Exterior mirror element with wide angle portion

• US 8,021,005 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2011
• Issued: 09/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Zhao, Mingtang
• Primary Examiner(s): Cherry; Euncha P
• Application Number:
  US13/097,570
• Publication Number:
  US 20110205614A1
• Time in Patent Office: 144 Days
• Field of Search: 359/841, 359/866, 359/868, 359/869, 359/871, 359/872
• US Class Current: 359/868
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 7/241 Methods
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/0053 combined with a final operation, e.g. shaping injection-compression moulding B29C45/561
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/48 using adhesives , i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/7465 Glass
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 11/00596 Mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/3055 Cars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/0602 comprising means for cleaning or deicing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/08 involving special optical features, e.g. avoiding blind spots , e.g. convex mirrors; Side-by-side associations of rear-view and other mirrors B60R1/025, B60R1/10 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/082 using a single wide field mirror or an association of rigidly connected mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/09 by deposition from the vapour phase
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 2217/26 Cr, Mo, W
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 2217/70 Properties of coatings
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 2218/154 by sputtering
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 2218/31 Pre-treatment
• CPC Class Codes: C23C 14/028 Physical treatment to alter the texture of the substrate surface, e.g. grinding, polishing
• CPC Class Codes: C23C 14/185 by cathodic sputtering
• CPC Class Codes: C23C 14/34 Sputtering
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0808 having a single reflecting layer G02B5/0883, G02B5/0891 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/10 with curved faces
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/15165 Polymers
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/157 : Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/34 : reflector

Abstract

An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes front and rear glass substrates and an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween. The electrochromic mirror reflective element includes a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion. The curved recess may have a cross-dimension size that is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 80 millimeters, and has a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters, and has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters. The electrochromic medium is disposed between the second surface of the front glass substrate and the third surface of the rear glass substrate and may be in contact with the principal planar reflector portion and the auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

Claims

1. An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising:

a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

an electrochromic medium disposed between said front and rear glass substrates, wherein said electrochromic medium is bounded by a seal and wherein said electrochromic medium comprises electrochromic material;

said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion;

wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector disposed at said rear glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises one of (a) a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating and (b) a curved recess established at a region of said fourth surface of said rear glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector coated at said curved recess;

wherein said first surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 80 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters; and

wherein said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

2. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 1, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said electrochromic mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element.

3. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 2, wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped and comprises a spherical convex-curved surface.

4. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 3, wherein said spherically curved and generally circular-shaped recess has a maximum recess depth H that is a function of its radius of curvature R and its cross-dimension size D.

5. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 4, wherein:

H=R−

(R^2−

(D/2)^2)^0.5.

6. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 1, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating.

7. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 6, wherein said seal at least one of (a) circumscribes the perimeter of said front and rear glass substrates and (b) circumscribes the perimeter of said front and rear glass substrates and at least partially circumscribes said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

10. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 1, wherein a hiding layer at least in part demarcates said auxiliary wide angle curved portion from said principal planar reflector portion when an exterior rearview mirror assembly equipped with said electrochromic mirror reflective element is normally mounted at the vehicle and is normally viewed by the driver of the vehicle.

11. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 1, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by grinding.

12. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 1, wherein said electrochromic medium is sandwiched between said front and rear glass substrates at said principal planar reflector portion and at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion, and wherein, when a voltage is applied to said electrochromic medium of said electrochromic mirror reflective element, said electrochromic medium dims to reduce reflectivity of visible light at said principal planar reflector portion.

13. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 12, further comprising a hiding layer that at least one of (a) substantially hides said seal from view by the driver of the vehicle when an exterior rearview mirror assembly equipped with said electrochromic mirror reflective element is normally mounted at the vehicle and (b) at least partially circumscribes said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

14. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 13, wherein said hiding layer is disposed at said second surface of said front glass substrate.

15. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 1, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said fourth surface of said rear glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating.

16. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 15, wherein said seal at least one of (a) circumscribes the perimeter of said front and rear glass substrates and (b) circumscribes the perimeter of said front and rear glass substrates and at least partially circumscribes said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

17. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 15, wherein said seal circumscribes the perimeter of said front and rear glass substrates and wherein said electrochromic mirror reflective element further comprises a hiding layer that substantially hides said seal from view by the driver of the vehicle when an exterior rearview mirror assembly equipped with said electrochromic mirror reflective element is normally mounted at the vehicle and the driver is normally operating the vehicle.

18. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 17, wherein said hiding layer is disposed at said second surface of said front glass substrate.

19. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 15, wherein said electrochromic medium is sandwiched between said front and rear glass substrates at said principal planar reflector portion and at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion, and wherein, when a voltage is applied to said electrochromic medium of said electrochromic mirror reflective element, said electrochromic medium dims to reduce reflectivity of visible light at said principal planar reflector.

20. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 15, wherein, when a voltage is applied to said electrochromic medium of said electrochromic mirror reflective element, (a) said electrochromic medium dims to reduce reflectivity of visible light at said principal planar reflector portion and (b) visible light reflectivity at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is substantially unchanged.

21. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 20, wherein said seal circumscribes the perimeter of said front and rear glass substrates, and wherein a hiding layer substantially hides the portion of said seal that circumscribes said perimeter of said front and rear glass substrates from view by the driver of the vehicle when an exterior rearview mirror assembly equipped with said electrochromic mirror reflective element is normally mounted at the vehicle and the driver is normally operating the vehicle, and wherein said hiding layer is disposed at said second surface of said front glass substrate.

22. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 21, wherein said principal mirror reflector of said principal planar reflector portion disposed at said rear glass substrate is disposed at said third surface of said rear glass substrate between said rear glass substrate and said electrochromic medium, and wherein said principal mirror reflector of said principal planar reflector portion disposed at said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a light-transmitting aperture, and wherein said light-transmitting aperture substantially corresponds to said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element.

23. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 22, wherein said curved recess is established at said region of said fourth surface of said rear glass substrate by grinding.

24. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 1, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating, and wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector coating, and wherein a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate and wherein said transparent conductor coating abuts said auxiliary mirror reflector and wherein said transparent conductor coating surrounds said auxiliary mirror reflector, and wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess and wherein the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said curved recess is contiguous with the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess.

25. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 1, wherein said principal minor reflector of said principal planar reflector portion comprises at least one of aluminum, silver, chromium, an aluminum alloy, a silver alloy and a chromium alloy, and wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector of said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises at least another of aluminum, silver, chromium, an aluminum alloy, a silver alloy and a chromium alloy.

26. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 1, wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector of said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is coated at said curved recess via sputter deposition.

27. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 26, wherein said electrochromic medium is sandwiched between said front and rear glass substrates at said principal planar reflector portion and at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion, and wherein, when a voltage is applied to said electrochromic medium of said electrochromic mirror reflective element, said electrochromic medium dims to reduce reflectivity of visible light at said principal planar reflector.

28. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 1, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating, and wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters, and wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 1.57 millimeters.

29. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 28, wherein said cross-dimension size of said curved recess is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 50 millimeters.

30. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 28, wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped and comprises a spherical convex-curved surface, and wherein said spherically curved and generally circular-shaped recess has a maximum recess depth that is a function of its radius of curvature and its cross-dimension size.

31. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 1, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said fourth surface of said rear glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating, and wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 1.57 millimeters.

32. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 31, wherein said cross-dimension size of said curved recess is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 50 millimeters.

33. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 1, wherein said principal mirror reflector of said principal planar reflector portion disposed at said rear glass substrate is disposed at said third surface of said rear glass substrate between said rear glass substrate and said electrochromic medium.

34. The electrochromic minor reflective element of claim 33, wherein said principal mirror reflector of said principal planar reflector portion disposed at said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a metallic reflector coated via sputter deposition.

35. The electrochromic minor reflective element of claim 33, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said fourth surface of said rear glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating, and wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 1.57 millimeters, and wherein said principal mirror reflector of said principal planar reflector portion at said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a light-transmitting aperture, and wherein said light-transmitting aperture substantially corresponds to said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element.

36. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 1, wherein, when a voltage is applied to said electrochromic medium of said electrochromic mirror reflective element, (a) said electrochromic medium dims to reduce reflectivity of visible light at said principal planar reflector portion and (b) visible light reflectivity at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is substantially unchanged.

37. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 36, further comprising a hiding layer that at least partially circumscribes said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

38. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 37, wherein said hiding layer is disposed at said second surface of said front glass substrate.

39. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 1, wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector coated at said curved recess of said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a generally convex-shaped reflector having a compound curvature convex shape.

40. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 1, wherein, when an exterior rearview mirror assembly equipped with said electrochromic mirror reflective element is normally mounted at the side of a vehicle, said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is generally disposed at an outboard upper region of said electrochromic mirror reflective element relative to the side of the vehicle.

41. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 1, wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface that allows said curved recess to be a least about 0.5 millimeters deep.

42. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 41, wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface that allows said curved recess to be no greater than about 4 millimeters deep.

43. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 1, wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface that allows said curved recess to have a depth in the range from about 0.5 millimeters deep and to about 4 millimeters deep, and wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters.

44. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 1, wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters.

45. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 44, wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 2.26 millimeters.

46. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 1, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at said third surface of said rear glass substrate, and wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector coating and wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess and wherein the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said curved recess is contiguous with the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess, and wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped.

47. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 1, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating, and wherein a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate.

48. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 47, wherein said transparent conductor coating abuts said auxiliary mirror reflector.

49. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 48, wherein said transparent conductor coating at least partially circumscribes said auxiliary mirror reflector.

50. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 48, wherein said transparent conductor coating surrounds said auxiliary mirror reflector.

51. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 50, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said electrochromic mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element as viewed through said front glass substrate.

52. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 51, wherein said transparent conductor coating comprises indium tin oxide.

53. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 51, wherein said curved recess is established at said region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by grinding before said transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate and before said auxiliary mirror reflector is established at said curved recess.

54. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 1, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating, and wherein a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate and wherein said transparent conductor coating abuts said auxiliary mirror reflector, and wherein said transparent conductor coating surrounds said auxiliary mirror reflector.

55. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 54, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said electrochromic mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element as viewed through said front glass substrate.

56. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 54, wherein said curved recess is established at said region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating before said transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate.

8. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of 1, wherein said seal circumscribes the perimeter of said front and rear glass substrates and wherein said electrochromic mirror reflective element further comprises a hiding layer that substantially hides said seal from view by the driver of the vehicle when an exterior rearview mirror assembly equipped with said electrochromic mirror reflective element is normally mounted at the vehicle and the driver is normally operating the vehicle, and wherein said hiding layer is disposed at said second surface of said front glass substrate.

9. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 8, wherein, when a voltage is applied to said electrochromic medium of said electrochromic mirror reflective element, (a) said electrochromic medium dims to reduce reflectivity of visible light at said principal planar reflector portion and (b) visible light reflectivity at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is substantially unchanged.

57. An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising:

a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate;

said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said front glass substrate to said rear glass substrate and wherein said electrochromic medium comprises electrochromic material;

a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion;

wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at said third surface of said rear glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector established at said curved recess;

wherein said first surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said fourth surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is less than or equal to about 80 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters; and

wherein said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

58. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 57, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said electrochromic mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element as viewed through said front glass substrate.

59. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 58, wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped.

60. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 59, wherein said curved recess comprises a spherical convex-curved surface.

61. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 60, wherein said spherically curved and generally circular-shaped recess has a maximum recess depth H that is a function of its radius of curvature R and its cross-dimension size D.

62. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 61, wherein:

H=R−

(R^2−

(D/2)^2)^0.5.

63. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 57, wherein said curved recess is established at said region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by grinding.

64. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 57, wherein said principal mirror reflector of said principal planar reflector portion comprises a first metallic coating and wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector of said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a second metallic coating that is different from said first metallic coating.

65. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 57, wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector coating, and wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess and wherein the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said curved recess is contiguous with the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess.

66. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 65, wherein said metallic reflector coating of said auxiliary mirror reflector comprises chromium.

67. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 65, wherein said metallic reflector coating of said auxiliary mirror reflector of said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is established at said curved recess via sputter deposition.

68. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 57, wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface that allows said curved recess to be a least about 0.5 millimeters deep.

69. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 57, wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface that allows said curved recess to be no greater than about 4 millimeters deep.

70. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 57, wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface that allows said curved recess to have a depth in the range from about 0.5 millimeters deep and to about 4 millimeters deep.

71. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 70, wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of about 2 millimeters.

72. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 57, wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters.

73. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 57, wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 2.26 millimeters.

74. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 73, wherein said cross-dimension size of said curved recess is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 60 millimeters.

75. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 57, wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped and comprises a spherical convex-curved surface.

76. The electrochromic minor reflective element of claim 75, wherein said spherically curved and generally circular-shaped recess has a maximum recess depth that is a function of its radius of curvature and its cross-dimension size.

77. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 57, wherein said curved recess is established at said region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by grinding, and wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 2.26 millimeters, and wherein said cross-dimension size of said curved recess is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 60 millimeters.

78. The electrochromie mirror reflective element of claim 57, wherein said principal mirror reflector of said principal planar reflector portion comprises a metallic reflector that is established at said third surface of said rear glass substrate via sputter deposition.

79. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 57, wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector established at said curved recess of said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a generally convex-shaped reflector having a compound curvature convex shape.

80. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 57, wherein, when a voltage is applied to said electrochromic medium, said electrochromic medium dims to reduce reflectivity of visible light at said principal planar reflector portion and visible light reflectivity at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is substantially unchanged.

81. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 57, wherein said electrochromic medium is sandwiched between said first and rear glass substrates at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

82. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 57, wherein a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate.

83. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 82, wherein said transparent conductor coating abuts said auxiliary mirror reflector.

84. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 83, wherein said transparent conductor coating at least partially circumscribes said auxiliary mirror reflector.

85. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 84, wherein said transparent conductor coating surrounds said auxiliary mirror reflector.

86. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 85, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said electrochromic mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element as viewed through said front glass substrate.

87. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 86, wherein said transparent conductor coating comprises indium tin oxide.

88. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 85, wherein said curved recess is established at said region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by grinding before said transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate and before said auxiliary mirror reflector is established at said curved recess.

89. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 57, wherein said curved recess of said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an aspheric curved recess.

90. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 57, wherein said curved recess is established at said region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by grinding and wherein said curved recess is canted relative to said principal planar reflector portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element.

91. An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising:

a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate;

said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said front glass substrate to said rear glass substrate;

a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion;

wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at said third surface of said rear glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector established at said curved recess;

wherein said first surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said fourth surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is less than or equal to about 80 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said electrochromic mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element as viewed through said front glass substrate;

wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped;

wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector coating;

wherein said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion; and

wherein, when a voltage is applied to said electrochromic medium, said electrochromic medium dims to reduce reflectivity of visible light at said principal planar reflector portion and visible light reflectivity at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is substantially unchanged.

92. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 91, wherein said curved recess comprises a spherical convex-curved surface and wherein said spherically curved and generally circular-shaped recess has a maximum recess depth H that is a function of its radius of curvature R and its cross-dimension size D wherein:

H=R−

(R^2−

(D/2)^2)^0.5.

93. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 92, wherein said curved recess is established at said region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by grinding, and wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface that allows said curved recess to have a depth in the range from about 0.5 millimeters deep and to about 3.09 millimeters deep.

94. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 93, wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess and wherein the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said curved recess is contiguous with the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess.

95. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 91, wherein said curved recess is established at said region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by grinding, and wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 2.26 millimeters, and wherein said cross-dimension size of said curved recess is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 60 millimeters.

96. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 95, wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters.

97. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 91, wherein said principal mirror reflector of said principal planar reflector portion comprises a metallic reflector that is established at said third surface of said rear glass substrate via sputter deposition, and wherein said electrochromic medium is sandwiched between said first and rear glass substrates at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

98. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 91, wherein a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate and wherein said transparent conductor coating abuts said auxiliary mirror reflector, and wherein said transparent conductor coating surrounds said auxiliary mirror reflector.

99. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 98, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said electrochromic mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element as viewed through said front glass substrate.

100. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 91, wherein said curved recess is established at said region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating before a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate.

101. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 91, wherein said curved recess is established at said region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by grinding, and wherein said curved recess is canted relative to said principal planar reflector portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element.

102. An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising:

a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate;

said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said front glass substrate to said rear glass substrate;

a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion;

wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at said third surface of said rear glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector established at said curved recess;

wherein said first surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said fourth surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is less than or equal to about 80 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said electrochromic mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element as viewed through said front glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector coating;

wherein, when a voltage is applied to said electrochromic medium, said electrochromic medium dims to reduce reflectivity of visible light at said principal planar reflector portion and visible light reflectivity at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is substantially unchanged;

wherein said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion; and

wherein a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate and wherein said transparent conductor coating abuts said auxiliary mirror reflector and wherein said transparent conductor coating surrounds said auxiliary mirror reflector.

103. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 102, wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters.

104. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 103, wherein at least one of (i) said curved recess is generally circular-shaped, (ii) said curved recess comprises a spherical convex-curved surface, (iii) said curved recess is generally circular-shaped and said curved recess comprises a spherical convex-curved surface, (iv) said curved recess comprises an aspherical convex-curved surface, (v) said curved recess comprises a compound curved convex-curved surface and (vi) said curved recess is canted relative to said principal planar reflector portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element.

105. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 102, wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface that allows said curved recess to have depth in the range from about 0.5 millimeters deep and to about 2.26 millimeters deep.

106. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 105, wherein said cross-dimension size of said curved recess is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 60 millimeters.

107. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 106, wherein said electrochromic medium is sandwiched between said first and rear glass substrates at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

108. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 107, wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess and wherein the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said curved recess is contiguous with the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess.

109. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 108, wherein said curved recess is established at said region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by grinding before said transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate.

110. An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising:

a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate;

said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said front glass substrate to said rear glass substrate;

a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion;

wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at a surface of said rear glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector established at said curved recess;

wherein said first surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said fourth surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said electrochromic mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element as viewed through said front glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector coating;

wherein a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate and wherein said transparent conductor coating abuts said auxiliary mirror reflector and wherein said transparent conductor coating surrounds said auxiliary mirror reflector;

wherein at least one of (i) said curved recess is generally circular-shaped, (ii) said curved recess comprises a spherical convex-curved surface, (iii) said curved recess is generally circular-shaped and said curved recess comprises a spherical convex-curved surface, (iv) said curved recess comprises an aspherical convex-curved surface, (v) said curved recess comprises a compound curved convex-curved surface and (vi) said curved recess is canted relative to said principal planar reflector portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element;

wherein said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion;

wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface that allows said curved recess to have a depth in the range from about 0.5 millimeters deep and to about 3.09 millimeters deep;

wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters; and

wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.5 millimeters to about 3.09 millimeters.

111. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 110, wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters.

112. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 111, wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 80 millimeters and wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped and wherein said curved recess comprises a spherical convex-curved surface.

113. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 112, wherein said curved recess is established at said region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating before said transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate.

114. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 111, wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess, and wherein the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said curved recess is contiguous with the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess.

115. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 114, wherein, when a voltage is applied to said electrochromic medium, said electrochromic medium dims to reduce reflectivity of visible light at said principal planar reflector portion and visible light reflectivity at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is substantially unchanged.

116. An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising:

a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate;

said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said front glass substrate to said rear glass substrate;

a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion;

wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at a surface of said rear glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector established at said curved recess;

wherein said first surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said fourth surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is less than or equal to about 80 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters;

wherein said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said electrochromic mirror reflective element and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element as viewed through said front glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector coating; and

wherein a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate.

117. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 116, wherein said curved recess comprises a spherical convex-curved surface, and wherein said curved recess has a depth in the range from about 0.5 millimeters deep and to about 3.09 millimeters deep.

118. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 116, wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 2.26 millimeters, and wherein said cross-dimension size of said curved recess is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 60 millimeters, and wherein said metallic reflector coating of said principal mirror reflector of said principal planar reflector portion is established via sputter deposition and wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters.

119. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 116, and wherein said transparent conductor coating abuts said auxiliary mirror reflector and wherein said transparent conductor coating surrounds said auxiliary mirror reflector, and wherein said curved recess is established at said region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating before said transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate.

120. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 116, wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at said third surface of said rear glass substrate, and wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess and wherein the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said curved recess is contiguous with the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess, and wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped.

121. An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising:

a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate;

said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said front glass substrate to said rear glass substrate;

a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion;

wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at a surface of said rear glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector established at said curved recess;

wherein said first surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said fourth surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size has a cross-dimension size that is less than or equal to about 80 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters;

wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said electrochromic mirror reflective element and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element as viewed through said front glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector coating;

wherein a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate;

wherein said curved recess has a depth of at least about 0.5 millimeters deep;

wherein said transparent conductor coating abuts said auxiliary mirror reflector and wherein said transparent conductor coating surrounds said auxiliary mirror reflector, and wherein said curved recess is established at said region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating before said transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate;

wherein said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion;

wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at said third surface of said rear glass substrate; and

wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess, and wherein the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said curved recess is contiguous with the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess.

122. An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising:

a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate;

said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said front glass substrate to said rear glass substrate;

a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion;

wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at said third surface of said rear glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established by at least one of grinding and ablating;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector established at said curved recess;

wherein said first surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is less than or equal to about 80 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 2.26 millimeters;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said electrochromic mirror reflective element and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element as viewed through said front glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector coating;

wherein a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said second surface of said front glass substrate;

wherein at least one of (i) said curved recess is generally circular-shaped, (ii) said curved recess comprises a spherical convex-curved surface, (iii) said curved recess is generally circular-shaped and said curved recess comprises a spherical convex-curved surface, (iv) said curved recess comprises an aspherical convex-curved surface, (v) said curved recess comprises a compound curved convex-curved surface and (vi) said curved recess is canted relative to said principal planar reflector portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element;

wherein said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion;

wherein said transparent conductor coating abuts said auxiliary mirror reflector and wherein said transparent conductor coating surrounds said auxiliary mirror reflector, and wherein said curved recess is established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating before said transparent conductor coating is disposed at said second surface of said front glass substrate;

wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a planar substrate surface immediately adjacent said curved recess and wherein the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said curved recess is contiguous with the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said planar substrate surface immediately adjacent said curved recess; and

wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters.

123. An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising:

a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate;

said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said front glass substrate to said rear glass substrate;

a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion;

wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at a surface of said rear glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of a surface of one of said front glass substrate and said rear glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector established at said curved recess;

wherein said first surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is less than or equal to about 80 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said electrochromic mirror reflective element;

wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector coating;

wherein, when a voltage is applied to said electrochromic medium, said electrochromic medium dims to reduce reflectivity of visible light at said principal planar reflector portion;

wherein a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate; and

wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a generally planar surface region immediately adjacent said curved recess and wherein the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said curved recess is contiguous with the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said generally planar surface region immediately adjacent said curved recess.

124. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 123, wherein said curved recess is established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating, and wherein said transparent conductor coating abuts said auxiliary mirror reflector and wherein said transparent conductor coating surrounds said auxiliary mirror reflector, and wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters, and wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped, and wherein said generally planar surface region immediately adjacent said curved recess comprises a generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate, and wherein said principal mirror reflector of said principal planar reflector portion comprises a metallic reflector that is established at said third surface of said rear glass substrate via sputter deposition.

125. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 124, wherein, when a voltage is applied to said electrochromic medium of said electrochromic mirror reflective element, visible light reflectivity at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is substantially unchanged.

126. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 125, wherein said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

127. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 125, wherein said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and is not in contact with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

128. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 127, wherein a seal joining said front substrate and said rear substrate prevents said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate from contacting said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

129. An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising:

a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion;

wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector disposed at said rear glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises one of (a) a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating and (b) a curved recess established at a region of said fourth surface of said rear glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector coated at said curved recess;

wherein said first surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 80 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters;

wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector coating; and

wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a generally planar surface region immediately adjacent said curved recess and wherein the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said curved recess is contiguous with the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said generally planar surface region immediately adjacent said curved recess.

130. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 129, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating, and wherein a transparent conductor coating abuts said auxiliary mirror reflector and wherein said transparent conductor coating surrounds said auxiliary mirror reflector, and wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters, and wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped, and wherein said generally planar surface region immediately adjacent said curved recess comprises a generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate, and wherein said principal mirror reflector of said principal planar reflector portion comprises a metallic reflector that is established at said third surface of said rear glass substrate via sputter deposition.

131. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 130, wherein, when a voltage is applied to an electrochromic medium of said electrochromic mirror reflective element, visible light reflectivity at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is substantially unchanged.

132. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 131, wherein said electrochromic medium is disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate and is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

133. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 131, wherein said electrochromic medium is disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate, and wherein said electrochromic medium is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and is not in contact with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

134. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 133, wherein a seal joining said front substrate and said rear substrate prevents said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate from contacting said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

135. An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising:

a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

an electrochromic medium disposed between said front and rear glass substrates, wherein said electrochromic medium is bounded by a seal and wherein said electrochromic medium comprises electrochromic material;

said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion;

wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector disposed at said rear glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector coated at said curved recess;

wherein said first surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 80 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters;

wherein said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said electrochromic mirror reflective element;

wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped and comprises a spherical convex-curved surface;

wherein, when a voltage is applied to said electrochromic medium of said electrochromic mirror reflective element, (a) said electrochromic medium dims to reduce reflectivity of visible light at said principal planar reflector portion and (b) visible light reflectivity at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is substantially unchanged;

wherein said principal mirror reflector of said principal planar reflector portion disposed at said rear glass substrate is disposed at said third surface of said rear glass substrate between said rear glass substrate and said electrochromic medium;

wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector coating, and wherein a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate and wherein said transparent conductor coating is in contact with said auxiliary mirror reflector, and wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess and wherein the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said curved recess is contiguous with the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess; and

wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters.

136. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 135, wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 1.57 millimeters and wherein said cross-dimension size of said curved recess is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 50 millimeters.

137. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 136, wherein, when an exterior rearview minor assembly equipped with said electrochromic mirror reflective element is normally mounted at the side of a vehicle, said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is generally disposed at an outboard upper region of said electrochromic mirror reflective element relative to the side of the vehicle.

138. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 137, wherein said curved recess is established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by grinding before said transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate and before said auxiliary mirror reflector is established at said curved recess.

139. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 138, wherein said transparent conductor coating comprises indium tin oxide.

140. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 136, wherein said seal is disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate around a perimeter border region thereof, and wherein a hiding layer is disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said seal, said hiding layer comprising a perimeter metallic band that hides said seal from direct view by a driver of a vehicle viewing said electrochromic mirror reflective element as normally mounted and used in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a vehicle.

141. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 140, wherein a further portion of said hiding layer traverses said front substrate at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

142. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 141, wherein said portion of said hiding layer that traverses said front substrate at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion demarcates said auxiliary wide angle curved portion from said principal planar reflector portion.

143. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 141, wherein a portion of said seal traverses between said front substrate and said rear substrate at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion, and wherein said portion of said hiding layer that traverses said front substrate at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion hides said portion of said seal that traverses between said front substrate and said rear substrate from direct view by a driver of a vehicle viewing said electrochromic mirror reflective element as normally mounted and used in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a vehicle.

144. An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising:

a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate;

said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said front glass substrate to said rear glass substrate;

a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion;

wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at said third surface of said rear glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector established at said curved recess;

wherein said first surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said fourth surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is less than or equal to about 80 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said electrochromic mirror reflective element;

wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped;

wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector coating;

wherein said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion; and

wherein, when a voltage is applied to said electrochromic medium, said electrochromic medium dims to reduce reflectivity of visible light at said principal planar reflector portion and visible light reflectivity at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is substantially unchanged.

145. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 144, wherein said curved recess comprises a spherical convex-curved surface.

146. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 145, wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface that allows said curved recess to have a depth in the range from about 0.5 millimeters deep and to about 3.09 millimeters deep.

147. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 146, wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess and wherein the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said curved recess is contiguous with the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess.

148. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 144, wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 2.26 millimeters, and wherein said cross-dimension size of said curved recess is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 60 millimeters.

149. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 148, wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters.

150. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 144, wherein said principal mirror reflector of said principal planar reflector portion comprises a metallic reflector that is established at said third surface of said rear glass substrate via sputter deposition, and wherein said electrochromic medium is sandwiched between said first and rear glass substrates at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

151. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 144, wherein a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate and wherein said transparent conductor coating is in contact with said auxiliary mirror reflector.

152. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 151, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said electrochromic mirror reflective element.

153. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 144, wherein said curved recess is established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablation before a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate.

154. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 149, wherein said seal is disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate around a perimeter border region thereof, and wherein a hiding layer is disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said seal, said hiding layer comprising a perimeter metallic band that hides said seal from direct view by a driver of a vehicle viewing said electrochromic mirror reflective element as normally mounted and used in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a vehicle.

155. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 154, wherein a further portion of said hiding layer traverses said front substrate at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

156. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 155, wherein said portion of said hiding layer that traverses said front substrate at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion demarcates said auxiliary wide angle curved portion from said principal planar reflector portion.

157. An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising:

a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate;

said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said front glass substrate to said rear glass substrate;

a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion;

wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at said third surface of said rear glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector established at said curved recess;

wherein said first surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said fourth surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is less than or equal to about 80 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said electrochromic mirror reflective element;

wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector coating;

wherein, when a voltage is applied to said electrochromic medium, said electrochromic medium dims to reduce reflectivity of visible light at said principal planar reflector portion and visible light reflectivity at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is substantially unchanged; and

wherein a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate.

158. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 157, wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters.

159. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 158, wherein at least one of (i) said curved recess is generally circular-shaped, (ii) said curved recess comprises a spherical convex-curved surface, (iii) said curved recess is generally circular-shaped and said curved recess comprises a spherical convex-curved surface, (iv) said curved recess comprises an aspherical convex-curved surface, (v) said curved recess comprises a compound curved convex-curved surface and (vi) said curved recess is canted relative to said principal planar reflector portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element.

160. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 159, wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface that allows said curved recess to have depth in the range from about 0.5 millimeters deep and to about 2.26 millimeters deep.

161. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 160, wherein said cross-dimension size of said curved recess is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 60 millimeters.

162. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 161, wherein said electrochromic medium is sandwiched between said first and rear glass substrates at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

163. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 162, wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess and wherein the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said curved recess is contiguous with the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess.

164. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 163, wherein said curved recess is established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by grinding before said transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate, and wherein said transparent conductor coating is in contact with said auxiliary mirror reflector.

165. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 161, wherein said seal is disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate around a perimeter border region thereof, and wherein a hiding layer is disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said seal, said hiding layer comprising a perimeter metallic band that hides said seal from direct view by a driver of a vehicle viewing said electrochromic mirror reflective element as normally mounted and used in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a vehicle.

166. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 165, wherein a further portion of said hiding layer traverses said front substrate at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

167. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 166, wherein said portion of said hiding layer that traverses said front substrate at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion demarcates said auxiliary wide angle curved portion from said principal planar reflector portion.

168. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 157, wherein said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

169. An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising:

a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate;

said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said front glass substrate to said rear glass substrate;

a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion;

wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at a surface of said rear glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector established at said curved recess;

wherein said first surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said fourth surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said electrochromic mirror reflective element;

wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector coating;

wherein a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate and wherein said transparent conductor coating is in contact with said auxiliary mirror reflector;

wherein at least one of (i) said curved recess is generally circular-shaped, (ii) said curved recess comprises a spherical convex-curved surface, (iii) said curved recess is generally circular-shaped and said curved recess comprises a spherical convex-curved surface, (iv) said curved recess comprises an aspherical convex-curved surface, (v) said curved recess comprises a compound curved convex-curved surface and (vi) said curved recess is canted relative to said principal planar reflector portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element;

wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface that allows said curved recess to have a depth in the range from about 0.5 millimeters deep and to about 3.09 millimeters deep;

wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters; and

wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.5 millimeters to about 3.09 millimeters.

170. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 169, wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters.

171. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 170, wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 80 millimeters and wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped and wherein said curved recess comprises a spherical convex-curved surface.

172. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 171, wherein said curved recess is established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating before said transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate.

173. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 170, wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess, and wherein the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said curved recess is contiguous with the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess.

174. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 173, wherein, when a voltage is applied to said electrochromic medium, said electrochromic medium dims to reduce reflectivity of visible light at said principal planar reflector portion and visible light reflectivity at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is substantially unchanged.

175. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 171, wherein said seal is disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate around a perimeter border region thereof, and wherein a hiding layer is disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said seal, said hiding layer comprising a perimeter metallic band that hides said seal from direct view by a driver of a vehicle viewing said electrochromic mirror reflective element as normally mounted and used in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a vehicle.

176. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 175, wherein a further portion of said hiding layer traverses said front substrate at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

177. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 176, wherein said portion of said hiding layer that traverses said front substrate at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion demarcates said auxiliary wide angle curved portion from said principal planar reflector portion.

178. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 171, wherein said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

179. An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic minor reflective element comprising:

a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate;

said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said front glass substrate to said rear glass substrate;

a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion;

wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at a surface of said rear glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector established at said curved recess;

wherein said first surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said fourth surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is less than or equal to about 80 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 800 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 3.09 millimeters;

wherein said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said electrochromic mirror reflective element;

wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector coating; and

wherein a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate.

180. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 179, wherein said curved recess comprises a spherical convex-curved surface, and wherein said curved recess has a depth in the range from about 0.5 millimeters deep and to about 2.26 millimeters deep.

181. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 179, wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 2.26 millimeters, and wherein said cross-dimension size of said curved recess is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 60 millimeters, and wherein said metallic reflector coating of said principal minor reflector of said principal planar reflector portion is established via sputter deposition and wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters.

182. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 179, and wherein said transparent conductor coating is in contact with said auxiliary mirror reflector, and wherein said curved recess is established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablation before said transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate.

183. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 179, wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at said third surface of said rear glass substrate, and wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess and wherein the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said curved recess is contiguous with the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess, and wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped.

184. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 179, wherein said seal is disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate around a perimeter border region thereof, and wherein a hiding layer is disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said seal, said hiding layer comprising a perimeter metallic band that hides said seal from direct view by a driver of a vehicle viewing said electrochromic mirror reflective element as normally mounted and used in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a vehicle.

185. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 184, wherein a further portion of said hiding layer traverses said front substrate at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

186. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 185, wherein said portion of said hiding layer that traverses said front substrate at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion demarcates said auxiliary wide angle curved portion from said principal planar reflector portion.

187. An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising:

a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate;

said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said front glass substrate to said rear glass substrate;

a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion;

wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at a surface of said rear glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector established at said curved recess;

wherein said first surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said fourth surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size has a cross-dimension size that is less than or equal to about 80 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters;

wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said electrochromic mirror reflective element;

wherein said auxiliary minor reflector comprises a metallic reflector coating;

wherein a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate;

wherein said curved recess has a depth of at least about 0.5 millimeters deep;

wherein said transparent conductor coating is in contact with said auxiliary mirror reflector, and wherein said curved recess is established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablation before said transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate;

wherein said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion;

wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at said third surface of said rear glass substrate; and

wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess, and wherein the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said curved recess is contiguous with the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess.

188. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 187, wherein said seal is disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate around a perimeter border region thereof, and wherein a hiding layer is disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said seal, said hiding layer comprising a perimeter metallic band that hides said seal from direct view by a driver of a vehicle viewing said electrochromic minor reflective element as normally mounted and used in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a vehicle.

189. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 188, wherein a further portion of said hiding layer traverses said front substrate at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

190. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 189, wherein said portion of said hiding layer that traverses said front substrate at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion demarcates said auxiliary wide angle curved portion from said principal planar reflector portion.

191. An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic minor reflective element comprising:

a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate;

said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said front glass substrate to said rear glass substrate;

a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion;

wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at said third surface of said rear glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established by at least one of grinding and ablating;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector established at said curved recess;

wherein said first surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is less than or equal to about 80 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 2.26 millimeters;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said electrochromic mirror reflective element;

wherein a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said second surface of said front glass substrate;

wherein at least one of (i) said curved recess is generally circular-shaped, (ii) said curved recess comprises a spherical convex-curved surface, (iii) said curved recess is generally circular-shaped and said curved recess comprises a spherical convex-curved surface, (iv) said curved recess comprises an aspherical convex-curved surface, (v) said curved recess comprises a compound curved convex-curved surface and (vi) said curved recess is canted relative to said principal planar reflector portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element;

wherein said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion;

wherein said transparent conductor coating is in contact with said auxiliary mirror reflector, and wherein said curved recess is established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablation before said transparent conductor coating is disposed at said second surface of said front glass substrate;

wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a planar substrate surface immediately adjacent said curved recess and wherein the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said curved recess is contiguous with the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said planar substrate surface immediately adjacent said curved recess; and

wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters.

192. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 191, wherein said seal is disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate around a perimeter border region thereof, and wherein a hiding layer is disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said seal, said hiding layer comprising a perimeter metallic band that hides said seal from direct view by a driver of a vehicle viewing said electrochromic mirror reflective element as normally mounted and used in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a vehicle.

193. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 192, wherein a further portion of said hiding layer traverses said front substrate at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

194. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 193, wherein said portion of said hiding layer that traverses said front substrate at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion demarcates said auxiliary wide angle curved portion from said principal planar reflector portion.

195. An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising:

a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion;

wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector disposed at said rear glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises one of (a) a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating and (b) a curved recess established at a region of said fourth surface of said rear glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector coated at said curved recess;

wherein said first surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 80 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters;

wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector coating; and

wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a generally planar surface region immediately adjacent said curved recess and wherein the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said curved recess is contiguous with the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said generally planar surface region immediately adjacent said curved recess.

196. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 195, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating, and wherein a transparent conductor coating is in contact with said auxiliary mirror reflector, and wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters, and wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped, and wherein said generally planar surface region immediately adjacent said curved recess comprises a generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front glass substrate, and wherein said principal mirror reflector of said principal planar reflector portion comprises a metallic reflector that is established at said third surface of said rear glass substrate via sputter deposition, and wherein, when a voltage is applied to an electrochromic medium of said electrochromic mirror reflective element, visible light reflectivity at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is substantially unchanged, and wherein said electrochromic medium is disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate and is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

197. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 196, wherein said seal is disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate around a perimeter border region thereof, and wherein a hiding layer is disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said seal, said hiding layer comprising a perimeter metallic band that hides said seal from direct view by a driver of a vehicle viewing said electrochromic mirror reflective element as normally mounted and used in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a vehicle.

198. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 197, wherein a further portion of said hiding layer traverses said front substrate at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

199. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 198, wherein said portion of said hiding layer that traverses said front substrate at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion demarcates said auxiliary wide angle curved portion from said principal planar reflector portion.

200. An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising:

a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion;

wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector disposed at said rear glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector coated at said curved recess;

wherein said first surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 60 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 800 millimeters;

wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 2.26 millimeters;

wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector coating;

wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters, and wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped, and wherein said principal mirror reflector of said principal planar reflector portion comprises a metallic reflector that is established at said third surface of said rear glass substrate via sputter deposition, and wherein, when a voltage is applied to an electrochromic medium of said electrochromic mirror reflective element, visible light reflectivity at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is substantially unchanged, and wherein said electrochromic medium is disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate and is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion;

wherein said seal is disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate around a perimeter border region thereof, and wherein a hiding layer is disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said seal, said hiding layer comprising a perimeter metallic band that hides said seal from direct view by a driver of a vehicle viewing said electrochromic mirror reflective element as normally mounted and used in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a vehicle;

wherein a further portion of said hiding layer traverses said front substrate at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion; and

wherein said portion of said hiding layer that traverses said front substrate at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion demarcates said auxiliary wide angle curved portion from said principal planar reflector portion.

201. The electrochromic mirror reflective element of claim 200, wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a generally planar surface region of said second surface of said front substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess and wherein the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said curved recess is contiguous with the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said generally planar surface region immediately adjacent said curved recess, and wherein a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said second surface of said front substrate and is in contact with said auxiliary mirror reflector.