Unitary Sheet Comprising Plural Refracting Areas Patents (Class 359/454)
  • Publication number: 20080192342
    Abstract: Microlens sheets include a first array of anamorphic micolenses on a face of a substrate. The microlenses in the first array are defined by a first parametric model along a direction of the first array. A second array of anamorphic micolenses is also provided on the face of the substrate, and interspersed with the first array. The microlenses in the second array are defined by a second parametric model that is different from the first parametric model, along the direction of the first array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Robert L. Wood
  • Patent number: 7408709
    Abstract: A screen for displaying an image by projection light includes: a selectively reflective layer having reflection properties with respect to light in a specific wavelength region corresponding to the projection light, and having absorption properties with respect to light in a wavelength region other than the specific wavelength region. And the selectively reflective layer includes an optical multilayer film having a dielectric film and a light-absorbing thin film having transmission properties, and a reflective layer for reflecting light which has passed through the optical multilayer film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhito Shimoda, Masayasu Kakinuma, Takashi Watanabe, Shunichi Kajiya
  • Patent number: 7403335
    Abstract: The present invention provides a screen suitable for reducing the longitudinal dimension of a set. The present invention includes two prism sections. One is a totally reflective prism section (10) provided at the image generation source side of a Fresnel lens sheet (6). The other is a refractive prism section (11) provided at the image-watching side of the Fresnel lens sheet. The refractive prism section (11) includes a refractive face (e) for refracting incident light and making the light exit toward the image-watching side, a plane (f) approximately parallel to the principal plane of the Fresnel lens sheet, and a connection face (g) for continuously forming the face (e) and the plane (f).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Yoshikawa, Tetsu Ohishi, Koji Hirata, Daisuke Imafuku
  • Patent number: 7372628
    Abstract: A display screen for a projection device is disclosed, wherein the display screen includes a substantially rigid translucent backing structure, and a viewing surface disposed on the backing structure, wherein the viewing surface has a frosted appearance. The display screen also may include a contrast-improving intermediate layer disposed between the backing structure and the viewing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: InFocus Corporation
    Inventors: Tor Martin Karlsen, Viggo Ersøybakk
  • Patent number: 7365906
    Abstract: A projection screen capable of sharply displaying an image even under bright environmental light with high image visibility. A projection screen has a polarized-light selective reflection layer with a cholesteric liquid crystalline structure, capable of selectively reflecting a specific polarized light component, and a substrate for supporting the reflection layer. Of the light entering the reflection layer from the viewer's side, the right-handed light in the selective reflection wave range is reflected from the reflection layer as reflected light. As a result of structural non-uniformity in the cholesteric liquid crystalline structure, the light that is selectively reflected (reflected light) is diffused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masanori Umeya
  • Patent number: 7357558
    Abstract: A LCD display backlight system with improved color mixing and efficiency comprises a reflective surface, a plurality of light sources mounted on the reflective surface, a plurality of fractional wave plates and a reflective polarizer. The plurality of fractional wave plates is mounted on spaces between the plurality of light sources on the reflective surface. The reflective polarizer transmits light having a useable polarization and reflects back unused polarization of light onto the reflective surface. A portion of the unused polarization of light reflected from the reflective polarizer passes through a fractional wave plate. The reflective surface reflects the portion of the unused polarization of light through the fractional wave plate such that the polarization of the unused polarization of light is changed to useable polarization, thereby recycling the unused polarization of light into useful light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Wavien, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth K. Li, Seiji Inatsugu
  • Patent number: 7354164
    Abstract: An optical filter includes an array of light-transmissive beads in a matrix of opaque binder that surrounds one portion of the beads to provide light entrances and exit apertures for incident light to pass substantially only through the beads. A polarizing layer is disposed between the apertures and the viewing surface of the filter for improved rejection of ambient light. The polarizing layer transmits linearly polarized image light aligned with the polarization axis while attenuating randomly or orthogonally polarized ambient light, resulting in improved image contrast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Jenmar Visual Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles R. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 7356211
