Abstract: Conventional electrochromic devices frequently suffer from poor reliability and poor performance. Improvements are made using entirely solid and inorganic materials. Electrochromic devices are fabricated by forming an ion conducting electronically-insulating interfacial region that serves as an IC layer. In some methods, the interfacial region is formed after formation of an electrochromic and a counter electrode layer. The interfacial region contains an ion conducting electronically-insulating material along with components of the electrochromic and/or the counter electrode layer. Materials and microstructure of the electrochromic devices provide improvements in performance and reliability over conventional devices.

Abstract: A controller or control method may be designed or configured to operate without information about the current temperature of the device and/or the device's environment. Further, in some cases, the controller or control method is designed or configured to control transition of an optical device to an intermediated state between two end states. For example, the controller may be configured to control a transition to a state of transmissivity that is intermediate between two end states of transmissivity. In such case, the device has three or more stable states of transmissivity.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly is provided that includes a front substrate having a first surface and a second surface, a rear substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface, wherein the front substrate and the rear substrate define a cavity, a perimeter seal between the front substrate and the rear substrate, an electro-optic medium disposed in the cavity between the front substrate and the second substrate and bounded by the perimeter seal, wherein the front substrate and the second substrate have a shaped edge having continuously arcuate shape, and wherein an interface the first substrate and the second substrate is approximately 1 mm or less from an outermost portion of the rearview mirror assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides a glare reduction apparatus disposed in an object illuminated by a light source. The glare reduction device includes an electro-optical device covering a surface of the object. A light sensing device is disposed on a first fixed point of the object. A controller is electrically coupled to the electro-optical device and the light sensing device, wherein the controller calculates a corresponding light sensing position of the electro-optical device according to a light sensing position of the light sensing device which directly receives light from the light source, to reduce the light transmittivity of the corresponding light sensing position of the electro-optical device to generate a light shielding region. The light shielding region attenuates the light from the light source to a second fixed point of the object.

Abstract: A method and system for determining at least one property of a strobe cover are disclosed. The determined property of the strobe cover may then be analyzed to determine whether it is the proper property for the strobe device. The property of the strobe cover may include the color of the strobe cover (such as clear, blue, amber, etc.), the shape of the strobe cover (such as a strobe cover with a lens or a strobe cover without a lens), the material of the strobe cover, etc. The method and system may include determining the property of the strobe cover and checking whether the determined property is the expected property of the strobe cover (such as the expected color of the strobe cover). The strobe cover may include one or more property indicators. The one or more property indicators may interface with a circuit, such as mechanically interface with the circuit, in order for the circuit to determine the property of the strobe cover.

Abstract: New optic control systems are provided that manage camera, user or environmental movement and other factors impacting optical and resulting image quality. In some aspects of the invention, a variably, directionally shadable semi-transparent matrix and actuating system is provided, which limits problematic glare for an observation point. In other aspects of the invention, a matrix creates directional light from a plurality of shiftable and angle-directable sources, which may aid in creating virtual, 3-D objects of greater realism than conventional 3-D imaging methods and aid in reducing the appearance of distracting interceding objects (e.g., finger blocking a touch screen). In still other aspects of the invention, electromagnetically actuated optical control techniques, including rotational lenses and sensors, are provided.

Abstract: In an electrochromic mirror, an insulating film is disposed between a conductive reflective film and an electrolytic solution and the conductive reflective film and the electrolytic solution are electrically insulated from each other except inside of insulating film side small holes. Accordingly, in a portion where the insulating film side small holes are not formed, the conductive reflective film does not come into contact with the electrolytic solution, as the result, a ferrocene ion is not reduction-reacted. Thereby, a current is very effectively suppressed from steadily flowing between the conductive film and the conductive reflective film due to repetition of a redox reaction of ferrocene, resulting in very effectively suppressing a voltage from dropping due to the current.

