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. Near-field shadow regions are formed under the display light emitters.
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:
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:
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.
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 display oriented for image output in a first direction and one or more lighting device components oriented for emission of illumination light, for use in a different second direction. The light source may output the illumination light in a second direction or illumination light from the source may be directed into the second direction (e.g. be a lens, reflector, etc.). The second direction of light output is different from the first direction. In one example, the configurable luminaire is a suspended light fixture with a display facing downward and a separate light emitter for indirect illumination emitted/directed upward. The elements that generate the illumination light may be separate from the display components or may support an additional functions, such as backlight generation, for operation of the display.