Abstract: A backlight module includes a light guide plate, a light source, and a reflector. The light guide plate includes an incident surface and a corner adjacent the incident surface. The light source is disposed adjacent the incident surface and the corner of the light guide plate. The light source has an emitting surface. The reflector is disposed substantially facing the incident surface. The reflector has a curved reflective surface facing the emitting surface, the surface being shaped and positioned for uniformly reflecting light beams emitted from the light source into the light guide plate through the incident surface. An angle of inclination of the emitting surface with respect to the incident surface is chosen to be in the range from above about 0 to about 180 degrees. The backlight module can effectively eliminate shadow formation adjacent the incident surface of the light guide plate.

Abstract: A light guide plate includes an incident surface, an emission surface, and a bottom surface. The emission surface intersects with the incident surface and is substantially perpendicular to the incident surface. The bottom surface intersects with the incident surface and is opposite to the emission surface. The light guide plate further includes at least one light diffusing portion protruding from the incident surface. The light diffusing portion has a reflective hole located at (i.e., extending from) the bottom surface, the reflective hole protruding less than a thickness of the light guide plate. A backlight module, adopting the above-described light guide plate, further includes at least one corresponding light source positioned beside the incident surface of the light guide plate. The light source includes a luminescent surface facing a corresponding light diffusing portion of the light guide plate.

Abstract: A segmentation of the esophagus from image data by specifying only the two end points is disclosed. Surrounding structures are used as high-level constraints to construct shape and appearance models. Prior shape information is integrated for the segmentation of a new esophagus using a Bayesian formulation. This permits to automatically select the proper models. Given the end points, a shortest path algorithm provides the optimal esophagus according to the Bayesian formulation.

Abstract: A system for designing a free form reflector includes a user input interface (1), a free form reflector design unit (2), and a free form reflector output unit (3). The user input interface is configured for receiving various data associated with a desired free form reflector, via an input device. The free form reflector design unit is installed in a computer and configured for generating an optimum free form surface according to the input data by performing a non-uniform rational basis splines (NURBS) algorithm, a merit evaluation function, and a differential evolution (DE) algorithm. The free form reflector output module is configured for generating a free form reflector according to the optimum free form surface and outputting the free form reflector, in the form of a computer-aided design (CAD) drawing, to a display and/or a printer. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A light guiding plate (120) includes a light incident surface (121), a light emitting surface (122) adjacent to the light incident surface, and a bottom surface (123) opposite to the light emitting surface. The light incident surface includes at least one row of first grooves (1211) and at least one row of second grooves (1212). The first grooves is configured for increasing a range of incident angles in which light beams enter the light guiding plate via the light incident surface and thereby improving a brightness of the light guiding plate, and the second grooves is configured for complementing the functions of the first grooves thereby improving a uniformity of light output by the light guiding plate.

Abstract: An image pick-up lens system includes an aperture stop (10), a biconvex first lens (20), a second lens (30) having a concave surface on an object side, and a third lens (40) having a concave surface on an image side. The aperture stop (10), the first lens (20), the second lens (30) and the third lens (40) are aligned in that order from the object side to the image side. All lenses in the system are made from a plastic or resin material, and one of them has a diffraction grating formed on a surface. The system satisfies conditions (1)-(5) as disclosed, in order to provide compactness, cost-effectiveness and improved optical performance.

Abstract: An image pick-up lens system includes an aperture stop (10), a biconvex first lens (20), and a meniscus-shaped second lens (30) having a concave surface on a side of an object. The aperture stop, the first lens and the second lens are aligned in that order from the object side to an image side. Each of the lenses has at least one aspheric surface, and both lenses are made from a same plastic or a resin. The system satisfies the following condition: (1) 1<T/f<1.7, wherein f is a focal length of the system, and T is a length from the aperture stop to an image pick-up surface of the image side. The first condition (1) limits the total length of the system in order to provide compactness. The system also satisfies other conditions (2)–(5) as disclosed, in order to provide compactness and cost-effectiveness and to correct fundamental aberrations.

