Abstract: A light-collimating film includes a transparent substrate, multiple reflective elements, and multiple micro structures. The transparent substrate has a light incident surface and a light-emitting surface opposite the light incident surface. The reflective elements are formed on the light incident surface, wherein each two adjacent reflective elements define a longitudinal aperture. The micro structures are arranged on the light-emitting surface in a direction parallel to longitudinal axes of the longitudinal apertures and overlap the longitudinal apertures to form multiple rows of micro structures.

Abstract: A lenticular lens medium forms a lenticular lens which includes a plurality of semicylindrical-shaped or arc-shaped elongated convex parts. The lenticular lens medium has a volume resistivity of 1×107-1×1014 ?·cm and a surface resistivity of 1×108-1×1015?/?.

Abstract: A representative embodiment of the invention provides a projection system having a laser source that incorporates a tunable liquid lens and a spatial light modulator adapted to modulate light generated by the laser source to project an image on a viewing screen. The tunable liquid lens is adapted to vary focal length, alignment or position with respect to an optical element that is external to the lens, ability to diffuse light, and/or polarization rotation angle.

Abstract: In a solid-state image pickup device, it is difficult to match an optimum incidence angle corresponding to an image height of a pixel array region with light incidence characteristics of a camera lens, thereby causing image quality deterioration due to sensitivity shading. Respective microlenses are disposed in a two-dimensional manner, i.e., in a row and a column directions. In particular, the microlenses are disposed such that each side of a disposition region where the microlenses are disposed has a concave curve with respect to a line connecting adjacent vertexes of the disposition region. In other words, a distance AH (AV) between center points of a pair of facing sides of the disposition region is set to be smaller than a distance BH (BV) between neighboring vertexes of the disposition region.

Abstract: A system is provided to form illumination light beams having desirable divergence and directivity. For instance, the system can include an optical element and a relay. The optical element can include a pupil defining element. Further, the relay can have a first and second lens array arranged in series and configured to receive the plurality of beams and to re-image the plurality of beams into a corresponding plurality of beams in an image plane. Each of the plurality of corresponding beams can have a numerical aperture less than a numerical aperture of each of the plurality of beams.

Abstract: A lenticular lens medium forms a lenticular lens which comprises a plurality of semicylindrical-shaped or arc-shaped elongated convex parts. The lenticular lens medium has a volume resistivity of 1×107-1×1014?·cm and a surface resistivity of 1×108-1×1015?/?. The lenticular lens medium including the convex parts has a thickness of 0.3-3 mm.

Abstract: A system and method of aligning a micromirror array to the micromirror package and the micromirror package to a display system. One embodiment provides a method of forming and utilizing a package that exposes regions of an alignment reference plane. The device within the package is mounted on the reference plane such that the exposed regions allow precise alignment with the device in a direction perpendicular to the reference plane. Alignment surfaces formed in a display system or other system contact the reference plane at the exposed regions to position the packaged device relative to other components of the system. One embodiment of the package 400 taught has laminated layers forming the package substrate 402 and providing a precision reference plane 416 relative to the position of the micromirror device 404. The package may be formed by laminating several layers of material in sheets to form several package substrates simultaneously.

Abstract: A method of producing a lens that includes shifting a first die relative to a second die, and pressing an optical material shaped in a preliminary form between the first die and the second die so as to form a lens having a configuration corresponding to a hollow portion formed by the first die and the second die while shifting the first die relative to the second die. The produced lens includes an effective optical surface configured to converge a light flux. The effective optical surface includes a light entrance side, a light exit side, and an optical axis. The effective optical surface is a convex surface shaped such that when a maximum normal line angle is defined as an angle formed between the optical axis and a normal line at the outermost circumference of the effective optical surface, the maximum normal angle is 60° to 90°.

Abstract: A lens element comprising: a rear substrate having a front surface provided with a surface relief having a plurality of zones each capable of providing a lens effect; a front substrate disposed in front of the rear substrate and having a rear surface provided with a surface relief having a plurality of zones each capable of providing a lens effect, the zones of the surface reliefs provided on the rear substrate and the front substrate having the same spatial arrangement over the area of the lens element; and solid or liquid, isotropic, intermediate material disposed between the front surface of the rear substrate and the rear surface of the front substrate, the intermediate material having a refractive index different from the refractive index of each of the rear substrate and the front substrate. This construction reduces the degree of Fresnel reflection which would otherwise degrade the optical performance.

