Patent ID: 8559093

Claim:
An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in a rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising: a first substrate and a second substrate having an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween, wherein said electrochromic medium is bounded by a perimeter seal, and wherein said perimeter seal is disposed between said first and second substrates; wherein said first substrate comprises a first substantially transparent substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite said first surface; wherein said second substrate comprises a second substantially transparent substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface opposite said third surface; wherein a transparent electrically conductive thin film is disposed at least a portion of said second surface of said first substrate; wherein a perimeter coating is disposed at said second surface of said first substrate proximate at least a perimeter portion of said first substrate, and wherein said perimeter coating comprises at least one of (i) a reflective perimeter coating, (ii) an electrically conductive perimeter coating and (iii) a substantially opaque perimeter coating; wherein said perimeter coating generally conceals said perimeter seal from view by a person viewing said first surface of said first substrate and through said first substrate; wherein an at least partially reflective stack of thin films is disposed at least a portion of said third surface of said second substrate, and wherein said at least partially reflective stack of thin films comprises at least one metal thin film; and wherein said perimeter seal is at least partially visible to a person viewing said fourth surface of said second substrate and through said second substrate.