Exterior mirror element with wide angle portion

• US 7,934,844 B1
• Filed: 12/17/2010
• Issued: 05/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• 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:
  US12/971,228
• Publication Number:
  US 20110085256A1
• Time in Patent Office: 137 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

A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a glass substrate with a principal planar reflector portion having a principal mirror reflector disposed at a first or second surface of the glass substrate and with an auxiliary wide angle curved portion having an auxiliary mirror reflector coated at a curved recess established at a region of the second surface of the glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating. The curved recess has 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.

Claims

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

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

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 glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said 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 glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said 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; and

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

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

3. The mirror reflective element of claim 2, wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped.

4. The mirror reflective element of claim 3, wherein said curved recess comprises a spherical convex-curved surface.

5. The mirror reflective element of claim 4, 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.

6. The mirror reflective element of claim 5, wherein:

H=R−

(R^2−

(D/2)^2)^0.5.

7. The 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 glass substrate by grinding.

8. The mirror reflective element of claim 1, wherein said principal mirror reflector of said principal planar reflector portion is established at said first surface of said glass substrate, and wherein said principal mirror reflector of said principal planar reflector portion comprises a light-transmitting aperture, and wherein said light-transmitting aperture substantially corresponds to said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said mirror reflective element.

9. The mirror reflective element of claim 8, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said glass substrate by grinding.

10. The mirror reflective element of claim 1, wherein said principal mirror 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.

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

12. The 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 glass substrate by grinding, and wherein said glass substrate has a thickness of no greater than about 2 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.

13. The mirror reflective element of claim 12, wherein said cross-dimension size of said curved recess is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 50 millimeters.

14. The mirror reflective element of claim 13, 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.

15. The 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 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.

16. The mirror reflective element of claim 15, wherein said cross-dimension size of said curved recess is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 60 millimeters.

17. The mirror reflective element of claim 1, wherein said principal mirror reflector of said principal planar reflector portion is established at said second surface of said glass substrate.

18. The mirror reflective element of claim 17, wherein said principal mirror reflector of said principal planar reflector portion comprises a metallic reflector that is established at said second surface of said glass substrate via sputter deposition.

19. The mirror reflective element of claim 1, 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.

20. The mirror reflective element of claim 1, wherein, when an exterior rearview mirror assembly equipped with said 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 mirror reflective element relative to the side of the vehicle.

21. A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising:

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

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 glass substrate;

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

wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped;

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

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said mirror reflective element;

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

wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said 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; and

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

22. The mirror reflective element of claim 21, 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.

23. The mirror reflective element of claim 22, wherein:

H=R−

(R^2−

(D/2)^2)^0.5.

24. The mirror reflective element of claim 21, wherein said principal mirror reflector of said principal planar reflector portion is established at said first surface of said glass substrate, and wherein said principal mirror reflector of said principal planar reflector portion comprises a light-transmitting aperture, and wherein said light-transmitting aperture substantially corresponds to said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said mirror reflective element.

25. The mirror reflective element of claim 21, wherein said principal mirror reflector of said principal planar reflector portion is established at said second surface of said glass substrate.

26. The mirror reflective element of claim 25, wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 3.08 millimeters, and wherein said cross-dimension size of said curved recess is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 70 millimeters.

27. The mirror reflective element of claim 26, wherein said glass substrate has a thickness of no greater than about 2 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, and wherein said cross-dimension size of said curved recess is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 50 millimeters.

28. A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising:

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

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

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

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said 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 auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said mirror reflective element;

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

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

wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped;

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; and

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

29. The mirror reflective element of claim 28, 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.

30. The mirror reflective element of claim 29, wherein:

H=R−

(R^2−

(D/2)^2)^0.5.

31. The mirror reflective element of claim 28, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said 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 3.08 millimeters, and wherein said cross-dimension size of said curved recess is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 70 millimeters.

32. The mirror reflective element of claim 31, wherein said glass substrate has a thickness of no greater than about 2 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, and wherein said cross-dimension size of said curved recess is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 50 millimeters.

33. The mirror reflective element of claim 28, wherein said metallic reflector of said principal mirror reflector is established at said second surface of said glass substrate via sputter deposition.

34. The mirror reflective element of claim 33, wherein said curved recess is established at a region of said second surface of said glass substrate by grinding.

35. A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising:

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

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 first surface of said glass substrate and wherein said principal mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector and wherein said principal mirror reflector comprises a light-transmitting aperture;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said 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 auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said mirror reflective element;

wherein said light-transmitting aperture substantially corresponds to said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said mirror reflective element;

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

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

wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped;

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; and

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

36. The mirror reflective element of claim 35, 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.

37. The mirror reflective element of claim 36, wherein:

H=R−

(R^2−

(D/2)^2)^0.5.

38. The mirror reflective element of claim 35, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said 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 3.08 millimeters, and wherein said cross-dimension size of said curved recess is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 70 millimeters.

39. The mirror reflective element of claim 38, wherein said glass substrate has a thickness of no greater than about 2 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, and wherein said cross-dimension size of said curved recess is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 50 millimeters.

