GB2067380A

GB2067380A - Anti-reflection device for use with viewing screens

Info

Publication number: GB2067380A
Application number: GB8027060A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1979-08-23
Filing date: 1980-08-20
Publication date: 1981-07-22
Also published as: SE7907065L

Abstract

An anti-reflection device 2 for use with a viewing screen, comprises a dark fine mesh 4 stretched across a planar frame 6 removably located in front of the viewing screen 8 of a television, radar, computer terminal or other viewed apparatus. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Anti-reflection device for use in connection with viewing screens This invention concerns an anti-reflection Device for use in connection with Viewing Screens. More particularly it relates to such a device which can be removably attached in front of such screens and which facilitates viewing thereof by reducing undesirable reflections which might otherwise impair a display or cause unnecessary and undesirable strain to the viewer.

The use of screen displays for presenting information or entertainment has increased substantially in recent years and is likely to continue to increase with the more general adoption of computer terminals and other electrical and electronic equipment embodying read-outs. Apart from the widespread use of television screens for home and external entertainment, more and more applications of viewing screen for radar, supervisory and security purposes, recording, terminals and other installations are being proposed.

Often these screens have to be viewed, sometimes continuously and often with great concentration, in daylight or similar conditions when operation in a darkened atmosphere is not possible, and this presents the problem of unavoidable reflections and glare which can be extremely tiring for the operator or observer, and even seriously impair the image being displayed.

It has previously been proposed to reduce this disadvantage by placing a mask in front of the viewing screen, and one such mask consists of a fine mesh of dark coloured threads such as nylon threads, which diffuses light normally impinging on the screen from outside and hence diminishes reflections. Such masks can absorb up to 50% of the total outside light causing reflections on each passage of the light therethrough, so that on initial passage towards the screen the light causing reflections is reduced by half, whilst after reflection and passage back through the screen it is reduced by a further 50% so that the total reflected light then leaving the mask is only 25% of the original.

Furthermore by providing a dark background, such masks can cause the text or picture displayed to stand out better. By diminishing reflection the contrast is enhanced, and if the display is at all fussy or shimmering, it tends to stabilise the text or picture as far as the eyes of the viewer are concerned.

Such known masks have tended to be profiled to the contour of the viewing screen, normally bulbous or at least receding away from the viewer at its edge region, and have been permenantly secured to the viewing screen. This makes effective cleaning of the mask and screen (known to attract dust particles as a result of static electricity) difficult or impossible, as only the front of the mask is accessible.

It is an object of this invention to reduce or illuminate this disadvantage.

According to the present invention an antireflection device for a viewing screen comprises a planar mask in the form of a fine mesh of dark coloured thread tightly stretched across the opening of a surrounding framework, which opening is shaped substantially to conform to the area of the screen to be viewed, the framework being provided on at least one of its sides, with one or more fasteners whereby, the device may be removably attached to the front of the viewing screen or extend in a plane therebefore.

The or each fastener may be in the form of a soft metal strip bendable to engage a surface or edge of the tube or other element presenting the viewing screen, and the strip may be provided with a friction surface to prevent accidental displacement or movement of the screen during viewing. Alternatively the or each fastener may be a self-adhesive member such as a tape, or may be a clip, strap or elastic element, providing always that the device may be released from the viewing screen when desired to permit cleaning and adjustment.

Conveniently the mesh is formed of nylon thread, for instance dark brown nylon thread of a suitable denier.

The invention will now be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, the single figure of which shows, diagrammatically an anti-reflection according to the invention.

In the drawings the device 2 comprises a fine mesh net 4 of dark coloured nylon thread which is shown stretched within the opening of a flat surrounding frame 6, which opening corresponds substantially to the viewing area of a profiled screen 8 of a viewing apparatus 10.

The device 2 is offered up to the apparatus 10 for the purpose of reducing or mitigating the effects of reflection resulting from the screen 8 of apparatus 10 being viewed in other than darkened conditions.

In the device illustrated the upper edge is provided with a fastener 12 which by means of self-adhesive tape may be attached to the casing or housing of apparatus 10 so that the device 2 hangs in a substantially vertical plane in front of viewing screen 8, but can be readily removed therefrom for cleaning and adjustments.

The fastener 12 may take the form of one or more clips of readily and repeatedly bendable metal strips, with or without self-adhesive services or any other construction which will permit the device to be removably secured in front of the viewing screen to eliminate or reduce the reflection from daylight and other external sources of light when the screen is activated to present a display.

