US4591232A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical display screen utilizing light-absorbing fibers
Assignee: INCOM Inc 207 CHAPIN ST SOUTHBRIDGE MA 01550 A CORP OF
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Filing: 1983-06-03
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Granted: 1986-05-27
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Expires: 2003-06-03
Abstract
Abstract An optical display screen reduces image diffusion and extraneous images by the selective absorption of light rays oblique to the line of sight of an operator. Light-absorbing fibers such as black glass are embedded in the screen, parallel with the line of sight, and extending either completely through the screen, or through a thinner layer laminated to the screen. A conventional light emitting layer, such as a phosphor layer is provided. Oblique components of the phosphor emission are absorbed by the fibers. Sufficiently oblique external rays are also so absorbed, and prevented from creating extraneous images. The line of sight components of the phosphor emission are passed through the screen undiminished. Methods of forming the screen include the steps of forming a bundle of unclad clear fibers, including a small percentage of light-absorbing fibers, and fusing the bundle into a block containing parallel light-absorbing fibers.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard V. Jeskey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 08:34
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J29/00; H01J29/86; H01J29/89; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/04; G02B6/06; G02B6/08; H01J2229/00; H01J2229/89; H01J2229/8903; H01J2229/8905
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
An optical display screen, comprising: (a) an optically-transparent matrix of material of uniform index of refraction and coefficient of thermal expansion, the matrix having inner and outer substantially parallel surfaces, (b) a layer of material on the inner surface adapted to be controllably induced to emit light, and (c) a plurality of elongated light-absorbing fibers integrally embedded in said transparent matrix, the fibers parallel to each other and aligned in a direction essentially normal to said surfaces, the matrix and fibers together constituting a transparent layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
An optical display screen, comprising: (a) an optically-transparent matrix of material of uniform index of refraction and coefficient of thermal expansion, the matrix having inner and outer substantially parallel surfaces, (b) a layer of material on the inner surface adapted to be controllably induced to emit light, and (c) a plurality of elongated light-absorbing fibers integrally embedded in said transparent matrix, the fibers parallel to each other and aligned in a direction essentially normal to said surfaces, the matrix and fibers together constituting a transparent layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
Display screen as recited in claim 1, wherein the total length of each of said light absorbing fibers spans substantially the entire distance from the inner to the outer surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
Display screen as recited in claim 1, wherein said matrix is a clear glass formulation, and said fibers are of a light-absorbing glass formulation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
Display screen as recited in claim 1, wherein said fibers are uniformly distributed in said matrix.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
Display screen as recited in claim 1, wherein said fibers are uniformly, randomly distributed in said matrix.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
Display screen as recited in claim 5, wherein the total volume of said fibers constitutes on the close order of 3% of the volume of said transparent layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
Display screen as recited in claim 5, wherein said fibers constitute from about 1% to about 5% by volume of the transparent layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
Display screen as recited in claim 7, wherein the average diameter of said fibers is from about 1 micron to about 50 microns.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
Display screen as recited in claim 7, wherein said fibers are drawn to an average diameter on the order of 8 microns.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
104 words
An optical display screen, comprising: (a) an outer layer of uniformly optically transparent material, having inner and outer substantially parallel surfaces, (b) an inner layer comprising a matrix of optically-transparent material having uniform index of refraction and coefficient of thermal expansion and a plurality of elongated, light-absorbong fibers integrally embedded in said matrix, the fibers being parallel to each other and aligned in a direction essentially normal to the outer surface of said outer layer, said inner layer having an inner surface, and (c) a layer of material on the inner surface of the inner layer, adapted to be controllably induced to emit light.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
104 words
An optical display screen, comprising: (a) an outer layer of uniformly optically transparent material, having inner and outer substantially parallel surfaces, (b) an inner layer comprising a matrix of optically-transparent material having uniform index of refraction and coefficient of thermal expansion and a plurality of elongated, light-absorbong fibers integrally embedded in said matrix, the fibers being parallel to each other and aligned in a direction essentially normal to the outer surface of said outer layer, said inner layer having an inner surface, and (c) a layer of material on the inner surface of the inner layer, adapted to be controllably induced to emit light.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
Display screen as recited in claim 10, wherein said outer layer and the matrix of said inner layer are formulated of glass having essentially identical composition; and said fibers are formulated of light-absorbing glass.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
Display screen as recited in claim 10, wherein said fibers are uniformly distributed in said matrix.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
Display screen as recited in claim 10, wherein said fibers are uniformly, randomly distributed in said matrix.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
Display screen as recited in claim 10, wherein said outer layer and the matrix of said inner layer have the same indices of refraction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
Display screen as recited in claim 14, wherein said outer layer and the matrix of said inner layer have the same coefficient of thermal expansion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
Display screen as recited in claim 10, wherein the total volume of said fibers constitutes from about 1% to about 5% of the volume of said inner layer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
Display screen as recited in claim 16, wherein the total volume of said fibers constitutes on the close order of 3% of the volume of said inner layer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
Display screen as recited in claim 17, wherein said fibers are drawn to an average diameter of from about 1 micron to about 50 microns.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
Display screen as recited in claim 18, wherein said fibers are drawn to an average diameter on the order of 8 microns.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
107 words
Method of forming an image enhancing optical display screen, comprising the steps of: (a) uniformly distributing a small percentage of light-absorbing fibers among unclad transparent fibers of uniform index of refraction to form a bundle, (b) fusing said bundle into a block comprising a uniformly transparent matrix with parallel light-absorbing fibers integrally embedded in the matrix, (c) cutting a slice from said block perpendicular to said fibers, (d) shaping the slice into the form of an optical display screen, the screen having an inner surface, and (e) applying a layer of material adapted to be controllably induced to emit light to the inner surface of said screen.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
107 words
Method of forming an image enhancing optical display screen, comprising the steps of: (a) uniformly distributing a small percentage of light-absorbing fibers among unclad transparent fibers of uniform index of refraction to form a bundle, (b) fusing said bundle into a block comprising a uniformly transparent matrix with parallel light-absorbing fibers integrally embedded in the matrix, (c) cutting a slice from said block perpendicular to said fibers, (d) shaping the slice into the form of an optical display screen, the screen having an inner surface, and (e) applying a layer of material adapted to be controllably induced to emit light to the inner surface of said screen.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
89 words
Method as recited in claim 20, further comprising the steps of: (f) after cutting the slice from said block, fusing the slice to a thick layer of material having essentially the same composition as the transparent matrix of the slice, the slice and the layer thereby forming an integral screen having an inner surface formed by the exposed surface of the slice bearing the absorbing fibers, and (g) applying a layer of material adapted to be controllably induced to emit light to the inner surface of said integral screen.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-05-26 | 1989-11-25 | 1990-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-05-26 | 1993-11-25 | 1994-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-05-26 | 1997-11-25 | 1998-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |