Reflection-type (e.g., Display Device) Patents (Class 359/267)
  • Patent number: 8228590
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Kelvin L. Baumann, John A. VanderPloeg, David A. Theiste, Thomas F. Guarr, Henry W. Luten, George A. Neuman
  • Patent number: 8228588
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror information display system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly including an electrochromic reflective element. A display device is disposed behind a transflective mirror reflector of the reflective element and includes a display screen backlit by a plurality of light emitting diodes supported by a circuit board disposed rearward of the fourth surface of the rear substrate. The light emitting diodes of the circuit board are disposed to the rear of the display screen to provide backlighting of the display screen when activated. Information displayed by the display device is viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle. When the plurality of light emitting diodes is activated and the display device is displaying information, light emitted by the plurality of light emitting diodes passes through the display screen and through the transflective mirror reflector for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Ian A. McCabe, Hamid Habibi, Desaraju V. Varaprasad, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8228589
    Abstract: A periscope that is switchable between the normal optical view of the outside, a display view, and an overlay view in which the outside view and display view are combined. The switching element is an electronically switchable mirror with primarily reflective, primarily transparent, and intermediate states, depending on the application of electrical potentials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Oasis Advanced Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Wayne Minor, Henry Clarence Davies, Edward Charles Schwartz, Michael James Klingensmith
  • Patent number: 8192028
    Abstract: A projector of an information display system in vehicles, in particular in aircraft, for projecting images comprising information for passengers and/or crew onto a projection area which is arranged in the vehicle, with the use of a projection lens that images the image contents onto the projection area, which images are generated by a light source and a projection means. An LED array comprising LEDs that can be switched on and off independently of each other is provided as a light source and as a projection means. To generate composite variable image contents the LEDs can be individually selected. Between the LED array and the projection lens a separation box comprising several chambers is arranged. The chambers of the separation box are associated with an LED such that the chambers associated with the switched-on LEDs are imaged on the projection area by the projection lens as parts of the compound image determined by the switched-on LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Detlef Heym, Carsten Vogel
  • Patent number: 8188361
    Abstract: A photovoltaic electrochromic device includes a semi-transparent thin-film solar cell substrate, an electrochromic solution, and a transparent non-conductive substrate, wherein the electrochromic solution is located between the transparent non-conductive substrate and the semi-transparent thin-film solar cell substrate. The semi-transparent thin-film solar cell substrate includes a transparent substrate and a plurality of thin-film solar cells, wherein the anodes and the cathodes of the thin-film solar cells are also used as the anodes and the cathodes of the photovoltaic electrochromic device. Because a driving voltage of the electrochromic solution is low, the thickness of an intrinsic layer in each of the thin-film solar cells can be thinned, which increases the transmittance of the photovoltaic electrochromic device. Besides, the current output of the photovoltaic electrochromic device can be controlled by an additional output switch layout coupled with the thin-film solar cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventor: Lee-May Huang
  • Patent number: 8189255
    Abstract: The present invention provides an all solid state type reflection light control electrochromic element and a light control member that uses this element, relates to an all solid state type reflection light control electrochromic element, which is a magnesium/titanium alloy reflection type light control element in which a multilayer thin film is formed on a transparent substrate, wherein at least a transparent conductive film layer, an ion storage layer, a solid electrolyte layer, a catalyst layer, and a reflection light control layer employing a magnesium/titanium alloy thin film are formed on the substrate; and a light control member which is incorporated with this reflection light control electrochromic element, and the present invention allows a reflection light control electrochromic element, which has a novel multilayer structure that is colorless when transparent and can be switched in a short time over a wide area, as well as a light control member incorporated with this element to be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Kazuki Yoshimura, Kazuki Tajima, Shanhu Bao, Yasusei Yamada
  • Patent number: 8179236
