Indicia display for electro-optic devices wherein the indicia comprises a dielectric material extending at least partially into the electro-optic medium
First Claim
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1. An electro-optic device comprising:
- a pair of optically transparent substrates positioned in spaced relation to one another, each substrate having an inner surface facing the inner surface of the other substrate, an opposing outer surface and a perimeter edge, said inner surfaces defining a space between said substrates;
an electro-optic medium confined in said space and having a light transmittance which is variable by the application of an electric field;
a seal extending between said substrates near their respective perimeter edges, circumscribing said space between said substrates, and confining said electro-optic medium in said space;
electrical means for applying an electric field to said electro-optic medium; and
a dielectric material forming indicia on at least one of said inner surfaces, said indicia extending from said one surface toward the other of said surfaces and extending at least partially into said electro-optic medium.
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Abstract
An electro-optic device useful as a vehicular mirror or panel, an architectural panel, or the like includes two optically transparent substrates positioned in spaced relation to each other. An electro-optic medium having a light transmittance which is variable with the application of an electric field is captured in the space between the substrates. Indicia is applied to one of the inside surfaces of the substrates. In one aspect of the invention, a dielectric material is used for the indicia. The indicia remain visible for viewing at all times during operation of the device.
408 Citations
41 Claims
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1. An electro-optic device comprising:
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a pair of optically transparent substrates positioned in spaced relation to one another, each substrate having an inner surface facing the inner surface of the other substrate, an opposing outer surface and a perimeter edge, said inner surfaces defining a space between said substrates; an electro-optic medium confined in said space and having a light transmittance which is variable by the application of an electric field; a seal extending between said substrates near their respective perimeter edges, circumscribing said space between said substrates, and confining said electro-optic medium in said space; electrical means for applying an electric field to said electro-optic medium; and a dielectric material forming indicia on at least one of said inner surfaces, said indicia extending from said one surface toward the other of said surfaces and extending at least partially into said electro-optic medium. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An electro-optic device comprising:
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a first optically transparent substrate having a front surface, an opposing rear surface and a perimeter edge; a second optically transparent substrate having a front surface, an opposing rear surface and a perimeter edge, said second substrate being positioned in spaced relation to said first substrate to define a space having thickness between said rear surface of said first substrate and said front surface of said second substrate; an electro-optic medium confined in said space and having a light transmittance which is variable by the application of an electric field; a seal circumscribing said space and extending between said first and second substrates near their respective perimeter edges for spacing said substrates apart and confining said electro-optic medium in said space; electrical means for applying an electric field to said electro-optic medium; a reflective coating on one of said front surface and rear surface of said second substrate and adapted to reflect light incident thereon through said electro-optic medium and said first substrate; and a dielectric material indicia on one of said rear surfaces of said first substrate and said front surface of said second substrate, said indicia extending from said one surface toward the other of said surfaces and extending at least partially into said electro-optic medium. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. An electro-optic device comprising:
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at least a pair of optically transparent substrates positioned in generally parallel spaced relation to one another, each of said substrates having an inner surface facing the inner surface of the other substrate, an opposing outer surface and a perimeter edge, said inner surfaces defining a space having thickness between said substrates; an electro-optic medium confined in said space and having a light transmittance which is variable by the application of an electric field; a seal circumscribing said space and extending between said substrates near their respective perimeter edges for spacing said substrates apart and confining said electro-optic medium in said space; electrical means including an optically transparent, electrically conductive layer on each of said inner surfaces for applying an electric field to said electro-optic medium; a reflective coating on one of said inner and outer surfaces of one of said substrates and adapted to reflect light incident thereon through said electro-optic medium and said other substrate; and a dielectric material forming indicia on one of said inner surfaces, said indicia extending from said one surface toward the other of said surfaces and extending at least partially into said electro-optic medium. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification