Abstract: An electrophoretic display having a protective electrode that reduces the degradation of the display caused by mechanical or electrochemical action. The electrode can include a protective layer that reduces the mechanical or electrochemical damage to a transparent conductive electrode. The protective electrode can be a vapor permeable electrode that is a reticulated electrically conductive structure, such as a metal screen or wire mesh, or a reticulated structure coated or impregnated with a conductive material. The protective electrode can include a layer that protects the display media from physical abrasion or removal by mechanical action, while allowing the application of an electric field to cause the display to be addressed.

Abstract: A low power, paper white, direct-view display includes an array of hinged micromirrors that are deflected between two states, a first state in which the micromirror covers a portion of the background and a second state in which the micromirror uncovers the background. In one particular configuration, a stability mechanism is incorporated in the display so that the micromirrors switch between stable states and remain in those stable states unless and until an actuating force is applied to the micromirrors that is sufficient to overcome an actuation threshold. The mechanics of the hinge, stiction due to Van der Waals forces or a combination of both can be used to provide bistability. Bistability allows power to be removed from the display between updates but requires active actuation between both states. The drive electronics are similar to those used in multiplexed LCDs.

Abstract: An alternate display content controller provides a technique for controlling a video display separately from and in addition to the content displayed on the operating system display surface. Where the display is a computer monitor, the alternate display content controller interacts with the computer utility operating system and hardware drivers to control allocation of display space and create and control one or more parallel graphical user interfaces adjacent the operating system desktop. An alternate display content controller may be incorporated in either hardware or software. As software, an alternate display content controller may be an application running on the computer operating system, or may include an operating system kernel of varying complexity ranging from dependent on the utility operating system for hardware system services to a parallel system independent of the utility operating system and capable of supporting dedicated applications.

Abstract: An actuated film display device comprises a first fixed electrode, a first movable film electrode, which is placed to face the first fixed electrode to form a first optical path on an opposing side to the first fixed electrode, and which has a fixed end and a movable end, the movable end being displaced toward the first fixed electrode by application of a first potential difference between the first fixed electrode and the first movable film electrode, thereby shutting off the first optical path, a second fixed electrode placed at a predetermined distance from the first fixed electrode, and a second movable film electrode, which is placed to face the second fixed electrode to form a second optical path on an opposing side to the second fixed electrode, which has a fixed end and a movable end, the movable end being displaced toward the second fixed electrode by application of a second potential difference between the second fixed electrode and the second movable film electrode, thereby shutting off the second

Abstract: In an air traffic control system for controlling aircraft a three-dimensional position is provided to monitor a position of an air traffic controller. An image is displayed on a display portion with reference to the position of the controller. The image displayed on the display portion always appears in a front image regardless of the position of the controller or may be selected to be displayed on a selected area of the display portion determined by the position of the controller.

Abstract: The invention is an electric reusable paper sheet that uses a pattern of conductive charge-retaining islands on the outward-facing side of the first of two thin layers used to encapsulate a Electric reusable paper substrate which interact with conductive areas in the encapsulating sheet. The second encapsulating layer may also coated with a conductive material, or made of a conductive material, and may or may not be patterned. The Electric reusable paper substrate and two encapsulating layers comprise a sheet of Gyricon electric reusable paper on which images can be written and erased repeatedly. The patterned charge-retaining islands of the first encapsulating layer receive electric charges from an external charge-transfer device. After the charge-transfer device is removed, the conductive, charge-retaining islands hold electric charge, creating an electric field in the electric reusable paper sufficient to cause an image change.

Abstract: The present invention features apparatus for uniformly distributing luminance from a back light module for a flat panel, liquid crystal display (LCD). Luminance uniformity, high efficiency and long lamp life are achieved by distributing the lamp cathode thermal energy and maintaining uniform lamp wall temperatures. A heat sink is attached to the fluorescent lamps in the cathode areas, providing cooler operating temperatures at the lamp ends. A thermal sensor is also mounted in the heat sink body. In addition, open louver slots positioned behind the lamps allow for cool air to enter behind each lamp. The size, shape and position of these louvers can be selected so that the lamp temperatures are essentially constant over their entire length.

Abstract: A thin low power, paper white, direct-view display includes an array of bistable micromirrors that are deflected between two stable states, a dark state in which the mirror covers a portion of the background and a white state in which the mirror uncovers the background. The drive electronics are similar to those used in multiplexed LDCs but are modified in order to drive the micromirrors to one of their two stable states. The micromirrors in the enabled row are attracted up or down with sufficient force to exceed the micromirrors' bistable threshold and deflect the micromirrors to their dark and white states, respectively. The attractive forces on the micromirrors in the remaining non-enabled rows are insufficient to exceed the micromirrors' bistable threshold so that the micromirrors remain in their current stable state.

Abstract: A flat screen autostereoscopic display for bright wide angle stereoscopic images employs a flat screen on which are displayed a light pattern such as a plurality of regularly spaced, thin, vertical light emitting lines. The light lines are formed through use of electrically switchable materials such as liquid crystal or electrochromic materials. A transmissive electronic display, e.g., a liquid crystal display, is located in front of the light lines. The display and light lines are arranged in such a way that an observer sees the light emitting lines through one set of pixels with the left eye and the same lines through a different set of pixels through the right eye. Methods and apparatus for the simultaneous formation of a two-dimensional image and a three-dimensional image on such a transmissive electronic display, and for moving or dragging the display area of the three-dimensional image from one location to another on said display, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling an image display device having at least one element with a reflective state in which incident light undergoes total internal reflection and a non-reflective state in which the total internal reflection is prevented. A member is positioned adjacent the element for deformation of the member between a first position in which a gap remains between the member and the element and a second position in which the member is in optical contact with the element. The apparatus incorporates a support structure having one or more display chambers. Each display chamber contains one of the elements and members aforesaid. A first aperture is provided in the support structure for air communication between the display chamber and a second chamber provided in the support structure.

