Abstract: A device for displaying indicia is constructed to fit onto a mirror housing of an exterior mirror of a motor vehicle. The device, upon installation, displays a desired indicia facing the front of the vehicle without obstructing the view of the mirrored surface facing the rear of the vehicle. Variations in structure are provided, including connectors to the mirror housing that slidably engage with respect to a base that supports the indicia. Embodiments provide for removal of the device without harm to the mirror housing, and also provide for ready change-out of indicia. Slidably engaging connectors in various embodiments provides for easy adaptation to a range of sizes and shapes of mirror housings. The invention also relates to kits and methods employing embodiments of the device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inner mirror with a built-in antenna in which an antenna angle remains unchanged regardless of adjustment of a mirror angle. The upper end of a stay 10 is mounted on a ceiling in a vehicle room. A pivot 14 is formed at the lower end of the stay 10. The pivot 14 is inserted into a mirror body 16 and fitted into a pivot supporting pmember 20 to support the mirror body 16 pivotally in three-dimensional directions. An antenna 34 is mounted on one side of the pivot 14 through shafts 28 and 30. Since the antenna 34 is mounted on the pivot 14, the angle of the antenna 34 remains unchanged, even though the mirror angle adjustment is performed by pivoting the mirror body 16.

Abstract: An electrochromic mirror includes an integrated internal plate frame with an electrochromic mirror subassembly adhered to its flat front surface, electrical components supported on a rear with the frame acting as a heat sink and EMI/RFI shield, and a back cover supported on the plate frame. The subassembly is uniformly supported across the front surface of the plate frame for good mirror impact resistance. The mirror is supported by an angularly adjustable ball-and-socket connection. In one embodiment, the ball is formed integrally on the plate frame. The present mirror is surprisingly thin, with at least 50% of the depth dimensions being less than about 3.0 centimeters.

Abstract: Multilayer polymeric films and other optical bodies are provided which is useful in making colored mirrors and polarizers. The films are characterized by a change in color as a function of viewing angle.

Abstract: A first surface mirror includes a reflective layer (e.g., Al or Ag), at least one dielectric layer and at least one protective layer of or including high density diamond-like carbon (DLC). The high density DLC enables the protective layer to be applied at a relatively small thickness which enables undesirable color often associated with DLC to be prevented or minimized, while at the same time good protective characteristics (e.g., scratch resistance) can be realized.

Abstract: There is a large blind area on vehicles, and the larger the vehicles, (Especially suv's) the larger the area the driver won't be able to see before and while reversing the vehicle.

Abstract: An automobile approaching on either side of another automobile, as the approaching car reaches to approximately. The rear tire either side of the car ahead of them, there is created a blind spot in the vision as viewed in the side mirrors. Passing auto believes that the car they are passing can see their turn signals and will proceed to pass and cut in front of them, but in reality the car in front does not see the signal. In front of them, but in reality the car in front does not see the signal. My invention places a prism at 2 to 15 degrees angled in the out side of the rear mirrors on both sides of the car. What the prism does allow the normal image of the regular rear mirror and additional image several feet outside of the view. There for allowing a car to to have complete view of a passing automobile.

Abstract: A first power mechanism is provided in association with a fixed support and with a swingable structure, and pivots the swingable structure relative to the fixed support between an extended position and a folded position adjacent the vehicle. A second power mechanism is operatively associated with a swingable structure and a mirror housing to move the mirror housing between inner and outer extended positions. A third mechanism moves the mirror unit into desired adjusted position about horizontal and vertical axes. An electronic control controls the operation of the first power mechanism, the second power mechanism and third power mechanism to control the powered pivoting of swingable structure.

Abstract: An optical quality, freestanding, compliant membrane mirror is cast with a concave parabolic shape, and includes a substrate and a reflective stress coating. The stress coating is in compression and applies a tensile shear stress to the substrate that opposes and offsets the intrinsic stress in the substrate that would otherwise decrease the concavity. The stress coating generates a force to restore the membrane mirror to its cast concave parabolic shape when an external force deforms the mirror.

