15
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`EP O 729 864 A1
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`16
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`5
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`is substantially greater than the field of view of the main
`body portion 148 alone. The rear glass element 18 of
`each outside mirror of this embodiment of the invention
`is substantially the same size as the main body portion
`148 of the front glass element so that the aspherical
`portion 14A projects laterally outwardly, i.e., outboard of
`both the main body portion 148 and the rear glass ele(cid:173)
`ment 18. Since the aspheric portion 14A of the front
`glass element 18 projects outwardly beyond the adja-
`10 cent edge of the rear glass element 18, the aspheric
`portion 14A of the front glass element does not dim
`when the electro-optic inboard portion 148 of the mirror
`dims. It should also be understood that a bezel structure
`34, shown in dashed lines for clarity of illustration, is
`15 preferably utilized which extends around the entire
`periphery of the front glass element and conceals the
`peripheral edge portions thereof.
`In this embodiment of the invention, the rear sur(cid:173)
`face 36 of the front glass element 14 of each outside
`mirror is preferably coated with a reflective layer 38 only
`in the area of the outboard aspherical portion 14A. This
`reflective material also preferably covers the outboard
`section 40 of the seal 16 so that the outboard section 40
`of the seal 16 is not visible to the driver of the vehicle,
`although, if desired, a portion of the seal may be pur(cid:173)
`posely allowed to be visible to the driver to provide a
`demarcation to apprise the driver that there is a differ(cid:173)
`ence in the minor configuration. As previously men(cid:173)
`tioned, the outboard area 14A of each outside mirror
`can be either aspheric, cylindrical, spherical, formed
`with multiple radii of curvature formed of any combina-
`tion of the preceding, or be of other desired configura(cid:173)
`tion. It should also be understood that the reflective
`layer could be on the front surface of the aspherical por(cid:173)
`tion 14A.
`The above described construction overcomes seri(cid:173)
`ous cost and technical problems which are encountered
`when efforts are made to perfectly match two glass
`shapes of complex curvature. Since the rear glass ele-
`40 ment 18 and the electro-optic portion 148 of the front
`glass element 14 are either flat or only slightly curved,
`matching of the overlying portions thereof is more read(cid:173)
`ily achieved, and serious mismatching, which can cause
`double imaging, is obviated or at least minimized. More-
`45 over, since the aspheric portion 14A of the front element
`14 projects outwardly beyond the outboard edge of the
`rear glass element 18, no matching whatsoever is
`required because there is only one layer of glass in the
`aspherical portion 14A of each outside mirror.
`It will be understood that if a reflective layer 38,
`such as chromium or rhodium, is deposited on the rear
`surface 36 in the aspherical portion 14A of the front
`glass element 14, and a reflective layer such as 22 is
`also used as a reflector on the inner surface of the rear
`55 glass element 18, behind the electro-optic material 24,
`then there will be a minimum discontinuity in the
`reflected image since the electro-optic media layer is
`very thin (typically 150 microns or less). In that connec(cid:173)
`tion it should be understood that light from reflection in
`
`dot pattern, to permit a vacuum fluorescent display,
`such as a compass or clock, to show through to the
`driver of the vehicle. Such concept is also applicable to
`a mirror which uses only one video chip light sensor to
`measure both glare and ambient light and which is fur(cid:173)
`ther capable of determining the direction of glare. An
`automatic mirror on the inside of a vehicle can also con-
`trol one or both outside mirrors as slaves in an auto(cid:173)
`matic mirror system.
`The foregoing also has application in the construc(cid:173)
`tion of elements for mirrors where high maximum
`reflectance is desired, and the electrochromic materials
`may be solution phase containing liquids, gels, rigid
`gels and/or polymers. It may also be a hybrid design
`where some or all of the electrochromic materials are
`not in solution and may be confined on the surfaces of
`the electrodes, and also particularly applies to electro(cid:173)
`optic mirrors which draw more than 1 O milliamps in
`operation at any point in their process of dimming.
