is tilted at an angle ? from the Y-axis direction. The value of the angle ? is set so that the arrangement direction of moiré created between the louver and the liquid crystal panel approaches the X-axis direction. A plurality of belt-shaped convex portions extending in the Y-axis direction are formed on the surface of the anisotropic scattering sheet, and are configured so that the scattering direction of the light has anisotropy. Specifically, scattering in the X-axis direction is increased, and scattering in the Y-axis direction is reduced. Moiré can thereby be reduced in a display device having increased directivity of the display.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments utilize a plurality of optical channels to effectively aim the light emitted by a liquid crystal display (LCD). Embodiments may also change the nominal and range of viewing angles of light in two or three dimensions in order to confine the emitted light towards the intended observer.

Abstract: An edge-lit backlight unit for displays is provided. In one embodiment, the backlight may include a light guide configured to receive light from a light source along a first lateral edge. The received light propagates towards a second opposite lateral edge. The backlight unit may include an arrangement of light-extracting elements configured to extract a portion of the propagating light and to allow the remaining portion to reach the second edge. In one embodiment, a specular reflector disposed at the second edge causes the light reaching the second edge to retro-propagate back towards the first edge. In certain embodiments, the retro-propagating light may be between approximately 5 to 35 percent of the total light received by the light guide. The retro-propagating light may be extracted by multiple light-extracting elements and mixed with the extracted propagating light to provide improved color uniformity along an axis of the display.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-reflection film which provides not only sufficient anti-reflection properties and antistatic properties but also excellent contrast in a bright place and excellent contrast in a dark place especially applied on a surface of a transmissive LCD. The anti-reflection film has an antistatic hard coat layer and a low refractive index layer in order on at least one surface of a transparent substrate, average luminous reflectance in the range of 0.5-1.5% on a surface of the low refractive index layer side, haze equal to or less than 0.5%, parallel light transmittance in the range of 94.0-96.5%, and an absorption loss in average luminous transmittance in the range of 0.5-3.0%.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display element accommodates a reflective portion provided with a concavo-convex reflecting pixel electrode for reflecting incident light from the display face side and displaying information, and a transmissive portion provided with a transmissive pixel electrode for transmitting light that is output from the backlight. The voltages applied to the reflective portion and the transmissive portion are controlled independently. The reflective portion and the transmissive portion have wide viewing angle characteristics. In a wide viewing angle region greater than a certain angle, the luminance of the reflective portion is greater than the luminance of the transmissive portion, whereas in other angle regions the luminance of the transmissive portion is greater than the luminance of the reflective portion.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments utilize a plurality of optical channels to effectively aim the light emitted by a liquid crystal display (LCD). Embodiments may also change the nominal and range of viewing angles of light in two or three dimensions in order to confine the emitted light towards the intended observer.

Abstract: A light guide panel, a backlight unit and a display apparatus are provided. A display apparatus includes a light guide panel including a first surface having a first pattern that increases luminance of backlight emitted from a light emitting unit, and a second surface having a second pattern that increases uniformity of luminance of the backlight emitted from the light emitting unit.

Abstract: This invention relates to a back light module and a liquid crystal display thereof. The back light module includes a rear panel, an LGP, a PCB, a plurality of LEDs and at least an elastic clamping fastener. The rear panel includes a base plate and at least a sidewall. The LGP is positioned on the base plate. The PCB opposite to the LGP is positioned on the sidewall of the rear panel. The LEDs are positioned on the PCB. At least an elastic clamping fastener successively passes through the rear panel and the PCB to fasten the rear panel and the PCB. In addition, the top of the elastic clamping fastener is higher than the surface of the LEDs. The back light module and the liquid crystal display thereof in this invention are simple in structure, convenient in assembly, and low in cost.

Abstract: A phosphor-based multi-colored display is provided which includes a spatial light modulator comprising an addressable array of apertures each corresponding to a respective sub-pixel in the display; an array of phosphor regions each indexed to a corresponding aperture of the spatial light modulator; and a backlight which provides quasi-monochromatic light to phosphor within each of the phosphor regions. The phosphor within each of the phosphor regions, upon being excited by the quasi-monochromatic light of the backlight, emits light having a color different from a color of the quasi-monochromatic light, through the corresponding aperture of the spatial light modulator.

