Abstract: There is provided a condensing film for an LCD backlight unit. The condensing film including a film unit; a light outgoing unit formed in an upper surface of the film unit; and a light ingoing unit formed in a lower surface of the film unit, wherein a light diffuser is included inside the condensing film. The condensing film may be useful to widen a viewing angle and prevent the formation of hot bands by improving luminance distribution characteristics of light emitted from the condensing film since the condensing film includes a light diffuser capable of diffusing the light.

Abstract: An anti-glare film has a plurality of diffuser elements, and has specified optical properties. The ratio of I(?+1)/I(?) is more than 0.1 to 0.6, where I(?) is an intensity of a light reflected toward an arbitrary angle ? of 10° or less from a specular reflection direction of an incident light upon the surface at an angle of 5° to 30° from the surface normal, and I(?+1) is an intensity of a reflected light deviated from the arbitrary angle ? by 1° in a wide-angle direction. The gain of a light reflected in the direction at 20° or more from the specular reflection direction of the incident light is 0.02 or less, in which the gain is obtained by normalizing a reflected light intensity using a specular reflection intensity of a standard diffuse plate as 1. The diffuser elements have an average space therebetween of 50 to 300 micrometers.

Abstract: One face of a substrate of a diffuser with a light condensing function is disposed with a plurality of prism rods; at least one inclined face of parts of prism rods is disposed with a rough diffusion face; the diffusion face may be positioned on any position of the inclined face of the prism rod; the diffusion face is disposed with a plurality of irregularly arranged raised and indented stripes perpendicular, not perpendicular or parallel to a crest line of the prism rod; chromatid dispersion can be reduced and stripes of the prism rods can be atomized effectively by utilizing the diffusion face to eliminate the occurrence of moiré fringes and elevate the yield factor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a textile product (10) comprising an outer fabric (12) and a flexible light-emitting display (14) arranged behind the outer fabric, which flexible display has a diffusing element (20) being arranged to receive and diffuse light emitted from the flexible display. The textile product is characterized by a diffusing spacer fabric (20) arranged adjacent to the outer fabric so as to receive and further diffuse light emitted from the flexible display, which diffusing spacer fabric (22) is separate from the diffusing element (20). The diffusing spacer fabric acts as a second diffusing element, and allows for improved diffusing functionality. The present invention also relates to a method for the manufacturing of such a textile product, and a flexible light-emitting display adapted for use in a textile product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of displaying an image on a display device having first and second sides, said image including an light restricting silhouette pattern having a plurality of first transparent or translucent areas, and at least one design layer having at least one color, said at least one design layer being visible from one side of said display device and substantially less visible from the other side, said image being substantially transparent or translucent as viewed from the other side, comprising the steps: 1) providing at least a definition of said design layer to a computer; 2) generating a computerized version of said design layer with the computer; 3) outputting the computerized version of said design layer to said display device, the computerized version of said design layer being modified to subdivide said design layer into a plurality of second discrete transparent or translucent areas and other areas, and 4) displaying said modified design layer and said silhouette pattern

Abstract: The present invention provides a which comprises a cured resin layer (A) of a curable composition containing an active energy ray curable compound and a microparticle dispersed therein and a cured resin layer (B) of a curable composition containing an active energy ray curable compound and a microparticle dispersed therein, and the layer (A) and the layer (B) being laminated in order on at least one surface of a light-transmitting substrate film, wherein a total film thickness of the layer (A) and the layer (B) is 1 to 10 ?m, a microparticle A having an average particle size of 0.5 to 10 ?m is compounded in the layer (A) in an amount of 0.5 to 60 parts by mass to 100 parts by mass of an active energy ray curable compound, and a microparticle B having an average particle size which is less than an average particle size of the microparticle A is compounded in the layer (B).

Abstract: A light control layer (30) includes an adhesive layer (60); and at least two optical sheets (a reflective polarizer layer (40) and a diffuser layer (32)) stacked so as to sandwich the adhesive layer (60). The adhesive layer (60) includes a low reflectance section A having a reflectance lower than a reflectance of each of two optical sheets (a reflective polarizer layer (40) and a diffuser layer (32)) which are firmly fixed to each other by the adhesive layer (60).

