Abstract: A vehicular signal mirror includes a reflective mirror element comprising a mirror reflector on a light-transmitting substrate. The visible light reflectance is at least about 40% for visible light incident upon the front side of the reflective mirror element. A turn signal light display and/or a blind-spot indicator light display is disposed to the rear of the reflective mirror element and configured so that the light emitted by the light display passes through the reflective mirror element to be viewed by a viewer viewing from the front of the reflective mirror element. The light display exhibits, when electrically powered and when operated in the vehicle during day time driving conditions, a display luminance of at least about 30 foot lamberts as measured with the light display placed behind, and emitting light through, the reflective mirror element.

Abstract: A reflective element assembly includes a transparent substrate having forward and rearward surfaces. A transflective reflector is disposed at a surface of the substrate and the transflective reflector includes at least one thin film layer. A display element is disposed behind the substrate and is operable to emit display information that passes through the transflective reflector and the substrate for viewing by a person viewing the forward surface. Light incident on the forward surface of the substrate and passing through the substrate to be incident on the transflective reflector may exhibit a substantially non-spectrally selective reflectant characteristic as viewed by a person viewing the forward surface of the substrate. The transflective reflector may include a plurality of thin film layers, wherein the refractive indices and physical thicknesses of the individual layers may be selected to limit a tinting effect and/or a color interference effect.

Abstract: A reflective element assembly for a variable reflectance vehicular mirror includes a front substrate having a transparent conductive coating disposed on a second surface thereof, and a rear substrate having an electrically conductive metallic reflective coating disposed on a third surface thereof. An opacifying layer may be disposed around a perimeter border region of the second surface. The electrically conductive metallic reflective coating includes a principal reflecting region and a tab-out portion continuing from the principal reflecting region at least out to generally proximate a perimeter edge of the rear substrate. An electrically non-conductive perimeter border region of the third surface is substantially devoid of the electrically conductive metallic reflective coating. An electrically conductive element may at least partially establish electrical continuity to the tab-out portion and may provide a site at the fourth surface of the rear substrate for electrical connection.

Abstract: A mirrored substrate suitable for use in a dental mirror includes a glass substrate and a ruthenium coating deposited on the glass substrate. The ruthenium coating may be established at a front or first surface of the glass substrate, or the ruthenium coating may be established at a rear or second surface of the glass substrate. The ruthenium coating may have a coating thickness of about 250 angstroms to about 650 angstroms.

Abstract: A signal mirror system for a vehicle includes a reflective mirror element comprising a semitransparent nondichroic mirror reflector coated onto a light-transmitting substrate. The visible light transmission through the reflective mirror element is in the range of from about 1% visible light transmission to about 30% visible light transmission and the visible light reflectance is in the range from 40% visible light reflectance to 80% visible light reflectance for visible light incident upon the front side of the reflective mirror element. The reflective mirror element exhibits substantial non-spectral selectivity in its reflectance. The semitransparent nondichroic reflector comprises a metal thin film layer.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an electro-optic reflective element with an overhang region at an edge region of a first substrate that extends beyond a corresponding edge region of a second substrate. A transparent electrical conductor is disposed at a second surface of the first substrate and a mirror reflector is disposed at a third surface of the second substrate. The mirror reflector includes a tab portion that at least partially encompasses an edge dimension of the second substrate. A non-conductive seal is disposed between the first and second substrates and encompasses at least a portion of the mirror reflector and at least a portion of a non-conductive perimeter region of the third surface. A first electrical connector connects to the transparent electrical conductor via the overhang region and a second electrical connector is in electrical connection with the tab portion of the mirror reflector.

Abstract: A mirror reflective element system includes a fourth surface electrically conductive element disposed at the fourth surface and in conductive continuity with a second or third surface electrically conductive coating of the second or third surface, respectively. A heating element at the fourth surface comprises a heating element substrate, which has first and second electrically conductive elements established thereat, with the conductive elements being electrically isolated from one another. The first conductive element generates heat to heat a portion of the heating element when powered. The second conductive element connects to the fourth surface electrically conductive element at the fourth surface of the rear substrate to establish conductive continuity between the second electrically conductive element and the fourth surface electrically conductive element when the heating element is attached to the fourth surface.

Abstract: An electro-optic reflective element assembly includes a pair of substrates and an electro-optic medium sandwiched therebetween. Each of the pair of substrates includes at least one conductive or semi-conductive layer disposed thereon. The electrical connections may electrically connect to a respective layer and may be electrically isolated from the other layer, such as via non-conductive regions of the substrates and/or deletion lines along one of the conductive layers. The pair of substrates may be positioned relative to one another such that overhang portions of the front substrate extend beyond the corresponding edges of the rear substrate. The overlapping relationship may provide clearance for electrical connection to the conductive layers of the front and rear substrates such that the electrical connections are substantially not viewable through the front substrate.

Abstract: A reflective element assembly for a variable reflectance vehicular mirror includes a front substrate having a transparent conductive coating disposed on a second surface, and a rear substrate having a third surface conductive coating disposed on its third surface and preferably, a fourth surface conductive coating disposed on its fourth surface. At least a portion of the third surface conductive coating may wrap around an edge portion of the rear substrate and at least a portion of the fourth surface conductive coating may wrap around at least a second portion of the perimeter edge so as to establish electrical continuity between the fourth surface conductive coating on the fourth surface and the third surface conductive coating on the third surface. The rear substrate may have a smaller dimension than the front substrate so as to provide an overhang region, preferably at the wraparound region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrochromic mirrors and devices whose electrochromic element is composed of an electrochromic solid film and an electrolyte comprising redox reaction promoters and alkali ions and/or protons.