Abstract: An aircraft avionics display assembly comprises a first and second liquid crystal display, each operable to display avionics flight data in an aircraft. A backlight is operable to backlight both the first and second liquid crystal displays. In some embodiments, the backlight comprises a primary light source and a redundant light source, wherein the primary light source and the redundant light source are controlled by a common backlight controller.

Abstract: An aircraft avionics display assembly comprises a first and second liquid crystal display, each operable to display avionics flight data in an aircraft. A backlight is operable to backlight both the first and second liquid crystal displays. In some embodiments, the backlight comprises a primary light source and a redundant light source, wherein the primary light source and the redundant light source are controlled by a common backlight controller.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a backlit display with variable luminance and chrominance. The apparatus comprises i groups of LEDs of different colors and one or more sensors optically coupled to the LEDs. The combined light produced by the LEDs is directed to a transmissive liquid crystal display, preferably through a diffusing layer. The sensors monitor the output Si of each group of LEDs. Si for each group of LEDs is multiplied by a chrominance determining parameter Ki to obtain Ki*Si which is then compared to a commanded luminance signal LC to obtain LC?Ki*Si, which difference is used to adjust the drive current to each group of LEDs to achieve LC with the desired chrominance set by Ki. By changing Ki and LC the chrominance and luminescence of the display may be varied and aging effects compensated.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for projecting light carrying a data image. The apparatus comprises a first layer having regions of electrically alterable variable light transmittance adapted to form the data image, and a hollow cavity backlight having a light exiting surface coupled to the first layer and adapted to provide light to the first layer through the light exiting surface from one or more light emitters some of which point in a principal direction other than at right angles to the light exiting surface. In a preferred embodiment, LEDs are used as the light emitters and are preferably mounted on one or more printed circuit boards or other support tilted at non-zero angles with respect to the light exiting surface.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp system is provided that facilitates high-brightness in a compact size needed for liquid crystal displays. The fluorescent lamp system comprises a lamp having a plurality of interdigitated legs arranged in multiple planes. By arranging the interdigitated legs in multiple planes, the lamp system efficiently fills the available space, thus maximizing the lamp surface area in general, and the lamp surface area oriented toward the display in particular, all while maintaining relatively small overall dimensions. The lamp system is thus able to provide the high-brightness needed for displays in a compact size.

Abstract: A lamp driver system that facilitates improved reliability and performance for a display system is provided. The lamp driver system includes a fault detector and an output steering device. The fault detector determines when a failure occurs in a lamp illuminating the display system. The output steering device selectively drives the lamps to illuminate the display system. Specifically, when a failure in a first lamp is detected by the fault detector, the output steering device is used to selectively drive a second lamp to provide the needed illumination to the display system. The lamp driver system thus can provide redundancy in the display system by automatically switching to a backup lamp when a failure in the first lamp is detected. This redundancy can improve the reliability and performance of the display system.

Abstract: An aperture lamp system that facilitates improved reliability and performance in a display system is provided. The aperture lamp system provides improved reliability by providing a second lamp coupled to a first lamp through a coupling aperture. When the first lamp fails, the second lamp can be used to provide illumination to the display. Specifically, light from the second lamp passes through the coupling aperture to the first lamp, where it can exit the first lamp and illuminate the display. Thus, by coupling the first and second lamps together through a coupling aperture, a lamp system is provided where either the first lamp or second lamp can be used to provide illumination for the display. Thus, the first and second lamps provide redundancy, with this redundancy used to improve the reliability of the display system.

Abstract: The present invention includes a backlight system incorporating a back reflector and/or a lamp cavity reflector constructed of a multilayer optical film.

Abstract: A transflector is described which increases efficiency and brightness under both ambient and supplemental lighting conditions in visual display applications. In one embodiment, the transflector includes a reflective polarizing element that reflects one polarization of light and transmits the other. In an alternate embodiment, the transflector includes a reflective polarizing element and a diffusing element such that the transflector diffusely reflects light of one polarization and transmits the other. The transflector is useful for both reflective and transflective liquid crystal displays.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for determining the proper mixture of substances (e.g. phosphors) or sources (e.g. of light) to obtain a required or desired property, such as color or chromaticity. Steps may include mixing the substances or sources, preparing a prototype, measuring the property (such as chromaticity) of the prototype, and calculating any required adjustment in the quantities of substances or sources. This process may be repeated until the desired property is achieved, after which the mix of substances or sources may be used to manufacture products. A computer spreadsheet is also disclosed, as an exemplary embodiment, which calculates any required adjustments in the quantities of substances or sources. The spreadsheet provided is specifically configured to calculate adjustments in phosphor quantities required for manufacturing lamps for backlighting in AMLCD avionics applications.

Abstract: The present invention includes a backlight system incorporating a back reflector and/or a lamp cavity reflector constructed of a multilayer optical film.

Abstract: Reflective polarizers, which transmit one polarization and reflect the other polarization, have an extended red band edge in the off-axis transmission spectrum to control off axis color (OAC) hue. To control the OAC hue, the red band edge of the off-axis transmission spectrum, or OAC spectrum, is shifted beyond the boundary for red light, or to at least 600 nm. Even more preferably, the OAC spectrum is extended further into the red than any red emission peak of an associated lamp providing light into a system in which the reflective polarizer is used. The concept applies equally well to any type of reflective polarizer, such as multilayer reflective polarizers, cholesteric reflective polarizers, and the like. The resulting reflective polarizers are very useful for many different applications, such as liquid crystal displays.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for determining the proper mixture of substances (e.g. phosphors) or sources (e.g. of light) to obtain a required or desired property, such as color or chromaticity. Steps may include mixing the substances or sources, preparing a prototype, measuring the property (such as chromaticity) of the prototype, and calculating any required adjustment in the quantities of substances or sources. This process may be repeated until the desired property is achieved, after which the mix of substances or sources may be used to manufacture products. A computer spreadsheet is also disclosed, as an exemplary embodiment, which calculates any required adjustments in the quantities of substances or sources. The spreadsheet provided is specifically configured to calculate adjustments in phosphor quantities required for manufacturing lamps for backlighting in AMLCD avionics applications.

Abstract: A transflector is described which increases efficiency and brightness under both ambient and supplemental lighting conditions in visual display applications. In one embodiment, the transflector includes a reflective polarizing element that reflects one polarization of light and transmits the other. In an alternate embodiment, the transflector includes a reflective polarizing element and a diffusing element such that the transflector diffusely reflects light of one polarization and transmits the other. The transflector is useful for both reflective and transflective liquid crystal displays.

Abstract: A transflector is described which increases efficiency and brightness under both ambient and supplemental lighting conditions in visual display applications. In one embodiment, the transflector includes a reflective polarizing element that reflects one polarization of light and transmits the other. In an alternate embodiment, the transflector includes a reflective polarizing element and a diffusing element such that the transflector diffusely reflects light of one polarization and transmits the other. The transflector is useful for both reflective and transflective liquid crystal displays.

Abstract: A flat fluorescent lamp exhibits increased brightness through selective angular tuning of emitted light. A diffuse channel is formed in a substrate such that the upper portions of the channel walls taper inward toward the diffuse channel cavity to cause light to be emitted from the lamp in a more intense cone of viewable light over a narrow range of viewable angles. The interior of the channel may be at least partially covered by additional materials, such as a reflective material for enhancing brightness.

Abstract: A transflector is described which increases efficiency and brightness under both ambient and supplemental lighting conditions in visual display applications. In one embodiment, the transflector includes a reflective polarizing element that reflects one polarization of light and transmits the other. In an alternate embodiment, the transflector includes a reflective polarizing element and a diffusing element such that the transflector diffusely reflects light of one polarization and transmits the other. The transflector is useful for both reflective and transflective liquid crystal displays.

Abstract: Reflective polarizers, which transmit one polarization and reflect the other polarization, have an extended red band edge in the off-axis transmission spectrum to control off axis color (OAC) hue. To control the OAC hue, the red band edge of the off-axis transmission spectrum, or OAC spectrum, is shifted beyond the boundary for red light, or to at least 600 nm. Even more preferably, the OAC spectrum is extended further into the red than any red emission peak of an associated lamp providing light into a system in which the reflective polarizer is used. The concept applies equally well to any type of reflective polarizer, such as multilayer reflective polarizers, cholesteric reflective polarizers, and the like. The resulting reflective polarizers are very useful for many different applications, such as liquid crystal displays.

Abstract: Highly efficient diffusely reflecting multilayer mirrors diffusely reflect light incident upon them. Highly efficient diffusely reflecting multilayer polarizers diffusely reflect light of one polarization while diffusely transmitting the other polarization. The diffusely reflecting mirror includes a light diffusing element and a multilayer mirror element. The diffusely reflecting polarizer includes a light diffusing element and a multilayer reflective polarizing element.

Abstract: Highly efficient diffusely reflecting multilayer mirrors diffusely reflect light incident upon them. Highly efficient diffusely reflecting multilayer polarizers diffusely reflect light of one polarization while diffusely transmitting the other polarization. The diffusely reflecting mirror includes a light diffusing element and a multilayer mirror element. The diffusely reflecting polarizer includes a light diffusing element and a multilayer reflective polarizing element.