Patent US4721364A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4721364A
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Dazzle-free mirror with photocell in a non-dazzle-free portion
Assignee: Denso Corp
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Filing: 1984-01-19
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Granted: 1988-01-26
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Expires: 2004-01-19
Abstract
Abstract A dazzle-free reflection mirror, which may be used as an inner mirror or an outer mirror of a vehicle, has an electro-optical element of which transparency is changed by applying an electric field thereto in order to effectuate a dazzle-free operation. The dazzle-free reflection mirror comprises a dazzle-free portion to effectuate the dazzle-free operation at a lower part of the mirror surface and a non-dazzle-free portion not to effectuate the dazzle-free operation at the rest part of the mirror surface. The dazzle-free portion shields light from following-vehicle headlights at night so that the driver feels no glaring. The non-dazzle-free portion clearly images a rear view so that the driver can see an appearance of the following vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroshi Itoh
- 👤 Yasutoshi Suzuki
- 👤 Tsuyoshi Fukada
- 👤 Shinya Ohmi
- 👤 Kunihiko Hara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 15:36
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/18; G02B7/182; G02B7/1822; B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/02; B60R1/08; B60R1/083; B60R1/088
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A dazzle-free reflection mirror having a mirror surface, comprising: an electro-optical element of which transparency is changed by applying an electric field thereto extending over a lower portion of said mirror surface to be dazzle-free, a remaining portion of said mirror surface being non-dazzle-free; means for reflecting light provided behind said electro-optical element and said non-dazzle-free portion, at least the portion of said reflection means provided behind said non-dazzle-free portion being a translucent mirror layer passing a part of incident light therethrough; means, provided behind said translucent mirror layer, for detecting light incident through said non-dazzle-free portion and said translucent mirror layer; and means for applying an electric field to said electro-optical element to effectuate the dazzle-free operation of said dazzle-free portion in response to the detection of said light detecting means, whereby only said dazzle-free portion of said mirror surface can assume a dazzle-free condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A dazzle-free reflection mirror having a mirror surface, comprising: an electro-optical element of which transparency is changed by applying an electric field thereto extending over a lower portion of said mirror surface to be dazzle-free, a remaining portion of said mirror surface being non-dazzle-free; means for reflecting light provided behind said electro-optical element and said non-dazzle-free portion, at least the portion of said reflection means provided behind said non-dazzle-free portion being a translucent mirror layer passing a part of incident light therethrough; means, provided behind said translucent mirror layer, for detecting light incident through said non-dazzle-free portion and said translucent mirror layer; and means for applying an electric field to said electro-optical element to effectuate the dazzle-free operation of said dazzle-free portion in response to the detection of said light detecting means, whereby only said dazzle-free portion of said mirror surface can assume a dazzle-free condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A reflection mirror according to claim 1, wherein said dazzle-free portion occupys a lower portion between a half and five-sixths from a bottom end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A reflection mirror according to claim 1, wherein said electro-optical element is provided between a pair of parallel electrode layers, and said dazzle-free portion and said non-dazzle-free portion are constructed by eliminating a portion of at least one of said pair of electrode layers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
A reflection mirror according to claim 1, wherein said electro-optical element is provided between a pair of parallel electrode layers, and said dazzle-free portion and said non-dazzle-free portion are constructed by forming a slit on at least one of said pair of electrode layers so that electrode layers separated by said slit are electrically insulated each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
A reflection mirror according to claim 1, wherein said electro-optical element is provided between a pair of parallel electrode layers, and said dazzle-free portion and said non-dazzle-free portion are constructed by forming a transparent insulation film on a portion of at least one of said pair of electrode layers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A reflection mirror according to claim 1, said dazzle-free portion is constructed by providing said electro-optical element in a portion between a pair of parallel electrode layers and said non-dazzle-free portion is constructed by providing material that is not electrically conductive in the rest portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A reflection mirror according to claim 1, wherein said dazzle-free portion and said non-dazzle-free portion have a common glass substrate and said translucent mirror layer is formed on a part of said common glass substrate corresponding to said non-dazzle-free portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A reflection mirror according to claim 1, further comprising light-emitting and display means, provided behind said non-dazzle-free portion, for emitting light indicative of a predetermined display through said translucent mirror layer and said non-dazzle-free portion.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-01-25 | 1991-07-27 | 1992-01-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-01-25 | 1995-07-27 | 1996-01-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-01-25 | 1999-07-27 | 2000-01-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |