Abstract: A variably transmissive electro-optic window that has an easily tunable dynamic range is disclosed. The window comprises a first substrate, a second substrate, a first electrode, a second electrode, an electro-optic medium, and at least one tuning layer. The first substrate has a first and a second surface. The first surface is in a first direction relative the second surface. The second substrate has a third and a fourth surface. The third surface is disposed in the first direction relative the fourth surface. The second substrate is disposed in a second direction opposite the first direction relative the first substrate. The second substrate is additionally disposed in a substantially parallel and spaced apart relationship with the first substrate. The first electrode is disposed in the second direction relative the first substrate. The second electrode is disposed in the first direction relative the second substrate. The electro-optic medium is disposed between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: An electro-optic element having multiple regions is disclosed. The electro-optic element comprises an electro-optic medium disposed between two electrodes. Further, the electro-optic medium is operable between activated and un-activated states based, at least in part, on exposure to an electrical potential. In some embodiments, in response to an electrical potential of a first polarity, the electro-optic medium may be substantially activated in one region and substantially un-activated in another region. In response to an electrical potential of a second polarity opposite the first polarity, the electro-optic medium may be substantially activated in both regions. In other embodiments, the electro-optic medium is operably activated such that electro-optic medium is activated in one region and un-activated in another region, regardless of polarity.

Abstract: An electro-optic device includes a first electro-optic element and a second electro-optic element in series with the first electro-optic element via a common node conductively connecting the first electro-optic element to the second electro-optic element. A power supply circuitry includes a first node and a second node. The first node connects the power supply circuitry to the first electro-optic element, and the second node connects the power supply circuitry to the second electro-optic element.

Abstract: A rearview assembly includes an electrochromic element. The electrochromic element includes a first substrate including a first surface and a second surface. The electrochromic element further includes a second substrate comprising a third surface and a fourth surface. The first substrate and the second substrate form a cavity. The electrochromic element includes an electrochromic medium contained in the cavity. The rearview assembly includes an image sensor directed toward the fourth surface and configured to capture near-infrared light reflected from an object and projected through the electrochromic element. The rearview assembly includes a transflective film disposed adjacent to the fourth surface having a near-infrared light transmission level and a visible light reflectance level.

Abstract: An electro-optic element is disclosed. The electro-optic element may comprise a voltage control device electrically connected to an electrode of the electro-optic medium. In some embodiments, the voltage control device may be a transistor. The voltage control device may be operable to receive a supply voltage and to output an activation voltage to an electro-optic medium of the electro-optic element. Additionally, the electro-optic element may further comprise a control circuit. The control circuit may be configured to receive at least one feedback signal. Based, at least in part, on the feedback signals, the control circuit may accordingly control the activation voltage output by the voltage control devices.

Abstract: A system for heating electro-optic media comprises an electro-optic device comprising: a first substrate having first and second surfaces; a second substrate having third and fourth surfaces; a chamber defined between the opposed third surface of the second substrate and the second surface of the first substrate; electro-optic medium in chamber; a first electrode associated with second surface of first substrate; and a second electrode associated with third surface of second substrate; and a circuit in communication with first and second electrodes, comprising: a first EMF source capable of producing a first voltage; a second EMF source capable of producing a second voltage different from the first voltage; a plurality of switches configured to control the application of first and second voltages to the first and second electrodes; and a controller configured to control the switches, the first EMF source, and the second EMF source.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that comprises first and second substrates, first and second electrodes, and an electro-optic medium. The first and second substrates may be disposed in a substantially spaced apart manner. Each of the first and second electrodes are associated with one of the first and second substrates and the electro-optic medium is disposed therebetween. Further, at least one of the first and second electrodes comprises a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and an insulating layer. The first conductive layer may be distributed across a plurality of points. The second conductive layer may be disposed between the first conductive layer and the electro-optic medium. The insulating layer may be disposed between the first and second conductive layers and patterned with a plurality of holes aligned with the plurality of points. The holes may be operable to allow electrical communication between the first and second conductive layers.

Abstract: A rearview system may comprise a light sensor assembly having: a photosensor operable to detect light and generate a signal based, at least in part, on the detected light; a dichroic filter in optical communication with the photosensor and operable to filter light; and a rearview assembly having an electro-optic element may comprise an electro-optic medium and operable to variably change the amount of light passing through the electro-optic medium based, at least in part, on the signal. The dichroic filter may be configured to substantially inhibit light having a wavelength of less than 400 nm or greater than 650 nm from transmitting therethrough.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive assembly and method of making includes a first electrically conductive layer disposed on a first substrate and a second electrically conductive layer disposed on a second substrate. A piezoelectric film is disposed between the first electrically conductive layer and the second electrically conductive layer. The piezoelectric film includes a plurality of aligned piezoelectric particles disposed in a polymeric matrix and is characterized by a haze value of about 5% or less.

Abstract: An electro-optic apparatus configured to adjust in transmittance in response to a control input comprises a first web substrate and a second web substrate. Each of the web substrates form a plurality of perimeter edges. A first edge is in connection with a first electrical terminal connecting in connection with a first electrode. A second edge opposing the first edge is in connection with a second electrical terminal in connection with a second electrode. A third edge and an opposing fourth edge comprise a barrier seal in a first configuration in connection with an exterior surface of each of the first web substrate and the second web substrate. The barrier seal encapsulates the electro-optic medium between an interior surface of each of the first web substrate and the second web substrate.

