Abstract:
A grated thin-film surface (10) forms a plurality of successive narrow silvered panels (8) which are oriented to provide a composite and linear mirror. The thin film is mounted against the upper portion (6) of a vehicle windshield (13), or against a support (21) whose inward face is a congruent replica of the inside upper section (6) of the vehicle windshield, or sandwiched between the plies (11, 12) of the windshield or support. The reflective surface is covered with a layer of liquid crystal (14) of which the opacity can be electrically adjusted. The plane of each silvered panel (8) is defined by a first transversal angle in reference to the horizon, and by a longitudinal angle in reference with the slant of the underlying inward face section of the support or windshield.
Abstract:
Reflective, metalized plastic films for use in lighting fixture reflectors have improved performance when the plastic film upon which the metalization layer is deposited contains ultraviolet absorber.
Abstract:
An automobile safety mirror (10) which is fabricated of laminated safety glass construction. Front and rear glass panels (22, 24) sandwich a layer of colored plastic (26) therebetween and a suitable mirror surface (28) is applied to the rear of the rear glass panel. The plastic layer is divided into red (38) and yellow (36) colored zones by a line of demarcation (30) to delineate safe and non-safe passing conditions. A guide (56) consisting of intersecting horizontal and vertical guide lines is provided in the yellow colored zone in spaced relation from the line of demarcation to facilitate initial aligning or aiming of the safety mirror.
Abstract:
A control system for a plurality of electrochromic elements, for example, used in automobiles, to control the glare of the inside electrochromic (IEC) elements used as a rear view mirror (20) as well as the outside electrochromic (OEC) elements (24, 26) used as side view mirrors (24, 26). The IEC element and each of the OEC elements is provided with an individual drive circuit (21, 22). The drive circuits for the OEC's elements may be customized to account for various factors such as the type of curvature as well as the size and shape. Since individual drive circuitry is provided for the IEC elements and each of the OEC elements, the reflectance of each of the electrochromic elements (20, 24, 26) can be relatively accurately controlled by way of glare signal from inside the automobile.
Abstract:
A binocular-like vision system (50) for enabling an observer to view an object. The system includes an input end (72, 90) that receives light from the object and an optical transfer system (62, 64, 86, 88) that receives the light received from the input end and transfers the received light to an image intensifier (68) which intensifies the received light, wherein the intensified received light is transferred to and transmitted out of an output end (80, 92) of the system, wherein the light transmitted out of the output end forms a field of view of the object that is greater than a 60 degree horizontal field of view.
Abstract:
An external rear view mirror assembly (10) for motor vehicles having a support arm (12) and brackets (18) for mounting the support arm to the motor vehicle. A housing (20) defining an interior volume is provided with the support arm having a vertical portion (14) extending completely through the interior volume of the housing. At least one support plate (32) removably attached directly to the vertical portion of the support arm. An adjustable mirror assembly (58) mounted to the front side of the support plate so as to be variably positionable relative thereto. An antenna mounting bracket (38) formed integral with and extends from the back side of the support plate into the interior volume of the housing. The antenna mounting bracket is configured for receipt of an antenna (40) which extends out of a hole (66) of the housing. The entire weight of the antenna and the antenna mounting bracket is supported by the support plate which is in turn directly attached to the support arm.
Abstract:
A system for enhancing a viewer's depth perception of two-dimensional images on a display (10), which includes a sector of a concave spherical mirror (12) which is located below a downward facing display with its concave surface toward the display (10), and a transparent plate (14) located midway between the display and the concave spherical mirror at a 45 degree angle to a line connecting the centers of the display and the spherical mirror. In operation, at least a portion of the light coming from the display (10) goes down through the transparent plate (14), is reflected up by the spherical mirror (12) and is reflected horizontally from the transparent plate (14) to the eyes (18) of the viewer.
Abstract:
Method and display for training and other uses, which may be in the form of a special video, diorama, or print format. The preferred embodiment shows a bright visual image (32) against a dark background (38). This invention is particularly useful in the Illusion Apparatus of U.S. Patent 4,971,312 and in an electronic system also disclosed.
Abstract:
A coated reflector highly reflective of radiation having two different wavelengths over a wide range of incidence angles, including grazing incidence angles. The coated reflector can be employed in a waveguide for laser radiation useful for medical or other applications, such as a combined HeNe and CO2 laser beam. Preferably, the coated reflector includes a metal substrate (10) and a multi-layer stack (20) thereon, the multi-layer stack (20) consists of alternating dielectric layers (21, 22, 23) of high and low refractive index material, each pair of adjacent high and low index layers of the stack (20) has a combined matched optical thickness substantially equal to an incident short (e.g., visible) wavelength multiplied by a factor M/2, and the total matched optical thickness of the stack (20) is substantially equal to (2N-1) lambda L/8, where M and N are positive integers and lambda L is an incident long wavelength (such as the wavelength of a CO2 laser beam). Preferably, the substrate (10) is silver, the high index dielectric is zinc sulfide, and the low index dielectric is yttrium fluoride or cerium fluoride. In other embodiments, the invention is a hollow waveguide formed by folding a flat, coated substrate into a polygonal shape. Because the coated substrate is folded rather than rolled into a cylindrical tube, the bending stress on the coating is concentrated at the corners (32) of the polygonal waveguide rather than distributed over the waveguide's entire surface. Although the coating may crack at the corners (32) of the waveguide's polygonal cross section, the flat surfaces between the waveguide edges will be intact, and the cracks in the corners will have an insignificant effect on waveguide performance.
Abstract:
The present invention provides for a portable water resistent rotating mirror device which may be conveniently affixed to a bathroom wall or placed on a counter surface and which prevents the accumulation of moisture on a rotating mirror in a high moisture environment such as hot showers or saunas. The device comprises a water resistent housing (12a, 12b) having a generally hollow interior for containing a battery-powered motor which can be activated with a water resistent control switch (20) mounted on a front portion of the water resistent housing. The motor is directly connected to the mirror so that actuation of the motor in turn rotates the mirror at high angular velocities. Attached to the back of the water resistent housing is a suction cup (24) which can be affixed to a vertical wall by compressing the device against the wall. In addition, a pivotal bracket is connected to the lower, rear portion of the water resistent housing. The bracket may be pivoted outwardly to provide a means for supporting the device on a substantially flat counter.