Abstract: The examples relate to various implementations to enable simultaneous controllable lighting distribution and a wide angle image light output from areas of a luminaire. An example of such a luminaire includes image light emitters and an array of general illumination light emitters for general illumination. A grid structure that has a supporting grid of rows and columns with intersection points and transparent sections or gaps is used to maintain a spaced arrangement of the general illumination light emitters and the image light emitters. Each of the transparent sections is bounded by individual structural members of the grid meeting at individual intersection points. In a specific example, image light emitters are located at intersection points of the grid structure. The general illumination light emitters are optically coupled for emitting general illumination light through the transparent sections of the grid.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal type variable beam shaping optic, a part of a structure that forms a gap for the liquid crystals includes a surface relief micro-structure diffuser. Due to the micro-features of the diffuser, the gap is non-uniform. A voltage applied to an electrode associated with the diffuser and an electrode associated with an opposing substrate controls the orientation of uniaxial nematic liquid crystals in a material filling the non-uniform gap. For example, the index of refraction of the material may vary relative to an index of refraction of the diffuser, based on variations of the crystal orientation caused by variation of the applied voltage. The change in relative indices of refraction, in the examples, changes a focal length of the variable optic and thus the shape of a light beam optically processed through the liquid crystal optic.

Abstract: Examples of a lighting and display type luminaire use relatively transparent lighting devices. In such a luminaire, a light transmissive element of the lighting device is coupled to an output of a display device. For example, an edge lit lighting device includes an optical waveguide and one or more illumination light sources coupled to supply light to/through a surface along an edge or periphery of the waveguide. The waveguide allows emission of illumination light through a front surface. A display is coupled to a back surface of the waveguide. During display operations, the waveguide is sufficiently transparent to allow image display light to pass through the waveguide for emission through the front surface of the waveguide. Another example utilizes a light transmissive OLED (organic light emitting diode) panel as the relatively transparent lighting device.

Abstract: A display device includes a waveguide assembly comprising a waveguide configured to outcouple light out of a major surface of the waveguide to form an image in the eyes of a user. An adaptive lens assembly has a major surface facing the output surface and a waveplate lens and a switchable waveplate assembly. The switchable waveplate assembly includes quarter-wave plates on opposing sides of a switchable liquid crystal layer, and electrodes on the quarter-wave plates in the volume between the quarter-wave plates. The electrodes can selectively establish an electric field and may serve as an alignment structure for molecules of the liquid crystal layer. Portions of the adaptive lens assembly may be manufactured by roll-to-roll processing in which a substrate roll is unwound, and alignment layers and liquid crystal layers are formed on the substrate as it moves towards a second roller, to be wound on that second roller.

Abstract: The examples relate to various implementations to enable simultaneous controllable lighting distribution and a wide angle image light output from areas of a luminaire. An example of such a luminaire includes image light emitters and an array of general illumination light emitters for general illumination. A grid structure that has a supporting grid of rows and columns with intersection points and transparent sections or gaps is used to maintain a spaced arrangement of the general illumination light emitters and the image light emitters. Each of the transparent sections is bounded by individual structural members of the grid meeting at individual intersection points. In a specific example, image light emitters are located at intersection points of the grid structure. The general illumination light emitters are optically coupled for emitting general illumination light through the transparent sections of the grid.

Abstract: The examples relate to various implementations of a software configurable luminaire and a transparent display device for use in such a luminaire. The luminaire is able to generate light sufficient to provide general illumination of a space in which the luminaire is installed and provide an image display. The general illumination is provided by additional light sources and/or improved display components of the transparent display device.

Abstract: Examples relate to a method and implementations of general illumination light emitters, an image display device and an image diffuser in a luminaire. The image display device is configured to output an image having a reduced, or first, pixel image fill factor and, as a result, might appear pixelated. To mitigate the pixelation, the image diffuser has a predetermined image diffusion angle and is a predetermined distance from the image display device. The image diffuser outputs an image having a second image pixel fill factor that is greater than the first image pixel fill factor. The appearance of the outputted image appears to be formed from fuzzy pixels. Characteristics related to the image, device, diffuser, and their arrangement may be optimized to provide the fuzzy pixels. A luminaire may output an image formed of the fuzzy pixels and general illumination lighting to an area.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal type variable beam shaping optic, a part of a structure that forms a gap for the liquid crystals includes a surface relief micro-structure diffuser. Due to the micro-features of the diffuser, the gap is non-uniform. A voltage applied to an electrode associated with the diffuser and an electrode associated with an opposing substrate controls the orientation of uniaxial nematic liquid crystals in a material filling the non-uniform gap. For example, the index of refraction of the material may vary relative to an index of refraction of the diffuser, based on variations of the crystal orientation caused by variation of the applied voltage. The change in relative indices of refraction, in the examples, changes a focal length of the variable optic and thus the shape of a light beam optically processed through the liquid crystal optic.

Abstract: For a luminaire offering both illumination and display functionality, control strategies coordinate illumination/image output so as to mitigate interference of the illumination light output with aspects of the displayed image light output. In one example, when displaying a selected image with one or more white regions in the image, a sufficient number of selected white illumination emitters can be ON or operating in a low power state in the white regions while the rest of the luminaire output area can display the non-white elements of the image with aligned illumination emitters turned OFF. In another example, an image is displayed in a selected region of the luminaire output while illumination emitters within the area displaying the image are OFF or operating in a low power state, but illumination emitters along other parts of the luminaire output are turned ON.

Abstract: A luminaire includes a light waveguide grid including an array of waveguides coupling respective illumination light source emitters of a general illumination device with respective gaps between respective pixel light emitters of an image display device. Each waveguide has a housing that includes an input interface optically coupled to the respective illumination light source emitter to steer illumination lighting from the illumination light source emitter. The housing also includes an output interface opposing the input interface and optically coupled to one or more gaps between pixel light emitters. The housing further includes at least one reflective wall having an internal reflective surface encompassing and extending from the input interface and the output interface. The structure of the waveguide may be optimized and/or additional technologies added to reduce optical losses and improve overall illumination efficiency of the luminaire.

Abstract: The examples relate to implementations of an apparatus and a luminaire that use isolated display and lighting portions and optical passages for backlit general illumination through the display. The apparatus includes a general illumination light source, an optical coupling, and an optical array. A luminaire includes the apparatus and a display light board. The display light board may include display light emitters and transparent regions. The transparent regions enable general illumination light to pass through the display light board. The general illumination light source outputs general illumination light that is directed by the optical coupling toward the optical array. The optical array has optical passages and optical array supports. The optical array supports frame the display light emitters and the optical passages channel the directed general illumination light from the optical coupling around display light emitters framed near the optical array supports.

Abstract: Examples relate to a method and implementations of general illumination light emitters, an image display device and an image diffuser in a luminaire. The image display device is configured to output an image having a reduced, or first, pixel image fill factor and, as a result, might appear pixelated. To mitigate the pixelation, the image diffuser has a predetermined image diffusion angle and is a predetermined distance from the image display device. The image diffuser outputs an image having a second image pixel fill factor that is greater than the first image pixel fill factor. The appearance of the outputted image appears to be formed from fuzzy pixels. Characteristics related to the image, device, diffuser, and their arrangement may be optimized to provide the fuzzy pixels. A luminaire may output an image formed of the fuzzy pixels and general illumination lighting to an area.

Abstract: The examples relate to various implementations to enable simultaneous controllable lighting distribution and a wide angle image light output from areas of a luminaire. An example of such a luminaire includes image light emitters and an array of general illumination light emitters for general illumination. A grid structure that has a supporting grid of rows and columns with intersection points and transparent sections or gaps is used to maintain a spaced arrangement of the general illumination light emitters and the image light emitters. Each of the transparent sections is bounded by individual structural members of the grid meeting at individual intersection points. In a specific example, image light emitters are located at intersection points of the grid structure. The general illumination light emitters are optically coupled for emitting general illumination light through the transparent sections of the grid.

Abstract: A luminaire includes a light waveguide grid including an array of waveguides coupling respective illumination light source emitters of a general illumination device with respective gaps between respective pixel light emitters of an image display device. Each waveguide has a housing that includes an input interface optically coupled to the respective illumination light source emitter to steer illumination lighting from the illumination light source emitter. The housing also includes an output interface opposing the input interface and optically coupled to one or more gaps between pixel light emitters. The housing further includes at least one reflective wall having an internal reflective surface encompassing and extending from the input interface and the output interface. The structure of the waveguide may be optimized and/or additional technologies added to reduce optical losses and improve overall illumination efficiency of the luminaire.

Abstract: Examples of a lighting and display type luminaire use relatively transparent lighting devices. In such a luminaire, a light transmissive element of the lighting device is coupled to an output of a display device. For example, an edge lit lighting device includes an optical waveguide and one or more illumination light sources coupled to supply light to/through a surface along an edge or periphery of the waveguide. The waveguide allows emission of illumination light through a front surface. A display is coupled to a back surface of the waveguide. During display operations, the waveguide is sufficiently transparent to allow image display light to pass through the waveguide for emission through the front surface of the waveguide. Another example utilizes a light transmissive OLED (organic light emitting diode) panel as the relatively transparent lighting device.

Abstract: A cellular electrowetting array, e.g. for a luminaire, includes a liquid container having opposing transparent windows. The container contains conductive and non-conductive liquids. A grid wall extends from one of the windows at least partially across the interior volume of the container toward the opposite window. The grid wall divides the interior volume into cellular fluidic optics, each containing some conductive liquid and some non-conductive liquid. The individual cells may be square, although other shapes may be used. A first electrode electrically connects to the grid wall; and a second electrode contacts the conductive liquid. System examples combine such an electrowetting array with a positive or negative lens array, e.g. optically coupled to one of the windows of the array. The electrowetting array or a system combining that array with another lens array may be utilized in a luminaire, e.g. to provide a tunable distribution of the general illumination output.

Abstract: A plurality of networked lighting devices are deployed in a parking garage. The lighting devices each have a display, a controllable general illumination light source, and an occupancy sensor. When a user enters the parking garage in a vehicle, the display of lighting devices outputs directional arrows and communicates with other lighting devices to direct the user to a vacant parking space (e.g., displays green). In response to detecting that the vehicle has parked in a parking space, the display output is adjusted (e.g., displays red) and the general illumination light source is changed to a different lighting state. Hence, when the user pulls into the parking space, illumination lighting is activated to a brighter setting. The illumination lighting is adjusted to the brighter setting as the user approaches other lighting devices, for example, when approaching an elevator or later re-approaches the vehicle to provide a feeling of safety.

Abstract: The examples relate to various implementations of a software configurable luminaire and a transparent display device for use in such a luminaire. The luminaire is able to generate light sufficient to provide general illumination of a space in which the luminaire is installed and provide an image display. The general illumination is provided by additional light sources and/or improved display components of the transparent display device.

Abstract: The examples relate to various implementations of a software configurable luminaire and a transparent display device for use in such a luminaire. The luminaire is able to generate light sufficient to provide general illumination of a space in which the luminaire is installed and provide an image display. The general illumination is provided by additional light sources and/or improved display components of the transparent display device.

Abstract: The examples relate to various implementations of a software configurable lighting device utilizing a projection and/or waveguide-based lighting system that offers the capability to present an image display and/or provide general illumination lighting of a space according to an image display selection and/or general illumination distribution selection. A controller generates control signals that cause the projection and/or waveguide-based lighting system to output the selected images and general illumination.