Abstract: A mirror element for a school bus is mounted to the front to provide wide angle viewing of the ground in front of and to the side of the bus. An upper portion of the mirror element which is generally dome shaped is treated to reduce glare.

Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly comprising a reflective element for reflecting incident light, the reflective element having a viewable side, a dimming element for varying the intensity of light reflected from the viewable side, a photo-electric power cell for powering the dimming element for varying the intensity of reflected light and a controller for controlling the dimming element in response to ambient light conditions, wherein, in use, the intensity of the light reflected from the viewable side is reduced in low ambient light conditions. In other embodiments a power source is defined, for providing interment power to power the dimming element for varying the intensity of light reflected, the power being supplied by the photo-electric power cell.

Abstract: A screening device limits the access of light to a viewing reference surface such as a computer screen. The device has a substantially opaque screening portion of predetermined size and form; and adjustable mounting means for attaching it. The device may have a shaped spine portion rotatably and slidably inserted in a mounting trough, which trough can be adhered to a support surface, such as the cabinet of a computer screen. Three such devices can form a hood about the top and sides of a screen. There are simple, non-adjustable embodiments. Use with a cell phone is contemplated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reflective control switchable thin film material that can become completely colorless when transparent, and the present invention relates to a reflective control switchable thin film material composed of a multilayer thin film in which a magnesium-titanium alloy thin film is used, and to reflective light control glass, and light control window glass, wherein a magnesium-titanium alloy thin film is used as a control switchable layer, a catalyst layer is formed on the surface of the thin film, a protective layer is optionally formed over the catalyst layer, the material has chromic characteristics whereby a colorless and transparent state is produced by hydrogenation at room temperature (about 20° C.), and the material has chromic characteristics whereby a mirror state is produced by dehydrogenation at room temperature (about 20° C.

Abstract: A stowable laser eye protection system is provided as a solution for protecting the eyes of pilots and other vehicle operators and optical sensors such as during critical phases of flight and for general protection against a wide range of spectral wavelengths. A stowable laser eye protection system provides protection that can be manually or automatically extended and retracted. For example, by installing flexible laser protective films on rollers at each window of an aircraft cockpit, the protection can be put in place during taxi before take-off and stowed when the aircraft is a safe distance away from a potential threat area such as after reaching a particular altitude. A similar activity could be used for approach and landing, where the protection is extracted when the aircraft approaches a threat condition or critical phase of flight and retracted after landing.

Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly comprising a reflective element for reflecting incident light, the reflective element having a viewable side, a dimming element for varying the intensity of light reflected from the viewable side, a photo-electric power cell for powering the dimming element for varying the intensity of reflected light and a controller for controlling the dimming element in response to ambient light conditions, wherein, in use, the intensity of the light reflected from the viewable side is reduced in low ambient light conditions. In other embodiments a power source is defined, for providing interment power to power the dimming element for varying the intensity of light reflected, the power being supplied by the photo-electric power cell.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly is disclosed including a housing adapted to be mounted to the vehicle, a mirror disposed in the housing, at least one electrically powered device disposed in the housing, and a power supply for receiving power from a vehicle power source having a voltage in excess of about 24 V and for supplying power at a voltage of about 5 V or less to the electrically powered device. The electrically powered device and the power supply exhibit an electromagnetic interference level of less than about 41 dB?V/m for emissions in the frequency range from about 0.4 MHz to about 20 MHz. The mirror is preferably an electrochromic mirror, and the electrically powered device may be a control circuit for the electrochromic mirror.