`The above described structure is particularly effec-
`tive when used with selected low cost transparent coat(cid:173)
`ings, as for example, "TEK 20", marketed by Libbey
`Owens-Ford Co. of Toledo, Ohio. The benefits over the
`most commonly used automatic mirrors in use today are
`as follows: mirrors embodying the multilayer combina-
`tion reflector/electrode change reflectance faster, have
`a clearer image, have better coloration of image in the
`nondimmed state, eliminate the need and inconven(cid:173)
`ience of putting silver reflective coatings on the fourth
`surface of the mirror element, have fewer handling steps
`thereby creating fewer chances for scratching in the
`glass during processing and providing a final product
`with better optical quality, and having fewer surfaces
`through which the light must travel, and the first surface
`and third surface reflections are closer together with the
`result that there are less multiple images and less dis(cid:173)
`tortion in the mirror for the driver. Moreover, when used
`as an outside mirror, there are less reflections from rain(cid:173)
`drops and dust on the front surface of the front glass,
`and the reflector at the front surface of the rear glass
`element is protected from aging, exposure to airborne
`contaminants and physical abuse that often affect
`reflectors placed at the back surface of the rear glass
`element.
`In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig(cid:173)
`ures 1 through 6, the front glass element 14 of each out(cid:173)
`side mirror is formed in one continuous piece that
`includes an inboard main body portion 14B that may be
`substantially flat with an infinite radius of curvature, or
`slightly curved with a relatively large radius of curvature.
`This curvature is generally spherical with a radius of
`curvature in the range of 1200 to 3000 mm and more
`typically in the range of 1400 to 2600 mm. The main
`body portion 148 is integrally joined to an outboard
`aspherical portion 14A having a radius of curvature sub(cid:173)
`stantially less than the radius of curvature of the main
`body portion 14B. Thus, the aspherical portion 14A con(cid:173)
`tributes a predetermined field of view which, when com(cid:173)
`bined with the field of view of the main body portion 148,
`
`20
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`50
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`9
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`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1009
`Page 0374
`
`

`

`17
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`EP O 729 864 A1
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`18
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`5
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`10
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`15
`
`the clear state of the electrochromic portion of the
`device may 10-20% less than the first surface reflect(cid:173)
`ance of the layer 22 when measured with the layer 22 in
`contact with air.
`It should also be understood that, by way of exam(cid:173)
`ple, it is also possible to utilize indium tin oxide (ITO) as
`the transparent conductors on the confronting surfaces
`of the front and rear glass elements and a reflective
`layer such as silver on the back of the rear glass ele(cid:173)
`ment. For matching purposes, it is also possible to pro(cid:173)
`vide a silver reflector on the back surface of the
`aspherical portion 14A of the front glass. In the pre(cid:173)
`ferred embodiment of the invention, a layer of chromium
`or a layer of rhodium makes up the reflective layer 38
`provided on the back surface 36 of the aspherical por(cid:173)
`tion 14A of the front glass element, limited to the
`aspheric area as illustrated in the drawings. For exam-
`ple, a rhodium layer 22 can be used on the front surface
`of the back glass element 18, deposited over a thick
`highly conductive chromium layer 20. By way of exam-
`pie, the rhodium layer may have a thickness of about
`100-700 Angstroms, while the chromium layer may
`have a thickness of about 300 to 1500 Angstroms. In the
`alternative, instead of a dual layer of rhodium and chro(cid:173)
`mium, a single layer of chromium may be utilized 25
`together with a single layer of chromium on surface 38.
`A single layer of smooth, high transmission ITO is pre(cid:173)
`ferred for application to the surface 36 in both areas 14A
`and 14B to simplify the ITO coating process and to max(cid:173)
`imize reflection of 38 and minimize haze of reflector 38.
`When the reflector of the outboard portion is placed on
`the front side of element 14 then the smoothness of the
`transparent conductor 36 is not critical, and it is possible
`to use the low cost but somewhat rough or hazy coating
`sold by Libbey Owens-Ford as "TEK 20" tin oxide
`coated glass or the Libbey Owens-Ford "TEK 15" glass
`or a similar type low cost tin oxide coated glass, or it is
`possible to remove the tin oxide transparent conductive
`layer prior to applying the reflector to the area 14A.
