Abstract: A device images radiation from a scene. A detector is sensitive to the radiation in a first wavelength band. A lens forms an image of the scene on the detector. A filtering arrangement includes two sets of radiation absorbing molecules. A control unit switches the filtering arrangement between two states. In the first state, all of the radiation in the first wavelength band is transmitted to the detector. In the second state, the radiation in a second wavelength band within the first wavelength band is absorbed by the radiation absorbing molecules. The control unit synchronizes the switching of the filtering arrangement with the detector. Each pixel of the image formed on the detector includes two signals. The first signal includes information from the scene radiation in the first wavelength band. The second signal excludes information from the scene radiation absorbed by the filtering arrangement in the second wavelength band.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for displaying images, and for implementing volumetric user interfaces. One exemplary embodiment provides a system comprising: a light source; an image producing unit, which produces an image upon interaction with light approaching the image producing unit from the light source; an eyepiece; and a mirror, directing light from the image to a surface of the eyepiece, wherein the surface has a shape of a solid of revolution formed by revolving a planar curve at least 180° around an axis of revolution.

Abstract: A method of providing a three dimensional (3D) user interface including receiving a user input at least partly from within an input space of the 3D user interface, the input space being associated with a display space of a 3D scene, evaluating the user input relative to the 3D scene, altering the 3D scene based on the user input. A system for providing a three dimensional (3D) user interface including a unit for displaying a 3D scene in a 3D display space, a unit for tracking 3D coordinates of an input object in a 3D input space, a computer for receiving the coordinates of the input object in the 3D input space, and translating the coordinates of the input object in the 3D input space to a user input, and altering the display of the 3D scene based on the user input. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for displaying images, and for implementing volumetric user interfaces. One exemplary embodiment provides a system comprising: a light source; an image producing unit, which produces an image upon interaction with light approaching the image producing unit from the light source; an eyepiece; and a mirror, directing light from the image to a surface of the eyepiece, wherein the surface has a shape of a solid of revolution formed by revolving a planar curve at least 180° around an axis of revolution.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for harvesting light from displays. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a substrate having a first and a second surface, an edge and a luminescent dye. A photovoltaic transducer is positioned adjacent the substrate. Light passing through both the first and second surfaces of the substrate is polarized and light constrained within and traveling through the substrate interacts with the photovoltaic transducer to produce electric current. In one embodiment, the method of harvesting light from an illuminated electronic display including the steps of providing a light source, providing a substrate having a first and a second surface and an edge; and a luminescent dye; and providing a photovoltaic transducer positioned adjacent the substrate. Light passing through both the first and second surfaces of the substrate is polarized, and light constrained within and traveling through the substrate interacts with the photovoltaic transducer to produce electric current.

Abstract: A method for despeckling a Computer Generated Hologram (CGH) including producing a CGH, and jittering a location of an exit pupil of an optical system through which the CGH is imaged, relative to an observer's input pupil, so as to shift at least some speckles out of the exit pupil. A method for despeckling a Computer Generated Holographic movie including computing a first modulation of a first holographic image in a holographic movie, and computing a second modulation of a second holographic image using an initial phase distribution used for calculating the first holographic image as an initial phase distribution used for calculating the second modulation. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A method of enlarging an observation window from which the reconstruction from a Computer Generated Hologram (CGH) may be viewed, including reproducing a CGH, and shifting a location of an exit pupil or observation window of an optical system reproducing the CGH. A method of increasing a viewing angle from which the reconstruction from a Computer Generated Hologram (CGH) may be seen, including producing a plurality of instances of a CGH, projecting each one of the instances in a different direction so that a first exit pupil of a first instance is close to a second exit pupil of a second instance. An optical system including a plurality of exit pupils associated with a plurality of optical components, further including a light deflector for jittering a location of a first exit pupil so as to increase an overlap of the first exit pupil with a second exit pupil. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A method of emitting photons at a desired wavelength, including: providing a material having a first region of high absorption of radiation at a first set of wavelength of radiation, contiguous with a second region of low absorption of radiation at a shorter set of wavelengths, and a third region of high emission at a further shorter set of wavelengths; applying energy to the material at the first region, such that most of an effective black body radiation of said material at a temperature of the material would fall within the second region and be configured to transfer energy to said third region and not overlap with the first region; and emitting energy from the material at the third region, powered by said applying energy.

