WO 01/81956
`
`PCT/USOl/13283
`
`metallization is provided for this purpose. The faceted mirror 116 is a second
`
`surface mirror, and it is adhered to mirror 118 with a clear adhesive,
`
`preferably having an index of refraction near that of the glass to avoid
`
`reflections at the adhesive interface. An example of such an adhesive is an
`
`5
`
`ultraviolet cured acrylic adhesive manufactured by the Loctite Corporation of
`
`Rocky Hill, Connecticut. This particular product is designated as their 3494
`
`adhesive, and it has an index of refraction of 1.48. The embodiment shown in
`
`Figures 24 and 25 provides protection for the faceted mirror and keeps the
`
`plane mirror a first surface mirror, which is the common type of mirror in use.
`
`10
`
`The arrangement shown in Figures 24 and 25 could also be implemented with
`
`mirror 118 being a second surface mirror.
`
`Figures 26 and 27 are like Figures 24 and 25, and like elements are
`
`identified with like reference numbers. The difference lies in the fact that the
`
`15
`
`adhered faceted mirror 124 has the facets formed on the inner face. Here,
`
`care must be taken to assure that the clear adhesive is applied so that no air
`
`is trapped between the main mirror 118 and auxiliary blindzone-viewing mirror
`
`124 since air bubbles would interfere with the reflections seen. This
`
`arrangement provides additional protection for the facets. It should be noted
`
`20
`
`that with this arrangement of using a clear adhesive uniformly applied
`
`between the facets and the back surface of mirror 118, mirror 124 becomes a
`
`second surface mirror. Additional care must be taken when designing this
`
`mirror since the glass and the adhesive may have different indices of
`
`refraction. Mirror 124 could also be adhered only along its perimeter, in which
`
`25
`
`case it is optically a first surface mirror in the sense that the angle of a
`
`reflected ray is not influenced by the refraction that occurs as the ray passes
`
`through 118.
`
`Figures 28 and 29 are also like Figures 24 and 25, and again like
`
`30
`
`elements are denoted by like reference numbers. The difference here is that
`
`the faceted blindzone-viewing mirror has been replaced by solid clear plastic
`
`element 126 having a spherically concave rear face with a reflective coating
`
`128. It is also adhered to the main viewing mirror 118 with a transparent
`
`adhesive, again having an index of refraction near that of the glass and the
`
`26
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1006
`Page 0482
`
`

`

`WO 01/81956
`
`PCT /USO 1 /13283
`
`plastic to minimize reflections at the plane of the adhesive. Mirror surface128
`
`is viewed through window 122 where it is seen as a spherically convex mirror.
`
`The advantage of this embodiment is that use of the planar array can be
`
`avoided in those applications where there is adequate space behind the main
`
`5
`
`viewing mirror 118 to accommodate the volume of element 126 without
`
`interfering with the mirror positioning mechanism.
`
`Figures 30 and 31 show a rearview mirror 130 formed in a
`
`transparent material wherein a concave portion is molded integrally with a
`
`10
`
`plane portion. The entire back surface of mirror 130 is coated with reflective
`
`material so that mirror 130 is a second surface mirror. Figure 30 is a front
`
`view of mirror 130. Area 132 is the region in which concave portion 134 is
`
`visible. Figure 31 is an enlarged top sectional view of mirror 130 taken along
`
`section line 31-31 in Figure 30. In Figure 30, concave surface 134 appears as
`
`15
`
`a segment of a spherical convex mirror lying in region 132 when viewed from
`
`the front. Second surface 136 appears as a plane mirror when mirror 130 is
`
`viewed from the front. The advantage of this embodiment is that the use of
`
`adhesives is avoided, and it is a single component.
`
`20
`
`Figures 32 and 33 depict a mirror 138 having a faceted blindzone(cid:173)
`
`viewing portion 140 formed integrally with a plane main viewing portion. The
`
`entire back surface of mirror 138 has a reflective coating 142, making it a
`second surface mirror. Figure 32 is a front view of mirror 138, showing
`
`faceted portion 140 and plane portion 144. Figure 33 is an enlarged top
`
`25
`
`sectional view of mirror 138 taken along the section line indicated by 33-33.
`
`Faceted portion 140 is formed in the material of which mirror 138 is made.
`
`Mirror 138 may be plastic or glass. It may be a molding, or the facets may be
`
`pressed into sheet stock. If the material of 138 is a plastic, the front surface
`
`may be protected with a hardcoat as previously described. The advantage of
`
`30
`
`this embodiment is that it requires no additional space, and the current mirror
`
`glass can be directly replaced with mirror 138.
`
`Preferably, the faceted portion 140 in Figure 32 should have as high
`
`a reflectivity as possible, being coated with aluminum or silver. Since the
`
`27
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1006
`Page 0483
`
`

