Abstract: Optical fibers are aligned in a jig of parallel apertured plates in which the fibers are inserted and positioned by the use of V-shaped or positioning ribbon actuators. The actuators are thermally actuated by a closed loop feedback system to center each individual fiber and its light output on an equivalent juxtaposed photodetector array. When the fiber is centered by this feedback technique it is permanently fixed in that position by potting, for example. The feedback control constitutes either a totally electrical system utilizing a processing unit or can be partially manually controlled by a human operator operating a joystick and viewing a meter or similar device which indicates an approach to a maximum output from a photodetector.

Abstract: An optical element having a wavelength selectivity, which is easy to manufacture and reduces the manufacturing cost. The optical element comprises a light guide plate (22) having opposing two end faces (22a, 22b), and a multilayered film filter (23) formed on at least one of the opposing two end faces of the light guide plate. The multilayered film filter includes high-refractive-index dielectric layers and low-refractive-index dielectric layers laminated alternately and its thickness continuously changes in accordance with a position of the associated end face of the light guide plate. The center wavelength of transmitted light from the multilayered film filter differs in accordance with the position of the end face of the light guide plate. In a case where mixed light is input to the multilayered film filter from individual lenses via the light guide plate, the mixed light is separated to lights of different center wavelengths by the multilayered film filter that has different thicknesses.

Abstract: A woven fiber-optic sheet (1) has warp strands (2) formed by sheathed bundles of fine optic-fibers (4). The fibers (4) of each strand (2) are broken pseudo-randomly, different ones at different locations along its length so that light transmitted into the strands (2) from a source (7) escapes from the various locations (8) to radiate through the transparent sheathing (5). Decorative effect is intensified by periodic light-color change being a rotating multi-color filter (9) to distribute different colors to different strands (2). The sheet (1) is woven with metal wire (3), plastics filament or fiber-optic strands as the weft, and the fibers (4) are broken before, during or after weaving.

Abstract: In a fiber optic display system an array of pixels form a continuous viewable surface. Each pixel is formed by a bundle of one or more optical fibers which vector light to the pixels from one or more light sources. High density of pixels at the viewable surface is achieved by bundling small diameter optical fibers adapted for vectoring light from a low density light sources. The two-dimensional geometry of the viewable surface is de-coupled from the light source which is arranged in a three dimensional space.

Abstract: An optical display panel which provides improved viewing contrast for front projection applications, and a method of producing a stacked optical waveguide panel for front projection applications, are disclosed. The optical panel includes a plurality of stacked optical waveguides, wherein each waveguide has a back face and an outlet face at opposing ends of each waveguide, and wherein each waveguide is formed of a core between an opposing pair of cladding layers, and at least one reflector connected to the back face of at least one waveguide, wherein the at least one reflector receives image light incident through at least one waveguide from the outlet face, and wherein the at least one reflector redirects the image light back through the at least one waveguide out of the outlet face. In the preferred embodiment, the outlet face is rendered black by inclusion of black within or between cladding layers.

Abstract: An optical panel is disclosed. A plurality of stacked planar optical waveguides are used to guide light from an inlet face to an outlet face of an optical panel. Each of the optical waveguides comprises a planar sheet of core material having a central plane. The core material has an index of refraction which decreases as the distance from the central plane increases. The decrease in the index of refraction occurs gradually and continuously.

Abstract: A light transport device comprises light fibers that individually have predetermined cross sections at one end that may be bundled together to provide a continuous plane, suitable for light input or output, that is substantially free of voids and free of non-light-transmitting materials. The other end of the individual light fibers has a cross section that is useful for injection or emission of light from a single fiber.

Abstract: A fiber optic display apparatus consists of a plurality of optical fibers which convey a projected image from an input, or first surface, to a display, or second surface, whose area is greater than or equal to that of the first surface, such that any image projected on to the first surface appears enlarged on the second surface. The second surface is comprised of tiles which attach to adjoining tiles by means of flexible tabs and pliable locator rods in such a fashion as to allow the second surface to follow general contours (e.g. concave or convex), while the optical fiber bundles from each tile are collected into a fixture to form the first planar surface. Because of the modular design of the display it can be assembled or disassembled rapidly.

Abstract: A multiple optical fiber display module may be used in a Large Screen Display system. The multiple optical fiber display module includes at least two modular optical fiber display elements. Each modular display element further includes an optical fiber display tile, an optical fiber array, and an input matrix. The modular display module also includes a mounting frame for demountably attaching the input matrix of each modular optical fiber display tile to a single micro-display.

Abstract: A light transport device comprises light fibers that individually have predetermined cross sections at one end that may be bundled together to provide a bundled region that terminates in a continuous plane, suitable for light input, that is substantially free of voids and free of non-light-transmitting materials. The other end of the individual light fibers has a cross section that is useful for emission of light from a single fiber. In the absence of non-light-transmitting materials, light propagating in each of the light guides undergoes mixing by being coupled, while traveling in the bundled region, from one light guide to another, thus reducing nonuniformities in the color and intensity of the light emitted by the fibers.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical light manifold that includes forming a faceted optic, forming an optical faceplate, joining the faceted optic to the optical faceplate to define a cavity therebetween and filling the cavity with a fluid.

Abstract: An ultrathin optical panel, and a method of producing an ultrathin optical panel, are disclosed, including stacking a plurality of glass sheets, which sheets may be coated with a transparent cladding substance or may be uncoated, fastening together the plurality of stacked coated glass sheets using an epoxy or ultraviolet adhesive, applying uniform pressure to the stack, curing the stack, sawing the stack to form an inlet face on a side of the stack and an outlet face on an opposed side of the stack, bonding a coupler to the inlet face of the stack, and fastening the stack, having the coupler bonded thereto, within a rectangular housing having an open front which is aligned with the outlet face, the rectangular housing having therein a light generator which is optically aligned with the coupler. The light generator is preferably placed parallel to and proximate with the inlet face, thereby allowing for a reduction in the depth of the housing.

Abstract: The invention concerns a product (1) and a procedure for the manufacture of a product (1) for the further transport of an incoming light, comprising at least one layer (3) of material substance (2) in which a number of optical fibre threads (6) are incorporated, each optical fibre thread (6) comprising an input surface (7) for the interception of the incoming light, and an output surface (8) for emission of the incoming light from the input surface (7), in that said surfaces (7, 8) are connected by a body (9) through which body (9) the incoming light is conducted from the input surface (7) to the output surface (8), said output surface (8) and input surface (7) lying substantially free of the layer (3) of the material substance, said layer (3) comprising a first surface (4) oriented towards the incoming light.

Abstract: The present invention includes a tool (300) for positioning optical waveguide fibers (310) on an adhesive coated substrate (302) including a holder (301) and a pressure source. The holder (301) includes a chamber (314) coupled to the pressure source and multiple recesses (308) configured to position the optical waveguide fibers (310). Each recess (308) includes a reference surface (312) and is connected to the chamber (314) by a passageway (316). The pressure source is configured to selectively increase and decrease the pressure in the chamber (314). The invention also includes a method of making optical waveguide fiber array blocks using the tool (300).

Abstract: This invention encompasses a method for the manufacture and rapid assembly of large screen fiber optic displays (1, 2) containing a very large number of individual fibers (thousands to hundreds of thousands, or more). The display surface is modularized into relatively small, thin, interchangeable, injection-molded square or rectangular tiles (3) to simplify manufacture and assembly. The hundreds of fibers (7) required for each tile (3) are machine-configured into a plurality of flat, flexible fiber optic ribbon cables (4), each cable (4) comprised of a planar geometric array of optical fibers (7) embedded in a thin adhesive matrix (8). The image emission end of each flat, flexible fiber optic cable (4) is a fiber manifold (20) joined to an injection-molded thermoplastic array of light guides (11), each fiber terminating in a single light guide or emitter (12).

Abstract: An optical display panel which provides improved viewing contrast is disclosed. The optical panel includes a plurality of stacked optical waveguides, wherein each waveguide has an inlet face and an outlet face at opposing ends of each waveguide, and wherein each waveguide is formed of a core in contact with at least one cladding layer, wherein the at least one cladding layer includes at least one black layer, and at least one redirector connected to the inlet face of each of at least two waveguides. The at least one black layer has a first thickness, and the core has a second thickness, and the first thickness is preferably a multiple of the second thickness. In a preferred embodiment, the first thickness is at least two times greater than the second thickness. In a second preferred embodiment, the first thickness is at least four times greater than the second thickness.

Abstract: A fused optical fiber component having a predetermined profile as viewed into a plane including the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber component is fabricated according to a method including the steps of (i) fabricating a billet including a plurality of fused optical fibers extending along a longitudinal axis of the billet; (ii) positioning a billet-surrounding member over at least a portion of the outer surface of the billet; (iii) heating the billet and billet-surrounding member to a temperature sufficient to fused the billet to the billet-surrounding member and (iv) grinding the billet-surrounding member to the desired profile.

Abstract: A biochemical assay device optically scans individual biological sample containing wells in an assay plate. The device includes an imaging system overlaying the assay plate wherein a scanning light propagates by total internal reflection within an optical waveguide. The waveguide includes a plurality of pixel locations, each aligned with a well in the assay plate, at which total internal reflection is selectively frustrated to output an incident beam of light. That light illuminates the well and causes generation of an emission beam of light that is detected by a photoreceptor. The device further includes a driver circuit that controls the selective frustration of total internal reflection at each pixel location in order to scan each well in the assay plate. A processor is also included in the device to process the detected emission beams of light generated by the scanned wells for purposes of assaying the biological sample contained in each scanned well.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an optical device and a base used for the optical device, the optical device of the present invention comprising a light transmittable base and a device constituent layer provided on the base, wherein the base includes, at least in a pixel formation region, continuously extending layers arranged to exhibit a cyclic refractive index distribution in the in-plane direction and to exhibit a specific refractive index in the thickness direction, and the base, on the device constituent layer side, has a surface roughness of 300 nm or less. Accordingly, the optical device having a long service life which is capable of extracting luminescence generated in an organic EL device from a light transmittable substrate to the external and of obtaining a high luminance even under low voltage drive and a base used for the optical device are achieved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for cross-connecting the individual optical fibers of a plurality of fiber optic ribbons. A plurality of individual optical fibers are routed onto a substrate to form at least one first optical ribbon. The individual fibers are reorganized on the substrate to form a plurality of second fiber optic ribbons. A plurality of individual dummy optical fibers are routed onto the substrate to increase the number of individual optical fibers of the second fiber optic ribbons without including the dummy optical fibers in the at least one first fiber optic ribbon.

Abstract: A preform having an array of axially extending holes is reduced in diameter for adjusting a spacing between the holes as well as the hole diameters to desired dimensions. Sections of the reduced preform having the desired dimensions are removed for supporting arrays of optical fibers in predetermined patterns. Tips of the fibers are mounted flush with a mounting surface of one of the preform sections, and the preform section is mounted together with a common support for an array of optical conveyances arranged in the same pattern for collectively coupling the array of fibers to the array of optical conveyances. Various active and passive optical components including VCSELs, MEMS, and even other fiber arrays can be among the optical conveyances collectively coupled to the fiber array.

Abstract: An optical display panel which provides improved viewing contrast for front projection applications, and a method of producing a stacked optical waveguide panel for front projection applications, are disclosed. The optical panel includes a plurality of stacked optical waveguides, wherein each waveguide has a back face and an outlet face at opposing ends of each waveguide, and wherein each waveguide is formed of a core between an opposing pair of cladding layers, and at least one reflector connected to the back face of at least one waveguide, wherein the at least one reflector receives image light incident through at least one waveguide from the outlet face, and wherein the at least one reflector redirects the image light back through the at least one waveguide out of the outlet face. In the preferred embodiment, the outlet face is rendered black by inclusion of black within or between cladding layers.

Abstract: A light guide comprising an entrance window, an output window and a multiplicity of light channels for transmitting light falling onto the entrance window towards the output window by internal reflection, wherein the light channel consists of light guiding core material which is enclosed in a cladding gas having a refractive index that is lower that the refractive index of the core material.

Abstract: An optical component 10 is constructed in such structure that a plurality of optical fibers are arranged in parallel to each other and the component has an entrance surface 10a obliquely cut relative to the optical axis and an exit surface 10b normally cut relative to the optical axis. The cross section of the optical component 10 is shaped so that optical fiber pairs, each pair being such a combination of two optical fibers with cores 14 of semicircular cross section as to form a substantially circular cross section, are arranged regularly. Orientation of two semicircular cores 14 forming the optical fiber pair is random in each optical fiber pair. Cladding 16 of each optical fiber is provided so as to be integrated by a heating and pressing process to fill a clearance between cores 14 of two optical fibers forming the optical fiber pair of interest and clearances between adjacent optical fiber pairs.

Abstract: Preselected alignment of an array of N optical fibers is obtained using a relatively thick primary substrate with a thin layer mounted thereon. The primary substrate has a sufficient structure to support an array of N spaced-apart optical fibers passing therethrough. The primary substrate has first and second opposing surfaces and defines a plurality of N primary substrate apertures which each extend therethrough from the first surface to the second surface and have a cross-section which is greater than a cross-section of an optical fiber such that one of the N optical fibers can be inserted through each of the N primary substrate apertures. The layer is metal, is relatively thin, and engages one of the first and second opposing surfaces of the primary substrate, and defines N layer apertures therethrough. Centers of the layer apertures are aligned to a preselected tolerance value which is required for the array of elements.

Abstract: A optoelectronic module comprises one or more VCSELs electrically connected to an IC and optically connected to a fiber optic faceplate. The fiber optic faceplate, comprising a closely packed bundle of optical fibers, permits efficient capture of light from the VCSELs. Precise alignment of the faceplate with respect to the VCSELs is not needed since light not collected by one fiber is captured by another nearby optical fiber. One method of fabricating the module comprises forming substrate layers on both sides of the VCSELs such that features can be formed on the first substrate layer while the second temporary substrate layer provides structural support. The method further comprises forming apertures on the first substrate layer by etching. An etch stop buffer layer positioned between the first substrate layer and the VCSELs protects the VCSELs from being etched in the process. The second temporary substrate layer is removed after the fiber optic faceplate is mounted on the first substrate side.

Abstract: An ultrathin optical panel, and a method of producing an ultrathin optical panel, are disclosed, including stacking a plurality of glass sheets, which sheets may be coated with a transparent cladding substance or may be uncoated, fastening together the plurality of stacked coated glass sheets using an epoxy or ultraviolet adhesive, applying uniform pressure to the stack, curing the stack, sawing the stack to form an inlet face on a side of the stack and an outlet face on an opposed side of the stack, bonding a coupler to the inlet face of the stack, and fastening the stack, having the coupler bonded thereto, within a rectangular housing having an open front which is aligned with the outlet face, the rectangular housing having therein a light generator which is optically aligned with the coupler. The light generator is preferably placed parallel to and proximate with the inlet face, thereby allowing for a reduction in the depth of the housing.

Abstract: A large number of display components are arranged and fixed, for example, in a matrix configuration on a first principal surface of a large optical guide plate to construct a main display device body. A substance having a light-transmitting property adjusted for its refractive index is allowed to intervene at least between the large optical guide plate and the display components. The refractive index of the substance is preferably similar to the refractive index of the large optical guide plate as closely as possible. As for the light-transmitting property of the substrate, it is preferable that the transmittance is not less than 50% for the perpendicular incident light at the wavelength in the visible light region, and it is more preferable that the transmittance is not less than 70%, in order to successfully introduce the light into the display component in an efficient manner and suppress the electric power consumption.

