Abstract: An electro-optic assembly for use in a vehicle having a windshield is provided and includes a first arcuate substrate having a first surface with an anti-reflective coating and a second surface. A second arcuate substrate includes a third surface and a fourth surface with an anti-reflective coating. The first and second substrates are positioned such that the second and third surfaces are at least 0.1 mm apart. A seal is disposed between the first and second substrates and located substantially about a periphery of the electro-optic assembly. An electro-optic medium is positioned in a cavity defined by the first substrate, the second substrate, and the seal, the electro-optic medium including a refractive index greater than 1.2. The second surface is configured to receive and reflect incident light projected from a projector, thereby displaying information that appears to be displayed forward of the windshield.

Abstract: An imaging device is disclosed. The device comprises an image sensor configured to capture image data and a filter. The filter is configured to selectively control a range of wavelengths of light entering the image sensor. The filter comprises a liquid crystal structure configured to pass the range of wavelengths in a first configuration and reflect the range of wavelengths in a second configuration. The device further comprises a controller in communication with the image sensor and the filter. The controller is configured to adjust the filter from the first configuration to the second configuration in response to an environmental lighting condition.

Abstract: An electro-optic assembly configured to be operably connected to a heads up display system of a vehicle is provided that includes a first substrate with a first surface, a second surface, and a second substrate with a third surface and a fourth surface. The first substrate and the second substrate are configured to be held in a parallel spaced apart relationship and sealed around a perimeter of the first and second substrates. An antireflection coating is positioned on the third surface of the second partially reflective, partially transmissive substrate. A transflective coating is positioned on at least one of the first and second surfaces and an electrochromic medium is positioned between the second surface of the first substrate and the third surface of the second substrate. The electro-optic assembly is configured to reflect an image from a projector of the heads up display system of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electro-optic element includes a first substantially transparent substrate defining a first surface and a second surface. A second substantially transparent substrate defines a third surface and a fourth surface. A primary seal is disposed between the first and second substrates. The seal and the first and second substrates define a cavity. An electro-optic material is positioned within the cavity. A transflective coating having a transmittance of between about 15% and about 60% in a visible wavelength band is positioned on at least one of the second and third surfaces. The transflective coating includes a first layer including an absorbing material, a second layer, a third layer including a low index metal and a fourth layer. The second and fourth layers include at least one of a dielectric material and a transparent conducting oxide.

Abstract: An electro-optic assembly for use in a vehicle having a windshield is provided and includes a first arcuate substrate having a first surface with an anti-reflective coating and a second surface. A second arcuate substrate includes a third surface and a fourth surface with an anti-reflective coating. The first and second substrates are positioned such that the second and third surfaces are at least 0.1 mm apart. A seal is disposed between the first and second substrates and located substantially about a periphery of the electro-optic assembly. An electro-optic medium is positioned in a cavity defined by the first substrate, the second substrate, and the seal, the electro-optic medium including a refractive index greater than 1.2. The second surface is configured to receive and reflect incident light projected from a projector, thereby displaying information that appears to be displayed forward of the windshield.

Abstract: A transparent photovoltaic (TPV) integrated directly into the structure of an electrochromic (EC) device is beneficial in that it can eliminate at least one substrate and provide more uniform coloring. Integration of a transparent photovoltaic with an electrochromic device may also reduce or eliminate the need for an electrical bus on a substrate. In some embodiments, positioning the TPV internally with the EC cell may eliminate the need for additional substrate layers or a conductive layer on one side of the TPV cell. Integrating a PV cell into the EC device can additionally reduce the need for external wiring and an external power supply. Alternatively, the TPV can assist in charging a battery where the battery can be used to power the EC device when there is no sunlight available.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for ion milling, and more particularly relates to methods and apparatus for smoothing a surface using ion milling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for ion milling, and more particularly relates to methods and apparatus for smoothing a surface using ion milling.

Abstract: An electro-optic assembly includes a first partially reflective, partially transmissive substrate defining a first surface and a second surface. A second partially reflective, partially transmissive substrate defines a third surface and a fourth surface. A space is defined between a first substrate and a second substrate. A seal is disposed about a perimeter of the first and second substrates. An electro-optic material is disposed between the second surface of the first substrate and the third surface of the second substrate. The electro-optic assembly is operable to change at least one of a reflectance state and a transmittance state in either a discrete or continuous manner. A transparent electrode coating is disposed between the second surface and the third surface. The transparent electrode coating includes an insulator layer, metal layer, and insulator layer (IMI) structure. The reflectance off of the transparent electrode coating is less than about 2%.

Abstract: A transparency includes a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface. A second substrate includes a third surface and a fourth surface. An optical coating is positioned on the fourth surface. The optical coating having a refractive index of greater than about 1.8 and an nk ratio of greater than about 0.6. The reflectance of the fourth surface has a reflectance of less than about 1.2% as measured from the first surface.