`

`WO 01/81956
`
`PCT /USO 1/13283
`
`blindzone-viewing portion is a second surface mirror, the first surface will have
`
`a reflection of about 4%, which will be faintly visible over the reflection from
`
`the blindzone-viewing portion. The two reflections are in different directions,
`
`and are of different magnifications. By keeping the reflection from the less
`
`5
`
`than unit magnification mirror as high as possible, the reflection from the first
`
`surface is less noticeable. This applies to any of the embodiments utilizing a
`
`second surface blindzone-viewing mirror.
`
`Figure 34 shows a truck type of mirror incorporating some of the
`
`10
`
`principles described above. Most truck mirrors are taller than they are wide
`
`as indicated in Figure 34. Many of these mirrors use a large bull's-eye convex
`
`mirror attached at the lower end to increase the horizontal field of view so that
`
`the blindzone may be seen. Figure 34 shows a convex faceted mirror 146 on
`
`the lower end of a main unit magnification mirror 148. Mirror 146 has been
`
`15
`
`optimized to view primarily the blindzone. Any of the methods described
`
`above may be used to form the mirror of Figure 34.
`
`The passenger's side outside mirror is also subject to restrictions
`
`imposed by FMVSS 111. Because that mirror is so far away from the driver,
`
`20
`
`the field of view of a unit magnification mirror of the same size as the mirror
`
`on the driver's side would be only about 10°. This would result in a very large
`
`blindzone on the passenger's side. For this reason, FMVSS 111 allows a
`
`convex mirror having a wider field of view to be used. This of course reduces
`
`the size of the images seen in the mirror. FMVSS 111 says that the radius of
`
`25
`
`curvature used on passenger's side mirrors "shall be not less than 34 inches
`
`and not more than 65 inches." It also requires that the mirror be inscribed
`
`with the statement, "Objects in Mirror are Closer Than They Appear." At a
`
`radius of curvature of 1651 mm (65 inches), the magnification is about 0.30,
`
`and the field of view is about 27°. A radius of curvature of 1016 mm (40
`
`30
`
`inches) is in common use. Using the largest possible radius of curvature
`
`increases the image size, but it also increases the size of the blindzone.
`
`28
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1006
`Page 0484
`
`

`

`WO 01/81956
`
`PCT /USOl/13283
`
`Returning to Figure 1, lines 150 and 152 define the viewing angle of
`
`a 1651 mm radius convex mirror 154. When the driver is looking at mirror
`
`154, the peripheral vision line is approximately shown by line 156. However,
`
`because passengers and the vehicle structure block the driver's peripheral
`
`s
`
`vision to the road, the peripheral vision line cannot be used to define the
`
`blindzone as on the driver's side. A line 158 extending from the driver's eyes
`
`through the right rear door window is about the limit of the driver's vision to
`
`the rear. A blindzone then exists between lines 152 and 158, and it is shown
`
`crosshatched. This blindzone may be removed by providing an auxiliary
`
`10
`
`blindzone-viewing mirror as in Figure 5, except that such an auxiliary mirror
`
`must be placed in the upper right hand corner, as shown in Figure 35.
`
`In Figure 35, a passenger's side mirror 160 has a surface 162 that
`
`is a spherically convex mirror having a radius of curvature falling within the
`
`1s
`
`requirements of FMVSS 111, and mirror 164 is a less than unit magnification
`
`mirror designed to view generally only the blindzone. Mirror 164 should have
`
`a field of view encompassing the region between lines 152 and 158, and that
`
`will require a field of view in the range of 25 to 30 degrees. If the width for
`mirror 164 is to be 4.5cm with a viewing angle of 30 degrees and ST = 140cm,
`its required radius of curvature calculated from Eq. 7 is 20cm.
`
`20
`
`While being able to use the largest possible radius of curvature for
`
`mirror 164 is an advantage, the main advantage of having a right side
`
`blindzone-viewing mirror is that such a mirror unambiguously tells you that
`
`25
`
`you cannot change lanes if a vehicle is visible in that mirror. Without the
`
`blindzone viewing mirror, it is necessary to try to judge the position of a
`
`vehicle seen in a mirror which has an image size 1/3 of that in direct vision.
`
`Mirror 160 can be implemented by any of the arrangements used on the
`
`driver's side mirror. And obviously, main viewing mirror 162 which is also a
`
`30
`
`less than unit magnification mirror, may be implemented as a planar array of
`
`reflecting facets, with or without the blindzone-viewing mirror.
`
`Figures 55 and 56 show an arrangement similar to that shown in
`
`Figures 26 and 27, both of which show a discrete first surface planar array of
`
`29
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1006
`Page 0485
`
`

`

`WO 01/81956
`
`PCT/USOI/13283
`
`reflecting facets adhered to the second surface of a first surface plane mirror
`
`having a window in the first surface reflective coating through which the planar
`
`array is viewed. Figure 55 is a front view of a first surface plane mirror 31 O
`
`having a faceted mirror 312 adhered to its back surface. The faceted mirror
`
`5
`
`312 is viewed through a window 314 in the first surface reflective coating 316
`
`on mirror 310. Figure 56 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the mirror of
`
`Figure 55 taken along section line 56-56 in the direction of the arrows. Here it
`
`is seen that a recess 318 is ground in the back surface of mirror 310, and
`
`faceted mirror 312 is adhered in the recess. Again, an adhesive having an
`
`10
`
`index of refraction near that of the glass and the plastic of the discrete mirror
`
`is used to prevent reflections at the interface of the glass and the faceted
`
`mirror. Having the index of refraction near that of the glass also allows the
`
`recess to be rough ground and not polished, since the adhesive will fill all of
`
`the surface asperity making the grind marks invisible. The ground recess is
`
`15
`
`shown starting at the left edge and proceeding only far enough to accept the
`
`size of the planar array. If the array fills the whole upper corner, the recess is
`
`obviously ground accordingly. The advantage of providing the recess is that it
`
`allows the faceted discrete mirror to be flush with the back surface of the
`
`mirror. Remembering that the discrete mirror can be as thin as 0.5 mm,
`
`20
`
`removing this much from the back of a 2mm thick glass is quite feasible.
`
`Hence, the mirror of Figures 55 and 56 can directly replace a standard mirror
`
`without requiring any modification to the outside mirror assembly. While a thin
`
`first surface faceted mirror is shown in Figures 55 and 56, obviously, a thin
`
`second surface faceted mirror may also be used.
`
`25
`
`So far, all of the mirrors shown have had a constant reflectivity. It is
`
`also possible to use the blindzone viewing technology herein disclosed in
`
`conjunction with the technology used to provide variable reflectivity mirrors.
`
`Various unique combinations of the two technologies combine to provide a
`
`30
`
`new and novel category of mirrors.
`
`Figures 36 and 37 show the generic structure of prior art variable
`
`reflectivity mirrors. In general, such mirrors are comprised of a transparent
`
`front plate, a rear plate which may or may not be transparent, and a chamber
`
`30
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1006
`Page 0486
`
`

