Projection Screen Patents (Class 427/163.3)
  • Patent number: 11796905
    Abstract: One or more perforation hole pattern methods are applied (402) to generate a spatial distribution of perforation holes forming a semi-random pattern for an image display screen. The image display screen is perforated (404) with the spatial distribution of perforation holes forming the semi-random pattern. Image rendering light is emitted (406) with a light projector toward the image display screen that is installed in an image rendering environment. At least a portion of the image rendering light emitted from the light projector is reflected (408) by the image display screen, toward a viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Martin J. Richards, Barret Lippey
  • Patent number: 11376518
    Abstract: Light emitting displays can be used in cinemas for cinema presentations that integrate a sound system to achieve immersive conditions in cinema theatres. The cinema screen can include a matrix of light emitters and a diffuser sheet. The matrix of light emitters is configured to form a light-emitting area of the cinema screen. The diffuser sheet includes one or more perforations, and can be positioned between the matrix of light emitters and an audience area in the theatre. The diffuser sheet is positioned with respect to the matrix of light emitters such that the one or more perforations are configured to prevent light outputted by the light emitters from being viewable in the audience area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: IMAX Theatres International Limited
    Inventors: Denis Tremblay, Steven Charles Read, Barry David Silverstein, Andrew F. Kurtz, Jesse Donald McMullen-Crummey, Antanas Matthew Broga
  • Patent number: 8922900
    Abstract: An optical element structure and a fabricating process for the same are provided. The optical element fabricating process includes providing a substrate forming thereon a protrusion; and forming an over coating layer over the protrusion and the substrate by a deposition scheme to form an optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Hao Tseng, Ying-Hao Kuo, Hai-Ching Chen, Tien-I Bao
  • Publication number: 20140368906
    Abstract: Disclosed are a display screen of an image display system capable of displaying a 3D (three-dimensional) image and providing an image with a high contrast ratio in a bright room and a method for manufacturing the same. The display screen includes: a Fresnel lens layer; a reflective layer formed the light-exit surface of the Fresnel lens layer to reflect image light; and a protection layer formed on the light-incident surface of the Fresnel lens layer, wherein one surface of the protection layer may have an embossed pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Sungtae Kim, Byunggil Ryu, Wonki Cho
  • Publication number: 20140340748
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a color of a film includes a dyeing bath to dip a washed PVA film in an aqueous iodine solution and an aqueous potassium solution and then dye the PVA film therewith, a complementary bath to dip the PVA film in an aqueous potassium solution and then dye the PVA film therewith, a device oven to dry the PVA film having the oriented iodine and potassium, a 4-stage oven to dry the PVA film dried in the device oven, and a central controller to predict a color value of the polarizing film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Chang Song Lee, Ho Kyung Lee, Eungki Lee, DaeHyeon Kim, Eung Jin Jang
  • Publication number: 20140307313
    Abstract: A method for providing a projection screen for receiving stereoscopic images may include providing a substrate with a contoured, reflective surface, wherein light reflected from the substrate substantially may undergo no more than a single reflection and may also include coating a first layer on the substrate with a contoured, reflective surface. The first layer may substantially maintain the same optical properties as the substrate without the first layer. The first layer may be substantially conformal to the surface of the substrate and also may be a self assembled monolayer coating which may include at least a functional group that is hydrophobic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: David A. Coleman, Gary D. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20140036359
    Abstract: A screen for a Fresnel type front projection apparatus is provided. The screen includes a reflective layer including a plurality of reflective protrusions which project toward a front of the screen; each of the plurality of reflective protrusions including a reflective surface which forwardly reflects an image light projected from a projector; and an absorbing surface which absorbs an external light. The reflective surface includes a first region on an inner side thereof on which a reflective coating is not formed and a second region on an outer side thereof on which the reflective coating is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wook-jae JEON, Won-yong LEE
  • Publication number: 20130301122
