Focusing Or Defocusing By Noncurved Surfaces (e.g., Prismatic, Etc.) Patents (Class 359/625)
  • Patent number: 11649936
    Abstract: A method and device for emitting electromagnetic radiation at high power using a gallium containing substrates such as GaN, AlN, InN, InGaN, AlGaN, and AlInGaN, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: KYOCERA SLD Laser, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Goutain
  • Patent number: 11262613
    Abstract: A flexible display apparatus includes a bending area and a non-bending area. The flexible display apparatus further includes a display panel and a polarizing structure disposed on the display panel. The polarizing structure includes a ?/4 phase retardation layer, a linear polarizer disposed on the ?/4 phase retardation layer, and a first adhesive structure disposed between the ?/4 phase retardation layer and the linear polarizer. The linear polarizer includes a stretched polymer film. The first adhesive structure is an adhesive layer with a glass transition temperature that is greater than or equal to 40° C. and less than or equal to 150° C. Accordingly, deformation of the ?/4 phase retardation layer may be prevented or reduced when the flexible display apparatus is folded or bent, thereby improving display quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Heeyoung Lee, Eunmi Seo
  • Patent number: 11122191
    Abstract: A camera module includes a lens imaging system including one or more lenses for imaging incident light on an imaging plane, a filter member disposed between the lens imaging system and the imaging plane, a first protrusion formed on a first surface of the filter member, and a second protrusion formed on a second surface of the filter member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung Hyun Kim, Yong Joo Jo
  • Patent number: 10926889
    Abstract: This beam shaper for an aircraft headlight comprises a light input surface (3) and a light output surface (6), the output surface comprises prism-shaped areas so as to deflect a light beam transmitted between the light input surface and output surface by guiding the beam in two directions (D1, D2) which are oblique relative to an optical axis (A) of the beam shaper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Zodiac Aero Electric
    Inventor: Christian Tsao
  • Patent number: 10877438
    Abstract: A system for generating multi-depth image sequence comprising a modulation array. The modulation array comprising a plurality of light modulators which may shift light incident upon the modulators by a number of degrees. The plurality of light modulators may shift light in concert according to a modulation shift pattern. The modulation shift pattern can be configured to focus incident light to a voxel or to form a 3-D image. One or more modulation shift patterns can be changed or cycled through to raster one or more image objects in one or more image depth planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Grata, Zhiheng Jia
  • Patent number: 10520735
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosed apparatuses, methods and systems provide a wearable, augmented or virtual reality display system including two or more sets of backlight illumination arrangements. Each different set of backlight illumination is directed to a corresponding optical imaging system. The corresponding optical imaging system is designed to focus each set of illumination at a different distance. The selection of a particular optical focal distance is controlled by selecting the set of backlight illumination corresponding to the imaging system to provide the desired focal distance. As a result, selection of the backlight illumination determines at which distance an image is perceived by a user. When multiple backlight illumination sets are multiplexed with 2-D images, a single, 3-D image is perceived by the wearer of the display system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Meta View, Inc.
    Inventors: Rami Aharoni, Ashish Ahuja, Zhangyi Zhong
  • Patent number: 10444480
    Abstract: A cloaking device includes an object-side, an image-side, a cloaked region and eight prisms positioned around the cloaked region. Each of the prisms has a light entrance side, a light exit side, a vertex formed from the intersection of a plane defined by the light entrance side and a plane defined by the light exit side, and a vertex angle between the light entrance side and the light exit side. A pair of first object-side prisms with inward facing vertices and a pair of second object-side prisms with outward facing vertices are positioned on the object-side, and a pair of first image-side prisms with outward facing vertices and a pair of second image-side prisms with inward facing vertices are positioned on the image-side. The light entrance sides of the pair of second object-side prisms are parallel and spaced apart from the light exit sides of the pair of first object-side prisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Kyu-Tae Lee, Debasish Banerjee
  • Patent number: 10295708
    Abstract: A cover window covering a display panel of a display device comprises a base member covering a display area and a non-display area of the display panel, and an inorganic layer disposed on the base member. The inorganic layer has substantially uniform thickness on the display area, and has a diffraction grating structure on the non-display area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Soo-Won Kim
  • Patent number: 10286957
    Abstract: Frames for an automobile windshield and side windows with improved visibility is formed by a plurality of hollow quadrilateral prisms. Each hollow quadrilateral prism includes four rigid right triangular prisms laid unsymmetrically in a V-like shape, two on each side of the V. Each rigid right triangular prism has a base triangle which is an obtuse and scalene triangle, and front and rear lateral faces which are covered with a reflective material of visible light. The front and rear lateral faces of the four right triangular prisms face each other forming an unsymmetrical channel between them, which is filled with a transparent material. The hollow quadrilateral prism reflects incident light in sequence by the reflective lateral faces of right triangular prisms. Many hollow invisible quadrilateral prisms are stacked up to form pillars for an automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Inventor: Yizong He
