Reflection-type video projection screen

Abstract

A projection screen includes a substrate, a reflective layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface, and diffusion layer. The second surface of the reflective layer is attached (e.g., via an adhesive) to the substrate and the diffusion layer is attached (e.g., via an optically transparent adhesive) to the first surface of the reflective layer. The first surface of the reflective layer has an unpolished (e.g., matte) finish. The projection screen is preferably flexible and wound around a conventional roller to form a projection screen system. Alternatively, the projection screen may be attached to a rigid substrate. In one embodiment, the diffusion layer includes two surfaces, one of which is attached to the first surface of the reflective layer and the other of which is outward facing. At least the outward facing surface of the diffusion layer includes irregularities to achieve a desired screen directivity performance.

1 . A projection screen comprising: 
 a substrate;    a reflective layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the second surface of the reflective layer being attached to the substrate, the first surface of the reflective layer having an unpolished finish; and    a diffusion layer attached to the first surface of the reflective layer.    
   
   
       2 . The projection screen of  claim 1 , wherein the reflective layer comprises aluminum.  
   
   
       3 . The projection screen of  claim 1 , wherein the first surface of the reflective layer has a matte finish.  
   
   
       4 . The projection screen of  claim 1 , wherein the second surface of the reflective layer has a polished finish.  
   
   
       5 . The projection screen of  claim 1 , wherein the diffusion layer is a resin.  
   
   
       6 . The projection screen of  claim 5 , wherein the resin is one of polyethylene and polypropylene.  
   
   
       7 . The projection screen of  claim 1 , further comprising an optically transparent adhesive that attaches the diffusion layer to the first surface of the reflective layer.  
   
   
       8 . The projection screen of  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive that attaches the first surface of the substrate to the second surface of the reflective layer.  
   
   
       9 . The projection screen of  claim 1 , wherein the diffusion layer has a thickness greater than one one-thousandth of an inch (one mil).  
   
   
       10 . The projection screen of  claim 9 , wherein the thickness of the diffusion layer is in the range of approximately two mils to approximately eight mils.  
   
   
       11 . The projection screen of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises polyvinylchloride and has a thickness in the range of approximately five mils to approximately eight mils.  
   
   
       12 . The projection screen of  claim 1 , wherein the reflective layer has a thickness in the range of approximately one-third of a mil to approximately one mil.  
   
   
       13 . The projection screen of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate, the reflective layer and the diffusion layer are sufficiently flexible to enable the projection screen to be wound around a roller during periods of non-use.  
   
   
       14 . The projection screen of  claim 1 , wherein the diffusion layer includes a first surface and an opposing second surface, the second surface of the diffusion layer being attached to the first surface of the reflective layer, at least the first surface of the diffusion layer including a plurality of irregularities.  
   
   
       15 . The projection screen of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of irregularities comprises a plurality of micro lenses.  
   
   
       16 . The projection screen of  claim 14 , wherein plurality of irregularities constitute a matte finish.  
   
   
       17 . A projection screen system comprising: 
 a projection screen that includes:    a substrate;    a reflective layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the second surface of the reflective layer being attached to the substrate, the first surface of the reflective layer having an unpolished finish; and    a diffusion layer attached to the first surface of the reflective layer; and    a roller around which the projection screen is wound when the projection screen is not in use.    
   
   
       18 . The projection screen system of  claim 17 , wherein the first surface of the reflective layer has a matte finish.  
   
   
       19 . The projection screen system of  claim 17 , wherein the diffusion layer includes a first surface and an opposing second surface, the second surface of the diffusion layer being attached to the first surface of the reflective layer, at least the first surface of the diffusion layer including a plurality of irregularities.  
   
   
       20 . A projection screen comprising: 
 a substrate;    a reflective layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the second surface of the reflective layer being attached to the substrate, the first surface of the reflective layer having an unpolished finish;    a diffusion layer coupled to the reflective layer such that the reflective layer is positioned between the substrate and the diffusion layer, the diffusion layer including a plurality of irregularities to achieve a desired directivity.    
   
   
       21 . The projection screen of  claim 20 , wherein the first surface of the reflective layer has a matte finish.  
   
   
       22 . The projection screen of  claim 20 , wherein the plurality of irregularities comprises a plurality of micro lenses.  
   
   
       23 . The projection screen of  claim 20 , wherein the second surface of the reflective layer has a polished finish.  
   
   
       24 . The projection screen of  claim 20 , wherein the diffusion layer has a thickness greater than one one-thousandth of an inch (one mil).