    Abstract: Polarization preserving projection screens provide optimum polarization preservation for 3D viewing. The projection screens additionally provide improved light control for enhanced brightness, uniformity, and contrast for both 2D and 3D systems. Generally, the disclosed method for providing a projection screen comprises stripping an optically functional material from a carrier substrate, thus creating engineered particles from the optically functional material. The engineered particles may then be deposited on a second substrate to create a substantially homogeneous optical appearance of the projection screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Joel Petersen, Christopher Rich, Raymond Jacob Lewandowski, Gary D. Sharp, David Coleman
  • Publication number: 20120257412
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a light source, a display panel and an optical plate between the light source and the display panel. The optical plate includes a supporting sheet, a first, a second and a third optical layer. The first optical layer is disposed on a bottom surface of the supporting sheet and has a plurality of first protruding portions on a bottom surface of the first optical layer and has a first refractive index. The second optical layer is disposed on the bottom surface of the first optical layer and covers the first protruding portions. The second optical layer has a second refractive index larger than the first refractive index. The third optical layer is disposed on a top surface of the supporting sheet and has a plurality of second protruding portions on a top surface and has a third refractive index smaller than the second refractive index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Dong-Yeol Yeom, Yongkyu Kang, Seunghwan Chung
  • Publication number: 20120237675
    Abstract: Polarization preserving projection screens provide optimum polarization preservation for 3D viewing. The projection screens additionally provide improved light control for enhanced brightness, uniformity, and contrast for both 2D and 3D systems. Generally, the disclosed method for providing a projection screen comprises embossing at least a first side of a first substrate to produce an optically functional material and then cutting the optically functional material into pieces to produce a plurality of engineered particles. The plurality of engineered particles may then be deposited on a second substrate to produce a substantially homogeneous optical appearance of the projection screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: ReaID Inc.
    Inventors: Gary D. Sharp, David A. Coleman, Joel Petersen, Christopher Rich, Raymond Jacob Lewandowski
  • Publication number: 20120206800
    Abstract: Polarization preserving projection screens provide optimum polarization preservation for 3D viewing. The projection screens additionally provide improved light control for enhanced brightness, uniformity, and contrast for both 2D and 3D systems. Generally, the disclosed method for providing a projection screen comprises stripping an optically functional material from a carrier substrate, thus creating engineered particles from the optically functional material. The engineered particles may then be deposited on a second substrate to create a substantially homogeneous optical appearance of the projection screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicants: REALD INC.
    Inventors: Joel Petersen, Christopher Rich, Raymond Jacob Lewandowski, Gary D. Sharp, David Coleman
  • Patent number: 8241839
    Abstract: A fabrication method of a brightness enhancement film (BEF) including the following steps is provided. A light transmissive substrate is provided and has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. Then, a plurality of first rod-shaped lenses are formed on the first surface. The rod-shaped lenses extend along a first direction and are arranged along a second direction. After that, a plurality of second stripe-shaped prisms are formed on the second surface. The stripe-shaped prisms extend along the second direction and are arranged along the first direction. Next, an electromagnetic wave beam is made to pass through the rod-shaped lenses, the light transmissive substrate and the stripe-shaped prisms in sequence. A first portion of each of the stripe-shaped prisms exposes and leaves a second portion of each of the stripe-shaped prisms unexposed. Then, the second portions of the stripe-shaped prisms are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: Tun-Chien Teng, Chih-Jen Tsang, Jyh-Ming Chen
  • Publication number: 20120081782
    Abstract: A method for providing a projection screen for receiving stereoscopic images may include providing a substrate with a contoured, reflective surface, wherein light reflected from the substrate substantially may undergo no more than a single reflection and may also include coating a first layer on the substrate with a contoured, reflective surface. The first layer may substantially maintain the same optical properties as the substrate without the first layer. The first layer may be substantially conformal to the surface of the substrate and also may be a self assembled monolayer coating which may include at least a functional group that is hydrophobic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: REALD INC.
