Abstract: A light absorbing filter includes a chiral anisotropic liquid crystal host having a positive anisotropy and a dichroic light absorbing moiety in association with the host. The filter is characterized by an absorbance Aq for light measured at incident angle q from normal to the filter surface, that is at least 1% higher or at least 1% lower than an absorbance AT predicted by Beer's law when ? is at least 30°. The light absorbing filter may be used in association with an optical element and a light source.

Abstract: An audio-optical headset includes a head-mount structure and an audio system attached to the head-mount structure. The audio system includes left and right speakers positionable proximate a user's left and right ears, respectively. The headset further includes an optical system including a variable transmission visor (VTV) having an electronic lens, wherein the VTV is rotatably attached to the head-mount structure or the audio system to allow a first position where the VTV is positioned in front of a user's eyes and a second position where the VTV is positioned over the user's head.

Abstract: A multi-color variable transmission optical device (“MC-VTOD”) includes a first cell having a first electro-optic material provided between a first pair of substrates and a second cell having a second electro-optic material provided between a second pair of substrates. The first electro-optic material can change from a state of higher light transmittance to a state of lower light transmittance in a first wavelength region upon a change in an electric field applied across the first electro-optic material. The second electro-optic material can change from a state of higher light transmittance to a state of lower light transmittance in a second wavelength region different from the first wavelength region upon a change in an electric field applied across the second electro-optical material.

Abstract: A lens structure (101) includes a light transmissive front lens (110) spaced away from a rear optical element (130) by a pressure-relieving attachment structure (120) provided around a viewing area perimeter of a front surface (139) of the rear optical element. The pressure-relieving attachment structure further contacts a rear surface (111) of the front lens to form a gap (140) between the front lens and the rear optical element.

Abstract: A multi-color variable transmission optical device (“MC-VTOD”) includes a first cell having a first electro-optic material provided between a first pair of substrates and a second cell having a second electro-optic material provided between a second pair of substrates. The first electro-optic material can changing from a state of higher light transmittance to a state of lower light transmittance in a first wavelength region upon a change in an electric field applied across the first electro-optical material. The second electro-optic material is capable of changing from a state of higher light transmittance to a state of lower light transmittance in a second wavelength region different from the first wavelength region upon a change in an electric field applied across the second electro-optical material.

Abstract: A variable transmission optical device (“VTOD”) includes a cell having an electro-optic material capable of changing from a state of higher light transmittance to a state of lower light transmittance upon a change of an electric field applied across the electro-optic material. The VTOD is switchable between i) a clear state having chromaticity CCS and a photopic transmission PTCS of at least 20%, ii) a first darkened state having chromaticity CD1 and a photopic transmission PTD1 lower than PTCS, and iii) a second darkened state having chromaticity CD2 and a photopic transmission PTD2 that is lower than PTD1. CD1 and CD2 each fall within chroma 2 when their respective PT values correspond to a Munsell value of 5 or less.

Abstract: A variable transmission optical device (“VTOD”) includes first and second cells in optical communication, each cell having an electro-optic material capable of changing from a state of higher light transmittance to a state of lower light transmittance upon a change of an electric field applied across the electro-optic material. The VTOD is switchable between i) a clear state having chromaticity CCS and a photopic transmission PTCS of at least 20% wherein the first cell and second cell are each in the state of higher light transmission, ii) a first darkened state having chromaticity CD1 and a photopic transmission PTD1 lower than PTCS, and iii) a second darkened state having chromaticity CD2 and a photopic transmission PTD2 that is lower than PTD1. CD1 and CD2 each fall within chroma 2 when their respective PT values correspond to a Munsell value of 5 or less.