Abstract: A diffusing element including a bar shape body and a plurality of light incident portions is provided. The bar shape body has a bottom part and a top part opposite thereto. The light incident portion is disposed on the bottom part and exposes a part of the bottom part. Each of the light incident portions has a light incident surface and a part of the bottom part is located between the light incident surface and the top part.

Abstract: An optical sheet includes a substrate, a light diffusion layer formed on the substrate, and a light gathering layer formed on the light diffusion layer. The light diffusion layer includes a polymeric resin having a plurality of bubbles mixed therein. The light gathering layer has at least one microstructure. The optical sheet of the subject invention can be used in LCD's as a photo-diffusive brightness enhancement film.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention include an interferometric optical modulator comprising a substrate layer and a light direction layer. Such an interferometric modulator may be integrated with a diffuser layer in a display device in a way that physically integrates the diffuser layer into the light direction layer in a way where the diff-user layer does not interact with light propagating within the light direction layer. As a result, most of the light propagating within the light direction layer does not penetrate into the diffuser which would inhibit performance of the display. In some embodiments, the interface between the diffuser layer and the light direction layer has a lower index of refraction than the light direction layer and the transparent substrate so that total internal reflection occurs at the interface.

Abstract: An optical system and method for controlling light propagation along a light path. An optical element such as a lens is formed of a first light transmitting material and has a surface finish effective to scatter light impinging on the surface. Index matching material contacts to a portion of the surface so as to reduce or nullify the scattering effects of the surface finish within the portion. This allows the first optical element to have surfaces that have been generally prepared for scattering light and then later selectively negate the scattering effects of the surface finish by contacting portions of the surface with index matching material. As such, light in the optical element directed toward a surface or boundary within selected portion propagates into or out of the optical element. Light outside of the selected portion is scattered. Such an arrangement helps to reduce image degradation due to light outside of the light path being reflected about within the optical system.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an optical system (1). The optical system (1) has a housing (2) with an opening (3) extending through the housing (2) encompassing an in general constant volume (V). A membrane (6) with two or more membrane sections is arranged across the opening separating the volume (V) in a first and a second chamber (7, 8) filled with at least one fluid. The membrane is attached to an annular holding frame (9). An actuator is interconnected to the membrane (6) directly or indirectly to change the optical behaviour of the membrane.

Abstract: A wide viewing angle compensation polarizing plate of the invention comprises a laminate comprising an optical film (1) that is formed of an obliquely oriented material exhibiting optically-negative uniaxiality, an anisotropic light-scattering film (2) and a polarizer (3). The wide viewing angle compensation polarizing plate can widen viewing angle characteristics both in the lateral and vertical directions with respect to the direction of the normal to the screen when used in liquid crystal displays.

Abstract: A light-diffusing film comprises a light-diffusing layer (e.g., an anisotropic light-diffusing layer), and the light-diffusing layer comprises a continuous phase comprising a polycarbonate-series resin (a polycarbonate-series resin having a number average molecular weight of 15000 to 25000) and a dispersed phase comprising a polypropylene-series resin (a metallocene-catalyzed polypropylene-series random copolymer). A transparent layer may be laminated on at least one side of the light-diffusing layer. The light-diffusing layer may substantially be free from a compatibilizing agent. In spite of a use of the polycarbonate-series resin, the dispersed phase can uniformly be formed. Therefore, the film is suitable for a member of a plane light source device or a display apparatus. The light-diffusing film inhibits a change in a light-diffusing characteristic even under a high temperature.

Abstract: An optical member 15 of the present invention includes a lens sheet 28, a light diffusing sheet 27 and light reflecting members 24. The lens sheet 28 has a plurality of convex lenses 29 on an inner surface thereof. The light diffusing sheet 27 is disposed so as to face the lens sheet 28 and diffuses light. The light reflecting members 24 are selectively arranged in boundary areas of the plurality of convex lenses 29 between the lens sheet 28 and the light diffusing sheet 27. The lens sheet 28 has a surface having a light guiding direction and a non-light-guiding direction that crosses the light guiding direction because the convex lenses 29 have anisotropy for collecting light. The light diffusing sheet 27 has diffuseness larger in the light guiding direction of the lens sheet 28 than in the non-light-guiding direction of the lens sheet 28.