    Abstract: A stereoscopic display device is provided. The stereoscopic display device includes an optical waveguide member and a first main surface and a second main surface. The first and second main surfaces face each other. A first light path changing member is provided on at least one of the first and second main surfaces, and is operative to change the path of light guided by the optical waveguide member. A second light path changing member is provided on at least one of the first and second main surfaces, and is operative to change the path of the light guided by the optical waveguide member. A reflector body is disposed so as to face the second main surface and reflects the light emitted from the second light path changing member to the first main surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Takuro Sugiura, Hideaki Nagakubo
  • Patent number: 7349155
    Abstract: A reflector comprises a core and a first dielectric mirror formed over at least a portion of the core to reflect light having a preselected wavelength. The reflector may comprise a plurality of dielectric mirrors formed concentrically over the first dielectric mirror to reflect light having the preselected wavelength. The multiple dielectric mirrors may have different diffraction indices. A layer of such reflectors deposited onto the reflective surface of a projection screen may enhance the reflective selectivity of the screen to the preselected wavelength. Reflectors formed to reflect different wavelengths may be deposited onto the reflective surface to enhance selectivity to the different wavelengths and minimize reflection of ambient light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Brian C. Samuels, Shih-Yuan Wang, Gregory J. May, Stanley Williams
  • Patent number: 7345819
    Abstract: There is provided a light diffusing member for a transmission screen that has a satisfactory surface protective effect while maintaining excellent light diffusing effect and antireflective effect. The light diffusing member for a transmission screen comprises a hard coat layer provided on a surface of a substrate having a single-layer or multilayer structure, wherein fine particles are contained in the substrate and the hard coat layer, and the average particle diameter of the fine particles contained in the hard coat layer is 5 to 15 ?m, the hard coat layer has a thickness satisfying a requirement represented by formula (d?2)?t?d wherein t represents the thickness of the hard coat layer, ?m; and d represents the average particle diameter of the fine particles, ?m, and a part of the fine particles is projected on the surface of the hard coat layer to constitute concaves and convexes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeki Baba, Norihiko Otaka, Yukifumi Uotani, Koichi Nakano, Koji Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 7342720
    Abstract: There is provided a surface protective member for a transmission screen that has excellent antireflective effect while maintaining a surface protective effect. The surface protective member for a transmission screen comprises a fine particle-containing hard coat layer provided on a transparent substrate, wherein the average particle diameter of the fine particles is 5 to 15 ?m, the hard coat layer has a thickness satisfying a requirement represented by formula (d?2)?t?d wherein t represents the thickness of the hard coat layer, ?m; and d represents the average particle diameter of the fine particles, ?m, and a part of the fine particles is projected on the surface of the hard coat layer to constitute concaves and convexes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeki Baba, Norihiko Otaka, Yukifumi Uotani, Koichi Nakano, Kazuyuki Shiozaki, Koji Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 7339758
    Abstract: An etching method is disclosed. The etching method includes the steps of: preparing a substrate 5; forming first and second films 61, 62 each having predetermined internal stress on the substrate so that the internal stresses of the first and second films 61, 62 are canceled out or reduced with each other; forming a plurality of initial holes 63 in the first and second films 61, 62 to form a mask 6; and forming a plurality of concave portions 3 in the substrate 5 at portions corresponding to the plurality of initial holes 63 by subjecting the substrate 5 to an etching process using the mask 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuo Shimizu, Hideto Yamashita, Makoto Ishii
  • Patent number: 7324277