Abstract: Anisotropic film laminates for use in image-preserving reflectors such as rearview automotive mirror assemblies, and related methods of fabrication. A film may comprise an anisotropic layer such as a light-polarizing layer and other functional layers. The film having controlled water content is heated under omnidirectional pressure and vacuum to a temperature substantially equal to or above a lower limit of a glass-transition temperature range of the film so as to be laminated to a substrate. The laminated film is configured as part of a mirror structure so as to increase contrast of light produced by a light source positioned behind the mirror structure and transmitted through the mirror structure towards a viewer. The mirror structure is devoid of any extended distortion and is characterized by SW and LW values less than 3, more preferably less than 2, and most preferably less than 1.

Abstract: A variable transmittance electro-optic assembly includes a first partially reflective, partially transmissive substrate defining first and second surfaces. A second partially reflective, partially transmissive substrate defines a third surface and a fourth surface. The first substrate and the second substrate are configured to be held in a parallel spaced apart relationship and sealed about a perimeter of the first and second substrates. An electro-optic material is positioned between the second surface and the third surface. The electro-optic assembly includes a principle transflector having a transflector coating on at least one of first and second surfaces. Low reflectance coatings are disposed on secondary surfaces of the variable transmittance electro-optic assembly.

Abstract: An electro-optic assembly includes a first partially reflective, partially transmissive substrate defining a first surface and a second surface. A second partially reflective, partially transmissive substrate defines a third surface and a fourth surface. A space is defined between a first substrate and a second substrate. An electro-optic material is disposed between the second surface of the first substrate and the third surface of the second substrate. The electro-optic assembly is operable to change the transmittance state in either a discrete or continuous manner. A transflective coating is disposed on the second surface. The transflective coating includes a silver conductive layer and an overcoat layer including one of a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) and a noble metal. The overcoat layer is disposed between the silver conductive layer and the electro-optic material.

Abstract: An electro-optic assembly includes a first partially reflective, partially transmissive substrate defining a first surface and a second surface. A second partially reflective, partially transmissive substrate defines a third surface and a fourth surface. A space is defined between a first substrate and a second substrate. A seal is disposed about a perimeter of the first and second substrates. An electro-optic material is disposed between the second surface of the first substrate and the third surface of the second substrate. The electro-optic assembly is operable to change at least one of a reflectance state and a transmittance state in either a discrete or continuous manner. A transparent electrode coating is disposed between the second surface and the third surface. The transparent electrode coating includes an insulator layer, metal layer, and insulator layer (IMI) structure. The reflectance off of the transparent electrode coating is less than about 2%.

Abstract: A vehicular rearview assembly with a mirror element having a curved or rounded edge on the first surface that is fully observable from the front of the assembly, a complex peripheral ring, and a user interface with switches and sensors that activate and configure pre-defined function(s) or device(s) of the assembly in response to the user input applied to the user interface. The mirror element is supported by a hybrid carrier co-molded of at least two materials, a portion of which is compressible between the housing shell and an edge of the mirror element. The peripheral ring may include multiple bands. Electrical communications between the electronic circuitry, the mirror element, and the user interface utilize connectors configured to exert a low contact force, onto the mirror element, limited in part by the strength of adhesive affixing the EC element to an element of the housing of the assembly.

Abstract: An electro-optic system is provided that includes a front element having first and second surfaces, a rear element including third and fourth surfaces, wherein the front and rear elements are sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber, and an electro-optic medium contained in the chamber, and the electro-optic medium is adapted to be in at least a high transmittance state and a low transmittance state.

Abstract: A vehicular rearview assembly with a mirror element having a curved or rounded edge on the first surface that is fully observable from the front of the assembly, a complex peripheral ring, and a user interface with switches and sensors that activate and configure pre-defined function(s) or device(s) of the assembly in response to the user input applied to the user interface. The mirror element is supported by a hybrid carrier co-molded of at least two materials, a portion of which is compressible between the housing shell and an edge of the mirror element. The peripheral ring may include multiple bands. Electrical communications between the electronic circuitry, the mirror element, and the user interface utilize connectors configured to exert a low contact force, onto the mirror element, limited in part by the strength of adhesive affixing the EC element to an element of the housing of the assembly.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for an electrochromic element comprising a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate comprises a first surface and a second surface. The second substrate comprises a third surface and a fourth surface. The first substrate and the second substrate form a cavity have an electrochromic medium disposed therein. A dielectric coating is disposed on the fourth surface and is configured to provide for improved transmittance of the electrochromic element in the near infrared (NIR) range, wherein the near infrared transmittance exceeds the visible transmittance.

Abstract: A vehicular rearview assembly with a mirror element having a curved or rounded edge on the first surface that is fully observable from the front of the assembly, a complex peripheral ring, and a user interface with switches and sensors that activate and configure pre-defined function(s) or device(s) of the assembly in response to the user input applied to the user interface. The mirror element is supported by a hybrid carrier co-molded of at least two materials, a portion of which is compressible between the housing shell and an edge of the mirror element. The peripheral ring may include multiple bands. Electrical communications between the electronic circuitry, the mirror element, and the user interface utilize connectors configured to exert a low contact force, onto the mirror element, limited in part by the strength of adhesive affixing the EC element to an element of the housing of the assembly.

Abstract: An electro-optic system is provided that includes a front element having first and second surfaces, a rear element including third and fourth surfaces, wherein the front and rear elements are sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber, and an electro-optic medium contained in the chamber, and the electro-optic medium is adapted to be in at least a high transmittance state and a low transmittance state.