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:
Jul. 09, 2002
Filed:
Jul. 07, 1999
Robert S. Moshrefzadeh, Oakdale, MN (US);
Patrick A. Thomas, Maplewood, MN (US);
John C. Nelson, The Sea Ranch, CA (US);
Theodore W. Hodapp, St. Paul, MN (US);
Hsin-Hsin Chou, Woodbury, MN (US);
Richard J. Pokorny, Maplewood, MN (US);
Raghunath Padiyath, Woodbury, MN (US);
3M Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
An optically dispersing film for a rear projection system includes reflecting surfaces disposed so as to reflect light passing therethrough into at least one dispersion plane. The reflecting surfaces are formed by structures, of a first refractive index, disposed within a layer of material having a second refractive index. The structures have light absorbing bases at the viewing side of the film. In some embodiments, the reflecting surfaces are disposed at one or more angles so as to reflect light into a number of different directions. In other embodiments, the layer of material having the second refractive index includes diffusing particles that diffuse the light. The film permits the asymmetric dispersion of image light in a rear projection system, so that the light may be selectively directed towards the viewer.