40. The mirror reflective element of claim 35, wherein said metallic reflector of said principal mirror reflector is established at said first surface of said glass substrate via sputter deposition.

41. The mirror reflective element of claim 40, wherein said curved recess is established at a region of said second surface of said glass substrate by grinding.

42. A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising:

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

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 glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said 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 auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said mirror reflective element;

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

wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said 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 70 millimeters;

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 0.11 millimeters to about 3.08 millimeters.

43. The mirror reflective element of claim 42, wherein said curved recess comprises a spherical convex-curved surface.

44. The mirror reflective element of claim 43, wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped 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.

45. The mirror reflective element of claim 44, wherein:

H=R−

(R^2−

(D/2)^2)^0.5.

46. The mirror reflective element of claim 42, wherein said glass substrate has a thickness of no greater than about 2 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, and wherein said cross-dimension size of said curved recess is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 50 millimeters.

47. A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising:

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

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 first surface of said glass substrate, and wherein said principal mirror reflector of said principal planar reflector portion comprises a light-transmitting aperture;

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

wherein said light-transmitting aperture substantially corresponds to said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said mirror reflective element;

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

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said mirror reflective element;

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

wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said 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 70 millimeters;

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 0.11 millimeters to about 108 millimeters.

48. The mirror reflective element of claim 47, wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped and comprises a spherical convex-curved surface.

49. The mirror reflective element of claim 48, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said glass substrate by grinding, and wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector of said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is established at said curved recess via sputter deposition.

50. The mirror reflective element of claim 47, wherein said glass substrate has a thickness of no greater than about 2 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, and wherein said cross-dimension size of said curved recess is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 50 millimeters.

51. A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising:

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

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 second surface of said glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said 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 auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said mirror reflective element;

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

wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said 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 70 millimeters;

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 0.11 millimeters to about 3.08 millimeters.

52. The mirror reflective element of claim 51, wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped and comprises a spherical convex-curved surface.

53. The mirror reflective element of claim 52, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said glass substrate by grinding, and wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector of said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is established at said curved recess via sputter deposition.

54. The mirror reflective element of claim 51, wherein said glass substrate has a thickness of no greater than about 2 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, and wherein said cross-dimension size of said curved recess is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 50 millimeters.

55. A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising:

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

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

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

said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said first glass substrate to said second 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 second glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said first 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 first glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

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

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

wherein said fourth surface of said second 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; and

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

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

57. The mirror reflective element of claim 56, wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped.

58. The mirror reflective element of claim 57, wherein said curved recess comprises a spherical convex-curved surface.

59. The mirror reflective element of claim 58, 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.

60. The mirror reflective element of claim 59, wherein:

H=R−

(R^2−

(D/2)^2)^0.5.

61. The mirror reflective element of claim 55, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said first glass substrate by grinding.

62. The mirror reflective element of claim 55, 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.

63. The mirror reflective element of claim 55, 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 first glass substrate immediately surrounding 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 first glass substrate immediately surrounding said curved recess.

64. The mirror reflective element of claim 63, wherein said metallic reflector coating of said auxiliary mirror reflector comprises chromium.

65. The mirror reflective element of claim 63, 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.

66. The mirror reflective element of claim 55, wherein said first glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface that allows said curved recess be a least about 0.5 millimeters deep.

67. The mirror reflective element of claim 55, wherein said first glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface that allows said curved recess be no greater than about 4 millimeters deep.

68. The mirror reflective element of claim 55, wherein said first glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface that allows said curved recess have a depth in the range from about 0.5 millimeters deep and to about 4 millimeters deep.

69. The mirror reflective element of claim 68, wherein said first glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of about 2 millimeters.

70. The mirror reflective element of claim 55, wherein said first glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters.

71. The mirror reflective element of claim 55, wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 2.26 millimeters.

72. The mirror reflective element of claim 71, wherein said cross-dimension size of said curved recess is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 60 millimeters.

73. The mirror reflective element of claim 55, wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped and comprises a spherical convex-curved surface.

74. The mirror reflective element of claim 73, 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.

75. The mirror reflective element of claim 55, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said first 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.

76. The mirror reflective element of claim 55, wherein said principal mirror reflector of said principal planar reflector portion comprises a metallic reflector that is established at said third surface of said second glass substrate via sputter deposition.

77. The mirror reflective element of claim 55, 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.

78. The mirror reflective element of claim 55, 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.

79. The mirror reflective element of claim 55, wherein said electrochromic medium is sandwiched between said first and second glass substrates at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

80. The mirror reflective element of claim 55, wherein a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said first glass substrate.

81. The mirror reflective element of claim 80, wherein said transparent conductor coating abuts said auxiliary mirror reflector.

82. The mirror reflective element of claim 81, wherein said transparent conductor coating at least partially circumscribes said auxiliary mirror reflector.

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

84. The mirror reflective element of claim 83, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said mirror reflective element as viewed through said first glass substrate.

85. The mirror reflective element of claim 84, wherein said transparent conductor coating comprises indium tin oxide.

86. The mirror reflective element of claim 83, wherein said curved recess is established at a region of said second surface of said first glass substrate by grinding before said transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said first glass substrate and before said auxiliary mirror reflector is established at said curved recess.