Abstract: A micro-lens enhanced element comprises a substrate bearing sequences of printed image elements, each sequence containing image elements from more than one image. A transparent spacer layer is coated over the interlaced image strips. Lenticular lenses are fashioned over each sequence of image elements by deposition of a transparent layer of low surface energy polydimethyl siloxane based material and ablation of the same to create strips of material adhesive to a polymeric lens forming material between consecutive sequences of printed image elements. During deposition of a liquid lens forming material, the liquid withdraws from the liquid adhesive low surface energy strips to form a meniscus, thereby providing lenticular lenses. The transparent low surface energy material comprises a near infrared dye with low absorption in the visible range of the spectrum to render the material both transparent and ablateable by infrared laser.

Abstract: Described is a multilayer body for representing microimages provided with gray value gradations or color gradations. The multilayer body has a transparent first layer in which a plurality of microlenses are shaped, and a second layer (61) which is arranged beneath the first layer and has a plurality of microimages. The microlenses are arranged in accordance with a microlens raster. The second layer has a plurality of microimage regions (61b) arranged in accordance with a microimage region raster whose raster width is <300 ?m. Within each microimage region two or more of the microimages (61ma through 61mc) arranged in a microimage raster respectively differ from each other, wherein the raster spacings of the microlens raster and the microimage raster differ from each other by less than 10%. The microimages have regions with a gray value or a color value. Also disclosed is a process for the production of the multilayer body.

Abstract: User interfaces that includes one or more composite images that are perceived by an observer to be suspended in space relative to the user interface.

Abstract: The invention concerns a security document (7) having a first transparent region (72) in which a first transparent optical element (74) is arranged and a second region (71) in which a second opaque optical element (73) is arranged. The second opaque optical element (73) exhibits a first optical effect. The first region (72) and the second region (71) are arranged in mutually spaced relationship on a carrier (75) of the security document, in such a way that the first and second regions can be brought into mutually overlapping relationship. Upon overlap of the second optical element with the first optical element with a first spacing (26) between the first and second optical elements a second optical effect appears and upon overlap of the second optical element with the first optical element with a second spacing (25) between the first and second optical elements, which is greater than the first spacing (26), a third optical effect (51) which is different from the second optical effect appears.

Abstract: A reflective display having a plurality of transparent hemi-beads (120), each having a reflective region (80) surrounding a non-reflective region (82). Each hemi-bead has an associated light absorptive fluid droplet (122) having a normally relaxed shape contacting the non-reflective region, thereby frustrating total internal reflection of light rays at the droplet/hemi-bead interface. An electrical potential is selectably applied across selected droplets. Application of the electrical potential across a droplet deforms the droplet away from the hemi-bead associated with the droplet, such that light rays (158) incident on the non-reflective region are refracted toward substrate (124) and reflected back through hemi-bead (120) in an approximately opposite direction (166); and such that light rays (162) incident on the reflective region are semi-retro-reflected (168). Removal of the electrical potential allows the droplet to resume the relaxed shape.

Abstract: A microlens has a surface with an effective index of refraction close to the index of air to reduce reflection caused by change in indices of refraction from microlens to air. The microlens having an index of refraction approximately the same as that of air is obtained by providing a rough or bumpy lens-air surface on the microlens. Features protrude from the surface of a microlens to create the rough surface and preferably have a length of greater or equal to a wavelength of light and a width of less than a sub-wavelength of light, from about 1/10 to ¼ of the wavelength of light. The features may be of any suitable shape, including but not limited to triangular, cylindrical, rectangular, trapezoidal, or spherical and may be formed by a variety of suitable processes, including but not limited to mask and etching, lithography, spray-on beads, sputtering, and growing.

Abstract: Microlens sheetings with different types of composite images are disclosed, in which the composite image floats above, in, or below the sheeting, or some combination. One type of composite image may be viewable to the unaided eye or an observer and another type of composite image is viewable only to the aided eye of an observer. Methods for providing such an imaged sheeting are also disclosed.

Abstract: Microlens sheetings with different types of composite images are disclosed, in which the composite image floats above, in, or below the sheeting, or some combination. One type of composite image may be viewable to the unaided eye or an observer and another type of composite image is viewable only to the aided eye of an observer. Methods for providing such an imaged sheeting are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sheet-like optical member being difficult to damage a shape of a lens part. The sheet-like optical member includes: a substrate; and a lens part, which is formed on the substrate, is made of an active energy ray-curable resin, and has a plurality of unit prisms. The maximum logarithmic attenuation rate ?E of the lens part measured by a rigid body pendulum method is 0.4 or less.

