Patent ID: 6285425
Filing Date: 2001-09-04
Classification: G02F

Abstract:
An optical display device comprising:an optical cell having a cell front with at least one cell region being capable of an optically transmissive mode and an optically nontransmissive node with reference to the cell front;an optically active material contained in the optical cell, the optically active material responsive to an applied electrical field such that optical properties of the material are controllably changeable;a ridged reflector including a ridged surface facing the optical cell and an opposite surface opposite the ridged surface, the ridged surface comprising a reflective metallic layer and having a series of ridges, each of said ridges having a first curved face and a second flat face intersecting the first face; the first face oriented to reflect light obliquely intercepting the first face; the ridged reflector and the cell optically cooperating such that light entering a display within a nonglancing incident angle range is emitted from the display at an exiting angle range with a magnitude distinct from the incident angle range and within a preferential viewing cone, the incident angle range and the exiting angle range measured relative to a normal axis orthogonally extending from a viewing plane substantially parallel to the cell front.