Abstract: An optical film has symmetrical arrangement light-collecting units. The light-collecting units can be extended for several times. The light-collecting unit has apex angles and base angles with different degrees. Thus, a uniform luminous flux and a good light intensity are obtained for the optical film.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light diffusing polycarbonate resin composition including a polycarbonate resin containing a polycarbonate copolymer which comprises a repeating unit represented by the general formula (I) shown below and a repeating unit represented by the general formula (II) shown below, which has a content of the repeating units of the general formula (II) of 1 to 30% by mass and which has a viscosity value of 30 to 71, and (B) a light diffusing agent compounded therein in an amount of 0.01 to 10 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the polycarbonate resin. The light diffusing polycarbonate resin composition and a light diffusing plate thereof show improved fluidity during molding and have excellent heat resistance, dimensional stability, luminance and color tone.

Abstract: A light diffusing article that has, on at least one surface, convergent lens particles or divergent lens particles.

Abstract: An apparatus for casting a patterned surface on both sides of an opaque web. The apparatus includes a first patterned roll, a second pattered roll, and a means for rotating the first and second patterned rolls such that their patterns are transferred to opposite sides of the opaque web while it is in continuous motion. During this process, their patterns are maintained in continuous registration to within at least 100 micrometers.

Abstract: A co-extrusion method for making a replicated film. The method includes the steps of providing at least three materials and co-extruding them between a nip roll and a structured roll. The materials include a backside layer material, a core layer material, and a replicated layer material. The structured roll has a surface structure that is replicated onto the replicated layer, and the core layer is an internally conformable layer that conforms with the replicated layer.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal display (LCD), for example an LCD monitor or an LCD-TV, a number of light management films, including a diffuser layer, lie between the light source and the LCD panel to provide bright, uniform illumination. In some embodiments, the diffuser layer is attached to the lower side of the LCD panel. Some, or all, of the light management layers may be attached together as a laminated stack of films. In some embodiments, the diffuser layer is formed with a recessed region on one side and another optical film positioned within the recessed region.

Abstract: A diffuser for releasable fastening to a reflector screen having screen spokes, includes a diffuser element and a fastening apparatus to fasten the diffuser element to the reflector screen. The fastening apparatus has a plurality of fastening elements constructed and adapted to receive corresponding screen spokes of the reflector screen. The fastening elements are constructed to apply a spring action and each fastening element has an opening to receive one screen spoke.

Abstract: A collimating module is presented. The collimating module comprises a rounded light entry side and a rectangular light exit side. A collimating device is also presented, and a method for providing collimated light. The collimating device comprises a first collimator having a light entry side and a light exit side, a scattering component having a light entry surface arranged adjacent to said light exit side, and a light exit surface. The collimating device further comprises a collimating module having a light entry side arranged adjacent to said light exit surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-glare film which has not only <1> sufficient anti-reflection property but also <2> a high level of contrast and <3> strong anti-glare properties and can be applied on a surface of various display devices such as a note PC, a desktop PC and a TV monitor. The anti-glare film of the present invention includes an anti-glare layer which has concavities and convexities on the surface, a haze according to JIS-7105-1981 in the range of 1.0-5.0%, and an average interval between concavities and convexities on the anti-glare layer surface Sm according to JIS-B0601-1994 in the range of 10-150 ?m.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to solve the problem of losing a part of the incident light due to the irregular reflection of the incident light if a layer containing fine particles is formed by coating for the purpose of roughing when providing measures to prevent the reflection of the light at the surface of the color filter layer or at the surface of the color conversion layer inside a display, or a problem of difficulty in management of the paint for obtaining a certain roughened surface or a problem of increase of the number of processes to prevent the reflection when preventing the reflection by laminating plural layers of different refractive indices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transparent substrate comprising, on its surface, a light-diffusing array comprising at least 10 juxtaposed sub-gratings of parallel lines of features, said features being separated by domains with a refractive index differing from that of the features, each sub-grating comprising at least 20 repeated successive identical features equally spaced apart with a period p, said period varying monotonically from one edge of the sub-grating array to the other. This substrate redirects the light without iridescence in a daylighting application.