    Abstract: Disclosed is a double-sided image film screen including a plastic material having a high optical transmission property and a light-refracting material, made of silica, having an optical transmission property and a refractivity of 1.4˜2.5, wherein a content and a particle size of the light-refracting material and a thickness of the film screen are designated such that an image incident on the film screen by means of light projected from a projector is dividedly displayed on front and rear surfaces of the film screen, thereby displaying the image formed thereon though the front and rear surfaces thereof, increasing the visibility of the image and eliminating a hot spot generated by a projection light source of the projector. Compared to conventional screens, the double-sided image film screen is advantageous in that it displays the image through the front and rear surfaces thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: Hae-Yong Choi
  • Patent number: 7286101
    Abstract: Images are displayed on an image display screen by projection light for displaying images onto the image display screen. The image display screen is integrally formed with diffusion/reflective parts, which reflect the projection light on a side of the image display screen on which the projection light is incident, and diffusion/transmissive parts, which transmit the projection light in a direction in which the projection light is incident. A first image, which is visible from a side on which the projection light is incident on the image display screen, is displayed by projecting front side projection light onto the diffusion/reflective parts, and a second image, that is visible from a back side of the image display screen, is displayed by projecting back side projection light onto the diffusion/transmissive parts. By doing so, an image display system and method with an improved advertising effect can be provided at low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Hosaka
  • Publication number: 20070229950
    Abstract: Optical films having structured surfaces are used, inter alia, for managing the propagation of light within a display. As displays become larger, it becomes more important that the film be reinforced so as to maintain rigidity. An optical film of the invention has a first layer comprising inorganic fibers embedded within a polymer matrix. A second layer having a structured surface, for providing an optical function to light passing therethrough, is attached to the first layer. The film may have various beneficial optical properties, for example, light that propagates substantially perpendicularly through the first layer may be subject to no more than a certain level of haze or light incident on the film may be subject to a minimum value of brightness gain. Various methods of manufacturing the films are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Shandon D. Hart, Olester Benson, Patrick R. Fleming, Kristin L. Thunhorst
  • Patent number: 7277227
    Abstract: A Fresnel lens sheet has an entrance surface (1a) and an exit surface (1b). A plurality of prisms (2) each having a refraction surface (3) and a total-reflection surface (4) are formed on the entrance surface (1a). Light rays projected by a light source (M) disposed on the side of the sloping refraction surfaces (3) onto the entrance surface (1a) are refracted at the refraction surfaces (3), and the refracted light rays are totally reflected by a total-reflection surfaces (4) in a direction substantially perpendicular to a sheet surface (1c). Angles (?) between the refraction surfaces (3) and the total-reflection surfaces (4) corresponding to the refraction surfaces (3) of all the prisms (2) are substantially equal to each other. The angle ? between the refraction surface (3) of the prism (P2) farthest from the light source (M) and the sheet surface (1c) is approximately equal to a right angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Sekiguchi
  • Publication number: 20070217003
    Abstract: Embodiments of an optical device including at least two transparent layers are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventors: Gregory J. May, Kuohua Wu
  • Patent number: 7253953
    Abstract: A polymer sheet for use in a projection screen comprises polyorgano silsesquioxane microspheres that enhance light diffusing characteristics. Also disclosed is a projection screen comprising at least two glass plates and the polymer sheet disposed therebetween. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a polymer sheet by incorporating the microspheres with the polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Stewart Filmscreen Corporation
    Inventor: Gary Allan Browning
  • Patent number: 7234817
    Abstract: A projection system is provided. The projection system comprises a projector for producing a polarized light for projecting an image and a projection screen on which the image projected by the projector is visualized. The polarization plane of the polarized light and the polarization plane of the polarizing means are parallel. The polarizing means comprises a film formed by rodlike supramolecules including at least one polycyclic organic compound with conjugated ?-systems, whereby the 40% viewing angle transmittance iso-line of the polarizing means of the screen has an aspect ratio of not less than 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventor: Michael V. Paukshto
  • Patent number: 7173761
    Abstract: The present invention provides a Fresnel lens sheet capable of successfully avoiding the “collapse”, “abrasion” and “moire” problems. A Fresnel lens sheet constitutes, together with a lenticular lens sheet, a rear projection screen, which is mounted in the frame of a rear projection type display. The Fresnel lens sheet includes, on one surface of its substrate, a Fresnel lens part containing a plurality of lenses concentrically formed on one plane. The apexes of the lenses situated in the area between the center and the outer edge of the Fresnel lens part are flattened to give flat faces, and the widths of the flat faces of the lenses on the outer edge side are made greater than the widths of the flat faces of the lenses on the center side. The widths of the flat faces of the lenses are from 0 to 30 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7164536
    Abstract: A brightness enhancing structure for a reflective display. A plurality of transparent hemi-beads form a film substantially covering and protruding inwardly from the structure's inward surface. A corresponding plurality of microstructured toroidal lenses are provided on the structure's outward side. Each lens is optically coupled to an adjacent one of the hemi-beads to redirect incident light rays toward the adjacent hemi-bead, such that the redirected light is totally internally reflected by the hemi-bead and reflected back in a direction approximately opposite that of the incident rays. This substantially reduces undesirable dark, non-reflective circular regions of each hemi-bead which would otherwise exist in the absence of this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventor: Lorne A. Whitehead
  • Patent number: 7161737
    Abstract: A projection screen including a polarized-light selective reflection layer having a cholesteric liquid crystalline structure that causes selective diffuse-reflection of a specific polarize-light component, and a substrate for supporting the polarized-light selective reflection layer. The polarized-light selective reflection layer includes three partial selective reflection layers that are layered one over another, and each partial selective reflection layer has a cholesteric liquid crystalline structure that causes selective diffuse-reflection of a specific polarized light component. In the polarized-light selective reflection layer, three partial selective reflection layers that reflect light in the green (G) color wave range, red (R) color wave range, and blue (B) color wave range are layered in this order, the firstly-mentioned partial selective reflection layer being on the observation side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masanori Umeya
  • Patent number: 7158300
    Abstract: The invention provides a projection screen, wherein clear images can be obtained without being influenced by projection environments, the flexibility can be obtained, and its manufacturing cost can be reduced and its manufacturing method. An optical multilayer film is formed on a transparent substrate by alternately layering metal films and dielectric films by using spattering. This multilayer film has the high reflection characteristics in relation to three primary colors wavelength bands lights, and has the high absorption characteristics in relation to lights other than the three primary colors wavelength bands lights. Therefore, the white level and the black level of images can be raised. Further, in terms of the optical multilayer film, as the film thickness dependence of the reflectance change becomes smaller and the incidence angle dependence of reflectance change becomes smaller, a wide visual field angle can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhito Shimoda
  • Patent number: 7158297
    Abstract: A projection screen includes a polarized-light selective reflection layer having a cholesteric liquid crystalline structure, capable of selectively diffuse-reflecting a specific polarized-light component; a substrate for supporting the polarized-light selective reflection layer; and an optical member provided on the observation side of the polarized-light selective reflection layer. The optical member diffuses imaging light which the polarized-light selective reflection layer diffuse-reflects, while maintaining the state of polarization of the imaging light. The optical member diffuses right-handed circularly polarized light that is projected on the projection screen, when the light travels from the observation side to the polarized-light selective reflection layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masanori Umeya
  • Patent number: 7158299
    Abstract: A projection screen includes a cholesteric liquid crystalline, polarized-light selective reflection layer for selectively diffuse-reflecting a specific polarized-light component. The layer has, on its observation-side surface, a roughened part for controlling the direction of interfacial reflection of imaging light that is projected on the layer. Imaging light projected on the projection screen from a projector enters the layer and is diffuse-reflected inside this layer; this light is diffused as diffuse-reflected light, in directions included in an approximately constant range. On the other hand, part of the light projected on the projection screen from the projector is reflected, by interfacial reflection, from the inclined planes of the roughened part. The reflected light emerges from the layer in a direction different from the main direction in which the light diffuse-reflected from the layer emerges and returns to the observation side as light reflected by interfacial reflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masanori Umeya
