Patent ID: 7324260

Claim:
A variable reflectance mirror, comprising: a color layer that can develop color by binding with hydrogen or lithium; a transparent substrate having one surface formed directly in contact with one surface of the color layer, and an opposite surface that contacts ambient air; a light-reflecting layer formed on the side of the color layer opposite to the surface thereof on which the transparent substrate is in direct contact with, which allows transmission of hydrogen or lithium; and a supplying device for supplying hydrogen or lithium to the color layer, wherein a transparent intermediate layer, which allows transmission of hydrogen or lithium and which has a refractive index smaller than that of the color layer, is formed between the color layer and the light-reflecting layer to increase the reflectivity of the resulting variable reflectance mirror, said layer having one surface in direct contact with the side of the color layer opposite to the surface thereof on which the transparent substrate is in direct contact with, and an opposite surface in direct contact with said light-reflecting layer.