Abstract: A rearview assembly having a mounting structure configured to be operably coupled with a vehicle. A housing is operably connected with the mounting structure and a rearward viewing device is supported by one of the housing and the mounting structure. The rearward viewing device provides a rearward view to a vehicle driver and includes a front substrate and a rear substrate. The entire front surface of the front substrate is exposed and the entire rear substrate is positioned behind the front substrate. A concealing layer is disposed about a periphery of the rearward viewing device between the front substrate and the rear substrate. A partially optically transparent bezel is disposed adjacent to both the rearward viewing device and the housing, the optically transparent bezel having an edge radius greater than 2.5 mm and the optically transparent bezel being substantially flush with the front surface of the front substrate.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly includes a housing, a bezel and an electro-optic mirror element. The electro-optic mirror element includes a first substantially transparent substrate having an edge extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the first substantially transparent substrate and a second substrate having a second edge extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the second substrate and a fourth surface. The first substantially transparent substrate and the second substrate define a cavity therebetween. An electro-optic material is disposed within the cavity. The edge of the first substantially transparent substrate and the second edge of the second substrate are coupled to at least one of the bezel and the housing.

Abstract: An electro-optic element is provided that includes a first substantially transparent substrate having first and second surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof. The second surface has a first electrically conductive layer and a second substantially transparent substrate has third and fourth surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof. The third surface includes a second electrically conductive layer. At least one of the first and second substantially transparent substrates includes a polymer. A primary seal is positioned such that the primary seal and the first and second substrates define a cavity therebetween. An electro-optic medium is disposed in the cavity. The electro-optic medium is variably transmissive such that the electro-optic medium is operable between generally clear and darkened states. A polymeric barrier is disposed between the first electrically conductive layer and the electro-optic medium.

Abstract: A vehicle sunroof comprising an electro-optic device is disclosed. The electro-optic device forms a variable transmission window comprising a first layer, a second layer, and an electro-optic medium disposed between the first layer and the second layer. At least one of the first layer and the second layer correspond to a polymeric film. The sunroof further comprises a frame configured to connect the electro-optic device to the vehicle.

Abstract: An electro-optic assembly is provided that includes a first substantially transparent substrate comprising: a first surface, and a second surface. The second surface comprises a first electrically conductive layer and a first isolation area. The assembly further includes a second substrate comprising: a third surface, and a fourth surface. The third surface comprises a second electrically conductive layer. The assembly also includes a primary seal between the second and third surfaces, the seal and the second and third surfaces define a substantially hermetic cavity; and an electro-optic medium at least partially disposed in the cavity. The primary seal comprises a plurality of conductive spacers, the seal disposed in contact with portions of the first and second electrically conductive layers. A substantial portion of the plurality of conductive spacers is in substantial contact with the second and third surfaces.

Abstract: An emissive display system includes an electro-optic device having a first substantially transparent substrate. A second substantially transparent substrate is spaced apart from the first substrate to define a cavity therebetween. An electro-optic medium is disposed within the cavity and is variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states, and includes at least one solvent, at least one anodic material, and at least one cathodic material. One or more spacing members are deposited on one of the first substrate and the second substrate and are configured to maintain a cell spacing between the first and second substrates. The one or more spacing members at least substantially dissolve upon association with the electro-optic medium. A substantially transparent light emitting display is operably coupled to the electro-optic device, which is in the darkened state when the light emitting display is emitting light.

Abstract: An emissive display system includes an electro-optic device having a first substantially transparent substrate including first and second surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof. At least one of the first and second surfaces includes a first electrically conductive layer. A second substantially transparent substrate includes third and fourth surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof. At least one of the third and fourth surfaces includes a second electrically conductive layer. A primary seal disposed between the first and second substrates. The seal and the first and second substrates define a cavity therebetween. An electro-optic medium is disposed in the cavity and is variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states. A substantially transparent light emitting display is disposed adjacent to the electro-optic device, which is converted to the darkened state when the light emitting display is emitting light.

Abstract: A heads up display system of a vehicle including a combiner screen having a first substantially transparent substrate defining a first surface and a second surface, a second substantially transparent substrate defining 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 therebetween. An electro-optic material is positioned within the cavity and a reflective polarizer is positioned on one of the first and second surfaces. A projector projects light having a first polarization toward the first surface of the first substrate.

Abstract: An electro-optic assembly is provided that includes a first substantially transparent substrate comprising: a first surface, a second surface, and a first peripheral edge, the second surface comprises a first electrically conductive layer and a first isolation area. The assembly further includes a second substrate comprising: a third surface, a fourth surface, and a second peripheral edge, the third surface comprises a second electrically conductive layer. The assembly also includes a primary seal between the second and third surfaces, wherein the seal and the second and third surfaces define a substantially hermetic cavity; an electro-optic medium at least partially disposed in the cavity; and an electrically conductive solder that is disposed on at least portions of at least one of the first and second peripheral edges in electrical contact with one of the first and second electrically conductive layers.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly includes a housing, a bezel, and an electro-optic mirror element. The electro-optic mirror element includes a first substantially transparent substrate having an edge extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the first substantially transparent substrate and a second substantially transparent substrate. The first and second substantially transparent substrates define a cavity. An electro-optic material is disposed within the cavity. The first substantially transparent substrate and at least one of the housing and bezel have a difference in coefficient of thermal expansion between about 5 ppm and about 50 ppm.

Abstract: An electro-optic element comprises a first substrate, including first and second surfaces. The first substrate contains at least a first layer of electrically conductive material that is deposited on the second surface and is substantially transparent. The element also comprises a second substrate including third and fourth surfaces, the second substrate containing a second layer of electrically conductive material deposited on the third surface. The first and second substrates are disposed in a parallel and spaced-apart relationship to define a gap between the second and third surfaces, the gap containing an electro-optic medium, and each substrate with a width and a height such that the ratio of width to height is less than or equal to 2. In addition, the element is configured such that a relative darkening timing factor substantially across the element is less than a factor of 3.

Abstract: An emissive display system includes an electro-optic device having a first substantially transparent substrate including a first electrically conductive material associated therewith. A second substantially transparent substrate is spaced apart from the first substrate to define a cavity and includes a second electrically conductive material associated therewith. One or more spacing members are positioned within the cavity and include one or more polymer matrix discs configured to maintain a cell spacing between the first and second substrates. An electro-optic medium is disposed within the cavity and is variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states, and includes at least one solvent, at least one anodic material, and at least one cathodic material. A substantially transparent light emitting display is operably coupled to the electro-optic device, which is in the darkened state when the light emitting display is emitting light.

Abstract: An electrochromic device includes a first flexible or rigid plastic substrate including a front surface, and a rear surface, wherein the rear surface comprises a first conductive material; and the front surface, the rear surface, or both the front surface and the rear surface of the first substrate comprises a gas diffusion barrier; and a second flexible or rigid plastic substrate including a front surface, and a rear surface, wherein the front surface comprises a second conductive material, wherein the first substrate is joined to the second substrate by a sealing member, where the rear surface of the first substrate and the front surface of the second substrate with the sealing member define a chamber therebetween.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly is provided that includes a front substrate comprising a first surface and a second surface; and a rear substrate comprising a third surface and a fourth surface. The rear substrate defines at least one contact via and the front substrate and the rear substrate define a cavity. The mirror assembly further includes a perimeter seal between the front substrate and the rear substrate; and an electrically conductive element at least partially within said at least one contact via that electrically connects with at least one of the second surface and the third surface. The mirror assembly also includes an electro-optic medium disposed in the cavity. In addition, the front substrate and the rear substrate each has a shaped edge having a continuously arcuate shape. The shaped edges can also be formed by grinding the edges together.

Abstract: A window is provided that includes a first substrate, a second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate, an intermediate substrate between the first and second substrate and having a first transparent electrode on a surface proximal to the first substrate and second transparent electrode on a surface proximal to the second substrate, a first electrode on a surface of the first substrate proximal to the intermediate substrate, a second electrode on a surface of the second substrate proximal to the intermediate substrate, a light absorbing layer comprising an electrochromic medium between the first substrate and the intermediate substrate, and a light scattering layer comprising a liquid crystal material between the intermediate substrate and the second substrate.

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 laminate 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: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same, including processes for making such elements and assemblies.

Abstract: A method is provided for laser ablation that reduces or eliminates a diffraction effect produced by damage to a surface from which an ablated material is removed. The method includes at least one of reducing the amount of surface damage produced and altering the damage structure produced such that it is irregular.

Abstract: An electro-optic assembly is provided that includes a first substantially transparent substrate comprising: a first surface, a second surface, and a first peripheral edge, the second surface comprises a first electrically conductive layer and a first isolation area. The assembly further includes a second substrate comprising: a third surface, a fourth surface, and a second peripheral edge, the third surface comprises a second electrically conductive layer. The assembly also includes a primary seal between the second and third surfaces, wherein the seal and the second and third surfaces define a substantially hermetic cavity; an electro-optic medium at least partially disposed in the cavity; and an electrically conductive solder that is disposed on at least portions of at least one of the first and second peripheral edges in electrical contact with one of the first and second electrically conductive layers.

Abstract: An electro-optic assembly is provided that includes a first substantially transparent substrate comprising: a first surface, and a second surface. The second surface comprises a first electrically conductive layer and a first isolation area. The assembly further includes a second substrate comprising: a third surface, and a fourth surface. The third surface comprises a second electrically conductive layer. The assembly also includes a primary seal between the second and third surfaces, the seal and the second and third surfaces define a substantially hermetic cavity; and an electro-optic medium at least partially disposed in the cavity. The primary seal comprises a plurality of conductive spacers, the seal disposed in contact with portions of the first and second electrically conductive layers. A substantial portion of the plurality of conductive spacers is in substantial contact with the second and third surfaces.