  • Patent number: 7142361
    Abstract: An optical material includes an adhesive formed from perfluoroalkylsulfonamidoethyl acrylate, aliphatic urethane acrylate oligomer and acrylate monomer. A film can include a first layer, a second layer disposed on the first layer and a polymerized composition disposed between the first and second layers and attaching the first layer to the second layer, the composition including perfluoroalkylsulfonamidoethyl acrylate, aliphatic urethane acrylate oligomer and acrylate monomer. A film can include a substrate and a plurality of structures disposed on the substrate, each of the structures formed by polymerizing a composition including perfluoroalkylsulfonamidoethyl acrylate, aliphatic urethane acrylate oligomer and acrylate monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Peter M. Olofson, Patrick A. Thomas, Amy J. Gates, George G. I. Moore, Patricia M. Savu
  • Patent number: 7142360
    Abstract: A projection screen capable of sharply displaying an image even under bright environmental light with high image visibility. A projection screen has a polarized-light selective reflection layer with a cholesteric liquid crystalline structure, capable of selectively reflecting a specific polarized light component, and a substrate for supporting the reflection layer. Of the light entering the reflection layer from the viewer's side, the right-handed light in the selective reflection wave range is reflected from the reflection layer as reflected light. As a result of structural non-uniformity in the cholesteric liquid crystalline structure, the light that is selectively reflected (reflected light) is diffused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masanori Umeya
  • Patent number: 7123410
    Abstract: A projection screen includes a polarized-light selective reflection layer having a cholesteric liquid crystalline structure, capable of selectively reflecting a specific polarized-light component; and a substrate that supports the polarized-light selective reflection layer. In the cholesteric liquid crystalline structure of the polarized-light selective reflection layer, the helical pitch on the side farther from the imaging-light-incident side is longer than that on the side closer to the imaging-light-incident side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masanori Umeya
  • Patent number: 7123409
    Abstract: The present invention provides a projection screen capable of sharply displaying an image by minimizing the influence of the loss of light that occurs on a polarized-light selective reflection layer and of providing high image visibility. A projection screen includes: a polarized-light selective reflection layer that selectively reflects a specific polarized-light component; and a substrate that supports the polarized-light selective reflection layer. The polarized-light selective reflection layer includes a plurality of partial selective reflection layers that are laminated to one another, and the partial selective reflection layers have cholesteric liquid crystalline structures, owing to which they selectively reflect a specific polarized-light component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masanori Umeya
  • Patent number: 7099079
    Abstract: A plurality of reflecting mirrors (322) extending in the vertical direction of a screen are provided in parallel as appropriate between a light incident surface and a light exiting surface. The reflecting mirrors (322) each have a shape of parabolic cylinder, for condensing light on substantially one line. Light rays (L2) are reflected from a concave mirror part on the inner surface of one of the reflecting mirrors (322), and are reflected again from a convex mirror part of an adjacent one of the reflecting mirrors (322), to be emitted to the outside. Being reflected from the inner surface of one of the reflecting mirrors (322), the light rays (L2) are condensed on a predetermined focal point (FP1), and are then emitted while diffusing. Thus obtained is a diffuser panel for a rear projection screen capable of contributing to improved clarity of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Taketoshi Hibi, Yuzo Nakano
  • Patent number: 7088515
    Abstract: A dual mode autostereoscopic lens sheet. The lens sheet has at least one refractive region and at least one non-refractive region. When the lens sheet is held in intimate juxtaposition with a display, stereoscopic content may be viewed in the refractive region while planar content may be simultaneously viewed in the non-refractive region. In a preferred embodiment, the non-refractive region forms a vertical column on one end of the lens sheet and the refractive region forms a vertical column on the other end of the lens sheet. Advantageously, the refractive region defines a picture area having an aspect ratio of approximately 1.3:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: StereoGraphics Corporation