`Thus, if desired, the transparent conductive coating 26
`on the front element 14 may be uniformly applied, selec(cid:173)
`tively applied or removed from a portion of surface 36
`prior to the application of the reflective layer 38 so that
`in the latter case the reflective layer 38 is applied
`directly onto the rear surface 36 of element 14. This lat(cid:173)
`ter configuration of the front element reflector is espe(cid:173)
`cially desirable if the transparent conductive coating has
`significant haze. It may also be desirable to lower the
`reflectivity at the area 14A to a value as bright as, or
`lower than, the reflectance range of the dimming portion
`by choice of reflector material or transmission proper(cid:173)
`ties of the layer 26, if present, in the area 14A.
`From the foregoing description, it will be understood
`that much of the uniqueness of this embodiment of the
`invention resides in the fact that only the inboard main
`body portion 14B of the front element 14 will be dimmed
`utilizing electro-optic principles. This permits protection
`from glare and yet preserves safety, since the aspheric
`portion 14A is not allowed to dim and the driver can still
`
`see nearby vehicles in adjacent lanes. Moreover, the
`unitary front face of the front glass element 14 can still
`be easily cleaned and scraped of ice in the winter. In
`addition, the one-piece face of the front glass element is
`cosmetically stylish. Also, the layers of reflective mate(cid:173)
`rial can be made so close to the same plane that their
`discontinuity will not be objectionable to the driver of the
`vehicle. It should also be understood that for defrosting
`purposes, a conventional heater (not shown) can be uti-
`lized to cover either the entire back of each outside mir-
`ror assembly including both the aspherical outboard
`portion and the automatically dimming inboard portion
`of the mirror, or only the automatic dimming portion with
`the heat eventually spreading through thermal conduc-
`tion to the outboard portion 14A.
`From the foregoing description, it will be appreci(cid:173)
`ated that the aspheric outboard portion of the mirror
`provides a greatly increased field of view, thereby virtu(cid:173)
`ally eliminating blind spots, and mirrors embodying the
`present invention can replace conventional driver's side
`exterior mirrors or both the driver's side and the passen-
`ger's side exterior minors. The outside mirrors embody(cid:173)
`ing
`the present
`invention combine
`two types of
`curvature, i.e., a convex main area with a large radius of
`curvature or a flat main area with an infinite radius of
`curvature, the latter being similar to conventional United
`States driver side exterior mirrors, together with an
`aspheric section on the outboard portion of the mirror.
`The relatively high curvature in the aspheric area yields
`30 a greatly expanded field of view, and at the same time,
`since the aspheric portion does not dim, the bright out(cid:173)
`board portion provides a danger signal in the event
`another vehicle is positioned immediately adjacent to
`the vehicle equipped with mirrors embodying
`the
`35 present invention. It should also be understood that if
`desired, the aspheric portion of the mirror assembly
`could be tinted or provided with less reflective capability
`than the undimmed electro-optic portion of the mirror.
`With reference to FIG. 6, a preferred arrangement
`for connecting the electronic conductive layers to a
`power source is illustrated. In this arrangement, the two
`electrode-bearing front and rear glass elements 14 and
`18 are displaced in opposite directions, laterally from,
`but parallel to, the chamber 13 in order to provide
`45 exposed areas on the front and rear glass elements.
`Electrically conductive spring clips 42 and 44 are pro(cid:173)
`vided which are placed on the coated glass sheets to
`make electrical contact with the exposed areas of the
`electrically conductive layers. Suitable electrical con-
`50 ductors (not shown) may be soldered or otherwise con(cid:173)
`nected to the spring clips 42 and 44 so that desired
`voltage may be applied to the device from a suitable
`power source. It is preferred but not essential that the
`combination reflector/electrode, which may or may not
`55 be multilayer, function as and be maintained as the
`cathode in the circuitry.