`

`WOOI/81956
`
`PCT /USOl/13283
`
`between the two plates which is sealed at their perimeter. Not shown is the
`
`manner in which the two plates are held together and their spacing
`
`maintained. The chamber is filled with a material that is able to effect a
`
`change in the intensity of the reflection from such a mirror. The material may
`
`5
`
`be liquid, gel or solid. Figure 36 is a front view of such a prior art mirror 165
`
`showing a front plate 166 and a perimeter seal 168. Figure 37 is the section
`
`indicated by section line 37-37 in Figure 36 in the direction of the arrows. In
`
`addition to front plate 166, a rear plate 170 is shown that has a reflective
`
`coating 172 applied to its second surface. Perimeter seal 168 is also seen. A
`
`10
`
`chamber 17 4 exists between the plates. Several materials can be used to fill
`
`chamber 17 4. At present the most extensively used filling is a so-called
`
`electrochromic material. This material changes its ionization state when an
`
`electric current is passed through it, and in this state it changes its color to a
`
`deep bluish green. The material in this state absorbs visible light photons.
`
`15
`
`They are absorbed as light passes through the front plate and into the
`
`electrochromic layer and again as the light passes through the rear plate,
`
`reflects at coating 172 and exits through the electrochromic material and the
`
`front plate 166. The density of the ionized material, and hence the intensity of
`
`the light reflected from reflective coating 172, is controlled by the current.
`
`20
`
`Electrically conductive transparent coatings 176 and 178 are applied to the
`
`second surface of the front plate 166 and to the first surface of the rear plate
`
`170, respectively. Coatings 176 and 178 are required to obtain uniform
`
`current flow through the electrochromic material. A commonly used material
`
`for transparent electrically conductive coatings is indium tin oxide, known as
`
`25
`
`ITO. Also indicated in Figures 36 and 37 are wires 180 and 182 connected to
`
`the ITO by methodologies not shown, but which are well known in the art.
`
`In Figure 36, mirror 165 is connected electrically in-circuit with a
`
`reflectivity control circuit 300 typically comprised of a series interconnected
`
`30
`
`activation switch 302, an electronic control circuit 304, a rear facing light
`
`sensor 306 and an ambient light sensor 308. Control circuit 300 is in circuit
`
`with mirror 165 via wires 180 and 182 to establish an electric current therein
`
`and thus selectively vary the ionization state of the electrochromic material.
`
`As the illumination from the rear and the ambient illumination vary, electronic
`
`31
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1006
`Page 0487
`
`

`

`WO 01/81956
`
`PCT/USOl/13283
`
`control circuit 304 produces a variation in the current to the electrochromic
`
`material thereby altering the reflectivity of the mirror in such a way as to keep
`
`the illumination reaching the driver's eyes below the annoyance level. A
`
`discussion of the relationship between illumination from the rear and ambient
`
`5
`
`illumination in automatic control of rearview mirrors is found in U. S. Patent
`
`3,601,614 Aug. 24,1971; G.E.Platzer, Jr.
`
`In addition to electrochromics, liquid crystals have been used.
`
`Liquid crystals change their ability to polarize light under the influence of an
`
`10
`
`electric field, and when used with a polarizer, the intensity of light passing
`
`through such a cell can be controlled by the electric field strength. The liquid
`
`crystal mirror controller suffers from a low maximum reflectivity due to an
`
`immediate 50% loss due to a polarizer. Furthermore, a loss of power puts it in
`
`the minimum reflectivity state.
`
`15
`
`Another method for controlling reflectivity uses an electroplating
`
`process. Here, the chamber is filled with an electrolyte containing ions such
`
`as silver which when plated out on either inside surface of the cell produces a
`
`reflective surface. The reflectivity is controlled by controlling the amount of
`
`20
`
`silver plated out of the electrolyte. The process is reversible, so the reflectivity
`
`can be reduced by removing silver from the surface of the plate chosen to be
`
`the mirror.
`
`In the future, additional materials that change their optical
`
`25
`
`transmission in response to an applied electric field or current will probably be
`
`discovered, and the teachings of this invention apply to any variable
`
`reflectivity mirror.
`
`As with the generic variable reflectivity mirror just described, none of
`
`30
`
`the following mirror configurations will show the manner in which the front and
`
`rear plates are held together or how the spacing is maintained. The intent is
`
`to delineate the types of mirrors that can be used in a variable reflectivity
`
`mirror having a main viewing mirror and an auxiliary blindzone viewing mirror
`
`and the unique relationship of the reflective surfaces used in such mirrors.
`
`32
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1006
`Page 0488
`
`