    Inventor: Lenny Lipton
  • Patent number: 7075718
    Abstract: A transparent screen includes a refraction/total reflection plate in a form of a Fresnel lens, the refraction/total reflection plate having a sawtooth surface upon which light is incident and another surface via which the light exits, and an image formation/display plate for forming a projection image from the light that exits from the refraction/total reflection plate. Refraction slating surface portions each for refracting incident light towards the other surface of the refraction/total reflection plate, transmission slating surface portions each for making incident light pass therethrough, and total reflection slating surface portions each for reflecting incident light passing through one transmission slating surface portion towards the other surface of the refraction/total reflection plate being formed concentrically on the sawtooth surface of the refraction/total reflection plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Suzuki, Takao Endo, Shinsuke Shikama, Shuso Wadaka, Kohei Teramoto, Kuniko Kojima, Shigekazu Tsuda
  • Patent number: 7072108
    Abstract: A projection screen is provided that includes a display surface having a plurality of elements. Each element has an optical property that is responsive to an appropriate applied voltage. The display surface may be configured so that the optical properties of each element may be coordinated with the projected image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Antonio S. Cruz-Uribe, William J. Allen, John Christopher Rudin, Andrew Arthur Hunter, Andrew L. Van Brocklin
  • Patent number: 7057810
    Abstract: A film for a screen has a light transmitting substrate and a plurality of structures disposed on the substrate. An optical material at least partially fills cavities between the structures. A method of forming a film includes providing a light transmitting substrate having a plurality of structures disposed thereon and at least partially filling the cavities therebetween with an optical material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Patrick A. Thomas, John C. Nelson, Scott M. Tapio, Michael L. Graetz, Amy J. Gates, Peter M. Olofson, Robert L. Brott, Robert S. Moshrefzadeh
  • Patent number: 7057809
    Abstract: A clear image unaffected by the brightness of the projection environment. The projection screen according to the present invention is a projection screen for projecting thereupon narrow-band tricolor wavelength band light to display an image, and comprises an optical thin film (3) which has high reflection properties regarding the narrow-band tricolor wavelength band light, and has high transmission properties regarding at least visible wavelength band light other than the wavelength band light, on a screen base (2). With the projection screen according to the present invention configured as above, the optical thin film (3) serves as a so-called band filter. That is to say, the optical thin film (3) particularly reflects narrow-band tricolor wavelength band light and transmits light of other wavelengths, thereby functioning as a narrow-band tricolor wavelength bandwidth filter acting to separate these.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeo Kubota, Junichi Ohsako, Masayasu Kakinuma, Kazuhito Shimoda
  • Patent number: 7057813
    Abstract: The present invention provides a projection screen capable of sharply displaying an image even under bright environmental light, of improving brightness distribution and viewing angle, and of providing high image visibility, and a projection system including such a projection screen. The projection screen includes: a polarized-light selective reflection layer that selectively reflects a specific polarized-light component; a substrate that supports the polarized-light selective reflection layer and a circular Fresnel lens provided on the observation side of the polarized-light selective reflection layer. The circular Fresnel lens controls the optical axis of right-handed circularly polarized light projected on the projection screen so that the light enters the polarized-light selective reflection layer nearly vertically to it regardless of the point and angle at which the light is incident on this layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Umeya, Masahiro Hatano, Akira Izawa
  • Patent number: 7054063
    Abstract: The invention provides a projection screen, wherein clear images can be obtained without being influenced by projection environments, the flexibility can be obtained, and its manufacturing cost can be reduced and its manufacturing method. An optical multilayer film is formed on a transparent substrate by alternately layering metal films and dielectric films by using spattering. This multilayer film has the high reflection characteristics in relation to three primary colors wavelength bands lights, and has the high absorption characteristics in relation to lights other than the three primary colors wavelength bands lights. Therefore, the white level and the black level of images can be raised. Further, in terms of the optical multilayer film, as the film thickness dependence of the reflectance change becomes smaller and the incidence angle dependence of reflectance change becomes smaller, a wide visual field angle can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhito Shimoda
