Switchable rearview mirror

A method of adjusting an adjustable mirror for use in a passenger vehicle, the method comprising;

• receiving an input signal from a user;
• and
• engaging means for changing an opacity of a reflective surface between an opaque state wherein a user can view a rear view of the vehicle and a transparent state wherein the reflective surface becomes transparent such that the user can view objects positioned on an opposite side of the reflective surface from the user through the transparent reflective surface such that the user can view objects that would otherwise be blocked from view by the reflective surface while in the opaque state in response to the input signal;
• wherein a housing of the adjustable mirror is adapted to be coupled to a vehicle windshield and the reflective surface is in the housing.

An adjustable mirror for use in a passenger vehicle, the adjustable mirror comprising;

• a housing adapted to be coupled to a vehicle windshield;
• a reflective surface in the housing to enable a user to view a rear view of the vehicle, and
• optics including an aperture formed through the housing and positioned to extend between a front side of the housing facing the user and a rear side of the housing facing the windshield and an opacity adjuster coupled to the housing between the reflective surface and the vehicle windshield, the opacity adjuster having a first optics panel coupled to the housing within the aperture and a second optics panel coupled to the housing and positioned to lie between the first optics panel and the windshield of the vehicle;
• wherein the first optics panel includes a first polarizer section having a first polarization angle and a second polarizer section coupled to the first polarizer section and having a second polarization angle, the second optics panel has a third polarizer section having the second polarization angle and a fourth polarizer section coupled to the third polarizer section and having the first polarization angle, and the first polarization angle is ninety degrees offset relative to the second polarization angle such that, when the first polarization section is aligned with the third polarization section and the second polarization section is aligned with the fourth polarization section, light is blocked from passing through the opacity adjuster.