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:
Nov. 11, 2014
Filed:
Aug. 11, 2010
Jeffrey L. Solomon, Vadnais Heights, MN (US);
Brian A. Kinder, Woodbury, MN (US);
Gary T. Boyd, Woodbury, MN (US);
Jeffrey L. Solomon, Vadnais Heights, MN (US);
Brian A. Kinder, Woodbury, MN (US);
Gary T. Boyd, Woodbury, MN (US);
3M Innovative Properties Company, Saint Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
Flexible unitary lightguide and a method of making the same are disclosed. The lightguide includes a structured input side that includes a first pattern having smaller features superimposed on a second pattern having larger features. The lightguide further includes a structured top surface that includes a first region and a different second region. The first region includes a plurality of discrete light extractors for extracting light that propagates within the flexible unitary lightguide by total internal reflection. The second region includes a taper portion for directing light from the structured input side to the first region. The light extractors form a periodic array that has a first period along the length of the flexible unitary lightguide. The first period is such that substantially no visible moir fringes occur when the flexible unitary lightguide is used as a backlight in a pixelated display.