  • Patent number: 7038849
    Abstract: Optical properties of a screen on which an image is being projected are considered. A patterned surface is given a predetermined pattern of color pixels whereby a degree of wavelength selectivity is employed to improve the color qualities of the projected image. A system is provided wherein there is a matching of emission characteristics of a projector to the screen's reflective characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Brian Samuels, Nathan Moroney, Xiao-An Zhang, Zhang-Lin Zhou
  • Patent number: 7035006
    Abstract: A screen for image display apparatus according to the present invention has a base member, a light absorption layer formed on the base member and adapted for absorbing light of a visible light range, and a light control layer formed on the light absorption layer. The light control layer reflects projected image display light to form an image and has a reflection wavelength selection function of selectively reflecting light of the wavelength range of the image display light. By using the screen for image display apparatus according to the present invention, a user can easily enjoy large-screen image display even in a bright environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shinjiro Umeya, Yoshinori Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7016096
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to easily realize an optical element using an etalon type structure, capable of changing a periodic transmission wavelength characteristic in an axial direction of transmissivity, and also capable of changing a periodic characteristic with respect to wavelength. To this end, a transmission wavelength characteristics variable optical element according to the invention comprises: a light interference section including a pair of wedge shape magneto-optic crystals arranged with taper faces thereof in close contact, that can change a distance between reflecting films formed on parallel planes of the magneto-optic crystals, by relatively moving the magneto-optic crystals by movable sections, permanent magnets for applying a fixed magnet field to the pair of magneto-optic crystals, an electromagnet for applying a variable magnetic field in a direction different to the fixed magnetic field, and a variable current source controlling the current flowing into the electromagnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hirotomo Izumi, Takashi Ishiwada, Nobuaki Mitamura
  • Patent number: 7012743
    Abstract: A high contrast a lenticular lens sheet that improves the brightness of an image and the angle of visibility. The width A, between the lens elements on a light-emission side and a side wall of a black stripe portion is made to be 15 ?m or less. P represents the pitch of the lens element and H represents the width of the black stripe portion as viewed n a cross section perpendicular to the lens element, the difference F in height between the black stripe portion and the lens element is set to have a range that is expressed by the inequality: 0.098 P?F?(P-H)/2 tan(?/3). Simultaneously, the width B as measured from an apex portion of the black stripe portion in regard to a colored portion on a side wall of the black stripe portion is set to have a range that is expressed by the inequality: 0.30 F?B?0.89 F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsunori Takahashi, Toshie Chijiwa
  • Patent number: 7009771
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical element containing a rough surface having a roughness average equal to at least 5 micrometers wherein the rough surface contains at least two roughness populations in which the roughness average of the at least two populations varies by at least 8 micrometers. The invention provides an optical element containing an integral optical spacer while simultaneously providing scratch and impact resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert P. Bourdelais, Cheryl J. Kaminsky
  • Patent number: 6952295
    Abstract: A hologram screen 1 displays an image by diffracting and scattering image light 31 projected from an image projection apparatus 2. An upward/downward light scattering device 13, which scatters light incident from an upward/downward specific angle range spreading obliquely upward or downward, is placed on the image projection apparatus side of a hologram device 12 in the hologram screen 1. A leftward/rightward light scattering device 14, which scatters light incident from a leftward/rightward specific angle range spreading obliquely leftward and rightward, is placed between the hologram device 12 and the scattering device 13. The construction is such that the upward/downward specific angle range contains the incidence angle of the image light 31 on the hologram screen 1, and thus provides a hologram screen having good color reproducibility and which permits viewing of the background.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunori Suzuki, Kenichiro Takada
