Abstract: A switchable backlight module is disclosed. The switchable backlight module includes two light source modules arranged parallelly with respect to a plane. Each of the light source modules includes a turning film and a LGP. The LGP is of an edge-lit type arranged parallelly under the turning film. A light ray enters the LGP from a light incident side of the LGP, exits the LGP from a light emergent surface of the LGP, enters the turning film, and exits the turning film from a surface of the turning film away from the LGP. The light incident side of the LGP of one of the light source modules is perpendicular to the light incident side of the LGP of the other light source module. The switchable backlight module is in an anti-peeping mode having a narrow viewing angle when only an upper one of the light source modules emits light.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a decorative film comprising a colored polymer film layer and a micro/nano-structure layer on a surface of the colored polymer film layer, wherein the micro/nano-structure layer comprises a plurality of colored polymer micro/nano-structures. Due to the colored polymer film layer and the plurality of colored polymer micro/nano-structures, a color with an optical effect can be displayed, the color modulation is reduced and the process is simplified.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing articles, including providing a substrate having a surface, forming first and second sets of first and second grooves in the surface, respectively, the first grooves parallel to each other along a same first direction across the surface and each of the first grooves including a repeating interleaved pattern of at least two first zones and at least two second zones and a maximum depth of the first zones greater than a maximum depth of the second zones, and the second grooves parallel to each other along a same second direction across the surface, the second direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction, the second grooves passing through second zones of the first grooves, where a groove pattern is thereby formed on the surface, the groove pattern including microprisms. Articles including a substrate surface with such groove patterns or inverted groove patterns including microprisms or inverted microprisms.

Abstract: A retroreflective sheet includes: a retroreflective layer (20) including a plurality of retroreflective elements (24) on one surface; a back face layer (40) provided to face the surface of the retroreflective layer (20) on the side of the retroreflective elements (24) and including a bonding portion (42) bonded to the retroreflective elements (24); and a plurality of particles (30) disposed between the retroreflective elements (24) and the back face layer (40). The bonding portion (42) is continuously formed to surround a plurality of capsule portions (46) in plan view. Voids (32) are formed between the retroreflective elements (24) and the back face layer (40) in the plurality of capsule portions (46).

Abstract: An exposed-lens retroreflective article including a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements comprise at least one color layer comprising a bi-layer structure.

Abstract: Provided is a composition for bonding that forms, after bonding, an adhesive layer that is less likely to undergo shape deformation, and can maintain high adhesion after a reliability test; also provided are an optical adhesive and an adhesive for pressure sensors, both of which comprise the composition. The composition for bonding comprises resin particles. The resin particles have a recovery rate of 20% or less, and a cured product of the composition with a thickness of 250±50 ?m has a moisture permeability of 90 g/m2-24 h or less. An adhesive layer formed from the composition for bonding is less likely to undergo shape deformation, and can maintain high adhesion after a reliability test.

Abstract: An electromagnetic tracking system includes a hand held controller including an electromagnetic emitter configured to generate an electromagnetic field characterized by an electromagnetic field pattern and a first electromagnetic reflector positioned adjacent the electromagnetic emitter and configured to form a modified electromagnetic field pattern. The electromagnetic tracking system also includes a head mounted augmented reality display including an electromagnetic sensor configured to sense the electromagnetic field and a second electromagnetic reflector adjacent to sensor configured to optimally sense electromagnetic field pattern in a region of interest.

