Abstract: A system and method are provided for forming one-way light transmissive layers implementing optical light scattering techniques in those layers, and to objects, object portions, lenses, filters, screens and the like that are formed of, or that otherwise incorporate, such one-way light transmissive layers. Processes are provided by which to form, or otherwise incorporate, one or more one-way light transmissive, or substantially transparent, object portions or layers in solid or hollow objects Individual one-way light transmissive layers are formed of substantially-transparent sub-micrometer spheres, including micro-particles and/or nano-particles, with nano-voids incorporated between them.

Abstract: This specification relates to a decoration member including: a substrate; a pattern layer comprising two or more unit pattern provided on one surface of the substrate; and an inorganic layer formed on the pattern layer, in which the inorganic layer includes a region in which a thickness t(x) of the inorganic layer formed on each unit pattern increases in a direction x in which the unit patterns are arranged.

Abstract: An optical system is described, in particular for a LIDAR device, which includes a lens array having a multitude of microlenses and a lens system for deflecting beams out of a scanning area or into the scanning area, the lens system being situated in the beam path between the scanning area and the lens array, the system including at least one wedge array having a multitude of wedge elements situated upstream or downstream from the lens array in the radiation direction, a number of wedge elements equaling a number of microlenses. A LIDAR device is also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to end milling methods for making microstructures, a tool comprising such microstructures, the microstructures, and replications thereof, where the microstructures are part of a structured surface configured as a security article. Some of the microstructures are configured differently from others to define an optically detectable indicia in the structured surface. Microstructures in a first group may for example differ from microstructures in a second group in terms of one or more of size, orientation, cube corner type, and dihedral angle value(s), to define the indicia or a portion thereof. The microstructures may comprise full or truncated cube corner elements, and the article may be a retroreflective sheeting.

Abstract: Retroreflective materials and articles are enabled that increase the retroreflectivity of reflective materials or articles for roadway, automotive, and safety purposes by incorporating retroreflective elements that exhibit near-ideal Total Internal Reflection (TIR).

Abstract: A molded article includes a light transmission portion disposed in superposition with a display portion of a display device, the light transmission portion transmitting light from the display portion. Recesses and protrusions are formed on a surface of the light transmission portion opposite to the display portion, and thus the surface has anti-glare properties.

Abstract: An article, including a transparent sheet having a first side with a structured surface The structured surface includes microprisms thereon, the microprisms being part of a microprism array on the structured surface. Each one of the microprisms are part of adjacent pairs of the microprisms, such that for each one of the adjacent pairs: the first microprism has a first lateral face, a second lateral face, and a third lateral face, the second microprism has a first lateral face, a second lateral face, and a third lateral face, and there is a continuous surface transition with a maintenance of surface continuity between the second lateral face of the first microprism and the third lateral face of the second microprism, without the presence of a seam, ridge, gap or tooling line.

Abstract: A method of making a light converting optical system comprising providing a first optical layer, a thin sheet of reflective light scattering material, a light source, a second optical layer approximately coextensive with the first optical layer, a continuous broad-area photoabsorptive film layer approximately coextensive with the first optical layer, positioning the thin sheet of reflective light scattering material parallel to the first optical layer, positioning the continuous broad-area photoabsorptive film layer between and parallel to the first optical layer and the thin sheet of reflective material, and positioning the second optical layer on a light path between the light source and the continuous broad-area photoabsorptive film layer. The first optical layer has a microstructured broad-area front surface comprising an array of linear grooves disposed side by side and extending along a straight line between two edges of the layer.

Abstract: The disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethane composition is well suited for use in thin, flexible light directing articles to impart flexibility, toughness, or protection to the light directing articles that contain optically active elements. The disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes have improved thermostability at higher temperatures. Specifically, the disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes have a cross-over temperature greater than 110° C. In one embodiment, the cross-over temperature is greater than 130° C. In one embodiment, the cross-over temperature is less than 170° C. and a Tg greater than 35° C. and less than 70° C.