Abstract: This apparatus comprises a housing (1) in which a place (12) is provided for a screen formed by a display unit (15) which comprises, inter alia, an assembly of a plate of optical fibers (30) disposed on the side of the front face, facing the user (28) and a display unit (29) comprising a multiplicity of pixels.

Abstract: An emissive display may include a faceplate that improves contrast and increases light efficiency in some embodiments. The emissive display may be covered by a plurality of cones that define light pipes between the cones. The cones may be reflective on one surface to reflect outwardly through a microlens. The inside surfaces of the cones may be light absorbing to absorb stray light that would not otherwise be properly emitted from the display.

Abstract: A multiple optical fiber display module may be used in a Large Screen Display system. The multiple optical fiber display module includes at least two modular optical fiber display elements. Each modular display element further includes an optical fiber display tile, an optical fiber array, and an input matrix. The modular display module also includes a mounting frame for demountably attaching the input matrix of each modular optical fiber display tile to a single micro-display.

Abstract: This relates generally to an apparatus and method to provide a connection for distinct optical channels between at least two optical devices using multiple optical fibers where the connection may have a pre-selected and different channel order at either end of the connection.

Abstract: An optical lens of this invention comprises a first optical member array, in which a plurality of columnar optical members acting on each ray of light emitted from each light-emitting device are arranged in an array, and a second optical member, formed into a columnar shape from transparent material and within which the first optical member array is embedded along the column axis direction; the refractive index of the constituent material of the plurality of columnar optical members is higher than that of the transparent material of the second optical member. Because the first optical member array is embedded in the second optical member in an integral structure, it is possible to easily place the lens in a position such that each incident light ray is acted upon.

Abstract: To enable easy replacement of a soiled fingerprint reading window. To reduce the number of light sources and achieve miniaturization. An aperture 5 is formed in part of a case K constituting the outer shell of a fingerprint recognition device, aperture 5 being covered by a cover member 4. Cover member 4 that covers aperture 5 constitutes part of case K. An aperture 6 formed in cover member 4 is covered by a window member 7 for fingerprint reading consisting of an optically transparent member. Window member 7 is arranged on the under-surface of cover member 4 and is resiliently held by the holding feet 11 formed on cover member 4. Light source 42, light-guide plate 43, reflection mirrors 33 and 34, image pick-up lens 35 and image pick-up element 36 are held by holding body H which is fixedly arranged in case K. Window member 7 is clamped between supporting faces 38 of holding body H and cover member 4 so as to be immovable.

Abstract: A multi-clad black display panel, and a method of making a multi-clad black display panel, are disclosed, wherein a plurality of waveguides, each of which includes a light-transmissive core placed between an opposing pair of transparent cladding layers and a black layer disposed between transparent cladding layers, are stacked together and sawed at an angle to produce a wedge-shaped optical panel having an inlet face and an outlet face.

Abstract: Improved techniques for manipulation and management of fiber optic light. An improved fiber optic probe assembly for low light spectrographic analysis improves response to subtle light-matter interactions of high analytical importance and reduces sensitivity to otherwise dominant effects. This is accomplished by adjusting the illumination and collection fields of view in order to optimize the probe's sensitivity. Light manipulation is applied internal to the fiber so that the probe's delivery pattern and field of view do not require external manipulation and are not adversely affected by investigated media. This allows the light delivery pattern or field of view or both to be aggressively steered off-axis to achieve significant increased performance levels. Aggressive beam steering is accomplished by employing internally reflective surfaces in the fiber. A reflective metal coating or low refractive index coatings or encapsulants can be used to ensure total internal reflection.

Abstract: A fiber optic faceplate for coupling with optical sources or detectors. The optical sources or detectors are arranged in a two-dimensional array. Each of the sources or detectors has a pixel area precisely located at a predetermined coordinate. The faceplate includes a plurality of drawn and fused optic fibers. Each of the optic fibers is positioned at a corresponding position to the pixel areas of the optical sources or detectors. Interstitial fillers are located at each interstitial space between optic fibers and have an outside diameter corresponding to the space between the optic fibers to maintain the optic fibers in an aligned position as they are drawn.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for detecting an analyte using a fiber optic electrochemical sensor that includes a fiber optic layer, an electrically conductive translucent metallic layer and a light energy absorbing dye layer.

Abstract: An optical display panel which provides improved viewing contrast is disclosed. The optical panel includes a plurality of stacked optical waveguides, wherein each waveguide has an inlet face and an outlet face at opposing ends of each waveguide, and wherein each waveguide is formed of a core in contact with at least one cladding layer, wherein the at least one cladding layer includes at least one black layer, and at least one redirector connected to the inlet face of each of at least two waveguides. The at least one black layer has a first thickness, and the core has a second thickness, and the first thickness is preferably a multiple of the second thickness. In a preferred embodiment, the first thickness is at least two times greater than the second thickness. In a second preferred embodiment, the first thickness is at least four times greater than the second thickness.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus optically extruding parts of a screen image and outputting the extruded images from surfaces different in dimension from the screen surface, wherein a set of image guides formed by bundles of optical fibers placed on the surface of the screen extrude portions of the image displayed on the screen and radiate the extruded images from opposite surfaces different in dimension from the surface of the screen. When some image or a video stream are displayed on the screen, image features are modified so that the extruded portions are displayed on the surfaces of the image guides properly in response to the positions and orientations of the image guides. When the imaging apparatus is equipped to track the positions and orientations of the image guides in real-time, a user can interact with an image animation by moving the image guides.

Abstract: An optical fiber array in accordance with the principles of the present invention includes a faceplate having a plurality of precisely positioned holes extending from front to back surfaces completely through the faceplate. Each hole has an optical fiber inserted therethrough and each fiber includes core, cladding, and coating layers. An end-portion of each of the fibers is stripped of the coating layer, exposing the fibers' cladding layer. The minimum inside diameter of each faceplate hole is greater than the greatest outside diameter of the fibers' cladding layer, permitting each fiber cladding layer to be inserted completely through any of the holes. Optical fibers are inserted into one (rear) faceplate surface and through the holes with a sufficient segment of the stripped fiber end-portion extending beyond the opposite (front) faceplate surface to ensure that, when processing is complete, a complete cross-section of the core layer is exposed at the front face of the faceplate.

Abstract: A large number of display components are arranged and fixed, for example, in a matrix configuration on a first principal surface of a large optical guide plate to construct a main display device body. A substance having a light-transmitting property adjusted for its refractive index is allowed to intervene at least between the large optical guide plate and the display components. The refractive index of the substance is preferably similar to the refractive index of the large optical guide plate as closely as possible. As for the light-transmitting property of the substrate, it is preferable that the transmittance is not less than 50% for the perpendicular incident light at the wavelength in the visible light region, and it is more preferable that the transmittance is not less than 70%, in order to successfully introduce the light into the display component and suppress the electric power consumption.

Abstract: A color image scanner is constructed by a three primary color LED array (4) for illuminating an original (2) to be read out, a monochromatic image sensor array (3) and a rod lens array (1) disposed between the original (1) and the image sensor array (3). The focusing parameters of the three kinds of refractive index distribution type rod lenses (11, 12, 13) constituting the rod lens array (1) are set so that each of the operating wavelength band and the predetermined wavelength is different among the kinds, the lens length Zo is equal among the kinds, and the conjugate length TC at each predetermined wavelength is substantially equal among all the kinds. Accordingly, when a color image reading operation is carried out by using the rod lens array which is effective in compactness and brightness, the chromatic aberration of the rod lens array can be sufficiently reduced and high-resolution can be implemented at low cost.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an optical device and a base used for the optical device, the optical device of the present invention comprising a light transmittable base and a device constituent layer provided on the base, wherein the base includes, at least in a pixel formation region, continuously extending layers arranged to exhibit a cyclic refractive index distribution in the in-plane direction and to exhibit a specific refractive index in the thickness direction, and the base, on the device constituent layer side, has a surface roughness of 300 nm or less. Accordingly, the optical device having a long service life which is capable of extracting luminescence generated in an organic EL device from a light transmittable substrate to the external and of obtaining a high luminance even under low voltage drive and a base used for the optical device are achieved.

