Devices incorporating electrochromic elements and optical sensors

• US 20040047050A1
• Filed: 09/11/2003
• Published: 03/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Frederick T. Bauer, Joseph S. Stam
• Original Assignee: Frederick T. Bauer, Joseph S. Stam
• Inventors: Bauer, Frederick T., Stam, Joseph S.
• Granted Patent: US 6,963,437 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/738
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/153 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/48 Variable attenuator
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 9/02 Diaphragms
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48091 Arched
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48227 connecting the wire to a bond pad of the item
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/14618 Containers
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/14625 Optical elements or arrangements associated with the device
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00014 the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/0203 Containers; Encapsulations , e.g. encapsulation of photodiodesfor photovoltaic devices H01L31/048; for organic photosensitive devices H10K30/80
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/02325 the optical elements not being integrated nor being directly associated with the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof

Abstract

The device of the present invention includes an electrochromic element having a transmittance that varies in response to an electrical signal, a base substrate disposed in spaced relation to the electrochromic element, a seal disposed between the base substrate and the electrochromic element, and an optical sensor. The seal, base substrate, and electrochromic element form a sealed cavity therebetween, in which the optical sensor is disposed. According to another embodiment, an electrochromic device is provided that includes a first substrate, an electrochromic medium disposed on the first substrate, a pair of electrodes in contact with the electrochromic medium, a pair of conductive clips, each in electrical contact with a respective one of the electrodes, and two pairs of electrical lead posts for mounting the first substrate to the circuit board. Each pair of lead posts is attached to, and extends from, a respective one of the conductive clips. According to another embodiment, an imaging device is disclosed having an image recorder for recording a scene or object, and an electrochromic element positioned between the image recorder and the object or scene to be imaged. The electrochromic element is configured to exhibit a non-uniform transmittance in response to an applied electrical signal.

Claims

1. An optical sensor system configured to be mounted to a vehicle, comprising:

at least one optical sensor and at least one lens; and

at least one electro-optic variable aperture positioned between said at least one optical sensor and said at least one lens along an optical axis of said optical sensor.

2. An optical sensor system as in claim 1 wherein said electro-optic variable aperture comprises an electro-optic medium selected from the group comprising:

a solution-phase medium, a surface confined medium, a solid state medium and an electrodeposition medium.

3. An optical sensor system as in claim 1, said electro-optic variable aperture comprising at least one substrate comprising a convex inner surface.

4. An optical sensor system as in claim 1, said electro-optic variable aperture comprising at least one substrate comprising an electrode layer on at least one surface comprising a variable sheet resistance.

5. An optical sensor system as in claim 4 wherein said variable sheet resistance defines a series of concentric rings and, or, a circle.

6. An optical sensor system as in claim 5, said series of concentric rings comprising at least one inner ring or circle comprising a higher sheet resistance than at least one outer ring.

7. An optical sensor system as in claim 1, said electro-optic variable aperture comprising an electro-optic medium comprising varying concentrations of active materials.

8. An optical sensor system as in claim 7 wherein said varying concentrations of active materials define a series of concentric rings and, or, a circle.

9. An optical sensor system as in claim 8, said series of concentric rings comprising at least one inner ring or circle comprising a higher sheet resistance than at least one outer ring.

10. An optical sensor system as in claim 1, said electro-optic variable aperture comprising a cell spacing of about 50 μ

m.

11. An optical sensor system as in claim 1, said electro-optic variable aperture comprising at least one substrate comprising an electrode comprising a sheet resistance greater than about 80 Ω

/□

.

12. An optical sensor system as in claim 1, said electro-optic variable aperture comprising a highly concentrated electro-optic medium.

13. An optical sensor system as in claim 1 further comprising a control configured to at least periodically shunt said electro-optic variable aperture.

14. An optical sensor system configured to be mounted to a vehicle, comprising:

at least one electro-optic variable aperture comprising at least a center area with different light ray attenuation characteristics than an area at least partially surrounding said center area.

15. An optical sensor system as in claim 14 wherein said electro-optic variable aperture comprises an electro-optic medium selected from the group comprising:

a solution-phase medium, a surface confined medium, a solid state medium and an electrodeposition medium.

16. An optical sensor system as in claim 14, said electro-optic variable aperture comprising at least one substrate comprising a convex inner surface.

17. An optical sensor system as in claim 14, said electro-optic variable aperture comprising at least one substrate comprising an electrode layer on at least one surface comprising a variable sheet resistance.

18. An optical sensor system as in claim 17 wherein said variable sheet resistance defines a series of concentric rings and, or, a circle.

19. An optical sensor system as in claim 18, said series of concentric rings comprising at least one inner ring or circle comprising a higher sheet resistance than at least one outer ring.

20. An optical sensor system as in claim 14, said electro-optic variable aperture comprising an electro-optic medium comprising varying concentrations of active materials.

21. An optical sensor system as in claim 20 wherein said varying concentrations of active materials define a series of concentric rings and, or, a circle.

22. An optical sensor system as in claim 21, said series of concentric rings comprising at least one inner ring or circle comprising a higher sheet resistance than at least one outer ring.

23. An optical sensor system as in claim 14, said electro-optic variable aperture comprising a cell spacing of about 50 μ

m.

24. An optical sensor system as in claim 14, said electro-optic variable aperture comprising at least one substrate comprising an electrode comprising a sheet resistance greater than about 80 Ω

/□

.

25. An optical sensor system as in claim 14, said electro-optic variable aperture comprising a highly concentrated electro-optic medium.

26. An optical sensor system as in claim 14 further comprising a control configured to at least periodically shunt said electro-optic variable aperture.

27. An optical sensor system configured to be mounted to a vehicle, comprising:

at least one optical sensor; and

at least one electro-optic variable aperture positioned along an optical path of said at least one optical sensor, said electro-optic variable aperture is operable to selectively attenuate light rays.

28. An optical sensor system as in claim 27 wherein said electro-optic variable aperture comprises an electro-optic medium selected from the group comprising:

a solution-phase medium, a surface confined medium, a solid state medium and an electrodeposition medium.

29. An optical sensor system as in claim 27, said electro-optic variable aperture comprising at least one substrate comprising a convex inner surface.

30. An optical sensor system as in claim 27, said electro-optic variable aperture comprising at least one substrate comprising an electrode layer on at least one surface comprising a variable sheet resistance.

31. An optical sensor system as in claim 30 wherein said variable sheet resistance defines a series of concentric rings and, or, a circle.

32. An optical sensor system as in claim 31, said series of concentric rings comprising at least one inner ring or circle comprising a higher sheet resistance than at least one outer ring.

33. An optical sensor system as in claim 27, said electro-optic variable aperture comprising an electro-optic medium comprising varying concentrations of active materials.

34. An optical sensor system as in claim 33 wherein said varying concentrations of active materials define a series of concentric rings and, or, a circle.

35. An optical sensor system as in claim 34, said series of concentric rings comprising at least one inner ring or circle comprising a higher sheet resistance than at least one outer ring.

36. An optical sensor system as in claim 27, said electro-optic variable aperture comprising a cell spacing of about 50 μ

m.

37. An optical sensor system as in claim 27, said electro-optic variable aperture comprising at least one substrate comprising an electrode comprising a sheet resistance greater than about 80 Ω

/□

.

38. An optical sensor system as in claim 27, said electro-optic variable aperture comprising a highly concentrated electro-optic medium.

39. An optical sensor system as in claim 27 further comprising a control configured to at least periodically shunt said electro-optic variable aperture.