Abstract: A backlight apparatus for directing light toward a display panel and the resulting display device comprises an elongated illuminator that is disposed to direct light towards the display panel and a light diffusing element for uniformizing the light redirected from the two or more elongated illuminators to provide backlight illumination. Such an apparatus provides a more even light distribution to the display.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light redirecting film comprising a thin optically transparent substrate having opposite sides, one side of the substrate substantially covered by elongated individual optical elements whose longest dimensions are substantially aligned in a lengthwise direction, wherein the shape of at least some of the optical elements have a visually significant difference, and wherein the layout of optical element shapes and locations is such that objectionable patterns are not visible in the film under standard LCD backlight viewing conditions.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus comprises: (a) at least one light source; (b) a light guide for accepting light from the at least one light source and for guiding the light using total internal reflection, the light guide having a top surface; (c) a light extracting film having an input surface optically coupled with the top surface and an output surface for providing light, wherein the input surface comprises a plurality of features which are optically coupled to the top surface of the light guide, such features having: (i) a first side comprising two or more planar segments; and (ii) a second side comprising two or more planar segments, and wherein either the length of at least some of the features is less than the width of the film or the first and second sides intersect at an apex.

Abstract: A backlight apparatus for directing light toward a display panel and the resulting display device comprises an elongated illuminator that is disposed to direct light towards the display panel and a light diffusing element for uniformizing the light redirected from the two or more elongated illuminators to provide backlight illumination. Such an apparatus provides a more even light distribution to the display.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light redirecting film comprising a thin optically transparent substrate having opposite sides, one side of the substrate substantially covered by elongated individual optical elements whose longest dimensions are substantially aligned in a lengthwise direction, wherein the shape of at least some of the optical elements have a visually significant difference, and wherein the layout of optical element shapes and locations is such that objectionable patterns are not visible in the film under standard LCD backlight viewing conditions.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus comprises: (a) at least one light source; (b) a light guide for accepting light from the at least one light source and for guiding the light using total internal reflection, the light guide having a top surface; (c) a light extracting film having an input surface optically coupled with the top surface and an output surface for providing light, wherein the input surface comprises a plurality of features which are optically coupled to the top surface of the light guide, such features having: (i) a first side comprising two or more planar segments; and (ii) a second side comprising two or more planar segments, and wherein either the length of at least some of the features is less than the width of the film or the first and second sides intersect at an apex.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus comprises: (a) at least one light source; (b) a light guide for accepting light from the at least one light source and for guiding the light using total internal reflection, the light guide having a top surface; (c) a light extracting film having an input surface optically coupled with the top surface and an output surface for providing light, wherein the input surface comprises a plurality of features which are optically coupled to the top surface of the light guide, each feature having: (i) a first side comprising two or more planar segments; and (ii) a second side comprising two or more planar segments, and wherein the first and second sides intersect at an apex.

Abstract: A method of randomizing elements into a random pattern on a surface so the random pattern of elements substantially entirely consumes a region of the surface includes choosing an overlap distance and creating an initial pattern of elements that substantially entirely consumes a region of the surface, wherein neighboring elements overlap by the overlap distance. The method also includes choosing a maximum displacement distance, and displacing the elements by random displacement distances from their positions in the initial pattern, the random displacement distances being less than the maximum displacement distance. Moreover, a signed difference in displacement between two neighboring elements is not greater than the overlap distance. An apparatus including the elements is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for registering machine tool and profilometer coordinates, wherein the machine tool defines a C-axis having a zero position, C=0, comprises loading a sacrificial workpiece into the machine tool; cutting several first features in a surface of the sacrificial workpiece and producing a linear machine tool motion across the workpiece; determining the centroid of each first cut feature; fitting a line to the centroids of the first cut features; and measuring angle ?0 of the line relative to the C-axis zero position. The angle ?0 is the departure in profilometer coordinates from the C=0 line. The method includes moving the machine tool to a fixed radius; cutting several second features in a surface of the sacrificial workpiece and producing a circular machine tool motion across the workpiece; determining the centroid of each second cut feature; fitting a circle to the centroids of the second cut features; and determining a center of the circle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of measuring an article is provided. The method includes providing an article having a feature to be measured, the article having a surface; measuring the surface of the article with a measuring instrument to obtain article surface data; and analyzing the article surface feature data such that data on the feature to be measured is developed. Measuring the surface of the article can include scanning the measuring instrument over the article surface. Analyzing the article surface feature data can include associating portions of the article surface data with individual features thereby producing associated feature surface data; and analyzing the associated feature surface data. The measuring instrument can be, for example, a contact measuring instrument or an interference measuring instrument. A computer storage medium having instructions stored therein for causing a computer to perform the method described above is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of measuring an article is provided. The method includes providing an article having a feature to be measured, the article having a surface; measuring the surface of the article with a measuring instrument to obtain article surface data; and analyzing the article surface feature data such that data on the feature to be measured is developed. Measuring the surface of the article can include scanning the measuring instrument over the article surface. Analyzing the article surface feature data can include associating portions of the article surface data with individual features thereby producing associated feature surface data; and analyzing the associated feature surface data. The measuring instrument can be, for example, a contact measuring instrument or an interference measuring instrument. A computer storage medium having instructions stored therein for causing a computer to perform the method described above is also provided.

Abstract: A process and apparatus generates a sequence of steps for assembly or disassembly of a mechanical system. Each step in the sequence is geometrically feasible, i.e., the part motions required are physically possible. Each step in the sequence is also constraint feasible, i.e., the step satisfies user-definable constraints. Constraints allow process and other such limitations, not usually represented in models of the completed mechanical system, to affect the sequence.