Abstract: A lensless focusing device for receiving an unfocused laser beam and discharging a focused laser beam. The focusing device includes a solid body having an open interior defined by a conical inner wall extending from an inlet opening to a discharge opening. The conical inner wall is a polished or reflective surface that directs the input laser beam toward the discharge opening. The solid body can include a heating element to raise the temperature of the solid body relative to ambient.

Abstract: A domestic or vehicle rearview silvered mirror having a silver coating which is not covered with a protective layer of copper. The silver mirror comprises a glass sheet, tin and preferably palladium at surface of the glass sheet, a silver coating of the surface of the glass sheet and at least one paint layer covering the silver coating. Optionally, tin may be present at the surface of the silver coating adjacent the paint layer and optionally traces of silane may be present at the surface of the silver coating adjacent to the paint layer. Alternate or additional materials may be present at a surface of the glass sheet and alternate or additional materials may be present at the surface of the silver adjacent to the paint layer.

Abstract: A rearview mirror is located between a driver's seat and a front passenger's seat. The rearview mirror includes a housing, a reflector, and an interface. The housing includes a front surface facing the driver's seat, a rear surface at the opposite side of the front surface, and a slot at a part closer to the driver's seat than the passenger's seat. A recording medium is attached to and removed from the interface by moving the recording medium along a predetermined moving axis. The interface performs at least one of reading of data from the medium and writing of data to the medium. The predetermined moving axis is inclined relative to the width direction of the housing such that the predetermined moving axis approaches the center in the width direction of the housing from the front surface toward the rear surface.

Abstract: A rearview mirror has a housing. The housing includes a front surface facing a driver's seat, a rear surface at the opposite side of the front surface. The housing has a slot for receiving a recording medium that stores predetermined data. The slot has a width, which is larger than a width of an insert potion that of the recording medium. The recording medium is inserted into the slot at an arbitrary position in the width direction of the slot. An interface performs at least one of reading of data from the recording medium and writing of data to the recording medium. The interface includes a detector, a data input/output unit and a moving mechanism. The detector detects insertion of the recording medium into the slot. The data input/output unit swaps data with the recording medium. The moving mechanism moves one of the data input/output unit and the recording medium to a position where the data input/output unit faces the recording medium.

Abstract: The invention is to improve ones view of their eyes for the express purpose of ministering to the eyes. The angle of reflection from the three angled magnified mirrors give the viewer a closer and clearer view of either the upper or lower lid. The open container design allows the viewer easy access to viewing their eyes and application of anything to the eyes or eye area. The magnification improves the view of the observer simultaneously from three different vertical angles for the purpose of clearly seeing the upper or lower lid of the eye.

Abstract: A displacement/quantity of light converter in which sensitivity to a micro displacement due to sound of a diaphragm, or the like, can be enhanced easily. In the displacement/quantity of light converter where a light emitting part (2) and a light receiving part (3) are disposed oppositely to a diaphragm (1), light emitted from the light emitting part (2) and reflected off the diaphragm (1) is received at the light receiving part (3), and a displacement of the diaphragm (1) is converted into an output from the light receiving part (3), a concave diaphragm is used and the concave face is directed toward the light emitting part (2) and the light receiving part (3). According to the arrangement, light emitted from the light emitting part (2) and reflected off the diaphragm (1) impinges efficiently on the light receiving part (3) in the form of focused light.

Abstract: A dispersive multilayer mirror (1) comprising several individual layers (2, 3) applied to a carrier substrate (4) and adjoining each other via parallel, plane surfaces having different optical constants and different thicknesses, wherein a wedge-shaped glass platelet (5) is fastened to the outermost individual layer (2) facing away from the carrier substrate (4) by optical contact.