  • Patent number: 10168456
    Abstract: Presently described are optical stacks comprising a first optical film comprising a plurality of structures comprising an optically active portion designed primarily to provide optical gain and optionally an optically in-active bonding portion disposed on a first surface bonded to a second optical film with a light-transmissive adhesive layer such that a portion of the structures penetrate the adhesive layer and a separation is provided between the adhesive layer and the first surface. In one embodiment, the optical stacks exhibit a combination of high peel strength and high retained brightness, particularly after aging. The adhesive layer preferably comprises an interpenetrating network of the reaction product of a polyacrylate component and a polymerizable monomer and the adhesive layer has an elastic modulus ranging from 100 to 2000 MPa at 25° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William F. Edmonds, Brandt K. Carter, Jason S. Petaja
  • Patent number: 10025106
    Abstract: A lighting device (1) including at least one laser-diode bar with a plurality of emitters arranged adjacently to one another in a first direction and able to emit sub-beams during operation. The sub-beams having a lower beam divergence in a first direction that forms a slow-axis direction than in a second direction that forms a fast-axis direction and is perpendicular to the first direction. At least some of the emitters having a height offset in relation to the other emitters. A fast collimation means positioned behind the at least one laser-diode bar in a beam-propagation direction perpendicular to the slow-axis direction and the fast-axis direction. Beam transformation means positioned behind the fast-axis collimation means in the beam-propagation direction and designed to rotate the sub-beams through 90° as they pass thorough said means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: LIMO PATENTVERWALTUNG GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Mitra
  • Patent number: 9594252
    Abstract: In an LD module of the present invention, a plurality of laser diodes emit a plurality of laser beams toward a corresponding plurality of mirrors so that intervals between adjacent ones of the laser beams gradually increase, and the plurality of mirrors reflect the plurality of laser beams toward the fast axis focusing lens so that intervals between adjacent ones of the laser beams gradually decrease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventor: Shinichi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 9383633
    Abstract: A projector includes a polarizing illumination device which supplies light; a liquid crystal device which modulates the light; and a projection lens which projects the modulated light. The liquid crystal device is provided with an element substrate which includes a plurality of pixel electrodes and a light shielding layer; an opposing substrate includes prisms which are formed of vacant grooves which are open toward the light shielding layer; and an liquid crystal layer which is provided between the element substrate and the opposing substrate. A width of the light shielding layer falls within a range of 0.575 ?m to 0.625 ?m, and when an angle of incidence of the light which is incident on the liquid crystal device falls within a range of 7° to 17°, an F number of the projection lens falls within a range of 1.8 to 2.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshitake Tateno
  • Patent number: 9347641
    Abstract: An optical film including a substrate and a first material layer is provided. The first material layer includes a plurality of first optical structures and a plurality of first auxiliary optical structures. Each of the first optical structures includes a first base portion and a first rounded portion. The first base portion has a first bottom surface connected to the substrate and a first top surface opposite to the first bottom surface. The first rounded portion is disposed on the first top surface, and the first rounded portion has a first arc surface. Each of the first auxiliary optical structures has a first auxiliary arc surface. The first optical structures and the first auxiliary optical structures extend along a first extending direction and being alternately arranged on the substrate in an arranging direction perpendicular to the first extending direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Beautylight Optronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Liang-Shiun Chen, Shu-Wei Chen, Shi-Hao Liu
  • Patent number: 9030508
    Abstract: A device for optically focusing a projection image projected by a projector includes a detector for controlled creation of at least one observation shot of the projection image over a time period, a processing unit for defining at least one image section within the projection image generated by the projector, where the image section is modulated over the time period with respect to the optical power and/or the optical spectrum thereof, and the at least one image section of the projection image is essentially synchronous compared with the corresponding respective image section of the observation shot, where the processing unit also calculates a variable derived from the comparison of the respective image sections and a control signal derived from the derived variable, and outputs the control signal to a focusing device of the projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Joachim Walewski, Michael Bahr
  • Patent number: 9019199
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrophoretic display apparatus switchable between a black-white mode and a color mode. The electrophoretic display apparatus includes an electrophoretic display panel, a light guide, a light source, a light-splitting element and a lens element. The light guide is disposed in front of a display area of the electrophoretic display panel. The light source is operable to emit a light, which is directed to the display area by the light guide. The light-splitting element is disposed between the light guide and the electrophoretic display panel, and is operable to split the light into a first, a second and a third beam each having a principal wavelength different from the others. The lens element is disposed between the light-splitting element and the display area, and is operable to direct the first, second and third beams to corresponding sub-pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: E Ink Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: Shih-Yu Wang
