Abstract: Disclosed is a device for the regulation of light transmission. In particular, switchable windows and methods for their preparation are disclosed. The switchable windows include electrically switchable devices which in one optical switching state are capable of portraying closed patterns or images without the need for providing complex electrical contacting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembly of switching layers for dimming and scattering of light and to window elements comprising the arrangement of switching layers.

Abstract: Liquid-crystalline media containing one or more mesogenic compounds, one or more chiral compounds, and one or more polymerizable mesogenic compounds, wherein the media exhibit a pitch of 0.55 ?m or more and a clearing point of 80° C. or more and wherein the one or more polymerizable mesogenic compounds are contained in an amount, based on the overall contents of the media, of 5% by weight or less, are suitable as modulation materials. Such modulation materials can be used in switching layers and window elements.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for the regulation of light transmission. In particular, switchable windows and methods for their preparation are disclosed. The switchable windows include electrically switchable devices which in one optical switching state are capable of portraying closed patterns or images without the need for providing complex electrical contacting.

Abstract: A method for controlling the state of two or more liquid crystal-based switchable windows includes in a first step providing correction data which define a relationship between a state signal and an output voltage level. The correction data is provided for each of the switchable windows and the state of the switchable windows may be adjusted according to the state signal between a minimum and maximum level. In a subsequent step, the state signal is provided which defines the desired state of one or more selected switchable windows. In a further step, a required voltage level is determined for setting the desired state based on the state signal and the respective correction data for each of the one or more selected windows. In a subsequent step d), an AC output voltage is generated having the required voltage level for each of the one or more selected windows.

Abstract: A switchable optical device is provided having a first substrate (11), a second substrate (12) and a seal (114). The two substrates (11, 12) and the seal (114) are arranged such that a cell having a cell gap is formed and a switchable medium (10) is located inside the cell gap. The first substrate (11) has a first transparent electrode (21) and the second substrate (12) has a second transparent electrode (22). The electrodes (21, 22) are facing towards the cell gap. The two substrates (11, 12) are arranged such that the first substrate (11) has a first region (71) adjacent to a first edge (41) of the first substrate (11) which does not overlap with the second substrate (12) and the second substrate (12) has a second region (72) which does not overlap with the first substrate (11). A first electrically conducting busbar (31) is arranged in the first region (71) and a second electrically conducting busbar (32) is arranged in the second region (72).

Abstract: A method for controlling the state of two or more liquid crystal-based switchable elements is proposed, wherein the switchable elements are configured as smart windows and/or as switchable subunits of smart windows, wherein in a first step a), at least two keyframes are defined, wherein each keyframe comprises setting values defining the intended state of a group of switchable elements. In a subsequent step b), a display frame is computed, wherein the display frame comprises setting values for the state of the group of switchable elements based on at least one of the defined keyframes. In a subsequent step c), the state of each of the switchable elements of the group of switchable elements is set as defined by the setting values of the computed display frame. Also, a master controller for use with the method, and a system implementing the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembly of switching layers for dimming and scattering of light and to window elements comprising the arrangement of switching layers.

Abstract: A switchable optical device is provided having a first substrate (11), a second substrate (12) and a seal (114). The two substrates (11, 12) and the seal (114) are arranged such that a cell having a cell gap is formed and a switchable medium (10) is located inside the cell gap. The first substrate (11) has a first transparent electrode (21) and the second substrate (12) has a second transparent electrode (22). The electrodes (21, 22) are facing towards the cell gap. The two substrates (11, 12) are arranged such that the first substrate (11) has a first region (71) adjacent to a first edge (41) of the first substrate (11) which does not overlap with the second substrate (12) and the second substrate (12) has a second region (72) which does not overlap with the first substrate (11). A first electrically conducting busbar (31) is arranged in the first region (71) and a second electrically conducting busbar (32) is arranged in the second region (72).

Abstract: The invention relates to a switchable optical device (10) having a layer structure comprising at least one switchable layer (15) and at least one optical layer (20, 22). The at least one switchable layer (15) comprises a liquid-crystalline material and at least one dye. The at least one optical layer (20, 22) has at least one reflection band (32) which includes at least a first part of the visible spectrum and has at least one transmission band (30, 34) which includes at least a second part of the visible spectrum. The absorption spectrum of the at least one switchable layer (15) is adjusted by means of the at least one dye such that the light transmission through the switchable optical device (10) for incident light in the visible light spectrum for at least one of the states of the switchable layer (15) is set to a predetermined transmission spectrum.

