Abstract: Method for limiting amount of radiation impinging on a radiation-sensitive detector device by directing radiation toward the detector, permitting the radiation to impinge upon the detector device when the radiation is below a predetermined threshold, and utilizing radiation having wavelengths different from signals of interest to initiate limiting of the radiation impinging upon the detector when the predetermined threshold is exceeded. The optical limiter includes an IR limiting layer pair selected so that energy from visible and near infrared radiation activates the optical limiter. The limiting layer pair may includes a layer closer to the source of radiation of e.g. vanadium dioxide, vanadium sesquioxide, or germanium crystal and a layer further from the source of radiation of e.g. chalcogenide glass, germanium crystal, or sodium chloride crystal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mirror unit for a vehicle, which includes a mirror case (10) having a receiving space formed therein; a pivoting bracket (20) axially coupled to an inside of the mirror case (10); a first operating unit (30) installed to a predetermined position in the mirror case (10) to rotate the pivoting bracket (20) as much as 180 degrees by one touch; and front and rear mirrors (40)(45) systematically attached and detached freely to/from both sides of the pivoting bracket (20).

Abstract: A system apparatus, means and method for controlling a plurality of variable reflectance mirrors (or mirror segments), including a rearview mirror and side view mirrors, which change their reflectance level in response to a plurality of drive voltages applied thereto, for controlling the vehicle lighting system and for monitoring a vehicle interior for an automotive vehicle. The system includes a light sensing device and a control circuit formed as a single VLSI CMOS circuit. The light sensing device comprises a photosensor array having a field of view encompassing a vehicle interior. The logic and control circuit determines a background light signal from photosensor element signals generated by the photosensor elements in the photosensor array indicative of light levels incident on the photosensor elements. The circuit also determines a peak light signal in three different zones or sub-arrays of the photosensor array. The zones or sub-arrays may correspond to three mirrors or mirror segments.

Abstract: An optical component including a mirror surface, a structured polymer layer including one side having structured elements, and a filler layer adjacent to the side of the structured polymer layer having the structured elements. The filler layer fills in the structured elements and has one substantially planar side. The filler layer has a refractive index Nf, the structured polymer layer has a refractive index of Ns, and Ns is different from Nf. The optical component is useful to direct backreflected ambient light to a peak angle that is different than a glare peak. A display device is also described including a first and second polarizer, a liquid crystal layer below the first polarizer, a mirror surface below the liquid crystal layer, and a structured polymer layer comprising one side having structured elements.

Abstract: The present invention is a light directing construction for use in a display apparatus. The light directing construction includes a light directing film that has a prismatic structure having two sides, where one side includes saw tooth formations having tilted surfaces, and a metal coating on the side of the prismatic substrate having the saw-tooth formations. A corrosion-resistant feature is provided on the light directing construction to minimize the effects of corrosion experienced in salt atmospheres. In a first embodiment of the invention, the light directing construction includes an intermediate layer positioned between the light directing film and the metal coating. In a second embodiment of the invention, a peripheral polymeric coating is provided on the light directing constriction. This peripheral coating can be formed with a laser.

Abstract: The present invention is a light directing construction for use in a display apparatus. The light directing construction includes a light directing film that has a prismatic structure having two sides, where one side includes saw tooth formations having tilted surfaces, and a metal coating on the side of the prismatic substrate having the saw-tooth formations. A corrosion-resistant feature is provided on the light directing construction to minimize the effects of corrosion experienced in salt atmospheres. In a first embodiment of the invention, the light directing construction includes an intermediate layer positioned between the light directing film and the metal coating. In a second embodiment of the invention, a peripheral polymeric coating is provided on the light directing constriction. This peripheral coating can be formed with a laser.

Abstract: The present invention is a display apparatus that provides protection against damage for a metallic layer. The display apparatus includes a light modulating layer, a polarizer, and a light directing film. The light directing film includes a prismatic structure including saw tooth formations having tilted surfaces and a metal layer on the side of the prismatic substrate having the saw-tooth formations. A tilt angle of the tilted surfaces offsets an optimal viewing angle for the display from a glare angle for the display. The light directing film of the display apparatus of the present invention includes a polymer protective layer formed over the metal layer to protect the metal layer from damage. The light directing film also includes a diffuse adhesive layer formed over the polymer layer, attached to the polarizer. The polymer protective layer protects the metal layer from the adhesive layer.

Abstract: An electro-optic interior rearview mirror system is provided for a vehicle, comprising an interior rearview mirror assembly including an interior electro-optic reflective element and an interior mirror housing for said reflective element. The mirror assembly includes a mount for attachment to a portion of the vehicle and a control. The control includes a microprocessor that functions as a controller of a plurality of vehicle functions, the plurality of functions including the reflectance state of the electro-optic reflective element. The control includes a connection to a vehicle bus for receiving control signals via the bus for processing by the microprocessor.

Abstract: A vehicle automatic anti-glare device comprises a LCD panel having a function of being converted into a “non-light filtering” mode from a “light filtering” mode as voltage is applied thereon; a reflection film installed at a back side of said LCD panel, when the said LCD panel is in a “light filtering” mode, said reflection film reflects the light of said LCD panel so that said LCD panel reflects images; a light sensor for detecting the light intensity of the light radiated to said LCD panel and sends out a signal; and a control module for receiving an output signal from said light sensor. As the signal is over is default value, then a pressure is applied to the LCD panel so that said LCD panel is converted into a “non-light filtering” mode. The control module has a data receiving device which receives the data from a microcomputer in a vehicle and then transfers said data to said LCD panel.

Abstract: The present invention is a display apparatus that provides protection against damage for a metallic layer. The display apparatus includes a light modulating layer, a polarizer, and a light directing film. The light directing film includes a prismatic structure having two sides, where one side includes saw tooth formations having tilted surfaces and a metal layer on the side of the prismatic substrate having the saw-tooth formations. A tilt angle of the tilted surfaces offsets an optimal viewing angle for the display from a glare angle for the display. In a first embodiment of the invention, the light directing film of the display apparatus further includes an inorganic protective layer formed on the metal layer, wherein the inorganic protective layer inhibits molecular transfer to the metal layer and balances the color of reflected and transmitted light. The light directing film further includes a pressure sensitive adhesive layer between a polarizer and the inorganic protective layer.

Abstract: A flexible mirror assembly is provided. The mirror assembly includes a mold line structure unit having a flexible mirror surface secured to a flexible panel. An actuator induces deformation of the flexible mirror surface such that it alters an angle at which the mirror surface reflects light.

Abstract: The present invention is a display apparatus that provides protection against damage for a metallic layer. The display apparatus includes a light modulating layer, a polarizer, and a light directing film. The light directing film includes a prismatic structure having two sides, where one side includes saw tooth formations having tilted surfaces and a metal layer on the side of the prismatic substrate having the saw-tooth formations. A tilt angle of the tilted surfaces offsets an optimal viewing angle for the display from a glare angle for the display. In a first embodiment of the invention, the light directing film of the display apparatus further includes an inorganic protective layer formed on the metal layer, wherein the inorganic protective layer inhibits molecular transfer to the metal layer and balances the color of reflected and transmitted light. The light directing film further includes a pressure sensitive adhesive layer between a polarizer and the inorganic protective layer.

Abstract: A housing includes a sheet of glass on one face thereof. A pivot assembly is mounted within the housing, adjacent one end of the sheet of glass. A mirror is attached at one end thereof to the pivot assembly. The housing is adapted to be mounted to a side of a vehicle such that the pivot assembly is above a free end of the mirror. A control cable has one end thereof attached to the mirror, and another end thereof attached to a control cable actuator. The control cable is configured to translate in a first direction to pull the free end of the mirror away from the sheet of glass, pivoting the mirror about the pivot assembly. The free end of the mirror is permitted to move back toward the sheet of glass under the influence of gravity when the control cable is translated in a second direction which is opposite the first direction, until the mirror is substantially parallel to the sheet of glass.

Abstract: A dual reflective element vehicle side view mirror including a mirror housing; a dual element mirror having a first surface having a reflective element thereon and a second surface opposite to and parallel with the first surface having a second reflective element thereon that is covered by a tinted transparent material; and a mirror positioning mechanism including a rotating pin in connection with the dual element mirror for rotating the dual element mirror from a first position to a second position. The mirror housing has rotation cavity formed therein in connection with a mirror opening sized to allow the dual element mirror to be placed there across in a manner such that a gap exists between the entire perimeter edge of the housing defining the mirror opening and the perimeter side edges of the dual element mirror. The rotation cavity is sized to allow the dual element mirror to rotate at least one-hundred eighty degrees about an axis positioned across the mirror opening.

Abstract: A rear-view assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror and an anti-dazzle adaptor which is movably mounted in front of the mirror and which includes an optical cell having at least one electrically adjustable luminous characteristic selected from the group consisting of transmissivity and reflectivity. The anti-dazzle adaptor for a rear-view device of a vehicle includes an optical cell having at least one electrically adjustable luminous characteristic selected from the group consisting of transmissivity and reflectivity; and means for movably mounting the anti-dazzle adaptor on the rear-view device of the vehicle.

Abstract: An exterior mirror assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a housing (11) containing a first mirror carrier (10, 50, 80) having a first substantially plane mirror (12, 58, 82) mounted thereon and a second mirror carrier (16, 52, 82) mounted adjacent to the first mirror carrier (10, 50, 80) for angular movement about an axis (18, 56, 86) parallel to an adjacent edge of the first mirror (12, 58, 82). The second mirror carrier (16, 52, 82) has a plane mirror (24, 66, 98) on a first face and a convex mirror (26, 68, 100) on a second face. When the second mirror carrier (16, 52, 82) in a first orientation, the mirror (24, 66, 82) on the first face forms a substantially continuous reflective surface with the mirror (12, 58, 88) on the first mirror carrier (10, 50, 80) of substantially uniform curvature.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a mirror subassembly having a dimmable dichroic liquid crystal mirror on one side and a conventional mirror on the opposite side, and a mirror housing which permits mounting of the mirror to the housing in either a first or second positions. In normal operation, the mirror subassembly is mounted to the housing in the first position with the dimmable mirror as the viewing surface. The dimmable mirror can be caused to operate a high reflectance state or low reflectance state by electronic control. Upon power loss, which causes the dichroic liquid crystal mirror to revert to a low reflectance state, the mirror subassembly can be manually mechanically mounted to the housing in the second position with the conventional mirror surface of the mirror subassembly as the viewing surface.