TRANSREFLECTORS, TRANSREFLECTOR SYSTEMS AND DISPLAYS AND METHODS OF MAKING TRANSREFLECTORS
Optical assembly comprises a light emitting assembly comprising a light emitting panel and an LED light source, and a transreflector film or sheet attached to the light emitting panel. The light emitting panel has a first pattern of optical deformities, and the transreflector sheet or film has a second pattern of optical deformities. The optical deformities of the second pattern are smaller in length and width than the transreflector film or sheet, and the optical deformities of the first pattern are aligned with the optical deformities of the second pattern.
1 . An optical assembly, comprising:
a light emitting assembly comprising a light emitting panel and an LED light source, the light emitting panel having a first pattern of optical deformities; and
a transreflector film or sheet attached to the light emitting panel, the transreflector sheet or film having a second pattern of optical deformities, the optical deformities of the second pattern of optical deformities being smaller in length and width than the transreflector film or sheet;
wherein the optical deformities of the first pattern of optical deformities are aligned with the optical deformities of the second pattern of optical deformities.
2 . The optical assembly of claim 1 , additionally comprising a refractive index matching material located between the first and second patterns of optical deformities.
3 . The optical assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first pattern and the second pattern of optical deformities overlap.
4 . The optical assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second pattern of optical deformities is a laser etch or chemical etch pattern.
5 . The optical assembly of claim 1 , wherein the optical deformities of the second pattern of optical deformities are optical elements of well defined shape.
6 . The optical assembly of claim 5 , wherein the optical deformities of the second pattern of optical deformities have a shape selected from a group consisting of: pyramid, frusto-pyramid, cone, frusto-cone, hemisphere, frusto-prism, and a shape having a pair of oppositely sloping planar sides, oppositely-curved ends and a planar top.
7 . The optical assembly of claim 1 , wherein the optical deformities of the second pattern of optical deformities have at least one light transmissive surface and at least one light reflective surface.
8 . The optical assembly of claim 1 , wherein the optical deformities of the first pattern of optical deformities vary in a characteristic selected from a group consisting of: size, shape, width, length, depth, height, density, opaqueness, color, refractive index, and orientation.
9 . The optical assembly of claim 1 , wherein the optical deformities of the first pattern of optical deformities are at least one of staggered, randomized, and arranged in a stochastic pattern.
10 . The optical assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first pattern of optical deformities is a printed pattern, ink-jet printed pattern, etched pattern, machined pattern, hot stamped pattern, molded pattern, stamped pattern, or thermoformed pattern.
11 . The optical assembly of claim 1 , wherein the transreflector film or sheet comprises more than one layer.
12 . The optical assembly of claim 1 , wherein the transreflector film or sheet comprises a layer of ultra-violet curable material.