Abstract: Aspects herein are directed to a reflective textile, and articles of apparel, uppers for an article of footwear constructed therefrom, comprising a reflective material dispersed between a first and second surface of the textile in a first zone. The first zone reflects a greater amount of light than a second zone of the textile. Other aspects herein are directed to a method of manufacturing a reflective textile or article having a portion comprising a reflective textile.

Abstract: A two-layer retroreflective article construction is enabled that produces higher wide-entrance-angle performance for signs and pavement markings. A single-layer overlay is enabled for existing signs and pavement markers that improve their entrance angle performance. Materials used in the construction of an article or an overlay are transparent to radiation in the range of 400 to 1000 nanometers and utilize TIR (total internal reflection). Minimum performance specifications are proposed that extend sign sheeting retroreflectivity specifications to entrance angles of 60 degrees. An innovative traffic sign design is enabled that increases the positioning performance of safety systems and automated navigation systems.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to enable manufacture of open-air corner-cube retroreflectors having a corner-cube cavity. The techniques involve additively forming a substrate by way of additive manufacturing technologies such as three-dimensional printing technologies. The techniques further involve optionally machining the additively formed surface of the substrate and replicating a reflective surface in the corner-cube cavity using a master that is coated with a reflective material. An adhesive is applied to the corner-cube cavity so that when the adhesive cures and the master is withdrawn from the corner-cube cavity, the reflective surface adheres to the adhesive and remains an integral part of the retroreflector.

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: An optical plate with protrusions, an optical structure, a backlight module and a display device are provided. The optical plate includes a main body and several protrusions. The main body has a first surface. The protrusions are formed on and projected from the first surface. An area ratio of the protrusions to the first surface is in a range of 0.03˜35%. The protrusions have a pitch in a range of 0.5˜10 mm, and a portion of the first surface other than the protrusions has a first center line mean roughness Ra in a range of 0.01˜0.1 ?m.

Abstract: A retroreflector includes a regular arrangement of multiple reflective triples of the first type, each having three side surfaces of the first type, which triples stand approximately perpendicular to one another, in pairs, and define a cube corner having an apex, at which the planes spanned by the three side surfaces of the first type intersect. A number of selected triples of the first type each have a recess, in particular a cube-shaped recess in the surface of the related cube corner and/or an elevation, in particular a cube-shaped elevation projecting from the surface of the related cube corner, which forms a triple of the second type, wherein the triples of the second type each have at least three side surfaces of the second type, which stand approximately perpendicular to one another, in pairs.

Abstract: A retroreflector 10 is provided, which includes light reflecting grooves 11a arranged in parallel and partition walls 15 that are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals and that orthogonally intersect with the light reflecting grooves 11a on an upper side 12 of a flat plate block 11, in which the light reflecting groove 11a is provided with first and second light reflecting surfaces 13 and 14 that orthogonally intersect with each other, and the partition wall 15 is provided with a draft that upwardly becomes smaller in width, and the partition wall 15 has a perpendicular light-reflecting surface 19 orthogonally intersecting with the first and second light reflecting surfaces 13 and 14 on its one side.

Abstract: A retroreflective optical system for creating a passive optical tag in an absence of electrical power, involving: a retroreflector having a surface and a retroreflective element disposed in relation to the surface, the retroreflective element configured to: passively impart a unique signature in relation to incoming light by using at least one of spectral filtration and color filtration, whereby a plasmonic response is effectible; and reflect outgoing light having the unique signature; and an optical device having an input aperture, the optical device disposed at a distance from the retroreflector and configured to transmit the incoming light and the outgoing light.

Abstract: An optical terminator includes a housing, a second optical device array, and a control unit. The housing is configured to be connectable to an optical connector including a first optical device array having a plurality of light emitting devices and a plurality of light receiving devices. The second optical device array has a plurality of light emitting devices and a plurality of light receiving devices and is arranged in the housing. The control unit is arranged in the housing and is connected to the second optical device array.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a screen comprising transparent portions and retroreflective portions distributed over all or part of the surface thereof.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making such articles.

