Abstract: A hybrid process and system for separating water from an inlet brine solution is disclosed. The hybrid process couples at least two different separation processes/systems. The inlet brine solution is fed into a first separation process, which produces a water distillate and a brine concentrate. The brine concentrate from the first separation process is then fed into the second separation process to further recover additional water. The excess heat from the second separation process is supplied to the first separation process.

Abstract: A hybrid process and system for separating water from an inlet brine solution is disclosed. The hybrid process couples at least two different separation processes/systems. The inlet brine solution is fed into a first separation process, which produces a water distillate and a brine concentrate. The brine concentrate from the first separation process is then fed into the second separation process to further recover additional water. The excess heat from the second separation process is supplied to the first separation process.

Abstract: A hybrid process and system for separating water from an inlet brine solution is disclosed. The hybrid process couples at least two different separation processes/systems. The inlet brine solution is fed into a first separation process, which produces a water distillate and a brine concentrate. The brine concentrate from the first separation process is then fed into the second separation process to further recover additional water. The excess heat from the second separation process is supplied to the first separation process.

Abstract: A parabolic trough solar collector include a parabolic trough reflector extending in a longitudinal direction; and a frame supporting the reflector, the frame comprising at least one truss extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the at least one truss comprising a plurality of wooden members connected at a plurality of joints, wherein: a first wooden member has a stiffness SWM1, a second wooden member has a stiffness SWM2, and a first joint that connects the first wooden member and the second wooden member together has a stiffness SJ1, and wherein: SWM1?2×SJ1, and SWM2?2×SJ1.

Abstract: A self-contained interactive video display system. A projector projects a visual image onto a screen for displaying the visual image, wherein the projector projects the visual image onto a back side of the screen for presentation to a user on a front side of the screen. An illuminator illuminates an object near the front side of the screen. A camera detects interaction of an illuminated object with the visual image, wherein the screen is at least partially transparent to light detectable to the camera, allowing the camera to detect the illuminated object through the screen. A computer system directs the projector to change the visual image in response to the interaction.

Abstract: An interactive video window display system. A projector projects a visual image. A screen displays the visual image, wherein the projector projects the visual image onto a back side of the screen for presentation to a user on a front side of the screen, and wherein the screen is adjacent to a window. An illuminator illuminates an object on a front side of the window. A camera detects interaction of an illuminated object with the visual image, wherein the screen is at least partially transparent to light detectable by the camera, allowing the camera to detect the illuminated object through the screen. A computer system directs the projector to change the visual image in response to the interaction. The projector, the camera, the illuminator, and the computer system are located on the same side of the window.

Abstract: A self-contained interactive video display system. A projector projects a visual image onto a screen for displaying the visual image, wherein the projector projects the visual image onto a back side of the screen for presentation to a user on a front side of the screen. An illuminator illuminates an object near the front side of the screen. A camera detects interaction of an illuminated object with the visual image, wherein the screen is at least partially transparent to light detectable to the camera, allowing the camera to detect the illuminated object through the screen. A computer system directs the projector to change the visual image in response to the interaction.

Abstract: An interactive video window display system. A projector projects a visual image. A screen displays the visual image, wherein the projector projects the visual image onto a back side of the screen for presentation to a user on a front side of the screen, and wherein the screen is adjacent to a window. An illuminator illuminates an object on a front side of the window. A camera detects interaction of an illuminated object with the visual image, wherein the screen is at least partially transparent to light detectable by the camera, allowing the camera to detect the illuminated object through the screen. A computer system directs the projector to change the visual image in response to the interaction. The projector, the camera, the illuminator, and the computer system are located on the same side of the window.

Abstract: An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A layer has an optical index of refraction n1, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angel of inclination ?. A back surface spans the top, bottom and side surface. A first layer is coupled to the bottom surface of the layer and has an index of refraction n2. The first layer index n2 causes light input through the back surface of the layer to be preferentially output into the first layer. A second layer is coupled to the bottom of the first layer and selectively causes output of light into ambient. Additional layers, such as alight polarization layer, a polarization converting layer and a post LCD diffuser layer can be used to make preferential use of polarized light of diffuse light having passed through the LCD layer to enhance viewing of the output light.

Abstract: An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A layer has an optical index of referaction n1, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angel of inclination ?. A back surface spans the top, bottom and side surface. A first layer is coupled to the bottom surface of the layer and has an index of refraction n2. The first layer index n2 causes light input through the back surface of the layer to be preferentially output into the first layer. A second layer is coupled to the bottom of the first layer and selectively causes output of light into ambient. Additional layers, such as alight polarization layer, a polarization converting layer and a post LCD diffuser layer can be used to make preferential use of polarized light of diffuse light having passed through the LCD layer to enhance viewing of the output light.

Abstract: An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A layer has an optical index of referaction n1, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angle of inclination ?. A back surface spans the top, bottom and side surface. A first layer is coupled to the bottom surface of the layer and has an index of refraction n2. The first layer index n2 causes light input through the back surface of the layer to be preferentially output into the first layer. A second layer is coupled to the bottom of the first layer and selectively causes output of light into ambient. Additional layers, such, as alight polarization layer, a polarization converting layer and a post LCD diffuser layer can be used to make preferential use of polarized light of diffuse light having passed through the LCD layer to enhance viewing of the output light.