`

`WO 01/81956
`
`PCT/USOl/13283
`
`Figures 38, 39a and 39b show two different configurations, but in a
`
`front view they both look the same. Like elements have been given like
`
`identification numbers. Figure 38 is a front view of a variable reflectivity mirror
`
`5
`
`184 that has a plane mirror region 186 and an auxiliary blindzone viewing
`
`mirror 187 at the outer end (generally indicated at 189) formed by a planar
`
`array of reflecting facets 188 simulating a convex mirror. The advantage of
`
`this configuration is that many European and Asian drivers have become
`
`accustomed to a mirror with an aspheric mirror at the outer end of the mirror
`
`10
`
`184, and an aspheric mirror is easily simulated by the planar array.
`
`Figure 39a is a sectional view of Figure 38 taken along line 39-39 in
`
`the direction indicated by the arrows showing one way of implementing mirror
`
`184. Here, a planar array of reflecting facets 190 is integral with and on the
`
`15
`
`first surface of rear plate 192. Reflective coatings 194 and 195 are applied to
`
`the second surface of the rear plate192 and to the surface of planar array 190
`
`respectively. Transparent electrically conductive coatings 196 and 198 are
`
`applied to the second surface of front plate 186 and to the first surface of rear
`
`plate 192, respectively. A seal 200 between the front and rear plates 186 and
`
`20
`
`192 provide a chamber 202 which is filled with one of the electrically active
`
`materials capable of changing the intensity of the light reflected from mirror
`
`surface194. Note that in Figure 39a the transparent electrically conductive
`
`coatings 196 and 198 do not extend in front of planar array 190. While the
`
`region between the plates 186 and 192 in front of auxiliary mirror 187 is filled
`
`2s
`
`with an electrically active material, a current cannot flow nor can a field exist
`
`in that region, and for that reason the reflection from mirror 187 remains
`
`unaffected. This is desirable since a convex mirror already has a reduced
`
`reflectivity in comparison to a plane mirror, and as shown in SAE Paper
`
`950601, the relative illuminance of a convex mirror is equal to the square of
`
`30
`
`the relative magnification. For example, if the relative magnification of a
`
`convex mirror is 0.2, the relative illuminance is 0.04. Dimming such a low
`
`magnification mirror is undesirable. If mirror 184 is very large, it is possible
`
`that the radius of curvature simulated by planar array 188 may be large
`
`enough to produce a relative illuminance which would make it desirable to dim
`
`33
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1006
`Page 0489
`
`

