SMART SUNGLASSES, HELMET FACESHIELDS AND GOGGLES BASED ON ELECTROCHROMIC POLYMERS
First Claim
1. Smart eyewear exhibiting variable light transmittance functionality, comprising:
- (a) a smart lens member including an electrochromic (EC) polymer, the EC polymer being switchable between a first state and a second state by selectively applying a voltage thereto, wherein the EC polymer transmits more light in the first state than in the second state;
(b) a voltage source member that is selectively connectable to the smart lens and is configured to provide the voltage required to switch the EC polymer between the first state and the second state; and
(c) a support member configured to support the lens and enable a user to wear the smart eyewear.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Eyewear exhibiting a variable light transmittance functionality is achieved by including a smart lens incorporating an electrochromic (EC) polymer, switchable between a first state and a second state in response to a voltage selectively applied thereto. The smart eyewear includes the smart lens, a voltage source, and a support. The EC polymer transmits more light in the first state than in the second state, because changing the state of the EC polymer varies the light transmittance of the smart lens. The voltage source is configured to provide the voltage required to switch the EC polymer between the first state and the second state, while the support member is configured to support the smart lens and enable a user to wear the smart eyewear. Embodiments can include sensors and controllers to automate the switching, as well as energy harvesting elements to increase battery life.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. Smart eyewear exhibiting variable light transmittance functionality, comprising:
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(a) a smart lens member including an electrochromic (EC) polymer, the EC polymer being switchable between a first state and a second state by selectively applying a voltage thereto, wherein the EC polymer transmits more light in the first state than in the second state; (b) a voltage source member that is selectively connectable to the smart lens and is configured to provide the voltage required to switch the EC polymer between the first state and the second state; and (c) a support member configured to support the lens and enable a user to wear the smart eyewear. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. Smart eyewear exhibiting a variable light transmittance functionality, comprising:
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(a) a smart lens member including at least one electrochromic (EC) polymer, each EC polymer being switchable between a first state and a second state by selectively applying a voltage thereto, wherein each EC polymer transmits more light in the first state than in the second state; (b) voltage source for providing the voltage required to switch each EC polymer between the first state and the second state; and (c) a support member configured to support the lens and enable a user to wear the smart eyewear.
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27. A smart lens exhibiting a variable light transmittance functionality, comprising:
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(a) a first substantially transparent electrode; (b) an electrochromic (EC) polymer, the EC polymer being switchable between a first state and a second state by selectively applying a voltage thereto, wherein the EC polymer transmits more light in the first state than in the second state; (c) a substantially transparent gel electrolyte, such that the EC polymer is disposed between the first substantially transparent electrode and the substantially transparent gel electrolyte; (d) an ion storage layer; (e) a second substantially transparent electrode, such that the ion storage layer is disposed between the second substantially transparent electrode and the substantially transparent gel electrolyte; and (f) conductors used to couple the smart lens to a voltage source.
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28. A method for improving a performance of an electrochromic (EC) device including an EC polymer layer, an ion storage layer, and an electrolyte, comprising the step of electrochemically conditioning the EC polymer layer and the ion storage layer, in order to ensure that the inorganic ions in the EC polymer layer and the ion storage layer are compatible with the inorganic ions provided by electrolyte.
Specification