`Rearview mirrors embodying the present invention
`preferably include a bezel 34 which extends around the
`entire periphery of the assembly. The bezel 34 conceals
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`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1009
`Page 0375
`
`

`

`19
`
`EP O 729 864 A1
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`20
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`and protects the spring clips 42 and 44 and the periph-
`eral edge portions of both of the front and the rear ele(cid:173)
`ments 14 and 18. By way of example, the bezel 34 may
`be of the type disclosed in the co-pending Continuation
`Application of William L. Tonar, Serial No. 08/142,875,
`filed October 29, 1993, which is a continuation of Appli(cid:173)
`cation Serial No. 07/907,055, filed July 1, 1992, both of
`which applications are assigned to the assignee of the
`present invention and both of which applications are
`hereby incorporated herein by reference. The assembly
`may also include a conventional heater and a plastic
`mirror back or glass case which is adapted to snap into
`an outside mirror housing (not shown) that may be of
`any desired configuration including with and without a
`motor pack for remote adjustment of minor position. The
`outside minor housing is supported on the outside of an
`automotive vehicle in any desired or conventional man-
`ner, and the inside mirror is supported inside the vehicle
`in any desired or conventional manner, whereby the
`field of view of each mirror may be adjusted by the driver
`of the vehicle in a conventional manner, as for example,
`through manual adjustment or by mechanical or electri-
`cal means of the types conventionally provided on mod-
`ern day automobiles.
`Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
`Figure 7 which enables each outside mirror to imple(cid:173)
`ment a signaling function, and in which the reflector on
`the outboard section 14A is constructed to reflect most
`of the spectra while transmitting only a selected spectra
`of a cooperative signal light source located behind the
`minor. In an alternate approach, the reflector can be
`made generally reflective, but partially light transmissive
`over a broad spectral range, thus requiring a signal light
`of sufficient intensity to be seen by passing vehicles
`after attenuation through the partially reflecting layer. In
`order to direct the light away from the driver's eyes
`either louvers or a sheet of plastic light directing film is
`placed behind the mirror surface between the signal
`light source and the reflector. The ambient light sensor
`in the automatic interior mirror can be used along with a
`conventional control circuit (not shown) to progressively
`reduce the signal light output under progressively
`darker night driving conditions. Areas behind the out(cid:173)
`board portion of each outside mirror where the signal
`light is not expected to shine through can optionally be
`covered with black or dark paint to make the interior
`behind the mirror reflector less visible cosmetically in
`the daytime. In this embodiment of the invention, a dich-
`roic reflector in area 14A may be utilized, along with a
`light source that is compatible with the dichroic reflector,
`e.g., a red light emitting diode, emitting in specific spec-
`tral wavelengths of the band pass region of the dichroic
`reflector. Another possibility for a light source for use
`with a dichroic reflector is a neon gas tube, power sup(cid:173)
`plies (not shown) for the light emitting diodes or neon
`tube being well known in the art.
`With a partially reflecting mirror, any wide band light
`source is acceptable provided it has sufficient light out(cid:173)
`put and life to withstand the automotive environment,
`
`5
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`20
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`25
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`30
`
`and provided the color is acceptable for an automotive
`safety signal. Where a white or broad spectrum light
`source is preferably used, either a tinted lamp enclosure
`or separate colored filter between the light source and
`the reflector is sufficient to provide the proper orange or
`red light output. The preferred color of the light output
`with the partial reflector approach is orange. The most
`practical low cost light source is of the incandescent
`type with possible variations to include halogen, xenon
`10 or other life-extending, high efficiency technology. It is
`desired to produce the most light with the least cost
`using a practical, affordable light source for which
`replacement bull's are readily available for service.
`Whatever light source is used, it is preferred to use
`15 either a lamp reflector, lens or both for the purpose of
`increasing light output efficiency in the desired direction.
`The lamp reflector referred to in this case is distinctively
`separate from the mirror reflector on the outboard por-
`tion of tile partially dimming aspheric mirror. As an alter(cid:173)
`nate approach, this signal light concept and partial
`dimming concept can also be useful with a substantially
`uniformly curved mirror, such as a convex mirror, where
`only a portion of the mirror is automatically dimming and
`the outboard portion is non-dimming with a signal light
`feature behind the outboard reflector.
