DNP Develops Transparent Screen to Display Clear Images in Bright Spaces

Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (DNP) has developed a new transparent screen for use with front projectors that significantly improves brightness and transparency compared to currently available products. The new transparent screen makes it possible to clearly display images even in bright spaces, including an effect whereby images appear to hang in the air.

[Background]

DNP has marketed transparent screens since March 2013. The screens work via the alternative arrangement of components that transmit light, and those that diffuse the light, on the surface of a transparent film. By attaching this film to transparent glass or an acrylic board, it is possible to display projected images that appear to hang in the air.

So far, however, it has been difficult to overcome a number of challenges. For example, in order to achieve clearer, brighter images, it has been necessary to increase those components that diffuse light, which caused a loss of screen transparency as image brightness was increased. In reverse, if transparency was enhanced, this made it difficult to display clearer, brighter images.

In this latest development, DNP has applied a proprietary special optical lens in the screen. This helps achieve not only improvements in transparency, but by successfully developing technology to steer light towards the viewers in an efficient manner, has also made it possible to display clearer images that appear to hang in the air, even in bright spaces. In the past, projection of images in bright rooms was difficult.

As a result, it is now possible for users to select their projection venue with more freedom, and without the need to consider locations demanding high transparency, or the positioning of lighting.

At left, currently available screen. At right, newly developed screen.

[Newly Developed Transparent Screen]

Currently available screens maintain only a low level of transparency, restricting their use, and leading to demands for more transparent products. In this latest development, DNP has significantly improved transparency, and made it possible to engage in efficient promotions, by allowing for the flexible installation of the screen at various locations where brightness and transparency are demanded. These include shopping windows and showrooms at retail outlets, plant tour passages, event halls and in-vehicle settings.

The new screen is compatible with various short focus projectors, and can be installed in locations where space is at a premium.

Two standard screen sizes are available – 40 inches and 80 inches. It is also possible to create larger screens via tiling to match specific needs.

(1) Haze: Film transparency-related index expressing turbidity. Calculated as the ratio of diffused light to total transmitted light.

(2) Brightness: Front face brightness when projecting onto a 40 inch screen utilizing a projector with a brightness of 3300 lumens.

[Looking Ahead]

In addition to marketing the newly developed screen for uses at public facilities, retail outlets, company showrooms and event halls, DNP will offer a variety of services by combining the new screen with spatial designs and image production and distribution services to offer a total solution, aiming for sales of 700 million yen in FY 2021.

* Product prices, specifications and service contents mentioned in this news release are current as of the date of publication. They may be changed at any time without notice.