Abstract: An optical body includes a first optical transparent layer having quadrangular pyramid-shaped depressions, a wavelength-selective reflecting layer formed on the depressions and selectively reflecting light of a specific wavelength band, and a second optical transparent layer formed on the wavelength-selective reflecting layer. When (?, ?) is taken as the incident angle (?: angle between perpendicular line relative to second optical transparent layer acting as incident surface and light incident on incident surface; ?: angle between specific straight line within incident surface and component resulting from projection of incident light on incident surface), with respect to incident light that is incident on the incident surface from different ? directions at ?=60°, the optical body has an average reflection angle of reflected light to the same quadrant as the incident light of 30° or more.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for the design and use of image guides with a retro-reflector and beam splitter are disclosed. In one example, an apparatus includes: a first image guide situated to propagate a ray bundle so that a first portion exits the image guide output at a first portion angle and a second portion exits the output at a second portion angle opposite the first portion angle, a retro-reflector situated to reflect the respective ray bundle portions along their respective propagation paths incident onto the retro-reflector; a beam splitter situated to receive the reflected ray bundle portions from the retro-reflector, and a second image guide situated to receive the first and second ray bundle portions reflected from the beam splitter plane. In some examples, the retro-reflector is a micro retro-reflector array. In some examples, the retro-reflector is a pseudo-phase conjugate or phase conjugate mirror.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a light guide plate and its fabricating method, as well as a backlight module. The light guide plate comprises a light-transmitting plate body provided with a plurality of light guide dots on a light-exiting surface thereof, and further provided with a plurality of dimming pits, wherein a plurality of light guide dots are provided around each of the dimming pits; an inner wall of each of the dimming pits sequentially includes multiple levels of dimming surfaces along a depth direction of the dimming pits, for reflecting light incident thereon to the light guide dots. The backlight module comprises the light guide plate provided in the above-described technical solution.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a display device includes a display module which emits display light, an optical element which transmits or reflects the display light, and a reflective element which retroreflects the display light reflected from the optical element. The reflective element includes a first reflector including a first retroreflective surface having retroreflective properties, a first end portion, and a second end portion which is more separated from the optical element than the first end portion, and a second reflector including a third end portion, which overlaps the second end portion and is closer to the optical element than the second end portion, and a second retroreflective surface having retroreflective properties.

Abstract: Articles and laminates include a substrate with a first polyester surface and a second polyester surface, a crosslinked polyurethane-based primer coated on at least the first polyester surface, and an optically clear heat activated adhesive adjacent to the crosslinked polyurethane-based primer. The articles and laminates are prepared by applying a polyurethane-based dispersion and a crosslinker on at least one polyester surface, drying the applied coating, heating while stretching the substrate and the coating to form a crosslinked primer layer on the stretched polyester surface, and applying an optically clear heat activated adhesive onto the crosslinked primer layer.

Abstract: The present application relates generally to retroreflective sheeting and the tools and methods used to make retroreflective sheeting. Microreplication tools and sheeting include controlled surface structure or haze. The surface structure or haze can be introduced, for example, by chemical etching of the tool surface and/or electroplating.

Abstract: Substrates having laser textured surfaces and methods for forming the same are described. The methods involve using a laser to form three-dimensional features on a surface of the substrate. The laser three-dimensional features can be designed to interact with incident light to create unique visual effects. In some embodiments, the substrate is further treated with a pre-anodizing process and an anodizing process to form a protective metal oxide coating. In some cases, the type of pre-anodizing and anodizing process are chosen based on the geometry of the three-dimensional features and to enhance the visual effects.

Abstract: A boresight module includes a housing including an input window and an exit window. The boresight module further includes a lateral transfer hollow, dichroic beam splitter, retro-reflector (LTHSR) assembly supported by the housing. The LTHSR assembly includes a dichroic beam splitter. The boresight module further includes a corner cube coupled to the housing and a collimator including a collimator housing coupled to the housing and a target supported by the collimator housing. The target is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from the input window to emit electromagnetic radiation through the exit window. A method of aligning a device with a boresight alignment module is further disclosed.