Abstract: A display apparatus and a backlight unit are provided. The display apparatus includes: an image receiving unit which receives an image signal; an image processing unit which processes the received image signal; a display panel which displays the processed image signal; a cover unit which accommodates the display panel; a light source unit which is accommodated in an edge region of the cover unit; a reflective member which is accommodated in the cover unit in such a manner that the reflective member is disposed in the rear side of the display panel and which reflects the light emitted from the light source unit toward the display panel; and an integrally formed support member including a support member body which is disposed in the edge region, a light source unit support unit which is formed in the support member body and supports the light source unit, and a panel support unit which is formed in the support member body and supports the display panel.

Abstract: Disclosed are a display backlight module and its manufacturing method. A multilayer reflector is particularly introduced into the display backlight module for a LCD display. The multilayer reflector is composed of a plurality of inter-stacked polymer films with various indexes of refraction. With introduction of interference principle, the multilayer reflector is designed to reflect or transmit the light with a specific wavelength range for acquiring a more uniform backlight. According to one of the embodiments, the display backlight module includes a backlight module, such as a direct-type or an edge-type light source. The module further includes the multilayer reflector and an optical-film module. This optical-film module optionally includes a brightness-enhancement film and a diffuser.

Abstract: Provided are a backlight unit and a display device having the same. The backlight unit includes a case having an opening, at least one lamp assembly disposed on a side surface of the case and including a light source, an optical transreflective unit on the case, the optical transreflective unit transmitting a portion of first light passing through the opening and reflecting a portion of second light generated from the light source, and an optical sheet including a first diffusion unit on the optical transreflective unit.

Abstract: Disclosed are a backlight unit capable of reducing heat and noise and a liquid crystal display using the same. The backlight unit comprises a light source unit comprising light sources for irradiating light; a cover bottom disposed under the light source unit; a vibration-absorbing member attached on the other surface of the cover bottom; and an inverter coupled to the cover bottom via the vibration absorbing member interposed therebetween.

Abstract: The invention relates to a backlighting system (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) and to a display device. The backlighting system comprises a plurality of segments (20, 21, 22, 23, 24) for selectively illuminating a predefined area of pixels of a display device. The backlighting system is configured for selectively controlling the intensity and/or color of the light emitted from the segment, each segment comprising a light source (30). The backlighting system (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) further comprises light barriers (40) for limiting the lateralspreading of the light emitted by the light source (30) towards the neighboring segments (20, 21, 22, 23, 24). The light barriers define grid-lines of a grid, and the light source (30) is arranged at a position on the grid-line which at least partially coincides with at least one of the light barriers.

Abstract: Provided is an optical element manufacturing method that is capable of forming various kinds of shapes and capable of achieving sophisticated functions, improved yields, and cost reductions. The method includes: a step that applies a transparent photosensitive resin on a transparent substrate with light-shielding patterns provided thereon; a step that forms transparent layers by performing patterning through irradiating exposure light of an arbitrary amount on the transparent photosensitive resin via the transparent substrate with the light-shielding patterns provided thereon; a step that forms light absorption layers by filling a black curable resin between the transparent layers; and an irradiation step that irradiates the exposure light in an oblique direction to the surface of the transparent substrate where the light-shielding patterns are formed in a state where the transparent substrate is being bent.

Abstract: A backlight unit of thin-type comprises: at least one or more light source(s); plural numbers of light guide plates, each of which is configured to guide and irradiate the light of the light source(s) to a side of a liquid crystal panel; and a chassis, on which the light source(s) and the light guide plates are fixed, thereby being constructed by aligning the light guide plates, wherein the following conditions are satisfied: 15.0 mm>h, 20°???60° when assuming that a distance from an irradiation surface of the backlight unit to the light guide plate is “h”, and that an angle indicative of a half-value light intensity of a light emitting from a light emission surface of the light guide plate, thereby providing a video of high picture quality, and there is also provided a video display apparatus applying the same therein.