87. The mirror reflective element of claim 55, wherein said curved recess of said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an aspheric curved recess.

88. The mirror reflective element of claim 55, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said first glass substrate by grinding and wherein said curved recess is canted relative to said, principal planar reflector portion of said mirror reflective element.

89. A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising:

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

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

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

said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said first glass substrate to said second 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 second glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said first 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 first glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

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

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

wherein said fourth surface of said second 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; and

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 mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said mirror reflective element as viewed through said first glass substrate;

wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped;

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

90. The mirror reflective element of claim 89, 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.

91. The mirror reflective element of claim 90, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said first glass substrate by grinding, and wherein said first glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface that allows said curved recess have a depth in the range from about 0.5 millimeters deep and to about 3.09 millimeters deep.

92. The mirror reflective element of claim 91, wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a generally planar surface region of said second surface of said first glass substrate immediately surrounding 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 first glass substrate immediately surrounding said curved recess.

93. The mirror reflective element of claim 89, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said first 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.

94. The mirror reflective element of claim 93, wherein said first glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters.

95. The mirror reflective element of claim 89, wherein said principal mirror reflector of said principal planar reflector portion comprises a metallic reflector that is established at said third surface of said second glass substrate via sputter deposition, and wherein said electrochromic medium is sandwiched between said first and second glass substrates at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

96. The mirror reflective element of claim 89, wherein a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said first glass substrate and wherein said transparent conductor coating abuts said auxiliary mirror reflector, and wherein said transparent conductor coating surrounds said auxiliary mirror reflector.

97. The mirror reflective element of claim 96, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said mirror reflective element as viewed through said first glass substrate.

98. The mirror reflective element of claim 89, wherein said curved recess is established at a region of said second surface of said first 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 first glass substrate.

99. The mirror reflective element of claim 89, wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said first glass substrate by grinding, and wherein said curved recess is canted relative to said principal planar reflector portion of said mirror reflective element.

100. A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising:

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

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

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

said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said first glass substrate to said second 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 second glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said first 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 first glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

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

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

wherein said fourth surface of said second 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 mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said mirror reflective element as viewed through said first 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; and

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

101. The mirror reflective element of claim 100, wherein said first glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters.

102. The mirror reflective element of claim 101, 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 mirror reflective element.

103. The mirror reflective element of claim 100, wherein said first glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface that allows said curved recess have depth in the range from about 0.5 millimeters deep and to about 2.26 millimeters deep.

104. The mirror reflective element of claim 103, wherein said cross-dimension size of said curved recess is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 60 millimeters.

105. The mirror reflective element of claim 104, wherein said electrochromic medium is sandwiched between said first and second glass substrates at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.

106. The mirror reflective element of claim 105, wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a generally planar surface region of said second surface of said first glass substrate immediately surrounding 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 first glass substrate immediately surrounding said curved recess.

107. The mirror reflective element of claim 106, wherein said curved recess is established at a region of said second surface of said first glass substrate by grinding before said transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said first glass substrate.

108. A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising:

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

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

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

said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said first glass substrate to said second 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 second glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said first 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 first glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

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

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

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

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

wherein said first glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface that allows said curved recess 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.

109. The mirror reflective element of claim 108, wherein said first glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters.

110. The mirror reflective element of claim 109, 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.

111. The mirror reflective element of claim 110, wherein said curved recess is established at a region of said second surface of said first 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 first glass substrate.

112. The mirror reflective element of claim 109, wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a generally planar surface region of said second surface of said first glass substrate immediately surrounding 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 first glass substrate immediately surrounding said curved recess.

113. The mirror reflective element of claim 112, 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.

114. A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising:

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

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

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

said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said first glass substrate to said second 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 second glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said first 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 first glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

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

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

wherein said fourth surface of said second 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 mirror reflective element and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said mirror reflective element as viewed through said first 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 first glass substrate.

115. The mirror reflective element of claim 114, 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.

116. The mirror reflective element of claim 114, 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 first glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters.

117. The mirror reflective element of claim 114, 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 a region of said second surface of said first 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 first glass substrate.

118. The mirror reflective element of claim 114, wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at said third surface of said second 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 first glass substrate immediately surrounding 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 first glass substrate immediately surrounding said curved recess, and wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped.

119. A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising:

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

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

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

said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said first glass substrate to said second 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 second glass substrate;

wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said first 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 first glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

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

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

wherein said fourth surface of said second 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 first 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 mirror reflective element and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said mirror reflective element as viewed through said first 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 first 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 a region of said second surface of said first 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 first glass substrate;

wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at said third surface of said second 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 first glass substrate immediately surrounding 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 first glass substrate immediately surrounding said curved recess.

120. A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising:

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

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

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

said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said first glass substrate to said second 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 second 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 first glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;

wherein said third surface of said second 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 mirror reflective element and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said mirror reflective element as viewed through said first 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 first 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 mirror reflective element;

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 first glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablation before said transparent conductor coating is disposed at said second surface of said first glass substrate;

wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a planar substrate surface immediately surrounding 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 surrounding said curved recess; and

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