Abstract: An illumination system for a reflective display is particularly useful for microdisplays that use reflective displays. The light source and the reflective image display unit are mounted in a coplanar manner, thus permitting the light source and the display unit to be mounted on a single board, or even on a single substrate. The display unit may include a first light source directing light generally along a first axis and a reflective image display unit disposed with an optical axis substantially parallel to the first axis. A reflective polarizing film is disposed to direct light from the first light source to the reflective image light display unit.

Abstract: An illumination system for a reflective display is particularly useful for microdisplays that use reflective displays. The light source and the reflective image display unit are mounted in a coplanar manner, thus permitting the light source and the display unit to be mounted on a single board, or even on a single substrate. The display unit may include a first light source directing light generally along a first axis and a reflective image display unit disposed with an optical axis substantially parallel to the first axis. A reflective polarizing film is disposed to direct light from the first light source to the reflective image light display unit.

Abstract: The present invention discloses resistive touch sensors that incorporate microstructured conductive layers. When local electrical contact is made between the microstructured conductive layer and an opposing conductive layer due to a touch input, the resulting signal can be used to determine the location of the touch. The microstructures can be used to penetrate a solid, deformable filler material disposed between the conductive layers, for example to provide more transmission of light through the sensor. The microstructures can also provide additional functionalities such as z-axis sensitivity, image direction, light control, light extraction, and so forth.

Abstract: An integrated optical assembly including a light management component with an entry surface and a light delivery component having an exit surface attached to the entry surface of the light management component is disclosed The light management component and the light delivery component are attached together in a manner that defines voids between the entry surface of the light management component and the exit surface of the light delivery component. The voids between the light management component and the light delivery component may provide an air interface over substantial portions of the entry surface of the light management component.

Abstract: A light guide including a light guide body having a light re-directing side positioned opposite from a light output side. A plurality of elongate prisms are located adjacent the light output side of the light guide body. The prisms extend side-by-side relative to one another along lengths. The prisms include upper edges defining heights of the prisms. The upper edges extend along the lengths of the prisms. Each upper edge includes a plurality of edge segments having different magnitudes of slope. The light guide also includes a plurality of light extraction structures located adjacent the light re-directing side of the light guide body for reflecting light toward the light output side. The light extraction structures include elongated projections each having a plateau segment and first and second facets. The elongated projections are separated by lands that are recessed relative to the plateau segments. The first and second facets extend from the plateau segments to the lands.

Abstract: Shaped refractive articles having compound curved surfaces enable a light source to provide substantially uniform illumination of a linear or planar target. The refractive articles can comprise an input edge or face and an output edge or face, the input edge or face having at least one shaped notch or cavity that can at least partially envelop a light source, wherein the notch or cavity has at least two oppositely signed curved portions shaped to provide substantially uniform illumination of a target by the source. The articles can also be optically coupled to and at least partially envelop a light source, and can have an output edge or surface having at least two oppositely signed curved portions shaped to provide substantially uniform illumination of a target region by the source. The shaped articles can be used in, for example, lighting devices, frontlights, backlights and electronic displays.

Abstract: Glitter, at least a portion of which comprises color shifting film. The glitter is useful in any of a variety ways, including in loose form, attached to the surface of a substrate, in a dispersible combination, or present in a matrix material ranging, for example, from liquids, such as water and alcohols, to gels, such as silicone and glycerol, to hard, rigid materials such as plastics, particle board, and fiberglass. Examples of other matrix materials include putties or molding clays, rubbers, and adhesives.

Abstract: Glitter, at least a portion of which, comprise visible mirror film. The glitter is useful in any of a variety ways, including in loose form, attached to the surface of a substrate, in a dispersible combination, or present in a matrix material ranging, for example, from liquids, such as water and alcohols, to gels, such as silicone and glycerol, to hard, rigid materials such as plastics, particle board, and fiberglass. Examples of other matrix materials include putties or molding clays, rubbers, and adhesives.

Abstract: Shaped refractive articles having compound curved surfaces enable a light source to provide substantially uniform illumination of a linear or planar target. The refractive articles can comprise an input edge or face and an output edge or face, the input edge or face having at least one shaped notch or cavity that can at least partially envelop a light source, wherein the notch or cavity has at least two oppositely signed curved portions shaped to provide substantially uniform illumination of a target by the source. The articles can also be optically coupled to and at least partially envelop a light source, and can have an output edge or surface having at least two oppositely signed curved portions shaped to provide substantially uniform illumination of a target region by the source. The shaped articles can be used in, for example, lighting devices, frontlights, backlights and electronic displays.

