Abstract: A first toroidal ray guide defines an axis of revolution and has a toroidal entrance pupil adapted to image light incident on the entrance pupil at an angle to the axis of revolution between 40 and 140 degrees, and it also has a first imaging surface opposite the entrance pupil. A second toroidal ray guide also defines the same axis of revolution and has a second imaging surface adjacent to the first imaging surface. Various additions and further qualities of the ray guides, which form optical channels, are disclosed. In a method light emanating from a source at between 40-140 degrees from an optical axis is received at an entrance pupil of a ray guide arrangement that is circularly symmetric about the optical axis. Then the received light is redirected through the ray guide arrangement to an exit pupil in an average direction substantially parallel to the optical axis.

Abstract: A device for a light projection system comprises at least one light source; light collection and relay optics; a reflective surface; a micro-display; an illumination total internal reflection TIR-prism disposed between the reflective surface and the micro-display; an imaging TIR-prism disposed between the illumination TIR-prism and the micro-display; and a projection lens. The light collection and relay optics is arranged to channel light emitted by the at least one light source to the illumination TIR-prism. The TIR-prism is arranged to totally internally reflect the light to the reflective surface. The reflective surface is arranged to reflect the light back through the illumination TIR-prism and through the imaging TIR-prism to the micro-display. The micro-display is arranged to reflect the light back through the imaging TIR-prism. The imaging TIR-prism is arranged to totally internally reflect the light from the micro-display to the projection lens.

Abstract: An optical device includes a source such as an LED, a microdisplay such as an LCoS panel, and one or more cylindrical lens surfaces that (in combination if more than one) changes the aspect ratio of light emanating from the source to the aspect ratio of the microdisplay without clipping. The cylindrical optical surface defines parallel cross sections, each of which define a center of curvature such that the centers of curvatures together define a line that crosses an optical axis between the microdisplay and the source, or an extension or that axis. Changing the aspect ratio in this manner preserves total luminance since clipping is not used to change the aspect ratio, and provides a substantially uniform illumination across the new aspect ratio. Also detailed is a method and further details of an exemplary pocket sized optical engine for which the output of the microdisplay is directed to a projection lens.

Abstract: An optical device includes a source such as an LED, a microdisplay such as an LCoS panel, and a relay prism between them. The relay prism has input and output surfaces arranged to tilt the system optical axis. At least one of those surfaces is a cylindrical surface that, along with the tilt, changes the aspect ratio AR of light emanating from the source to the AR of the microdisplay without clipping. The cylindrical surface defines parallel cross sections, each of which define a center of curvature that together define a line that crosses the system optical axis or an extension thereof. This preserves total luminance since clipping is not used to change the AR, and provides substantially uniform illumination across the new AR. Also detailed is a method and further details of an exemplary pocket sized optical engine for which the output of the microdisplay is directed to a projection lens.

Abstract: A first toroidal ray guide defines an axis of revolution and has a toroidal entrance pupil adapted to image light incident on the entrance pupil at an angle to the axis of revolution between 40 and 140 degrees, and it also has a first imaging surface opposite the entrance pupil. A second toroidal ray guide also defines the same axis of revolution and has a second imaging surface adjacent to the first imaging surface. Various additions and further qualities of the ray guides, which form optical channels, are disclosed. In a method light emanating from a source at between 40-140 degrees from an optical axis is received at an entrance pupil of a ray guide arrangement that is circularly symmetric about the optical axis. Then the received light is redirected through the ray guide arrangement to an exit pupil in an average direction substantially parallel to the optical axis.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical component includes mounting each of a series of replicating inserts to a movable support such as a mold slide. Each of the replicating inserts defines a replicating surface that bears micro-optical structures. Each of the supports is moved relative to one another so that the replicating surfaces of the inserts form at least portions of surfaces of a concave geometric shape. An optically transmissive substrate is then disposed between the replicating surfaces, so that the micro-optical structures of the replicating surfaces are impressed upon externally-facing surfaces of the optically transmissive substrate. Each of the mold slides are then moved away from the externally facing surfaces of the optically transmissive substrate, in a direction that is selected to preserve the impressed micro-optical structures.

Abstract: The present solution relates to a 2D/3D data projector, which comprises: A data projector, the data projector comprising: at least one micro display having an image to be projected, at least one source unit comprising at least one light source chip and at least one beam forming component, each beam forming component comprising at least one diffractive element, and each source unit being designed to preserve etendue as far as possible, to minimize photon loss, to provide a desired projection shape and a uniform illumination onto the micro display, and a focusing optical unit for projecting the image of the micro display on a target.

Abstract: An optical module includes a light source and a reflective substrate. A first optical medium is disposed such that the first optical medium in combination with the reflective substrate substantially envelops the light source. A second optical medium is disposed to contact the first optical medium, defining a boundary therebetween. Reflective sidewalls bound a lateral portion of the second optical medium. A lens has a lower surface in contact with the second optical medium and spaced from the first optical medium. Light from the source passing through the lens follows a first and a second optical path, the first including refraction at the boundary followed by refraction at the lens; and the second including refraction at the boundary followed by reflection from a sidewall followed by refraction at the lens. An alternative embodiment uses the reflective sidewalls to bound the first optical medium, and the second path differs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing an optical component in three dimensions. In one aspect, the method includes providing a substrate that includes contiguous rigid plates that are disposed such that a major surface of each rigid plate lies substantially in a single plane. At least one of said surfaces is characterized by a micro-optical structure. Further in the method, the substrate is folded such that the at least one surface having a micro-optical structure and at least one other of the above-recited surfaces are disposed at an angle to one another. A second method is also disclosed. Disclosed structures made by the method(s) include a mesa structure with a top plate and four sidewall plates, each facing a reflective plate, as well as closed structures such as cubes and rectilinear boxes into which separate plates may be disposed. A mold for preferentially making the substrate such as by injection molding is also detailed.