Abstract: In at least some embodiments, a film for use with an edge-lit backlight includes a substrate. The film also includes a graphics layer and light-extraction features in contact with the substrate. The graphics layer and the light-extraction features are on opposite surfaces of the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for use on an edge-injected, total internal reflection (TIR) waveguide. The apparatus comprises a substrate and a plurality of microstructures provided on the substrate. Each microstructure comprises at least two approximately planar surfaces for extracting light from the TIR waveguide. The plurality of microstructures are pseudo-randomly oriented on the substrate. The apparatus may used in a lighting system (e.g., a backlight for a display).

Abstract: A free space optical communication system (FSOCS) comprising a modulating retro-reflector (MRR) to receive an interrogation beam from a transceiver, and to modulate and reflect the interrogation beam. The MRR comprising a transmissive electro-optical polymer (EOP) modulator, a signal generator, and a retro-reflector, wherein the transmissive EOP modulator is to modulate the interrogation beam's polarization, the signal generator is operatively coupled to the EOP modulator and is to supply the modulation signal, and the retro-reflector is to reflect a modulated beam back towards the transceiver.

Abstract: A method for making a light guide includes transferring ink onto a master tool having a three-dimensional feature pattern formed thereon and then transferring ink from the master tool to a transparent light guide. The method also includes curing the ink on the light guide. Alternatively, the ink may be printed onto a substrate (e.g., a film) and then laminated to the light guide.

Abstract: A method for making a light guide includes transferring ink onto a master tool having a three-dimensional feature pattern formed thereon and then transferring ink from the master tool to a transparent light guide. The method also includes curing the ink on the light guide. Alternatively, the ink may be printed onto a substrate (e.g., a film) and then laminated to the light guide.

Abstract: Specular and diffuse reflection and fingerprints are reduced associated with a display are reduced through the use of any or all of an anti-reflection (AR) coating, a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) coating, and micro-structures to selectively deflect or diffract the incident light.

Abstract: In at least some embodiments, a film for use with an edge-lit backlight includes a substrate. The film also includes a graphics layer and light-extraction features in contact with the substrate. The graphics layer and the light-extraction features are on opposite surfaces of the substrate.

Abstract: A light mixing system includes a transparent waveguide having a reflectorized edge, a light input edge and a light output edge opposite the reflectorized edge. The light input edge receives light of different colors from two or more light sources. The received light of different colors is totally internally reflected from opposite major surfaces of the waveguide. Formed inside the waveguide are a plurality of cavities bounded by walls substantially parallel to the edges and substantially orthogonal to the major surfaces of the waveguide. Interaction of the received light of different colors with one or more of the cavities and the reflectorized edge mixes the light of different colors before exiting the light output edge.

Abstract: A light mixing system includes a transparent waveguide having a reflectorized edge, a light input edge and a light output edge opposite the reflectorized edge. The light input edge receives light of different colors from two or more light sources. The received light of different colors is totally internally reflected from opposite major surfaces of the waveguide. Formed inside the waveguide are a plurality of cavities bounded by walls substantially parallel to the edges and substantially orthogonal to the major surfaces of the waveguide. Interaction of the received light of different colors with one or more of the cavities and the reflectorized edge mixes the light of different colors before exiting the light output edge.

Abstract: The present invention describes a light mixing waveguide including a transparent slab waveguide having a reflectorized edge, a pair of opposing side edges adjacent to the reflectorized edge, a light transfer edge opposite the reflectorized edge, and a plurality of cavities formed inside the slab waveguide, wherein at least one of the side edges is configured to receive light from one or more light sources so that the received light is totally-internally reflected from top and bottom surfaces of the transparent slab waveguide. Interaction of the received light, the cavities, and the reflectorized edge mixes the received light prior to the light passing through the light transfer edge and into a target optical system.

Abstract: The present invention describes a light mixing waveguide including a transparent slab waveguide having a reflectorized edge, a pair of opposing side edges adjacent to the reflectorized edge, a light transfer edge opposite the reflectorized edge, and a plurality of cavities formed inside the slab waveguide, wherein at least one of the side edges is configured to receive light from one or more light sources so that the received light is totally-internally reflected from top and bottom surfaces of the transparent slab waveguide. Interaction of the received light, the cavities, and the reflectorized edge mixes the received light prior to the light passing through the light transfer edge and into a target optical system.