Abstract: A surveying instrument includes a sighting telescope having an objective lens and an eyepiece; an erecting optical system functioning so that an image formed by said objective lens is viewed as an erect image through the eyepiece; and a light shield device, positioned in an optical path extending from an incident surface of the erecting optical system to an exit surface of the erecting optical system, for preventing an off-field light bundle which is incident on the erecting optical system from reaching the eyepiece.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manipulating, effecting interaction of, photochemically transforming and/or sorting small dielectric particles or other materials. The apparatus and method involves use of one or more diffractive optical elements which each receive a laser beam and form a plurality of laser beams. These laser beams are operated on by a telescope lens system and then an objective lens element to create an array of optical traps for manipulating, effecting interaction of, photochemically transforming and/or sorting small dielectric particles or other materials.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a light diffusing sheet that has a less tendency to be deflected due to heat generated by a lamp and a back light unit using this. The light diffusing sheet of the present invention comprises a base sheet and a light diffusing layer provided on a surface of the base sheet. The light diffusing layer is formed by dispersing resinous beads and a fine inorganic filler into a binder. It is preferable that the fine inorganic filler has an averaged particle diameter of not smaller than 5 nanometers and smaller than 1 micrometer. It is preferable that the amount of the fine inorganic filler to be mixed is 10 parts to 500 parts by weight for 100 parts by weight of a polymer component in the binder. As the fine inorganic filler, colloidal silica is used.

Abstract: An antiglare and antireflection film is provided, which can be formed by a wet-coating method and which is excellent in the antireflection property, antifouling property, scratch resistance, clearness of transmitted image and planar uniformity. A polarizer and a liquid crystal display device using this film are also provided. An antiglare and antireflection film is provided, comprising a transparent support having thereon an antiglare hard coat layer and a low refractive index layer having a refractive index of 1.38 to 1.49, wherein the low refractive index layer is formed by a coating method, the solvent of the coating solution for forming the low refractive index layer comprises one or more solvent, and from 50 to 100% by mass of the solvent is a solvent having a boiling point of 100° C. or less. A polarizer and a liquid crystal display device using this film are also provided.

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 apparatus is provided for automatically reducing glare produced from a spatial scene by reducing the intensity of light rays propagating from points in the three-dimensional spatial scene towards an optical element having a field of view. Further, an apparatus is provided that automatically reduces interfering illumination produced from an illumination source by reducing the intensity of light rays propagating from the illumination source towards a sensor having a field of view of radio communication. Both apparatus include an electro-optical element having an optically transparent surface including a plurality of pixels through which the field of view of the optical element or the sensor passes. Each pixel has a controllable light transmittance for selectively reducing the intensity of incident light rays propagating from one or more points from the illumination source, through the pixel, then towards the sensor or optical element.

Abstract: An automatically dimming mirror includes a dimming element having variable reflectivity, the degree of reflectivity based on a control signal. An ambient light sensor is positioned to receive light from a region generally in front of the vehicle. The ambient light sensor outputs a discrete ambient light signal based on the amount of light incident on the ambient light sensor over an integration period. A glare sensor is positioned to view the scene generally behind the vehicle operator. The glare sensor outputs a discrete glare signal based on the amount of light incident on the glare sensor over an integration period. A dimming logic determines an ambient light level based on the ambient light signal. The glare integration period is determined based on the ambient light level. The glare signal resulting from the glare integration period determines a mirror glare level used to set the dimming element control signal.

Abstract: Equipment on automotive vehicle is controlled by a system including at least one semiconductor light sensor having variable sensitivity to light. Each light sensor generates a light signal indicative of the intensity of light incident on the light sensor. Control logic varies the sensitivity of the light sensor and generates equipment control signals based on received light signals. Sensitivity of light sensors may be varied by changing the integration time for producing charge from light incident on light transducers, by selecting between light transducers of different sensitivity within the light sensor, by using a light transducer with a sensitivity that is a function of the amount of incident light, and the like. Controlled equipment includes devices such as automatically dimming rearview mirrors, headlamps, and moisture removal means.