Abstract: A compact light weight printhead capable of direct quasi-contact printing includes an OLED structure disposed on a fiber optic faceplate substrate. The printhead is designed for contact or quasi-contact printing printing. The printhead design ensures that the desired pixel sharpness and reduced crosstalk is achieved. Two possible different arrangements for the printhead are disclosed. One arrangement includes at least one array of OLED elements. Each OLED array in this arrangement includes at least one triplet of OLED elements, and each element in each the triplet is capable of emitting radiation in a distinct wavelength range different from the distinct wavelength range of the other two color filters in the same triplet. In the second arrangement, the printhead includes at least one triplet of arrays of individually addressable Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) elements.

Abstract: An optical display panel which provides improved light intensity at a viewing angle by redirecting light emitting from the viewing screen, and a method of making a light redirective display panel, are disclosed. The panel includes an inlet face at one end for receiving light, and an outlet screen at an opposite end for displaying the light. The inlet face is defined at one end of a transparent body, which body may be formed by a plurality of waveguides, and the outlet screen is defined at an opposite end of the body. The screen includes light redirective elements at the outlet screen for re-directing light emitting from the outlet screen.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for retrieving information from a storage medium. A first portion of the surface of the storage medium is exposed to stimulating light which diffuses in the storage medium under a second portion of the surface adjacent the first portion. The second portion of the surface is shielded from exposure to the stimulating light. Stimulated light corresponding to the information is received with at least one detector positioned to receive the stimulated light via the second portion of the surface of the storage medium. The stimulated light is released from the storage medium in response to the stimulating light diffused under the second portion of the surface.

Abstract: Disclosed are several embodiments of devices for improving the performance of optical fiber displays. A light-absorbing material is used to reduce reflected light and glare from the surface of an optical display that uses a diffusion sheet or sheets to increase the viewing angle of the display. A surface of each diffusion sheet is covered by the light-absorbing material except in those locations where there is an optical fiber or other light source. Further, the invention uses diamond and triangle shaped sheets to increase the tolerance in applying the diffusion sheets and reduce the non-uniformities such as air trapped between the sheets and the surface, partially covered optical fibers, overlapping diffusion sheets.

Abstract: An electro-optic display conveys partial images from a plurality of input surfaces to a display surface whose area is greater than or equal to that of the input surfaces together, such that the partial images communicated onto the input surfaces appear as an enlarged single image on the display surface. The display surface is made of tiles that are connected to a structural frame to allow contours. A micro-display communicates with each input surface, each micro-display corresponding in an ordered, one-to-one fashion with a tile of the display surface. The partial images are generated from a single image by an image segmenter.

Abstract: To provide a ribboned polarization-maintaining fiber capable of not only easily manufacturing a polarization-maintaining optical fiber array with multiple fibers but also improving the work efficiency and yield and a manufacturing method therefor, and a polarization-maintaining optical fiber array using the ribboned fiber. A ribboned polarization-maintaining fiber is formed of a plurality of polarization-maintaining fibers, and partially has a ribbon portion of 2 to 300 mm in length. This ribboned polarization-maintaining fiber is manufactured by arranging the polarization-maintaining fibers with an exact pitch width while the end face of the polarization-maintaining fiber is rotationally adjusted so as to have a predetermined plane of polarization and then by fixing and coating a part thereof by and with an adhesive, thereby forming a ribbon portion.