Abstract: An optical device for routing a plurality of optical signals between a first port and a second port is disclosed. The optical device includes a mirror array having a plurality of reflective elements. Each optical input signal is directed by a reflective element in a direction designated by a control signal. The optical device further includes a curved mirror for receiving each directed optical signal from the respective reflective element, and for reflecting each directed optical signal to the first or second port.

Abstract: In a reflecting mirror, a hydrogen storing metal or a hydrogen storing alloy is used in an electrically conductive reflecting film. When a predetermined voltage is applied from an electrically conductive reflecting film side to a transparent electrode, hydrogen stored at the electrically conductive reflecting film is released and becomes hydrogen ions, and the hydrogen ions move toward the transparent electrode. When the hydrogen ions reach a reduction coloring film between the transparent electrode and the electrically conductive reflecting film, the hydrogen ions bond with an oxide of tungsten which forms the reduction coloring film, and the reduction coloring film is thereby colored. In accordance with this structure, it is possible to do away with an oxidation coloring film.

Abstract: An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly is provided which incorporates a reflective element with variable reflectance. In one embodiment, the environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly is substantially free of cadmium (Cd). In another embodiment, the environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly is substantially free of lead (Pb). In yet another embodiment, the environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly is substantially free of mercury (Hg). In a further embodiment, the environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly is substantially free of poly-vinyl-chloride (PVC). In yet a further embodiment, the environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly is substantially free of halogen producing chemicals such as bromine (Br).

Abstract: A half-mirror evaporated layer is formed by spattering all over a front face of a resin substrate, and at the front faces of the reflector parts, an aluminum evaporated layers are further formed to be reflecting mirror faces on the half-mirror evaporated layer, while at the front face of an extension, the half-mirror evaporated face is exposed as a half-mirror face.

Abstract: A reflecting or transparent member such as a shower mirror having a hard surface is striated with a striating member sufficiently so that the surface is finely striated. The striating member has an abrasive surface that has a concentration of abrasives in the range of 100 to 500 grit. After the surface is striated, water is applied to the surface and the water coheres to the striations forming a thin lamina or sheet of water. The thin lamina prevents the condensation of water vapor on the surface when the temperature of the ambient air adjacent the surface falls below the dew-point.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a reflective element, a housing or casing supporting the reflective element, and the casing including a storage space. The storage space provides storage for at least one accessory and for storing the accessory in the location easily accessible by an occupant of the vehicle whereby the accessory can be inserted into and removed from the storage space for use by an occupant of the vehicle. The storage space may take the form of a recess provided in a top wall of the casing, a recessed portion provided in a front wall, back wall, or end wall of the casing. In one form, the recessed portion houses a pendent accessory which is movable between a retracted position within the recess to an extended position for viewing by an occupant of the vehicle. For example, the pendent accessory may include a reflective element or a display element, for displaying information to an occupant of the vehicle.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a MEMs device comprises a component layer, an actuator layer and an intervening spacer. The component layer, the spacer and the actuator layer are assembled at ambient temperature and held together in lateral alignment by resilient spring members. The spacer provides the walls of a cavity between a component and an actuator to permit movement of the component. The walls are advantageously conductive and cover the bulk of the peripheral boundary of the cavity to provide electrostatic isolation and aerodynamic isolation.

Abstract: A passenger compartment monitoring apparatus that guarantees the required monitoring area and can be installed in both right-hand and left-hand drive vehicles. The monitoring apparatus has a room mirror arranged in the passenger compartment and a plurality of imaging devices arranged in the room mirror. Each of the imaging devices is arranged in the room mirror at a predetermined angle so as to monitor a predetermined area in the passenger compartment regardless of whether the monitoring apparatus is installed in a right-hand or left-hand drive vehicle.