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 laser radar device comprises a laser projecting system and a laser radar detecting system. The laser projecting system comprises a laser diode; and a light source orientation adjustment unit comprising a collimating lens and a Powell lens to modulate the angle at which the first incident laser beam is projected onto an object. The laser radar detecting system comprises at least two laser radar detection units disposed in the horizontal direction and vertical direction of the object, respectively. The laser radar detection units each comprise a wedge-shaped lens, an aspherical lens system and an optical detector. By designing optical parameters of the wedge-shaped lens and stacking the laser radar detection units in the horizontal direction and vertical direction, it is feasible to facilitate overall device manufacturing and processing, meet R&D needs, and adjust an optical system in its entirety easily.

Abstract: A marker includes a plurality of convex lenses each including a plurality of convex lenses each including a convex surface part on a front side; and a plurality of patterns formed on a rear surface of the plurality of convex lenses, each pattern corresponding to the convex surface part. Each of the plurality of patterns is composed of optically distinguishable first and second parts formed by a surface shape of the rear surface. The second part is disposed on each corresponding convex surface part. A distance between optical axes of the convex lenses which are adjacent is constant. A distance between centers of the second parts which are adjacent is different from the distance between the optical axes.

Abstract: Various geometries are described for forming retroreflective structures in polymeric sheets or films. The geometries enable venting of volatile gases that can otherwise become trapped between the embossing surface and the polymeric sheet or film. The geometries are incorporated in tooling belts or other pattern forming surfaces.

Abstract: An open-type color reflective sheet and a method of manufacturing the open-type color reflective sheet are provided. The open-type color reflective sheet may include a support layer, a bonding layer laminated on one surface of the support layer and including a binder resin, a pigment and a non-yellowing polyurethane resin, a reflective layer including a plurality of bead-type reflectors embedded in the bonding layer, and a water-repellent coating layer laminated on one surface of the reflective layer, and may selectively include a printed layer formed on the one surface or another.

Abstract: A reflector array optical device has a plurality of dihedral corner reflector array optical elements which are disposed side by side on the same plane. Each of the dihedral corner reflector array optical elements has a substrate and a plurality of dihedral corner reflectors which each have at least two orthogonal side faces perpendicular to the principal surface of the substrate and orthogonal to each other, and which are formed on the substrate so that the orientations of the interior angles of the orthogonal side faces are aligned with each other.

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 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 pushcart includes a main body, a pair of main wheels, a supporter, an auxiliary wheel, a blocking unit, a switching lever, a slope angle sensor, a gyrosensor, a driver unit, and a supporter rotary encoder. The supporter rotary encoder detects an intersecting angle which is an angle formed by the main body and the supporter, and outputs the detected result to a controller. The gyrosensor detects an angular velocity of the main body in a pitch direction and outputs the detected result to the controller. The controller performs inverted pendulum control in a first control mode based on the detected results of the gyrosensor and the supporter rotary encoder. The controller performs inverted pendulum control in a second control mode based on the detected result of the gyrosensor.

Abstract: A retroreflector device is described, which includes a lens component operable for focusing radiation, which is incident thereto at an angle of incidence. The retroreflector also includes a mirror component operable for reflecting the radiation focused by the lens component back along the angle of incidence. The lens component and/or the mirror component includes a quasi-periodic array of elements, each of which comprises a dimension smaller than a wavelength of the radiation.

Abstract: A method allowing retro-reflective material to be applied on elastic materials, bodies and fabrics by which it is possible to manufacture retro-reflective products that do not suffer from deterioration, cracking or breaking of the applied retro-reflective material when stretched, and that allows, at the same time, to fully retain the properties, color and shape of the elastic material or fabric upon which the procedure was conducted, that comprises the following steps: a) thermal application of retro-reflective material, which includes an amount of retro-reflective material that varies from 0.5 and 3.5 cm2 per square centimeter of elastic material being treated, a temperature that varies between 110.0 and 215.0° C., a pressure that varies between 1.020 and 6.021 Kg/cm2; this step must be performed while the elastic body is subjected to a stretching ranging between 5.0 and 50.0% of its total expansion potential, over a period of time that fluctuates between 4.0 and 45.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a backlight unit, a liquid crystal panel, a first luminance increasing film, and a second luminance increasing film. The backlight unit upwardly emits light. The liquid crystal panel is disposed on the backlight unit to receive the light, and displays an image using characteristics of liquid crystal. The first luminance increasing film is interposed between the backlight unit and the liquid crystal panel, and increases luminance using a first prism part formed along an X-axis direction. The second luminance increasing film is interposed between the backlight unit and the first luminance increasing film, increases luminance using a second prism part formed along a Y-axis direction, and has a refractivity greater than the first luminance increasing film.

