Abstract: An electro-optic modulator comprises a panel of electro-optic material containing a plurality of pixel regions which are activatable from an isotropic to birefringent state by application of an electric field, each pixel region including at least four linear electrodes extending transversely thereacross in a regularly spaced relation. In one preferred embodiment such electrodes have gaps therebetween in the range from about 50 microns to about 100 microns. In a related aspect the intra-pixel electrodes of each pixel region have a width in the range of from about 25 microns to 75 microns. In another aspect such electrodes can have one of several preferred structural configurations facilitating electrical addressing.

Abstract: Two panels, each having a plurality of electrically-addressable, parallel light valve strips are arranged along an optical axis between entrance, exit and intermediate polarizing means. The strips of the respective panels are generally perpendicular and the entrance and exit polarizing means have their directions of polarization mutually aligned and perpendicular to the intermediate polarizing means. By sequentially activating the strips of a first panel and imagewise addressing the strips of the other panel during each such sequential activation an area image is formed.

Abstract: A two-dimensional illuminating array comprising discretely addressable pixel portions (e.g. a light valve array) is imaged by lens means onto optical mapping means (e.g. a light diffracting or refracting array). The mapping means re-images the pixel portions of the illuminating array as a predetermined line pixel pattern at a linear pixel region.

Abstract: Electronic imaging apparatus of the kind having an imaging zone; a light valve array comprising a plurality of discretely-addressable light-modulating pixel regions; illuminating means for directing light to the imaging zone via the array and means for addressing the pixels in accordance with image information, features light control means located between the illuminating means and such array for collimating illuminating light in a direction substantially normal to the ingress surface of the array.

Abstract: Electronic imaging apparatus of the kind having a light valve array comprising a plurality of discretely addressable pixel portions which are transformable between light blocking and light passing states in response to activating electric fields features a plurality of color filter elements respectively of different colors and integral with different respective pixel portions of such array.

Abstract: Electronic imaging apparatus of the kind having light valve arrays operable to selectively pass light to an imaging zone in response to electrical activation according to an image signal features a light valve array having a plurality of pixel exposing regions that are each larger in area than the pixels to be imaged thereby at the imaging zone and means for directing light from respective pixel exposing regions to respective reduced-size pixels of the imaging zone.