Patent ID: 6583827
Filing Date: 2003-06-24
Classification: B82Y,C09B,C09D,C09K,E06B,F24S,G01D,G02B,G02F,H04N,Y02B,Y02E

Abstract:
An electro-optical glazing structure comprising:an electro-optical panel controlling, within a characteristic reflection bandwidth, reflection and transmission of electromagnetic radiation that is incident on a first outer surface of the electro-optical panel and that is incident on a second outer surface of the electro-optical panel, said electro-optical panel having an electrically-switchable reflective mode of operation and an electrically-switchable transmissive mode of operation, wherein, in said electrically-switchable reflective mode of operation, said electromagnetic radiation having a first polarization state that is incident on said first outer surface is substantially reflected without absorption, said electromagnetic radiation having a second polarization state opposite said first polarization state that is incident on said first outer surface is substantially reflected without absorption, said electromagnetic radiation having said first polarization state that is incident on said second outer surface is substantially reflected without absorption, and said electromagnetic radiation having said second polarization state that is incident on said second outer surface is substantially reflected without absorption, and wherein, in said electrically-switchable transmissive mode of operation, portions of said electromagnetic radiation that is incident on said first outer surface is substantially transmitted without absorption through said electro-optical panel, and portions of said electromagnetic radiation that is incident on said second outer surface is substantially transmitted without absorption through said electro-optical panel; and an optical state switching mechanism for electrically switching said electro-optical panel into said electrically-switchable reflective mode of operation and said electrically-switchable transmissive mode of operation.