Abstract: A projection apparatus projects holographic images. The projection apparatus includes, within a housing, a laser projection system that outputs a laser beam, a diffuser to diffuse the laser beam projected by the laser projection system, a beam diverter/splitter that polarizes the received beam after it has been diffused by the diffuser, and a concave mirror onto which the beam is diverted and which reflects the images to the floating display position that is outside the housing. The apparatus may further include an adjustable lens to adjust the focus and/or size of images that are reflected from the concave mirror. Multiple projection apparatuses may be mounted around the floating display position to synchronously project the holographic images. A conical mirror may be used with the projection apparatus or with multiple projection apparatuses to display the images at a position above the conical mirror.

Abstract: A projection apparatus projects holographic images. The projection apparatus includes, within a housing, a laser projection system that outputs a laser beam, a diffuser to diffuse the laser beam projected by the laser projection system, a beam diverter/splitter that polarizes the received beam after it has been diffused by the diffuser, and a concave mirror onto which the beam is diverted and which reflects the images to the floating display position that is outside the housing. The apparatus may further include an adjustable lens to adjust the focus and/or size of images that are reflected from the concave mirror. Multiple projection apparatuses may be mounted around the floating display position to synchronously project the holographic images. A conical mirror may be used with the projection apparatus or with multiple projection apparatuses to display the images at a position above the conical mirror.

Abstract: A projection apparatus of reduced size and weight projects holographic images to a floating display position. An apparatus housing includes a laser projection system that outputs a laser beam, a beam diverter/splitter that receives and polarizes the laser beam, a concave mirror onto which the laser beam is diverted, and an adjustable lens or series of lenses to adjust the focus and/or size of images that are reflected from the concave mirror and through the adjustable lens. Rotating mirrors may be used instead of a beam diverter/splitter to draw images onto the concave mirror. Multiple apparatuses may be mounted around the floating display position for use as subsystems to synchronously project the holographic images for viewing from a 360° perspective. The multiple apparatuses or an individual apparatus may be used in conjunction with a conical mirror to display the images at a position above the conical mirror.

Abstract: An optical film for use in transparent displays, such as reflective LCDs. The optical film has three-dimensional, prismatic structures that reflect incoming light. The prismatic structures are configured so that the reflecting facets orient the reflected light in desired reflective light pattern. The pattern shape and intensity can be controlled by the shape and dimensions of the various reflecting facets. In one embodiment, the height of the prismatic structure varies along two dimensions of the structure.

Abstract: A backlight includes a lightguide, a light source disposed with respect to the lightguide to introduce light into the lightguide and a turning film. Optical structures are formed in one of an output surface and a back surface of the lightguide. The optical structures are arranged to extract light from the lightguide. A back reflector is disposed adjacent the back surface. The optical structures are formed to include a varying pattern arranged to mask non-uniformities in the output of the lightguide.

Abstract: An illumination system including a light source, a light guide including an output surface, emissive material positioned to receive light from the output surface of the light guide, and a first interference reflector positioned between the output surface of the light guide and the emissive material is disclosed. The light source emits light having a first optical characteristic. The emissive material emits light having a second optical characteristic when illuminated with light having the first optical characteristic. The first interference reflector substantially transmits light having the first optical characteristic and substantially reflects light having the second optical characteristic.

Abstract: An illumination system including a light source, a light guide including an output surface, emissive material positioned between the light source and the output surface of the light guide, and an interference reflector positioned between the emissive material and the output surface of the light guide is disclosed. The light source emits light having a first optical characteristic. The emissive material emits light having a second optical characteristic when illuminated with light having the first optical characteristic. The interference reflector substantially transmits light having the second optical characteristic and substantially reflects light having the first optical characteristic.

Abstract: An information broker for use in an information distribution system permits users to receive information based on authentication from a second source. The information broker includes a memory, a network interface, and a processing unit. The memory contains at least one device characteristic and one user characteristic corresponding to a user device and user, respectively. The broker receives a request for information from a first user device, authenticates the request, provides the requested information for authenticated requests, and based on the request, updates the at least one characteristic contained in the memory that corresponds to the first user device. The broker transmits an authorization request to a second user device and only provides the requested information to the first user device when authorized by the second device. The broker determines if the first user device is capable of receiving the requested information based on the device characteristic stored in memory.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a reflective layer, an optical element covering at least a portion of the reflective layer, and an LED having a light-emitting axis and disposed to emit light between the optical element and the reflective layer. The optical element has a rotationally symmetric funnel-shaped recess in substantial registration with the light-emitting axis and the optical element also has an overall outer shape that is non-rotationally symmetric. An optical array of these assemblies and backlight displays including these assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: An illumination system including a light source, light guides coupled to the light source, each including an input surface and an output surface, emissive material positioned to receive light from at least one light guide, and a first interference reflector positioned between the emissive material and the output surfaces of the light guides is disclosed. The light source emits light having a first optical characteristic. The emissive material emits light having a second optical characteristic when illuminated with light having the first optical characteristic. The first interference reflector substantially transmits light having the first optical characteristic and substantially reflects light having the second optical characteristic.

Abstract: An illumination system including a light source, a light guide including an output surface, a first interference reflector positioned between the light source and the output surface of the light guide, and emissive material positioned between the first interference reflector and the output surface of the light guide is disclosed. The light source emits light having a first optical characteristic. The first interference reflector substantially transmits light having the first optical characteristic and substantially reflects light having a second optical characteristic. The emissive material emits light having the second optical characteristic when illuminated with light having the first optical characteristic.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a display device having a back reflector; a display panel; one or more light sources disposed between the back reflector and the display panel; a first layer having first light reflective regions and first light transmissive regions, the first layer disposed between the one or more light sources and the display panel; and a second layer having second light reflective regions and second light transmissive regions, wherein the second layer is disposed spaced apart from the first layer and between the first layer and the display panel; wherein the light source illuminates the display panel through the first and second layers. Also disclosed herein is a method of controlling light within the display device.

Abstract: An illumination system including a light source, a light guide including an output surface, emissive material positioned to receive light from the output surface of the light guide, and an interference reflector positioned such that the emissive material is between the output surface of the light guide and the interference reflector is disclosed. The light source emits light having a first optical characteristic. The emissive material emits light having a second optical characteristic when illuminated with light having the first optical characteristic. The interference reflector substantially transmits light having the second optical characteristic and substantially reflects light having the first optical characteristic.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a light emitting diode (LED) and a structured surface. The structured surface has a plurality of prismatic structures arranged radially with respect to a reference point, and is disposed relative to the LED such that the reference point is substantially aligned with a light emission axis of the LED. Arrays of such assemblies and backlights and displays including same are also disclosed.

Abstract: An illumination system including a light source, light guides coupled to the light source, each including an input surface and an output surface, emissive material positioned to receive light from at least one light guide, and an interference reflector positioned such that the emissive material is between the output surfaces of the light guides and the interference reflector is disclosed. The light source emits light having a first optical characteristic. The emissive material emits light having a second optical characteristic when illuminated with light having the first optical characteristic. The interference reflector substantially transmits light having the second optical characteristic and substantially reflects light having the first optical characteristic.

Abstract: Illumination assemblies and systems using same are disclosed. The illumination assembly can include a reflective substrate, and a light source unit including one or more light sources capable of producing illumination light. The assembly can further include a first light extraction surface including an azimuthal beam widening topography, where the first light extraction surface is positioned such that the light source unit is between the first light extraction surface and the reflective substrate. The first light extraction surface can face the light source unit.

Abstract: A directly illuminated display unit has a light source unit that includes one or more light sources capable of producing illumination light for illuminating a display panel. A diffuser layer is disposed between the light source unit and the display panel. At least one of a first brightness enhancing layer and a reflective polarizer is disposed between the diffuser layer and the display panel. A light-diverting surface is disposed between the diffuser layer and the light source unit. The light-diverting surface diverts a propagation direction of at least some of the illumination light passing from the light source unit to the diffuser layer.

Abstract: A display system has a controlled transmission mirror disposed between the light sources and the display panel. The controlled transmission mirror includes a light-diverting input coupling element facing the light sources, a light-diverting output coupling element facing the display panel and a multilayer reflector between the input and output coupling elements. The controlled transmission mirror laterally spreads the light, making the illumination of the panel more uniform. The controlled transmission mirror may include a transparent substrate between the input and output coupling elements for additional light spreading. The light sources may be positioned within the controlled transmission mirror, rather than behind it. The output coupling element can be insensitive to polarization, so the light passing out of the controlled transmission mirror is unpolarized, or the output coupling element can be polarization sensitive so that the output light is polarized.

Abstract: An illumination light unit has at least one light source that generates illumination light. The unit also includes a reflecting cavity having one or more reflectors and a controlled transmission mirror disposed at an output of the reflecting cavity. The controlled transmission mirror includes an input coupling element, an output coupling element and a first multilayer reflector disposed between the input and output coupling elements. At least some of the illumination light is reflected within the reflecting cavity by the one or more reflectors and is transmitted out of the reflecting cavity through the controlled transmission mirror. The illumination light unit may be used for generating light for space lighting, or for illuminating a display. For example, the unit may be used in a backlight to illuminate a lightguide placed behind a display panel.

Abstract: An optical system has a controlled transmission mirror that includes a diverting layer, an output coupling element and a multilayer reflector disposed between the diverting layer and the output coupling element. The multilayer reflector is spaced apart from the diverting layer. At least a first light source has a light emitting surface positioned between the diverting layer and the multilayer reflector of the controlled transmission mirror.