Abstract: A light guide device (60) and a backlight module using the same. The light guide device includes: an incident surface (61); an emitting surface (64) adjacent to the incident surface; a reflecting surface (62) opposited to the emitting surface; a plurality of first V-shaped structures (644) formed on the emitting surface; and a plurality of second V-shaped structures (622) formed on the reflecting surface and perpendicular to the first V-shaped structures, wherein respective heigths of the second V-shaped structures increase with increasing distance from the incident surface and respective distances between adjacent second V-shaped structures decrease with increasing distance from the incident surface. The light guide device of the present invention does not need optical elements, and thus has a simple structure. A backlight module using the same light guide plate is also provided.

Abstract: An image pick-up lens system includes an aperture stop (10), a first lens (20), and a second lens (30) having a concave surface on an object side. The aperture stop, the first lens and the second lens are aligned in that order from the object side to an image side. The first lens has positive refracting power and has a diffraction grating formed on a convex surface on the image side. The second lens has positive refracting power. The system satisfies the following condition: (1) 1.4<T/f<1.7, wherein f is a focal length of the system, and T is a length from the aperture stop to an image pick-up surface (50) of the image side. Condition (1) limits the total length of the system in order to provide compactness. The system also satisfies other conditions (2)–(5) as disclosed, in order to provide compactness, cost-effectiveness and improved optical performance.

Abstract: A light guide device (52) includes a light guide substrate (520) and a sub-wavelength grating (527). The light guide substrate has a light input surface (521), a light output surface (522) adjacent to the light input surface (521), a bottom surface (523) opposite to the light output surface (522). In the light guide plate, stress-induced birefringence is introduced to achieve the polarization state conversion. The SWG 527 located on the light output surface includes a top layer (525) and a bottom layer (526). The SWG 527 is configured to work as a reflective polarizing beam splitter, consistent with the principle of rigorous coupled-wave theory.

Abstract: backlight module includes a light guide plate (52), a light source (51), a reflecting sheet (53), a diffusion sheet (54), and a reflective polarizing beam splitter (57). The light guide plate includes a light input surface (521), a light output surface (522) adjacent to the light input surface, a reflecting surface (523) opposite the light output surface, and a number of microstructures (524) located on the reflecting surface. In the light guide plate, stress-induced birefringence is introduced to achieve a polarization state conversion, thereby facilitating efficient use of the light generated by the light source.

Abstract: A Fourier transform lens system includes: a first lens group having negative power and a second lens group having positive power disposed at one side of the first lens group with the first lens group and the second lens group being arranged on a common optical axis. The first lens group includes two negative meniscus lenses each having negative power, and each of the negative meniscus lenses has a concave lens surface facing toward a concave lens surface of the other negative meniscus lens. The second lens group includes a positive lens having a convex lens surface facing toward the first lens group. The Fourier transform lens system satisfies the following conditions: (1) 0.1<R1R/f<0.4; (2) ?0.4<R2F/f<?0.1; and (3) 0.1<d12/f<0.3. A holographic storage system using a Fourier transform lens system is also provided.

Abstract: An exemplary zoom lens system includes a negative first lens group and a positive second lens group. The first lens group includes a meniscus-shaped first lens with negative refracting power and a second lens with positive refracting power. The first lens has a concave surface facing an image side. The second lens group includes an aperture stop, a biconvex third lens with positive refracting power, and a meniscus-shaped fourth lens with negative refracting power. The fourth lens has a concave surface facing an object side. The first lens, the second lens, the aperture stop, the third lens and the fourth lens are aligned in that order from the object side to the image side.

Abstract: A backlight system includes a light guide plate and a light source. The light guide plate includes a light incident surface, a reflective surface adjoining the light incident surface, and a light-emitting surface opposite to the reflective surface. The light guide plate further includes an upper layer and a lower layer under the upper layer. The upper layer includes a substrate portion, a light-emitting surface, a second surface, and a number of projections. The projections extend from the second surface. Each projection has a top extremity adjoining the substrate portion and a bottom face distal from the substrate portion. The lower layer includes a light incident surface, a top surface adjoining the light incident surface, and a reflective surface opposite to the top surface. The top surface of the lower layer abuts the bottom face of the projections.

