Abstract: A passive daylight-coupled display having an LCD panel, a diffuser, and a curved reflector behind the LCD panel. For passive backlighting, the diffuser transmits daylight to the reflector, which reflects the daylight to the LCD panel and provides for substantially uniform distribution of the daylight on the LCD panel for backlighting it. An N-stack daylight-coupled display includes a plurality of passive backlights cascaded in a stack for backlighting of LCD panels or static display panels. One N-stack display can include an active light source to provide light to the reflectors, and a secondary light source to provide light to at least one of the reflectors to provide backlighting of the display in low lighting conditions. A collapsible daylight-coupled display includes a daylight-coupled backlight that is collapsible when not in use for hand-held or portable display devices.

Abstract: A passive daylight-coupled display having an LCD panel, a diffuser, a turning film behind the LCD panel, and a curved reflector behind the turning film. For passive backlighting, the diffuser transmits daylight to the reflector, which reflects the daylight to the LCD panel through the turning film and provides for substantially uniform distribution of the daylight on the LCD panel for backlighting it. The turning film has prisms with chaos for an improved viewer experience.

Abstract: A passive daylight-coupled display having an LCD panel, a diffuser, and a curved reflector behind the LCD panel. For passive backlighting, the diffuser transmits daylight to the reflector, which reflects the daylight to the LCD panel and provides for substantially uniform distribution of the daylight on the LCD panel for backlighting it. A hybrid display includes both a passive backlight and an active backlight for providing backlighting from an active light source.

Abstract: A method for processing data collected via a wireless network sensor includes providing information in a variety of ways based upon the processed data. The network sensor has a plurality of sensors for detecting events occurring proximate the sensors in a monitored space, a processor for receiving and processing data from the sensors, and a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting data. The received data is processed to determine pedestrian traffic patterns in the monitored space, which can be used to design a layout and placement of goods for sale in the monitored space. The information for the pedestrian traffic patterns can also be provided in exchange for a fee to customers requesting it.

Abstract: A method for displaying an indication of data collected via a wireless network sensor involves processing the collected data to generate reports. The wireless network sensor includes a plurality of sensors for detecting events occurring proximate the sensors, a processor for receiving and processing data from the sensors, and a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting data. The method displays an indication of parsed events, episodes, vectors, links, and paths based upon the received data. Another method displays a representation of a location of each sensor in the wireless network sensors in a monitored environment and information related to data collected via the sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing data collected via a wireless network sensor includes modules for receiving and processing the data. The wireless network sensor includes a plurality of sensors for detecting events occurring proximate the sensors, a processor for receiving and processing data from the sensors, and a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting data. The apparatus also includes modules for parsing events, episodes, vectors, links, and paths based upon the received data. The paths can be used to generate a representation of traffic patterns in a space monitored by wireless network sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing data collected via a wireless network sensor includes modules for receiving and processing the data. The wireless network sensor includes a plurality of sensors for detecting events occurring proximate the sensors, a processor for receiving and processing data from the sensors, and a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting data. The apparatus also includes modules for parsing events, episodes, vectors, links, and paths based upon the received data. The paths can be used to generate a representation of traffic patterns in a space monitored by wireless network sensors.

Abstract: A passive daylight-coupled display having an LCD panel, a diffuser, a turning film behind the LCD panel, and a curved reflector behind the turning film. For passive backlighting, the diffuser transmits daylight to the reflector, which reflects the daylight to the LCD panel through the turning film and provides for substantially uniform distribution of the daylight on the LCD panel for backlighting it. The turning film has prisms with chaos for an improved viewer experience.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing data collected via a wireless network sensor includes modules for receiving and processing the data. The wireless network sensor includes a plurality of sensors for detecting events occurring proximate the sensors, a processor for receiving and processing data from the sensors, and a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting data. The apparatus also includes modules for parsing events, episodes, vectors, links, and paths based upon the received data. The paths can be used to generate a representation of traffic patterns in a space monitored by wireless network sensors.

Abstract: A passive daylight-coupled display having an LCD panel, a diffuser, and a curved reflector behind the LCD panel. For passive backlighting, the diffuser transmits daylight to the reflector, which reflects the daylight to the LCD panel and provides for substantially uniform distribution of the daylight on the LCD panel for backlighting it. An N-stack daylight-coupled display includes a plurality of passive backlights cascaded in a stack for backlighting of LCD panels or static display panels. One N-stack display can include an active light source to provide light to the reflectors, and a secondary light source to provide light to at least one of the reflectors to provide backlighting of the display in low lighting conditions. A collapsible daylight-coupled display includes a daylight-coupled backlight that is collapsible when not in use for hand-held or portable display devices.

