Abstract: A method of widening the directional range of view of a mirror device without enlarging the surface area of the device by suitably combining a number of partially-reflecting surfaces includes provision to avoid discontinuities and overlaps in the field of view. It also makes it possible for the viewer to visually identify an image with the particular reflector that generates the image seen in the image field and hence relate it to a zone of the field of visibility wherein the object is located. A device incorporating the method can be useful as a side-view mirror of an automobile.

Abstract: Highly efficient diffusely reflecting multilayer mirrors diffusely reflect light incident upon them. Highly efficient diffusely reflecting multilayer polarizers diffusely reflect light of one polarization while diffusely transmitting the other polarization. The diffusely reflecting mirror includes a light diffusing element and a multilayer mirror element. The diffusely reflecting polarizer includes a light diffusing element and a multilayer reflective polarizing element.

Abstract: A mirror assembly including a semitransparent mirror which passes about 1% to about 8% of a broad band of visible light, and which reflects about 35% to about 58% of a broad band of visible light. A light assembly is positioned adjacent to the semitransparent mirror and emits visible light which is passed by the semitransparent mirror. The luminous intensity of the mirror assembly being about 2 to about 20 candelas.

Abstract: A head-mounted image display apparatus (HMD) including an ocular optical system, which has an F-number of 1.5 to 3 and enables a flat and clear image to be observed at a view angle of up to 60.degree. or more with substantially no aberration. The HMD has at least two, surfaces and each having a concave surface directed toward the pupil. The two surfaces are disposed so that light rays from an image display device are reflected by the first surface, and the reflected light rays are reflected by the second surface and pass through the first surface to enter an observer's eyeball.

Abstract: A new vehicle mirror viewing system which is designed for rear view mirrors mounted exteriorly of a vehicle and allows a driver to either view the mirror or an image transmitted from the mirror to a viewing screen mounted interiorly of the vehicle. A fiber optic transmission cable is utilized in conjunction with a two-way mirror to transmit the reflected image from the mirror to the viewing screen. The cable utilizes a large bundle of fiber optic cables, and the ends of the cables are mounted in small blocks which allow only small pixels of light to be transmitted from an image passes through the two-way mirror. With the ends of the cables mounted in arrays within transducers, a composite image can be transmitted from a rear surface of the rear view mirror to the viewing screen.

Abstract: An information display for use in vehicles including a module or housing located behind, and attached to, a support for the interior rearview mirror assembly. The module includes a display which is observable around the profile of the mirror by the vehicle operator or passengers. An upper portion of the display module is attached to the mount used to support the mirror assembly on the vehicle windshield. The upper portion of the module may be detachably coupled to the mount by a snap-on clip, by a threaded fastener secured directly to the mount, or by a resilient S-clip. The information display of this invention lends itself to quickly and inexpensively adding a wide range of information displays such as a compass, trip computer, clock, warning light, temperature readout, or the like, to any vehicle, at a location readily seen by the vehicle operator within the forward field of vision without substantially interfering or impairing the operator's field of vision.

Abstract: An optical system transmits a first radiation beam along a first axis and receives a reflected beam along that axis; the first beam having a first wavelength and a p-planar polarization; the second beam having the first wavelength, a p-planar polarized component, an s-planar polarized component, and a greater cross-sectional area than the first beam. The system includes a transmit/reflect mirror positioned at a 45.degree. to the first axis and free of apertures in its optical area, a radiation source, an element for directing radiation from the source along the first axis toward the mirror; an element for directing radiation outwardly from the mirror along the first axis, and for directing the second beam along the first axis toward the mirror. An antireflection coating on the primary side of the mirror passes radiation having the first wavelength and a p-planar polarization.

Abstract: A retro-reflective vision control panel which includes an opaque sheet material coated with retro-reflective light reflecting particles and a dark opaque color on the reverse side thereof, and an image formed over top the retro-reflective particles using colored light permeable translucent inks or films to form an image thereon. The opaque sheet and image have a plurality of perforations spaced thereover such that when the light level on the image side of said panel is slightly less than, equal to, or greater than that on the other side, an observer on the image side clearly sees the image while an observer on the other side sees through the panel without seeing any trace whatsoever of the image or design.

