Abstract: A direct-lit LED backlight for a liquid crystal display (LCD) based avionics display unit may include a two-dimensional high density array of mid-power LED units mounted to a circuit card. A diffuser layer for scattering and spreading the luminous output of the LED array throughout the full LCD stack may be airlessly adhered (e.g., without the need for an air gap) to the LED array, and to the LCD stack, by bond layers of thermally conductive transparent optical adhesive. The circuit card may include embedded resistive heaters for conductively heating the LCD stack to optimize performance, or the LCD stack may be heated by the LED array itself. The backlight may include night vision filtering layers similarly and airlessly adhered between the LED array and the LCD stack by the optical bond layers.

Abstract: A display is described. The display includes an array of light sources, collimating optics, a diffuser, a liquid crystal layer and a controller. The array of light sources includes a first group of light sources and a second group of light sources. The collimating optics are arranged to receive and collimate light from the first group of light sources, but not the second group of light sources. The diffuser is arranged to receive and diffuse the collimated light, directed normal to the diffuser, from the collimating optics and light from the second group of light sources. The liquid crystal layer is arranged to receive light from the diffuser and to display an image. The controller is configured to control the array of light sources such that at least some of the light sources emit light.

Abstract: A direct-lit LED backlight for a liquid crystal display (LCD) based avionics display unit may include a two-dimensional high density array of mid-power LED units mounted to a circuit card. A diffuser layer for scattering and spreading the luminous output of the LED array throughout the full LCD stack may be airlessly adhered (e.g., without the need for an air gap) to the LED array, and to the LCD stack, by bond layers of thermally conductive transparent optical adhesive. The circuit card may include embedded resistive heaters for conductively heating the LCD stack to optimize performance, or the LCD stack may be heated by the LED array itself. The backlight may include night vision filtering layers similarly and airlessly adhered between the LED array and the LCD stack by the optical bond layers.

Abstract: A method of improving response time of a display element in a display is disclosed. According to the method, a command input is provided that represents a desired response of the display element. The command input is modified, using a compensation function, to produce a command output to be sent to the display element. The compensation function uses the command input and a modeled luminance of the display element in a present state and at least one previous state to compute the command output. The command output is transmitted to the display element.

Abstract: A variably controlled LCD backlight is disclosed. The backlight includes a first light source that emits light within a first spectral power distribution and has a first radiant power output. A second light source emits light within a second spectral power distribution and has a second radiant power output. A detector detects the first and second radiant power outputs. A processor is connected to the detector and calculates chromaticity and luminance values of the emitted light based on the first and second radiant power outputs. The processor compares the calculated chromaticity and luminance values with desired chromaticity and luminance values, respectively. A controller is operationally connected to the processor and adjusts one or more of the first radiant power output and the second radiant power output in response to a difference between the calculated chromaticity and luminance values and the desired chromaticity and luminance values.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a full color liquid crystal display system providing compatibility with Class A night vision imaging goggles. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a color liquid crystal display (LCD) having dual modes of operation. The color LCD display includes a normal mode light source, a liquid crystal display stack positioned so as to receive light from the normal mode light source, and a night vision imaging system (NVIS) mode light source. The NVIS mode light source includes a NVIS mode white light source, a NVIS mode red light source, a NVIS filter receiving light from both the NVIS mode white light source and the NVIS mode red light source, and a waveguide receiving light from the NVIS filter for reflection to the LCD stack.

Abstract: A backlight for a liquid-crystal display is disclosed. The backlight includes a first LED array that provides light with a first chromaticity and a second LED array that provides light with a second chromaticity. A combining element combines the light from the first LED array and the second LED array and directs the combined light toward the liquid crystal display. A control system is operationally connected to the second LED array. The controller adjusts the brightness of at least one LED in the second LED array to thereby adjust the chromaticity of the combined light.

Abstract: A diffused light reflectance readhead is disclosed. The readhead employs an improved light emitting diode (LED) providing a more strongly collimated beam of fight around a beam axis onto a reagent test pad. The reagent test pad is supported on a strip guide at an angle .alpha. of 5 degrees with respect to the perpendicular of the beam axis. It has been discovered that when .alpha. is between 3 and 8 degrees that specular reflection is dramatically reduced in relation to the small reduction in reflected light received by a sensor. The diffuse reflected light travels to the sensor by passing through a staircase optical baffle at an angle of 45 degrees to the perpendicular of the beam axis. The sensor converts the optical signal into an electrical one for processing and analysis. One embodiment of the present invention can detect the presence of glucose in a blood sample.

Abstract: A dual beam tunable spectrometer comprises a radiation source, generating means, a detector, and a shutter arrangement. The radiation source generates an incident radiative beam. The generating means, which includes an acousto-optic tunable filter, receives the incident radiative beam and generates therefrom a reference beam and a sample beam. The detector detects at least part of the reference beam, and detects at least part of the sample beam emitted from a sample following illumination of the sample with the sample beam. The shutter arrangement includes a first shutter selectively permitting passage therethrough of the part of the reference beam and a second shutter selectively permitting passage therethrough of the part of the sample beam. The shutter arrangement opens the first shutter and closes the second shutter to permit the detector to detect only the part of the reference beam.

Abstract: A cord reel device for automatically winding a decoy cord. In one example, a reel having a hollow center and a bore extending from the surface of the reel to the hollow center thereof is located within a housing which is attachable to a decoy. A rubber band extends through the reel's hollow center and is attached at either end to the housing. The decoy cord passes through the bore and is tied around the rubber band and a tab inserted into the midportion of the rubber band. When the cord is pulled, the reel unwinds to release the cord, thereby twisting the rubber band. The twisted rubber band exerts a torsional force on the reel which automatically rewinds the cord when the pulling force on the cord is sufficiently diminished.