Curved lenses configured to decode three-dimensional content on television and computer screens

Abstract

Curved lenses configured to decode three dimensional content and method of fabricating the same. The lenses decode three-dimensional content displayed on televisions or computer monitors. Sheets from which the lenses are cut have either (i) a polarizing axis of 0 degrees relative to horizontal and one sheet has a retarder axis at −45 degrees relative to horizontal and the other sheet has a retarder axis of +45 degrees relative to horizontal; (ii) a polarizing axis of −45 degrees relative to horizontal and one sheet has a retarder axis at 0 degrees relative to horizontal and the other sheet has a retarder axis of 90 degrees relative to horizontal; or (iii) a polarizing axis of +45 degrees relative to horizontal and one sheet has a retarder axis at 0 degrees relative to horizontal and the other sheet has a retarder axis of 90 degrees relative to horizontal.

1 . Glasses configured to decode three dimensional content comprising:
 two curved lenses, each of the two curved lenses having:   a polarizing layer laminated with a polymeric material layer;   a retarder layer laminated to at least one of the polarizer layer or to the polymeric material to form a sheet, wherein the polarizing layer and the retarder layer form a circular polarizer;   wherein   the two curved lenses have a polarizing axis of 0 degrees relative to horizontal and a first lens of the two curved lenses has-a retarder axis at −45 degrees relative to horizontal and a second curved lens of the two curved lenses has a retarder axis of +45 degrees relative to horizontal.   
     
     
         2 . The glasses of  claim 1  wherein the polarizing layer is laminated with the polymeric material layer on one or both sides. 
     
     
         3 . The glasses of  claim 1  wherein the polymeric material layer includes at least one of cellulous triacetate, cellulous diacetate, polycarbonate, polyamide or polyethylenetelephthalate. 
     
     
         4 . The glasses of  claim 1  wherein the polarizing layer is tinted with iodine crystals. 
     
     
         5 . The glasses of  claim 1  wherein the retarder layer comprises at least one of norbornene copolymer resin, polyvinyl alcohol, polystyrene, polycarbonate or polymethylmethacrylate. 
     
     
         6 . A method of fabricating a curved lens operable to decode three dimensional content, the method comprising:
 providing a sheet of material comprising:
 a polarizing layer laminated with a polymeric material layer 
 a retarder layer laminated to at least one of the polarizer layer or the polymeric material layer, wherein the retarder layer and the polarizing layer form a circular polarizer; 
   heating the sheet of material to a predetermined temperature;   thermoforming the sheet of material to form the curved lens; and   cooling the curved lens.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the polarizing layer is laminated with the polymeric material layer on one or both sides. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the retarder layer is laminated to the front of the polarizer layer.