Abstract: An opto-electronic alignment method and apparatus capable of being incorporated into left and right side vehicle exterior sideview mirrors to assist the driver in adjusting the mirror to minimize the presence of any traffic blind spot on a side of the vehicle. In a first embodiment, an LED is fixed in the mirror housing and aimed at the particular vehicle blind spot but reflected at an angle through a selectively light transmissive mirror region toward the vehicle interior. The sideview mirror alignment is accomplished by the driver using a conventional mirror adjustment control. When the driver sees the beam of light, the main sideview mirror is oriented correctly to reflect objects in the blind spot to the driver's eyes. In a second embodiment, the LED is mounted for pitch and azimuth adjustment using the adjustment control.

Abstract: Systems for affording panoramic forward, side, rear and underneath views to operators of a wide range of transportation means for facilitating safe manoeuvering thereof. The transportation means include private vehicles, full trailers, semi-trailers, busses, aircraft, ships and the like.

Abstract: A system for modifying the radiant energy spectrum of a thermal energy source to produce a desired spectral bandwidth profile including a frequency-selective resonant micromesh filter (50) confronting a thermal energy source (80). Micromesh filter (50) includes an array of resonant-conductive antenna elements (50', 50") and a substrate (56) for supporting the antenna elements. Thermal radiation (82) emitted from energy source (80) is filtered by micromesh filter (50), wherein radiant energy at particular wavelengths is reflected back to the energy source, while certain wavelength photons are transmitted through the micromesh filter.

Abstract: One or more panels define a support for an image layer and a relatively dark layer. Holes extend through the panel and the layer. The holes allow viewing through the panels in one direction without seeing the image, yet the image can be viewed by looking at the panel assembly from the opposite direction. Thus, the image is suitable as an advertising medium as applied to the transparent windows of buildings, vehicles and the like. A person sitting in a building or in a vehicle cannot see the image on a window by looking outwardly through the window. Looking in the opposite direction, from outside to inside the vehicle, a person will see the image through the assembly of panels.

Abstract: A triangular prism mirror mounted adjacent a driver of a vehicle to enable the driver to view the blind spot area without any distortion of vision. The triangular prism mirror unit has three plane surfaces, the rear surface being blocked. By blocking the rear surface of the prism, the image entering one of the front surfaces will appear on the other front surface. Therefore the triangular prism mirror, when properly mounted, provides a clear vision for the driver of a vehicle giving access to the blind spot area.

Abstract: A screen simulator arrangement includes spaced apart screen and one or more mirror means; said screen means is formed with a plurality of spaced apart transparent portions therein; said mirror means is formed or provided with a plurality of holes or openings therein; said screen and said mirror means are fixedly located relative to each other; the transparent portions of said screen means and the holes or openings of said mirror means are substantially out of register one with the other. An inner screen surface of said screen means and a reflective surface of said mirror means generally face inwardly towards each other, said transparent portions of said screen means and said holes or openings of said mirror means being so out of register one with the other, such that screen portions of said screen means are in substantial alignment/register with holes or openings in said mirror means.

Abstract: The adhesion to plastic substrates of thick layers of functional metals having an oxide heat of formation that is greater than -40,000 calories/gram atom of metal, such as silver, copper, gold, and the like, is improved if a thin layer of a metal having an oxide heat of formation of less than -50,000 calories/gram atom of metal is present as an adhesion-promoting primer layer. When the primer layer metal has a melting point greater than 1100.degree. C., it should be present as the metal or as a substoichiometric oxide. When the primer layer metal has a melting point less than 1100.degree. C., it may be present as the metal, as a substoichiometric oxide, or as a full stoichiometric oxide. Processes for preparing these materials using sputter-depositing and reflectors incorporating these materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of producing mirrors comprising depositing onto a ribbon of hot glass during the production process a coating comprising at least one pyrolytic reflecting layer and at least one color modifying layer whereby the mirrors exhibit color in reflectance and have a visible light reflection of at least 35% and less than 70%. There is also provided a mirror having such a coating.