Abstract: A plurality of baffle rails (4C) extending along a front-rear direction of a vehicle body are provided on a periphery of a mirror body (4) of an automotive door mirror (1), at least on a surface (4A) opposite a side of the vehicle body. Wind that sweeps along the periphery of the mirror body (4) during driving of the automobile passes along the baffle rails (4C) to the end of the surface (4A) without deviating partway from the surface (4A). Accordingly, the wind noise of about 1-3 kHz like a whistle may be reduced. The baffle rails (4C), which may serve as an accent of patterning, are provided without marring the beautifully designed appearance of the mirror body (4). The automotive door mirror (1) with the baffle rails (4C) lends itself to injection molding of the mirror body (4), and thus may be easily manufactured.

Abstract: A mirror, or an array of mirrors, for use in a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) optical device. The mirror includes a mirror substrate having a loss-reducing layer located over a first or second side thereof, and a light reflective optical layer located over the loss-reducing layer. The inventive mirror reduces undesirable Fabry-Perot interferrometric optical loss through minimizing the extent of multiple reflections within the MEMS mirror substrate.

Abstract: A vehicular video mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly and a video display assembly. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror casing incorporating a reflective element. The reflective element has a rearward field of view when the interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted in a vehicle. The mirror assembly further includes a mirror-mounting portion, which is adapted to mount the interior rearview mirror assembly at an interior portion of the vehicle, such as a windshield portion or a header portion. The mirror casing is adjustable about the mirror-mounting portion for adjusting the rearward field of view of the reflective element. The video display assembly includes a video screen which is incorporated in a video display housing. The video display assembly also includes a display-mounting portion, which is adapted to mount the video display assembly at the interior portion of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method using atomic hydrogen for removing carbon contamination from optical surfaces. The method is particularly useful for removing carbon and hydrocarbon contamination in-situ from the surface of the multilayer optics used for extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) without degrading the quality of the optical surface. Atomic hydrogen at pressures in the range of about 10−3 and 10−4 Torr without the potentially detrimental heating of the optic is used to provide cleaning rates of about 6-60 Å/hr.

Abstract: Multilayer polymeric films and other optical bodies are provided. The films, which have at least three layers of different composition in the optical repeating unit, reflect light in a first portion of the spectrum while transmitting light in a second portion of the spectrum, exhibit improved reflectivities at oblique angles, and can be designed to suppress one or more higher order harmonics of the main reflection band.

Abstract: A rearview truck mirror and wiper assembly for improving the rear view for truckers by keeping the mirror clean and lighted.

Abstract: A camouflaged structure and a method of camouflaging a structure against a background having a generally uniform composition of hue, saturation and brightness. In one embodiment, the camouflaged structures comprises a cell tower (100) camouflaged to decrease its visual impact when viewed by a viewer against a background sky (122) from an expected vantage point (102) using camouflaging techniques according to various aspects of the present invention. In a first aspect, the camouflage technique of the present invention comprises applying regions of color to one or more components of cell tower, wherein the colors are selected to match the composition (hue, saturation and brightness) of the background sky. In a seconds aspect, the camouflage technique of the present invention comprises providing one or more components of cell tower with reflectors that reflect light from an ambient sky (124) to a viewer.

Abstract: A substrate is provided with a light reflective film including a base and a reflective layer, in which a plurality of concave portions or convex portions formed on the surface of the base are randomly arranged in the plane direction in 100 to 2,000 RGB dot units or a whole screen unit, are formed using a mask in which light transmissive or non-transmissive portions are randomly arranged in the plane direction in 100 to 2,000 RGB dot units or the whole screen unit.

Abstract: To provide a camera built-in type rearview mirror device with illumination, wherein rigidity of the mirror housing can be raised, the camera main body part can photo a clear picture by extensive photographing feasible viewing angle through a transparent cover, and built-in of the camera module is simple. Mirror housing 2 includes concave part 2C formed in an opening manner downwardly which is arranged in the vicinity of photographing window 2B where lens 5B of the camera main body part 5A is faced, and capable of accommodating an illumination light source. For this reason, opening area of the photographing window 2B is decreased. Also, the circumference of the photographing window 2B is reinforced by the cross-sectional box type form of the concave part 2C. Especially a bulge part with circular curved section is formed so that the lens of the camera main body part may rush in, to thereby decrease the opening area of the photographing window further. Then rigidity of the mirror housing 2 is further raised.

