Abstract: A fiber optic faceplate fabricated using a series of stacked ribbon structures. Each ribbon structure comprises optical fiber segments that run from an input edge to an output edge with fixed input and output fiber-to-fiber spacing. Input and output edge spacers may be used to provide spacing between stacked ribbon structures. Ribbon structures may be provided individually or as one or more sheets of ribbon structures.

Abstract: A camera apparatus (10) has a zoom lens (12) having a zoom focus setting that is adjustable over a range of focus values and control circuitry for generating a variable voltage potential according to the zoom focus setting. A flash illumination apparatus (20) has a light source (26) and a variable focus lens (24, 40), the variable focus lens (24, 40) having a first and a second fluid (42, 44) in a chamber (36, 46), the fluids (42, 44) having different indices of refraction and being non-miscible and in contact over an interface surface (54) with variable shape. An electrode (50) applies a variable voltage potential within the chamber (36, 46) for shaping the interface surface (54) according to the zoom focus setting.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for obtaining an image of the eye, has an alignment section (160) for aligning the pupil of the eye along an optical axis and a pupil sensor (170) for identifying pupil location and dimensions. An illumination section (112) has a light source (114) for providing an illumination beam and a spatial light modulator (125) for positioning and shaping the illumination beam according to the sensed location and dimensions of the pupil. An illumination beam partitioning mechanism (50) segments the illumination beam directed toward the pupil of the eye into at least one light-bearing segment (150) and at least one blocked segment. An actuator (132) coupled to the illumination beam partitioning mechanism (50) scans the at least one light-bearing segment (150) of the illumination beam across the pupil of the eye. An image sensor (146), aligned along the optical axis, obtains reflected light from the eye.

Abstract: A display apparatus (30) has an LC device (14) exhibiting its maximum contrast with incident light at an oblique angle ? from normal, wherein oblique angle ? is greater than about +/?10 degrees from normal. A backlight unit (32) provides substantially collimated illumination with a central ray at an incident angle ?2 with respect to the LC device (14), wherein incident angle ?2 within about +/?5 degrees of oblique angle ?. The full-width half-maximum intensity of the illumination is within about +/?10 degrees of the central ray at incident angle ?2.

Abstract: A fiber optic faceplate fabricated using a series of stacked ribbon structures. Each ribbon structure comprises optical fiber segments that run from an input edge to an output edge with fixed input and output fiber-to-fiber spacing. Input and output edge spacers may be used to provide spacing between stacked ribbon structures. Ribbon structures may be provided individually or as one or more sheets of ribbon structures.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for stereoscopic viewing has a first and second optical channel with a first and second display (12l, 12r) generating a first and second image and a first and second viewing lens assembly (22l, 22r) producing a virtual image, with at least one optical component of the first and second viewing lens assembly truncated (26l, 26r) along a first and second side. A reflective folding surface is disposed between the second display and second viewing lens assembly to fold a substantial portion of the light within the second optical channel. An edge portion of the reflective folding surface blocks a portion of the light in the first optical channel.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus has a table having a pair of opposed longitudinal edges, front and rear support elements for supporting the table above the ground, a pair of base elements, and a pair of exercise arms. Each of the pair of exercise arms is pivotally connected to a mounting point of one of the pair of base elements, and includes a vertical arm, a rotational connector rotatably connecting the vertical arm and the pivot element, a horizontal arm pivotally connected to the vertical arm, and a resistance device operably connected between the vertical and horizontal arms to provide resistance when the horizontal arm is moved with respect to the vertical arm.

Abstract: A projection apparatus (10) has an illumination section with a light source (20) providing a substantially unpolarized illumination beam of multiple wavelengths. A multiple wavelength polarizer polarizes the substantially unpolarized illumination beam to provide a substantially polarized illumination beam of multiple wavelengths. A uniformizer conditions the substantially polarized illumination beam of multiple wavelengths to provide a uniformized polarized beam of multiple wavelengths. A color scrolling element provides a repeating, scrolled sequence of colors from a set of colors, thereby providing first, second, and third component wavelength illumination.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus for providing illumination, comprising: a) an array of surface-emitting light sources, wherein each surface-emitting light source directs a source illumination beam, over a beam angle ?, toward an illumination plane; b) an array of beam spreading optical elements corresponding with the array of surface-emitting light sources, wherein refraction of the source illumination beam by each beam spreading optical element substantially satisfies a distribution function: dy / d ? ? ? = f ? ( ? ) wherein y is a radial distance along the illumination plane from the optical axis of the beam-spreading optical element, dy is an arbitrarily small increment of the radial distance, d? is the angular increment of the beam angle corresponding to dy, and ƒ(?) is the distribution function for the angular distribution of the light source, such that each beam spreading optical element adjusts the luminous intensity of the source illumination beam from the corresponding surface-emitt

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for sending and receiving RapidIO traffic to/from a RapidIO system, network or device, independent of the system, network or device. For example, a RapidIO test adapter (RTA) system is disclosed that facilitates the accessing and testing of an embedded system or device with a RapidIO interface, RapidIO network switch, and/or an entire RapidIO network. The RTA system provides a “known good” RapidIO endpoint and can issue and receive RapidIO transaction requests and responses. Also, the RTA system provides a hardware and software architecture that facilitates the programming of external systems so as to allow them to exercise control over the issuance and reception of RapidIO transaction requests and responses, without needing detailed knowledge of the RapidIO protocol or hardware used to implement the RapidIO endpoint involved.