  • Publication number: 20150009572
    Abstract: An optical film or other optical body has a structured surface comprising Fresnel prisms. The Fresnel prisms define a complex topography. For example, a first and second Fresnel prism may have elongated first and second plan view shapes that form a “wye” (Y-shaped) feature. Alternatively or in addition, the Fresnel prisms may be arranged such that slopes of the Fresnel prisms define one or more saddle points. Furthermore, one or more of the Fresnel prisms may have prism shapes in plan view that include undulating portions, and the Fresnel prisms may be arranged in a slope sequence that defines one or more inflection points. The Fresnel prisms may be refractive or reflective, and they may provide the structured surface with a 3-dimensional appearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Michael F. Weber
  • Patent number: 8922895
    Abstract: An optical film or other optical body has a structured surface comprising Fresnel prisms. The Fresnel prisms define a complex topography. For example, a first and second Fresnel prism may have elongated first and second plan view shapes that form a “wye” (Y-shaped) feature. Alternatively or in addition, the Fresnel prisms may be arranged such that slopes of the Fresnel prisms define one or more saddle points. Furthermore, one or more of the Fresnel prisms may have prism shapes in plan view that include undulating portions, and the Fresnel prisms may be arranged in a slope sequence that defines one or more inflection points. The Fresnel prisms may be refractive or reflective, and they may provide the structured surface with a 3-dimensional appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Michael F. Weber
  • Publication number: 20140375928
    Abstract: An optical film includes a first optical layer and a second optical layer. The first optical layer is disposed above the second optical layer. The second optical layer is a composite material layer, which includes a base material and a doping layer disposed in the base material. The optical film recycles an exterior light source and improves the utilization rate of the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicants: Tianma Micro-Electronics Co., Ltd., Xiamen Tianma Micro-Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaoling ZHUANG, Shichang CHEN
  • Publication number: 20140226212
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in security devices that can be used in various authenticating or security applications, and in particular to an optically variable security device which can be viewed under low light conditions. The security device comprises a light deflection structure having a first side and a second opposing side. A colourshifting layer is applied to the first side of the light deflection structure and a reflection layer is applied to at least a first region of the second side of the light deflection structure so as to provide a strong reflection in a direction substantially parallel to the incident light source when the direction of the incident light is at an angle away from the normal to the security device. The security device has at least one second region in which the reflection layer is absent, said first and second regions defining indicia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: De La Rue International Limited
    Inventors: Adam Lister, James Peter Snelling
  • Publication number: 20140224301
    Abstract: A first prism member includes a plurality of light condensing structures that are formed at the front surface and condense the light having entered thereat and a plurality of deflecting structures which deflect light having been condensed via the light condensing structures and output the deflected light; a second prism member includes an entrance surface set so as to face opposite the rear surface of the first prism member; and the light having been deflected and output by the deflecting structures of the first prism member enters the second prism member through the entrance surface of the second prism member, is guided toward the exit surface as the light is reflected at the reflecting structure and at the entrance surface inside the second prism member, and exits through the exit surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Tatsuo NIWA, Wakana UCHIDA, Tatsuya SENGA, Takahiro KURASHIMA
  • Publication number: 20140168781
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a light converging device and a repairing machine having the light converging device. The light converging device includes a transparent plate, and a number of protrusions arranged on the transparent plate each which has a convex surface. The convex surfaces of the protrusions form a light emitting side of the light converging device. With the light converging device with the light emitting side being formed by a number of protrusions, the light can be converged by the light converging device to evenly distribute the energy of the light corresponding to the to-be-repaired position and further improve the yield rate of the repairing operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: SHENZHEN CHINA OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-da Cheng, Chujen Wu
  • Publication number: 20140160574
    Abstract: An optical sheet includes: a base film comprising a rear surface upon which light is incident, a front surface facing the rear surface for emitting the light, and a side surface connecting the rear and front surfaces to each other; and a light collection section in which prisms formed by coupling a plurality of prism units to each other are arranged on the front surface of the base film and integrated with the base film. One end surface of each prism unit has a semicircular shape. A backlight unit includes the optical sheet, and an optical apparatus includes the backlight unit or the optical sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: CHEIL INDUSTRIES INC.
