Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for illumination systems with natural and artificial light inputs. In one aspect, an apparatus can include a natural light collection system, an artificial light collection system, an illumination panel, and a control system. The illumination panel can be optically coupled to the natural light collection system and the artificial light collection system to receive natural and artificial light. The control system can be coupled to the artificial light system and can be configured to control the artificial light system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a light device that can emit light and sense light are disclosed. In one embodiment, a lighting device includes a light guide having a planar first surface, the light guide configured such that at least some ambient light enters the light guide through the first surface and propagates therein, and at least one light detector disposed along an edge of the light guide, the at least one detector optically coupled to the light guide to receive light propagating therein. The light detector can be configured to produce a control signal. In some embodiments, the lighting device also includes at least one light turning feature disposed on the first surface, the at least one light turning feature configured to direct light incident into the light guide through the first surface.

Abstract: A crossover for ducting exhaust produced by an engine. The crossover includes a front inside passage and rear outside passage. The front inside passage is configured to direct exhaust from one or more cylinders associated with a front of the engine to an inside volute of a turbocharger turbine. The rear outside passage is configured to direct exhaust from one or more cylinders associated with a rear of the engine to an outside volute of the turbocharger turbine. The inside volute is closer to the rear of the engine than the outside volute is.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a combined sensor device. In some implementations, the combined sensor device may enable a single touchscreen to perform additional functions such as handwriting input and fingerprint recognition. In some implementations, these multiple features allow increased security through user authentication, and allow better capture of handwriting and a more interactive approach to user interfaces. A handheld mobile device such as a cell phone with the combined sensor device can enable an array of applications, such as using the mobile device as a gateway for user authentication to enable transactions and physical access; using the handwriting input function for signature recognition and transmittal for transaction applications; and/or using the handwriting input feature to automatically capture notes and other documents of students in an academic setting or employees in a corporate setting.

Abstract: An interferometric modulator (“IMOD”) display utilizes ambient light and incorporates touch sensing without reducing the amount of ambient light that reaches the MEMS modulators, and without introducing any optical distortion or loss of performance. Electrodes for touch sensing are located at a back glass of the inteferometric display, and are used in conjunction with electrodes whose primary function is to activate the pixels of the MEMS display, in order to sense a touch. The touch deflects the IMOD layers and is sensed through the various display layers at the rear of the display.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a light device that can emit light and sense light are disclosed. In one embodiment, a lighting device includes a light guide having a planar first surface, the light guide configured such that at least some ambient light enters the light guide through the first surface and propagates therein, and at least one light detector disposed along an edge of the light guide, the at least one detector optically coupled to the light guide to receive light propagating therein. The light detector can be configured to produce a control signal. In some embodiments, the lighting device also includes at least one light turning feature disposed on the first surface, the at least one light turning feature configured to direct light incident into the light guide through the first surface.

Abstract: Illumination systems and methods of manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, an illumination system includes a plurality of light sources configured to emit light into a light panel and a plurality of light turning features disposed on the light panel configured to turn light out of the light panel. The light sources can be configured to emit different colors of light than one another and the light turning features can be arranged such that a first light turning feature turns more light having a first color than any other color of light and such that a second light turning feature turns more light having a second color than any other color of light. In another embodiment, a method of manufacturing an illumination system includes providing a light panel and positioning a luminance altering element on the light panel such that a luminance characteristic of the panel changes.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing light panels having at least one re-entrant turning feature. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a light panel includes providing a base layer, providing a cover layer, and coupling the cover layer to the base layer to form at least one re-entrant turning feature between the base layer and the cover layer. In another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a light panel includes providing a base layer, forming at least one receiving space in the base layer, providing at least one prismatic block, and coupling at least a portion of the prismatic block into the receiving space such that re-entrant turning features are formed between the prismatic block and the base layer.

Abstract: The color reflected by an interferometric modulator may vary as a function of the angle of view. A range of colors are thus viewable by rotating the interferometric modulator relative to an observer. By placing a textured layer between an observer and an interferometric modulator, a pattern which includes the range of colors may be viewed by the observer, and the range of colors may thus be viewable from a single viewing angle.

Abstract: An interferometric modulator (“IMOD”) display utilizes ambient light and incorporates touch sensing without reducing the amount of ambient light that reaches the MEMS modulators, and without introducing any optical distortion or loss of performance. Electrodes for touch sensing are located at a back glass of the inteferometric display, and are used in conjunction with electrodes whose primary function is to activate the pixels of the MEMS display, in order to sense a touch. The touch deflects the IMOD layers and is sensed through the various display layers at the rear of the display.