Abstract: A variable transmission optical device includes first and second cells, each capable of changing from a state of higher light transmittance to a state of lower light transmittance. The first cell is characterized by a narrow band absorption having a first peak absorption wavelength and a first FWHM of 175 nm or less, and the second cell is characterized by a narrow band absorption having a second peak absorption wavelength and a second FWHM of 175 nm or less. The optical device is capable of switching from a clear state having a clear state transmittance % TCS-P to a darkened state having a darkened state transmittance % TDS-P, wherein a change between % TCS-P and % TDS-P corresponds to an optical density difference (?OD) of greater than 0.5 OD for at least one of the first or second peak absorption wavelengths. Both the first and second peak absorption wavelengths are in a range of 380-780 nm.

Abstract: A method of producing an optical gradient effect includes providing an optical device having one or more spatially variable optical response characteristics. The optical device includes one or more individual liquid crystal cells, wherein each individual cell includes i) a liquid crystal material contained between a single pair of substrates, each substrate having a transparent conductive layer provided thereon, ii) an electrode connection contacting each transparent conductive layer, and iii) a driving signal source in electrical communication with each electrode connection. The method includes applying a driving signal from the driving signal source to the electrode connections to create a voltage gradient in a gradient direction along the pair of transparent conductive layer leading away from the electrode connections.

Abstract: An eyewear system includes a variable transmission optical device (“VTOD”), a VTOD driving system, and an antenna system. The VTOD includes a first transparent electrode over a first substrate, a second transparent electrode over a second substrate, and an electro-optic material comprising a liquid crystal provided between the substrates. Each transparent electrode is interposed between its respective substrate and the electro-optic material. The VTOD driving system is in electrical communication with the first and second transparent electrodes and configured to apply a first voltage profile across the transparent electrodes for controlling an amount of light transmitted through the VTOD. The antenna system includes at least one antenna electrode and at least one component electrode and is configured to apply or sense a second voltage profile to transmit or receive wireless signals. At least one transparent electrode acts as the antenna electrode or as the component electrode.

Abstract: A laser protection variable transmission optical device (“LP-VTOD”) includes first and second cells, each capable of changing from a state of higher light transmittance to a state of lower light transmittance. The first cell is characterized by a narrow band absorption having a first peak absorption wavelength and a first FWHM of 175 nm or less, and the second cell is characterized by a narrow band absorption having a second peak absorption wavelength and a second FWHM of 175 nm or less. The first peak absorption wavelength may be the same or different than the second peak absorption wavelength. The LP-VTOD is capable of switching from a clear state to a darkened state having a darkened state transmittance % TDS-P that is equal to or less than 10% for at least one of the first or second peak absorption wavelengths.

Abstract: A variable transmission optical device includes a cell having d/p ratio of greater than 0.01. The cell includes a pair of substrates each having an electrically conductive layer and a guest-host mixture having both photochromic and dichroic properties provided between the substrates. The cell may be switched between at least three states including: a first state having a first optical transmission when the optical device is not exposed to UV radiation and no voltage is applied to the cell; a second state having a second optical transmission different from the first optical transmission when the optical device is exposed to UV radiation and no voltage is applied to the cell; and a third state having a third optical transmission different from the first or second optical transmission when the optical device is exposed to UV radiation and a voltage is applied to the cell.

Abstract: An optical filter for attenuating a light source is provided. The optical filter includes first and second outer polarizers each configured to effectively polarize light in a first polarization axis. A first inner switchable polarizer is disposed between the first outer polarizer and the second outer polarizer. The first inner switchable polarizer is configured to alternate between a more polarizing state and a less polarizing state upon a change of an applied voltage. The first inner switchable polarizer configured to polarize light on a second polarization axis effectively orthogonal to the first polarization axis when the first inner switchable polarizer is in the more polarizing state. The change in applied voltage alters a transparency of the optical filter between a more transparent state and a less transparent state. The switchable polarizer may include a liquid crystal cell.