    Inventors: Young Hyun Ju, Kalantar Kalil, Seung Man Choi
  • Patent number: 8724224
    Abstract: A display device includes a dihedral corner reflector array optical element composed of a substrate and a plurality of dihedral corner reflectors arranged regularly on one main surface of the substrate, the dihedral corner reflectors including orthogonal mirror planes perpendicular to each other and being perpendicular to the main surface of the substrate; and an object existing by the one surface of the substrate, the optical element forming a real image of the object by the other main surface of the substrate. The optical element includes a plurality of protrudent bodies integrally formed of a transparent material of the substrate, each of the protrudent bodies including two sides of orthogonal mirror planes perpendicular to each other as the dihedral corner reflector perpendicular to the main surface of the substrate. The optical element is disposed so that the protrudent bodies face toward a space in which the object exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignees: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd., National Institute of Information and Communications Technology
    Inventors: Takashi Sugiyama, Satoshi Maekawa
  • Publication number: 20140126065
    Abstract: An optical substrate having a structured surface that enhances brightness and reduces moire effect. The optical substrate has a three-dimensionally varying, structured light output surface that comprises an irregular prismatic structure. The irregular prismatic structure may be viewed as comprising longitudinal prism blocks or rows thereof, arranged laterally defining peaks and valleys. Adjacent peaks, adjacent valleys, and/or adjacent peak and valley may be parallel or non-parallel, in an orderly, semi-orderly, random, or quasi-random manner. The lateral adjacent peaks, adjacent valleys, and/or adjacent peak and valley are not parallel. The adjacent irregular prism blocks may be irregular longitudinal sections having the same length, or random or quasi-random irregular sections having different lengths. The facets of each prism block may be flat, or curved (convexly and/or concavely).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: UBRIGHT OPTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kong-Hua WANG, Craig LIN, Daniel Yaw-Chung KO
  • Publication number: 20140118645
    Abstract: Provided are a complex spatial light modulator and a three-dimensional image display device including the same. The complex spatial light modulator includes: a spatial light modulator for modulating a phase of light; a prism array disposed next to the spatial light modulator; and a polarization-independent diffractive element for diffracting light that has passed through the prism array. The complex spatial light modulator may modulate both phase and amplitude of light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Gee-young SUNG, Hoon SONG, Kang-hee WON, Hong-seok LEE
  • Publication number: 20140111863
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an enhanced prism film comprising a plurality of column-like elements extending in a first direction. The plurality of column-like elements abut against one another in a second direction different form the first direction so as to form a light exiting surface of the enhanced prism film with converging effect in both the first and second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shengjia OU, Qi ZHANG
  • Patent number: 8698975
    Abstract: The embodiments of present disclosure disclose a prism sheet, a backlight module and a liquid crystal display device thereof. The prism sheet comprises a first sub-prism sheet and a second sub-prism sheet with faces being closely bonded with each other, the first sub-prism sheet having a plurality of protrusions on the surface being bonded with the second sub-prism sheet, and the second sub-prism sheet having recesses on the surface being bonded with the first sub-prism sheet corresponding to the protrusions, wherein the first sub-prism sheet and the second sub-prism sheet are made of materials having different refractive indexes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignees: Boe Technology Group Co., Ltd., Beijing Boe Display Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rong Tang, Bin Zou, Dan Wang, Xibin Shao
  • Publication number: 20140071538
    Abstract: Lenticles of a lenticular array can be electronically controlled to be optically equivalent to either of two sets of virtual lenticles having two distinct physical characteristics. Each of the lenticles is in sufficiently close proximity to one or more switchable prisms to optically combine with therewith. The switchable optical elements can be switchable columnar prisms for example. In a first state, the switchable prisms optically combine with the lenticles such that the combination is optically equivalent to a first set of virtual lenticles. In a second, different state, the switchable prisms optically combine with the lenticles such that the combination is optically equivalent to a second, different set of virtual lenticles. Accordingly, the lenticular array can switch between two distinct configurations with the flip of a switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: SoliDDD Corp.