    Abstract: A vehicular video mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a transflective reflective element. The mirror system includes a video display device at a casing of the mirror assembly rearward of the transflective reflective element, with the video display device having a video screen and a plurality of individual white light emitting light sources operable for backlighting the video screen. The intensity of light emitted by the white light emitting light sources is variable responsive to detection of light by at least one photosensor. The video screen may be operable to display video images captured by a rear back-up camera of the equipped vehicle during a reversing maneuver of the equipped vehicle. Light emanating from the white light emitting light emitting diodes may pass through a brightness enhancement film and a light diffuser to be incident at a transflective reflector of a second substrate of the mirror assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew D. Weller, Mark L. Larson, Ian A. McCabe, Niall R. Lynam, Rodney K. Blank, Joseph P. McCaw, John T. Uken
  • Patent number: 8179586
    Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly includes an electrochromic reflective element having a front substrate and a rear substrate and an electrochromic medium sandwiched therebetween. The reflective element includes a resin material disposed at least at a portion of a fourth surface of the rear substrate. While the resin material is in its uncured state at the rear substrate, an electrical connector is engaged with the uncured resin material. The electrical connector is electrically conductively connected with the resin material and is substantially affixed at the fourth surface of the rear substrate via curing of the resin material while the electrical connector is engaged with the resin material. The electrical connector may establish electrical conductivity between the cured resin material and one of (i) a transparent electrically conductive coating at the second surface of the front substrate and (ii) a mirror reflector at the third surface of the rear substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, David C. Wight, Mark E. Kramer
  • Publication number: 20120113495
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror head having a reflective mirror element, and a mirror mount for attaching the interior rearview mirror assembly to an attachment element attached at an interior portion of the vehicle. When the mirror mount is attached to the attachment element, the reflective mirror element has a field of view rearward of the vehicle. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes a pivot joint enabling a driver of the vehicle to pivotally adjust the mirror head to set the rearward field of view of the reflective mirror element to the driver's desired setting with the interior rearview mirror assembly attached to the attachment element. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes circuitry, and the circuitry comprises at least one of (a) a transmitter for a toll booth transaction function and (b) a receiver for a toll booth transaction function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan E. DeLine, Roger L. Veldman, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8169684
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same. Area of the effective field of view of the electro-optic mirror element substantially equals to that defined by the outermost perimeter of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Mark D. Bugno, William L. Tonar, George A. Neuman, Danny L. Minikey, Jr., John S. Anderson, Mark R. Roth, Nigel T. Lock, Spencer D. Reese
  • Patent number: 8169681
    Abstract: Electro-optic elements are becoming commonplace in a number of vehicular and architectural applications. Various electro-optic element configurations provide variable transmittance and or variable reflectance for windows and mirrors. The present invention relates to various thin-film coatings, electro-optic elements and assemblies incorporating these elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Tonar, John S. Anderson, Jeffrey A. Forgette, George A. Neuman, Gary J. Dozeman, David J. Cammenga, Henry A. Luten, G. Bruce Poe, Nelson F. Brummel, Lansen M. Perron
  • Patent number: 8164817
    Abstract: A method of forming a mirrored bent cut glass shape includes bending a flat sheet of glass to establish a curved sheet of glass. A machine vision system determines a surface profile of the curved sheet of glass, and a computer numerical controlled cutting tool is positioned at the curved sheet of glass and its cutting wheel is maintained at or close to 90 degrees to the tangential plane of the curved sheet of glass. At least one of (a) the cutting wheel and (b) the curved sheet of glass is controlled in three dimensions to cut a bent cut glass shape from the curved sheet of glass, and such controlling is, at least in part, responsive to the surface profile of the curved sheet of glass. A mirror reflector is established at a surface of the bent cut glass shape to form a mirrored bent cut glass shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Desaraju V. Varaprasad, Mingtang Zhao, Craig A. Dornan, Anoop Agrawal, Pierr-Marc Allemand, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20120092745
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: William L. Tonar, David J. Cammenga, John S. Anderson, David L. Poll, George A. Neuman, Joel A. Stray, Bradley L. Busscher, Kenton J. Ypma
  • Publication number: 20120092744
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: WILLIAM L. TONAR, DAVID J. CAMMENGA, JOHN S. ANDERSON, DAVID L. POLL, GEORGE A. NEUMAN, JOEL A. STRAY, BRADLEY L. BUSSCHER, KENTON J. YPMA
  • Publication number: 20120086997
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: William L. Tonar, David J. Cammenga, John S. Anderson, David L. Poll, George A. Neuman, Joel A. Stray, Bradley L. Busscher, Kenton J. Ypma
  • Patent number: 8154787
    Abstract: Green electrochromic (EC) materials based on thiophene, and a green EC material based on pyrazine are disclosed. A first thiophene derivative (2,3-Di-thiophen-2-yl-thieno[3,4-b]pyrazine), which was previously investigated as a nonlinear optical material, is here disclosed for its use as an EC material and for its incorporation into an EC device. Synthesis of two new thiophene derivatives (2,5-di(thien-2-yl)-3,4-di(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-thiophene and 2,5-(2,3-dihydro-thieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxin-5-yl)-3,4-di(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-thiophene), and a new pyrazine derivative (2,3-dibenzyl-5,7-di(thien-2-yl) thieno[3,4-b]pyrazine) are also disclosed, since these materials are all able to selectively change state to appear a green color and can be polymerized to achieve a green EC polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Lu Liu, Chunye Xu, Minoru Taya
  • Publication number: 20120081776
    Abstract: A 2D/3D image switching display device includes an image display unit and an image switching unit coupled to a surface of the image display unit, and the image switching unit includes a first substrate, a second substrate, first and second conducting elements corresponding to the first and second substrates respectively, and an electrochromic unit installed between the first and second substrates, and the electrochromic unit includes a first electrochromic layer and a second electrochromic layer combined with each other, such that when the image display unit switches its display from the display of planar images to stereo images, the electrochromic layers turn to a dark light-shading condition for a better light-shielding effect, and moire patterns will not be produced after naked eyes receive left and right eye images of a stereo image, and the display device can display stereo images directly without requiring an additional parallax barrier device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: J TOUCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: YU-CHOU YEH, CHAO-YI WANG, TSUNG-HER YEH
  • Publication number: 20120050838
    Abstract: An electrochromic display apparatus includes a display substrate; an opposite substrate disposed opposite the display substrate; an opposite electrode disposed on the opposite substrate; a plurality of display electrodes disposed between the display substrate and the opposite electrode, the display electrodes being electrically isolated from each other; a plurality of electrochromic layers disposed on the corresponding display electrodes; and an electrolyte disposed between the display electrodes and the opposite electrode. An electric resistance between one display electrode and another display electrode is greater than an electric resistance of the one or the other display electrode. One or more display electrodes that are disposed between the display electrode closest to the display substrate and the opposite electrode are configured to be permeable to the electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Shigenobu Hirano, Tohru Yashiro, Takeshi Shibuya, Hiroshi Kondo, Yuki Nakamura, Yukiko Abe
  • Patent number: 8120245
    Abstract: A dual electrochromic/electroluminescent (EC/EL) device of at least one pixel includes an interdigitated electrode where an electroactive layer is dispersed on and between the digits of the two electrodes of the interdigitated electrode. The electroactive layer is in contact with an electrolyte layer that also contacts a third electrode. The device acts as an electroluminescence device when an electrical bias between the two electrodes of the interdigitated electrode is established. The device acts as an electrochromic device when the electrical bias is established between the combined electrodes of the interdigitated electrode and the third electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Reynolds, Aubrey Lynn Dyer
  • Publication number: 20120038771
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror housing, an electro-optic reflective element and an information display. The information display is disposed in the mirror housing rearward of the transflective mirror reflector of the reflective element and is operable to display information for viewing by the driver of the vehicle, with the information including video images captured by a camera of the vehicle. Information displayed by the information display is viewable by the driver of the vehicle viewing through the transflective mirror reflector of the reflective element when the information display is displaying information, and, when the information display is not displaying information, the presence of the information display behind the transflective mirror reflector of the reflective element is substantially not discerned by the driver of the vehicle normally viewing the reflective element in the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew D. Weller, Rodney K. Blank, Kenneth L. Schierbeek, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam, Troy O. Cooprider
  • Publication number: 20120033285
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Kelvin L. Baumann, John A. VanderPloeg, David A. Theiste, Thomas F. Guarr, Henry W. Luten, George A. Neuman
  • Publication number: 20120026571
    Abstract: A reflective element assembly for a vehicular mirror assembly includes a front substrate, a rear substrate, an electro-optic medium disposed between the front and rear substrates and a transmission-reducing thin film coating established at the fourth surface of the rear substrate. A window is established through the transmission-reducing thin film coating and is substantially devoid of the thin film coating at a location where a sensor is disposed behind the reflective element and having a field of view through the reflective element and through the window. A portion of the transmission-reducing thin film coating at and around the window locally varies in physical thickness, with a minimum physical thickness of the thin film coating being closest to the window and with the physical thickness of the thin film coating generally increasing to a generally maximum physical thickness of the thin film coating at a distance from the window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: John T. Uken, Michael J. Baur, Ian A. McCabe, Hamid Habibi
  • Patent number: 8106399
    Abstract: An electrophoretic display device includes a gate line on a substrate, a common line parallel to the gate line, a gate insulating layer on the gate line and the common line, a data line on the gate insulating layer, the data line crossing the gate line to define a pixel region, a thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data line, the thin film transistor including a gate electrode, a semiconductor layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode, a first storage electrode extending from the common line, a first passivation layer over the thin film transistor, the gate line and the data line, the first passivation layer exposing the drain electrode, and a pixel electrode on the first passivation layer, the pixel electrode contacting the drain electrode and overlapping the gate line and the data line, wherein the pixel electrode includes a second storage electrode overlapping the first storage electrode, and the first and second storage electrodes form a storage capacitor with the gate insulating
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung-Jin Park
  • Publication number: 20120019573
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include systems for reflective digital light processing (DLP). Embodiments include a light source, a plurality of optically reflective switching devices each having an optically reflective layer in contact with a substrate; a circuit means and power source; controller logic; a projection means; and a display means; wherein each of said plurality of devices is a capable of receiving light from said light source and thereafter reflecting said received light in direct response to a reflective state condition of said each device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Slavek P. Aksamit, David D. Chudy, Cristian Medina
  • Publication number: 20120019890
    Abstract: In an electrochromic unit and a display device using the electrochromic unit, the electrochromic unit includes a first transparent substrate, a second transparent substrate, and a transparent conductive element and an electrochromic layer formed between the substrates, and electrons are used for changing the valence of ions of an electrochromic material, such that a reduction is resulted by supplying electrons and an oxidation is resulted by removing electrons to change colors, and the electrochromic coloration rate is quicker and more uniform and the driving voltage is smaller than those of the present existing electrochromic materials. A coloration/decoloration electrochromism can be achieved in a different way than the method of applying the dual addition and dual removal of ions and electrons in organic/inorganic electrochromic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: J TOUCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: YU-CHOU YEH, CHAO-YI WANG, TSUNG-HER YEH
  • Publication number: 20120008075
    Abstract: A reflection type display apparatus includes; a first substrate including a plurality of pixel regions, a second substrate disposed substantially opposite to the first substrate, an image display part interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and which at least one of absorbs and reflects external light therefrom, and a color filter part provided on at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate and including a plurality of color filters corresponding to the plurality of pixel regions in a one-to-one correspondence, wherein each color filter of the plurality of color filters includes a colored part including one color and a white color part including a white color. In one embodiment, the white color part has an area corresponding to a range of about 20% to about 50% or about 75% to about 120% with respect to an area of the colored part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seonggyu KWON, SonUk LEE, Sang-Hee JANG
  • Publication number: 20110317242
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: William L. Tonar, David J. Cammenga, John S. Anderson, David L. Poll, George A. Neuman, Joel A. Stray, Bradley L. Busscher, Kenton J. Ypma
  • Patent number: 8077374
    Abstract: Provided are display devices using electrochromism and PDLC and methods of driving the display devices. A display device may include a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) layer between the first electrodes and the second electrodes; a plurality of third electrodes and a plurality of fourth electrodes; a plurality of electrochromic layers between the third electrodes and the fourth electrodes; and an electrolyte layer between the third electrodes and the fourth electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-eun Jang, Seung-nam Cha, Jae-eun Jung, Yong-wan Jin
  • Patent number: 8072671
    Abstract: A display device is provided. The display device includes a substrate. A first electrode layer is disposed on the substrate. An electrochromic material single layer is disposed on the first electrode layer, wherein the electrochromic material single layer has a plurality of spherical holes inside, and wherein the electrochromic material single layer includes inorganic materials. An electrolytic layer is disposed on the electrochromic material single layer. A second electrode layer is disposed on the electrolytic layer. A power supply is electrically connected to the first and second electrode layers, respectively. The electrochromic material single layer displays red, blue or green colors according to a driving voltage provided by the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yi-Wen Chung, Chung-Hsin Hsiao
  • Patent number: 8068267