`In order to direct light, emitting from the signal light
`source, away from the driver's view, a laser can be used
`to cut (burn) a precise controllable louver pattern in a
`plastic louver member effective to direct light out of the
`minor so it can be seen by other vehicles on the side of
`the vehicle equipped with the signaling mirror, but not
`seen by the driver of the vehicle so equipped. The plas(cid:173)
`tic louver sheet can be either extruded flat or molded flat
`or it can be molded in a curved shape to fit the mirror
`35 curve.
`It will be understood that a laser or other suitable
`means can be utilized to burn slots at an angle through
`the plastic sheet, and that the slots can be arranged in
`a manner to provide the greatest practical ratio of open
`area with the laser cut slots being stopped at certain
`points to allow sufficient structural retention and sup-
`port. Referring to Figure 7, a schematic simplified side
`elevational view of this embodiment of the invention is
`illustrated therein. In this embodiment of the invention, a
`front reflector 138 is provided on the aspherical portion
`114A of the glass 114, the reflector 138 preferably being
`a very highly reflective but partially transparent metal
`coating.
`It should be understood, however, that in this
`embodiment of the invention it is not necessary that the
`outboard portion of the minor be aspheric, and that if
`desired the outboard portion can be flat or curved. If
`desired, protective coatings may also be provided upon
`the condition that the reflective coating be substantially
`transmissive thereby allowing light from behind the mir(cid:173)
`ror to pass through. The higher the natural reflectance
`of the front layers the greater will be the ability to sacri(cid:173)
`fice reflectance to transmittance and still fall within an
`acceptable minor reflectance range of about 40% to
`
`40
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`11
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`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1009
`Page 0376
`
`

`

`21
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`EP O 729 864 A1
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`22
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`5
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`10
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`30
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`60%. Suitable reflectors are rhodium, coated aluminum,
`coated silver, or other suitable different metal. The key
`aspect is that the natural reflectance be high enough to
`allow a thin controlled thickness to transmit approxi(cid:173)
`mately 10 to 30% or greater of the signal light and still
`allow approximately 40 to 60% reflectance. The glass
`itself is designated 114 in Figure 7, but clear plastic may
`be useful as an alternate.
`The layer designated 115 is the louvered layer
`which incorporates an appropriate signal pattern which
`can be recognized as a turn or other signal, which when
`lighted is visible to vehicles on the side, but not to driver
`of the vehicle equipped with outside mirrors embodying
`the present invention.
`In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig(cid:173)
`ure 7, an optional lens 117 is provided to direct light for
`efficiency. A signal light source 119 is provided which
`may be in the form of an LED array, a filament lamp or
`lamps, or a gas filled lamp such as neon or xenon, and
`a reflector or reflector array 121 is provided to direct 20
`light emanating from the light source 119 toward the
`lens 117 and/or the louvers 115. If desired, a clear
`transparent electrode heater and black mask could be
`positioned between the louvers 115 and the glass 114.
`The louvers 115 would then be glued to the substrate 25
`with adhesive.
`In the operation of this embodiment of the invention,
`when the signal light source is energized, the turn or
`other signal is thus visible only to the drivers of other
`vehicles. At the same time, the reflective surfaces of the
`mirror function in a conventional manner.
`In accordance with the present invention, the sign(cid:173)
`aling concept described hereinabove can be extended
`to include electro-optic dimming mirrors as shown in
`Figure 8. Referring to Figure 8, an electro-optic assem(cid:173)
`bly generally designated 21 O is provided which includes
`a sealed chamber 213 defined by a front glass element
`214, an edge seal 216, and a rear glass element 218
`having reflective but partially light transmitting and elec(cid:173)
`trically conducting chromium and rhodium layers 220
`and 222, respectively, on the front face thereof. An elec(cid:173)
`tro-optic medium 224 having the desired electro-optic
`properties fills the chamber 213, and a transparent elec(cid:173)
`trically conductive layer or layers 226, such as ITO, is
`carried on the back face of the front glass 214. A lou(cid:173)
`vered layer 215 is provided which is secured to the back
`surface of the rear glass 218, the louvered layer having
`an appropriate signal pattern, such as an arrow, which
`can be recognized as a turn or other signal, visible to
`vehicles on the side, but not to the driver of the vehicle
`equipped with outside mirrors embodying the invention.