Abstract: A switchable optical element and method for detecting breakage of a substrate (A, B) of at least one switchable optical element (10) having a first substrate (A) and a second substrate (B), the first substrate (A) being coated with a first electrode and the second substrate (B) being coated with a second electrode, and a switchable layer (14), the switchable layer (14) being sandwiched between the first substrate (A) and second substrate (B), the first electrode and second electrode each having at least one contact, by i) measuring a change in a differential signal measured at two contacts of a substrate (A, B), ii) measuring a change in capacitance between the two substrates (A, B), iii) measuring a change in resistance of at least one of the substrates (A, B), iv) measuring a change in current applied to the switchable optical element (10).

Abstract: The present invention relates to liquid-crystalline media comprising one or more mesogenic compounds, one or more chiral compounds, and one or more polymerisable mesogenic compounds, wherein the media exhibit a pitch of 0.55 ?m or more and a clearing point of 80° C. or more and wherein the one or more polymerisable mesogenic compounds are contained in an amount, based on the overall contents of the media, of 5% by weight or less. The present invention further relates to modulation materials obtainable from the media and to switching layers and window elements containing the materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a switchable optical device (10) having a layer structure comprising at least one switchable layer (15) and at least one optical layer (20, 22). The at least one switchable layer (15) comprises a liquid-crystalline material and at least one dye. The at least one optical layer (20, 22) has at least one reflection band (32) which includes at least a first part of the visible spectrum and has at least one transmission band (30, 34) which includes at least a second part of the visible spectrum. The absorption spectrum of the at least one switchable layer (15) is adjusted by means of the at least one dye such that the light transmission through the switchable optical device (10) for incident light in the visible light spectrum for at least one of the states of the switchable layer (15) is set to a predetermined transmission spectrum.

Abstract: A method for electrically driving a switchable optical element is provided wherein the state of a liquid-crystalline medium is controlled by an applied electric field. The provided method comprises at least one of a) switching from a scattering state to a clear state, b) switching from a clear state to a scattering state, c) holding a scattering state.

Abstract: Device for controlling transmission of radiation, comprises a first substrate comprising a first conductive layer; a second substrate comprising a second conductive layer; an active layer positioned between the first and second conductive layers for controlling the transmission of radiation by altering its light transmissivity dependent on a voltage applied to the first and second conductive layers; a first contact providing a first electrical connection to the first conductive layer; a first portion of an adhesive or solder for attaching a first proximal end of the first contact to the first conductive layer; a second contact providing a second electrical connection to the second conductive layer; and a second portion of adhesive or solder for attaching a second proximal end of the second contact to the first or second conductive layer.

Abstract: A method for electrically driving a switchable optical element is provided wherein the state of a liquid-crystalline medium is controlled by an applied electric field. The provided method comprises at least one of a) switching from a scattering state to a clear state, b) switching from a clear state to a scattering state, c) holding a scattering state.

Abstract: The present application discloses a switchable device, comprising a switching layer and a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer, where the switching layer is positioned between the first and the second conductive layer, and where at least one of the first and the second conductive layers comprises a plurality of isolating sections and a plurality of conductive sections, where the isolating sections and the conductive sections alternate over the area of the conductive layer, and where the switching state of the switchable device is controlled by touch motions.

Abstract: The present invention presents a switching layer S for use in a switching element which has forwards-scattering properties in at least one switching state. Furthermore, a switching element which comprises the switching layer S and a window element which includes the switching element are presented.

Abstract: A switchable optical element and method for detecting breakage of a substrate (A, B) of at least one switchable optical element (10) having a first substrate (A) and a second substrate (B), the first substrate (A) being coated with a first electrode and the second substrate (B) being coated with a second electrode, and a switchable layer (14), the switchable layer (14) being sandwiched between the first substrate (A) and second substrate (B), the first electrode and second electrode each having at least one contact, by i) measuring a change in a differential signal measured at two contacts of a substrate (A, B), ii) measuring a change in capacitance between the two substrates (A, B), iii) measuring a change in resistance of at least one of the substrates (A, B), iv) measuring a change in current applied to the switchable optical element (10).

Abstract: Device for controlling transmission of radiation, comprises a first substrate comprising a first conductive layer; a second substrate comprising a second conductive layer; an active layer positioned between the first and second conductive layers for controlling the transmission of radiation by altering its light transmissivity dependent on a voltage applied to the first and second conductive layers; a first contact providing a first electrical connection to the first conductive layer; a first portion of an adhesive or solder for attaching a first proximal end of the first contact to the first conductive layer; a second contact providing a second electrical connection to the second conductive layer; and a second portion of adhesive or solder for attaching a second proximal end of the second contact to the first or second conductive layer.