Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

The Mead Corporation

Silicon Graphics, Incorporated

Sun Lu

Daniel E Evanicky

David B Chung

Ronald J Duke

Aharon Hochbaum

Eric Walowit

Chi H Chung

James R McLaughlin

Brightness in the LCD is enhanced by polarization recycling using a pre-polarizing film to pre-polarize light, and a special reflector for recycling light reflected by the pre-polarizing film. In one embodiment, the pre-polarizing film comprises a layer of DBEF brightness enhancement film, and the rear reflector is made of a PTFF material. In another embodiment, the rear reflector is covered with a film comprising barium sulfate. The multiple light sources are selected such that, at any color temperature within a predetermined range, the brightness of the LCD is not reduced below a given threshold minimum (e.g., 70 percent of the maximum brightness). Another constraint for selecting the light sources is that within the predetermined color temperature range, the color temperature is held close to the black body curve of the CIE chromaticity diagram. The light sources are also selected so that their maximum brightness point is set to be near the middle of the predetermined color temperature range.

Liquid crystal flat panel display with enhanced backlight brightness and specially selected light sources

A multiple light source flat panel liquid crystal display (LCD) system having enhanced backlight brightness and specially selected light sources. According to the present invention, brightness in the LCD is enhanced by polarization recycling using a pre-polarizing film to pre-polarize light, and a special reflector for recycling light reflected by the pre-polarizing film. In one embodiment, the pre-polarizing film comprises a layer of DBEF brightness enhancement film, and the rear reflector is made of a PTFF material. In another embodiment, the rear reflector is covered with a film comprising barium sulfate. The multiple light sources are selected such that, at any color temperature within a predetermined range, the brightness of the LCD is not reduced below a given threshold minimum (e.g., 70 percent of the maximum brightness). Another constraint for selecting the light sources is that within the predetermined color temperature range, the color temperature is held close to the black body curve of the CIE chromaticity diagram. The light sources are also selected so that their maximum brightness point is set to be near the middle of the predetermined color temperature range. In furtherance of one embodiment of the present invention, the light sources selection process may be implemented in computer readable codes executable by a computer system such that a large number of number of light sources candidates may be simulated to obtain their luminance, chromaticity, and color temperature data.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for producing an image made up of marks having varying sizes, densities and/or shapes on an imaging media. The image is generated in response to image data defining the image to be produced received by an input scanner or other input device. The image data is processed and then used to address at least one amplitude and/or pulse width modulation table to, in turn, generate amplitude and pulse width signals which controls a writing device. Marks are therefore written onto the media, such marks having varying sizes, densities and/or shapes for forming the completed image.

Method and apparatus for halftone imaging

A method and apparatus for creating a photomask corresponding to an image utilizes a planar disc having at least a portion of its surface formed from a photosensitive material. The disc is mounted for rotation. A laser beam source is supported at a spaced relationship with respect to the disc. One or more laser beams from the source are focused onto the disc. The laser source is moved radially with respect to the disc, whereby the laser beams scan the surface of the disc. The beams are modulated in accordance with information corresponding to the image to cause the image to be written onto the photosensitive material on the rotating disc by the laser beam.

Method and apparatus for creating a photomask for projecting an image

A laser-addressable liquid crystal cell includes first and second transparent substrate layers forming the outer surfaces for the cell. First and second electrode layers are each formed from a transparent electrically conductive material, with the first and second electrode layers adjacent the first and second substrate layers, respectively. A smectic liquid crystal layer is disposed between the electrode layers. A three layer structure is disposed between the liquid crystal layer and the second electrode layer for absorbing infrared radiation while permitting visible radiation to pass therethrough. This structure includes a layer of radiation absorbing material, a layer selectively reflective to infrared radiation and transparent to visible radiation, and a spacer layer of dielectric material disposed therebetween.

Transparent laser-addressed liquid crystal light modulator cell

A visual display device is featured which uses a new thermal addressing technique to provide a dark image upon a lighter background. The display is capable of being multiplexed to a large number of rows. The device comprises a cholesteric-smectic liquid crystal material mixed with a pleochroic dye of high order parameter. When the material experiences a transition from a higher to a lower, smectic thermal phase, two different textures or light states are developed; a transparent state and a light absorbing state. The transparent state is developed by applying a sensitizing voltage to certain portions of the medium. The pleochroic dye absorbs the light passing through the unsensitized portions of medium to provide the dark image. The row electrodes are made diffusely reflective so as to provide a double light pass through the medium to improve contrast.

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Sun Lu