Abstract: A black light shield for preventing incident light from being received by light receiving elements, the black shield includes a support structure; a first CrOx layer disposed over the support structure for absorbing the incident light in a substantially reflected transmission path; and a second CrOx layer disposed integral with the support structure for absorbing the incident light in a substantially non-reflected transmission path.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manipulating, effecting interaction of, photochemically transforming and/or sorting small dielectric particles or other materials. The apparatus and method involves use of one or more diffractive optical elements which each receive a laser beam and form a plurality of laser beams. These laser beams are operated on by a telescope lens system and then an objective lens element to create an array of optical traps for manipulating, effecting interaction of, photochemically transforming and/or sorting small dielectric particles or other materials.

Abstract: A liquid crystal cell is interposed between a vehicle driver and at least one of the vehicle's side view mirrors. It resides within the cabin of the vehicle and is warmed by the vehicle's interior. The cell is placed over the windowpane to dim headlight beams impinging on the driver and minimize eye discomfort. The liquid crystal cell operating temperature is maintained by cabin heating. Means are provided to detachably mount the liquid crystal cell over the windowpane. The liquid crystal cell can be dimmed manually dimmed or dimmed automatically in response to a sensor located in a position, which views the headlight directly or through a reflection. This liquid crystal cell dimming device affords a greater than 90 percentile reflection, and glare reduction for trucks, truck cabs and sport utility vehicles.

Abstract: A water and dust resistant laptop case with privacy features has a housing with a base and a cover connected to the base at a rear wall of the base. A height adjustment mechanism in the base sets a vertical position of the laptop in the base and slots are provided in a rear and a pair of side walls of the base for connecting power and/or peripherals to the laptop. A clear display shield inside the cover can be brought in front of the laptop display when the laptop is open. A visor assembly is pivotally connected to the cover near a top edge of the cover for movement between a storage position that is substantially parallel to the cover and a shading position extending outwardly from the cover. The visor assembly can be held in the shading position. A flexible keyboard shield also extends over the keyboard of the laptop.

Abstract: An automatic optical lens sun shield comprises an elastic clip cartridge, a rotary connector and a tinted transparent optical lens screen. The elastic clip cartridge is constructed with spring clamp frames which can be pulled outward and clipped on an original padded visor as well as detached from the original padded visor without using any hand tool. The rotary connector is constructed with a positioning pivot shaft which drives the positioning pad to rotate. Thereby, the radiating teeth at the bottom of the positioning pad is engaged to the radiating positioning teeth of the rotating connector. Therefore, the rotary connector can rotate under the clip cartridge and is securely positioned thereon. The lower part of the rotary connector is formed with at least one pivot groove. The tinted transparent optical lens screen is engaged to the pivot groove via a rotary shaft.

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: A rearview mirror assembly is disclosed including a housing adapted to be mounted to the vehicle, a mirror disposed in the housing, at least one electrically powered device disposed in the housing, and a power supply for receiving power from a vehicle power source having a voltage in excess of about 24 V and for supplying power at a voltage of about 5 V or less to the electrically powered device. The electrically powered device and the power supply exhibit an electromagnetic interference level of less than about 41 dB&mgr;V/m for emissions in the frequency range from about 0.4 MHz to about 20 MHz. The mirror is preferably an electrochromic mirror, and the electrically powered device may be a control circuit for the electrochromic mirror.

Abstract: An optical component (11) comprises two transparent flat bodies (12, 13) each having grooves (16) or other surface features on one of its faces (15) which interpenetrate when the two bodies (12, 13) are placed face-to face. The shapes of the grooves (16) or other surfaces features are such that they touch in some places (20, 22, 23) and are spaced from one another in others (18, 19) to form voids (24) within the composite body (11) so formed. These cavities (24) assist in determining total internal reflection of incident light at certain angles. Composites bodies formed from two face-to face optical components may be used as daylighting screens both to direct light towards an object such as the interior of a building (through an opening) or to screen light from it by diverting it away therefrom.