1. An anti-reflection device for a viewing screen which comprises a planar mask in the form of a fine mesh of dark coloured thread tightly stretched across the opening of a surrounding framework, which opening is shaped substantially to conform to the area of the screen to be viewed, the framework being provided on at least one of its sides, with one or more fasteners whereby, the device may be removably attached to the front of the viewing screen to extend in a plane therebefore.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Anti-reflection device for use in connection with viewing screens This invention concerns an anti-reflection Device for use in connection with Viewing Screens. More particularly it relates to such a device which can be removably attached in front of such screens and which facilitates viewing thereof by reducing undesirable reflections which might otherwise impair a display or cause unnecessary and undesirable strain to the viewer. The use of screen displays for presenting information or entertainment has increased substantially in recent years and is likely to continue to increase with the more general adoption of computer terminals and other electrical and electronic equipment embodying read-outs. Apart from the widespread use of television screens for home and external entertainment, more and more applications of viewing screen for radar, supervisory and security purposes, recording, terminals and other installations are being proposed. Often these screens have to be viewed, sometimes continuously and often with great concentration, in daylight or similar conditions when operation in a darkened atmosphere is not possible, and this presents the problem of unavoidable reflections and glare which can be extremely tiring for the operator or observer, and even seriously impair the image being displayed. It has previously been proposed to reduce this disadvantage by placing a mask in front of the viewing screen, and one such mask consists of a fine mesh of dark coloured threads such as nylon threads, which diffuses light normally impinging on the screen from outside and hence diminishes reflections. Such masks can absorb up to 50% of the total outside light causing reflections on each passage of the light therethrough, so that on initial passage towards the screen the light causing reflections is reduced by half, whilst after reflection and passage back through the screen it is reduced by a further 50% so that the total reflected light then leaving the mask is only 25% of the original. Furthermore by providing a dark background, such masks can cause the text or picture displayed to stand out better. By diminishing reflection the contrast is enhanced, and if the display is at all fussy or shimmering, it tends to stabilise the text or picture as far as the eyes of the viewer are concerned. Such known masks have tended to be profiled to the contour of the viewing screen, normally bulbous or at least receding away from the viewer at its edge region, and have been permenantly secured to the viewing screen. This makes effective cleaning of the mask and screen (known to attract dust particles as a result of static electricity) difficult or impossible, as only the front of the mask is accessible. It is an object of this invention to reduce or illuminate this disadvantage. According to the present invention an antireflection device for a viewing screen comprises a planar mask in the form of a fine mesh of dark coloured thread tightly stretched across the opening of a surrounding framework, which opening is shaped substantially to conform to the area of the screen to be viewed, the framework being provided on at least one of its sides, with one or more fasteners whereby, the device may be removably attached to the front of the viewing screen or extend in a plane therebefore. The or each fastener may be in the form of a soft metal strip bendable to engage a surface or edge of the tube or other element presenting the viewing screen, and the strip may be provided with a friction surface to prevent accidental displacement or movement of the screen during viewing. Alternatively the or each fastener may be a self-adhesive member such as a tape, or may be a clip, strap or elastic element, providing always that the device may be released from the viewing screen when desired to permit cleaning and adjustment. Conveniently the mesh is formed of nylon thread, for instance dark brown nylon thread of a suitable denier. The invention will now be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, the single figure of which shows, diagrammatically an anti-reflection according to the invention. In the drawings the device 2 comprises a fine mesh net 4 of dark coloured nylon thread which is shown stretched within the opening of a flat surrounding frame 6, which opening corresponds substantially to the viewing area of a profiled screen 8 of a viewing apparatus 10. The device 2 is offered up to the apparatus 10 for the purpose of reducing or mitigating the effects of reflection resulting from the screen 8 of apparatus 10 being viewed in other than darkened conditions. In the device illustrated the upper edge is provided with a fastener 12 which by means of self-adhesive tape may be attached to the casing or housing of apparatus 10 so that the device 2 hangs in a substantially vertical plane in front of viewing screen 8, but can be readily removed therefrom for cleaning and adjustments. The fastener 12 may take the form of one or more clips of readily and repeatedly bendable metal strips, with or without self-adhesive services or any other construction which will permit the device to be removably secured in front of the viewing screen to eliminate or reduce the reflection from daylight and other external sources of light when the screen is activated to present a display. CLAIMS

2. An anti-reflection device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the or each fastener is in the form of a soft metal strip bendable to engage a surface or edge of the tube or other element presenting the viewing screen.

3. An anti-reflection device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the strip is provided with a friction surface to prevent accidental displacement or movement of the screen during viewing.

4. An anti-reflection device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the or each fastener is a self adhesive member such as a tape.

5. An anti-reflection device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the or each fastener is a clip, strip or elastic element, whereby the device may be released from the viewing screen when desired to permit cleaning and adjustment.

6. An anti-reflection device substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.