Abstract: A thin low power, paper white, direct-view display includes an array of bistable micromirrors that are deflected between two stable states, a dark state in which the mirror covers a portion of the background and a white state in which the mirror uncovers the background. The drive electronics are similar to those used in multiplexed LCDs but are modified in order to drive the micromirrors to one of their two stable states. The micromirrors in the enabled row are attracted up or down with sufficient force to exceed the micromirrors' bistable threshold and deflect the micromirrors to their dark and white states, respectively. The attractive forces on the micromirrors in the remaining non-enabled rows are insufficient to exceed the micromirrors' bistable threshold so that the micromirrors remain in their current stable state.

Abstract: An image processing system includes a host, a controller external to the host, and an image processing apparatus. The host includes a selecting device for selecting a color processing command representing conditions of plural color processing operations within the image processing apparatus, the controller includes converting means for converting the color processing command into a control signal corresponding to color processing for controlling the plural color processing operations within the image processing apparatus, and the image processing apparatus includes a color processing device for performing color processing on image data according to the control signal.

Abstract: A light shutter for selectively masking the light emitted from an optic fibre is combined with a transparent panel through which the emitted light will travel. The transparent panel may be lens shaped and used, for example, to reduce light divergence about a transverse axis or to expand light divergence about a transverse axis.

Abstract: An electromagnetically operated, linearly sliding shutter is provided for a light source emanating from a fiber optic light guide, used for example, in a variable display such as those providing information to motorists on highways. For such a display a plurality of shutters in an array is provided with individual shutters being operable under computer control to occlude or allow passage of light in a predetermined pattern. The shutter may include a base unit having bores to hold the end of the fiber optic guide and control electromagnetic coils, and a shutter unit having a slide movable into and out of the path of light from the guide. The shutter unit may be sealed against entry of dust and dirt.

Abstract: A shutter is designed for use with an optic fibre which is designed to emit rays in a cone in a selected viewing direction. A mount carries the optic fibre to emit such cone. Associated with the mount is structure for rotatably mounting the shutter, or rotor to rotate between ON and OFF positions. The shutter is shaped to provide a panel which blocks the cone in the viewing direction in the OFF position. The shutter is shaped to define, in an ON position, a central opening for passage of the cone of light in the viewing direction. Rotation between ON and the OFF positions is about 90.degree.. An Electromagnetic drive is used to drive the shutter between the ON and OFF positions. The fibre is centrally located relative to the fibre mount. A plurality of shutters, each with its own drive may be arranged in line, in a single strip module.

Abstract: The obturators can be actuated in order to modulate an incident beam (L). Microshutters (5) are attached to a substrate by means of fastenings opposing resistance to their rotation away from a rest position. The microshutters (5) are placed on optical paths (X--X) so as to be able to interrupt them or establish them. They are fitted out with reflecting surfaces (7) so as to deflect the light when they are in the blocking position. On each optical path (X--X) a supplementary reflecting surface (8), a diaphragm (6) and a focusing means (4) are placed. Thus, in line with its position, each microshutter can focus the light on the diaphragm (6) so as to allow it to pass or to deflect it in order to block it. The application thereof is in the transformation of a beam (L) into a modulated beam (Lm).

Abstract: An obscuring system for an aircraft gyroscopic instrument includes a liquid crystal light valve constructed so as to be transparent when not powered and opaque when effectively energized. Independent means for energizing the instrument may include a source of electric power or means responsive to gaseous pressure. An electric transformer is arranged so as to energize the liquid crystal light valve in response to a system fault on demand by the user to render the liquid crystal light valve opaque.

Abstract: A resource oriented host computer-printer system in which the host computer and printer share information and data processing duties. A system and method for analyzing the execution times for draw primitives allows the host computer to determine whether the printer will be able to render draw primitives in real-time. A resource assembler calculates the cost of executing each draw primitive within a band to determine if the printer can render the draw primitive in real-time. If the band is too complex for the printer to render in real-time, the printer may pre-render the band or the host computer will render the band and transmit the bit-map of that band to the printer. The host computer makes a series of decisions as to the best form for transferring data from the host computer to the printer. If the printer cannot store the bit-map data file, the bit-map data file is compressed.

Abstract: An indicator device for an indicator formed of individual indicator elements, having an optical fiber with a corresponding bore in an indicator board located in front of the indicator elements for each indicator element. Switching elements are disposed between the ends of the optical fibers and the corresponding bores of the indicator board, each said switching element corresponding to an individual optical fiber. The switching elements are selectively brought into a non-indicating position by electromagnets, where they cover the end of the assigned optical fibers, or into an indicating position, where the optical fiber is uncovered. This indicator device is utilized for displaying arbitrary luminous signals whereby each optical fiber is closed off by a reflecting body which extends into an indicator board and which is held in a hole in the bottom of the indicator compartment.

Abstract: A shutter is designed for use with an optic fibre which is designed to emit rays in a cone in a selected viewing direction. A mount carries the optic fibre to emit such cone. Associated with the mount is structure for rotatably mounting the shutter, or rotor to rotate between ON and OFF positions. The shutter is shaped to provide a panel which blocks the cone in the viewing direction in the OFF position. The shutter is shaped to define, in an ON position, a central opening for passage of the cone of light in the viewing direction. Rotation between the ON and OFF positions is about 90.degree.. An Electromagnetic drive is used to drive the shutter between the ON and OFF positions. The fibre is centrally located relative to the fibre mount. A plurality of shutters, each with its own drive may be arranged in line, in a single strip module.