Mirror assemblies incorporating variable index of refraction materials
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A focusing mirror assembly comprising:
- a non-opaque variable index material alterable between at least two different indices of refraction, wherein the index of refraction of the variable index material is altered when the variable index material is exposed to an electrical stimulus;
at least one activation layer in communication with the variable index material comprising the electrical stimulus as individually addressable regions; and
a mirror in optical communication with the variable index material, the mirror positioned to reflect radiation waves passing through the non-opaque variable index material.
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Abstract
A mirror assembly including an active lens and a reflective surface. The mirror assembly may change its refractive index when a voltage is applied to the active lens, thereby changing the field of view in the lens. Exemplary applications include a blind spot system in a motor vehicle, in which, upon sensing another vehicle in a driver'"'"'s blind spot, the mirror assembly changes the driver'"'"'s field of view to include the blind spot. Additional applications include a magnifying mirror for shaving or applying cosmetics.
73 Citations
50 Claims
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1. A focusing mirror assembly comprising:
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a non-opaque variable index material alterable between at least two different indices of refraction, wherein the index of refraction of the variable index material is altered when the variable index material is exposed to an electrical stimulus;
at least one activation layer in communication with the variable index material comprising the electrical stimulus as individually addressable regions; and
a mirror in optical communication with the variable index material, the mirror positioned to reflect radiation waves passing through the non-opaque variable index material. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A focusing mirror assembly comprising:
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a non-opaque variable index material alterable between at least two different indices of refraction;
at least one activation layer, the activation layer in communication with the variable index material, the activation layer containing individually addressable regions; and
a mirror in optical communication with the variable index material, the mirror positioned to reflect radiation waves passing through the non-opaque variable index material. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A mirror assembly comprising:
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a non-opaque variable index material alterable between at least two different indices of refraction;
at least one activation layer in communication with the variable index material, the activation layer containing individually addressable regions; and
a mirror in optical communication with the variable index material, the mirror positioned to reflect radiation waves passing through the non-opaque variable index material, wherein the variable index material is at least partially located within an optically transmissive container, wherein the optically transmissive container defines a void containing at least part of the variable index material, wherein the void in the optically transmissive container forms the shape of a lens. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A mirror assembly comprising:
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a non-opaque variable index material alterable between at least two indices of refraction; and
a mirror in optical communication with the variable index material, the mirror positioned to reflect radiation waves passing through the non-opaque variable index material, wherein the variable index material is at least partially located within an optically transmissive container, wherein the optically transmissive container defines a void containing at least part of the variable index material, wherein a surface of the void in the optically transmissive container defines a patterned cross-sectional profile. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A mirror assembly comprising:
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a non-opaque variable index material alterable between at least two different indices of refraction;
at least one activation layer in communication with the variable index material, the activation layer containing individually addressable regions; and
a mirror in optical communication with the variable index material, the mirror positioned to reflect radiation waves passing through the non-opaque variable index material, wherein the variable index material is at least partially located within an optically transmissive container, wherein an outside surface of the optically transmissive container defines a concave or convex surface. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A mirror assembly comprising:
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a non-opaque variable index material alterable between at least two different indices of refraction;
a diffractive pattern layer, the diffractive pattern layer in optical communication with the variable index material; and
a mirror in optical communication with the variable index material, the mirror positioned to reflect radiation waves passing through the non-opaque variable index material. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A mirror system comprising:
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an optically transmissive container;
a variable index material in optical communication with the optically transmissive container, the variable index material alterable between at least two different indices of refraction;
a mirror in optical communication with the variable index material;
a controller, the controller infuencing the index of refraction of the variable index naterial, the controller controlling individually addressable regions of the variable index material; and
a sensor, in communication with the controller, the controller adapted to influence the index of refraction of the variable index material in response to signals received from the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A mirror system comprising:
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an optically transmissive container;
a variable index material in optical communication with the optically transmissive container, the variable index material alterable between at least two different indices of refraction;
a mirror in optical communication with the variable index material;
a controller, the controller influencing the index of refraction of the variable index material; and
a sound generator, the sound generator in communication with the controller. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33)
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34. A mirror system comprising:
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an optically transmissive container;
a variable index material in optical communication with the optically transmissive container, the variable index material alterable between at least two different indices of refraction;
a mirror in optical communication with the variable index material;
a controller, the controller influencing the index of refraction of the variable index material; and
a warning light in communication with the controller. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37)
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38. A method of modifying the reflective properties of a mirror assembly comprising:
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sensing the presence of an object;
generating a signal;
exposing a material to an electromagnetic field in order to modify the material'"'"'s index of refraction;
sensing the position of a driver of a carrier motor vehicle; and
sensing the speed of the carrier motor vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (39)
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40. A mirror assembly comprising:
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a non-opaque variable index material alterable between at least two different indices of refraction, wherein the index of refraction of the variable index material is altered when the variable index material is exposed to an electrical stimulus;
at least one activation layer in communication with the variable index material, the activation layer comprising the electrical stimulus as individually addressable regions; and
a mirror in optical communication with the variable index material, the mirror positioned to reflect radiation waves passing through the non-opaque variable index material, the radiation waves, traveling from the non-opaque variable index material towards the mirror, traveling that distance without passing through a polarization device. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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49. A method of modifying the refractive properties of a focusing mirror assembly comprising:
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generating a signal at a sensor;
exposing a material to an electromagnetic field in order to modify the material'"'"'s index of refraction in individually addressable regions of the material in response to the signal; and
altering the pathway of a lightwave moving through the mirror assembly. - View Dependent Claims (50)
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Specification