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: According to a first aspect of the invention, a method for manufacturing a concave-convex pattern includes the steps of heating a sheet-like member, compressively bonding the sheet-like member, removing the sheet-like member after the compressively bonding, and transferring a pattern shape of a reverse concave-convex pattern layer to a surface of the substrate. The sheet-like member has a concave-convex pattern block on at least one of surfaces thereof, and is given flowability thereto by heating. The reverse concave-convex pattern layer is formed on the one of the surfaces, and continues over two or more concaves of the concave-convex pattern block so that the reverse concave-convex pattern layer meshes at least partially with the concave-convex pattern block. At least the reverse concave-convex pattern layer is left on the substrate. Here, the one of the surfaces has the concave-convex pattern block.

Abstract: The present application relates to retroreflective sheeting that is capable of use in a license plate and that can be accurately read and/or detected by an ALPR system. The retroreflective sheeting is a microsphere-based retroreflective sheeting that provides reduced retroreflectivity at high entrance angles. The retroreflective sheeting can also be a microsphere-based retroreflective sheeting that exhibits reduced retroreflectivity of incident infra-red light from high entrance angles and substantially unaffected retroreflectivity of incident visible light from entrance angles in the vicinity of the normal.

Abstract: Aerospace ground maneuver light, comprises a reflector (14), the reflector (14) defining a light exit plane (18), an LED light source (26) arranged outside of the area defined by the reflector (14) and its light exit plane (18), and a mounting bar (22) which has a longitudinal extension and at which the LED light source (26) is mounted. The mounting bar (22) extends across the reflector (14) and is spaced apart from the light exit plane (18) of the reflector (14) and comprises a mounting side (24) facing towards the reflector (14) and its light exit plane (18), with the LED light source (26) arranged on the mounting side (24) for emitting light towards the reflector (14).

Abstract: Various embodiments comprise light recycling films comprising an array of parallel ridges and grooves that form prisms that selectively reflect or transmit light. In some embodiments, the light recycling film may be used in displays that include spatial light modulators comprising a plurality of pixels. The light recycling film can limit the field-of-view of the display and enhance the luminance within that field-of-view. Various embodiments comprising multiple arrays of ridges and/or grooves can enhance uniformity of illumination of the pixels in the spatial light modulator and reduce Moiré effects.

Abstract: The invention provides for compositions and process for fabricating an optical reflector constructed from biocompatible and bioresorbable silk fibroin proteins. For example, the silk retroreflectors may be built based on millimeter size microprism arrays to rotate the image plane of imaged cortical layers, thus enhancing the amount of photons that are detectable in the reflected direction when inserted in a sample to be analyzed, and ultimately increasing in contrast ratio in multiphoton microscopy. Such device can be used as a label-free, biocompatible, bioresorbable, implantable device for various applications ranging from medical imaging/diagnostics, drug/therapeutic delivery, to food chain safety and environmental monitoring.

Abstract: Retroreflective lenticular systems employing a focusing array and a retroreflector array optically coupled to the focusing array. The focusing array is provided on a first surface and the retroreflector array is provided on an opposing second surface. The retroreflector array includes an array of retroreflective elements alternating with separation areas and disposed in energy exchange relationship with respect to the focusing array. The focusing array includes a plurality of focusing lenses configured to illuminate only the retroreflective elements with focused beams at least at some angles and to focus the incident beam only onto the separation areas at other angles. The intermittent illumination of retroreflective elements provides variable retroreflectivity of at least portions of the system and enhances the system visibility and conspicuity in the reflected light.