Abstract: An information display for use in vehicles including a module or housing located behind, and attached to, a support for the interior rearview mirror assembly. The module includes a display which is observable around the profile of the mirror by the vehicle operator or passengers. An upper portion of the display module is attached to the mount used to support the mirror assembly on the vehicle windshield. The upper portion of the module may be detachably coupled to the mount by a snap-on clip, by a threaded fastener secured directly to the mount, or by a resilient S-clip. The information display of this invention lends itself to quickly and inexpensively adding a wide range of information displays such as a compass, trip computer, clock, warning light, temperature readout, or the like, to any vehicle, at a location readily seen by the vehicle operator within the forward field of vision without substantially interfering or impairing the operator's field of vision.

Abstract: A lighted mirror apparatus includes a mirror glass having one or more lighting sections. The mirror glass has a pyrolyric coating on the front surface and an opaque backmasking on the rear surface. Semi-transparent material, such as light control film, may be disposed on the rear surface of the mirror glass on the lighting sections. The lighting sections are normally highly reflective of ambient light, and thus provide additional mirror surface when the lights are deactivated. The lighting sections transmit light from one or more light sources disposed behind the mirror glass when the light sources are activated. Two lighting sections are preferably provided, with one at each end of the mirror surface. Several embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A RF communication device (100, 200, 300) employs a mirrored surface (109, 209, 309). The mirrored surface (109, 209) contains a display area (108, 208) that may be used to output operational information of the RF communication device (100, 200), such as signal strength and status information, to a user.

Abstract: A rearview mirror system for a vehicle having a reflective element with a reflective surface and a variable light transmission element includes an optical display device behind the reflective element in order to produce a visual display to the driver. A control is provided having a light sensor that senses light conditions in the vicinity of the vehicle and produces a continuously variable light signal indicative of such sensed light conditions. The control further includes a drive circuit responsive to the light signal in order to supply a drive signal to the reflective element and thereby establish the light transmission level of the light transmission element. The control further includes an intensity control circuit that varies the intensity of the optical display as a function of the value of the sensed light in the vicinity of the vehicle to accommodate physiological changes in the driver's eyes.

Abstract: A light irradiation device emits a visible light and an ultraviolet ray by using one light source to reduce an energy cost and simplify a mechanism. A light source 7, a first reflection mirror 8 and a second reflection mirror 9 are provided in a case 6. A radiation light ranging from an ultraviolet area to a visible light area is emitted from the light source 7. The first reflection mirror 8 is a visible light reflection mirror and the second reflection mirror 9 is an ultraviolet ray reflection mirror. Of the light emitted from the light source 7, the visible light is reflected by the first reflection mirror 8 and the ultraviolet ray passes through the first reflection mirror 8 and is reflected by the second reflection mirror 9.

Abstract: A mirror assembly including an enclosure having an aperture, and defining a cavity, an instrument for receiving electromagnetic radiation having predetermined characteristics, borne by the enclosure and positioned in the cavity; and a dichroic mirror borne by the enclosure and disposed in substantially occluding relation relative to the aperture, the dichroic mirror reflecting ambient visible light and being substantially transparent to the light received by the instrument.

Abstract: The outside mirror of a motor vehicle is provided with a wiper blade reciprocating on the mirror surface, as well as a liquid spraying means. An LED/photocell unit automatically senses the degree of soiling of the mirror and initiates a wiping cycle when a predetermined light limit is not reached. Irrespective of the degree of soiling, a cleaning operation is initiated after the engine has been started or stopped. The outside mirror is always in a perfect condition in which it offers good visibility to a driver. This considerably increases the road safety of an automotive vehicle.

Abstract: A laser beam receiver including a transparent disc and a mirror arrangement which are fastened on a base element. A light spot formed on the disc by a laser beam may only be seen optimally, particularly if the distance between the laser device and the laser beam receiver is so great that the laser beam arrives only faintly, if the observer's angle of view lies in the axial extension of the laser beam. The mirror is so arranged that this angle of view lies exactly in the axial extension of the laser beam. The range of action of the laser device is thus expanded in a simple and inexpensive manner.

Abstract: A signaling mirror assembly for mounting to an exterior of a motor vehicle comprises a mirror shell mounted to a side of the vehicle body and a mirror mounted within the shell having reflectivity of at most 70% and transmissivity of at least 40%. The signaling mirror also has a light source disposed between the mirror and the shell which is operably illuminated in response to operating signals. Also included is diffractive means disposed between the light source and the mirror for diverting light from the vehicle operator to a viewing pattern which generally fans out from the side of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A lamp projecting a high-intensity optical beam of spectral radiation, with an IR-extracting (cooling) array including an IR-dissipating "black-box" arranged to receive IR and convert it to box-heat, plus an IR-diverting "hot-mirror" interposed along the beam to divert (only) the IR to this "black-box".

