Patent ID: 7525604

Claim:
A glazing structure, comprising: a first layer transmissive to light; a second layer transmissive to light; a layer of externally controllable optically active material disposed between the first layer and the second layer; a first polarization layer disposed to a first side of the optically active layer that transmits light of a first polarization orientation and reflects light of a second polarization orientation; and a second polarization layer disposed to a second side of the optically active layer that transmits light of one polarization orientation and absorbs light of another polarization orientation; wherein the optically active layer can be placed into a first optical state wherein the optically active layer passes light without affecting the polarization thereof, and wherein the optically active layer can be placed into a second optical state wherein the optically active layer passes light while affecting the polarization thereof; and wherein the glazing structure is transmissive and substantially non-reflective to light when the optically active layer is in one of the first and second optical states and the glazing structure reflects a substantial portion of the light that first enters the glazing structure from the second side when the optically active layer is in the other of the first and second optical states.