Abstract: A digitally controlled LED illuminator sheet that produces far-field illumination patterns or light field distributions that increase light utilization and application efficiency. A dynamic directional LEDs (or other kinds of solid-state light sources) sheet is positioned under each lenslet of a microlens array. Individual LED beam pointing direction depends on off-axis position relative to optical axis of lenslet. Individual beams from independent LEDs form illumination pixels at the illumination plane or within a volume space and can be modulated in intensity. Illumination pixels partially overlap in far-field illumination plane and illumination volume. Data from sensors can be collected and the LEDs can be digitally turned on or off and/or pulse width or amplitude modulated based on sensor data to produce far-field illumination patterns or light field distributions with spectral efficiency and efficacious intensity.

Abstract: A digitally controlled LED illuminator sheet that produces far-field illumination patterns or light field distributions that increase light utilization and application efficiency. A dynamic directional LEDs (or other kinds of solid-state light sources) sheet is positioned under each lenslet of a microlens array. Individual LED beam pointing direction depends on off-axis position relative to optical axis of lenslet. Individual beams from independent LEDs form illumination pixels at the illumination plane or within a volume space and can be modulated in intensity. Illumination pixels partially overlap in far-field illumination plane and illumination volume. Over a large illumination space many illumination pixels will partially superimposed on neighboring illumination pixels, with the overlap being in increments smaller than the size of a pixel.

Abstract: A digitally controlled LED illuminator sheet that produces far-field illumination patterns or light field distributions that increase light utilization and application efficiency. A dynamic directional LEDs (or other kinds of solid-state light sources) sheet is positioned under each lenslet of a microlens array. Individual LED beam pointing direction depends on off-axis position relative to optical axis of lenslet. Individual beams from independent LEDs form illumination pixels at the illumination plane or within a volume space and can be modulated in intensity. Illumination pixels partially overlap in far-field illumination plane and illumination volume. Over a large illumination space many illumination pixels will partially superimposed on neighboring illumination pixels, with the overlap being in increments smaller than the size of a pixel.

Abstract: A light beam shaper has a rectangular cavity bounded by wafer sidewalls and top and bottom caps. The top and bottom caps are wafer-bonded onto opposing surfaces of the wafer. A reflective coating covers inner surfaces of the cavity. A geometry of the cavity changes a light beam entering the cavity into a rectangular beam profile with uniform spatial intensity at the output.

Abstract: A light beam shaper has a rectangular cavity bounded by wafer sidewalls and top and bottom caps. The top and bottom caps are wafer-bonded onto opposing surfaces of the wafer. A reflective coating covers inner surfaces of the cavity. A geometry of the cavity changes a light beam entering the cavity into a rectangular beam profile with uniform spatial intensity at the output.

Abstract: A device includes a backplane having multiple output terminals arranged in an array on an output surface of the backplane. The device further includes an active matrix array comprising thin film solid state optical switches coupled respectively between an input terminal of the backplane and the output terminals. Storage capacitors may be coupled respectively to the output terminals. A pixelated light source provides pixelated light that controls the optical switches.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus and methods can removing unwanted plants or weeds from an area such as an agricultural plot or lawn. The apparatus includes a three-dimensional imager configured to capture plant images and locate plants; an image processor configured to distinguish between wanted and unwanted plants based upon the captured plant images; at least one laser device configured to emit a laser beam having power sufficient to damage the unwanted plants; a guidance system configured to direct at least one laser beam toward the unwanted plant; and a chassis configured to support the three-dimensional imager, the laser device, and the guidance system. The chassis is configured to be moved across the area.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) light bulb includes a thermally conductive base and at least one LED assembly disposed on and thermally coupled to a surface of the base. The LED assembly includes at least one LED configured to generate light. A thermal optical diffuser defines an interior volume and the LED is arranged to emit light into the interior volume and through the thermal optical diffuser. The thermal optical diffuser is disposed on the surface of the base and extends from the base to a terminus on the light emitting side. The thermal optical diffuser is configured to include one or more openings that allow convective air flow between the interior volume of the thermal optical diffuser and ambient environment.