Abstract: A display system comprises a display device (DD) with a display screen (DS) for displaying an image. A diffuser (DI) is arranged in front of the display device (DD). A controller (CO) controls at least a portion of the diffuser (DI) to be in a transparent state wherein the display screen (DS) is visible or in an opaque state for hiding the display screen (DS). The controller (CO) also controls an illumination system (IS) to illuminate at least the portion of the diffuser (DI) when in the opaque state.

Abstract: An anti-glare film has a plurality of diffuser elements, and has specified optical properties. The ratio of I(?+1)/I(?) is more than 0.1 to 0.6, where I(?) is an intensity of a light reflected toward an arbitrary angle ? of 10° or less from a specular reflection direction of an incident light upon the surface at an angle of 5° to 30° from the surface normal, and I(?+1) is an intensity of a reflected light deviated from the arbitrary angle ? by 1° in a wide-angle direction. The gain of a light reflected in the direction at 20° or more from the specular reflection direction of the incident light is 0.02 or less, in which the gain is obtained by normalizing a reflected light intensity using a specular reflection intensity of a standard diffuse plate as 1. The diffuser elements have an average space therebetween of 50 to 300 micrometers.

Abstract: An optical sheet for display use wherein two or more optical sheets are stacked therein and the optical sheets are joined to one another on one peripheral side of each by a thermoadhesive film is to be provided. Also an optical sheet for display use wherein two or more optical sheets are stacked therein and the optical sheets are joined to one another on two or more peripheral sides of each by a thermoadhesive film is to be provided. Since the optical sheets are joined to one another on one peripheral side or two or more peripheral sides of each by a thermoadhesive film, the step of cutting each of multiple films (sheets) into the product size can be omitted, and so can be the step of stacking multiple layers of films (sheets) while positioning them. Also, it is free from a problem which derives from protective sheets, resulting in advantages in both cost and quality aspects. Moreover, it is free from a problem which arises when multiple layers of films are stacked.

Abstract: An article comprising an anti-reflective glass plate, the plate having on at least a part of at least one of its surfaces a light reflection reducing coating wherein the wherein the coating contains nano-size particles and a binder, the coating having an arithmetic average roughness of 2-50 nm, and having per reflective coated side a minimum reflection at a wavelength between 400 and 800 nm of about 2% of less.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical layered body having sufficient hardness as an optical layered body and exhibiting a good antiglare property. An optical layered body, comprising a light-transmitting substrate and a hard coat layer formed on the light-transmitting substrate, wherein the hard coat layer comprises two layers of a clear hard coat layer (A) and a hard coat layer (B), the hard coat layer (B) has a surface roughness on the outermost surface and satisfies 0.0010???0.14 0.25??a?5.0 in the case where Sm is defined as a mean spacing of profile irregularities; ?a is defined as a mean inclination angle of profile irregularities; Rz is defined as a mean roughness of the surface roughness; and ? is defined as Rz/Sm, and the optical layered body has substantially no interface between the clear hard coat layer (A) and the light-transmitting substrate.

Abstract: Brightness factors associated with shade fabric may be utilized when shading a building. A brightness factor may incorporate an openness factor, a visible light reflectance, a diffusion factor, a color, or other characteristics of the shade fabric. The brightness factor may be utilized when selecting a particular shade fabric for a room, building or other location. Additionally, the brightness factor may be utilized by an automated shade control system. The shade fabric selection may affect the building envelope by facilitating the optimization of daylighting, reduction of artificial electric lighting needs, minimization of glare conditions, and reduction of thermal load.

Abstract: A diffusion material includes a prescribed scattering S(?) of respective fine particles that are determined by Mie theory for all plural kinds of fine particles at a wavelength ? of an incident light. The diffusion material includes plural kinds of fine particles having different refractive indices, dispersed into a matrix. Each particle providing light intensity attenuating rate C(?) in the diffusion material, and chromaticity variations ?x and ?y of the incident light. The diffusion power of the diffusion material by using determined chromaticity variations ?x and ?y; the diffusion material that is evaluated by this evaluation method and can emit illumination light free from wavelength unevenness. The diffusion material includes a blending the fine particles to provide the prescribed diffusion and uniform illumination.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a display is provided and includes a plurality of interferometric display elements. The display further includes at least one diffuser. Optical properties of the diffuser are selected to reduce color shift of the display when viewed from at least one angle.

Abstract: A polycarbonate-base light-diffusing resin composition contains: (A) 100 parts by mass of an aromatic polycarbonate resin; (B) 0.01 to 10 parts by mass of a light diffusing agent; (C) 0.05 to 5 parts by mass of a light resistant agent, the light resistant agent being one or more light resistant agent selected from a malonate-base compound, an oxalylanilide-base compound, a benzotriazole-base compound and an acrylic resin having a side chain of a benzotriazole-base skeleton; and 0.01 to 1 parts by mass of an ester compound of fatty acid and multivalent alcohol. By molding the composition by injection molding or the like, a light diffusing plate is obtained.

Abstract: The invention provides a lighting apparatus comprising: a) a frame spanning the roof and interior of a building, the frame having a first opening at the building roof and a second opening opposed to the first opening at the building ceiling; b) a skylight at the first opening; c) a reflective lining between the first and second openings; d) a light diffuser at the second opening; and e) at least one artificial light source located between the skylight and the diffuser; where the artificial light source is positioned at the frame periphery.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical element having a new structure that can he applied to a directional diffusion film suitably with a simpler process than before. An optical element includes a plurality of through holes in a transparent film matrix. The plurality of through holes are placed in a state where axial directions thereof are approximately in parallel with one another, and the axial directions of the through holes are inclined or approximately parallel to a thickness direction of the transparent film matrix.

Abstract: An optical prism sheet includes an optical refracting part including a plurality of unit prisms, the unit prisms each having a predetermined cross-section and being disposed on one side of the optical prism sheet, and fine irregularities having a predetermined roughness and configured to diffuse light, the fine irregularities being on surfaces of the unit prisms and increasing a unit surface area of the optical refracting part by about 1.1 to about 100 times.

Abstract: The optical diffuser has a transparent base body with a base body surface, which is divided into facets. Each facet has an elevation or a depression correlated or associated with a second curved surface. Respective facets have correspondingly different geometrical shapes. In some embodiments the respective apexes (S) of the elevations or depressions are arranged along a spiral, especially an Archimedean spiral. In other embodiments the apexes (S) are defined by coordinates (xs?, ys?) derived by rotation of coordinates (xp, yp) of all points (P), which are defined by an arrangement of facets with regular hexagonal edge contours, about a center (0, 0) through a twist angle (?). Alternatively the apexes (S) are defined by coordinates (xs?, ys?) derived from coordinates (xp, yp) of all points (P), which are defined by the arrangement of facets with regular hexagonal edge contours, by random variations with the help of a Monte Carlo method.

Abstract: An exemplary brightness enhancement film (15) includes a main body (154), a plurality of first prism structures (152), a plurality of second prism structures (156), and first and second protective layers (150, 158). The main body includes a first side, and a second side opposite to the first side. The first prism structures are formed at the first side. The second prism structures are formed at the second surface. The first protective layer covers the plurality of first prism structures, and the second protective layer covers the plurality of second prism structures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transparent substrate comprising at its surface a grating of lines of at least 200 light-diffusing elements, said elements being separated by domains with a different refractive index from that of the elements, the distance d between centers of gravity of neighboring elements varying in a non-monotonic manner from one edge of the grating to the other, so that for any group of 50 successive elements, the distance d between the centers of gravity of neighboring elements of said group is at least once greater than and at least once less than the mean distance dm of distances d between centers of gravity of neighboring elements of said group, dm lying between 75 nm and 200 ?m. This substrate is transparent in direct vision and redirects the light while diffusing it without iridescence in a daylighting application.

