An electro-optic device useful as a vehicular mirror or panel, an architectural panel, or the like includes two optically transparent substrates positioned in spaced relation to each other. An electro-optic medium having a light transmittance which is variable with the application of an electric field is captured in the space between the substrates. Indicia is applied to one of the inside surfaces of the substrates. In one aspect of the invention, a dielectric material is used for the indicia. The indicia remain visible for viewing at all times during operation of the device.

An electro-optic device including first and second optically transparent elements mounted in spaced relationship to each other to define a gap and each having a front and rear surface. At least one optically transparent interlayer element is sandwiched between the first and second elements and joining a predetermined area of the rear surface of the first element and the front surface of the second element. A liquid, semi-liquid, gel, or semi-solid electro-optic medium, whose light transmittance is variable, is added to the gap between the first and second element. One surface of the second element may include a reflective coating except in those areas aligned with the transparent interlayer element sandwiched between the first and second element. A photoelectric cell/sensor or display is disposed behind the rear surface of the second element and may be aligned with the window formed in the reflective coating so as to receive or transmit light through the first element, the transparent interlayer, and the transparent second element.

An electro-optic device including first and second optically transparent elements mounted in spaced relationship to each other to define a gap and each having a front and rear surface. At least one optically transparent interlayer element is sandwiched between the first and second elements and joining a predetermined area of the rear surface of the first element and the front surface of the second element. A liquid, semi-liquid, gel, or semi-solid electro-optic medium, whose light transmittance is variable, is added to the gap between the first and second element. One surface of the second element may include a reflective coating except in those areas aligned with the transparent interlayer element sandwiched between the first and second element. A photoelectric cell/sensor or display is disposed behind the rear surface of the second element and may be aligned with the window formed in the reflective coating so as to receive or transmit light through the first element, the transparent interlayer, and the transparent second element.

A rearview mirror system for a vehicle having a reflective element with a reflective surface and a variable light transmission element includes an optical display device behind the reflective element in order to produce a visual display to the driver. A control is provided having a light sensor that senses light conditions in the vicinity of the vehicle and produces a continuously variable light signal indicative of such sensed light conditions. The control further includes a drive circuit that is responsive to the light signal in order to supply a drive signal to the reflective element and thereby establish the light transmission level of the light transmission element. The control further includes an intensity control circuit that varies the intensity of the optical display as a function of the value of the sensed light in the vicinity of the vehicle in order to accommodate physiological changes in the driver's eyes. The intensity control circuit further varies the intensity of the optical display device as a function of the drive signal supplied to the reflective element in order to compensate for reduced light transmission levels of the light transmission element. The intensity control circuit sums values of the light signal and the drive signal and processes the sum to a pulse-width modulated signal using a non-linear processor. The intensity control also provides a substantially constant high intensity of the optical display device for all values of sensed light above a predetermined high light.

A rearview mirror system for a vehicle having a reflective element with a reflective surface and a variable light transmission element includes an optical display device behind the reflective element in order to produce a visual display to the driver. A control is provided having a light sensor that senses light conditions in the vicinity of the vehicle and produces a continuously variable light signal indicative of such sensed light conditions. The control further includes a drive circuit responsive to the light signal in order to supply a drive signal to the reflective element and thereby establish the light transmission level of the light transmission element. The control further includes an intensity control circuit that varies the intensity of the optical display as a function of the value of the sensed light in the vicinity of the vehicle to accommodate physiological changes in the driver's eyes. The intensity control circuit further varies the intensity of the optical display device as a function of the drive signal supplied to the reflective element in order to compensate for reduced light transmission levels of the light transmission element. The intensity control circuit sums values of the light signal and the drive signal and processes the sum to a pulse-width modulated signal using a non-linear processor. The intensity control also provides a substantially constant high intensity of the optical display device for all values of sensed light above a predetermined high light level and below a predetermined low light level.