3m Innovative Properties Company

Nitto-denko Corporation

Michael E Lauters

Nicholas A Johnson

Kenneth A Epstein

Gary Timothy Boyd

John Allen Wheatley

Vivian Wynne Jones

Daniel W Hennen

Gary E Gaides

Mark J Pellerite

Michael L Steiner

Marc Dudley Radcliffe

John P Baetzold

Evan L Schwartz

John James Stradinger

Michael J Sykora

Marie A Boulos

Shannon L Siefken

Amane Mochizuki

Olester Benson, Jr

Gilles J Benoit

Kurt J Halverson

Christopher Bland Walker, Jr

Toshitaka Nakamura

David Scott Thompson

Mark E Gardiner

Scott Melvyn Tapio

Sheng Li

Joan M Noyola

Raymond J Kenney

Brett J Sitter

Yufeng Liu

James Hillis

Silva K Theiss

Brian W Lueck

Chi Zhang

Jesse Dan Froehlich

Mary M Pichotta

Matthew M Philippi

Ade Babatunde

Robin Irene Young

Ghassan E Jabbour

Richard V Pallarino

Kenneth Ap Meyer

The disclosure describes asymmetric turning films (ATFs) that may be used in conjunction with multiple light sources in a liquid crystal display assembly to provide multiple different characteristic output distributions of light. In some examples, the ATFs include a structured surface defining a plurality of microstructures having two or more faces with each face configured to reflect light in different directions. The microstructure may define a microstructure axis and an angle gradient characterizing the rotation of the microstructure axis across the structured surface of the ATF.

Multiplexing backlight with asymmetric turning film

A light control film and display assemblies that includes such a film. The light control film including a substrate defining first and second major surfaces with the first major surface including a plurality louvers spanning in a first direction substantially perpendicular to a normal of the first major surface, and with the second major surface comprises a plurality of linear microstructures spanning in the first direction. In some examples, each louver of the plurality of louvers substantially aligns with a corresponding microstructure of the plurality of microstructures.

Light control film for display assemblies

An optical stack including a periodically varying optical film layer and a grating assembly for reducing moir&#xe9; is described. The grating assembly includes first and second layers where an interface between the first and second layers define a grating having a peak to valley height and an index contrast. The index contrast multiplied by the peak to valley height may be between 150 nm and 350 nm and the grating has a pitch in the range of 2 micrometers to 50 micrometers. Each of the first and second layers may be viscoelastic or elastomeric adhesive layers, crosslinked resin layers, or soluble resin layers.

Optical stack including a grating

Backlights are disclosed. More particularly, temporally multiplexed backlights utilizing asymmetric turning films are disclosed. The disclosed backlights are capable of displaying a primary image to on-axis viewers while simultaneously providing a secondary image to off-axis viewers.

Temporally multiplexing backlight with asymmetric turning film

Optical systems are disclosed. More particularly, optical systems including an asymmetric turning film () with at least a first () and second light source () are disclosed. Selection of geometries for the asymmetric turning film can enable different output viewing angles depending on the selective illumination of the first light source, the second light source, or both. The optical systems disclosed may be suitable in both luminaires and displays.

Asymmetric turning film with multiple light sources

Dual-sided optical films have extended split spreading structures formed on one major surface, and extended prisms formed on an opposite major surface. One portion of each split spreading structure has a low light spreading characteristic, and another portion has a high light spreading characteristic. For each split spreading structure, the low light spreading portion may be disposed alongside the high light spreading portion. The split spreading structures may be arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the prisms. Light that enters a given prism from one inclined surface thereof can be associated primarily with light transmitted through the low light spreading portion of the split spreading structure, and light that enters the given prism from the other inclined surface thereof can be associated primarily with light transmitted through the high light spreading portion.

Dual-sided film with split light spreading structures

The present disclosure provides a light control film that is capable of transmitting light, or allowing a viewer to observe information, only within a viewing region centered around the normal (perpendicular line) to a surface. The light control film generally blocks information or light outside of this viewing region, and provides security in all directions including right-and-left and up-and-down of the film. The light control film includes a plurality of light-transmissive cavities that are surrounded by a light absorbing material, such that each of the plurality of cavities is optically isolated from adjacent cavities. Each of the light-transmissive cavities effectively block light which enters the cavity outside of a viewing (that is, cutoff) angle.

Light control film

An electronically switchable privacy films suitable for use in display devices are described. The electronically switchable privacy film comprises a pair of mutually opposing transparent electrodes; an optically transparent microstructured layer disposed between the transparent electrodes, the microstructured layer comprising a plurality of microstructured ribs extending across a surface thereof such that the microstructured ribs form an alternating series of ribs and channels; and electronically switchable material disposed in the channels, the electronically switchable material being capable of modulation between high and low absorption states upon application of an electric field across the transparent electrodes.

Electronically switchable privacy film and display device having same

An electronically switchable privacy film suitable for use in display devices are described. The electronically switchable privacy film comprises a pair of mutually opposing transparent electrodes; an optically transparent microstructured layer disposed between the transparent electrodes, the microstructured layer comprising a plurality of microstructured ribs extending across a surface thereof such that the microstructured ribs form an alternating series of ribs and channels; and electronically switchable material disposed in the channels, the electronically switchable material being capable of modulation between high and low light scattering states upon application of an electric field across the transparent electrodes.

Light control films, and a method for manufacturing tools used to microreplicate light control films.

Optical films are described comprising a color shifting film comprising a matte surface layer; and light control microstructured layer disposed proximate the color shifting film. The optical film may comprise a matte layer disposed on a major surface of the color shifting film and the light control micro structured layer disposed on the color shifting film at an interface that is free of adhesive. Alternatively, the optical film may comprise a film stack comprising a light control film having a light control microstructured layer, a color shifting film, and an adhesive layer between the light control film and color shifting film. In some embodiments, the matte layer comprises matte particles. In other embodiments, the matte layer comprises a plurality of microstructures and no greater than 50% of the microstructures comprise embedded matte particles. In some embodiments, the microstructures are substantially free of embedded matte particles.

Multilayer film comprising matte surface layer and articles

Film stacks and displays incorporating the same are described. More specifically film stacks that combine a light control film and a color shifting film proximate to one another and, in some embodiments, adhered together are described, as well as displays incorporating such film stacks. Such film stacks may combine the 'blacking out' functionality of a conventional louver film (LCF) and the color shifting effect of a multilayer optical film (MOF).

Light control film and multi-layer optical film stack

Provided is a light control film and displays incorporating same. In particular, provided are light control films comprising a light input surface and a light output surface opposite the light input surface. The light control films further comprise alternating transmissive and absorptive regions disposed between the light input surface and the light output surface. Each transmissive region has an index of refraction N, and each absorptive region having an index of refraction N, where N-Nis not less than&#x2212;0.005. The light control films have an average pitch of successive absorptive regions of 0.070 mm or less. Light incident to the light input surface exits the light output surface with a maximum relative brightness ratio (RBR) in a direction perpendicular to the light output surface of 65 or greater, and exits the light output surface with an effective polar viewing angle (EPVA) of 45&#xb0; or less.

Growing community of inventors

Hudson, WI, United States of America

Michael E Lauters