    Abstract: Speckle effect in display system is reduced by utilizing the instability of phase-coherent light and the transmission of the instable phase-coherent light through a multi-mode optical fiber with a suitable length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Regis Grasser, Hongqin Shi, Terry A. Bartlett
  • Patent number: 8064125
    Abstract: The present invention provides a display apparatus, comprising: a light source or light sources for emitting a luminous flux or luminous fluxes having a plurality of colors; a spatial light modulator for modulating the luminous flux(es) having a plurality of colors incoming from the light sources; and controller for processing video image input data, which is input, and controlling the light source(s) and the spatial light modulator, wherein the controller generates a plurality of video image signals of colors constituting a video image based on the video image input data, and controls the light source(s) so as to cause the light source(s) having at least two colors, from among the light source(s) having a plurality of colors, to perform pulse emission in sequence and modulate the pulse emission during a period shorter than a modulation period controlled under the spatial light modulator is with the video image signal of one color from among the video image signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignees: Silicon Quest Kabushiki-Kaisha, Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Taro Endo, Kazuma Arai, Yoshihiro Maeda, Fusao Ishii
  • Patent number: 8059325
    Abstract: A display device is provided. The display device comprises a substrate. A first electrode layer is disposed on the substrate. An electrochromic material single layer is disposed on the first electrode layer, wherein the electrochromic material single layer has a plurality of spherical holes inside. An electrolytic layer is disposed on the electrochromic material single layer. A second electrode layer is disposed on the electrolytic layer. A power supply is electrically connected to the first and second electrode layers, respectively. The electrochromic material single layer displays red, blue or green colors according to a driving voltage provided by the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yi-Wen Chung, Chung-Hsin Hsiao
  • Publication number: 20110267673
    Abstract: This invention discloses conductive busbars and sealants for electrooptic devices including electrochromic mirrors and windows. The conductive busbars are formed from materials comprising nanoparticles, and the sealants comprise of additives that promote a two phase morphology and use of adhesion promotion additives with crosslinkers. Methods to deposit busbars and then to connect these busbars to electrical connectors are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: AJJER LLC
    Inventors: Anoop Agrawal, John P. Cronin, Juan Carlos L. Tonazzi
  • Patent number: 8049640
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element having a glass substrate with first and second surfaces and a circumferential edge along the periphery of the glass substrate. The mirror reflective element includes a mirror reflector established at a surface of the mirror reflective element other than the first surface of the glass substrate. The mirror assembly includes a plastic molding circumferentially disposed about the circumferential edge of the glass substrate without overlapping onto the first surface of the glass substrate. The plastic molding includes a portion that (a) abuts the circumferential edge of the glass substrate and (b) has an outer curved surface that extends from generally adjacent to the first surface of the glass substrate and that lacks a sharp edge. The plane of the first surface of the glass substrate may be generally flush with the outermost part of the plastic molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20110255141
    Abstract: This invention focuses on automotive electrochromic (EC) mirrors. There are several ways to improve the attribute of this product and also use superior processing methods. This invention improves on busbars which are used to power these devices. This discloses novel busbar designs, materials and busbar deposition methods. This invention also addresses the composition of transparent conductor coatings which can be used in an advantageous configuration for third surface mirrors, and corrosion resistant reflective coating compositions for EC mirrors. Processing methods to deposit coatings for third surface mirrors are also disclosed. Insignias may also be incorporated in EC mirrors by using conductive materials deposited on the second surface of an EC mirror configuration that is formed b two substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: AJJER LLC
    Inventors: Anoop Agrawal, Juan Carlos Lopez Tonazzi, Robert S. LeCompte, John P. Cronin
  • Patent number: 8035881
    Abstract: A multi-zone reflector having an opaque zone and a transflective zone. The reflector includes a supporting base, a lower reflecting layer disposed adjacent the supporting base, and an upper reflecting layer extending over the opacifying layer and the transflective zone of the reflector. The lower reflecting layer substantially completely covers the transflective zone, and the opacifying layer is disposed substantially outside the transflective zone adjacent to the lower reflecting layer. Over at least a portion of the transflective zone, the upper and lower reflecting layers have a common surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Henry A. Luten, John S. Anderson, George A. Neuman, Jeffrey A. Forgette, Jeffrey N. Williams, Lansen M. Perron
  • Patent number: 8031389