Abstract: Retroreflecting optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed retroreflecting optical construction includes a retroreflecting layer that has a retroreflecting structured major surface, and an optical film that is disposed on the retroreflecting structured major surface of the retroreflecting layer. The optical film has an optical haze that is not less than about 30%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the retroreflecting optical construction are in physical contact with each other.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to prismatic retroreflective articles that includes a security mark and to methods of making such articles.

Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting includes a first portion of prismatic retroreflective sheeting having a first cube corner structure that creates a first visual feature in the retroreflective sheeting and a second portion of prismatic retroreflective sheeting having a second cube corner structure that differs from the first cube structure and that creates a second visual feature in the sheeting. The second visual feature in the retroreflective sheeting forms a security mark.

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: A multi-reflection structure including a substrate and pyramid is provided. The substrate includes an inversed pyramid shaped recess having at least three first reflection sidewalls. The pyramid is disposed on the substrate and located in the inversed pyramid shaped recess. The pyramid has at least three second reflection sidewalls, wherein the normal of each of the second reflection sidewalls and the normal of each of the first reflection sidewalls are not located in the same plane. Furthermore, a photo-electric device is also provided in the present application.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to prismatic retroreflective articles that includes a security mark and to methods of making such articles.

Abstract: An image projection apparatus is provided, which includes an illumination unit which generates illumination light, a first prism which receives the illumination light from the illumination unit and performs total reflection of the illumination light, a reflection mirror which receives the illumination light from the first prism and reflects the illumination light, an image forming unit which forms an image from the illumination light that is reflected from the reflection mirror, and a second prism which performs total reflection of the image that is formed by the image forming unit toward a screen.

Abstract: The inventors of the present application developed novel optically active materials, methods, and articles. One embodiment of the present application is an optically active article, comprising: an infrared-reflecting material positioned adjacent to an optically active substrate such that the infrared-reflecting material forms a pattern that can be read by an infrared sensor when the optically active substrate is illuminated by an infrared light source. Another embodiment of the present application relates to a method of manufacturing an optically active article, comprising: obtaining an optically active sheeting; and positioning an infrared-reflecting material on the optically active sheeting to form a pattern. The optically active article may be, for example, a license plate.

Abstract: A virtual image (VI) device displays an image that appears to lie above or below the plane of the device. A method of manufacturing a VI display device includes calculating an initial VI flux pattern based on an object and then fabricating a substrate having a VI array pattern based on the initial VI flux pattern. A plurality of lenses may then be applied over the VI array pattern. The VI substrate may be static or dynamic, and may show grey scale information. A photomask may be used as an intermediate element in the manufacture of the VI substrate, or may act as the VI substrate itself. A method of producing the initial VI flux pattern includes virtually tracing rays generated by different points of the object to an image plane and ii) summing the rays from the different points. The rays may be traced through a lens array.

Abstract: An incident angle when illumination light from a position detecting device enters a reflecting surface may be large in some cases. In such cases, the retro-reflection rate of a reflecting surface having a prism structure decreases, leading to a cause of erroneous detection. In order to solve this problem, provided is a reflecting plate including a reflecting surface that retro-reflects illumination light emitted from an optical position detecting device towards the position detecting device that includes a light source, the reflecting plate further including: a surface structure in which a concavo-convex pattern having the same triangle shape in cross-section in a width direction of the reflecting plate continuously appears in a longitudinal direction thereof; and a retro-reflecting layer in which reflecting beads are evenly placed on at least one oblique surface of the concavo-convex pattern.

Abstract: The inventors of the present application developed novel optically active materials, methods, and articles. One embodiment of the present application is an optically active article, comprising: an infrared-reflecting material positioned adjacent to an optically active substrate such that the infrared-reflecting material forms a pattern that can be read by an infrared sensor when the optically active substrate is illuminated by an infrared light source. Another embodiment of the present application relates to a method of manufacturing an optically active article, comprising: obtaining an optically active sheeting; and positioning an infrared-reflecting material on the optically active sheeting to form a pattern. The optically active article may be, for example, a license plate.