    Inventors: David A. Coleman, Gary D. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20120008201
    Abstract: A projection screen includes a base sheet, a surface roughness structure, a reflective layer, and a light absorption layer. The base sheet has a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. A plurality of first surfaces and second surfaces are formed on the first side, each first surface faces an optical projection system, and each second surface is disposed between two adjacent first surfaces and forms an angle with respect to a neighboring first surface. The surface roughness structure is formed on at least the first surfaces and capable of diffusing a light beam to a limited extent. The reflective layer is formed on the surface roughness structure and capable of reflecting most of the light beam diffused by the surface roughness structure to a limited extent towards a limited viewing cone, and the light absorption layer is formed on the second surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Tzeng-Ke SHIAU, Ching-Shiang Li, Wei-Chung Chao
  • Patent number: 8021714
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for a front-projection screen having a subsurface diffusion target are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Mark D. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20110149389
    Abstract: Polarization preserving projection screens provide optimum polarization preservation for 3D viewing. The projection screens additionally provide improved light control for enhanced brightness, uniformity, and contrast for both 2D and 3D systems. Generally, the disclosed method for providing a projection screen comprises embossing at least a first side of a first substrate to produce an optically functional material and then cutting the optically functional material into pieces to produce a plurality of engineered particles. The plurality of engineered particles may then be deposited on a second substrate to produce a substantially homogeneous optical appearance of the projection screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicants: REALD INC., WAVEFRONT TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Gary D. Sharp, David A. Coleman, Joel Petersen, Christopher Rich, Raymond Jacob Lewandowski
  • Publication number: 20110149390
    Abstract: Polarization preserving projection screens provide optimum polarization preservation for 3D viewing. The projection screens additionally provide improved light control for enhanced brightness, uniformity, and contrast for both 2D and 3D systems. Generally, the disclosed method for providing a projection screen comprises stripping an optically functional material from a carrier substrate, thus creating engineered particles from the optically functional material. The engineered particles may then be deposited on a second substrate to create a substantially homogeneous optical appearance of the projection screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Joel Petersen, Christopher Rich, Raymond Jacob Lewandowski, Gary D. Sharp, David Coleman
  • Publication number: 20100321592
    Abstract: A screen includes: a reflection surface which reflects projection light, wherein a plurality of convexes are disposed on the reflection surface, and each of the convexes contains a spherical surface having a ¼ spherical shape, a curved surface having curvature larger than curvature of the spherical surface and disposed along an end of the spherical surface, and a cover surface having a flat surface shape and disposed at an end of the curved surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshiaki MIKOSHIBA
  • Publication number: 20100321613
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polarizer is provided that makes it possible to virtually simultaneously perform a contact of a hydrophilic polymer film with liquid and stretch of the hydrophilic polymer film in a width direction by a tenter method, or the like, using a small and simple manufacturing equipment. A method of manufacturing a polarizer includes a width direction stretching process for stretching a hydrophilic polymer film 1 in the width direction, which is continuously supplied, by gripping both ends in a width direction thereof with grip means 2 and moving the grip means 2 in a longitudinal direction of the film 1 as well as by bringing the film 1 into contact with liquid and also moving the grip means 2, which grips at least one of both ends in the width direction of the film 1, outwardly in the width direction of the film 1; and a dyeing process for dyeing the film 1 by a dichroic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryota Hatsuda, Seiji Umemoto, Kazuya Hada, Hiroyuki Yoshimi, Satoshi Hirata
  • Publication number: 20100067107
    Abstract: A screen includes: a plurality of three-dimensional shape units disposed two-dimensionally on a front side of a screen substrate; a reflecting film formed at least on an area corresponding to projection light entering a surface of the plurality of the three-dimensional shape units of the screen substrate; and a light absorbing film formed on an area corresponding to outside light entering the surface of the plurality of the three-dimensional shape units, wherein at least a part of the light absorbing film is formed so as to overlap a part of the reflecting film on the front side of the reflecting film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koichi AKIYAMA
  • Patent number: 7632880
    Abstract: The invention provides a single phase, essentially solvent-free polymerizable liquid composition comprising a polymerizable liquid with dissolved therein an organogroup 4, 5 or 6 compound selected from the group consisting of organolead, organophosphorus, organoarsenic, organoantimony, organobismuth and organselenium compounds, said position being polymerizable under the action of an externally applied influence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Microsharp Corporation Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhi Li, Rifat Iqbal, Jun Wang
  • Publication number: 20090297703
    Abstract: A method of forming a protective layer on a substrate (202) such as glass includes depositing an a magnesium oxide layer (108, 208) and amorphous oxide material (106, 206) on the substrate (202), either simultaneously or in succession, and at a temperature below 300 degrees Centigrade. The amorphous oxide layer (106, 206) may crystallize in some embodiments when deposited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: MOTOROLA, INC.
