Optical: systems and elements – Single channel simultaneously to or from plural channels – By surface composed of lenticular elements
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-06
2003-05-27
Ben, Loha (Department: 2873)
Optical: systems and elements
Single channel simultaneously to or from plural channels
By surface composed of lenticular elements
C359S619000, C359S251000, C359S566000, C359S569000, C359S599000, C359S455000, C362S030000, C362S035000, C362S035000, C362S331000, C385S133000, C385S146000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06570710
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Brightness enhancing films (BEF) have been used in lighting panels for directing light from lighting fixtures through luminaires and laptop computers displays. The brightness enhancing films, which can have linear prisms, diffuse light with a desired directionality. Often the films have been used in combination with a fluorescent light source. The films have had partial success in improving luminair or display brightness by controlling the angle at which light emerges. However, a need still exists for improved control of lighting and enhancement of brightness for laptop computer screens.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes a light collimating film having a sheeting having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side includes a series of linear optical elements having a primary axis running the length of the optical elements, and the second side includes a plurality of subwavelength structures being oriented at about 90 degrees relative to the primary axis of the linear optical elements. The subwavelength structures can include linear moth-eye structures. In one embodiment, the linear optical elements are linear prisms having an included angle in the range of between about 60 and 120 degrees. In another embodiment, the linear optical elements include lenticular linear elements. In a particular embodiment, the prisms have an included angle of about 88 degrees. In another particular embodiment, the prisms have an included angle of about 89 degrees.
In another embodiment, the invention includes a back lighting display device having a lighting device, a display panel, and a sheeting having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side includes a series of linear prisms having peaks, and the second side includes a plurality of subwavelength structures, the subwavelength structures being oriented at about 90 degrees relative to the peaks of the linear prisms.
In a further embodiment, the invention includes a light collimating structure having a first collimating film having a first surface with a plurality of linear moth-eye structures thereon and a second surface with first linear prisms having peaks, the linear moth-eye structures being oriented at about 90 degrees relative to the peaks of the first linear prisms, and a second collimating film having a first surface with a plurality of linear moth-eye structures thereon and a second surface with second linear prisms having peaks, the moth-eye structures being oriented at about 90 degrees relative to the peaks of the second linear prisms.
A method of forming a light collimating film is also provided which includes the steps of forming a series of linear prisms, which include peaks, on a first side of a sheeting, and forming a plurality of linear moth-eye structures on a second side of the sheeting with the linear moth-eye structures being oriented at about 90 degrees relative to the peaks of the linear prisms. The method can further include the steps of forming a series of linear prisms, which also include peaks, on a first side of a second sheeting, and forming a plurality of linear moth-eye structures on a second side of the second sheeting with the linear moth-eye structures being oriented at about 90 degrees relative to the peaks of the linear prisms. In one embodiment, the first and second sheetings are arranged such that the moth-eye structures of the first sheeting face the moth-eye structures of the second sheeting.
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Lu Xiao-Jing
Mullen Patrick W.
Nilsen Robert B.
Ben Loha
Hamilton Brook Smith & Reynolds P.C.
Reflexite Corporation
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