  • Patent number: 6939014
    Abstract: An optical filter includes an array of light-transmissive beads in a matrix of light absorbing binder that surrounds one portion of the beads to provide light entrances and exit apertures for incident light to pass substantially only through the beads. A transparent layer under the light absorbing layer may serve to increase the diameter of the exit apertures. A structure or layer of light-dispersing material that exhibits anisotropic dispersion of incident light along orthogonal axes is disposed relative to the beads to disperse light within a wider output angle along one of the orthogonal axes than along another of the orthogonal axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Jenmar Visual Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis W. Vance, Charles Robert Wolfe
  • Patent number: 6927908
    Abstract: A visual display screen (100?) such as an LCD screen is provided with a display area (30) for displaying an image. The display area (30) extends as far as an optically inactive region (60), containing device drivers, at the edge of the screen. A cover plate assembly (40) overlays the display area (30). The cover plate assembly is laminar and an upper translucent plastics layer (520) thereof is planar over the display area (30) but is curved at the edge to provide a lens there. Thus, the image in the display area viewed through the cover plate assembly (40) appears to be shifted to the edge of the screen (100?) so that the optically inactive region (60) becomes invisible. Two screens can be abutted adjacent each other with no visible join using this technique. Compression of the image at the edge compensates for edge distortion by the lens. Repeating of the image either side of the join between two screens increases the viewing angle beyond which the join appears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Seamless Display Limited
    Inventor: Bernard Harry Stark
  • Patent number: 6870674
    Abstract: In a lens sheet, a lens portion (3) made of activation energy curing resin such as ultraviolet curing resin has a plurality of lens units, the lens portion (3) is disposed on at least one side of a transparent substrate (2) such as plastic sheet, a relaxation layer (1) is disposed between the transparent substrate (2) and the lens portion (3), and the thickness of the relaxation layer (1) is within a range of 1% to 30% of the height (H) of the lens units. The relaxation layer (1) is made of activation energy curing resin and formed integrally with the lens portion (3). The refractive index of the transparent substrate (2) is lower than that of the lens portion (3). The lens units are elongated prisms each having a substantially triangular cross section. The thickness of the relaxation layer is within a range of 1 ?m to 10 ?m, for example. The prisms have the vertical angle of 50° to 75° and are arranged with a pitch of 10 ?m to 150 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Ookawa, Masao Hamada, Akira Motonaga, Yukichi Konami, Akiyoshi Kogame
  • Patent number: 6865023
    Abstract: The present invention relates in general to a system (and its methods of use) for collecting and displaying images so as to create a visual effect and, more particularly but not by way of limitation, a three-dimensional visual effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: Eugene Lee Shafer
  • Patent number: 6853486
    Abstract: A projection screen is provided that includes a display surface having a plurality of elements. Each element has an optical property that is responsive to an appropriate applied voltage. The display surface may be configured so that the optical properties of each element may be coordinated with the projected image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Antonio S. Cruz-Uribe, William J. Allen, John Christopher Rudin, Andrew Arthur Hunter, Andrew L. Van Brocklin
  • Patent number: 6844967
    Abstract: A screen unit includes a semipermeable screen sheet sandwiched between a first transparent sheet and a second transparent sheet. The semipermeable screen sheet transmits and reflects a projected image in a constant percentage. The first transparent sheet such as an acrylic sheet wider than the semipermeable screen sheet. The second transparent sheet is the same as the first transparent sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha, Nishinihon-Denken Inc.
    Inventors: Kohei Teramoto, Yasuo Sato, Yoshinori Sakakibara
  • Publication number: 20040224154
    Abstract: Such a structure is to be provided in that in the case where a material, such as a protective film, is coated on a fine particle accumulated layer, such as a photonic crystal, penetration of the material into gaps among the fine particles is suppressed, whereby the mechanical strength against bending stress and tensile stress is improved, and peeling and breakage of the fine particle accumulated layer are suppressed, without adverse affect on the optical characteristics, such as reflection characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Atsushi Toda, Yuriko Kaino, Hirotaka Akao, Ko Ishimoto