Electro-optic device with constant light transmitting area

A variable reflectance mirror assembly having a discrete, optically clear window, comprising:

• first and second optically transparent elements mounted in spaced relationship to each other, each having a front and rear surface and defining a space between the rear surface of said first element and the front surface of said second element;
• at least one optically transparent interlayer element sandwiched between said first and second elements and joining a predetermined area of the rear surface of said first element and the front surface of said second element;
• an electro-optic medium confined in said space whose light transmittance is variable upon the application of an electric field thereto;
• means for applying an electric field to said electro-optic medium to cause variation in the light transmittance of said medium;
• a reflective coating on one surface of said second element adapted to reflect light incident thereon through said first element and said electro-optic medium, said reflective coating including an opening therethrough in alignment with said transparent interlayer element;
• and
• means adjacent said rear surface of said second element and aligned with said opening in said reflective coating for receiving light through said first element and said transparent interlayer element.

A variable reflectance mirror assembly having a discrete, optically clear window comprising:

• first and second optically transparent elements mounted in spaced relationship to each other, each having a front and rear surface and defining a space between the rear surface of said first element and the front surface of said second element;
• at least one optically transparent interlayer element sandwiched between said first and second elements and joining a predetermined area of the rear surface of said first element and the front surface of said second element;
• an electro-optic medium confined in said space whose light transmittance is variable upon the application of an electric field thereto;
• means for applying an electric field to said electro-optic medium to cause variation in the light transmittance of said medium;
• a reflective coating on one surface of said second element adapted to reflect light incident thereon through said first element and said electro-optic medium, said reflective coating including an opening therethrough in alignment with said transparent interlayer element;
• and
• means adjacent said rear surface of said second element and aligned with said opening in said reflective coating for displaying information through said first and second element and said transparent interlayer.

A mirror assembly having at least one light transmitting window therein, comprising:

• a first optically transparent element having a front and a rear surface;
• a reflective coating on one surface of said optically transparent element and adapted to reflect light incident thereon, said reflective coating having a window formed therein adapted to transmit light propagating through said optically transparent element;
• and
• an emitting element located adjacent said rear surface of said optically transparent element and aligned with said window and adapted to project an image produced by said emitting element through said window and said optically transparent element;
• said window being dimensioned so as not to produce multiple visible images of said projected image between said front and rear surfaces of said optically transparent element.