US5581379A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rectangular based convex microlenses surrounded within a frame and method of making
Assignee: Omron Corp
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Filing: 1994-02-15
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Granted: 1996-12-03
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Expires: 2014-02-15
Abstract
Abstract A microlens array including a plurality of spaced apart individual microlens in a plane defining a plurality of spaced apart apertures through the plane. The use of non-circular apertures in a preferred embodiment greatly increases the effective lens ration. This microlens array provides a dust-resistant optical element, and reduces the probability of flat spots resulting from an AR coating and problem associated with the edge effect resulting from electrolytic plating.
Inventors
- 👤 Shigeru Aoyama
- 👤 Osamu Nishizaki
- 👤 Takeshi Kurahashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:55
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/20; G02B5/201; G02B3/00; G02B3/0006; G02B3/0012; G02B3/0018; G02B3/0025; G02B3/0031; G02B3/0037; G02B3/0056; G02B3/0062; G02B3/0068; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1335; G02F1/133526
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A microlens array, comprising: a plurality of spaced apart individual microlenses separated by valleys and positioned in a single plane, said microlenses being arranged to define a plurality of spaced apart light apertures through said plane, said microlenses each having a convex surface and a rectangular base; and a frame provided around each individual microlens to maintain spacing between individual microlenses.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
A microlens array, comprising: a plurality of spaced apart individual microlenses separated by valleys and positioned in a single plane, said microlenses being arranged to define a plurality of spaced apart light apertures through said plane, said microlenses each having a convex surface and a rectangular base; and a frame provided around each individual microlens to maintain spacing between individual microlenses.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A microlens array according to claim 1, wherein said individual microlenses are arranged in rows and columns defining a matrix of spaced apart individual microlenses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A microlens array according to claim 1, wherein said individual microlenses are spaced apart from other individual microlenses by valleys having obtuse angle slopes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A microlens array according to claim 1, wherein said individual microlenses have square bases.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
A microlens array according to claim 1, wherein said apertures are rectangular.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
121 words
A liquid crystal display element, comprising: a microlens array, said microlens array comprising a plurality of spaced apart individual microlenses positioned in a single plane and arranged to define a plurality of spaced apart light apertures through said plane, said microlenses each having a convex surface and a rectangular base, and a frame provided around each individual microlens to maintain spacing between individual microlenses; a transparent substrate provided on one side of said microlens array; a bonding layer positioned between said microlens array and said transparent substrate; a backing substrate; liquid crystal contained between said transparent substrate and said backing substrate; and electrodes positioned between said transparent substrate and said backing substrate in said liquid crystal for activating the liquid crystal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
121 words
A liquid crystal display element, comprising: a microlens array, said microlens array comprising a plurality of spaced apart individual microlenses positioned in a single plane and arranged to define a plurality of spaced apart light apertures through said plane, said microlenses each having a convex surface and a rectangular base, and a frame provided around each individual microlens to maintain spacing between individual microlenses; a transparent substrate provided on one side of said microlens array; a bonding layer positioned between said microlens array and said transparent substrate; a backing substrate; liquid crystal contained between said transparent substrate and said backing substrate; and electrodes positioned between said transparent substrate and said backing substrate in said liquid crystal for activating the liquid crystal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A liquid crystal display element according to claim 6, wherein said individual microlenses are arranged in rows and columns defining a matrix of spaced apart individual microlenses.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A liquid crystal display element according to claim 6, wherein said individual microlenses are spaced apart from other individual microlenses by valleys having obtuse angle slopes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A liquid crystal display element according to claim 6, wherein said apertures are square shaped.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A liquid crystal display element according to claim 6, wherein said individual microlenses have square bases.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
157 words
An image display device, comprising: a liquid crystal display element comprising; a microlens array, said microlens array comprising a plurality of spaced apart individual microlenses positioned in a single plane and arranged to define a plurality of spaced apart light apertures through said plane, said microlenses each having a convex surface and a rectangular base, and a frame provided around each individual microlens to maintain spacing between individual microlenses; a transparent substrate provided on one side of said microlens array; a bonding layer positioned between said microlens array and said transparent substrate; a backing substrate; liquid crystal contained between said transparent substrate and said backing substrate; electrodes positioned between said transparent substrate and said backing substrate in said liquid crystal for activating the liquid crystal; a light source to generate the light which is projected onto said liquid crystal display element; and display screen, said liquid crystal display element positioned between said light source and said screen.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
157 words