Abstract: Vehicle occupancy detection involves projecting modulated light onto an occupant from a light source outside of a vehicle. Reflections of the light source are received at a detector located outside of the vehicle. Three-dimensional data is determined based on a time-of-flight of the reflections, and the occupant is detected based on the three-dimensional data.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) light bulb includes a thermally conductive base and at least one LED assembly disposed on and thermally coupled to a surface of the base. The LED assembly includes at least one LED configured to generate light. A thermal optical diffuser defines an interior volume and the LED is arranged to emit light into the interior volume and through the thermal optical diffuser. The thermal optical diffuser is disposed on the surface of the base and extends from the base to a terminus on the light emitting side. The thermal optical diffuser is configured to include one or more openings that allow convective air flow between the interior volume of the thermal optical diffuser and ambient environment.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus and methods can removing unwanted plants or weeds from an area such as an agricultural plot or lawn. The apparatus includes a three-dimensional imager configured to capture plant images and locate plants; an image processor configured to distinguish between wanted and unwanted plants based upon the captured plant images; at least one laser device configured to emit a laser beam having power sufficient to damage the unwanted plants; a guidance system configured to direct at least one laser beam toward the unwanted plant; and a chassis configured to support the three-dimensional imager, the laser device, and the guidance system. The chassis is configured to be moved across the area.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus and methods can removing unwanted plants or weeds from an area such as an agricultural plot or lawn. The apparatus includes a three-dimensional imager configured to capture plant images and locate plants; an image processor configured to distinguish between wanted and unwanted plants based upon the captured plant images; at least one laser device configured to emit a laser beam having power sufficient to damage the unwanted plants; a guidance system configured to direct at least one laser beam toward the unwanted plant; and a chassis configured to support the three-dimensional imager, the laser device, and the guidance system. The chassis is configured to be moved across the area.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for removing unwanted plants or weeds from an area such as an agricultural plot or lawn. The apparatus includes a three-dimensional imager configured to capture plant images and locate plants; an image processor configured to distinguish between wanted and unwanted plants based upon the captured plant images; at least one removal device configured to damage a target on the unwanted plants; a guidance system configured to direct at least one laser beam toward the unwanted plant; a stabilization system configured to provide feedback compensation to one or both of the three-dimensional imager and the guidance system; and a chassis configured to support the three-dimensional imager, the laser device, the guidance system, and the stabilization system. The chassis is configured to be moved across the area.

Abstract: Embodiments include an apparatus and methods for removing unwanted plants or weeds from an area such as an agricultural plot or lawn. The apparatus includes a three-dimensional imager configured to capture plant images and locate plants; an image processor configured to distinguish between wanted and unwanted plants based upon the captured plant images; at least one laser device configured to emit a laser beam having power sufficient to damage the unwanted plants; a laser beam controller configured to direct at least one laser beam toward the unwanted plant; and a chassis configured to support the three-dimensional imager, the laser device, and the laser beam controller. The chassis is configured to be moved across the area.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) lighting device includes at least one LED assembly comprising a substrate and two or more LEDs configured to generate light spaced apart along the substrate. A cured structural coating is disposed on at least a portion of the LED assembly, wherein the cured structural coating is configured to maintain the LED assembly in a predetermined shape. The substrate of the LED assembly may comprise an elongated and/or flexible substrate.

Abstract: A device includes a backplane having multiple output terminals arranged in an array on an output surface of the backplane. The device further includes an active matrix array comprising thin film solid state optical switches coupled respectively between an input terminal of the backplane and the output terminals. Storage capacitors may be coupled respectively to the output terminals. A pixelated light source provides pixelated light that controls the optical switches.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) light bulb includes a base and at least one support structure coupled to the base. The support structure is formed into a shape that defines contours for a luminous surface and an open volume. The LED light bulb includes least one LED assembly comprising two or more electrically connected LEDs. The LED assembly is attached to and in physical contact with the support structure along a length of the support structure to form the luminous surface. The support structure has openings between neighboring segments of the LED assembly.

Abstract: An LED light bulb includes a thermally conductive base and at least one LED assembly disposed on the base. The LED assembly includes at least one LED configured to emit light. A thermal optical diffuser defines an interior volume of the LED light bulb. The LED is arranged to emit light into the interior volume and through the thermal optical diffuser. The thermal optical diffuser extends from the base to a terminus on a light emitting side of the LED assembly. The thermal optical diffuser includes one or more openings. An array of optical elements is disposed within the interior volume and is configured to focus the emitted light toward the openings. The thermal optical diffuser and the array of optical elements are arranged to allow convective air flow between the interior volume of the thermal optical diffuser and ambient environment.