    Abstract: An all-solid-state electrochromic device comprises a transparent base material, and an electrochromic multilayer-stack structure formed on the transparent base material. The electrochromic multilayer-stack structure comprises a first transparent-conductive film formed on the transparent base material, an ion-storage layer formed on the first transparent-conductive film, a solid-electrolyte layer formed on the ion-storage layer, and an electrochromic layer formed on the solid-electrolyte layer. The electrochromic layer comprises a reflection-controllable electrochromic layer. In one exemplary embodiment, the electrochromic layer comprises a reflection-controllable layer that comprises at least one of antimony and an antimony-based alloy. A second transparent-conductive film can be formed on the reflection-controllable layer, or between the reflection-controllable layer and the solid-electrolyte layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Soladigm, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhongchun Wang, Paul P. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8017224
    Abstract: An exterior surface covering has a colored outer layer that transmits infrared radiation and an inner layer with a thermochromic pigment that absorbs heat at low temperature and reflects at high temperatures. The outer layer conceals the color change of the thermochromic pigment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: CertainTeed Corporation
    Inventors: Husnu M. Kalkanoglu, Ming Liang Shiao, Keith C. Hong, Gregory F. Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20110211246
    Abstract: This invention discloses conductive busbars and sealants for electrooptic devices including electrochromic mirrors and windows. The conductive busbars are formed from materials comprising nanoparticles, and the sealants comprise of additives that promote a two phase morphology and use of adhesion promotion additives with crosslinkers. Methods to deposit busbars and then to connect these busbars to electrical connectors are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: AJJER LLC
    Inventors: Anoop Agrawal, John P. Cronin, Juan Carlos L. Tonazzi
  • Publication number: 20110205614
    Abstract: An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes front and rear glass substrates and an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween. The electrochromic mirror reflective element includes a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion. The curved recess may have a cross-dimension size that is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 80 millimeters, and has a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters, and has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters. The electrochromic medium is disposed between the second surface of the front glass substrate and the third surface of the rear glass substrate and may be in contact with the principal planar reflector portion and the auxiliary wide angle curved portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mingtang Zhao
  • Patent number: 8004740
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include a device and system for providing reflective electrochromic switching devices having an optically reflective layer with at least one electrochromic material, a substrate, and an excitation means and controller for transmitting received light in association with transmissivity of the reflective layer at a predetermined time. The devices may be used in an array or system format to provide improved display resolutions in a manner where the devices are fixedly mounted in relation to an emitting light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Slavek P. Aksamit, David D. Chudy
  • Patent number: 8004741
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Tonar, David J. Cammenga, John S. Anderson, David L. Poll, George A. Neuman, Joel A. Stray, Bradley L. Busscher, Kenton J. Ypma
  • Patent number: 8004742
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrochromic display device which can realize a reduction in color drift in storing images and has excellent memory properties. The electrochromic display device is an active matrix drive-type electrochromic display device containing opposed electrodes, at least one type of a porous layer containing titanium oxide with an electrochromic dye adsorbed thereon, and at least one type of a porous layer containing tin oxide. The active matrix drive-type electrochromic display device is characterized in that the tin oxide-containing porous layer is connected to a pixel circuit used in active matrix drive through one of the opposed electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Noriyuki Kokeguchi
  • Patent number: 7990603
    Abstract: An electrical control system is disclosed for controlling a plurality of variable transmittance windows. The electrical control system comprises a master control circuit and user input circuits for supplying control signals representing transmittance levels for the variable transmission windows, and a plurality of slave window control circuits coupled to the master control circuit, user input circuits and the variable transmittance windows. Each slave window control circuit controls the transmittance of at least one of the variable transmission windows in response to control signals received from the master control circuit and/or user input circuits. Also disclosed are novel methods for the manufacture of an electrochromic device used in variable transmittance windows. Novel structural features for improving heat transfer away from the windows, shielding the window from external loads, and improving the electrical performance of the windows are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin L. Ash, Bradley L. Busscher, Robert R. Turnbull, George A. Neuman, David J. Cammenga, David A. Theiste
  • Publication number: 20110181727