Abstract: An improved electro-optic element is disclosed. The electro-optic element may comprise a first substrate, a second substrate, a first electrode, a second electrode, and/or an electro-active medium. The first electrode may be associated with a surface of the first substrate. Likewise, the second electrode may be associated with a surface of the second substrate. The first and second substrates may be disposed in a substantially parallel, spaced apart relationship relative one another such that the first and second electrode face one another. The electro-active medium may be disposed between the first and second electrodes. Additionally, each of the first and second electrodes may comprise a conductive mesh and a layer. The layer may be electrically conductive and associated with an inner side of the mesh. Accordingly, the layer may serve as a lateral electrical distributor such that the electrical potential may be substantially uniform across the electrode.

Abstract: An asymmetrically reflective member is disclosed. This asymmetrically reflective member may be utilized in a rearview assembly to hide an imager disposed there behind. The member may comprise a substrate and an asymmetric transflective coating. The substrate may have a first side and a second side. The asymmetric transflective coating may be associated with the substrate. Additionally, the asymmetric transflective coating may have a transflective layer, a plurality of dielectric layers, and one or more absorptive layers interleaved with the plurality of dielectric layers. Further, the member may have a first side and a second side. The reflectance of the first side may be substantially greater than the reflectance of the second side.

Abstract: A switchable device is provided. The switchable device includes an electro-optic element switchable between a darkened state and a transmissive state in addition to a sensor having a field of view at least partially defined by a perimeter portion of the electro-optic element. The darkened state is configured to mask the sensor and visibly match the perimeter portion.

Abstract: A reflective member having transflective and substantially opaque regions is disclosed. The transflective region may serve as a sensor opening region. When viewing the member from a first direction, the difference between a total light reflectance of the member at the substantially opaque region and at the sensor opening region is less than five percent. Additionally, when viewing the member from the first direction, the difference between a color reflectance of the member at the substantially opaque region and at the sensor opening region is less than 5 delta C* units. A sensor disposed in a second direction of the sensor opening region of the member is operable to receive light through the member at the sensor opening region. The second direction is opposite the first direction.

Abstract: An electro-optic element having multiple regions is disclosed. The electro-optic element comprises an electro-optic medium disposed between two electrodes. Further, the electro-optic medium is operable between activated and un-activated states based, at least in part, on exposure to an electrical potential. In some embodiments, in response to an electrical potential of a first polarity, the electro-optic medium may be substantially activated in one region and substantially un-activated in another region. In response to an electrical potential of a second polarity opposite the first polarity, the electro-optic medium may be substantially activated in both regions. In other embodiments, the electro-optic medium is operably activated such that electro-optic medium is activated in one region and un-activated in another region, regardless of polarity.

Abstract: An electro-optic element is disclosed. The electro-optic element may comprise a voltage control device electrically connected to an electrode of the electro-optic medium. In some embodiments, the voltage control device may be a transistor. The voltage control device may be operable to receive a supply voltage and to output an activation voltage to an electro-optic medium of the electro-optic element. Additionally, the electro-optic element may further comprise a control circuit. The control circuit may be configured to receive at least one feedback signal. Based, at least in part, on the feedback signals, the control circuit may accordingly control the activation voltage output by the voltage control devices.

Abstract: A variably transmissive electro-optic window that has an easily tunable dynamic range is disclosed. The window comprises a first substrate, a second substrate, a first electrode, a second electrode, an electro-optic medium, and at least one tuning layer. The first substrate has a first and a second surface. The first surface is in a first direction relative the second surface. The second substrate has a third and a fourth surface. The third surface is disposed in the first direction relative the fourth surface. The second substrate is disposed in a second direction opposite the first direction relative the first substrate. The second substrate is additionally disposed in a substantially parallel and spaced apart relationship with the first substrate. The first electrode is disposed in the second direction relative the first substrate. The second electrode is disposed in the first direction relative the second substrate. The electro-optic medium is disposed between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: An electrochromic device, system using, and method for, which may pre-activate a buffer is disclosed. The electrochromic device may comprise a first substrate, a second substrate, a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electrochromic medium. The second substate may be disposed in apart relationship with the first substrate. The first and second electrodes may be associated with the first and second substrates, respectively. The electrochromic medium may be disposed between the first and second electrodes. Further, the electrochromic medium may comprise electrochromic materials and a redox buffer. Each of the electrochromic materials and the buffer may be operable between activated and deactivated states. The electrochromic device may be configured to apply a voltage to substantially pre-activate the buffer and hold the buffer in this state prior to substantially activating the electrochromic materials, thereby decreasing the response time of the electrochromic device upon activation.

Abstract: A transparency includes a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface and a second substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface. An optical coating is positioned on the fourth surface and has a refractive index real component n of greater than about 1.6 and an nk ratio greater than about 0.4, both as measured at 550 nm. The optical coating is configured to attenuate the transmission of the second substrate and not substantially affect the reflectivity of the fourth surface, as viewed from the first surface, such that the attenuation factor is less than about 50%.

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 has a refractive index real component n of greater than about 1.8 and an nk ratio of greater than about 0.6, as measured at 550 nm. The fourth surface has a reflectance of less than about 1.2%, as measured from the first surface.