Abstract: Cube corner articles such as retroreflective sheeting utilize multiple cube corner arrays in a tiled configuration, each tile containing one array of canted cube corner elements. The tiles may be long and narrow, and the array in each of at least two or three adjacent tiles, or even in every tile, may include at least one lengthwise groove that is parallel to an edge of the tile and parallel to a fixed in-plane axis. Each tile may have a width that is narrow (e.g. 0.2 to 5 mm), and equal to an integer multiple of a lengthwise groove pitch to avoid or reduce ineffective fragmented cube corners along the tile edge. Each array may have a plane of cant and a primary plane of entrance angularity, and the primary planes of entrance angularity for the multiple tiles may be more evenly distributed in azimuthal angle than the planes of cant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machining head for a laser machining device, which is equipped for machining a workpiece (24) using laser radiation (30). The laser machining head comprises an adjustable focusing optical unit (34), which focuses the laser radiation (30) in a focal spot (22). The distance between the focal spot (22) and a machining head can be modified by modifying the focal length of the focusing optical unit (34). A scanning apparatus (44) deflects the laser radiation (30) in different directions. An optical coherence tomography device (48) measures a distance between the treatment head and the workpiece (24). Here, measuring light (52), which was generated by a measuring light source (50) and reflected by the workpiece (24), interferes in the coherence tomography device (48) with measuring light, which traveled an optical path length in a reference arm (60).

Abstract: Tooling and optic elements for a retro-imaging system may be formed on order near atomic level of accuracy by making use of either etching or growth techniques of a cubic crystal lattice, such as silicon. The elements may be formed directly using selective etching or epitaxial growth by coating and clear resin lamination, or replicated to avoid shrinkage and curvature by use of low shrinkage resins or double-fill molding techniques. Through the use of these highly accurate reflection/diffraction elements, floating images may be formed with relatively high resolution in retro-reflective imaging systems, for example.

Abstract: Methods of making tiled articles and molds used to make retroreflective articles. The methods include forming a prism array on a master substrate and forming a replica of the master. A reference edge is formed on the replica, thereby reducing the size of the prism array, yet maintaining a lateral dimension of the replica to maintain ease of handling of the replica. The replica is copied and the reference edge on the copied tiles are exposed, such that the reference edge can be mated and secured face-to-face with a reference edge on other tiles in order to form a tiled article. The tiled article is used as a mold to produce retroreflective articles or can be further duplicated and mated to form larger tiled articles to be used as molds. Tiled articles used as molds and retroreflective articles produced from the molds are also disclosed.

Abstract: Retroreflective articles include a layer of optical elements (110,120,130), embedded in a bead bond layer (140). The optical elements include transparent microspheres (110), at least one colored polymeric layer (120) covering the transparent microspheres, and a reflective layer (130) covering the colored polymeric layer. The polymeric layer includes at least one nanopigment. The transparent microspheres have a diameter range of 80-120 micrometers, with at least 75% of the transparent microspheres having a diameter range of 85-105 micrometers.

Abstract: A decorative structure includes a contoured base having a top surface; an adhesive layer applied to the top surface; a reflective material secured to the adhesive layer; a resin composed of a phosphorescent pigment material and applied to the reflective material; and a plurality of non-transparent objects bonded to the resin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light-emitting apparatus, which comprises at least one reflective housing, at least one light-emitting module, and a reflective member. The reflective housing includes a housing body and a curved surface part. The curved surface part is located on the housing body. The light-emitting module is located below the reflective housing. The light-emitting module includes a light guide plate and at least one light-emitting device. The light-emitting device is located on one side of the light guide plate. The light guide plate includes a plate body and a hole. The hole corresponds to an opening on the curved surface part and is located on the plate body. The reflective member is located below the light-emitting module. The reflective member includes a body and a light-emitting hole. The light-emitting hole corresponds to the hole and located on the body.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the formation of high contrast, wavelength independent retroreflective sheeting made by including a light scattering material on at least a portion of the retroreflective sheeting. The light scattering material reduces the brightness of the retroreflective sheeting without substantially changing the appearance of the retroreflective sheeting when viewed under scattered light.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a prism film and a method and an apparatus for manufacturing the prism film. The prism film comprises a substrate which is provided with prism protrusions formed of photoresist; wherein at least two prism protrusions have different heights. The embodiments of the present invention adopt the laser interference lithography apparatus for forming the prism film, such that the prism film has adjustable prism period and modulation depths. Moreover, the depth of modulation is distributed randomly on the surface of the manufactured prism film, and a prism direction and a prism period can be adjusted conveniently.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the cleanliness of a surface. Surface marking systems of the present disclosure can include a plurality of retroreflective microspheres dispersed in or dispensed on a carrier. Applicators of the present disclosure can include a container comprising the surface marking system, and a dispenser. Methods of the present disclosure can include applying the surface marking system to at least one discrete site on the surface; illuminating the at least one discrete site on the surface with visible light, after a cleaning; and detecting retroreflection emitted from the at least one discrete site on the surface in response to illuminating the at least one discrete site to determine the effectiveness of the cleaning of the surface.