Abstract: A vehicular electrochromic rearview mirror system includes an interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly and at least one exterior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly. Each mirror assembly includes an electrochromic reflective element that assumes a partial reflectance level in response to a signal applied thereto. A drive circuit applies a drive signal to each of the electrochromic reflective elements. The drive circuit may include a digital controller, a master drive circuit responsive to the digital controller to apply a first drive signal to one of the electrochromic reflective elements and a slave drive circuit responsive to the digital controller to apply a second drive signal to a second of the electrochromic reflective elements. The second drive signal may be derived from the first drive signal. The drive circuit may include a digital controller and a switching power supply controlled by the digital controller to produce a drive signal.

Abstract: A mirror assembly 3 is detachably attached to an open side 2a of a mirror housing 2 in an exterior rearview mirror system (exterior mirror) 1 that is mounted outside a vehicle body. A mirror 4 in the mirror assembly 3 is comprised of a transparent glass plate 5 with a reflective coating 6 spread over a back surface of the transparent glass plate 5, through which reflective coating 6 electric current passes to produce an antiglare effect. The electric current passing through the reflective coating 6 is controlled using a sensors 8, 9 that detect intensity of light from surroundings and rearward of the vehicle body, and an electronic control circuit 10 that compares intensity of light detected in each sensor 8, 9 to automatically adjust an antiglare level of reflection in the reflective coating 6. A battery 11 that is connected with the electronic control circuit 10 and supplies electric current into the reflective coating 6 is provided in the mirror housing 2.

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: An anti-glare film comprising an anti-glare layer is obtained by coating or casting a liquid composition containing a polymer, a curable resin precursor (e.g., an ultraviolet curable resin) and a solvent, on a transparent plastic film; evaporating the solvent; forming a phase separation structure by spinodal decomposition; and curing the curable resin precursor by a light irradiation to form the anti-glare layer. Thus obtained anti-glare layer has an uneven structure on the surface thereof, isotropically transmits and scatters an incident light to show the maximum value of the scattered light intensity at a scattering angle of 0.1 to 10°, and has the total light transmittance of 70 to 100%. Moreover, the anti-glare layer has the visibility of a transmitted image of 70 to 100% measured by an image clarity measuring apparatus provided with an optical slit of 0.5 mm width, and the haze of 20 to 50%. Abrasion resistance is imparted to the anti-glare layer by curing the curable resin precursor.

Abstract: The invention provides a computer monitor bezel including a bezel mount, and opaque planar member, and a bezel face. The bezel mount includes a frame and a mounting formation. The frame defines a frame viewing opening entirely surrounded by the frame. The mounting formation is located on the frame to mount the frame to a sub-monitor in a position wherein a screen of the sub-monitor is viewable through the frame viewing opening. The opaque planar member is located over the bezel mount. The bezel face includes a translucent planar member and an attachment component. The translucent planar member is located over the opaque planar member. The attachment component has a first end secured to the translucent planar member, extends past a plane of the opaque planar member, and has a second, opposing end secured to the frame.

Abstract: Optical interleavers and de-interleavers that can be used to combine and separate optical signals are described. These devices are based on Mach-Zehnder interferometers having one or two Gires-Toumois mirrors. The optical designs disclosed herein include several key improvements over prior arts. These improvements of interleavers enabled lower cross talk and more accurate channel center frequencies. The new designs also improve on the stability of the devices and substantially reduce the manufacturing costs. With the usage of multi-fiber collimators, a pair of interleaver and de-interleaver is fabricated using the same optical block thereby further reducing the manufacturing costs.

Abstract: An automatic optical lens sun shield comprises an elastic clip cartridge, a rotary connector and a tinted transparent optical lens screen. The elastic clip cartridge is constructed with spring clamp frames which can be pulled outward and clipped on original padded visor as well as detached from original padded visor without using any hand tool. The rotary connector is constructed with a positioning pivot shaft which drives the positioning pad to rotate. Thereby, the radiating teeth at the bottom of the positioning pad is engaged to the radiating positioning teeth of the rotating connector. Therefore, the rotary connector can rotate under the clip cartridge and is securely positioned thereon. The lower part of the rotary connector is formed with at least one pivot groove. The tinted transparent optical lens screen is engaged to the pivot groove via a rotary shaft.

