Abstract: A display system employs an active image-generating screen (102) that presents a video image. The screen contains a plurality of block facets (112), each containing a plurality of light-emissive modules (114) preferably implemented with LEDs. Each light-emissive module is configured so that the maximum intensity of that module's light emission occurs along a direction (138) materially non-perpendicular to the back surface (136) of the module's supporting body (130). The modules are arranged so that their maximum light-intensity directions are largely the same. The block facets are configured to approximate a convex curved surface. The maximum light-intensity directions (158) of the block facets are thereby materially slanted relative to one another. Arranging the display system in this manner enables the light-processing efficiency to be very high. A motion simulator, such as a flight simulator, is formed by combining the screen with a reflective collimator (104).

Abstract: An optical light engine (100) includes one or more light-emitting diode (LED) panels (101, 102, 103) that are combined into a common path and directly imaged onto panel device to provide a source of light to a microdisplay panel (109). Preferably, the LED panel (101, 102, 103) is shaped such that the aspect ratio of light propagating the LED panel is substantially equal to the light received at the microdisplay panel (109). An aspect ratio of 4:3 or 16:9 is typically selected in view of the sizes of the LED panels used in the light engine.

Abstract: A light-emissive module (114), typically utilizing one or more LEDs (132R, 132G, and 132B), is configured so that the maximum intensity of the module's light emission occurs along a direction (138) materially non-perpendicular to the back surface (136) of the module's supporting body (130). An active image-generating screen (102) contains a plurality of block facets (112), each containing a plurality of the light-emissive modules arranged so that their maximum light-intensity directions are largely the same. The block facets are configured to approximate a curved surface. The maximum light-intensity directions (158) of the block facets are thus materially slanted to one another. The image-generating screen presents a video image. A display system suitable for a motion simulator, such as a flight simulator, is formed by combining the screen with a reflective collimator (104).

Abstract: A container for elongated objects, such as microtubes or vials, comprising a frame having a base and sides, a pair of rotatable opposing lid sections having at least two movement-resistant positions, and a rack with a plurality of holes or collars. The rack or interior bottom of the container may have features that discourage rotation of the microtubes or vials. The containers may further comprise microtubes or vials, which may be empty or filled with, for example, reagents, such as reagents for use in a predetermined process. A system of stackable carriers may be provided to hold and allow one-handed removal of a plurality of containers. The container may desirably permit one-handed opening and closing of the container and any vials contained therein, and the various lid positions may be suitable for submersion in an ice bath as well as standing upright on a laboratory bench.

Abstract: A color light projector utilizes color light-emitting diodes (120, 140Y, and 140Z or 320X, 320Y, and 320Z) as light sources. Digital light modulators (124 and 144 or 324X, 324Y, and 324Z), typically digital micromirror devices, perform reflective color light modulation. In one implementation, light of three or more colors is modulated efficiently with only two modulators so that the component count and cost are low. In another implementation, each of three different colors is modulated with a separate modulator. A beam combiner (104 or 304) combines the digitally modulated beams (136* and 156* or 336X*, 336Y*, and 336Z*) of color light to produce a composite beam (166 or 346) of the different colors. A projection lens device (106) projects the composite color beam.

Abstract: A light-emissive module (114), typically utilizing one or more LEDs (132R, 132G, and 132B), is configured so that the maximum intensity of the module's light emission occurs along a direction (138) materially non-perpendicular to the back surface (136) of the module's supporting body (130). An active image-generating screen (102) contains a plurality of block facets (112), each containing a plurality of the light-emissive modules arranged so that their maximum light-intensity directions are largely the same. The block facets are configured to approximate a curved surface. The maximum light-intensity directions (158) of the block facets are thus materially slanted to one another. The image-generating screen presents a video image. A display system suitable for a motion simulator, such as a flight simulator, is formed by combining the screen with a reflective collimator (104).

Abstract: A polarization-recovery illumination system contains a light-source structure (401 or 501/502), a light-pipe structure (420, 503/504/505/506/507/508, or 503/504/505/506/511/512), and a polarization-recovery light integrator (402/403/404/405/406/407/408). The light-pipe structure is configured so that the light distribution across the aperture of the polarization-recovery light integrator is substantially independent of the shape of the light-source area of the light-source structure. This enables the illumination system to have high illumination efficiency. The illumination is also highly uniform.

Abstract: Light provided by a light-reflective light source (102) in an illumination system having polarization recovery is collimated by a collimator (104) and transmitted through a quarter-wave retardation plate (106) to produce light having orthogonal linearly polarized components of first and second linear polarization types. A light-reflective linear polarizer (108) largely transmits the first-linear-polarization-type component and reflects the second-linear-polarization-type component which is then largely converted by the retardation plate into circularly polarized light of a first handedness and directed by the collimator to the light source to be reflected forward and converted into circularly polarized light of an opposite second handedness. The circularly polarized light of the second handedness is largely collimated by the collimator, converted by the retardation plate into linearly polarized light of the first polarization type, and transmitted through the polarizer to complete the polarization recovery.

Abstract: A light projector contains a plurality of optical assemblies (100, 102, and 104 or 200; 300, 302, and 304 or 380; 500, 504, and 502, 560, 600, 640, or 680) for respectively modulating light of a like plurality of primary beams (110, 114, and 118 or 202; 310, 314, and 318 or 382; not shown, not shown, and 514, 562, 602, 642, or 682) of linearly polarized light to respectively produce a like plurality of further beams (112, 116, and 120 or 204; 312, 316, and 320 or 384; 512, 520, and 516, 564, 604, 644, or 684) of modulated light. At least one, but not all, of the optical assemblies sequentially modulates light of its primary beam so as to enhance the contrast. A beam combiner combines (106) light of the further beams to produce a composite beam of light. A projection lens device (108) projects light of the composite beam.

Abstract: A container for elongated objects, such as microtubes or vials, comprising a frame having a base and sides, a pair of rotatable opposing lid sections having at least two movement-resistant positions, and a rack with a plurality of holes or collars. The rack or interior bottom of the container may have features that discourage rotation of the microtubes or vials. The containers may further comprise microtubes or vials, which may be empty or filled with, for example, reagents, such as reagents for use in a predetermined process. A system of stackable carriers may be provided to hold and allow one-handed removal of a plurality of containers. The container may desirably permit one-handed opening and closing of the container and any vials contained therein, and the various lid positions may be suitable for submersion in an ice bath as well as standing upright on a laboratory bench.

Abstract: A non-cylindrically surfaced lens converts a collimated light beam into a light plane that increases a light intensity toward distal portions of the light plane's arc so as to substantially uniformly project a reference light line onto a reference surface onto which the light plane is projected. The non-cylindrically surfaced lens has first and second surfaces that remain constant over at least a portion of the z direction length of the lens. The second surface defines a multiple-radius curve in an x,y plane. The lens may be incorporated into a self-leveled optical device that projects a reference light line onto a reference surface at a predetermined angle relative to horizontal.

Abstract: A polarized light illumination system includes a light emitting diode (LED) (601, 602, 603) for providing a source of light that is directed to a non-polarizing dichroic combiner (607) for combining light from the LEDs into a single light source. A power beam splitter (PBS) (608) is then used for splitting the single light source into polarized light components and an output waveguide (611) operates to provide a source of uniformly illuminated light. A condenser lens (612) then projects the uniformly illuminated light to a microdisplay panel (613) for use with a television receiver or other type of display monitor.

Abstract: A light illumination system for projecting a color image to a digital micro-mirror display (DMD) panel includes a light-emitting diode (LED) illumination assembly (101, 102, 103), a dichroic combiner (107) for providing a single light source and a condenser lens system (FIGS. 20-23) for directing light from the single light source to the DMD panel. The invention provides a cost effective and efficient system for providing a non-polarized uniform light source to a DMD panel.

Abstract: A light illumination apparatus and method for providing a light source includes light emitting diodes (LEDs) (101, 102, 103) and optical waveguides (104, 105, 106) associated with the light sources for guiding the light to the nonpolarized dichroic combiner (107). The dichroic combiner (107) combines the light from the wave guides into a single light source. Lenses (207, 208, 209) may also be used to focus light from the waveguides to the dichroic combiner (107). The invention provides an efficient approach to provide a single source of light using LEDs.

Abstract: A method and system for patient optical fixation are disclosed. One embodiment of the system comprises: a light source operable to provide a fixation light beam; a filter optically coupled to the light source and operable to attenuate the fixation light beam to provide an apodized light beam, wherein the apodized light beam comprises a more attenuated portion and a less attenuated portion; and a viewer, operable to receive a reflected fine align beam and a reflected coarse align beam from a fixation target. The light source can be, for example, a laser, a light emitting diode or a laser diode. The filter can be a neutral density (“ND”) filter, comprising: an aperture through which a first portion of the fixation light beam can pass unattenuated by the ND filter to form the less attenuated portion of the apodized light beam; and a filter region for attenuating a second portion of the fixation light beam to form the more attenuated portion of the apodized light beam.

Abstract: A non-cylindrically surfaced lens converts a collimated light beam into a light plane that increases a light intensity toward distal portions of the light plane's arc so as to substantially uniformly project a reference light line onto a reference surface onto which the light plane is projected. The non-cylindrically surfaced lens has first and second surfaces that remain constant over at least a portion of the z direction length of the lens. The second surface defines a multiple-radius curve in an x,y plane. The lens may be incorporated into a self-leveled optical device that projects a reference light line onto a reference surface at a predetermined angle relative to horizontal.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for polarization conversion and recycling by using a half-pyramid shaped reflector with multiple reflective surfaces, or said reflector assembly, to obtain a desirable polarization rotation effect. The disclosed half-pyramid reflector comprises a plurality of reflective surfaces, which are formed so that an incoming beam passing perpendicularly through the entrant surface is reflected three times inside the device and leaves the exit surface with the direction of polarization being rotated 90 degrees. The preferred embodiments of polarization:conversion systems using the invented apparatus are included. Without employing any waveplate component, the disclosed system is not sensitive to wavelength variations of the light source, temperature changes, and polarization alignment errors.

Abstract: An optical light engine (100) includes one or more light-emitting diode (LED) panels (101, 102, 103) that are combined into a common path and directly imaged onto panel device to provide a source of light to a microdisplay panel (109). Preferably, the LED panel (101, 102, 103) is shaped such that the aspect ratio of light propagating the LED panel is substantially equal to the light received at the microdisplay panel (109). An aspect ratio of 4:3 or 16:9 is typically selected in view of the sizes of the LED panels used in the light engine.

Abstract: A light illumination apparatus and method for providing a light source includes light emitting diodes (LEDs) (101, 102, 103) and optical waveguides (104, 105, 106) associated with the light sources for guiding the light to the nonpolarized dichroic combiner (107). The dichroic combiner (107) combines the light from the wave guides into a single light source. Lenses (207, 208, 209) may also be used to focus light from the waveguides to the dichroic combiner (107). The invention provides an efficient approach to provide a single source of light using LEDs.