    Inventors: Hao Li, Yi Wei
  • Publication number: 20090176107
    Abstract: A method of making an antiglare coating using a mullite sol, possibly for use in a plasma display device, a photovoltaic device, or the like. The method may include the following steps in certain example embodiments: forming a mullite sol by mixing glycycloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (or other suitable silane) with an aluminum chloride (or other suitable aluminum-containing compound), and one or more of a solvent and water; casting the mixture by spin coating to form a layer on a substrate (e.g., a glass substrate); and curing and/or heat treating the layer. This layer may make up all or only part of an antiglare coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Pramod K. Sharma
  • Publication number: 20090027771
    Abstract: A projection screen includes a light absorbing substrate having a plurality of alternating crests and recessed portions. A light reflecting layer is established on the light absorbing substrate such that a receding portion is established on each of the recessed portions and a conformal portion is established on each of the crests. Each of the plurality of crests has a surface at which the light absorbing substrate is exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventor: David A. Champion
  • Patent number: 7479309
    Abstract: A multilayer compensator includes one or more polymeric first layers and one or more polymeric second layers. The first layers comprise a polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence between ?0.005 and +0.005. The second layers comprise an amorphous polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence that is either less than ?0.005 or greater than +0.005. The overall in-plane retardation of the multilayer compensator is greater than 20 nm, and the out-of-plane retardation is more negative than ?20 nm or more positive than +20 nm. The amorphous polymer of the second layer(s) has a glass transition temperature (Tg) such that 110° C.?Tg?180° C. when the Rth of the multilayer compensator is more negative than ?20 nm, and 100° C.?Tg?160° C. when the Rth of the multilayer compensator is more positive than +20 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Jehuda Greener, James F. Elman, YuanQiao Rao, Jon A. Hammerschmidt, David B. Bailey
  • Publication number: 20090002816
    Abstract: A projection screen for selectively reflecting light from a front projector. The screen includes an etalon coating structure with a first layer of reflective material, a second layer of dielectric material, and a third layer of partially reflective semiconductor material. The projection screen produces a reflection having an asymmetric-shaped response in the visible spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: Barret Lippey
  • Publication number: 20080304149
    Abstract: The present invention relates to projection films and methods of making the same. In particular, the present invention relates to a projection film whereby the microspheres exhibit improved alignment on the light exit surface and have alignment on the light entrance surface that varies according to the individual microsphere diameter. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a projection film that has the attributes of variable gain within the single projection film. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to an exposed microsphere projection film construction that provides modification of the head-on and angular pattern of light transmission (gain).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventor: Michael E. Hannington
  • Publication number: 20080266572
    Abstract: An optical device includes a primary nanowire having a predetermined characteristic that affects an optical property of the primary nanowire. At least one secondary nanowire abuts the primary nanowire at a non-zero angle. The secondary nanowire(s) have another predetermined characteristic that affects an optical property of the secondary nanowire(s). A junction is formed between the primary and secondary nanowires. The device is configured to cause a portion of a light beam of a predetermined wavelength or range of wavelengths traveling through one of the primary nanowire or the secondary nanowire(s) to enter another of the secondary nanowire(s) or the primary nanowire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Theodore I. Kamins
  • Publication number: 20080233281
    Abstract: A composition for an aligning film that may have significantly improved adhesion to an optical functional layer (a liquid crystal layer), may significantly improve the alignment of a liquid crystalline compound, and may have excellent durability. The composition for an aligning film is used in a process for producing an optical element which includes a plastic support and, providing on the surface of the plastic support in the following order, an aligning film, and at least one optical functional layer containing a liquid crystalline compound composition. The composition can include A) a nonionic water-soluble etherified polysaccharide and B) water and/or a lower alcohol solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiko Kiyohara, Runa Nakamura, Naoya Ogata
  • Publication number: 20080180797
    Abstract: A reflective display screen comprises a first component surface responsive to absorb low level ambient light from above the screen and a second surrounding component surface responsive to light of high intensity from an image source. The first component surface is graphically formed to represent a fixed permanent image within the screen viewable only in ambient overhead lighting and without incidence of the high intensity light from the image source. Other embodiments include a method of displaying a permanent, fixed image and a method of making a display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventor: Gregory J. May
