Shading system using liquid lens and light waveguide

An assembly with selective optical transmissivity, the assembly comprising:

• a first layer including an array of liquid lens units;
• a second layer spaced apart from the first layer, wherein:
• the second layer includes a plurality of optical waveguides;
• each of the plurality of optical waveguides includes one or more waveguide inlets such that the second layer includes a plurality of waveguide inlets;
• and
• each of the plurality of waveguide inlets is associated with a respective liquid lens unit included in the array of liquid lens units;
• and
• a buffer layer positioned between the first and second layers,
• wherein the assembly comprises a window set in a wall of a room.

A method of operating an assembly with selective optical transmissivity, the method comprising:

• receiving a plurality of incoming optical rays at the assembly;
• transmitting a first portion of the plurality of incoming optical rays received by a first portion of the assembly through the first portion of the assembly to illuminate a first portion of an interior space;
• at least partially blocking a second portion of the plurality of incoming optical rays received by a second portion of the assembly from illuminating a second portion of the interior space;
• and
• redirecting the blocked second portion of the plurality of incoming optical rays received by the second portion of the assembly to illuminate a third portion of the interior space,
• wherein the assembly includes a first layer including an array of liquid lens units and a second layer spaced apart from the first layer,
• wherein the second layer includes a plurality of optical waveguides, wherein each of the plurality of optical waveguides includes a plurality of waveguide inlets, and wherein each of the plurality of waveguide inlets corresponds to a different liquid lens unit included in the array of liquid lens units.