Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacturing sheets with varying concentrations of particles are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises manufacturing an apparatus comprising a first sheet and a light source disposed near an edge of the first sheet. A second corrugated sheet having a first concentration of particles is provided. A third corrugated sheet having a second concentration of particles is provided.

Abstract: An energy efficient light source comprising photoluminescent material and a selective mirror is disclosed. In an embodiment, a first light source emanates light of a particular spectrum, a layer of photoluminescent material surrounding the first light source absorbs light of the spectrum emanated by the first light source and emanates light of a different spectrum, and a selective mirror surrounding the layer of photoluminescent material reflects light emanated by the first light source and transmits light emanated by the photoluminescent material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a light source in the form of a surface are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first sheet including a light diffuser, and a light source placed along an edge of the first sheet. The first sheet diffuses light generated by the light source, wherein the distribution of light diffusing particles is varied throughout the light diffuser to emanate a predetermined light pattern.

Abstract: A method of operating a display with gaps in between the pixels, a primarily transparent backlight and a camera is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method comprises capturing an image in the camera through the primarily transparent backlight and gaps in between the pixels of the transmissive display during a capture period, not capturing an image in the camera during the display period and making the gaps in between the pixels of the transmissive display opaque during the display period.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for coupling light from concentric illuminators into a light source in the form of a surface are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a plurality of concentric tubes, each tube including a light diffuser. The apparatus also has a sheet having a first edge with the plurality of concentric tubes placed along the first edge. Each tube of the plurality of concentric tubes diffuses light such that the light emanates in a predetermined pattern along the first edge of the sheet.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a body with oriented aspherical particles is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method comprises introducing aspherical particles with an orientation property in a liquid base material and solidifying the base material under the influence of an orienting force field.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacturing sheets with varying concentrations of particles are described. In one embodiment, a method comprises manufacturing a first sheet having a varying concentration of particles. A second sheet having a second concentration of particles and a first shape with varying thickness is provided. A third sheet having a third concentration of particles and a second shape with varying thickness is provided. The second sheet and the third sheet are merged to generate the first sheet.

Abstract: An energy efficient light source comprising photoluminescent material and a selective mirror is disclosed. In an embodiment, a first light source emanates light of a particular spectrum, a layer of photoluminescent material surrounding the first light source absorbs light of the spectrum emanated by the first light source and emanates light of a different spectrum, and a selective mirror surrounding the layer of photoluminescent material reflects light emanated by the first light source and transmits light emanated by the photoluminescent material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multicolored illuminator is disclosed. In an embodiment, a first transparent sheet (499) comprising light diffusing particles is provided. Second and third transparent cladding sheets (404) are provided on either sides of the first transparent sheet. A mirror (406) is provided adjacent to the second sheet. The first sheet, second sheet, third sheet and mirror are merged to give a multicolored illuminator.

Abstract: An apparatus for efficiently coupling light from a light source into a thin object such as a rod or a sheet is disclosed. In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a sheet and a linear light source placed along the edge of the sheet. The light from linear light source is coupled into the sheet using one or more concentrator blocks. In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a rod and a point light source placed near one end of the rod. The light from point light source is coupled into the rod using one or more concentrator blocks.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a photoluminescent light source is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a light source that emanates light of a particular spectrum, a camera, and a selective mirror placed between the light source and camera. The selective mirror transmits light of a spectrum detected by the camera and reflects light of a spectrum generated by the light source. The light source is transparent to light incident on its face.

Abstract: A color insensitive scattering pigment is disclosed. In an embodiment, the scattering pigment is composed of particles of a range of sizes. In at least one subrange of the range of sizes, the particles are present in such relative proportions that the v/v concentration (volumetric concentration) of a particular size of particles is proportional to the size itself. In an embodiment, such a scattering pigment is included in light guides to scatter light from a primary light source.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing an object with a varying concentration of particles, with a defined concentration profile are disclosed. In an embodiment, the object with varying concentration of particles is manufactured by mixing liquids comprising different particle concentrations, the proportion in which such liquids are mixed being varied over time. The resultant liquid is cast or extruded into the required shape to form the object with a varying concentration of particles.

Abstract: A method of operating a display with gaps in between the pixels, a primarily transparent backlight and a camera is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method comprises capturing an image in the camera through the primarily transparent backlight and gaps in between the pixels of the transmissive display during a capture period, not capturing an image in the camera during the display period and making the gaps in between the pixels of the transmissive display opaque during the display period.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extraction of light from a light conducting medium in a preferred emanation pattern are described. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first light conducting sheet including aspherical particles, and a light source placed along the edge of the first sheet. The first sheet diffuses light generated by the light source such that light emanates in a predetermined light emanation pattern.

Abstract: A combined video display and image capture system and method are disclosed. In one embodiment the system alternates between the capture period of the camera (306) and the image display (302) period to isolate the camera (306) from the display (302). Various methods are disclosed to achieve the alternation in the capture and the display periods of the system. Distortions in the captured image can be corrected using an image correction subsystem.

Abstract: A combined video display and camera system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a video display, and a camera placed behind the video display such that the camera is able to view through the video display. The video display has a first mode, where the video display displays an image, and a second mode, where it does not display an image. In the second mode, the video display provides a clear view through itself to the camera. The camera also has a first mode where the camera is not capturing an image, and a second mode, where the camera is capturing an image. The modes are configured in such a manner that the first and second modes of the video display and the camera are substantially coincidental. Also, the first and second modes of the video display and the camera alternate continuously at a rate faster than what an observer can perceive.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a multicolored illuminator for displays is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first sheet comprising a plurality of columnar illuminators stacked side by side, and a plurality of colored light sources placed along an edge of the first sheet. The plurality of columnar illuminators diffuse light generated by the plurality of colored light sources. Each columnar illuminator has a light diffuser included within it at a concentration that is different at different locations.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a multicolored illuminator for displays is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first sheet comprising a plurality of columnar illuminators stacked side by side, and a plurality of colored light sources placed along an edge of the first sheet. The plurality of columnar illuminators diffuse light generated by the plurality of colored light sources. Each columnar illuminator has a light diffuser included within it at a concentration that is different at different locations.

Abstract: A multicolored linear light source is disclosed. In an embodiment, the multicolored linear light source comprises a linear light source emanating light of a first spectrum, and regions of photoluminescent material. The light of the first spectrum interacts with regions of photoluminescent material to give light of a different spectrum. The composition of different regions of photoluminescent material is different, providing light of different spectra in different regions. Coupled to each region of photoluminescent material is a columnar light guide such that light produced by the regions traverses respective columnar light guides and gets extracted.