  • Publication number: 20080152842
    Abstract: A matte surface of a display screen is converted to an optically flat surface, for example, via an epoxy resin coating or the like which has a refractive index equal to that of the matte surface. A film with a substantially flat surface may be applied to the matte surface. Alternatively, the matte surface may be removed from the screen, and replaced with an optically smooth surface. The matte surface may be a diffusive surface formed on a birefringent film of an LCD screen. The display screen is the front screen of a multilevel three-dimensional display comprising layered screens, and altering the surface from matte to flat reduces the blurring of displayed images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: PURE DEPTH LIMITED
    Inventor: Mark John Searle
  • Publication number: 20080085375
    Abstract: An MgO protective layer formed on a front substrate of a plasma display panel and a method of manufacturing the protective layer are disclosed. The protective layer is manufactured by using an MgO pellet, which is simultaneously doped with a first doping material of BeO and/or CaO among alkali earth metals and a second material selected from the group consisting of Sc2O3, Sb2O3, Er2O3, Mo2O3, and Al2O3, as a deposition source through a vacuum deposition method. The protective layer remarkably improves a discharge efficiency of the PDP and shortens a discharge delay time, so that it is applied to a signal can PDP. Also, it lowers a manufacturing cost by reducing the number of electronic components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Jeong Seok Kim, Seok Jung, You Han Kim, Jin Ho Pyo, Yong Seog Kim, Kyung Hyun Park
  • Patent number: 7288296
    Abstract: A multilayer compensator includes one or more polymeric first layers and one or more polymeric second layers. The first layers comprise a polymer having an out-of-plane (?nth) birefringence not more negative than ?0.01 and not more positive than +0.01. The second layers comprise an amorphous polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence more negative than ?0.01 or more positive than +0.01. An overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of the multilayer compensator is greater than 20 nm and the out-of-plane retardation (Rth) of the multilayer compensator is more negative than ?20 nm or more positive than +20 nm. The in-plane retardation (Rin) of the one or more first layers is 30% or less of the overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of the multilayer compensator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: James F. Elman, William J. Gamble, Daniel F. Hurley
  • Publication number: 20070248811
    Abstract: A surface of a substrate is coated with a mixture of substantially planar irregular shaped pigments and a clear non-colored adhesive liquid. The pigments are efficient in both reflection (off the substantially planar surface) and refraction (from the irregular shaped edges). The substrate is coated, such that wash outs do not occur due to white or grey color in the coating or screen surface. A glare reducing material can be mixed in with the coating, which both reflects and refracts light, or the material can be applied as a separate layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventor: Yao Hwong
  • Patent number: 7250200
    Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal cell including one or more compensator layers interposed between a constraint and liquid crystal. Each compensator layer contains a transparent amorphous polymeric birefringent material having an out-of plane birefringence more negative than ?0.005 or more positive than +0.005.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventor: James F. Elman
  • Patent number: 7238386
    Abstract: A method is provided to manufacture a coated substrate, such as an optical fiber, without undesirable point lumps. The method filters a coating composition while controlling the filtering temperature, pressure drop across a filtering assembly, and filter pore size to achieve a resulting filtration factor not greater than 250,000 s?1. The filtration factor is a function of filtering temperature and pressure drop across the filtering assembly. Typically, the coating composition is filtered by passing the coating composition through one or more filters of the filtering assembly, having an absolute pore size rating in the range from approximately 0.05 to approximately 5 microns, at a temperature less than approximately 105° F. (40° C.), and at a pressure drop ?P across the filtering assembly of at most approximately 80 psig, wherein the ratio of pressure drop (mPa) to viscosity (mPa·s), which is dependent upon filtering temperature, minimizes the filtration factor to ?250,000 s?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Hexion Specialty Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Lee Workman, II, Don Leon King, Camille Jeanette Rechel, Timothy Edward Myers
  • Patent number: 7229663
    Abstract: A method of making a liquid-crystal sheet material, useful for displays, having polymer-dispersed cholesteric liquid crystals, comprising the steps of providing a emulsion comprising dispersed cholesteric liquid crystal domain and a solution comprising gelatin and a hardening agent, coating said emulsion onto a substrate; and drying said emulsion to form polymer-dispersed liquid-crystal domains dispersed in a continuous matrix comprising hardened gelatin. The invention is also directed to a display having an imaging layer comprising domains of polymer-dispersed cholesteric liquid-crystal material dispersed in a continuous matrix comprising hardened gelatin, said imaging layer disposed between first and second conductors. The invention is advantageous in reducing sensitivity to temperature and/or high humidity, especially in thin displays or displays that are open to the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Stanley W. Stephenson, Charles M. Rankin