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly and an information display operable to display information for viewing by the driver of the vehicle through a transflective mirror reflector of a reflective element of the interior rearview mirror assembly. Information display intensity of the information display is adjustable responsive to determination of a light level at the interior rearview mirror assembly by at least one photosensor. The information display is operable to display video images captured by a rearward facing video camera of the vehicle and the information display displays video images captured by the rearward facing video camera during a reversing maneuver of the vehicle. During a reversing maneuver of the vehicle, a signal indicative of the vehicle transmission being in reverse is communicated via a network bus of the vehicle to a control of the interior rearview mirror assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew D. Weller, Rodney K. Blank, Kenneth L. Schierbeek, Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam, Troy O. Cooprider
  • Publication number: 20110176195
    Abstract: An electrochromic device including: (a) a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; (b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; (c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which includes: (1) a solvent; (2) an anodic material; and (3) a cathodic material, wherein both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is electrochromic; (d) wherein a seal member, the first substrate, the second substrate, and/or the chamber includes a plug associated with a fill port; and (e) wherein the plug is at least partially cured with an antimonate photo initiator and/or is a one- or two-part plug which comprises a resin or mixture of resins that are substantially insoluble and/or substantially immiscible with an associated electrochromic medium while in the uncured state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Steven J. Veenman, William L. Tonar, Joel A. Stray, Leroy J. Kloeppner, David L. Poll, Gary J. Dozeman, Nalini C. Menon, Kevin L. Ash
  • Patent number: 7980711
    Abstract: Interference of light is prevented from occurring in a rear-view mirror incorporating a light-emitting display device where a dark color mask member is arranged behind a mirror element. A mirror element is formed by forming a semi-transmissive reflective film on one surface of a transparent substrate. On a back surface of the mirror element, a dark color mask member is arranged. An opening a is formed in the dark color mask member Behind the mirror element, a light-emitting display device is arranged facing the opening. A protrusion forming a spacer is formed on the entire peripheral edge of a front surface of the dark color mask member. The spacer provides a clearance gap between the semi-transmissive reflective film and the dark color mask member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Murakami Corporation
    Inventors: Shinya Takayanagi, Masatoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7978094
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a reflective element assembly portion and at least one cap portion adapted to attach to the reflective element assembly portion. The reflective element assembly portion includes a reflective element. The reflective element assembly portion comprises a first molding that encompasses at least a perimeter portion of the reflective element. The first molding is formed by molding a first resinous material having a tool shrinkage factor equal to or greater than about 1%. The cap portion comprises at least one second molding formed by molding a second resinous material having a tool shrinkage factor of less than or equal to about 1%. The cap portion preferably includes internal structure for supporting at least one accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: John T. Uken, Lee Karner, Richard R. Hook, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20110164135
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system includes a mirror mounting button and a plurality of attachment members adhesively attached at the in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield. An interior rearview mirror assembly has a mirror head and a mirror support, and a structure is configured for mounting to the attachment members attached at the vehicle windshield. The mirror head includes a mirror reflective element and a mirror casing, and the mirror support includes a mirror mount that is configured to mount the interior rearview mirror assembly to the mirror mounting button. The structure is configured to receive and be supported by the plurality of attachment members at the vehicle windshield, and, with the structure receiving and being supported by the attachment members, (a) the structure at least partially surrounds the mirror mounting button and (b) the structure accommodates a forward facing camera having a field of view through the vehicle windshield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20110157672
    Abstract: A chromatic element includes a sealed enclosure, an isolation layer, a first heating element, a chromatic material layer and a second heating element. The isolation layer is disposed in the sealed enclosure and separates the sealed enclosure into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first heating element is configured to heat the first chamber. The second heating element is configured to heat the second chamber. The chromatic material layer is disposed in one of the first chamber and the second chamber. The chromatic material layer transfers from the first chamber to the second chamber in a gaseous state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicants: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: PENG LIU, DUAN-LIANG ZHOU, SHOU-SHAN FAN