Abstract: A rearview mirror system for a vehicle having a reflective element with a reflective surface and a variable light transmission element includes an optical display device behind the reflective element in order to produce a visual display to the driver. A control is provided having a light sensor that senses light conditions in the vicinity of the vehicle and produces a continuously variable light signal indicative of such sensed light conditions. The control further includes a drive circuit that is responsive to the light signal in order to supply a drive signal to the reflective element and thereby establish the light transmission level of the light transmission element. The control further includes an intensity control circuit that varies the intensity of the optical display as a function of the value of the sensed light in the vicinity of the vehicle in order to accommodate physiological changes in the driver's eyes.

Abstract: The reflective projection system has a relatively wide field of view that comprises two concave and two convex spherical mirrors, situated in certain non-light-blocking positions with respect to one another, for deriving, with negligible image aberrations, a projected magnified or demagnified image over at least one of a range of magnification or demagnification power values between 3 and infinity that may be zoomed over this range. Such a reflective projection system, utilizing a high-power excimer laser radiation source, may be employed for ablating the surface of a substrate, such as the surface of the coating of a coated wafer, with a demagnified image of an object pattern defined by a mask, the radiation intensity of the demagnified image being sufficiently high to effect this ablation.

Abstract: A high-contrast reflective display for use under high ambient light conditions for individuals wearing sunglasses and particularly polarized sunglasses includes a reflective target for a light emitting source of information to be displayed. The target is a relatively thin transparent polymeric film having a metalized rear reflective surface. The film, in a preferred embodiment, is a Mylar film having a thickness of from about 0.001-0.005 inches with a neutral density tint. The metal coating was aluminum vacuumed deposited on the film layer. The composite target can be adhered to a support using a suitable bonding adhesive applied to the metalized film.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a portable mirrored camouflage blind that incorporates a plurality of two-way mirrored panels positioned relative to each other side by side along a longitudinal edge, and flexible hinge means for flexibly connecting each of the plurality of two-way mirrored panels with an adjacent two-way mirrored panel whereby the plurality of two-way mirrored panels with the flexible hinge means form an accordion-like structure. Each of the plurality of two-way mirrored panels is optically constructed to produce undistorted reflections of objects located at near and far distances on an outer side of the plurality of two-way mirrored panels.

Abstract: A photochromic light control mirror comprises a photochromic substrate having a reflective film deposited at one side thereof. Alternatively, a mirror (i.e., a layer of glass having a reflective film deposited at one side thereof) is coated with a photochromic coating. An ultraviolet light source illuminates the photochromic material to change the reflectance of the mirror. The reflectance can be manually controlled whereby the intensity of the light source is controlled by adjusting the voltage driving the light source. Alternatively, the reflectance can be automatically controlled whereby the intensity of the light source is controlled by a photo detector which varies the voltage driving the light source in response to detected light.

Abstract: The invention is a convex mirror for surveillance purposes, in combination with an advertising message, and the method of fabricating same. A removable mask is attached to the interior of the surface to be mirrored, and a non-reactive removable liquid mask is applied to the openings in the removable mask. The removable mask is removed, and a mirror material is applied to the surface. The liquid mask is allowed to solidify, then removed, leaving one or more transparent areas in the surface of the mirror.

Abstract: A mirror assembly including an enclosure having an aperture, and defining a cavity, a light source or lamp for emitting light in predetermined wavelengths or an instrument for emitting or receiving light having predetermined characteristics, borne by the enclosure and positioned in the cavity; and a dichroic mirror borne by the enclosure and disposed in substantially occluding relation relative to the aperture, the dichroic mirror reflecting ambient visible light and being substantially transparent to the light emitted by the light source and instrument, or received by the instrument as the case may be.