`This embodiment of the invention includes an optional
`lens 217 to direct light for efficiency. A signal light
`source 219 is provided which may be in the form of an
`LED array, a filament lamp or lamps, or a gas-filled lamp
`such as a neon lamp or a xenon lamp, and a reflector or
`reflector array 221 is provided to direct light emanating
`from the light source 219 toward the lens 217 and/or the
`louvers 215. If desired, a clear transparent electrode
`
`heater can be positioned between the louvers 215 and
`the rear glass 218, the louvers being fixed to the heater
`substrate, as with an adhesive. Thus, in the operation of
`this embodiment of the invention, when the signal light
`source is energized, the signal is visible only to drivers
`of other vehicles, while the electro-optic dimming fea(cid:173)
`tures of the mirrors are visible to the driver of the vehicle
`equipped with the mirrors embodying the invention.
`Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
`Figure 9. In this embodiment of the invention, the rear
`glass element is substantially the same size as the front
`glass element including the aspherical portion thereof
`so that the entire mirror including the aspheric portion
`thereof has the reversibly variable transmittance capa-
`15 bilities. Referring to Figure 9, an outside mirror, gener(cid:173)
`ally designated 111, is illustrated which includes a
`sealed chamber 113 defined by a front glass element
`114, an edge seal 116, and a rear glass element 118
`having reflective and electrically conductive metal layer
`122 and optionally also a metal under coating 120. An
`electro-optic medium 124 having the desired electro-
`optic properties fills the chamber 113, and a transparent
`electrically conductive layer, such as a fluorine-doped
`tin oxide conductive layer 126 is carried by the front ele(cid:173)
`ment 114. The electrically conductive layers are con(cid:173)
`nected to an electrical circuit in the manner previously
`described, and, if desired, a color suppression coating
`or coatings, such as 128 may be disposed between the
`conductive layer 126 and the adjacent rear surface of
`the front element 114.
`In this embodiment of the invention, the front glass
`element 114 is formed in one continuous piece that
`includes an inboard main body portion 1148 that may
`be substantially flat with an infinite radius of curvature,
`35 or slightly curved with a relatively large radius of curva(cid:173)
`ture. The main body portion 1148 is integrally joined to
`an outboard aspherical portion 114A having a radius of
`curvature substantially less than the radius of curvature
`of the main body portion 1148. Thus, the aspherical
`40 portion 114A contributes a predetermined field of view
`which, when combined with the field of view of the main
`body portion 1148 is substantially greater than the field
`of view of the main body portion 1148 alone. The rear
`glass element 118 of the mirror of this embodiment of
`the invention is substantially the same size as the front
`glass element 114 and includes a main body portion
`1188 that is substantially the same size as the main
`body portion 1148 of the front glass element, and an
`aspherical portion 118A that is substantially the same
`50 size as the aspherical portion 114A of the front glass
`element.
`In this embodiment of the invention the reflective
`surface on the inside of the rear glass 118 is comprised
`of a single metal layer combination reflector/electrode or
`a series of coatings which may be the same as the mul(cid:173)
`tilayer combination reflector/electrode types previously
`described which serve as a mirror reflective layer and
`also form an integral electrode in contact with the elec(cid:173)
`trochromic media. The other electrode on the inside sur-
`
`45
`
`55
`
`12
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1009
`Page 0377
`
`

`

`23
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`EP O 729 864 A1
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`24
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`3. A mirror according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said out(cid:173)
`board portion of said front element is of aspheric
`configuration.