Abstract: A display device comprising a light source and having an optical waveguide, a louver, an anisotropic scattering sheet, and a transmissive liquid crystal panel disposed along the path of light emitted from the light source. The light-restricting direction of the louver is tilted at an angle ? from the Y-axis direction. The value of the angle ? is set so that the arrangement direction of moiré created between the louver and the liquid crystal panel approaches the X-axis direction. A plurality of belt-shaped convex portions extending in the Y-axis direction are formed on the surface of the anisotropic scattering sheet, and are configured so that the scattering direction of the light has anisotropy. Specifically, scattering in the X-axis direction is increased, and scattering in the Y-axis direction is reduced. Moiré can thereby be reduced in a display device having increased directivity of the display.

Abstract: A backlight unit 12 includes LEDs 16, a first light guide plate 18A, a second light guide plate 18B and a fitting structure. Each of the first light guide plate 18A and the second light guide plate 18B has a light entrance surface 34 and a light exit surface 36. The light entrance surface 34 faces the corresponding LED 16 and light from the LED 16 enters through the light entrance surface 34. The light exit surface 36 through which light exits is arranged along an arrangement direction in which the LED 16 and the light entrance surface 34 are arranged. The light guide plates 18 are arranged in a parallel layout in the arrangement direction and partially overlap in a direction perpendicular to the light exit surface 36. A light exit portion 31 is an overlapping area OA that is provided on the first light guide plate 18A on a relatively light output side.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus is disclosed. The illumination apparatus includes a polarization plate, a light source, and a light transmission film. The light transmission film is disposed between the polarization plate and the light source and includes a plurality of prisms formed on a surface thereof, the plurality of prisms each having a ridge line in a first direction and being continuously arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. In the illumination apparatus, the light transmission film is disposed such that a ridge line direction of the plurality of prisms is one of a perpendicular direction and an approximately perpendicular direction to a transmission axis of the polarization plate.

Abstract: A backlight unit having a LED light source which includes a light guide plate partitioned in areas having a tapered shape formed of a thick and thin portion. The light guide plate forms a thick and thin portion repeated at certain intervals, and the repeated thick portions and the repeated thin portions gradually decrease in thickness. The LED light source is attached to a lateral side of thick portions. Grooves are formed in the light irradiation direction of the LED light source and in a direction perpendicularly intersecting the light irradiation direction. Each of the grooves is formed in an concave shape. There is a relation 0.2/30<=W/D<0.1 where D denotes the distance between the light guide plate and a light diffusion plate, and W denotes the width of each of the grooves. An inclination angle ? relative to the center of each of the grooves is between 9 and 15 degrees inclusive.

Abstract: A dual view display system that includes a display device and a first louver device. The display device is configured to display a first image at a display location to a first person at a first location and display a second image at the display location to a second person at a second location. The first louver device configured to substantially restrict a first field of view of the first image to the first person. The system may also include a second louver device configured to substantially restrict a second field of view of the second image to the second person. Such an arrangement restricts the fields of view so that, for example, a vehicle driver can not lean over and view something intended only for a vehicle passenger, such as a movie.

Abstract: Provided are a backlight unit and a display device having the same. The backlight unit includes a case having an opening, at least one lamp assembly disposed on a side surface of the case and including a light source, an optical transreflective unit on the case, the optical transreflective unit transmitting a portion of first light passing through the opening and reflecting a portion of second light generated from the light source, and an optical sheet including a first diffusion unit on the optical transreflective unit.

Abstract: A light trapping optical cover employing an optically transparent layer with a plurality of light deflecting elements. The transparent layer is configured for an unimpeded light passage through its body and has a broad light input surface and an opposing broad light output surface. The light deflecting elements deflect light incident into the transparent layer at a sufficiently high bend angle with respect to a surface normal and direct the deflected light toward a light harvesting device adjacent to the light output surface. The deflected light is retained by means of at least TIR in the system formed by the optical cover and the light harvesting device which allows for longer light propagation paths through the photoabsorptive layer of the device and for an improved light absorption. The optical cover may further employ a focusing array of light collectors being pairwise associated with the respective light deflecting elements.

Abstract: A backlight unit and a video display apparatus having a plural number of sets of one or more of light sources. A light guidance plate for guiding lights from the light sources to a side of a liquid crystal panel, to be emitted. The light sources are disposed on one end side of the light guidance plate. Assuming that width of the gap or groove is “d”, distance between a light incident surface of the liquid crystal panel and a light emission surface of the light guidance plate, or distance between a light incident surface of an optical member disposed between the liquid crystal panel and the light guidance plate and a light emission surface of the light guidance plate is “h”, and further 2.0 mm>d?0.1 mm and 10.0 mm>h?0.4 mm, then the following condition is satisfied: 4?h/d?100.