Abstract: Enhancement of the contrast ratio of optical flat panel displays by integrating an array of corner-cube retroreflectors into the front face of the optical display, said integration involving mutual adaptation of both the display and the corner-cube retroreflector geometry to unite the two disparate optical systems. The light emission from the display passes through the truncated vertex of the corner-cubes to the observer. The display directs its emitted light through the vertex apertures (either as a natural behavior, or by interposing a registered array of light concentrators between the display and the corner-cube array). The improvement in contrast ratio arises due to the corner-cube retroreflectors' ability to direct incident ambient light directly back to its source, rather than the viewer's eyes. Ambient light reflections are not attenuated but maximized; this maximization is directed away from the viewer, causing the array to appear dark even in direct sunlight.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining a measurement of a property of a light source, scanning light from the light source onto a surface, such that the light interacts with the surface, detecting light from the surface to create a picture element, and correcting the picture element with the measurement of the property. An apparatus includes a scanned beam display, the scanned beam display is configured to receive a signal and to scan the signal for viewing by a user. The signal is to contain picture element information. The picture element information includes information for a plurality of colors, wherein information for at least one color is corrected to substantially remove a perturbation to the picture element information, such that an image containing the picture element information will be substantially unchanged by the perturbation.

Abstract: A display screen includes an array of cuplets containing a wavelength converting material. The cuplets may be configured to receive light at a first wavelength and responsively emit light at a second wavelength preferentially in a direction.

Abstract: Embodiments including methods and apparatuses for displaying an image including generating a first modulated and scanned excitation beam; generating a second modulated and scanned excitation beam; impinging the first and second modulated and scanned excitation beams onto a photoluminescent screen; and responsively converting the wavelengths of the first and second excitation beams into different corresponding third and fourth visible wavelength photoluminescent emissions, wherein the first modulated and scanned excitation beam is substantially prevented from stimulating photoluminescent emissions at the fourth visible wavelength and the second modulated and scanned excitation beam is substantially prevented from stimulating photoluminescent emissions at the third visible wavelength.

Abstract: Enhancement of the contrast ratio of optical flat panel displays by integrating an array of corner-cube retroreflectors into the front face of the optical display, said integration involving mutual adaptation of both the display and the corner-cube retroreflector geometry to unite the two disparate optical systems. The light emission from the display passes through the truncated vertex of the corner-cubes to the observer. The display directs its emitted light through the vertex apertures (either as a natural behavior, or by interposing a registered array of light concentrators between the display and the corner-cube array). The improvement in contrast ratio arises due to the corner-cube retroreflectors' ability to direct incident ambient light directly back to its source, rather than the viewer's eyes. Ambient light reflections are not attenuated but maximized; this maximization is directed away from the viewer, causing the array to appear dark even in direct sunlight.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining a measurement of a property of a light source, scanning light from the light source onto a surface, such that the light interacts with the surface, detecting light from the surface to create a picture element, and correcting the picture element with the measurement of the property. An apparatus includes a scanned beam display, the scanned beam display is configured to receive a signal and to scan the signal for viewing by a user. The signal is to contain picture element information. The picture element information includes information for a plurality of colors, wherein information for at least one color is corrected to substantially remove a perturbation to the picture element information, such that an image containing the picture element information will be substantially unchanged by the perturbation.

Abstract: A photoluminescent light source includes an excitation light source operable to emit light at a primary wavelength and a photoluminescent material optically coupled to the excitation light source. The photoluminescent material has a characteristic to emit light at a secondary wavelength in response to absorbing light at the primary wavelength. Scanned beam systems employing photoluminescent light sources and methods of using the photoluminescent light sources are also disclosed.

Abstract: A scanned beam image capture apparatus is adaptable to use in medical imaging applications.

Abstract: A scanned beam image capture apparatus is adaptable to use in medical imaging applications.