Device having reflective and transmissive properties

• US 7,236,286 B2
• Filed: 07/19/2005
• Issued: 06/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rambus Delaware LLC (Rambus Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Brilliant Film, LLC
• Inventors: Lubart, Neil D., Clikeman, Richard W., Mayfield, Charles Ronald
• Primary Examiner(s): Dang; Hung Xuan
• Application Number:
  US11/184,541
• Publication Number:
  US 20060023289A1
• Time in Patent Office: 707 Days
• Field of Search: 359/247, 359/245, 359/252, 359/253, 359/237
• US Class Current: 359/247
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/20 Filters polarising elements G02B5/30
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0038 Linear indentations or grooves, e.g. arc-shaped grooves or meandering grooves, extending over the full length or width of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0051 Diffusing sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0053 Prismatic sheet or layer; Brightness enhancement element, sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0065 Manufacturing aspects; Material aspects
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133555 Transflectors

Abstract

A device which simultaneously maximizes light reflectivity from one side of the device while maximizing light transmissivity from the opposite side of the device. The device is configured with distinct regions of transparency and reflectivity including a plurality of reflective structures. The structures are generally smaller towards a light transmitting side of the device and larger towards a light reflective side of the device.

Claims

1. A device having transmissive and reflective properties produced by the process comprising the steps of:

providing a transparent photosensitive film;

providing a reflective metal layer on a selected region of the surface of the photosensitive film, wherein the selected region is less than the complete surface of the photosensitive film and defines a non-selected region; and

changing the optical characteristics of the photosensitive film in the non-selected region to alter the index of refraction of the photosensitive film in the non-selected region to thereby form an altered refractive index area.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the selected region of the photosensitive film comprises an unaltered refractive index area.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the altered refractive index structure has a higher index of refraction than the unaltered refractive index area.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the selected region of the photosensitive film comprises a plurality of unaltered refractive index areas.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the unaltered refractive index areas are triangular cross-section structures each having a base, a height, and a pair of sidewalls each having an outside surface, the base is associated with said reflective metal layer, each sidewall is at an angle relative to said base.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said reflective metal layer has a desired reflectivity percentage.