Abstract: A method for fabrication of a rear projection article forms an arrangement of refractive elements on one surface of a transparent support and forms an apertured surface on the opposite surface of the support. A photographic positive reversal emulsion is applied to the opposite surface of the substrate to form a light-sensitive layer. Visible light is directed, as exposure radiation, through the refractive elements, exposing the light sensitive layer to form an exposed layer. The exposed layer is developed photographically using a positive reversal process to form the apertured surface thereby.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus for providing illumination, comprising: a) an array of surface-emitting light sources, wherein each surface-emitting light source directs a source illumination beam, over a beam angle ?, toward an illumination plane; b) an array of beam spreading optical elements corresponding with the array of surface-emitting light sources, wherein refraction of the source illumination beam by each beam spreading optical element substantially satisfies a distribution function: dy/d?=ƒ(?) wherein y is a radial distance along the illumination plane from the optical axis of the beam-spreading optical element, dy is an arbitrarily small increment of the radial distance, d? is the angular increment of the beam angle corresponding to dy, and ƒ(?) is the distribution function for the angular distribution of the light source, such that each beam spreading optical element adjusts the luminous intensity of the source illumination beam from the corresponding surface-emitting light source to provide a uniformized

Abstract: A projection apparatus (10) has an illumination section (68) that provides at least a first, a second, and a third component wavelength illumination. At least two component wavelength modulating sections accept and modulate the component wavelength illumination to provide a modulated component wavelength beam. Each component wavelength modulating section has a portion of a monochrome transmissive liquid crystal modulator panel (118) that has been segmented into at least a first, a second, and a third spatially separate portion. A component wavelength polarizer directs substantially polarized light to the corresponding portion of the monochrome transmissive liquid crystal modulator panel. An illumination path Fresnel lens focuses incident illumination from the component wavelength polarizer through the corresponding portion of the monochrome transmissive liquid crystal modulator panel. An analyzer conditions the polarization of the modulated component wavelength beam.

Abstract: A brightness enhancement film comprises an array of tapered structures, each said tapered structure having a light input aperture and a larger light output aperture. The inner side-wall of each said tapered structure is adapted to reflect off-axis light from the light guiding plate incident at said input aperture to said output aperture.

Abstract: A projection display apparatus (10) uses a modulation optical system (200) that includes a liquid crystal device (210) in combination with a wire grid polarization beamsplitter (240), a wire grid polarization analyzer (270) and a projection lens (285) to form an image. In order to achieve high contrast and maintain high brightness levels, a compensator (260) is provided for minimizing leakage light for pixels in the black (OFF) state. A number of configurations are possible, such as with the compensator (260) disposed in the optical path between the liquid crystal device (210) and the wire grid polarization beamsplitter (240) and with a secondary compensator (265) disposed between wire grid polarization analyzer (270) and the wire grid polarization beamsplitter (240).

Abstract: A brightness enhancement article (30) provides light from a two-dimensional surface. The brightness enhancement article (30) has a plurality of light collecting structures (32), wherein each light collecting structure (32) is longitudinally extended in a length direction along the surface. Each light collecting structure (32) has an input aperture (33) optically coupled to a light-providing surface and an output aperture (35) distal from the input aperture (33), wherein the output aperture (35) has a surface area that is larger than the surface area of the input aperture (33). A pair of curved side walls (38) extend from the output aperture (35) toward the input aperture (33). In a cross section taken orthogonally with respect to the length direction, the curved side walls (38) approximate a parabolic curvature.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a fiber optic faceplate by winding an optical fiber strand about a mandrel that is outfitted with pairs of input and output spacing guides for providing proper fiber-to-fiber spacing. Spacing is maintained using input and output edge spacers to form a ribbon structure having optical fiber segments that run from an input edge to an output edge. The fiber optic faceplate can then be fabricated by stacking the ribbon structures.

Abstract: The exercise apparatus includes a table having a longitudinal dimension; a set of upper and lower rails, disposed longitudinally on opposite sides of the table; a set of pivoting and rotating posts, within a set of pivoting, rotating, vertically adjustable posts, on opposite sides of the table, attached at pivot points, on said lower rails, and adjustably connected to the upper rails for longitudinal movement along the rails, vertical movement extending various heights above the rails or distances from the lower pivot points and horizontal rotational movement in relation to the rails; and mechanisms for securing the posts in a fixed position on the rails. Market available, adjustable, dual action, hydraulic cylinder resistance devices are connected to each of the adjustable outer posts and adjustable pivot arms for providing a predetermined constant resistance to motion about their axis in a given direction.

Abstract: A brightness enhancement article and illumination system provides light from a two-dimensional surface. The brightness enhancement article has a plurality of light collecting structures wherein each light collecting structure is longitudinally extended in a length direction along the surface. The structures may have various lengthwise shapes such as being curved, concentric, radial, or of varying thickness.

Abstract: A projection apparatus (10) has an illumination section (68) that provides at least a first, a second, and a third component wavelength illumination. At least two component wavelength modulating sections accept and modulate the component wavelength illumination to provide a modulated component wavelength beam. Each component wavelength modulating section has a portion of a monochrome transmissive liquid crystal modulator panel (118) that has been segmented into at least a first, a second, and a third spatially separate portion. A component wavelength polarizer directs substantially polarized light to the corresponding portion of the monochrome transmissive liquid crystal modulator panel. An illumination path Fresnel lens focuses incident illumination from the component wavelength polarizer through the corresponding portion of the monochrome transmissive liquid crystal modulator panel. An analyzer conditions the polarization of the modulated component wavelength beam.