Screen

Abstract

A projection screen includes a plurality of passive elements each having a sidewall surrounding a surface, wherein said sidewall is configured to attenuate light.

1 - 27 . (canceled)  
   
   
       28 . A method of forming a projection screen, comprising: 
 micro-embossing a plurality of passive elements on a substrate, each element including a sidewall and a floor, said sidewalls being tilted slightly and configured to attenuate light.    
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , and further comprising forming a scattering reflective surface on each surface of said passive elements.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 28 , and further comprising: 
 determining ambient conditions in which said projection screen is to be operated; and    establishing dimensions of said passive elements based on said ambient conditions.    
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein determining said ambient conditions includes determining a location for at least one ambient light source.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein establishing said dimensions comprises elongating said passive elements with respect to a horizontal axis.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein establishing said dimensions comprises elongating said passive elements with respect to a vertical axis.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein determining said ambient conditions includes determining a viewing angle for said projection screen.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein establishing said dimensions includes establishing a depth of said sidewalls.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein micro-embossing said passive elements comprises depositing a layer of material on said substrate, depositing a mask on said layer of material using contact printing, exposing said mask to light from a single point source to form exposed sidewalls, and heating said layer of material to cause said exposed sidewalls to consolidate said exposed sidewalls, and removing unconsolidated material from said layer of material such that extensions of said sidewalls are substantially parallel to light from said single point source.  
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 28 , and further comprising applying at least one surface treatment to said passive elements.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein applying said surface treatment comprises applying matte white paint.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 28 , and further comprising applying a plurality of surface treatments to said passive elements.  
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein applying said plurality of surface treatments comprises applying a reflective surface treatment to said floors and a light absorbing surface treatment to said sidewalls.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 28 , and further comprising providing a screen gain enhancement on surfaces of said passive elements.  
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein said screen gain enhancement comprises mica.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 41  wherein said screen gain enhancement comprises glass beads.  
   
   
       44 . The method  claim 28 , wherein micro-embossing said passive elements comprises three-dimensional printing.  
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein micro-embossing said passive elements further comprises etching.  
   
   
       46 . (canceled)  
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein micro-embossing said passive elements comprises depositing a light sensitive material, forming a mask on said light sensitive material, exposing said light sensitive material to light to form exposed and unexposed portions, consolidating said exposed portions, and removing said unexposed portions.  
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein depositing said light sensitive material includes depositing SU8 epoxy.  
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein micro-embossing said passive elements comprises forming generally hexagonal passive elements.  
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein micro-embossing said passive elements comprises forming generally rectangular passive elements.  
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein micro-embossing said passive elements comprises forming generally square passive elements.  
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein micro-embossing said passive elements comprises forming generally circular passive elements.  
   
   
       53 - 65 . (canceled)