Abstract: A transflective type liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate having a pixel region, the pixel region including a transmission region and a reflection region, the first substrate having a light guiding layer formed thereon, a reflector being formed on the light guiding layer with the reflection region, the light guiding layer including a first medium and a second medium, a refractive index of the first medium and a refractive index of the second medium being different from each other, a second substrate, which faces the first substrate, and on which a color filter layer is formed, a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and the second substrates, and a backlight assembly positioned outside of the first substrate to provide light onto the first medium in a mode.

Abstract: A lens includes a gradient index of refraction and a curved shape. A method of making the lens includes forming a plurality of layers, forming a shaped resist on the plurality of layers, and etching the resist and the plurality of layers to transfer the shape of the resist into the plurality of layers.

Abstract: A microlens structure that includes a wedge formed to support and tilt the microlens is disclosed. The wedge results from heating a layer of patterned flowable material. The degree and direction of incline given to the wedge can be controlled in part by the type of patterning that is performed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microlens array produced by molding a resin obtained by reacting a silicon compound with a boron compound or an aluminum compound, in which the silicon compound is represented by the following formula (I): in which R1 and R2 each independently represent an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, or an aryl group, in which a plurality of R1's are the same or different and a plurality of R2's are the same or different; X represents a hydroxy group, an alkoxy group, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, or an aryl group; and n is 4 to 250. This microlens array has excellent heat resistance and light resistance even when applied to LEDs having an increased power and to LEDs emitting blue light having a short wavelength.

Abstract: The lens array 1 includes at least one lens part 3 formed on a surface of a glass substrate 2, and is formed of a press-molded article of optical glass having a refractive index nd of not less than 1.75. The method for producing the lens array 1 includes press molding a preform of optical glass having a refractive index nd of not less than 1.75 using a mold having at least one recess for forming the at least one lens part 3.

Abstract: A promotional or novelty piece wherein a printed planar surface is provided with a translucent lenticular surface, placed in registration with a second planar surface with predetermined indicia applied so as to underlie and register with said translucent surface. The angle of the viewer's eye with said translucent surface allows said underlying indicia and secondary interlaced indicia having been applied to the underside of said lenticular lens, to be selectively and individually observed.

Abstract: Micro-lens enhanced elements methods and apparatii for forming the same are provided. The micro-lens enhanced elements include a substrate having a first surface and a plurality of image elements printed on the first surface such that image elements having image information from one image are interlaced with image elements having image information from at least one other image. A transparent layer has a proximate surface confronting the printed image elements and a distal surface separated from the proximate surface by a thickness d, and; a second plurality of lenticular lenses formed onto the distal surface, over sequences of at least two image elements, said lenticular lenses being adapted to direct light that has been modulated by the printed image elements and that has passed through transparent layer into different portions of a viewing area.

Abstract: A housing (10) with three-dimension appearance includes a transparent substrate (11), a micro lens array (12) formed on one surface of the transparent substrate, and a decorative layer (13) formed on another surface of the transparent substrate at an opposite side to the micro lens array. A method for making the housing is also provided.

Abstract: A composite lenticular film includes a first layer having a first refractive index, and a second layer having a second refractive index less than the first refractive index. The second layer is integrally attached to the first layer. The first layer has at least one row of protruding lenses.

Abstract: An optical device includes a silicon substrate, and multiple columnar members. The columnar members are integrally formed with the silicon substrate and stand on a top surface of the silicon substrate. The columnar members are made of silicon oxide. Light enters the columnar members in a first direction and propagates through the columnar members in a second direction. The columnar members extend in a third direction. The columnar members are arranged with a gap in the second direction. The second direction is perpendicular to the third direction. An angle between the first and third directions is greater than a critical angle and equal to or less than 90 degrees.

Abstract: A plastic rod lens having a cylindrical shape with a radius R including a central axis; and an outer peripheral portion, wherein a refractive index nD decreases from the central axis to the outer peripheral portion, and the following requirements (1) to (3) are met: 43??1?60??(1) |{nA×?A/(nA?1)}?{nB×?B/(nB?1)}|<5??(2) n0?n1?0.01??(3) wherein n1, n0, nA, and nB represent refraction index nD in the outer peripheral portion, at the center, and at arbitrary points A and B, respectively, and ?1, ?A, and ?B represent Abbe number ? in the outer peripheral portion, and at the arbitrary points A and B, respectively.

Abstract: Beam manipulation member for use in an optical tweezers system, the beam manipulation member comprising at least one optical element, being controllably deformable in order to act on a laser beam in response to signals coming from the optical tweezers system. The beam manipulation member may be used to change the focal distance of the optical tweezers system and also to deflect the laser beam.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a laser irradiation technique for irradiating the irradiation surface with the laser beam having homogeneous intensity distribution using a cylindrical lens array without being affected by the intensity distribution of the original beam. A laser beam emitted from a laser oscillator is divided by two kinds of cylindrical lens arrays into a plurality of beams, which are two kinds of linear laser beams with their energy intensity distribution inverted each other, and the two kinds of linear laser beams are superposed in a minor-axis direction. This can form the linear laser beam having homogeneous intensity distribution on the irradiation surface.

Abstract: A lenticular lens medium forms a lenticular lens which includes a plurality of semicylindrical-shaped or arc-shaped elongated convex parts. The lenticular lens medium has a volume resistivity of 1×107-1×1014?·cm and a surface resistivity of 1×108-1×1015?/?.

Abstract: A prismatic lens and a reflector/refractor device having enhanced characteristics are provided for lighting fixtures. The prismatic lens and the reflector/refractor device are formed of a silicone material. A prismatic lens member includes a plurality of prisms on a surface thereof for refracting light. The reflector/refractor device includes a plurality of prisms on a surface thereof for reflecting and refracting light. The silicone material forming the prismatic lens and the reflector/refractor device is substantially transparent, and enables forming enhanced optical elements, for example, by injection molding technique. The silicone material is a selected one of dimethylsilicone, phenylmethlysilicone, or similar silicone material enabling enhanced optical performance for the prismatic lens and the reflector/refractor device.

Abstract: A micro lens array and method of fabricating the micro lens array. The micro lens array includes: a substrate; a plurality of holes penetrating the substrate; and a plurality of lens units on a first surface of the substrate, each lens being at a respective one of the plurality of holes. When the micro lens array is applied to a display device, a high contrast ratio can be obtained, and the light can be transmitted in a single direction.

Abstract: A display device comprises a light emitting picture element (120) and a contrast enhancing element (110). The contrast enhancing element comprises a plurality of wave guides (216) separated by interstitial regions (212) being formed as narrowing recesses. An interface between a wave guide (216) and an interstitial region (212) is provided with a reflective layer. The narrowing recesses form a dead end for incident ambient light which is efficiently absorbed by the contrast enhancing element. On the other hand, light emitted by the picture element (120) of the display device is transmitted through the wave guides (216). As a result, the display device has a relatively high contrast ratio, particularly under bright ambient light conditions.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical sheet includes: discharging a liquid droplet discharged to one side surface of a sheet substrate; and curing the liquid droplet so that a protrusion is formed in the one side surface to allow light from the one side surface to be refracted and emitted, wherein a supporting substrate that supports the sheet substrate is adhered to another side surface of the sheet substrate before the liquid droplet is discharged.

Abstract: A camera device is provided which has a compound eye structure only by a liquid lens unit and a control unit without requiring a plurality of lenses to be mounted in advance and is capable of taking a three-dimensional stereoscopic video image. In addition, a compact and lightweight three-dimensional stereoscopic camera is provided which can be switched to take a two-dimensional planar image or to take a three-dimensional stereoscopic image only by an electronic control with no need for a movable mechanism and can reduce the power consumption and improve the reliability. A camera device comprises a liquid lens (182) switchable to a single eye lens and a compound eye lens; and a switching unit for switching the liquid lens (182) to the single eye lens to take a planar image and switching the liquid lens (182) to the compound eye lens to take a stereoscopic image.

Abstract: An image sensor and method for fabricating an image sensor are provided. The image sensor includes a substrate and a microlens array in a checkerboard pattern. In some embodiments, the checkerboard pattern involves alternating hydrophilic and hydrophobic microlenses.

Abstract: A micro lens includes a base material and a lens formed on the base material, wherein the lens is disposed at an opening on the base material, and the opening is formed by covering a surface of the base material with a first monolayer; and the first monolayer has critical surface energy of 22 mN/m or lower and shows non-affinity for a lens material in comparison with a region within the opening, and is fixed to the surface of the base material via a covalent bind.

Abstract: A system and method are used to form illumination light beams having desirable divergence and directivity. The illumination light beams are shaped using a pupil defining element and a field defining element. Then, divergence or numerical apertures of the light generated by these elements is modified using an optical element that either re-images the light onto planes conjugate to one or both of the pupil defining element and a field defining element or transforms a numerical aperture of light produced by one or both of the pupil defining element and a field defining element.