Abstract: Provided is a touch panel, which has a light-shielding effect in its peripheral portion and is able to improve the visibility of its screen at low cost and also cope with the thickness reduction of a product provided with an LCD with a touch panel. In an analog resistive film system touch panel, where conductive panels (1, 2) are arranged opposite to each other with transparent electrodes (12, 22) formed by a whole or a part of a transparent conductive film and wiring lines formed on one-side surfaces of transparent insulative substrates (11, 21) and one or more resin layers (4, 28, 15) are provided for various purposes in the peripheral portion located between the transparent insulative substrates, at least one layer of the resin layers additionally has a light-shielding function by being colored black.

Abstract: An electrochromic rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an electrochromic reflective element having an electrochromic cell, wherein the reflective element colors to a partial reflectance level in response to a drive signal applied to the cell. The rearview mirror assembly additionally includes a drive circuit which applies a pulsed drive signal to the electrochromic cell in order to establish the partial reflectance level of the reflective element. The drive circuit controls the partial reflectance level as a function of the duty cycle of the pulsed drive signal, which has a pulse repetition rate of at least approximately 10 cycles per second and preferably at least approximately 20 cycles per second. The drive circuit additionally adjusts the amplitude of the pulses as a function of the voltage developed across the electrochromic cell.

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: A partially transparent, partially reflective curved screen is formed with a thin metal layer supported on a transparent supporting layer. A transparent light absorbing dye or other means for optically absorbing visible light is incorporated in the transparent supporting layer. The screen allows an optical image such as from a TV to be transmitted therethrough with reduced ghost effect.

Abstract: A mirror assembly 3 is detachably attached to an open side 2a of a mirror housing 2 in an exterior rearview mirror system (exterior mirror) 1 that is mounted outside a vehicle body. A mirror 4 in the mirror assembly 3 is comprised of a transparent glass plate 5 with a reflective coating 6 spread over a back surface of the transparent glass plate 5, through which reflective coating 6 electric current passes to produce an antiglare effect. The electric current passing through the reflective coating 6 is controlled using a sensors 8, 9 that detect intensity of light from surroundings and rearward of the vehicle body, and an electronic control circuit 10 that compares intensity of light detected in each sensor 8, 9 to automatically adjust an antiglare level of reflection in the reflective coating 6. A battery 11 that is connected with the electronic control circuit 10 and supplies electric current into the reflective coating 6 is provided in the mirror housing 2.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-reflection material, and a polarization film employing the anti-reflection material, having superior anti-glare properties, anti-reflection properties, and anti-static properties. In the anti-reflection material, an anti-glare layer is provided on the surface of a transparent substrate directly or via another layer, a low reflection layer having lower reflective index than that of the anti-glare layer is provided on the surface of the anti-glare layer, and the frontmost surface of the anti-reflection material is subjected to a surface hydrophilizing treatment.

Abstract: An antiglare and antireflection film is provided, which can be formed by a wet-coating method and which is excellent in the antireflection property, antifouling property, scratch resistance, clearness of transmitted image and planar uniformity. A polarizer and a liquid crystal display device using this film are also provided. An antiglare and antireflection film is provided, comprising a transparent support having thereon an antiglare hard coat layer and a low refractive index layer having a refractive index of 1.38 to 1.49, wherein the low refractive index layer is formed by a coating method, the solvent of the coating solution for forming the low refractive index layer comprises one or more solvent, and from 50 to 100% by mass of the solvent is a solvent having a boiling point of 100° C. or less. A polarizer and a liquid crystal display device using this film are also provided.