Abstract: A liquid crystal module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a liquid crystal panel, a transparent panel member configured to include a display section constituting a display image plane while overlapping the liquid crystal panel, and a step section connected to the display section and lower than an image plane position by one step, at least one light source disposed in the step section of the transparent panel member, and a diffusion mechanism provided in a part other than the display image plane of the display section and a face opposite thereto, and diffusing light from the light source.

Abstract: A micro-louver (1) includes: a transparent substrate (2); a concavoconvex shape portion (5) formed on at least one surface of the transparent substrate (2) and in a prescribed pattern for diffracting incident light to form an image; and a light controlling layer (7) including at least one transparent layer (3) and at least light-absorption layer (4) arranged alternately on said at least one surface of the transparent substrate (2), each of said at least one transparent layer (3) and said at least one transparent layer (4) extending in a direction that intersects said at least one surface of the transparent substrate (2).

Abstract: A backlight unit and a display apparatus are provided, the display apparatus including: a display panel on which an image is displayed; and a backlight unit which provides backlight to the display panel, the backlight unit including a plurality of light guide plates, a plurality of substrates which are respectively disposed on at least two surfaces of the corresponding plurality of light guide plates, and a plurality of light emitting units which are respectively disposed between the plurality of light guide plates, and respectively disposed on a surface of the corresponding plurality of substrates. Therefore, a heat radiating surface of a backlight unit is broadened, thereby improving a heat radiating effect and causing the backlight unit to be assembled easily.

Abstract: An optical element manufacturing method according to the present invention includes: disposing a mask on a transparent photosensitive resin; patterning said transparent resin by applying an exposure light to said transparent photosensitive resin through said mask to form a transparent layer; forming a light absorbing layer by filling a gap in the transparent layer with a black curable resin; and illuminating a mask surface of the mask with the exposure light at an angle.

Abstract: A white phosphor including: 40 to 50 parts by weight of a blue phosphor selected from the group consisting of ZnS:(Ag,Cl), ZnS:(Ag,Al), ZnS:(Ag,Al,Cl), and a combination thereof; 20 to 30 parts by weight of a green phosphor (Sr1-xCax)Ga2S4:Eu (0?x<0.2); and 20 to 30 parts by weight of a red phosphor selected from the group consisting of Y2O3:Eu, Y2O3:(Eu,Tb), Y2O2S:Eu, Y2O2S:(Eu,Tb), and combinations thereof. The white phosphor can be included in a light emission device. The light emission device can be included in a liquid crystal display.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device including a thin light guide plate and capable of preventing light leakage from light sources is provided. The light guide plate is formed of a sheet. On a back face of the light guide plate, a first projection and a second projection that protrude outwardly and a reflection face provided between the first projection and the second projection are provided. The light sources are disposed on a side face of the light guide plate. A light entering portion is disposed on the side face where the light source is provided. A thin film portion is included between the light sources adjacent to each other in the light entering portion.

Abstract: An optical device is provided, for example for use as a brightness enhancing film in a display. The device comprises a sheet (31) carrying a plurality of light-concentrating elements in the form of prism-like structures (171). The sheet (31) is non-flat, for example by being bent or curved, in one direction. Each of the prism-like structures (171) has first and second surfaces (34, 35) extending from the sheet (31) and intersecting at a line (33). A line (32) parallel to the viewing direction and passing through the intersection line (33) bisects the opposite surface (36) where it intersects (38) the film (31). When used in a display, such a device provides improved and uniform display brightness across a display of curved or other non-flat shape.

Abstract: A micro-louver (1) includes: a transparent substrate (2); a concavoconvex shape portion (5) formed on at least one surface of the transparent substrate (2) and in a prescribed pattern for diffracting incident light to form an image; and a light controlling layer (7) including at least one transparent layer (3) and at least light-absorption layer (4) arranged alternately on said at least one surface of the transparent substrate (2), each of said at least one transparent layer (3) and said at least one transparent layer (4) extending in a direction that intersects said at least one surface of the transparent substrate (2).