Abstract: An optical device includes a low-flexibility carrier having a multicurved surface, a flexible liquid crystal film structure conformally provided over the multicurved surface, and an adhesive interposed between the multicurved surface and the liquid crystal film structure. The flexible liquid crystal film structure is lamination-formed to the shape of the multicurved surface. The carrier may be a window, a windshield, a cockpit, a display, a heads-up display, a sunroof, a mirror, a headset for augmented reality or virtual reality, goggles, a visor, a lens, glasses, or sunglasses.

Abstract: A multi-color variable transmission optical device (“MC-VTOD”) includes a first cell having a first electro-optic material provided between a first pair of substrates and a second cell having a second electro-optic material provided between a second pair of substrates. The first electro-optic material can changing from a state of higher light transmittance to a state of lower light transmittance in a first wavelength region upon a change in an electric field applied across the first electro-optical material. The second electro-optic material is capable of changing from a state of higher light transmittance to a state of lower light transmittance in a second wavelength region different from the first wavelength region upon a change in an electric field applied across the second electro-optical material.

Abstract: A variable transmission optical device includes a cell having d/p ratio of greater than 0.01. The cell includes a pair of substrates each having an electrically conductive layer and a guest-host mixture having both photochromic and dichroic properties provided between the substrates. The cell may be switched between at least three states including: a first state having a first optical transmission when the optical device is not exposed to UV radiation and no voltage is applied to the cell; a second state having a second optical transmission different from the first optical transmission when the optical device is exposed to UV radiation and no voltage is applied to the cell; and a third state having a third optical transmission different from the first or second optical transmission when the optical device is exposed to UV radiation and a voltage is applied to the cell.

Abstract: A laser protection variable transmission optical device (“LP-VTOD”) includes first and second cells, each capable of changing from a state of higher light transmittance to a state of lower light transmittance. The first cell is characterized by a narrow band absorption having a first peak absorption wavelength and a first FWHM of 175 nm or less, and the second cell is characterized by a narrow band absorption having a second peak absorption wavelength and a second FWHM of 175 nm or less. The first peak absorption wavelength may be the same or different than the second peak absorption wavelength. The LP-VTOD is capable of switching from a clear state to a darkened state having a darkened state transmittance % TDS-P that is equal to or less than 10% for at least one of the first or second peak absorption wavelengths.

Abstract: A variable transmission optical device (“VTOD”) includes first and second cells in optical communication, each cell having an electro-optic material capable of changing from a state of higher light transmittance to a state of lower light transmittance upon a change of an electric field applied across the electro-optic material. The VTOD is switchable between i) a clear state having chromaticity CCS and a photopic transmission PTCS of at least 20% wherein the first cell and second cell are each in the state of higher light transmission, ii) a first darkened state having chromaticity CD1 and a photopic transmission PTD1 lower than PTCS, and iii) a second darkened state having chromaticity CD2 and a photopic transmission PTD2 that is lower than PTD1. CD1 and CD2 each fall within chroma 2 when their respective PT values correspond to a Munsell value of 5 or less.

Abstract: An eyewear system includes a variable transmission optical device and an antenna. The variable transmission optical device includes a first transparent electrode provided over a first transparent electrode area of a first substrate, a second transparent electrode provided over a second transparent electrode area of a second substrate, and an electro-optic material provided between the substrates, wherein each transparent electrode is interposed between its respective substrate and the electro-optic material. An antenna electrode is provided over an antenna area of the first substrate, wherein the antenna electrode is electrically isolated from the first transparent electrode.

Abstract: An optical device with one or more spatially variable optical response characteristics is disclosed. The optical device includes a cell including a liquid crystal material contained between a pair of substrates, each substrate having a transparent conductive layer provided thereon. An electrode connection contacts each transparent conductive layer. A driving signal source is in electrical communication with each electrode connection for application of a driving signal to the cell. An applied driving signal to the electrode connections from the driving signal source creates a voltage gradient in a gradient direction along the pair of transparent conductive layers leading away from the electrode connections. The voltage gradient is received by the liquid crystal material to produce a gradient in at least one optical response characteristic across at least a portion of the device.