Abstract: A self-contained interactive video display system. A projector projects a visual image onto a screen for displaying the visual image, wherein the projector projects the visual image onto a back side of the screen for presentation to a user on a front side of the screen. An illuminator illuminates an object near the front side of the screen. A camera detects interaction of an illuminated object with the visual image, wherein the screen is at least partially transparent to light detectable to the camera, allowing the camera to detect the illuminated object through the screen. A computer system directs the projector to change the visual image in response to the interaction.

Abstract: An interactive video window display system. A projector projects a visual image. A screen displays the visual image, wherein the projector projects the visual image onto a back side of the screen for presentation to a user on a front side of the screen, and wherein the screen is adjacent to a window. An illuminator illuminates an object on a front side of the window. A camera detects interaction of an illuminated object with the visual image, wherein the screen is at least partially transparent to light detectable by the camera, allowing the camera to detect the illuminated object through the screen. A computer system directs the projector to change the visual image in response to the interaction. The projector, the camera, the illuminator, and the computer system are located on the same side of the window.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multiple access space laser communications optical system. According to the present invention, multiple optical signals containing a number of channels are simultaneously received and demultiplexed at a multiple access communication device. Separate communication signals may be multiplexed by the multiple access communication device, and transmitted through the same or a different telescope optical assembly used to receive communication signals. Double-pass reflection is used to selectively polarize signals and to ensure that signals are substantial normal to optical bandpass filters, to avoid large shifts in the wavelengths transmitted by the optical bandpass filters. The system is capable of providing discrete communications with a number of communication endpoints, regardless of where the communication endpoints are located within the field of view of the telescope optical assembly.

Abstract: An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A layer has an optical index of refraction n1, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angel of inclination ?. A back surface spans the top, bottom and side surface. A first layer is coupled to the bottom surface of the layer and has an index of refraction n2. The first layer index n2 causes light input through the back surface of the layer to be preferentially output into the first layer. A second layer is coupled to the bottom of the first layer and selectively causes output of light into ambient. Additional layers, such as alight polarization layer, a polarization converting layer a and a post LCD diffuser layer can be used to make preferential use of polarized light of diffuse light having passed through the LCD layer to enhance viewing of the output light.

Abstract: An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A layer has an optical index of referaction n1, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angel of inclination ?. A back surface spans the top, bottom and side surface. A first layer is coupled to the bottom surface of the layer and has an index of refraction n2. The first layer index n2 causes light input through the back surface of the layer to be preferentially output into the first layer. A second layer is coupled to the bottom of the first layer and selectively causes output of light into ambient.

Abstract: An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A layer has an optical index of referaction n1, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angel of inclination ?. A back surface spans the top, bottom and side surface. A first layer is coupled to the bottom surface of the layer and has an index of refraction n2. The first layer index n2 causes light input through the back surface of the layer to be preferentially output into the first layer. A second layer is coupled to the bottom of the first layer and selectively causes output of light into ambient. Additional layers, such as alight polarization layer, a polarization converting layer and a post LCD diffuser layer can be used to make preferential use of polarized light of diffuse light having passed through the LCD layer to enhance viewing of the output light.

Abstract: An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A layer has an optical index of referaction n1, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angel of inclination ?. A back surface spans the top, bottom and-side surface. A first layer is coupled to the bottom surface of the layer and has an index of refraction n2. The first layer index n2 causes light input through the back surface of the layer to be preferentially output into the first layer. A second layer is coupled to the bottom of the first layer and selectively causes output of light into ambient. Additional layers, such, as alight polarization layer, a polarization converting layer and a post LCD diffuser layer can be used to make preferential use of polarized light of diffuse light having passed through the LCD layer to enhance viewing of the output light.

Abstract: An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A layer has an optical index of referaction n1, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angel of inclination ?. A back surface spans the top, bottom and side surface. A first layer is coupled to the bottom surface of the layer and has an index of refraction n2. The first layer index n2 causes light input through the back surface of the layer to be preferentially output into the first layer. A second layer is coupled to the bottom of the first layer and selectively causes output of light into ambient. Additional layers, such as alight polarization layer, a polarization converting layer and a post LCD diffuser layer can be used to make preferential use of polarized light of diffuse light having passed through the LCD layer to enhance viewing of the output light.

Abstract: An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A layer has an optical index of referaction n1, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angel of inclination ?. A back surface spans the top, bottom and side surface. A first layer is coupled to the bottom surface of the layer and has an index of refraction n2. The first layer index n2 causes light input through the back surface of the layer to be preferentially output into the first layer. A second layer is coupled to the bottom of the first layer and selectively causes output of light into ambient. Additional layers, such as alight polarization layer, a polarization converting layer a and a post LCD diffuser layer can be used to make preferential use of polarized light of diffuse light having passed through the LCD layer to enhance viewing of the output light.