Abstract: A planar optical element (e.g., a camera) is provided comprising a diverter for diverting light from an object into an imaging plane; a planar lens waveguide in the imaging plane, receiving the diverted light and focusing it onto a line; and a sensor line located on the focus line, for forming a one-dimensional image of the object. Many such elements can be applied to a planar substrate at different angles, and the one-dimensional inputs Fourier-analysed to reconstruct the desired two-dimensional image. The elements may be transparent, so that the substrate may be a display screen; eliminating the need to locate a camera to the side of the screen. The elements can cover all or most of the screen, and a subset chosen at any given time to constitute the camera. The system can also be run backwards as a projector, with light-emitting elements instead of sensors.

Abstract: An optical device including a first rigid substrate, a flexible holographic optical element, a transparent flexible material having a variable shear transmission property across an in-plane direction of the flexible holographic optical element, and a second rigid substrate, where the flexible holographic optical element and the transparent flexible material are located between the first and second rigid substrates, where the variable shear transmission property of the transparent flexible material transmits variable amounts of a shear force applied to the first or second rigid substrates across the in-plane direction of the flexible holographic optical element.

Abstract: An optical device comprises a pixel array including one or more pixels. Two or more independently controllable electrodes are electrically coupled to each pixel. A common ground reference electrode is electrically coupled to all pixels of the pixel array. Each pixel includes a plurality of liquid crystal molecules. The liquid crystal molecules may be oriented in a first direction based on a first function of voltages applied by the two or more independently controllable electrodes for the pixel, and oriented in a second direction based on a second function of the voltages applied by the two or more independently controllable electrodes for the pixel. In this way, both phase modulation and polarization modulation may be introduced to light illuminating the pixel array.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to holographic display systems. One example provides a display system comprising a waveguide, a light source configured to introduce light into the waveguide at a controllable light input angle, and a holographic optical element (HOE) configured to outcouple from the waveguide light received from within the waveguide that meets an angular condition. The display system may further comprise a controller configured to control the light input angle and also to control a corrective component optically downstream of the HOE to correct for aberration of the light by the HOE based upon the light input angle.

Abstract: A holographic display system includes a holographic optical element (HOE), which includes a first volume hologram configured to outcouple light to form a first exit pupil upon satisfaction of a first angular condition, and a second volume hologram configured to outcouple light to form a second exit pupil upon satisfaction of a second angular condition. A light source is configured to introduce light into the HOE at any of a range of angles. A light source controller sets a current angle of the light to a first angle that meets the first angular condition, forming the first exit pupil. The light source controller moves the first exit pupil by changing the current angle to a second angle that meets the first angular condition. The light source controller redirects light to form the second exit pupil by setting the current angle to a third angle that meets the second angular condition.

Abstract: An optical device including a first rigid substrate, a flexible holographic optical element, a transparent flexible material having a variable shear transmission property across an in-plane direction of the flexible holographic optical element, and a second rigid substrate, wherein the flexible holographic optical element and the transparent flexible material are located between the first and second rigid substrates, wherein the variable shear transmission property of the transparent flexible material transmits variable amounts of a shear force applied to the first or second rigid substrates across the in-plane direction of the flexible holographic optical element.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to holographic display systems. One example provides a display system comprising a waveguide, a light source configured to introduce light into the waveguide at a controllable light input angle, and a holographic optical element (HOE) configured to outcouple from the waveguide light received from within the waveguide that meets an angular condition. The display system may further comprise a controller configured to control the light input angle and also to control a corrective component optically downstream of the HOE to correct for aberration of the light by the HOE based upon the light iput angle.

Abstract: An optical device comprises a pixel array including one or more pixels. Two or more independently controllable electrodes are electrically coupled to each pixel. A common ground reference electrode is electrically coupled to all pixels of the pixel array. Each pixel includes a plurality of liquid crystal molecules. The liquid crystal molecules may be oriented in a first direction based on a first function of voltages applied by the two or more independently controllable electrodes for the pixel, and oriented in a second direction based on a second function of the voltages applied by the two or more independently controllable electrodes for the pixel. In this way, both phase modulation and polarization modulation may be introduced to light illuminating the pixel array.

