Abstract: A method may include serially joining different video clips from videos of different historical competitions to form a composite video competition, the different video clips comprising an indeterminate subset of clips drawn from a larger pool of clips, wherein each clip from a historical competition has an associated partial result contribution to a final result of the historical competition further include presenting a result during the composite video competition, the result comprising a linked combination of the partial result contributions from the different video clips.

Abstract: A method may include serially joining different video clips from videos of different historical competitions to form a composite video competition, the different video clips comprising an indeterminate subset of clips drawn from a larger pool of clips, wherein each clip from a historical competition has an associated partial result contribution to a final result of the historical competition further include presenting a result during the composite video competition, the result comprising a linked combination of the partial result contributions from the different video clips.

Abstract: A method may include serially joining different video clips from videos of different historical competitions to form a composite video competition, the different video clips comprising an indeterminate subset of clips drawn from a larger pool of dips, wherein each clip from a historical competition has an associated partial result contribution to a final result of the historical competition further include presenting a result during the composite video competition, the result comprising a linked combination of the partial result contributions from the different video clips.

Abstract: A LCOS routing device, comprising: an optical input and plurality of optical outputs; a spatial light modulator (SLM) between said input and output, for displaying a kinoform; a data processor, configured to provide kinoform data for displaying said kinoform on said SLM. Said data processor inputs routing and calculates said kinoform data. Said data processor calculates kinoform data by: determining an initial phase pattern for said kinoform; calculating a replay field of said phase pattern; modifying an amplitude component of said replay field, retaining a phase component of said replay field to provide an updated replay field; performing a space-frequency transform on said updated replay field to determine an updated phase pattern for said kinoform; and repeating said calculating and updating of said replay field and said performing of said space-frequency transform until said kinoform for display is determined; and outputting said kinoform data for display on said LCOS SLM.

Abstract: A LCOS routing device, comprising: an optical input and plurality of optical outputs; a spatial light modulator (SLM) between said input and output, for displaying a kinoform; a data processor, configured to provide kinoform data for displaying said kinoform on said SLM. Said data processor inputs routing and calculates said kinoform data. Said data processor calculates kinoform data by: determining an initial phase pattern for said kinoform; calculating a replay field of said phase pattern; modifying an amplitude component of said replay field, retaining a phase component of said replay field to provide an updated replay field; performing a space-frequency transform on said updated replay field to determine an updated phase pattern for said kinoform; and repeating said calculating and updating of said replay field and said performing of said space-frequency transform until said kinoform for display is determined; and outputting said kinoform data for display on said LCOS SLM.

Abstract: We describe methods and devices for manipulating optical signals. A method of manipulating an optical signal comprises providing a device (100) comprising a layer (106) of blue phase liquid crystal in the path of the optical signal; and applying a dynamically varying spatial pattern of voltages across the layer (106) of blue phase liquid crystal, thereby causing the refractive index of the layer (106) of blue phase liquid crystal to vary according the dynamically varying spatial pattern.

Abstract: In a method of operating a liquid crystal device having a liquid crystal composition with smectic-A properties, a first waveform is applied to optically clear the device so that it is substantially transparent to visible light and a second waveform is applied to disorder the material of the liquid crystal composition to afford a strongly light-scattering state. The first waveform has a higher frequency than the second, waveform, and the method comprises applying a modified waveform to partially clear at least a portion of the device from the light-scattering state.

Abstract: We describe a LCOS (liquid crystal on silicon) telecommunications light beam routing device, the device comprising: an optical input; a plurality of optical outputs; a LCOS spatial light modulator (SLM) in an optical path between said input and said output, for displaying a kinoform; a data processor, coupled to said SLM, configured to provide kinoform data for displaying said kinoform on said SLM; wherein said kinoform data defines a kinoform which routes a beam from said optical input to a selected said optical output; wherein said data processor is configured to input routing data defining said selected optical output and to calculate said kinoform data for routing said beam responsive to said routing data; and wherein said data processor is configured to calculate said kinoform data by: determining an initial phase pattern for said kinoform; calculating a replay field of said phase pattern; modifying an amplitude component of said replay field to represent a target replay field for said beam routing, reta

Abstract: In a driver for a smectic-A composition liquid crystal panel, the driver forms a resonant circuit operable to oscillate at resonant frequency for ordering the smectic-A liquid crystal composition of the panel.

Abstract: The invention relates to optical beam steering. There is described an optical beam steering apparatus, comprising: a splitter arranged to split an optical beam into at least a first part having a first polarization and a second part having a second polarization, said first and second polarizations being substantially mutually orthogonal; a first liquid crystal device region arranged to receive said first part and to have director orientation substantially aligned to said first polarization; and a second liquid crystal device region arranged to receive said second part and to have director orientation substantially aligned to said second polarization.

Abstract: We describe a LCOS (liquid crystal on silicon) telecommunications light beam routing device, the device comprising: an optical input; a plurality of optical outputs; a LCOS spatial light modulator (SLM) in an optical path between said input and said output, for displaying a kinoform; a data processor, coupled to said SLM, configured to provide kinoform data for displaying said kinoform on said SLM; wherein said kinoform data defines a kinoform which routes a beam from said optical input to a selected said optical output; wherein said data processor is configured to input routing data defining said selected optical output and to calculate said kinoform data for routing said beam responsive to said routing data; and wherein said data processor is configured to calculate said kinoform data by: determining an initial phase pattern for said kinoform; calculating a replay field of said phase pattern; modifying an amplitude component of said replay field to represent a target replay field for said beam routing, reta

Abstract: In a method of operating a liquid crystal device having a liquid crystal composition with smectic-A properties, a first waveform is applied to optically clear the device so that it is substantially transparent to visible light and a second waveform is applied to disorder the material of the liquid crystal composition to afford a strongly light-scattering state.

Abstract: We describe methods and devices for manipulating optical signals. A method of manipulating an optical signal comprises providing a device (100) comprising a layer (106) of blue phase liquid crystal in the path of the optical signal; and applying a dynamically varying spatial pattern of voltages across the layer (106) of blue phase liquid crystal, thereby causing the refractive index of the layer (106) of blue phase liquid crystal to vary according the dynamically varying spatial pattern.

Abstract: In a driver for a smectic-A composition liquid crystal panel, the driver forms a resonant circuit operable to oscillate at resonant frequency for ordering the smectic-A liquid crystal composition of the panel.

Abstract: The invention relates to optical beam steering. There is described an optical beam steering apparatus, comprising: a splitter arranged to split an optical beam into at least a first part having a first polarisation and a second part having a second polarisation, said first and second polarisations being substantially mutually orthogonal; a first liquid crystal device region arranged to receive said first part and to have director orientation substantially aligned to said first polarisation; and a second liquid crystal device region arranged to receive said second part and to have director orientation substantially aligned to said second polarisation.

Abstract: A flat-panel projection display comprises a tapered transparent slab (1), a projector (2) adapted to inject images into the thick end of the slab, a translucent screen (3) over the face of the slab from which the display is to be viewed, and spacers holding the screen away from the slab so that light emerging from the face of the slab can spread to cover the area of the screen. In this way the gaps or blank strips that would otherwise be present at the points where the light bundles are being reflected off the rear surface of the tapered waveguide are eliminated.

Abstract: A Colour Display Apparatus comprises a three-gun cathode ray tube modulated by an input video signal from a digital computer. The video signal contains digital colour codes in the portions of the signal which correspond to blank spaces in the display (e.g. spaces between rows of characters). These codes are stored in a circulating shift and are used to gate the video input to the appropriate combination of guns to produce the required colour for each symbol.