  • Patent number: 7211304
    Abstract: A multilayer compensator includes one or more polymeric first layers and one or more polymeric second layers. The first layers comprise a polymer having an out-of-plane (?nth) birefringence not more negative than ?0.01 or not more positive than +0.01. The second layers comprise an amorphous polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence more negative than ?0.01 or more positive than +0.01. An overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of the multilayer compensator is greater than 20 nm and the out-of-plane retardation (Rth) of the multilayer compensator is more negative than ?20 nm or more positive than +20 nm. The in-plane retardation (Rin) of the one or more first layers is 30% or less of the overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of the multilayer compensator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: James F. Elman, William J. Gamble, Daniel F. Hurley
  • Patent number: 7163724
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a multilayer compensator comprising one or more polymeric A layers and one or more polymeric B layers, wherein said A layers comprise a polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence not more negative than ?0.01, said B layers comprise an amorphous polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence more negative than ?0.01, and the overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of said multilayer compensator is greater than 20 nm and the out-of-plane retardation (Rth) of said multilayer compensator is more negative than ?20 nm wherein the process employs laminating layers or coating the layers from solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James F. Elman, Dennis J. Massa, Charles C. Anderson, Tomohiro Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7011913
    Abstract: A method of making a reflective film includes the steps of: (a) preparing a cholesteric mixture that includes a cholesteric liquid crystal material and at least one type of polymerizable compound; (b) forming a cholesteric mixture layer in which the cholesteric liquid crystal material forms a helical structure, having continuously changing helical pitches, approximately along a normal to the layer; and (c) exposing the cholesteric mixture layer to an actinic ray at a temperature, at which the cholesteric mixture exhibits a cholesteric phase, thereby polymerizing the at least one type of polymerizable compound. In this method, a Tni point of the cholesteric mixture increases by performing the step (c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoko Teranishi, Sayuri Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 6933019
    Abstract: A method of applying a polymer coating uses a nebulized aerosol of solubilized polymer solution having high-viscosity droplets and low-viscosity droplets to form a textured antireflective surface. Air or other gas is used to direct the nebulized aerosol toward the surface of an object. In some embodiments, heated or dried air, such as from an air curtain, is used to promote the formation of high-viscosity droplets. In a particular embodiment, multiple ultrasonic nebulizers are used in combination with synchronized air jets to apply a uniform polymer coating onto a glass panel used in a large-format display system. Dye is optionally added to the solubilized polymer solution to provide a notch filter at 585 nm and/or infrared filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Mayer, Hiren V. Shah, Brad A. Duffy, Richard K. Zoborowski
  • Patent number: 6852374
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes two substrates, a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the substrates and two alignment films, each being provided on one surface of associated one of the substrates so as to face the liquid crystal layer. The device defines multiple picture elements. At least one of the two alignment films is made of a polymer material that includes a main chain, an atomic group having a bond that is selectively cut when exposed to an actinic ray and a side chain bonded to the main chain via the atomic group. The polymer material with the side chain can give a pretilt angle of greater than 85 degrees but 90 degrees or less to liquid crystal molecules. The polymer material without the side chain can give a pretilt angle of 2 degrees to 15 degrees to the liquid crystal molecules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanobu Mizusaki, Tadashi Kawamura, Akiyoshi Fujii, Yuichiro Yamada
  • Patent number: 6818157
    Abstract: A light guiding plate is manufactured with accuracy and at low cost. This invention comprises a cylindrical roller, which has a heater built-in, rotating while fixing a stamper having a dot pattern formed on its surface, substrate fixing means for reciprocating along a lower portion of the cylindrical roller in accordance with rotation of the cylindrical roller as fixing a resin substrate, and pressing means for pressing the stamper, which is fixed to the cylindrical roller, onto a surface of the resin substrate, which is fixed to the substrate fixing means, with a constant pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Nippon Columbia Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Kobayashi, Kazuhiko Nakano, Kunisato Kafuku, Hidetaka Kaburagi
  • Patent number: 6623608
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a display device having two components, an OLED display formed on a film on one side of a substrate and a touch screen formed on a film on the other side of the substrate, the OLED display including components that are sensitive to high temperatures, includes the steps of: partially forming one of the components on one side of the substrate, applying a protector over the partially constructed component; forming the other component of the display device on the other side of the substrate; removing the protector; and completing the formation of the one component on the one side of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Andre D. Cropper, Ronald S. Cok, Rodney Feldman
  • Patent number: 6565685
    Abstract: In a process for the manufacture of an optical ribbon conductor from several optical conductors, the outer circumference of at least one optical conductor (LW2) is coated with a first coating material (FC). The optical conductor (LW2) and at least another optical conductor (LW3) are arranged adjacent to each other in their longitudinal direction (OA) and are formed into a ribbon conductor and coated with a second coating (BC), so that a gap (S) results between the two adjacent optical conductors which is not occupied by an optical conductor. The position of at least one of the optical conductors (LW2, LW3) within the ribbon conductor (LWB) is controlled relative to the coating thickness (D) of the second coating material (BC). The second coating material (BC) can then dependably be removed after manufacture without also removing the first coating material (FC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: CCS Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Siegfried Unterberger, Dieter Kundis, Michael Ellwanger
  • Publication number: 20030091794
    Abstract: The present invention relates to optical elements comprising fluorochemical surface treatments. The invention further relates to articles such as retroreflective sheetings, pavement markings and beaded projection screens comprising a binder and the surface treated optical elements. The surface treatment comprises at least one fluoropolymer selected from a) fluoropolymers comprising a fluorinated hydrocarbon backbone and side chains comprising at least one of fluoroalkyl, fluoroether alkyl, fluoroalkoxy and mixtures thereof; and b) fluoropolymers comprising a hydrocarbon backbone and side chains comprising at least one of fluoroether alkyl, fluoroalkoxy and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Naiyong Jing, George Van Dyke Tiers, Mark J. Pellerite
  • Patent number: 6514558
    Abstract: Method and device for providing a layer (6) of a coating material on the inner side (2) of a display window (1) for a color display tube. A drop (3) of a suspension of said coating material is deposited on the inner side of the display window, its axis of symmetry (4) being oriented vertically. Then the display window is rotated around said axis of symmetry, and at the same time, said axis is tilted to a horizontal position. The suspension is thereby distributed on the inner side of the display window. An excess of suspension is collected during the rotation in four collection cups (8) arranged at the corners (7) of the display window, whence it is drained off to a central collection cup (10). Finally, the part of the suspension which remains on the display window is dried by infrared radiation (9). As the suspension is drained from the four collection cups to the central collection cup during the rotation, there is no risk that the suspension may drip from the cups onto the display window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Frans Corneel Cardinaels
  • Patent number: 6468378
    Abstract: This invention relates to a light transmitting filter comprising (a) light absorbing layer having a first and second surface, (b) microspheres embedded in the light absorbing layer and (c) an optically clear, substantially uniform, conformable layer covering the microspheres, wherein the microspheres provide light tunnels through the light absorbing layer. The invention also relates to methods of making the same. The invention also relates to a method of preparing a light transmitting filter comprising the step of laminating a clear substantially uniform conformable layer over transparent microspheres embedded in a light absorbing layer wherein the transparent bead form light tunnels through the light absorbing layer. The light transmitting filters of the present invention have improved light throughput and improved angularity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Hannington
  • Patent number: 6451432
    Abstract: An aqueous solution of a hydrophobic/oleophobic agent incorporating a primer of formula: X3SiRSiX3  (I) in which: R represents a carbon chain, and X represents a hydrolysable functional group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Marie-Jose Azzopardi, Laurent DeLattre, Nathalie Codazzi
  • Patent number: 6423368
    Abstract: A light-modulating, electrically responsive sheet including a substrate and an electrically conductive layer formed over the substrate. The sheet further includes, in an aqueous bath, an immiscible, field responsive light-modulating material along with a quantity of colloidal particles wherein the colloidal particles limit coalesced domain size and a binder; blending the constituents of the aqueous bath to form a dispersion of said field-responsive, light-modulating material below a coalescence size which sets to form limited coalescence domains having a uniform size; coating said material over the substrate; and drying said coated material to form a set of uniform domains so that such dispersion coalesces to form a set of uniform limited coalescence domains having a plurality of electrically responsive optical states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Stanley W. Stephenson, John W. Boettcher, David J. Giacherio