Abstract: Glitter, at least a portion of which comprises color shifting film. The glitter is useful in any of a variety of ways, including in loose form, attached to the surface of a substrate, in a dispersible combination, or present in a matrix material ranging, for example, from liquids, such as water and alcohols, to gels, such as silicone and glycerol, to hard, rigid materials such as plastics, particle board, and fiberglass. Examples of other matrix materials include putties or molding clays, rubbers, and adhesives.

Abstract: Glitter, at least a portion of which, comprise visible mirror film. The glitter is useful in any of a variety of ways, including in loose form, attached to the surface of a substrate, in a dispersible combination, or present in a matrix material ranging, for example, from liquids, such as water and alcohols, to gels, such as silicone and glycenol, to hard, rigid materials such as plastics, particle board and fiberglass.

Abstract: A light distribution device having a light-redirecting surface with a plurality of light extraction structures having a riser segment, plateau segment, and facet segment, with adjacent light extraction structures being separated by lands. The light extraction structures improve extraction efficiency, thereby facilitating use of available light from a light source.

Abstract: A wedge-shaped light extractor having a light-redirecting surface with a plurality of projections having a riser segment, a plateau segment, and a facet segment, with land segments flanking the projections. The projections improve extraction efficiency, thereby facilitating use of available light from a light source.

Abstract: Game with a privacy member. The game includes a play region and a directional viewing screen. The directional viewing screen covers at least a portion of the play region such that said portion of the play region is viewable therethrough at a first player position, but is not viewable therethrough at a second player position. The game with privacy member in accordance with the present invention allows for enhancement of existing games, as well as for the creation of new games or new play patterns of existing games.

Abstract: A toy or novelty article including an image located thereon, having a reflective "mirror" mode and a transmissive mode, such that a generally opaque material is viewable in the transmissive mode. One preferred embodiment includes a generally opaque material, a first polarizer and a second polarizer. In another aspect, a preferred embodiment, in a first orientation, the first and second polarizers interact to be reflective, and in a second orientation, the first and second polarizers are collectively translucent such that the generally opaque material is viewable therethrough.

Abstract: Hand-holdable novelty article comprising a handle, a light source and a plurality of sections of color shifting film. The light source is preferably disposed within an end of the handle. The plurality of sections of color shifting film extend from the end of the handle. During use, light from the light source interacts with the plurality of strands of color shifting film, producing a brilliant colored effect. Movement of the plurality of sections of color shifting film produces multiple colors.

Abstract: Toy or novelty including a first polarizer and a second polarizer movable relative to the first polarizer. In a first mode, the first and second polarizers interact to be reflective, and in a second mode, the first and second polarizers is transmissive. The toy may further include an object or image located adjacent the second polarizer, wherein the object or image is viewable through the first and second polarizers in the second mode.

Abstract: Enclosure 1 constructed of panels 20 which can be joined by tongue and groove or press fit spline 46 and groove 26 technique. Acoustic shielding is achieved by properly selected materials of construction, e.g. syntactic, cellular composites.The doorway 10 of the enclosure is closed by a door 210 penetrated only by a guide 175. The latch mechanism 170 and 340 seals the door against the door jamb 185 by means of cam rollers 316 which engage indentations 189 (which may have specialized cam surfaces or inclined surfaces) along the door frame. The latch mechanism can be actuated from either side of the door by mechanical means engaging the guide.

Abstract: Enclosure 1 constructed of panels 20 which can be joined by tongue and groove or press fit spline 46 and groove 26 technique. Acoustic shielding is achieved by properly selected materials of construction, e.g. syntactic, cellular composites. The doorway 10 of the enclosure is closed by a door 210 penetrated only by a guide 175. The latch mechanism 170 and 340 seals the door against the door jamb 185 by means of cam rollers 316 which engage indentations 189 (which may have specialized cam surfaces or inclined surfaces) along the door frame. The latch mechanism can be actuated from either side of the door by mechanical means engaging the guide.

Abstract: A method of using a material as an acoustical barrier in an ambient medium. The material comprises microbubbles having average outer diameters of 5 to 150 microns, bound together at their contact points. The material is characterized by either a porosity of 20 to 60 percent, or by voids between the microbubbles which have characteristic diameter within an order of magnitude of the viscous skin depth of the ambient medium, as calculated at 1 kHz; an air flow resistivity of 0.5.times.10.sup.4 to 4.times.10.sup.7 mks rayls/meter, and an attenuation of sound comparable to mass law performance. The microbubbles can be sintered into direct contact with each other, or one of many types of binder material can be used to support the microbubbles within a composite material.