    Inventor: Richard A. Muller
  • Publication number: 20140055861
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a prism film and a method and an apparatus for manufacturing the prism film. The prism film comprises a substrate which is provided with prism protrusions formed of photoresist; wherein at least two prism protrusions have different heights. The embodiments of the present invention adopt the laser interference lithography apparatus for forming the prism film, such that the prism film has adjustable prism period and modulation depths. Moreover, the depth of modulation is distributed randomly on the surface of the manufactured prism film, and a prism direction and a prism period can be adjusted conveniently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Beijing BOE Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rui Li, Junguo Liu
  • Patent number: 8648307
    Abstract: An infrared ray detector comprises a prism element, a condenser lens, and an infrared ray receiving unit. The prism element is configured to convert the infrared ray irradiated from a detection area of a viewing field to the infrared ray proceeding toward the condenser lens. The condenser lens is configured to concentrate the infrared ray into the infrared ray receiving unit. The infrared ray receiving unit includes a plurality of the infrared ray detection elements. The infrared ray detection elements are arranged in an alternate fashion so as to output electrical signals of positive polarity and negative polarity. Consequently, the infrared ray detector is configured to detect the infrared ray irradiated from a plurality of the detection area, and is configured to detect the infrared ray on the basis of movement of the human in the detection area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Nishikawa, Tomohiro Kamitsu, Yoshiaki Honda
  • Publication number: 20140016207
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical film comprising a substrate on which an array of structures is formed, wherein a material having a different refractive index, absorbancy or reflectivity from that of a surface of the structures is partially coated on the surface of the structures, and a manufacturing method thereof. Specifically, the optical film according to one embodiment of the present invention may have a different transparency depending on the direction or can transmit light asymmetrically. Further, the optical film may be applicable to image devices, which need to change brightness or images depending on the angle of view or to display three-dimensional images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: SNU R&DB FOUNDATION
    Inventor: Eun-Kyeong Bae
  • Publication number: 20140016208
    Abstract: Presently described are optical stacks comprising a first optical film comprising a plurality of structures comprising an optically active portion designed primarily to provide optical gain and optionally an optically in-active bonding portion disposed on a first surface bonded to a second optical film with a light-transmissive adhesive layer such that a portion of the structures penetrate the adhesive layer and a separation is provided between the adhesive layer and the first surface. In one embodiment, the optical stacks exhibit a combination of high peel strength and high retained brightness, particularly after aging. The adhesive layer preferably comprises an interpenetrating network of the reaction product of a polyacrylate component and a polymerizable monomer and the adhesive layer has an elastic modulus ranging from 100 to 2000 MPa at 25° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: William F. Edmonds, Brandt K. Carter, Jason S. Petaja
  • Publication number: 20140009838
    Abstract: First and second optical films in a stack each have a structured surface defining extended Fresnel lenses. First and second Fresnel lenses of the respective first and second films extend generally parallel to different first and second in-plane axes respectively. The films may be attached together such that light transmitted by one film is intercepted by the other. The film stack may also include a diffuser disposed to scatter light transmitted by the optical film(s). Other disclosed decorative articles include an individual optical film having a structured surface with transmissive facets arranged in a cyclic slope sequence from substantially zero to a maximum positive slope to substantially zero to a maximum negative slope and back to substantially zero, the sequence repeating over some or all of the structured surface. The slope sequence may define alternating focusing and defocusing Fresnel lenses, and the Fresnel lenses may be extended and linear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Michael F. Weber, Tommie W. Kelley, Gilles J.B. Benoit, Byron E. Trotter, Lynn E. Lorimor, Charles A. Shaklee, James M. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20140003085
    Abstract: The asymmetric prism structure contains multiple asymmetric prisms arranged in parallel where each asymmetric prism has a first slant face, a second slant face, and a bottom face, connected end-to-end together. The first slant face directs light beams propagating perpendicular to the prism direction to a lateral side, and the second slant face directs light beams propagating perpendicular to the prism direction to the other lateral side. The present invention further provides a light guide plate, a backlight module, and a related application utilizing the asymmetric prism structure. When vertical asymmetry is present in the timing sequences for the backlight scanning and the signal to the LCD panel, the asymmetric prism structure can reduce the cross-talk near a side from the error signal, thereby enhancing the video quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Kuangyao Chang
  • Publication number: 20130271957
