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: A self-contained interactive video display system. A flat-panel display screen displays a visual image for presentation to a user on a front side of the flat-panel display screen. A first illuminator illuminates the flat-panel display screen with visible light. A second illuminator illuminates an object. A camera detects interaction of an illuminated object with the visual image, wherein the camera is operable to view the object through the flat-panel display 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 referaction n1, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angel of inclination &phgr;. 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 &phgr;. 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 &phgr;. 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 n1l, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angel of inclination &phgr;. 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 color projection system, comprising a rotatable color drum with reflective segments on the surface of the drum, the segments composed of dichroic filters having different color reflection bands, and means for focussing images of the segments onto a reflective electro-optical light modulator panel, whereby in operation the segment images are scrolled across the surface of the light modulator, synchronously with the application of color components of a display signal corresponding to the colors of the scrolling segment images, to produce a full color display image.

Abstract: An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A layer has an optical index of referaction n.sub.1, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angel of inclination .phi.. 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 n.sub.2. The first layer index n.sub.2 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 n.sub.1, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angel of inclination .phi.. 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 n.sub.2. The first layer index n.sub.2 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 backlighting unit for illuminating a planar display is provided, comprising an illumination source having a light emitting portion for emitting illumination toward the generally planar display, and a reflector for collecting the emitted illumination and reflecting the collected illumination toward the planar display, the reflector being positioned intermediate the illumination source and the display. The illumination source is a fluorescent lamp having an interior surface thereof substantially coated with a phosphor, and the light emitting portion is an aperture in the fluorescent lamp wherein no phosphor coating is present. The fluorescent lamp may be provided with a reflective wrap for increasing its illumination gain. A lens positioned between the reflector and the display receives the illumination reflected by the reflector and redirects the received illumination toward the display to provide even backlit illumination thereof.

Abstract: An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A wedge layer has an optical index of refraction n.sub.1, and top, bottom and side surfaces intersecting to define an angle of inclination .phi.. 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 n.sub.2. The first layer index n.sub.2 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 a light polarization layer, a polarization converting layer and a post LCD diffuser layer can be used to make preferential use of polarized light or diffuse light having passed through the LCD layer to enhance viewing of the output light.

Abstract: A lens system containing an aspherical portion enabling minimization of spherical aberration as well as the lens length. The lens system includes a conical lens portion providing total internal reflection of light within the lens system and an integrally attached aspherical lens portion. For light rays within a defined angular range of less than about .+-.24.degree., the light rays are focused on the exit aperture (for a concentrator) at a minimum lens length, l.