Abstract: An optical device includes a semiconductor substrate and an optical part having a plurality of columnar members disposed on the substrate. Each columnar member is disposed in a standing manner and adhered each other so that the optical part is provided. The optical part is integrated with the substrate. This optical part has high design freedom.

Abstract: An image-displaying apparatus comprising a light-emitting diode, a relay lens, a secondary light source-forming prism arranged between the light-emitting lens and the relay lens, and a light valve, said secondary light source-forming prism having opposed first and second opposed rectangular planes and at least four polygonal planes, said first and second rectangular planes being positioned on sides of the light-emitting diode and the light valve, respectively, and an area of the first rectangular plane being greater than that of the second rectangular plane, wherein a light emitted from the light-emitting diode is illuminated upon the light valve through the relay lens and the secondary light source-forming prism.

Abstract: A microlens structure that includes a wedge formed to support and tilt the microlens is disclosed. The wedge results from heating a layer of patterned flowable material. The degree and direction of incline given to the wedge can be controlled in part by the type of patterning that is performed.

Abstract: In a formation method for forming a fine structure in a workpiece (30) containing an etching control component, using an isotropic etching process, a mask (32, 34) having an opening (36) is applied to the workpiece, and the workpiece is etched with an etching solution (38) to thereby form a recess (40), corresponding to a shape of the opening, in a surface of the workpiece. The etching of the workpiece is stopped due to the etching control component eluted out of the workpiece in the etching solution within the recess during the isotropic etching process.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a collimating device is disclosed herein. In one embodiment the method includes a step of constructing a reflective layer. After the reflective layer is constructed, a step of constructing an optical element layer follows, including a step of forming an array of microstructures in the optical element layer. Next, the array of microstructures is abutted against the reflective layer. Heat and pressure are then applied to the optical element layer to puncture the reflective layer and penetrate a predetermined distance through the reflective layer. Sub-assemblies are also defined, wherein optical elements are coupled to prevent light loss.

Abstract: A housing (10) with three-dimension appearance includes a transparent substrate (11), a micro lens array (12) formed on one surface of the transparent substrate, and a decorative layer (13) formed on another surface of the transparent substrate at an opposite side to the micro lens array. A method for making the housing is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyester film produced by melt-extruding a polyester composed of a dicarboxylic acid unit and a diol unit, wherein 1 to 80 mol % of the diol unit is a unit containing a cyclic acetal skeleton, and the polyester film has an in-plane retardation of 20 nm or less at a wavelength of 550 nm. The polyester film is an optically isotropic polyester film which is easily produced by an extrusion-molding method and has an economical advantage. The polyester film is useful for production of optical members or optical products such as phase difference films, protective films for polarizing plates, light diffusion films, lens sheets, anti-reflection films and optical information recording media.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transparent substance formed with a plurality of continuous half-spherical convexes having a diameter of 25˜1,000 nm on its first main surface; an organic light-emitting device comprising a substrate, a first electrode, an organic material layer(s) and a second electrode, sequentially, characterized by having a plurality of continuous half-spherical convexes having a diameter of 25˜1,000 nm on the underside of the substrate that does not contact the first electrode and/or the upside of the second electrode that does not contact the organic material layer; and a method for preparing same using a porous aluminum oxide layer forming process.

Abstract: A wafer-scale apparatus and method is described for the automation of forming, aligning and attaching two-dimensional arrays of microoptic elements on semiconductor and other image display devices, backplanes, optoelectronic boards, and integrated optical systems. In an ordered fabrication sequence, a mold plate comprised of optically designed cavities is formed by reactive ion etching or alternative processes, optionally coated with a release material layer and filled with optically specified materials by an automated fluid-injection and defect-inspection subsystem. Optical alignment fiducials guide the disclosed transfer and attachment processes to achieve specified tolerances between the microoptic elements and corresponding optoelectronic devices and circuits.

Abstract: Disclosed are a microlens array, and a method of positioning and aligning the microlens array on another device. Generally, the microlens array comprises an array of injection molded microlens elements, and a supporting flange. Each of the microlens elements has a generally spheroid or spherical shape, and the supporting flange connects together the array of microlens elements to facilitate positioning that array of lenses on a printed circuit board, semiconductor package or wafer. This array is well suited for use with vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs); and, in particular, the preferred embodiment of the invention addresses the problem of VCSEL laser array alignment by using arrays of microlenses elements fabricated by injection molding.