`

`WO 01/81956
`
`PCT/USOl/13283
`
`the light reflected from planar array 188. In this case the ITO layers would be
`
`extended to the area in front of array 190.
`
`Figure 39b shows mirror 185 which is a variation of the mirror of
`
`5
`
`Figure 39a wherein the planar array of reflecting facets 204 is a second
`
`surface mirror on a discrete element 206 whose first surface is adhered to the
`
`second surface of a rear plate 208. A reflective coating 210 has been applied
`
`to the second surface of rear plate 208 which is similar to coating 194 in
`
`Figure 39a. Again, the reflectivity from planar array 204 may be controlled or
`
`10
`
`uncontrolled depending upon the placement of the ITO coating.
`
`A non-dimming mirror in the configuration of Figure 38 is shown
`
`generally at 211 in Figures 40 and 41. As in Figure 38, the planar array of
`
`reflecting facets 220 is shown at the outer end of this mirror. A plane main
`
`1s
`
`viewing mirror 212 is provided by means of second surface reflective coating
`
`214 applied to plane plate 216. An auxiliary blindzone viewing mirror is
`
`provided by a discrete element 218 carrying a second surface planar array of
`
`reflecting facets 220. The first surface of element 218 is adhered to the
`
`second surface of plate 216. Planar array 220 may simulate either a spherical
`
`20
`
`or aspherical convex mirror. The advantage of this non-dimming configuration
`
`is that it may be desirable to retain some features of the European and Asian
`
`mirrors as described in the discussion of Figure 38. The vast majority of
`
`European and Asian mirrors are non-dimming, so it is desirable to be able to
`
`provide the mirror of Figures 40 and 41. While a discrete adhered mirror is
`
`25
`
`shown in Figure 41, any of the previously described methods of providing a
`
`planar array may be used.
`
`For the US market, use of the blindzone mirror in the upper and
`
`outer quadrant of a mirror is preferred for reasons previously described.
`
`30
`
`Therefore, various ways of modifying the variable reflectivity mirror to accept
`
`an auxiliary blindzone viewing mirror in this configuration will be shown.
`
`Figure 42 shows a variable reflectivity mirror 221 with a plane main viewing
`
`portion 222 and a blindzone viewing portion 224 comprised of a planar array
`
`of reflecting facets. Figure 43 is a sectional view of the mirror of Figure 42
`
`34
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1006
`Page 0490
`
`

`

`WO 01/81956
`
`PCT/USOl/13283
`
`taken along section line 43-43 and in the direction of the arrows. A front plate
`
`226 covers the entire area defined by the perimeter of the mirror shown in
`
`Figure 42. A rear plate 228 is notched out to accept blindzone viewing mirror
`
`224 which is a second surface planar array mirror formed in transparent
`
`5
`
`discrete element 230. The first surface of mirror element 230 is planar, and it
`
`is adhered to the second surface of front plate 226. A seal 232 must now
`
`cover the perimeter of plate 228, so it will be seen as shown in Figure 42 with
`
`a jog around mirror element 230. A reflective coating 234 is applied to the
`
`second surface of rear plate 228, and ITO coatings 236 and 238 are applied
`
`10
`
`to the inside surfaces of plates 226 and 228, respectively. Since mirror
`
`element 230 is adhered to the second surface of front plate 236, there is no
`
`electrically active material in front of the planar array, so the reflection from
`
`the planar array does not dim. Conductive leads (not shown), such as in
`
`Figures 36 and 37 could be used to place mirror 221 in circuit with a power
`
`15
`
`supply and control circuit.
`
`Figures 44 and 45 show a modification of the mirror of Figures 42
`
`and 43 wherein a variable reflectivity mirror 239 has the planar array mirror
`
`element 230 replaced with a solid clear element 240 having a spherically
`
`20
`
`concave rear surface with a reflective coating 242. Like elements in these
`
`Figures are identified with like numbers. From the front, element 240 appears
`
`as a spherically convex mirror, and as such it performs the function of
`
`providing a wide angle view of the blindzone, as does the planar array of
`
`Figures 42 and 43.
`
`25
`
`Figures 47a, 47b and 47c show three alternative configurations
`
`243a, 243b and 243c of a mirror depicted generically in Figure 46 and
`
`identified as 243. All of the alternative configurations 243a, 243b and 243c
`
`use a planar array and appear the same from the front. In Figure 46, region
`
`30
`
`244 has a magnification of unity, providing a reflection from a plane mirror.
`
`Region 246 has a magnification of less than unity, providing a reflection from
`
`a planar array of facets simulating a convex mirror. Also seen in Figure 46 is
`
`seal 248 that seals in the electrically active material which dims the reflection
`
`from the mirror. In Figures 46 through 47c, like elements will be identified by
`
`35
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1006
`Page 0491
`
`