Abstract: An optical sheet has a large number of cylindrical lens elements provided successively on one of principal faces thereof. The cylindrical lens elements have a hyperboloidal face or a paraboloidal face and have a finite focal distance on the emission side of illumination light. Where a Z axis is taken in parallel to a normal line direction to the optical sheet and an X axis is taken in a direction of the row of the cylindrical lens elements, a cross sectional shape of the cylindrical lens elements satisfies Z=X2/(R+?{square root over ( )}(R2?(1+K)X2)) (where R is the radius of curvature of a distal end vertex, and K is a conic constant).

Abstract: Provided is an all-in-one type light guide plate including a plurality of prism-shaped structures that are integrally formed on the all-in-one light guide plate and which totally internally reflect light incident from a light source and emit the totally internally reflected light.

Abstract: The present invention provides a display device and a method of fabricating the same. The display device includes a substrate, a transflective layer including first diffusive layers and second diffusive layers alternately arranged on the substrate, the first diffusive layers including a first diffusive material having a first refractive index, and the second diffusive layers including a second diffusive material having a second refractive index different from the first refractive index, a plurality of via holes formed in the transflective layer, and a light-emitting layer disposed on the substrate.

Abstract: A diffuser driving device includes: a moving frame mounted with a diffuser; a supporting frame movably supporting the moving frame; a drive unit driving the moving frame to vibrate in a first direction perpendicular to an optical axis of an image beam incident on the diffuser and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and the optical axis; and a controller controlling the drive unit to change a phase difference between the vibration of the moving frame in the first direction and the vibration of the moving frame in the second direction and to move the moving frame at a moving speed higher than a predetermined value.

Abstract: The light redirecting films have a thin optically transparent substrate having a light entrance surface and an opposite light exit surface, at least one of the surfaces including a pattern of individual optical elements of well defined shape having two differently curved surfaces. The individual optical elements are quite small in size relative to the length and width of the substrate, and redistribute light passing through the substrate in a predetermined angular distribution. The individual optical elements may be distributed on the surface of the substrate such that some intersect each other, or the placement may be randomized.

Abstract: A multifunctional optical film for enhancing light extraction includes a flexible substrate, a structured layer, a high index backfill layer, and an optional passivation layer. The structured layer effectively uses microreplicated diffractive or scattering nanostructures located near enough to the light generation region to enable extraction of an evanescent wave from an organic light emitting diode (OLED) device. The backfill layer has a material having an index of refraction different from the index of refraction of the structured layer. The backfill layer also provides a planarizing layer over the structured layer in order to conform the light extraction film to a layer of an OLED display device. The film may have additional layers added to or incorporated within it to an emissive surface in order to effect additional functionalities beyond improvement of light extraction efficiency.

Abstract: The invention provides a technique for increasing the illumination intensity of probe light in a diffusely scattering sample without increasing the power of the probe beam. Generally, an optical filter is used which permits a collimated probe beam of light to pass through to the sample, but which reflects back towards the sample much of the backscattered scattered probe light emerging at a wider range of angles. In particular embodiments a collimated laser beam is delivered to the sample through a multi-layer dielectric filter covering a portion of the sample. The filter is transmissive to the laser light at normal incidence, but reflective at shallower angles of incidence characteristic of the backscattered light.

Abstract: A large mask with random apertures may be formed by forming a smaller mask (also called a cell mask) with a random pattern of transmissive apertures which is then repeatedly replicated to create the large mask. The random pattern may be created by perturbing the aperture locations by a small amount or the apertures may be randomly placed within the cell mask provided certain criteria are met. Alternatively, a large mask with a random pattern of transmissive apertures may be formed without using a cell mask. This large mask may be used to fabricate diffusers and other devices that do not suffer from the interference, diffraction and other optical effects common in devices having structures that are non-randomly patterned.

Abstract: Various embodiments include interferometric optical modulators comprising a substrate layer having a thickness between about 0.1 mm to about 0.45 mm thick and a method for manufacturing the same. The interferometric modulator can be integrated together with a diffuser in a display device. The thin substrate permits use of a thicker substrate. The thinner substrate may increase resolution and reduce overall thickness of the inteferometric modulator. The thicker diffuser may provide increased diffusion and durability.