Abstract: An optical reflecting unit comprises a support prism extending in an elongated manner, and a half mirror fixedly mounted in contact with a surface of the support prism. An optical axis of the incident light in the form of a line incident upon a half mirror is folded. A transmitted light transmitted through the half mirror is incident upon the support prism. An extracted bore is provided in which an incident transmitted light is irregularly reflected by a bottom and a peripheral wall of the extracted bore. With the arrangement discussed above, the transmitted light transmitted through the half mirror and reflected by the surface of the half-mirror support prism is not deviated in a direction along the optical axis of the reflected light from the half mirror. Only the reflected light from the half mirror can be led to a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A display apparatus for blindzone signal indication comprises an exterior rear view mirror housing and an exterior rear view mirror disposed in the exterior rear view mirror housing. The exterior rear view mirror defines a portion from which light is reflected and a portion through which light may be transmitted from inside the rear view mirror housing. A light source mounted within the housing is located at the light transmissive portion of the mirror and a directional filter located at the light transmitting portion of the mirror filters light emitted by the light source so that a signal from the light source may be seen from the interior of the vehicle, but may not be seen by drivers of other vehicles.

Abstract: The present invention provides solutions of certain 4,4'-bipyridinium salts, such as salts of 1,1'- dibenzyl-2,2',6,6'-tetraalkyl-4,4'-bipyridinium cations. The solutions of the invention are employed as solutions of variable transmittance in solution-phase electrochromic devices, including such devices that are single-compartment and self-erasing. In the solutions of the invention in such devices, the bipyridinium salts are cathodic electrochromic compounds, as reduction of a cation of such a salt causes its molar extinction coefficient at at least one wavelength in the visible range to increase markedly. Electrochromic devices, in which solutions of the invention provide variable transmittance, are, in turn, components of variable transmittance in display devices, windows and other types of light filters, and variable reflectance mirrors, such as those that can be used as dimmable rearview mirrors in motor vehicles.

Abstract: The present invention provides variable reflectance mirrors wherein the component of variable transmittance is a single-compartment, self-erasing, solution-phase electrochromic device.

Abstract: The present invention concerns compositions, which comprise a solvent, which is suitable for a medium of variable transmittance in a solution-phase electrochromic device, and a UV-stabilizer, which is an ester of 2-cyano-3,3-diphenyl acrylic acid. Among embodiments of the invention are solutions used as media of variable transmittance in electrochromic devices, especially single-compartment, self-erasing, solution-phase electrochromic devices. The UV-stabilizer provides to the compositions of the invention stability against degradation from exposure to ultraviolet radiation, including that from the sun. Among applications of electrochromic devices comprising solutions according to the invention are use as variable transmittance components in variable reflectance, outside, rearview mirrors for automobiles.

Abstract: A lamp projecting a high-intensity optical beam of spectral radiation, with an IR-extracting (cooling) array including an IR-dissipating "black-box" arranged to receive IR and convert it to box-heat, plus an IR-diverting "hot-mirror" interposed along the beam to divert (only) the IR to this "black-box".

Abstract: A side view mirror assembly for an automobile comprises a side view mirror having a reflective surface and a transparent portion, a target fixed with respect to the automobile, located behind the side view mirror, and an auxiliary mirror having a reflective surface which is considerably smaller than the reflective surface of the side view mirror attached to the rear of the side view mirror, and so inclined with respect to the side view mirror that it enables a driver of an automobile to see the target in the auxiliary mirror through the transparent portion of the side view mirror, and when the target is seen by the driver in the auxiliary mirror the line of sight of the driver looking in the side view mirror is directed toward a required blind spot area near the automobile.

Abstract: A terminator system particularly suited for beams of high intensity electromagnetic radiation such as from a laser includes an enclosure having a hole therein and a black mirror mounted in the enclosure. The black mirror has a specularly reflecting surface opposite the hole and is oriented at an angle such that the beam impinging on the hole would be impinging on the specularly reflecting surface and would not be reflected directly back out the hole. The black mirror is constructed of a material that absorbs energy at the wavelength of the incident beam. In another preferred embodiment, there are a plurality of black mirrors for performing a succession of reflections, so that the beam power is reduced significantly at each reflection.

