3m Innovative Properties Company

Brent A Hedding

Tao Liu

Brian W Ostlie

David C Mercord

Jeffrey A Peterson

Michael F Weber

Shandon Dee Hart

Richard John Pokorny

John P Baetzold

Yongshang Lu

Kristopher J Derks

David Adams Ender

Jay M Jennen

Charlie C Ho

Mark B O'Neill

Thomas J Ludemann

Carsten Franke

Bert T Chien

James E Lockridge

Joan M Strobel

Huiwen Tai

John F Van Derlofske, Iii

Del R Lawson

James A Phipps

Jeffrey W Hagen

Chiu Ping Wong

Bradley J Johanson

Jeffrey J Pederson

Ellen R Bösl

Donovan C Karg, Jr

Meghan A Bradley

Johnnie L Williams

An optical imaging system () including an elongated lightguide () having pluralities of first and second light extractors () forming respective first and second patterns along the length of the lightguide is described. Light extracted by the first light extractors exit the lightguide primarily along a first direction toward a target location (), and light extracted by the second light extractors exit the lightguide primarily along a second direction different from the first direction. The optical imaging system includes a first reflector () for receiving light exiting the lightguide primarily along the second direction and reflecting the received light toward the target location. The first reflector forms a first virtual image () of the second pattern behind the first reflector. The first pattern and the first virtual image are visible to a viewer () viewing the optical imaging system from the target location.

Optical imaging system

A display system including a lightguide and first and second reflective layers disposed on opposite sides of the lightguide is provided. The lightguide has opposing first and second major surfaces and includes a light extraction pattern for extracting light that would otherwise be confined and propagate within the lightguide primarily by total internal reflection. Light extracted by the light extraction pattern exits the lightguide through at least one of the first and second major surfaces of the lightguide. Each of the first and second reflective layers has an average specular reflectance of at least 50% in a predetermined wavelength range. The light extraction pattern may be repeatedly imaged by the first and second reflective layers to produce three-dimensional stacked images of the light extraction pattern.

Display system

A lightguide includes features for extracting light that would otherwise be confined and propagate within the lightguide primarily by total internal reflection. A first portion of light propagating within the lightguide and extracted exits the lightguide through a first area of the lightguide having an optical reflectance of at least 30% and an optical transmittance of at least 5% for normally incident light at a wavelength of the extracted light. A second portion of light propagating within the lightguide and extracted exits the lightguide through a different second area of the lightguide having an optical transmittance of at least 80% for normally incident light at the wavelength of the extracted light.

Optical structures with off-state appearance area

Lightguides that include a plurality of discrete spaced apart light extracting structures are described. Each light extracting structure includes opposing inclined first and second sidewalls extending from a first side of the lightguide toward an optical axis of the light guide and meeting at an elongated peak extending along a first direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis, and may include opposing first and second endwalls extending between the first and second sidewalls from the first side of the lightguide to the elongated peak to form a notch extending into a core of the lightguide. The first and second sidewalls are adapted to extract light propagating along the lightguide from an opposite second side of the lightguide by reflecting the propagating light toward the second side. The notch may have raised edges along at least a portion of a perimeter of the notch.

Lightguide with various shapes and extracting structures

Light guide assemblies including first, second and third light guides, a first optical coupling component disposed between and attached to the first and second light guides, and a second optical coupling component disposed between and attached to the second and third light guides are described. The first optical coupling component is adapted to couple light between the first and second light guides, and the second optical coupling component is adapted to couple light the between second and third light guides. The first light guide, the second light guide and the first optical coupling component are coextensive over a first region of the assembly, and the second light guide, the third light guide and the second optical coupling component are coextensive over a different second region of the assembly.

Light guides

Lightguides including pixelated images, and methods of making the lightguides are provided. The lightguides include an image formed on a major side which is illuminated for directly viewing. The image includes an elongated portion being pixelated into an array of pixels. Each of the pixels includes a single light extracting structure adapted to receive the propagating light within the lightguide along the optical axis and extract the received light transversely out of the lightguide.

Lightguides with pixelated image

A sheet comprising: (1) a core member comprising one or more layers and having a first major surface and (2) a slip control layer disposed on at least a portion of the first major surface, wherein the slip control layer comprises: (i) a footing layer disposed on at least a portion of the first major surface of the core member, (ii) a binder layer disposed on the footing layer, and (iii) an array of particles disposed in the binder layer and footing layer and protruding therefrom, wherein the average diameter of the particles is greater than the combined thickness of the foot layer and binder layer. A process for making such a sheet comprising: (1) providing a core member; (2) forming a footing layer on at least a portion of the first major surface of the core member, wherein the footing layer is viscoelastic and has a Tthat is lower than either the Tor the Tof the polymer at the first major surface of the core member; (3) applying a binder layer composition comprising a film forming polymer and particles to the surface of the footing layer; then (4) tentering the assembly under sufficient heat to soften the footing layer such that the particles sink into the footing layer, wherein the average diameter of the particles is greater than the combined thickness of the footing layer and binder layer.

Articles with binder-deficient slip coating and method for making same

An optical film that includes a reflective polarizer and a stretched polymer film is disclosed. The stretched polymer film is laminated to the reflective polarizer, and the stretched polymer film exhibits a refractive index symmetry point at an angle of incidence in air of at least about 60 degrees in a plane of incidence parallel to a direction of greatest stretch.

Optical film

Growing community of inventors

Hudson, WI, United States of America

Brent A Hedding