Patent · US Expired

Micro-lens array based light transmitting screen with high resolution and low imaging artifacts

US6816306B2 · kind B2 · utility

18Cited by
66References
69Claims
0Family size

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Key dates

Filing dateJun 3, 2003
Grant dateNov 9, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 3, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03B21/625
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A light-transmission screen includes a diffusing element formed from a micro-lens array for projecting images in a viewing space. The screen generates images of improved quality by varying structural features of one or more lenses in the array so that light is directed in different directions and/or with different optical properties compared with other lenses in the array. The structural features which are varied include any one or more of size, shape, curvature, or spacing of the lenses in the array. As a result of these variations, the screen achieves wider viewing angles, improved screen resolution and gain, and a greater ability to reduce or eliminate aliasing or other artifacts in the generated images compared with conventional screens. A method for making a light-transmission screen of this type preferably forms the micro-lens array using a stamping operation based on a master. By taking this approach, the screen is manufactured with fewer process steps and at less cost compared with conventional methods.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.