Abstract: An interferometric display comprises a backlight with light extraction features formed from a desiccant material within the display. A light source is positioned at one or more edges or corners of the back glass, and the desiccant based features patterned in or on the back glass remove unwanted moisture and create uniform light extraction from the back glass.

Abstract: Some implementations of the invention provide hidden static images. Some such images can only be perceived when viewed from an angle to the normal to a surface. Such images may appear as a solid color when viewed along an axis perpendicular to a surface, but may reveal a hidden image when viewed from an angle relative to that axis. The hidden image may be defined according to interfaces between areas that pass substantially the same wavelength when viewed along the axis, but which pass noticeably different wavelengths when viewed from an angle relative to that axis. The hidden images may or may not be discernable to a human observer. The hidden image may comprise a code that is not readable by an optical scanner positioned to read along an axis normal to a surface, but that is readable by an optical scanner positioned to read along another axis.

Abstract: Interferometric modulators and methods of making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, an interferometric modulator includes an interferometric reflector having a first reflective surface, a second reflective surface, and an optical resonant layer defined by the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface. The interferometric reflector can be configured to transmit a certain spectrum of light at a transmission peak wavelength such that the interferometric modulator has a diminished reflectance of light at the transmission peak wavelength.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a device is provided that utilizes both interferometrically reflected light and transmitted light. Light incident on the device is interferometrically reflected from a plurality of layers of the device to emit light in a first direction, the interferometrically reflected light having a first color. Light from a light source is transmitted through the plurality of layers of the device to emit from the device in the first direction, the transmitted light having a second color.

Abstract: Systems and methods, to integrate an optical touch screen with a display device comprising a front illumination system, are disclosed. Disclosed embodiments comprise a front illumination system, a display device further comprising a plurality of light-modulating elements (e.g. interferometric modulators), a plurality of reflectors and a plurality of sensor arrays. Light from the front illumination system not directed towards the display device is reflected by the reflectors towards the sensor arrays.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a device is provided that utilizes both interferometrically reflected light and transmitted light. Light incident on the device is interferometrically reflected from a plurality of layers of the device to emit light in a first direction, the interferometrically reflected light having a first color. Light from a light source is transmitted through the plurality of layers of the device to emit from the device in the first direction, the transmitted light having a second color.

Abstract: One inventive aspect relates to a display comprising a display element configured to selectively reflect light of a first wavelength in the infrared range and light of a second wavelength in the visible spectrum. Another inventive aspect relates to a color display comprising at least three reflective display elements. Each display element is configured to selectively reflect light of a different wavelength in the visible range. At least one of the three reflective display element is further configured to selectively reflect light of a wavelength in the infrared range.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a light device that can emit light and sense light are disclosed. In one embodiment, a lighting device includes a light guide having a planar first surface, the light guide configured such that at least some ambient light enters the light guide through the first surface and propagates therein, and at least one light detector disposed along an edge of the light guide, the at least one detector optically coupled to the light guide to receive light propagating therein. The light detector can be configured to produce a control signal. In some embodiments, the lighting device also includes at least one light turning feature disposed on the first surface, the at least one light turning feature configured to direct light incident into the light guide through the first surface.

Abstract: A crossover for ducting exhaust produced by an engine. The crossover includes a front inside passage and rear outside passage. The front inside passage is configured to direct exhaust from one or more cylinders associated with a front of the engine to an inside volute of a turbocharger turbine. The rear outside passage is configured to direct exhaust from one or more cylinders associated with a rear of the engine to an outside volute of the turbocharger turbine. The inside volute is closer to the rear of the engine than the outside volute is.

Abstract: Some implementations of the invention provide hidden static images. Some such images can only be perceived when viewed from an angle to the normal to a surface. Such images may appear as a solid color when viewed along an axis perpendicular to a surface, but may reveal a hidden image when viewed from an angle relative to that axis. The hidden image may be defined according to interfaces between areas that pass substantially the same wavelength when viewed along the axis, but which pass noticeably different wavelengths when viewed from an angle relative to that axis. The hidden images may or may not be discernable to a human observer. The hidden image may comprise a code that is not readable by an optical scanner positioned to read along an axis normal to a surface, but that is readable by an optical scanner positioned to read along another axis.