Abstract: Retroreflective articles and constructions are disclosed. One exemplary retroreflective article or construction includes a retroreflective layer and a low refractive index layer. In one exemplary embodiment, the low refractive index layer is adjacent to at least a portion of a retroreflective structured major surface of the retroreflective layer.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure provides microprismatic retroreflective film that includes a substrate and metalized microprisms located on the substrate. At least a portion of the metalized microprisms are forward-tilted microprisms, and at least a portion of the forward-tilted microprisms are arranged in matched pairs and are aligned with the plane of optical axis tilting aligned at an angle ranging from about 10 to 80 degrees with an edge of the microprismatic retroreflective film.

Abstract: A decal for manufacturing a multi-colored retroreflective sticker having a variety of colorful letters or patterns includes: a glass bead layer including a printing layer having the colorful letters or patterns made of dye-based ink, on one side of the glass bead layer; a transparent reflective layer formed on the other side of the glass bead layer and having a polarization element and a diffused reflection element sequentially deposited; an opaque bonding layer including a mixture of polyurethane and a white pigment and applied on the reflective layer to hold the glass bead layer; a thermal adhesive layer applied on the bonding layer; and a carrier sheet removably attached on the thermal adhesive layer by an adhesive remover layer, thereby obtaining uniform luminance under an artificial light source and high brightness and saturation under a natural light source.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a frameless hollow roof mirror comprises: a first element having a first mirrored surface and a first abutment surface; a second element having a second mirrored surface and a second abutment surface, the first and second elements arranged in a roof mirror configuration wherein the second abutment surface abuts against the first abutment surface and the first and second mirrored surfaces meet at a generally linear junction and are oriented relative to one another at a desired roof mirror angle; and a plurality of fasteners extending through the first and second abutment surfaces. The plurality of fasteners exerts a force to cause the first and second abutment surfaces to bear against each other.

Abstract: A gravity value is measured using two light beams which each reflect from both a freefall test mass and a stationary reference test mass which is inertially supported by a long period isolation device. The optical path lengths of the light beams change equally and oppositely in response to gravity and equally in response to disturbances, resulting in cancellation of the undesirable effects of the disturbances by common mode rejection and in a desirable increase in the number of gravity induced measurement fringes, when the two light beams are combined interferometrically.

Abstract: Incident differently-polarized light beams are separately directed and combined by one or two corner cube structures, each having one or two walls formed as a beam splitter. One incident light beam is passed, while the other incident light beam is reflected.

Abstract: In one non-limiting embodiment, a transparency for use as a cover plate for a solar collector, window and/or room divider includes a major surface of a glass substrate having Brewster tetrahedrons to convert s-polarized light waves to converted p-polarized light waves to reduce the percent of light wave reflectance of the substrate. In another non-limiting embodiment, the transparency includes a major surface of the substrate having pyramidal tetrahedrons to capture light waves within the body of the substrate to reduce the percent of visible light reflection.

Abstract: Retroreflective articles and constructions are disclosed. One exemplary retroreflective article or construction includes a retroreflective layer and a low refractive index layer. In one exemplary embodiment, the low refractive index layer is adjacent to at least a portion of a retroreflective structured major surface of the retroreflective layer.

Abstract: A dual light-source position detecting system for use in touch screens is provided that utilizes parallax to determine the position of an interposing object, and a prismatic film that is brightly retroreflective over a broad entrance angle to enhance to accuracy of the parallax determination of position. The position detecting system includes at least one camera positioned to receive light radiation traversing a detection area and that generates a signal representative of an image; two spaced-apart sources of light radiation, which may be LEDs, or IR emitters positioned adjacent to the camera for outputting light radiation that overlaps over at least a portion of a detection area, and a prismatic film positioned along a periphery of at least a portion of the detection area that retroreflects the light radiation from the two sources to the camera.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The disclosure further relates to retroreflective sheeting.

Abstract: A touch screen system and prismatic film includes a retroreflective substrate having a plurality of retroreflective elements having triangular cube corners. A metallized layer is disposed over at least a portion of the retroreflective elements. In one embodiment, the prismatic film includes two colored substrates mounted over the retroreflective elements. In another embodiment, a single substrate is mounted over the retroreflective elements. It is often desired that a color of the substrate(s) be chosen that is highly transparent in the infrared spectrum, but is also non-transparent in the visible light spectrum, giving the prismatic film a dark appearance. The prismatic film includes a plurality of retroreflective elements having triangular cube corners with a cant in a range between about 4 degrees in a face more parallel direction to 18 degrees in an edge more parallel direction and a cube depth between about 0.002 and 0.008 inches or with a cant of about 5.

Abstract: The present application relates to a reflector body (10), particularly a spherical retro-reflective marker, comprising a plurality of reflector body segments (11), and the individual reflector body segments (11) comprised by such a reflector body (10), and methods for producing the reflector body segments (11) and the reflector body (10). The reflector bodies (10) comprise a coating having a reflection film (12), by which the reflector body segments (11) of the reflector body (10) are uniformly spanned, performed by suitably selecting the geometric shape of the reflector body segment (11) to be spanned, by injecting molding behind the reflection film (12) in an injection molding process and/or by producing the reflector body segments (11) in a forming process.

Abstract: An apparatus for inhibiting heating of an enclosure is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a covering configured to shade at least a portion of a surface of the enclosure and includes a plurality of retroreflective elements. The plurality of retroreflective elements are configured to retroreflect electromagnetic beams primarily at wavelength in a range between about 380 nm and about 780 nm or sub-range thereof. The plurality of retroreflective elements receive the electromagnetic beams along beam entry paths and reflect the electromagnetic beams along beam exit paths. The beam entry paths and the beam exit paths have substantially the same elevation angle and may also have substantially the same azimuthal angle. Further, the plurality of retroreflective elements may include retroreflective elements configured to diffusively and/or specularly scatter audible sound wavelengths, RF wavelengths, and/or thermal infrared energy.

Abstract: A target and method of manufacturing the target is provided. The method of manufacturing includes providing the cube cornered retroreflector, the cube cornered retroreflector including a first, second and third planar reflectors. Each planar reflector capable of reflecting light, each planar reflector perpendicular to the other two planar reflectors, each planar reflector intersecting the other two planar reflectors in a common vertex, and each planar reflector having two intersection junctions. Each intersection junction shared with an adjacent planar reflector for a total of three intersection junctions within the cube corner retroreflector. The method further including the step of directing ions from a focused ion beam etching (FIBE) device onto the first intersection junction defined by the first planar reflector and second planar reflector. A first material is removed from at least a first portion of the first intersection junction to define a first non-reflecting portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The disclosure further relates to retroreflective sheeting.