Abstract: A keypad having a virtual floating image that appears to a user to be in a plane other than the apparent plane of the keypad surface. More particularly, the indicia on the keypad appear to float above or below the surface of the device. The keypad can be, for example, the keypad on a cell phone. For such an application there would be more than one array of indicia present on the keypad. For example, there might be ten arrays of indicia, which provide the numerals from 0 to 9 and two more arrays to provide virtual images of the * and # keys. In some embodiments, the keypad is integrated with an illumination source that light up the indicia. The present disclosure also provides a method of manufacturing a key pad with a virtual floating image.

Abstract: A passive daylight-coupled display having an LCD panel, a diffuser, and a curved reflector behind the LCD panel. For passive backlighting, the diffuser transmits daylight to the reflector, which reflects the daylight to the LCD panel and provides for substantially uniform distribution of the daylight on the LCD panel for backlighting it. A hybrid display includes both a passive backlight and an active backlight for providing backlighting from an active light source.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing data collected via a wireless network sensor includes modules for receiving and processing the data. The wireless network sensor includes a plurality of sensors for detecting events occurring proximate the sensors, a processor for receiving and processing data from the sensors, and a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting data. The apparatus also includes modules for parsing events, episodes, vectors, links, and paths based upon the received data. The paths can be used to generate a representation of traffic patterns in a space monitored by wireless network sensors.

Abstract: A method for displaying an indication of data collected via a wireless network sensor involves processing the collected data to generate reports. The wireless network sensor includes a plurality of sensors for detecting events occurring proximate the sensors, a processor for receiving and processing data from the sensors, and a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting data. The method displays an indication of parsed events, episodes, vectors, links, and paths based upon the received data. Another method displays a representation of a location of each sensor in the wireless network sensors in a monitored environment and information related to data collected via the sensors.

Abstract: A method for processing data collected via a wireless network sensor includes providing information in a variety of ways based upon the processed data. The network sensor has a plurality of sensors for detecting events occurring proximate the sensors in a monitored space, a processor for receiving and processing data from the sensors, and a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting data. The received data is processed to determine pedestrian traffic patterns in the monitored space, which can be used to design a layout and placement of goods for sale in the monitored space. The information for the pedestrian traffic patterns can also be provided in exchange for a fee to customers requesting it.

Abstract: Direct-lit backlights and associated methods are disclosed in which an array of elongated light sources is placed in a cavity between a diffuser plate and a back reflector. The back reflector is a specular reflector that can have a divergence half-angle of about 10 degrees or less. The diffuser plate can be of the type that has uniform diffusing properties over its useful area. Appropriate placement of the diffuser plate, light sources, and back reflector can yield a backlight having exceptional thinness, brightness uniformity, and average brightness.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is directed toward an apparatus that includes a first layer and a second layer attached with one another via sets of fastening elements formed on the layers. The fastening elements may comprise hook-like elements that engage one another in an interlocking arrangement to attach the layers, or alternatively, the fastening elements may take any form envisioned by a designer. In any case, the apparatus may also form a light guide that can be illuminated with a light source to transmit light by total internal reflection (TIR).

Abstract: A switch apparatus includes a first layer and a second layer attached to one another via sets of fastening elements formed on the layers. The fastening elements may comprise hook-like elements that engage one another in an interlocking arrangement to attach the layers, or alternatively, the fastening elements may take other forms. The fastening elements may include flexible portions that flex when the first layer and second layer are forced together. The apparatus may be used within switch arrays, and can eliminate the need for dome spring elements.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is directed toward an apparatus that includes a first layer and a second layer attached with one another via sets of fastening elements formed on the layers. The fastening elements may comprise hook-like elements that engage one another in an interlocking arrangement to attach the layers, or alternatively, the fastening elements may take any form envisioned by a designer. In any case, the apparatus may also form a light guide that can be illuminated with a light source to transmit light by total internal reflection (TIR).

Abstract: A switch apparatus includes a first layer and a second layer attached to one another via sets of fastening elements formed on the layers. The fastening elements may comprise hook-like elements that engage one another in an interlocking arrangement to attach the layers, or alternatively, the fastening elements may take other forms. The fastening elements may include flexible portions that flex when the first layer and second layer are forced together. The apparatus may be used within switch arrays, and can eliminate the need for dome spring elements.