Abstract: The automotive display apparatus consists of an indicator, a transmissive first reflector plate, a second reflector plate, and a face plate. The face plate has a rear surface the upper portion of which is inclined at an angle larger than the inclined angle of the remaining portion of the rear surface. If light from a display of the indicator is inadvertently directly passed onto the upper portion of the rear surface of the face plate, the upper portion reflects the light to form an eventually ghost-causing virtual image at such a position that the ghost does not enter into a viewing area for the indicator display. The automotive display apparatus does not require an extra spc to provide a display free of ghost and is produceable at a low cost.

Abstract: The invention is a reflective sign of polymeric material. The base of the sign consists of a spherical mirror. The cover for the sign consists of a transparent spherical section suitable for mating to the spherical mirror. A first opaque visible emblem is applied to the convex side of the cover, and a second emblem is applied to the concave side of the cover, directly behind the first emblem. The second emblem is printed in reverse, so that when it is reflected by the spherical mirror, it appears to the observer in proper orientation. The combined first emblem and second emblem are, therefore, visible to an observer of the device.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes an image source displaying information and a magnifying mirror element reflecting the displayed information and projecting one or more images thereof viewable by the operator in one or more focal planes, the mirror element being partially light transmissive. A display data source is also provided so that, in a first mode, the display data is not visible and in a second mode the display data is visible to the operator through the mirror.

Abstract: The operable wavelength band of a wide-band half-mirror is windened by inserting, between (1) a substrate having index of refraction n.sub.sub and (2) layers with indices of refraction (n.sub.H .multidot.n.sub.L).sup.2 of the known four-film type dielectric half mirror having a construction represented by n.sub.sub /(n.sub.H .multidot.n.sub.L).sup.2 /air; alternating layers of: (a) high refractive index dielectric substances n.sub.H1, n.sub.H2 . . . ; and (b) low refractive index dielectric substances n.sub.L1, n.sub.L2 . . . ; each film having a thickness of .lambda..sub.o /2. The alternating layers to be inserted have indices of refraction related as follows:n.sub.sub .ltoreq.n.sub.H1 .ltoreq.n.sub.H2 .ltoreq.. . . .ltoreq.n.sub.HN andn.sub.sub .gtoreq.n.sub.L1 .gtoreq.L.sub.L2 .gtoreq.. . . .gtoreq.n.sub.LNThe alternating layer structures according to one of the following formulas (1) or (2) are inserted between the substrate n.sub.sub and layers (n.sub.H .multidot.n.sub.L).sup.2.(2n.sub.H1 .multidot.2n.

Abstract: A light mirror and a lamp including a light mirror are disclosed. The light mirror includes a light pervious substrate having a reflecting surface, a metal coating disposed in the reflecting surface, and a dichroic coating disposed on the metal coating. The dichroic coating is designed to reflect essentially all of the visible light spectrum and to transmit infra-red radiation and any unreflected portion of the visible light spectrum. A method for controlling the heat transmission of a cold light mirror is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mirror unit (11) comprising a mirror holder (12) having a cylindrical support surface (13), and comprising a flexible mirror (14) having a mirror side (15) and a rear side (16); the mirror (14) which has been elastically deformed into a cylindrical mirror rests with its mirror side (15) directly on the support surface (13) of the mirror holder (14) without an intermediate layer, the mirror holder being provided with a shaft (17) which leaves open an optically directly and freely accessible region (19) at the mirror side (15) of the mirror (14) (front surface mirror), this region (19) acting as the functional mirror surface.

Abstract: A lamp projecting a high-intensity optical beam of optical radiation, with an IR-extracting (cooling) array including an IR-dissipating "black-box" arranged to receive IR and convert it to box-heat, plus an IR-diverting "hot-mirror" interposed along the beam to divert (only) the IR to this "black-box".

Abstract: A decorative mirror 10 is made from a transparent sheet of arcylic 12 that has a front surface 14 and a rear surface 16. Opaque colored layers 20 and 22 are deposited on a first area 18 of the rear surface 16. A reflective coating 28 is deposited on the rear surface and is visible from the front surface at a second area 26. The second area 26 and first area 18 form a border 30. A laser beam 40 forms grooves 33 on the front surface 14 aligned over the border 30 between layers 20, 22 and 28 to form a simulated mosaic piece in which the grooves 33 simulate a border between separate mosaic pieces.

Abstract: The present invention provides variable reflectance motor vehicle mirrors wherein the component of variable transmittance is a single-compartment, self-erasing, solution-phase electrochromic device.