The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 30, 2002
Filed:
Mar. 19, 1999
Takashi Harada, Machida, JP;
Yorinobu Takamatsu, Kanagawa, JP;
Makoto Ishikawa, Kanagawa, JP;
Charles L. Bruzzone, Woodbury, MN (US);
Robert S. Moshrefzadeh, Oakdale, MN (US);
Timothy J. Nevitt, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Woodbury, MN (US);
3M Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
Reflective front projection screens capable of projecting an image with enhanced contrast and a wide viewing angle in the presence of relatively high levels of ambient light are disclosed along with projection systems using the screens. The projection screens include a reflective polarizing element in combination with a diffusing element and/or glare suppressing element. The reflective polarizing element transmits light of one polarization state and reflects light of a different polarization state. The reflective polarizing element may be diffusely reflective or specularly reflective and the optical properties of the diffusing element and/or glare suppressing element may be selected based on the optical properties of the reflective polarizing element to further enhance image brightness and contrast. The projection systems preferably project an image using light of the polarization state that is reflected by the reflective polarizing element in the screen to further enhance brightness and contrast of the image.