Abstract: A rearview mirror for vehicles has a housing having a receiving opening for receiving an electrochromic mirror of a mirror glass and a cover glass. At least one seal is arranged in an edge area of the mirror glass and of the cover glass and extends at least over a portion of the circumference of the edge area of the mirror glass and the cover glass, respectively. The housing has a rim engaging the electrochromic mirror, wherein the rim, in the viewing direction onto the rearview mirror, has a part positioned in front of the seal to cover the seal from view. The part of the rim positioned in front of the seal is made of a transparent material and has a backside provided with a reflective metal coating.

Abstract: A micro-retarder plate using a single plate with phase retardation. The plate with phase retardation having a pattern that further comprises a plurality of first retardation state areas and second retardation state areas alternating with each other is formed on the micro-retarder plate. The pattern is formed using an infra-red laser to expose the plate with phase retardation, or using a circuit board with a pattern of electrothermal resistor thereon in contact with the plate of phase retardation. The linear polarized lights with direction of polarization being 45 degrees to the stretching direction of the retardation film passing through the first retardation state areas and the second retardation state areas are perpendicular to each other. The micro-retarder is laminated between two protection layers with index matching glue to remove the scattering effect caused by the heat process.

Abstract: An automatically dimming mirror includes a dimming element having variable reflectivity, the degree of reflectivity based on a control signal. An ambient light sensor is positioned to receive light from a region generally in front of the vehicle. The ambient light sensor outputs a discrete ambient light signal based on the amount of light incident on the ambient light sensor over an integration period. A glare sensor is positioned to view the scene generally behind the vehicle operator. The glare sensor outputs a discrete glare signal based on the amount of light incident on the glare sensor over an integration period. A dimming logic determines an ambient light level based on the ambient light signal. The glare integration period is determined based on the ambient light level. The glare signal resulting from the glare integration period determines a mirror glare level used to set the dimming element control signal.

Abstract: A field-of-view controlling arrangement such as a privacy screen includes a single microprism or lenticular sheet having a plurality of sets of parallel surfaces that intersect to form prisms or lenticular structures, and in which field-of-view control is achieved by (i) for sheets made up of parallel “one-dimensional” microprism or lenticular structures having at least two intersecting sets of mutually parallel surfaces, altering at least two sets of the mutually parallel surfaces, and/or portions of the at least two sets of mutually parallel surfaces, by applying a light-attenuating treatment, (ii) for sheets made up of polyhedral lenticular structures having at least three intersecting sets of mutually parallel surfaces, or at least one set of curved surfaces extending in directions transverse to directions in which the field-of-view is to be limited, altering at least one set of the mutually parallel or curved surfaces by applying a light-attenuating treatment, or (iii) for any type of micropr

Abstract: A vehicular electrochromic rearview mirror system includes an interior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly and at least one exterior electrochromic rearview mirror assembly. Each mirror assembly includes an electrochromic reflective element that assumes a partial reflectance level in response to a signal applied thereto. A drive circuit applies a drive signal to each of the electrochromic reflective elements. The drive circuit may include a digital controller, a master drive circuit responsive to the digital controller to apply a first drive signal to one of the electrochromic reflective elements and a slave drive circuit responsive to the digital controller to apply a second drive signal to a second of the electrochromic reflective elements. The second drive signal may be derived from the first drive signal. The drive circuit may include a digital controller and a switching power supply controlled by the digital controller to produce a drive signal.

Abstract: An optical component (11) comprises two transparent flat bodies (12, 13) each having grooves (16) or other surface features on one of its faces (15) which interpenetrate when the two bodies (12, 13) are placed face-to face. The shapes of the grooves (16) or other surfaces features are such that they touch in some places (20, 22, 23) and are spaced from one another in others (18, 19) to form voids (24) within the composite body (11) so formed. These cavities (24) assist in determining total internal reflection of incident light at certain angles. Composites bodies formed from two face-to face optical components may be used as daylighting screens both to direct light towards an object such as the interior of a building (through an opening) or to screen light from it by diverting it away therefrom.