Abstract: Disclosed is a diffuse reflector comprising a macro reflection efficiency variation. The invention provides improved light reflection for a back lit display while simultaneously diffusely reflecting specular light sources.

Abstract: An external rearview mirror of an automotive vehicle has a mirror plate set including a mirror plate and a rear cover, a moving mechanism for the mirror plate set and including a bearing/electric motor set, a housing in which the mirror plate set and the bearing/motor set are accommodated, a base with which the housing is connected in an articulated manner, the base being fixable to a side of a vehicle, the mirror plate set and the bearing/motor set being directly fixed with one another with the use of parts including one part provided in the mirror plate set and another part provided in the bearing/engine set and connectable with the one part.

Abstract: A temperature stabilized optical mirror is disclosed. A rotatable mirror for switching optical light signals between optical fibers is mounted on a support structure. One or more PTC (Positional Temperature Coefficient) resistors are mounted to the support structure to provide heat to the combination support structure and mirror so as to maintain the mirror and support structure above a lower limit of a selected temperature range. The PTC resistor is selected to have a switching temperature substantially equal to the lower limit of the select temperature range.

Abstract: Within a chamber in a vacuum atmosphere, SiO is deposited on a glass substrate so as to form a first layer as a protective film, Al is deposited on the first layer so as to form a second layer as an aluminum reflective film, MgF2 is deposited on the second layer so as to form a third layer as a transparent protective film, and CeO2 is deposited on the third layer so as to form a fourth layer as a transparent protective film. Then, while O2 gas is introduced into the chamber, SiO2 is deposited on the fourth layer so as to form a fifth layer as a transparent protective film.

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: A mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a visor which houses a mirror main body (a mirror), a stay cover provided between the visor and the vehicle, and a base which is assembled so as to pass through the stay cover. In the present invention, in a state in which inclined surfaces formed at both the stay cover and the visor press-contact one another, the stay cover is nipped by the base and the visor. The stay cover is held by nipping force of the base and the visor such that the visor and the stay cover are assembled without gaps therebetween, without a need to separately prepare a fixing member of the stay cover.

Abstract: In an illuminating device in which a light from a light source is separated into three color lights differing in optical path from one another by a color separating system, and light modulating elements conforming to the respective color lights are illuminated with the color lights, at least one of the optical paths of the three color lights has therein a reflecting system having positive power for reflecting the color light passing therethrough.

Abstract: A sensor-mirror arrangement on a windshield of a motor vehicle with an optical sensor that is fastened on the windshield in an edge region arranged between a free field of vision of the windshield and vehicle roof, and with an inside rearview mirror that is fastened using a mirror mounting in an upper edge region between the sensor and the vehicle roof. The mirror mounting has a first fastening element that interacts with a complementary second fastening element for fastening the inside rearview mirror, which is constructed with a mirror base of the inside rearview mirror. The mirror mounting moreover has a pedestal fastened on the windshield on its side facing away from the windshield the first fastening element is formed. The pedestal is dimensioned so that the mirror base fastened to the mirror holding has a predetermined distance from the windshield, which is greater that a minimum distance if need be required for the installation and/or function of the mirror base.