Abstract: A system for manipulating a fluid medium is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of particles suspended in the fluid medium, and a light source configured for irradiating the particles by light to induce nonlinear optical effects. The particles are constituted such that the nonlinear optical effects result in drag forces exerted by the particles on the fluid medium. The magnitude of the drag forces is sufficient to establish hydrodynamic flow of the fluid medium.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for displaying images, and for implementing volumetric user interfaces. One exemplary embodiment provides a system comprising: a light source; an image producing unit, which produces an image upon interaction with light approaching the image producing unit from the light source; an eyepiece; and a mirror, directing light from the image to a surface of the eyepiece, wherein the surface has a shape of a solid of revolution formed by revolving a planar curve at least 180° around an axis of revolution.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for displaying images, and for implementing volumetric user interfaces. One exemplary embodiment provides a system comprising: a light source; an image producing unit, which produces an image upon interaction with light approaching the image producing unit from the light source; an eyepiece; and a mirror, directing light from the image to a surface of the eyepiece, wherein the surface has a shape of a solid of revolution formed by revolving a planar curve at least 180° around an axis of revolution.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for displaying images, and for implementing volumetric user interfaces. One exemplary embodiment provides a system comprising: a light source; an image producing unit, which produces an image upon interaction with light approaching the image producing unit from the light source; an eyepiece; and a mirror, directing light from the image to a surface of the eyepiece, wherein the surface has a shape of a solid of revolution formed by revolving a planar curve at least 180° around an axis of revolution.

Abstract: Solar concentrators are disclosed that improve the efficiency of PV cells and systems using them. The solar concentrators may be designed such that they include one or more tuned chromophores that emit light substantially in a single direction to a PV cell. Various materials and components of the solar concentrators are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for displaying images, and for implementing volumetric user interfaces. One exemplary embodiment provides a system comprising: a light source; an image producing unit, which produces an image upon interaction with light approaching the image producing unit from the light source; an eyepiece; and a mirror, directing light from the image to a surface of the eyepiece, wherein the surface has a shape of a solid of revolution formed by revolving a planar curve at least 180° around an axis of revolution.

Abstract: A system for manipulating a fluid medium is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of particles suspended in the fluid medium, and a light source configured for irradiating the particles by light to induce nonlinear optical effects. The particles are constituted such that the nonlinear optical effects result in drag forces exerted by the particles on the fluid medium. The magnitude of the drag forces is sufficient to establish hydrodynamic flow of the fluid medium.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for harvesting light from displays. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a substrate having a first and a second surface, an edge and a luminescent dye. A photovoltaic transducer is positioned adjacent the substrate. Light passing through both the first and second surfaces of the substrate is polarized and light constrained within and traveling through the substrate interacts with the photovoltaic transducer to produce electric current. In one embodiment, the method of harvesting light from an illuminated electronic display including the steps of providing a light source, providing a substrate having a first and a second surface and an edge; and a luminescent dye; and providing a photovoltaic transducer positioned adjacent the substrate. Light passing through both the first and second surfaces of the substrate is polarized, and light constrained within and traveling through the substrate interacts with the photovoltaic transducer to produce electric current.

Abstract: Solar concentrators are disclosed that improve the efficiency of PV cells and systems using them. The solar concentrators may be designed such that they include one or more chromophore assemblies, anti-Stokes materials or other suitable materials that emit light to a PV cell. Various materials and components of the solar concentrators are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for carrying out water activities under or above water, comprising: (a) a cellular phone for enabling a user to carry out water activities; (b) a waterproof case having a front section and a back section, said waterproof case being suitable to contain said cellular phone, said back section comprising a control button(s) panel, including one or more control buttons, for remotely controlling said cellular phone; and (c) an electronic circuit, programmed according to the cellular phone type, for processing data for controlling said cellular phone by means of said one or more control buttons and for forwarding said data to said cellular phone, said electronic circuit communicating with both said cellular phone and said control button(s) panel.