Abstract: An inductive power transfer apparatus is disclosed. A transmitter generates a first time varying magnetic field. A receiver is separated from the transmitter by a gap, but is located with the first time varying magnetic field. The receiver comprises: a conductor; and a receiver magnet located in the first time varying magnetic field and supported for movement in response to the first time varying magnetic field. The conductor and receiver are positioned relative to one another such that movement of the receiver magnet creates a second time-varying magnetic field in a vicinity of the conductor to thereby induce current in the conductor.

Abstract: Simple yet powerful mathematical solutions are provided for producing a minimally-spreading de-pixelization light spread function with four-fold bilateral symmetry to create a High Dynamic Range LED-LCD display where the point spread functions of each LED regardless of intensity can be designed such that adjacent rows and columns of LEDs within an array blend smoothly and uniformly to create a non-pixelated continuous image in two dimensions on the diffuser screen and with minimal luminance overlap to minimize the computational demands required at video rate of an HDR display. The resulting image has substantially visually perfect uniform luminance, linear luminance and quadratic luminance gradient. Additionally a new display architecture is unveiled and described that emulates the mathematically developed light spread functions mentioned. This new architecture comprises several sub-aspects to tune the display device to the desired design requirements.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to a front-lit display having transparent and selectively emissive light directionality. The disclosed semi-retro-reflective, semi-specular and specular displays include directional front light systems that reflect light in a manner to preserve the non-Lambertian characteristic of the light output. This leads to brighter displays with a higher degree of luminance as compared to conventional microencapsulated electrophoretic displays with substantially Lambertian reflectance where much of the light is not reflected back towards the viewer.

Abstract: A system providing consistent and intense sunlight to light-guiding structures for redirecting sunlight to the interior of a building is presented. One aspect of the inventive subject matter includes an illumination system comprising a solar redirector and at least one optical converter. The solar redirector can be configured to extend outward from a wall of a building and to redirect sunlight to exterior sections of the wall below the solar redirector. The optical converter can be configured to mount on at least one of the exterior sections of the wall and to receive the redirected sunlight and distribute the redirected sunlight to an interior of the building.

Abstract: New reflective display architecture embodiments are disclosed to create specular or paper-like reflectance comprising a transparent outer sheet with an optional light diffusing layer, a rear backplane electrode, a perforated continuous reflective or non-reflective film with a thin conductive reflective or transparent layer acting as a front electrode facing the transparent outward sheet placed between the transparent outward sheet and rear backplane electrode. Other variations include semi-retroreflective or sintered TiO2 layers atop the front electrode. Light is modulated by reflectance or absorbance of the light rays that pass through the transparent outward sheet by movement of light absorbing electrophoretically mobile particles within an optically transparent liquid or air medium. A voltage bias is applied across the medium by a voltage source to move the electrophoretically mobile particles.

Abstract: A display has a screen which incorporates a light modulator. The screen may be a front projection screen or a rear-projection screen. The screen is illuminated with light from a light source comprising an array of controllable light-emitters. The controllable-emitters and elements of the light modulator may be controlled to adjust the intensity of light emanating from corresponding areas on the screen. The display may provide a high dynamic range.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus according to various aspects take as input image data in a lower-dynamic-range (LDR) format and produce as output enhanced image data having a dynamic range greater than that of the input image data (i.e. higher-dynamic range (HDR) image data). In some embodiments, the methods are applied to video data and are performed in real-time (i.e. processing of video frames to enhance the dynamic range of the video frames is completed at least on average at the frame rate of the video signal).

Abstract: Sunlight redirector (30) incorporates closely proximate mirror arrays (32, 34) having parallel, uniformly spaced, longitudinal mirror segments (38, 44). Prismatic sheet (36) is positioned behind and closely proximate second array (34). Segments (38) extend in first direction (x). Segments (44) extend in second direction (y) perpendicular to direction (x) segments (38, 44)have normal vectors (42, 48). Segments (38) are interconnected for simultaneous pivotal movement (40), such that their normal vectors (42) remain parallel. Segments (44) are interconnected for simultaneous pivotal movement (46), such that their normal vectors (48) remain parallel. Arrays (32, 34) redirect incident light toward sheet (36), which redirects the light into a desired fixed direction, e.g. parallel to the sunlight redirect's normal vectors (50). Segments (38, 44) may have inward and outward segments (60A, 60B) which can be adjustably positioned to maximize redirection of incident sunlight rays in a desired direction.

Abstract: An adjustable transmissive insulative array of vanes comprising a plurality of parallel longitudinally extending and transversely spaced vanes, each vane rotatable about its longitudinal axis between an insulative state and a transmissive state, each vane comprising an insulative body and a reflective layer on the outer surface of the body, the insulative body of each vane shaped such that in the insulative state the vane is operable to engage with adjacent vanes to form a substantially continuous insulating boundary, the insulative body of each vane further shaped such that in the transmissive state the vane cooperates with an adjacent vane to form an optical concentrator therebetween comprising a portion of the reflective layer of the vane and an portion of the reflective layer of the adjacent vane, each optical concentrator operable to transmit received light through the array of vanes.

Abstract: A display has a screen which incorporates a light modulator. The screen may be a front projection screen or a rear-projection screen. The screen is illuminated with light from a light source comprising an array of controllable light-emitters. The controllable-emitters and elements of the light modulator may be controlled to adjust the intensity of light emanating from corresponding areas on the screen. The display may provide a high dynamic range.

Abstract: The brightness of a TIR-based display is enhanced with a registered reflective element by recycling and reflecting light that passes through the dark pupil region of each hemi-spherical protrusion in the hemi-spherical surface back to the viewer. A method to fabricate a brightness enhanced TIR display comprising an apertured membrane with a thin conductive reflective metal layer facing and registered with the pupils of the hemi-spherical surface.

Abstract: Sunlight redirector (30) incorporates closely proximate mirror arrays (32, 34) having parallel, uniformly spaced, longitudinal mirror segments (38, 44). Prismatic sheet (36) is positioned behind and closely proximate second array (34). Segments (38) extend in first direction (x). Segments (44) extend in second direction (y) perpendicular to direction (x). Segments (38, 44) have normal vectors (42, 48). Segments (38) are interconnected for simultaneous pivotal movement (40), such that their normal vectors (42) remain parallel. Segments (44) are interconnected for simultaneous pivotal movement (46), such that their normal vectors (48) remain parallel. Arrays (32, 34) redirect incident light toward sheet (36), which redirects the light into a desired fixed direction, e.g. parallel to the sunlight redirector's normal vector (50). Segments (38, 44) may have inward and outward segments (60A, 60B) which can be adjustably positioned to maximize redirection of incident sunlight rays in a desired direction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus according to various aspects take as input image data in a lower-dynamic-range (LDR) format and produce as output enhanced image data having a dynamic range greater than that of the input image data (i.e. higher-dynamic range (HDR) image data). In some embodiments, the methods are applied to video data and are performed in real-time (i.e. processing of video frames to enhance the dynamic range of the video frames is completed at least on average at the frame rate of the video signal).

Abstract: A backlight for a display comprises a plurality of independently controllable light sources and inclined surfaces inclining in a radially outward direction from each light source for shaping the distribution of emitted light. The light sources may each comprise a group of differently-colored light emitters. The backlight may include light integrators configured to mix light of the differently-colored light emitters. Inclined surfaces for shaping the distribution of emitted light may be arranged around exits of the light integrators.

Abstract: Dual modulator displays are disclosed incorporating a phosphorescent plate interposed in the optical path between a light source modulation layer and a display modulation layer. Spatially modulated light output from the light source modulation layer impinges on the phosphorescent plate and excites corresponding regions of the phosphorescent plate which in turn emit light having different spectral characteristics than the light output from the light source modulation layer. Light emitted from the phosphorescent plate is received and further modulated by the display modulation layer to provide the ultimate display output.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus according to various aspects take as input image data in a lower-dynamic-range (LDR) format and produce as output enhanced image data having a dynamic range greater than that of the input image data (i.e. higher-dynamic range (HDR) image data). In some embodiments, the methods are applied to video data and are performed in real-time (i.e. processing of video frames to enhance the dynamic range of the video frames is completed at least on average at the frame rate of the video signal).

Abstract: A light concentrating apparatus is presented. Disclosed apparatuses include a collection of shaped reflectors capable of redirecting incident light, sunlight for example. The reflectors are configured to modify the spatial distribution of the redirected light in a manner where the distribution of light associated with a first dimension is modified differently than the distribution of light associated with a second, different dimension, via a relay of reflections. Contemplated apparatuses generate a substantially collimated output beam subsequent to the relay of reflections.

Abstract: A locally dimmed display has a spatial light modulator illuminated by a light source. The spatial light modulator is illuminated with a low resolution version of a desired image. The illumination may comprise a series of lighting elements that vary smoothly from one element to another at the spatial light modulator.

Abstract: A backlight for a display comprises a plurality of independently controllable light sources and inclined surfaces inclining in a radially outward direction from each light source for shaping the distribution of emitted light. The light sources may each comprise a group of differently-colored light emitters. The backlight may include light integrators configured to mix light of the differently-colored light emitters. Inclined surfaces for shaping the distribution of emitted light may be arranged around exits of the light integrators.

Abstract: A method for estimating an effective luminance pattern representing a distribution of projected light in a display apparatus involves determining driving values for one or more light sources arranged to project light. The light sources are solid-state light sources such as light-emitting diodes in some embodiments. The method determines an effective luminance pattern for the projected light by determining contributions to the effective luminance pattern for different components of a point spread function and then combining the contributions of the components the effective luminance pattern to yield an estimated effective luminance pattern.