`

`WO 01/81956
`
`PCT /USOl/13283
`
`like numbers. Figures 47a, 47b and 47c are enlarged sectional views taken
`
`along section line 47-47 in the direction indicated by the arrows. All three
`
`drawings show a front plate 250, a seal 248, a chamber 252 retaining the
`
`electrically active dimming material and ITO coatings 254 and 256 on the
`
`5
`
`inside surfaces of the chamber. Figure 47a has a rear plate 258 with an
`
`integrally formed planar array 260 having a reflective coating. Planar array
`
`260 may be made dimming or non-dimming depending upon whether or not
`
`the ITO coating is used in the region in front of array 260.
`
`10
`
`Variable reflectivity in both region 244 and 246 of mirror 243 can be
`
`accomplished by providing a second seal (not illustrated) around the
`
`periphery of region 246 to define two separate chambers (such as chamber
`
`252), each filled with electrochromic material. In addition, separate electrically
`
`isolated ITO coatings would be provided in the front and rear plate surfaces
`
`15
`
`within the chamber co-extensively with region 246. Lastly, a separate set of
`
`wires would interconnect the additional ITO coatings with a second reflectivity
`
`control circuit. Thus arranged, the primary mirror and the auxiliary blindzone
`
`viewing mirror could each have a characteristic reflectivity independent of one
`
`another.
`
`20
`
`Figure 47b has a planar array mirror 262 formed in the second
`
`surface of rear plate 264. Again, the array may be dimming or non-dimming.
`
`Figure 47c uses a separate element 266 having a planar array
`
`25 mirror 268 formed in its second surface. Its first surface is adhered to the
`
`second surface of rear plate 270. This configuration has the advantage of
`
`allowing the use of a standard variable reflectivity mirror. However, if dimming
`
`of the blindzone mirror is not desired, the ITO coating must not extend in front
`
`of mirror 268. Planar arrays 260, 262 and 268 are coated with a reflective
`
`30
`
`surface as described earlier in conjunction with aforementioned embodiments
`
`of the invention.
`
`The mirror 271 of Figures 48 and 49 is very similar to the mirror of
`
`Figures 46 and 47a. Again, like numbers will be used to identify like
`
`36
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`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1006
`Page 0492
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`

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`WO 01/81956
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`PCT /USOl/13283
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`elements. The only difference between these mirrors is that the planar array
`
`of reflecting facets 272 is integrally formed in the second surface of front plate
`
`274 rather than in the first surface of the rear plate 276. In this configuration,
`
`the planar array is non-dimming since the array is in front of the electrically
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`conductive material. Also, since the array is in front of the chamber, the seal
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`248 does not show behind the array 272 which has its second surface coated
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`with a reflective material. Alternatively, rear plate 276 can be provided by a
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`thin reflective layer deposited directly upon the rear surface of the
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`electrochromic layer.
`
`s
`
`10
`
`Figures 50 and 51 show a mirror 275 similar to Figures 46 and 47c,
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`and again like numbers will be used to identify like elements. The difference
`
`is that element 266 carrying planar array 268 has been replaced with the
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`concave mirror element 240 of Figure 45 which is now adhered to the second
`
`15
`
`surface of rear plate 270. This configuration is an alternate method to using
`
`the planar array of Figure 47c.
`
`Figures 52, 53 and 54 show yet another alternative to producing a
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`blindzone viewing mirror 276 with a flat front face, and in this case it is
`
`20
`
`incorporated with a variable reflectivity mirror. Figure 52 is a front view of the
`
`mirror. It has a unity magnification region 278 and a less than unity
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`magnification mirror 280 for viewing primarily only the blindzone. Figure 53 is
`
`a sectional view of the mirror 276 of Figure 52 taken along section line 53-53
`
`in the direction of the arrows. A customarily constructed variable reflectivity
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`25 mirror is indicated by front plate 282, rear plate 284, chamber 286 containing
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`an electrically active material and a chamber seal 288. The upper and outer
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`corner of the variable reflectivity mirror is notched out to provide space for the
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`blindzone viewing mirror 280. Like mirror 240 of Figures 45 and 51, mirror
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`280 is a segment of a second surface concave mirror. A plastic or metal case
`
`30
`
`290 supports the variable reflectivity mirror and the concave mirror in such a
`
`manner that the first surface of mirror 280 is coplanar with the first surface of
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`front plate 282. Figure 54 is an exploded view of Figure 53 showing the
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`construction of case 290 and how the components fit into it. Case 290 has a
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`sidewall 292 extending around its perimeter, a back wall 294 and a shelf 296
`
`37
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`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1006
`Page 0493
`
`