Abstract: The invention concerns a microsystem module, in particular for use in microoptical systems, the module consisting of a body on the surface of which at least one functional area and support areas for attachment to adjacent microsystem components are provided. According to the invention, in order to provide a microsystem module of this type which can be connected to adjacent microstructure system components with an extremely good fit and in an exactly reproducible manner and preventing damage to the adjacent components and the sensitive functional areas of the microsystem module, the support areas are disposed in the region of outwardly projecting surface regions of the body which are set back relative to the support areas in the direction towards the interior of the body. The functional areas are disposed with very narrow tolerances in a dimensionally accurate manner relative to the support areas.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a proximity switch comprises a radiation emitter for emitting radiation, at least one photosensor for detecting light levels near the radiation emitter, and an electronic circuit for energizing the radiation emitter and for receiving and processing signals from the photosensor so as to perform a specified function upon detecting an object that causes the radiation emitted from the radiation emitter to be reflected back to the photosensor. According to another embodiment, a rearview assembly for a vehicle comprises a transparent housing.

Abstract: Birefringent optical films have a Brewster angle (the angle at which reflectance of p-polarized light goes to zero) which is very large or is nonexistent. This allows for the construction of multilayer mirrors and polarizers whose reflectivity for p-polarized light decreases slowly with angle of incidence, are independent of angle of incidence, or increase with angle of incidence away from the normal. As a result, mirror films with high reflectivity in two different planes of polarization for any incident direction over a wide bandwidth can be achieved.

Abstract: A laminated packet or layered coating system is applied onto plastic eyeglasses which is composed of several superposed coating sequences of a coating of TMDS of approximately 1 &mgr;, a hardened TMDS coating of approximately 0.2 &mgr;m and a separating coating of approximately 3-5 nm. The laminated composite contains on the outside a non-hardened coating of TMDS and a cover coating approximately 10-15 nm thick on it. The separating coating is produced in a plasma using methanol. The deposition of the hardened coating of TMDS takes place in the presence of oxygen bound in alcohol.

Abstract: A reflecting mirror supporting mechanism has a reflecting mirror with countersinks in the side thereof, a mirror holder (a base) for supporting the reflecting mirror, and leaf springs which urge a base-side face of each of the countersinks against the mirror holder. The reflecting mirror is movable in an in-plane direction of the reflecting mirror, and the base-side face in each of the countersinks is parallel with the rear of the reflecting mirror. A first pad is disposed in a space between the leaf spring and the base-side face. In a space between the rear of the reflecting mirror and the mirror holder, a second pad is provided which is flat in shape in a contact portion with the rear of the reflecting mirror and is spherical in shape in a contact portion with the mirror holder.

Abstract: A temperature stabilized optical mirror is disclosed. A rotatable mirror for switching optical light signals between optical fibers is mounted on a support structure. One or more PTC (Positional Temperature Coefficient) resistors are mounted to the support structure to provide heat to the combination support structure and mirror so as to maintain the mirror and support structure above a lower limit of a selected temperature range. The PTC resistor is selected to have a switching temperature substantially equal to the lower limit of the select temperature range.

Abstract: A lightweight mirror structure is formed from a unitary body of mirror blank material by using an abrasive water jet cutting apparatus to cut a plurality of cylindrical channels in the blank between and extending parallel to the mirror surface and the back surface of the mirror structure. The process may be employed to quickly produce inexpensive lightweight mirror structures.

Abstract: The truck rearview mirror assembly of the present invention is used on a truck having a coupling status system for sensing trailer coupling status. The rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror housing adapted for mounting to a truck, a mirror disposed within the mirror housing, and a display carried by the housing. The display is coupled to the coupling status system for displaying trailer coupling status information to a driver of the truck.

Abstract: A wireless remote controlled mirror enabling a user to selectively adjust a view from a remote location. A preferred embodiment enables a driver to remotely control a mirror attached to a rear seat of a vehicle to remotely adjust the view of a child in a rear-facing safety seat. A preferred embodiment includes a base that mounts to an object (such as the safety seat or the rear seat), a reflective lens that moves relative to the base, one or more electric motors to drive the reflective lens, and a receiver that detects a command signal from a wireless remote controller and energizes the one or more motors to reorient the reflective lens to view the child. The mirror can alternatively be mounted on other portions of a vehicle, e.g., as a remote controlled side mirror.