    Abstract: Curved bezel-concealing display covers and display devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a bezel-concealing display cover for coupling to a display device having a bezel and a display panel includes a curved perimeter portion having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the curved perimeter portion is configured to be offset from the bezel of the display device by a varying gap GA. The bezel-concealing display cover further includes an array of prisms on at least one of the first surface or the second surface of the curved perimeter portion. The array of prisms extends from an edge of the curved perimeter portion to a distance L. The array of prisms and the curved perimeter portion is configured to shift a portion of an image proximate the bezel produced by the display panel such that the shifted portion of the image appears over the bezel to an observer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Etienne, Jacques Gollier, Daniel Aloysius Nolan, Wendell Porter Weeks
  • Publication number: 20130271825
    Abstract: This invention provides an optical sheet for use in for example a liquid crystal display, which prevents scratching and wet-out due to contact between films and minimizes the drop in performance of the optical sheet due to adhesive stains when an additional protective film is adhered and then peeled off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: KOLON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kyung Jong Kim, Chang Won Park, Eui Young Shin, Chang Pyo Hong, Hong Gu Hwang
  • Patent number: 8547641
    Abstract: In optical apparatus for illuminating a mask-plane with a line of light, a light source includes four fast-axis stacks of laser diode bars with fast and slow axis collimating arrangements providing four collimated beams of diode-laser light. A combination of a lens element and two diffraction gratings collects the four collimated beams and spreads the beams in the fast-axis direction such that the spread beams overlap in the mask plane to form a line of light having a length in the fast-axis-direction and a width in the slow-axis direction of the diode-laser bar stacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Cohernet, Inc.
    Inventor: Nadia Capolla
  • Patent number: 8411364
    Abstract: A security document including a substrate of transparent polymeric material, and opacifying layers provided on opposing sides of the substrate, the opacifying layers acting to guide light propagating within the substrate, wherein the substrate is formed with at least one micro-prism for diverting light propagating within or entering the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Reserve Bank of Australia
    Inventors: Phillip John Fox, Wayne Keven Jackson
  • Patent number: 8405910
    Abstract: There is provided: an optical sheet, which has excellent productivity while maintaining an optical performance and can reduce a manufacturing cost; an image source unit; a display device; a method for producing an optical sheet; and a method for manufacturing a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kashiwagi, Takayuki Niijima
  • Patent number: 8400714
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include reflector systems, methods, and apparatus for providing a light reflector. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for manufacturing a multi-layer light reflector. The method can include attaching a rear reflective layer to a lenticular lens optical film layer. The lenticular lens optical film layer includes a smooth surface and a structured surface. The rear reflective layer is disposed adjacent to or in contact with the smooth surface of the lenticular optical film. The method also includes attaching a diffusion layer to the lenticular lens optical film layer. The diffusion layer includes a smooth film surface and a structured diffusing surface. The smooth film surface of the diffusion film is disposed adjacent to or in contact with the structured surface of the lenticular lens optical film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc., Trustee of the LDH Trust
    Inventor: Leslie D. Howe
  • Patent number: 8317330
    Abstract: The image display apparatus forms first and second images in mutually different viewing angle areas to display a combined (joined) image. The apparatus includes first and second image-forming elements respectively forming first and second original images, a first optical system reflecting a first light flux from the first image-forming element at least twice to introduce the first light flux to an exit pupil, and a second optical system reflecting a second light flux from the second image-forming element at least twice to introduce the second light flux to the first optical system. The first optical system introduces the first light flux and the second light flux from the second optical system to the exit pupil such that the first and second images respectively corresponding to the first and second original images are formed in the mutually different viewing angle areas in a first cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shoichi Yamazaki, Kazutaka Inoguchi, Kenichi Saito, Motomi Tsuyuki, Masakazu Tohara
  • Patent number: 8218230
    Abstract: A flat panel display is provided. The flat panel display includes a display panel, a light source module and an optical film. The display panel has a light incident surface. The light source module including a light guide plate which has a light emergent surface is disposed parallel to the display panel. The light emergent surface is opposite to the light incident surface. A light emitted from the light source module is transmitted from the light emergent surface to the light incident surface. The optical film is disposed between the display panel and the light source module. The optical film has a first surface and a second surface which are opposite to each other. A plurality of platform-shaped optical structures are formed on the first surface while each of them has a flat top surface. A first transparent glue layer and a second transparent glue layer are respectively formed on the light incident surface and the light emergent surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corporation
    Inventor: Chih-Yen Chen
  • Publication number: 20120169965
    Abstract: The embodiments of present disclosure disclose a prism sheet, a backlight module and a liquid crystal display device thereof. The prism sheet comprises a first sub-prism sheet and a second sub-prism sheet with faces being closely bonded with each other, the first sub-prism sheet having a plurality of protrusions on the surface being bonded with the second sub-prism sheet, and the second sub-prism sheet having recesses on the surface being bonded with the first sub-prism sheet corresponding to the protrusions, wherein the first sub-prism sheet and the second sub-prism sheet are made of materials having different refractive indexes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicants: BEIJING BOE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD, BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Rong TANG, Bin ZOU, Dan WANG, Xibin SHAO
  • Patent number: 8194324
    Abstract: A solar concentrator comprises a curved linear Fresnel lens (16) which has a plurality of prismatic features (10, 12, 14). The prismatic features are arranged into at least two segments, in each segment the prismatic features have a common apex angle, the common apex angle differing between adjacent segments. A method of manufacturing a mold (2) for producing a Fresnel lens optical film (16) is disclosed. The method comprises rotating a mold blank, and forming a plurality of different prismatic features (10, 12, 14) on the mold blank by repeatedly advancing a cutting tool (4) onto and then withdrawing the tool away from the surface of the mold blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Microsharp Corporation Limited
    Inventor: Nicholas Simon Walker
  • Patent number: 8177377
    Abstract: An optical plate includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first surface defines a plurality of elongated, arc-shaped depressions. The second surface defines a plurality of triangular pyramidal depressions and a plurality of four-sided pyramidal depressions. Each four-sided pyramidal depression is surrounded by four triangular pyramidal depressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shao-Han Chang
  • Patent number: 8174766
    Abstract: A plate of transparent material including, on its surface, a texture including a plurality of a feature in relief, whether in a form of depressions or projections. The feature includes a first face and a second face that are not mutually parallel, lines at a base of the faces being parallel. The first face forms, with the general plane of the plate, a larger angle than the angle formed by the second face with the general plane of the plate, the angles being angles inside the material if the feature is a projection, or angles on the outside of the material if the feature is a depression. The plate improves light transmission toward a photovoltaic cell, in particular when the plate is in a vertical position, for example on the surface of a noise barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Michele Schiavoni, Patrick Gayout, Nils-Peter Harder, Ulf Blieske
  • Patent number: 8159750
    Abstract: Provided is an illumination structure which includes a light source and an illumination lens. The light source emits light in at least one wavelength band. The illumination lens includes a light receiving portion and a light outgoing portion. The light receiving portion divides the light from the light source in a plurality of different directions and the light outgoing portion emits the divided light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Yokota, Kouji Umeda
  • Publication number: 20120050876
    Abstract: For a method fabricating a dihedral corner reflector array optical element, a molding die having a reversal shape of the prism bodies is used. Each prism body has a frustum shape having an end plane whose area is smaller than that of the base plane side of the substrate. Each prism body is composed of a rectangular parallelepiped portion including the orthogonal plane sides to be a dihedral corner reflector and a taper portion integrated therewith having sides being non-parallel to the orthogonal plane sides. The method includes clamping the molding die to define a cavity therein; forming the optical element made from molten resin in the cavity; and parting the optical element from the molding die. The molding dies are relatively moved in a parting direction that the molding die leaves the orthogonal plane sides before anything else to part the optical element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: STANLEY ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi SUGIYAMA, Yuki Kitamura, Yasuhiro Aoki
  • Publication number: 20120050874
    Abstract: The present invention provides an optical sheet having a plurality of light guide plate patterns, each light guide plate pattern having a micro-patterned output surface for emitting light, and a micro-patterned bottom surface opposing to the output surface. The optical sheet is made in steps comprising extruding a first resin into the nip between a pressure roller and a patterned roller to form an extruded layer at a patterned roller surface temperature T1 and a nip pressure P1, the layer having an unpatterned surface and a patterned surface, the patterned surface having a pattern transferred from the patterned roller; and printing a discrete pattern on the unpatterned surface of the extruded layer to form the optical sheet comprising the plurality of light guide plate patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: SKC Haas Display Films Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Herong Lei, Michael R. Landry, Xiang-Dong Mi, Jehuda Greener, Ju-Hyun Lee