Abstract: An image pick-up lens system includes an aperture stop (10), a biconvex first lens (20), and a meniscus-shaped second lens (30) having a concave surface on a side of an object. The aperture stop, the first lens and the second lens are aligned in that order from the object side to an image side. Each of the lenses has at least one aspheric surface, and at least one of the lenses is made from an optical glass. The system satisfies the following condition: (1) 1<T/f<1.6, wherein f is a focal length of the system, and T is a length from the aperture stop to an image pick-up surface of the image side. The first condition (1) limits the total length of the system in order to provide compactness. The system also satisfies other conditions (2)–(6) as disclosed, in order to provide compactness, improved optical performance, and cost-effectiveness.

Abstract: A backlight module includes a light guide plate having an incident surface, an emitting surface adjacent to the incident surface, and a reflective surface opposite to the emitting surface. At least one light source is disposed adjacent the incident surface. The light source has a luminescent surface; and at least one reflecting device is disposed adjacent the light source. The reflecting device has a reflective surface facing the incident surface. At least one semi-transmissive and semi-reflective film disposed on the incident surface of the light guide plate. The semi-transmissive and semi-reflective film and the reflecting device together are disposed for cooperatively reflecting some (i.e., a fraction) of the light beams emitted from the light source and redirecting the fraction of the light beams into the light guide plate through the incident surface, distant from the light source.

Abstract: A backlight module (70) includes a light guide plate (72), a light source (74), a micro reflector array (723), and a reflector (76). The light guide plate includes a light input surface (722) facing the light source, a light output surface (724) adjacent to the light input surface, and a reflective surface (726) opposite to the light output surface. The light source and an emitting surface (744) thereof both face the light input surface. The micro reflector array and the reflector are configured for cooperatively coupling a first portion of the light beams into the light input surface via any corresponding microgap and reflecting a second portion of the light beams into the light guide plate at a location distant from the light source.

Abstract: A light guide plate includes an incident surface, an emission surface, and a bottom surface. The emission surface intersects with the incident surface and is substantially perpendicular to the incident surface. The bottom surface intersects with the incident surface and is opposite to the emission surface. The light guide plate is birefringent and has internal stresses/strains therein, causing the light guide plate to exhibit a light-polarizing phase delay. An angle between a direction of one of the main stresses/strains and the light incident surface is bigger than 0 degree and smaller than 90 degrees. A plurality of sub-wavelength gratings can be further formed on the emission surface of the light guide plate. A backlight module, adopting the above-mentioned light guide plate, further includes a corresponding light source positioned beside the incident surface of the light guide plate.

Abstract: A Fourier transform lens system includes a first lens group having positive power, a second lens group having positive power, and a third lens group having negative power, all arranged on a common optical axis in that sequence. The first lens group includes a first positive meniscus lens, and a negative meniscus lens adjacent to the second lens group. The first positive meniscus lens has a concave lens surface facing toward a concave lens surface of the negative meniscus lens. The second lens group includes at least one bi-convex lens. The third lens group includes a second positive meniscus lens adjacent to the second lens group and a bi-concave lens. The second positive meniscus lens has a convex lens surface facing toward the second lens group. The Fourier transform lens system satisfies the following conditions: (1) 0.8<f2/f<1.4; (2) ?1.3<R12F/f<?0.7; (3) 0.35<R31F/f<0.75; and (4) 0.3<R32R/f<0.7.

Abstract: A Fourier transform lens system includes: a first lens group having negative power and a second lens group having positive power disposed at one side of the first lens group with the first lens group and the second lens group being arranged on a common optical axis. The first lens group includes two negative meniscus lenses each having negative power, and each of the negative meniscus lenses has a concave lens surface facing toward a concave lens surface of the other negative meniscus lens. The second lens group includes a positive lens having a convex lens surface facing toward the first lens group. The Fourier transform lens system satisfies the following conditions: (1) 0.1<R1R/f<0.4; (2) ?0.4<R2F/f<?0.1; and (3) 0.1<d12/f<0.3. A holographic storage system using a Fourier transform lens system is also provided.