Ridged reflector having optically transmissive properties for an optical display device
First Claim
1. An optical display device adapted for ambient illumination comprising:
- an electro-optic panel having a cell front, a cell rear opposite the cell front and at least one region having a transmissive mode, such that light traverses the electro-optic panel between the cell front and the cell rear;
a ridged reflector optically coupled to the cell rear to receive light traversing the electro-optic panel and to reflect the light through the region, said ridged reflector comprising a transparent layer having a ridged surface facing the electro-optic panel and including a first face and a second face, a metallic film coating the first face, the second face being substantially free of the metallic film and generally light-transmissive relative to the transparent layer.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A ridged reflector (10) permits operation of an optical display device (12) in ambient light, which may be supplemented by artificial back-lighting. The ridged reflector (10) for use in an optical display (12) includes a transparent polymeric layer (70) having a ridged surface (32). The ridged surface (32) includes a series of ridges (36). Each of the ridges (36) has a first face (42) and a second face (44) preferably intersecting the first face (42). A reflective layer (68) overlies the first face (42) of each of the ridges (36). The second face 44 (44) is generally light-transmissive and substantially free of a reflective layer (68). The ridged surface (32) has an opposite surface (34) opposite the ridged surface (32). The second face (44) of each of said ridges (36) allows optical communication with the opposite surface (34) for optional back-lighting of the optical display device.
102 Citations
28 Claims
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1. An optical display device adapted for ambient illumination comprising:
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an electro-optic panel having a cell front, a cell rear opposite the cell front and at least one region having a transmissive mode, such that light traverses the electro-optic panel between the cell front and the cell rear;
a ridged reflector optically coupled to the cell rear to receive light traversing the electro-optic panel and to reflect the light through the region, said ridged reflector comprising a transparent layer having a ridged surface facing the electro-optic panel and including a first face and a second face, a metallic film coating the first face, the second face being substantially free of the metallic film and generally light-transmissive relative to the transparent layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An optical display device comprising:
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an optical cell having a cell front with at least one cell region being capable of an optically transmissive mode and an optically nontransmissive mode with reference to the cell front, the optical cell containing an optically active material responsive to an applied electrical field such that optical properties of the material are controllably changeable;
a ridged reflector including a ridged surface optically coupled to the optical cell and including an opposite surface opposite the ridged surface, the ridged surface comprising a series of ridges, each of said ridges having a first face and a second face;
the first face oriented to reflect light obliquely intercepting the first face, the second face oriented to permit optical communication between the optical cell and the opposite surface;
the ridged reflector and the cell optically cooperating such that light entering a display within a nonglancing incident angle range is emitted from the display at an exiting angle range distinct in angular magnitude from the incident angle range and within a preferential viewing cone, the incident angle range and the exiting angle range measured relative to a normal axis orthogonally extending from a viewing plane substantially parallel to the cell front.- View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An optical display device comprising:
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an optical cell having a cell front with at least one cell region being capable of an optically transmissive mode and an optically nontransmissive node with reference to the cell front, the optical cell containing an optically active material responsive to an applied electrical field such that optical properties of the material are controllably changeable;
a ridged reflector optically coupled to the optical cell;
the ridged reflector including an optically transmissive layer and a reflective layer, said ridged reflector having a ridged surface facing the optical cell and an opposite surface opposite the ridged surface, the ridged surface including a series of ridges;
each of said ridges having a first face and a second face;
the reflective layer generally overlying the first face of each of said ridges, the second face being light-transmissive and substantially free of the reflective layer, the second face of each of ridges being in optical communication with the opposite surface.- View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification