John Ashley Magee

US Patent:

6724536, Apr 20, 2004

Filed:

Jul 3, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/899006

Inventors:

John Allan Magee - Fayetteville AR

Assignee:

University of Arkansas - Little Rock AR

International Classification:

G02B 2710

US Classification:

359619, 359455

Abstract:

There is disclosed a partially transparent, directional viewing sheet formed of plastic material with convex and concave lenses, preferably lenticular lenses, formed respectively on the front and back surfaces of the sheet, there being intervening spaces with flat or convex arcuate surfaces between the concave lenses which spaces are not transparent to images and may be imprinted with an image that is viewable through the sheet from some directions. Preferably the concave lens focal length is typically about one-half of the focal length of the convex lens. Elliptical cross-section of the lenses may minimize spherical aberration and sharpen the focus. The thickness of the sheet causes focal points of the lenses to substantially coincide. The view through such a sheet in a direction substantially aligned with the optical axis of the lenses is a minimally distorted view of objects spaced from the opposite side of the sheet while off-axis viewing will present the image imprinted on the intervening surfaces between the concave lenses on the back surface of the sheet. Convex surfaces are preferred over flat surfaces, especially for high speed printing in offset printing presses.

US Patent:

6870681, Mar 22, 2005

Filed:

Jun 25, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/882519

Inventors:

John Allan Magee - Fayetteville AR, US

Assignee:

University of Arkansas, N.A. - Little Rock AR

International Classification:

G02B027/10

US Classification:

359626, 359619

Abstract:

There is disclosed a partially transparent, directional viewing sheet formed of plastic material with convex and concave lenses of elliptical cross-section, preferably lenticular lenses, formed respectively on the front and back surfaces of the sheet, there being intervening spaces with convex surfaces between the concave lenses which spaces are not transparent to images and may be imprinted with an image that is viewable through the sheet from some directions. Preferably the concave lens focal length is typically about one-half of the focal length of the convex lens. Elliptical cross-section of the lenses minimizes spherical aberration and sharpens the focus. The thickness of the sheet causes focal points of the lenses to substantially coincide producing the effect of a tiny Galilean telescope. The view through such a sheet in a direction substantially aligned with the optical axis of the tiny telescope is a minimally distorted view of objects distant from or near to the opposite side of the sheet while off-axis viewing will present the image imprinted on the intervening convex surfaces between the concave lenses on the back surface of the sheet. Such convex surfaces are preferred over flat surfaces for high speed printing in offset printing presses.

US Patent:

56444311, Jul 1, 1997

Filed:

Apr 13, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/227055

Inventors:

John Allan Magee - Fayetteville AR

Assignee:

University of Arkansas, N.A. - Little Rock AR

International Classification:

G02B 2710

US Classification:

359619

Abstract:

There is disclosed a partially transparent, directional viewing sheet formed of plastic material with lenses, preferably lenticular lenses, formed on both the front and the back surfaces of the sheet, there being on at least one of the surfaces intervening spaces between the lenses which spaces are not fully transparent and may be imprinted with an image that is viewable through the sheet from some directions. Preferably such lenses separated by non-transparent intervening spaces are concave lenses with a radius of curvature which is less than the radius of curvature of convex lenses, on the other surface, causing the concave lens focal length to be less than, typically about one-half of, the focal length of the convex lenses. The thickness of the sheet and hence the spacing between each concave lens and a corresponding convex lens causes the lenses axial spacing to be about the difference in focal lengths of the lenses producing the effect of a tiny Galilean telescope. The view through such a sheet in a direction substantially aligned with the optical axis of the tiny telescope is a minimally distorted view of objects distant from or near to the opposite side of the sheet while off-axis viewing will present the image imprinted on the intervening spaces between the concave lenses on the back surface of the sheet.

US Patent:

59332760, Aug 3, 1999

Filed:

May 18, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/080901

Inventors:

John Allan Magee - Fayetteville AR

Assignee:

Board of Trustees, University of Arkansas, N.A. - Little Rock AR

International Classification:

G03B 2160

US Classification:

359455

Abstract:

There is disclosed a partially transparent, directional viewing sheet formed of plastic material with convex and concave lenses of elliptical cross-section, preferably lenticular lenses, formed respectively on the front and back surfaces of the sheet, there being intervening spaces with convex surfaces between the concave lenses which spaces are not transparent to images and may be imprinted with an image that is viewable through the sheet from some directions. Preferably the concave lens focal length is typically about one-half of the focal length of the convex lens. Elliptical cross-section of the lenses minimizes spherical aberration and sharpens the focus. The thickness of the sheet causes focal points of the lenses to substantially coincide producing the effect of a tiny Galilean telescope. The view through such a sheet in a direction substantially aligned with the optical axis of the tiny telescope is a minimally distorted view of objects distant from or near to the opposite side of the sheet while off-axis viewing will present the image imprinted on the intervening convex surfaces between the concave lenses on the back surface of the sheet. Such convex surfaces are preferred over flat surfaces for high speed printing in offset printing presses.

US Patent:

53035259, Apr 19, 1994

Filed:

Sep 21, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/948109

Inventors:

John A. Magee - Fayetteville AR

Assignee:

University of Arkanas - Little Rock AR

International Classification:

E04B 546

US Classification:

52306

Abstract:

There is disclosed a building structure partially covered with siding panels, the outer surface of which are transparent to solar energy, the panels being slightly spaced from an insulating wall of the building to allow a fluid flow, preferably air, therebetween with effective heat exchange from a solar radiation absorbing surface with the fluid being selectively utilizable for space heating purposes or other purposes. The air can be moved by fans or convection or both. A preferred embodiment employs small horizontal lenticular lenses in the transparent material on the surface of the siding together with a mask, which may be three dimensional, on the back of the siding with the result that when the siding is viewed from the horizontal it displays a decorative color while it is highly reflective for solar rays at high angles of elevation and is transparent for solar rays at low angles of elevation, as during winter months. A black absorbent metallic foil surface may be provided on the insulating wall for absorbing the unmasked solar radiation, and the siding is structured to direct airflow to enhance heat transfer from the radiation absorbing surface. Alternative embodiments utilize spherical lens arrangements and provide panels adapted for roof use with horizontal or low angle orientation.

US Patent:

56807341, Oct 28, 1997

Filed:

Oct 21, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/779646

Inventors:

John Allen Magee - Fayetteville AR

Assignee:

University of Arkansas N.A. - Little Rock AR

International Classification:

E04D 100

US Classification:

52553

Abstract:

There is disclosed a solar energy control film and a siding panel to which such film is applied, the film having a multiplicity of lenticular lenses formed on one side thereof which are preferable about one-tenth to one millimeter wide and having on the surface opposite to that with the lenticular lenses an array of masking indentations in register with the lenticular lenses so that the film is effectively transparent for the passage of light (solar radiation passing through to an absorbing heat collector) only for rays impinging on a structure at prescribed elevation angles. Typically the masking indentations would be arranged to pass light at a low elevation angle corresponding to wintertime solar elevation at the latitude at which the structure is located. In particular embodiments, the indentations in the film are rendered non-transparent by being filled with a liquid or semi-liquid material including pigments or dyes to impart opacity, and in most cases reflectivity, to the material. A preferred method of forming the film is by simultaneously embossing the back and front surfaces with the indentations and lenticular lens configurations to assure highly accurate placement and registration, and thereby accurately control the angle range for which the film will be transparent to solar radiation.