Abstract: A combined video display and camera system is disclosed. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the system comprises a video display with gaps in between the pixels. Light goes through these gaps and enters a camera, which captures an image. The system is arranged such that the display and the gaps are optically out of focus with respect to the camera.

Abstract: A method and combined video display and camera system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a first sheet and a second sheet oriented parallel to the first sheet, the second sheet including a light diffuser. A light source is placed along an edge of the second sheet, wherein the second sheet diffuses light generated by the light source. One or more cameras are placed behind the second sheet to capture an image through the second sheet and the first sheet.

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 multicolored linear light source is disclosed. In an embodiment the multicolored linear light source (100) comprises a linear light source (100) emanating light of a first spectrum, and regions of photoluminescent material (102,104,106). The light of the first spectrum interacts with regions of photoluminescent material (102,104,106) 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.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for coupling light into a light source in the form of a surface are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a linear light source including a light diffuser. The apparatus also has a sheet having a first edge with the linear light source placed along the first edge. The linear light source diffuses light emitted from a primary light source such that the light emanates along the first edge of the sheet. The linear light source is also substantially transparent to light exiting from the first edge of the sheet.

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 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 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 method of manufacturing a multicolored illuminator is disclosed. In an embodiment, a first transparent sheet comprising light diffusing particles is provided. Second and third transparent cladding sheets are provided on either sides of the first transparent sheet. A mirror 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 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: An apparatus for providing a multicolored illuminator 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. The light emanates in a predetermined pattern.

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, photoluminescent material which converts light from the light source to light of another spectrum, and a selective mirror which reflects light generated by the light source and transmits light generated by the photoluminescent material. The photoluminescent material may be arranged so as to provide a plurality of light sources that emanate light of various colors. In an embodiment, the photoluminescent material is situated in small regions within a transparent material and lenses are used to collimate light emitted from the small regions.

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: An energy efficient transflective display system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a reflector sheet and a multicolored illuminator sheet placed in front of the reflector sheet. A display panel is placed in front of the multicolored illuminator sheet where the display panel has a light valve.

Abstract: A light guide system is disclosed in which one or more light sources are embedded within the body of the light guide. The light sources emit light into the light guide. Light entering the light sources from outside is either reflected back or is allowed to pass through. In an embodiment, a light guide with light deflecting particles within it is used. The concentration of the light deflecting particles within the light guide can be varied based on the location of the embedded light sources in order to obtain a desired light emanation pattern. In an embodiment, external light sources can be used to increase the amount of light and mirrors can be used to reduce wastage and increase the amount of light. Finally, by building the light guide system in a modular form, multiple light guide modules can be combined to get a light source of desired specifications.

Abstract: A first light source system comprises a light guide with light deflecting particles. If its light emission function and concentration variation function (of the light deflecting particles) are known, then a similar second light source system with a desired light emission function can be designed using the following method. The concentration variation function of the second light source system is obtained by mutating the concentration variation function of the first light source system using the same mutating function that mutates the light emission function of the first light source system into the light emission function of the second light source system.

Abstract: Linear light sources with features that enhance light extraction are disclosed. In an embodiment, a linear light guide with one or more reflective faces is oriented in such a manner that deflected light undergoes reduced reflections. In another embodiment, a linear light guide with non-parallel side faces is combined with a particularly shaped reflector. The particular features result in efficient light extraction from linear light guides.

Abstract: An energy efficient transflective display system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a reflector sheet and a transparent backlight sheet placed in front of the reflector sheet. A display panel is placed in front of the transparent backlight sheet where the display panel has a light valve.

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, photoluminescent material which converts light from the light source to light of another spectrum, and a selective mirror which reflects light generated by the light source and transmits light generated by the photoluminescent material. The photoluminescent material may be arranged so as to provide a plurality of light sources that emanate light of various colors. In an embodiment, the photoluminescent material is situated in small regions within a transparent material and lenses are used to collimate light emitted from the small regions.

Abstract: A method and combined video display and camera system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a first sheet and a second sheet oriented parallel to the first sheet, the second sheet including a light diffuser. A light source is placed along an edge of the second sheet, wherein the second sheet diffuses light generated by the light source. One or more cameras are placed behind the second sheet to capture an image through the second sheet and the first sheet.