Abstract: Apparatus for front lighting a display includes a light distributing wedge, spaced from the front of the display to be lighted, through which the display can be viewed. A light source is provided aside the wedge to direct light to an inter space between the wedge and the display. A reflective surface is provided at the wide end of the wedge to reflect light incident upon it. Thus, light from the light source is directed onto the display through various reflecting and refracting paths, including directly onto the display from the light source, reflected from the interior surface of the wedge onto the display, and refracted and reflected within the wedge to be emitted in the direction of the display.

Abstract: A non-light-emitting (passive) display such as a dichroic LCD is frontally illuminated with polarized light incident obliquely upon the display, the incident light having followed multiple paths to arrive at the display from multiple directions. Relative to a typical display viewing axis, some light arrives from one side of such axis and some light arrives from the other side of such axis. An appropriately positioned light emitter, preferably comprising a reflective cavity, lamp, and polarizer, casts some light directly on the display, and casts other light, which is also substantially collimated, on an appropriately positioned reflector which re-directs incident light to the display.

Abstract: A contrast enhanced color display apparatus, capable of providing a wide variety of colors, comprises a display means for emitting at least three colors and a color filter means disposed between the display means and a viewer. The color filter means has a frequency selectivity characteristic which produces more attenuation at some non-emitted color frequencies than at other emitted color frequencies.

Abstract: A reflective type display apparatus comprising display means having light scattering areas and transparent areas backed by light reflective means. Transparent light refracting means is disposed at the front of the display means and has nonparallel front and rear surfaces. Light absorptive means is disposed between the front surface and the display means and outside the region of transparency between the display means and an observer.