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`WO 01/81956
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`PCT/USOl/13283
`
`which matches the concave surface of mirror 280. The height of shelf 296 is
`
`such that when the variable reflectivity mirror and mirror 280 are in place in
`
`the case, the first surfaces of the mirrors are coplanar. These first surfaces
`
`may be contiguous or they may be separated by a thin additional wall that
`s may be molded into case 290. Thus, a variable reflectivity mirror and a
`blindzone viewing mirror are combined to produce a mirror with a flat front
`
`face. This same type of structure may be used to combine an ordinary plane
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`non-dimming mirror and a second surface piano-concave blindzone viewing
`
`mirror to also have a flat front face.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`If any of the mirrors shown which utilize a second surface blindzone
`
`viewing mirror are to be used in conjunction with a passenger's side mirror,
`
`the first surface of the blindzone viewing mirror must be changed to a
`
`spherical surface to match the curvature of the main viewing mirror.
`
`The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details
`
`shown and described, and departures may be made from such details without
`
`departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its
`
`advantages. For example, the present invention can be applied in other
`
`20
`
`applications such as heavy off-road vehicles and the like where a clear
`
`unobstructed wide field of view is required for safe operation, and yet the size
`
`of the mirror must be limited.
`
`A mirror assembly 300 utilizing a two zone mirror element 302 of the
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`2s
`
`type previously described as shown in Figure 57. Mirror assembly 300 is
`
`made up of a mirror housing 304, a mirror position motor 306 which can be
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`remotely actuated by the vehicle occupant using an electrical switch within the
`
`vehicle to position face plate 308. Face plate 308 is provided with a series of
`
`posts 310 and a lock on lock lever 312. Posts 310 are adapted to cooperate
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`30 with a series of apertures 314 and mirror bezel 316. Mirror bezel 316 is a
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`plastic molding adapted to securely retain two zone mirror 302 as illustrated in
`
`the Figure a cross-section. Bezel 316 is provided with a series of clips 318
`
`adjacent apertures 314 and bezel 316 for engaging posts 310 on face plate
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`308. With clips 318 cooperating with posts 310, the lock unlock lever is
`
`38
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`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1006
`Page 0494
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`

`

`WO 01/81956
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`PCT /USOl/13283
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`moved to the lock or unlock position as desired to retain or release the bezel
`
`relative to the face plate. In instances when mirror 302 is of the
`
`electrochromic or heated variety, an electrical connector not shown in the
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`mirror will be coupled to electrical connector 320 within housing 304.
`
`5
`
`39
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`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1006
`Page 0495
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`

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`WO 01/81956
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`PCT/USOl/13283
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`What is claimed is:
`
`1. A mirror for automotive rearview application comprising a main
`
`viewing outside mirror and an auxiliary blindzone viewing mirror, said auxiliary
`
`s
`
`blindzone viewing mirror defining a reflective surface comprised of a planar
`
`array of reflecting facets simulating a convex mirror and having a radius of
`
`curvature and a magnification less than that of said main viewing outside
`
`mirror, wherein said auxiliary blindzone viewing mirror is l