Abstract: A surface light source device includes an organic electroluminescent element including a luminescent layer and a light-emitting surface structure layer disposed on one of the surfaces of the organic electroluminescent element. In the surface light source device, the light-emitting surface structure layer includes a concave-convex structure provided on a surface thereof on the side toward a device light-emitting surface, and the concave-convex structure includes a plurality of concave portions having oblique surfaces and flat portions disposed around the concave portions. The flat portions and/or the concave portions have a size difference in one or more of their width, height, depth, and spacing, the size difference being larger than the difference that causes interference of one or both of emitted light and reflected light.

Abstract: A corner reflector (e.g. a periscope) is made of a prism block having a viewing-in end and a viewing-out end with mirrored inclined surfaces or deflection mirrors applied on its inclined surfaces and also functional plates arranged in front of the viewing-in end and/or the viewing-out end. In the corner reflector, as far as possible, no signs of detachment of the deflection mirrors arranged thereon or of functional plates occur and which has an increased lifetime, which is achieved by all plate-shaped components, such as the deflection mirrors and the functional plates. All solid components of the corner reflector, such as the prism block, are made of plastic.

Abstract: Corner cube retroreflector apparatus. At least one of the illustrative embodiments is an apparatus with three plates, each with a face, each adjoined substantially perpendicular and substantially normal to each other; an alignment device coupled to the first plate face with an adjustable plate substantially parallel to the first plate face and movably coupled to the first plate, and adjustable with respect to an angular relationship with the second and third plates; a second alignment device coupled to the second plate face with an adjustable plate substantially parallel to the second plate face and movably coupled to the second plate, and adjustable with respect to an angular relationship with the first and third plates; attachment appurtenances on both alignment devices which holds components of the retroreflective device onto the alignment devices during assembly; and apertures through which portions of the retroreflective device are accessible during assembly.

Abstract: The present application relates generally to retroreflective sheeting and the tools and methods used to make retroreflective sheeting. Microreplication tools and sheeting include controlled surface structure or haze. The surface structure or haze can be introduced, for example, by chemical etching of the tool surface and/or electroplating.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The disclosure further relates to retroreflective sheeting.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include a sphere bar probe apparatus, including a holder, a retroreflector disposed in the holder, a member having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the holder and an end plate attached to the second end of the member.

Abstract: The present application relates to a reflector body (10), particularly a spherical retro-reflective marker, comprising a plurality of reflector body segments (11), and the individual reflector body segments (11) comprised by such a reflector body (10), and methods for producing the reflector body segments (11) and the reflector body (10). The reflector bodies (10) comprise a coating having a reflection film (12), by which the reflector body segments (11) of the reflector body (10) are uniformly spanned, performed by suitably selecting the geometric shape of the reflector body segment (11) to be spanned, by injecting molding behind the reflection film (12) in an injection molding process and/or by producing the reflector body segments (11) in a forming process.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to retroreflective articles that include a low-index material and a printed region. This disclosure also generally relates to methods of making retroreflective articles.

Abstract: A target includes a cube corner retroreflector including three planar reflectors, each planar reflector capable of reflecting light, each planar reflector perpendicular to the other two planar reflectors, each planar reflector intersecting the other two planar reflectors in a common vertex, and each planar reflector having two intersection junctions, each intersection junction shared with an adjacent planar reflector for a total of three intersection junctions within the cube corner retroreflector. The target further includes a non-reflecting portion of each intersection junction, wherein, for at least one intersection junction, the non-reflecting portion is wider in a first region than in a second region.

Abstract: A prismatic retroreflective article bearing a graphic and a method of making the same. The prismatic retroreflective article can include an optical layer including a front surface and a rear structured surface defined at least partially by internally reflecting cube-corner optical elements. The rear structured surface can be infused with a graphic, such that the prismatic retroreflective article retroreflects the graphic when viewed from the front surface of the optical layer. The method can include providing a graphic donor sheet, coupling the graphic donor sheet to the prismatic retroreflective article to form a composite, and applying heat and pressure to the composite to transfer at least a portion of the sublimation colorant from the graphic donor sheet to the rear structured surface of the optical layer.