17767977. OPTICAL SYSTEM AND METHODS INCLUDING MICROLENSES AND LIGHT-BLOCKING LAYER simplified abstract (3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY)

OPTICAL SYSTEM AND METHODS INCLUDING MICROLENSES AND LIGHT-BLOCKING LAYER

Organization Name

3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor(s)

Zhaohui Yang of North Oaks MN (US)

Matthew S. Stay of Bloomington MN (US)

Matthew R.D. Smith of Woodbury MN (US)

Tri D. Pham of Woodbury MN (US)

Adam T. Ringberg of St. Paul MN (US)

Serena L. Schleusner of Roberts WI (US)

OPTICAL SYSTEM AND METHODS INCLUDING MICROLENSES AND LIGHT-BLOCKING LAYER - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 17767977 titled 'OPTICAL SYSTEM AND METHODS INCLUDING MICROLENSES AND LIGHT-BLOCKING LAYER

Simplified Explanation

An optical system is disclosed in a patent application, including an optical sensor and a microlens film with a structured surface. A light-absorbing layer reduces the effective imaging area of each microlens by at least 10%.

• Optical system with optical sensor and microlens film
• Microlens film has structured surface with array of microlenses
• Light-absorbing layer reduces effective imaging area of microlenses
• Display panel, optical sensor, microlens film, and display plane are co-extensive

Potential Applications

This technology could be applied in:

• High-resolution imaging systems
• Virtual reality and augmented reality devices
• Medical imaging equipment

Problems Solved

This technology helps in:

• Improving image quality and resolution
• Reducing optical distortions
• Enhancing overall performance of optical systems

Benefits

The benefits of this technology include:

• Enhanced image quality
• Increased resolution
• Improved performance of optical systems

Potential Commercial Applications

This technology could be commercially used in:

• Camera systems
• Microscopes and telescopes
• Head-mounted displays

Possible Prior Art

One possible prior art for this technology could be:

• Micro lens arrays used in imaging systems

Unanswered Questions

1. What specific materials are used in the microlens film? 2. How does the light-absorbing layer affect the overall performance of the optical system?

Original Abstract Submitted

An optical system is disclosed and includes an optical sensor configured to receive light and form an image. The optical system further includes a microlens film including a structured first major surface opposite a second major surface, the structured first major surface includes a regular array of spaced apart microlenses arranged across a width and a length of the microlens film and each microlens has an effective imaging area and configured to form an image onto the optical sensor. A light absorbing layer is disposed on the array of spaced apart microlenses and reduces the effective imaging area of each microlens by at least 10%. A display panel, the optical sensor, the microlens film and the display plane are substantially co-extensive with each other along the width and length of the microlens film.