Optical Coating Laboratory, Inc.

James D McDole

Donald L Keehn

John Morse Huish

Orville Larry Creech, Jr

The present invention relates to an optical filter including a flexible, transparent substrate coated with a novel combination of optical coatings, and a frame system designed for mounting the optical filter to a television or other visual display screen. A neutral density contrast enhancement is included within the composition of a flexible substrate, or is coated on either the front, the rear, or both of the surfaces of the substrate. A silicone anti-glare hardcoat is applied to both the front and rear surfaces of the substrate. An anti-reflection coating is added to the front surface of the substrate, preferably via sputtering, and designed to reflect a specific color at a preferred brightness measurement. The combination of a front surface anti-reflection coating, front and rear surface anti-glare coatings, and a neutral density contrast enhancement, eliminates the need for an anti-reflection coating on the rear surface of the substrate. A two layer, non-conductive anti-reflection coating, which provides white or close to white reflected color and low reflectance, is preferred. The substrate is substantially flexible which allows the optical filter to be conformed to the major axis of curvature of the television cathode ray tube. The novel frame system permits the filter to be sized to fit many different television sizes or other visual display screens. The novel frame system also permits customized mounting of the optical filter in front of a television or other visual display screen. The frame system preferably includes two rails. The use of only two frame members further results in a pleasant, unobtrusive appearance of the frame system and optical filter.

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Rohnert Park, CA, United States of America

James D McDole