An image display device, comprising: a liquid crystal display element comprising; a microlens array, said microlens array comprising a plurality of spaced apart individual microlenses positioned in a single plane and arranged to define a plurality of spaced apart light apertures through said plane, said microlenses each having a convex surface and a rectangular base, and a frame provided around each individual microlens to maintain spacing between individual microlenses; a transparent substrate provided on one side of said microlens array; a bonding layer positioned between said microlens array and said transparent substrate; a backing substrate; liquid crystal contained between said transparent substrate and said backing substrate; electrodes positioned between said transparent substrate and said backing substrate in said liquid crystal for activating the liquid crystal; a light source to generate the light which is projected onto said liquid crystal display element; and display screen, said liquid crystal display element positioned between said light source and said screen.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
An image display device according to claim 11, wherein said individual microlenses are arranged in rows and columns defining a matrix of spaced apart individual microlenses.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
An image display device according to claim 11, wherein said individual microlenses are spaced apart from other individual microlenses by valleys having obtuse angle slopes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
An image display device according to claim 11, wherein said apertures are square shaped.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
An image display device according to claim 11, wherein said said microlenses having square bases.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of producing a microlens array comprising a plurality of spaced apart individual microlenses positioned in a single plane and arranged to define a plurality of spaced apart light apertures through said plane, said microlenses each having a convex surface and a rectangular base, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of rectangular frames on a planar substrate; placing fusible base material for the microlens into each cell defined by said frame; melting said fusible base material causing its surface to become curved to define microlenses each having a convex surface and rectangular base; and projecting ultraviolet rays to said fusible base material causing it to harden.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of producing a microlens array comprising a plurality of spaced apart individual microlenses positioned in a single plane and arranged to define a plurality of spaced apart light apertures through said plane, said microlenses each having a convex surface and a rectangular base, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of rectangular frames on a planar substrate; placing fusible base material for the microlens into each cell defined by said frame; melting said fusible base material causing its surface to become curved to define microlenses each having a convex surface and rectangular base; and projecting ultraviolet rays to said fusible base material causing it to harden.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of producing a microlens array according to claim 16, in which the frames are removed after the base material for the lenses has hardened.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of producing a microlens array comprising a plurality of spaced apart individual microlenses positioned in a single plane and arranged to define a plurality of spaced apart light apertures through said plane, said microlenses each having a convex surface and a rectangular base, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of spaced apart rectangular pieces of fusible base material for lenses on a substrate; melting said fusible base material causing its surface to become curved to define microlenses each having a convex surface and a rectangular base; and projecting ultraviolet rays to said fusible base material causing it to harden.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of producing a microlens array comprising a plurality of spaced apart individual microlenses positioned in a single plane and arranged to define a plurality of spaced apart light apertures through said plane, said microlenses each having a convex surface and a rectangular base, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of spaced apart rectangular pieces of fusible base material for lenses on a substrate; melting said fusible base material causing its surface to become curved to define microlenses each having a convex surface and a rectangular base; and projecting ultraviolet rays to said fusible base material causing it to harden.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
110 words
A light receiving element, comprising: a microlens array, said microlens array comprising a plurality of spaced apart individual microlenses positioned in a single plane and arranged to define a plurality of spaced apart light aperatures through said plane, said microlenses each having a convex surface and a rectangular base, and a frame provided around each individual microlens to maintain spacing between individual microlenses; a backing substrate; a plurality of light detection elements located on said backing substrate; and liquid crystal disposed between said microlens array and said backing substrate forming an integrated assembly, wherein said light detection elements are arranged in the same configuration and aligned with said individual microlenses.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
110 words
A light receiving element, comprising: a microlens array, said microlens array comprising a plurality of spaced apart individual microlenses positioned in a single plane and arranged to define a plurality of spaced apart light aperatures through said plane, said microlenses each having a convex surface and a rectangular base, and a frame provided around each individual microlens to maintain spacing between individual microlenses; a backing substrate; a plurality of light detection elements located on said backing substrate; and liquid crystal disposed between said microlens array and said backing substrate forming an integrated assembly, wherein said light detection elements are arranged in the same configuration and aligned with said individual microlenses.
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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) | 1999-12-03 | 2000-06-03 | 2000-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-12-03 | 2004-06-03 | 2004-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-12-03 | 2008-06-03 | 2008-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |