Patent ID: 7499206

Claim:
A light valve comprising: a means for bending light, said means for bending light having an index of refraction much greater than an index of refraction of a surrounding area, so that light projected onto a first surface of said means for bending light is reflected off a second surface of said means for bending light, a switching element comprising a reflecting surface, and a means for moving said reflecting surface of said switching element relative to said second surface of said means for bending light; wherein when said switching means is in an on position, light passing through said first surface of said means for bending light reflects off of said second surface of said means for bending light and passes through an output surface of said means for bending light in a direction not substantially parallel to a direction of said light passing through said first surface, and when said switching means is in an off position, said reflecting surface is moved to a position in close proximity to said second surface of said means for bending light, so that light passing through said first surface of said means for bending light is not reflected off said second surface, but rather continues on to a surface of said switching means and is redirected through said switching means in a direction not substantially parallel to a direction of said light passing through said first surface of said means for bending light.