Electronic optical device for controlling light transmission and reflection

Abstract

An electronic optical device includes a first active absorptive polarizer that electronically alters absorption of a first polarization of light depending on an applied first voltage, and a second active absorptive polarizer that electronically alters absorption of a second polarization of light depending on an applied second voltage, wherein the second polarization is substantially orthogonal to the first polarization. A static reflective polarizer is interposed between the first active absorptive polarizer and the second active absorptive polarizer, wherein the static reflective polarizer reflects the first polarization of light. The electronic optical device can switch between a transmissive device state, a dark device state, a reflective device state, and a hybrid transmissive-reflective device state. One or both of the active absorptive polarizers may optionally be patterned into segments.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.