`
`face of the front glass 114 may be the same as the
`transparent electrode 26 previously described which
`contacts the electrochromic media inside the mirror ele(cid:173)
`ment. The multilayer combination reflector/electrode in
`this embodiment of the invention thus functions in the
`same manner and obtains the same results as the mul(cid:173)
`tilayer
`combination
`reflector/electrode previously
`described, and the transparent electrode on the inside
`surface of the front glass 114 also functions in the man-
`ner and obtains the same results as the transparent
`electrodes previously described, the difference in this
`embodiment of the invention being that the multilayer
`combination reflector/electrode and the transparent
`electrode include the aspheric portion of the mirror, it
`being understood that the seal 116 encompasses the
`entire chamber 113 which extends to the left end of the
`mirror structure, as illustrated in Figure 9, including the
`aspheric portion of the mirror. Thus, the entire mirror
`111 including the aspheric portion of the mirror has the
`reversibly variable transmittance capabilities, and the
`entire mirror functions in the same manner as the
`inboard main body portion 14B of the embodiment of
`the invention illustrated in Figures 1 through 6.
`While preferred embodiments of the invention have
`been illustrated and described, it will be understood that 25 7.
`various changes and modifications may be made with-
`out departing from the scope of the invention which is
`defined by the appended claims.
`
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`4. A mirror according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said
`inboard portion and said outboard portion of said
`front element each have a predetermined field of
`view, said fields of view of the combination of said
`inboard portion and said outboard portion being
`greater than said field of view of said inboard por(cid:173)
`tion alone.
`
`5. A mirror according to any one of the preceding
`claims, including bezel means extending around
`the periphery of said front element.
`
`20
`
`6. A mirror according to any one of the preceding
`claims, wherein said rear element is substantially
`the same size as said inboard portion of said front
`element whereby said outboard portion of said front
`element projects laterally outwardly beyond both
`said inboard portion of said front element and said
`rear element.
`
`A mirror according to any one of the preceding
`claims, including means disposed between said
`inboard portion of said front element and said rear
`element for suppressing colour.
`
`Claims
`
`1. An electro-optically dimming exterior rearview mir(cid:173)
`ror for automotive vehicles, said mirror comprising,
`in combination, a front element having an optically
`transparent inboard portion and an outboard por(cid:173)
`tion projecting laterally outwardly from said inboard
`portion, a rear element, said outboard portion of
`said front element and said rear element each hav-
`ing reflective surfaces thereon, said inboard portion
`of said front element and said rear element each
`having front and rear surfaces and defining a space
`between said rear surface of said inboard portion
`and said front surface of said rear element, an elec(cid:173)
`tro-optic medium confined in said space whereby
`light transmittance of said medium is variable upon
`the application of an electrical potential thereto,
`said front surface of said inboard portion of said
`front element having a predetermined radius of cur(cid:173)
`vature, said outboard portion of said front element
`having a front surface projecting laterally outwardly
`beyond said front surface of said rear element.
`
`2. A mirror according to claim 1 and including sealing
`means disposed between said rear surface of said
`inboard portion of said front element and said front
`surface of said rear element, said reflective surface
`on said outboard portion of said front element being
`effective to conceal the adjacent portion of said
`sealing means.
`
`30 8. A mirror according to any one of the preceding
`claims, wherein said inboard portion and said out(cid:173)
`board portion of said front element are formed of
`one continuous piece of glass.
`
`35 9. A mirror according to any one of the preceding
`claims, wherein said outboard portion of said front
`element has a radius of curvature less than said
`radius of curvature of said front surface of said
`inboard portion of said front element.
`
`10. A mirror according to any one of the preceding
`claims, wherein said inboard portion of said front
`element and said rear element have confronting
`curved surfaces.
`
`11. A mirror according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
`wherein said inboard portion of said front element
`and said rear element have confronting surfaces of
`substantially flat configuration.
`
`12. A mirror according to any one of the preceding
`claims, wherein said reflective surface on said out(cid:173)
`board portion is located on the back side of said
`outboard portion.
`
`13. A mirror according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
`wherein said reflective surface on said outboard
`portion is located on the front side of said outboard
`portion.
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`13
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1009
`Page 0378
`
`

`

`25
`
`EP O 729 864 A1
`
`26
`
`23. A mirror according to claim 21 or 22, wherein said
`light directing means includes louvre means.
`
`5
`
`24. A mirror according to claim 21, 22 or 23, including
`lens means for directing light emanating from said
`light source toward said element.
`
`25. A mirror according to any one of claims 21 to 24,
`wherein said light directing