Abstract: A light-steering optic comprises a dielectric substrate, a liquid crystal, and a series of transparent conductors. The dielectric substrate has a series of mutually parallel trenches formed therein. A wall of each trench extends up the trench to an adjacent land portion of the dielectric substrate, and the liquid crystal is arranged within each trench. An adherent electrode extends up the wall of the trench and onto a corresponding contact zone, which partly covers the land portion adjacent to that wall. The series of transparent conductors crosses over the series of parallel trenches. Each transparent conductor selectively contacts one or more of the electrodes at a corresponding one or more contact zones.

Abstract: The description relates to creating a window-like experience during video communication scenarios. One example can include a spatial light deflector including a steerable array of light deflecting elements. The example can also include a wedge device positioned relative to the spatial light deflector. The example can also include a camera positioned at an end of the wedge device to receive the captured light.

Abstract: The description relates to creating a window-like experience during video communication scenarios. One example can include a spatial light deflector including a steerable array of light deflecting elements. The example can also include a wedge device positioned relative to the spatial light deflector. The example can also include a camera positioned at an end of the wedge device to receive the captured light.

Abstract: An illuminator for a flat-panel display comprises a tapered slab waveguide 1 co-extensive with the display, a light source 2-4 arranged to inject light into an edge of the waveguide so that it emerges over the face of the waveguide, and means for scanning the light injected into the wedge so that different areas of the panel are illuminated in turn. Preferably the light source is a set of rows of LEDs, each row injecting light at a different range of angles so that it emerges over different areas of the waveguide 1.

Abstract: Some implementations include a liquid crystal display with focused illumination. For example, a light source emitting a plurality of discrete colors may be focused onto a liquid crystal display panel. The liquid crystal display panel has a plurality of pixels and each pixel may have regions corresponding to the colors emitted by the light source. Light of each color can be focused onto the regions of the pixels corresponding to that color.

Abstract: Some implementations include a liquid crystal display with focused illumination. For example, a light source emitting a plurality of discrete colors may be focused onto a liquid crystal display panel. The liquid crystal display panel has a plurality of pixels and each pixel may have regions corresponding to the colors emitted by the light source. Light of each color can be focused onto the regions of the pixels corresponding to that color.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display with focused illumination is described. In an example, a light-source emitting a plurality of discrete colors is focused onto a liquid crystal display panel. The liquid crystal display panel has a plurality of pixels and each pixel has regions corresponding to the colors emitted by the light-source. Light of each color is focused onto the regions of the pixels corresponding to that color.

Abstract: An illuminator for a flat-panel display comprises a tapered slab waveguide 1 co-extensive with the display, a light source 2-4 arranged to inject light into an edge of the waveguide so that it emerges over the face of the waveguide, and means for scanning the light injected into the wedge so that different areas of the panel are illuminated in turn. Preferably the light source is a set of rows of LEDs, each row injecting light at a different range of angles so that it emerges over different areas of the waveguide 1.

Abstract: An illuminator for a flat-panel display comprises a tapered slab waveguide 1 co-extensive with the display, a light source 2-4 arranged to inject light into an edge of the waveguide so that it emerges over the face of the waveguide, and means for scanning the light injected into the wedge so that different areas of the panel are illuminated in turn. Preferably the light source is a set of rows of LEDs, each row injecting light at a different range of angles so that it emerges over different areas of the waveguide 1.

Abstract: A flat-panel camera comprises a tapered transparent slab 1, a prismatic sheet 3 for introducing light into one face of the slab at near the critical angle so that it is reflected along the slab towards the thick end, and a miniature camera 2 receiving light emerging from the thick end of the slab at an angle depending on where the light entered the slab. An image processor 7 eliminates distortion in the image such as gaps caused by the light missing the camera.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display with focused illumination is described. In an example, a light-source emitting a plurality of discrete colors is focused onto a liquid crystal display panel. The liquid crystal display panel has a plurality of pixels and each pixel has regions corresponding to the colors emitted by the light-source. Light of each color is focused onto the regions of the pixels corresponding to that color.

Abstract: A video display for two or three dimensions has a flat liquid-crystal screen which ejects light from the plane at a selectable line. One or, in the case of a 3-D display, several video projectors project a linear image into the plane from an edge. A complete image is written on the screen by addressing the line with appropriate images as it is scanned down the screen. To screen a three-dimensional image, the video projectors, each projecting an image as seen at a slightly different angle, combine to constitute a three-dimensional display which produces a three-dimensional image that is one line high.