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:
Sep. 02, 2008
Filed:
Dec. 08, 2005
Kay-uwe Schenke, Neuss, DE;
Guido Hitschmarin, Neuss, DE;
Stefan O. Dietrich, Neuss, DE;
Robert Bennett, Berkshire, GB;
Paul E. Humpal, Stillwater, MN (US);
Keith M. Kotchick, St. Paul, MN (US);
Kay-Uwe Schenke, Neuss, DE;
Guido Hitschmarin, Neuss, DE;
Stefan O. Dietrich, Neuss, DE;
Robert Bennett, Berkshire, GB;
Paul E. Humpal, Stillwater, MN (US);
Keith M. Kotchick, St. Paul, MN (US);
3M Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
An optical element having a front side and a back side operates in an ambient lit mode and a backlit mode. The optical element includes a diffusely reflecting layer facing the front side for reflecting ambient light. A light absorbing layer faces the back side and is positioned to prevent back light from illuminating the diffusely reflecting layer. A plurality of light transmitting regions extend through the light absorbing layer and the diffusely reflecting layer for permitting back light to pass through in a restricted angular range without illuminating the diffusely reflecting layer.