A window covering apparatus is disclosed, along with a method of using the same. The apparatus may include an upper board component and a lower board component, which are releasably held by central mounts. The upper board and lower board components can be arranged in a fully open shutter state, a half open shutter state, or a fully closed shutter state. The central mounts are positioned near flush to one or more outside or surrounding window surfaces in order to block light transmission. In one embodiment, the upper board and/or the lower board component may incorporate decorative elements and a gapless seam between the upper board and lower board components.

A light modification unit comprises two or more sheets, including a first sheet comprising a first high transmissivity set of regions, and at least one additional set of regions comprising a first low transmissivity set of regions, wherein over at least a range of wavelengths between 350-1400 nm including at a first wavelength the transmissivity of the first high transmissivity set of regions is higher than the transmissivity of the first low transmissivity set of regions, and a second sheet comprising a second high transmissivity set of regions, and at least one additional set of regions comprising a second low transmissivity set of regions, wherein at least at the first wavelength the transmissivity of the second high transmissivity set of regions is higher than the transmissivity of the second low transmissivity set of regions, the second sheet positioned substantially parallel to the first sheet, an actuation mechanism capable of translating at least the second sheet relative to the first sheet, between at least a first position, in which the first high transmissivity set of regions are substantially aligned with the second high transmissivity set of regions such that there is a substantial overlap between them, and a second position, in which the alignment between the first high transmissivity set of regions and the second high transmissivity set of regions is reduced such that the overlap between the first and the second high transmissivity sets of regions is reduced compared to the first position, wherein an optical coupling material fills at least some of the space between at least one portion of the first and the second sheet, or at least in the first position at least one portion of the surface of the second sheet is separated from the surface of the first sheet by an arithmetic average distance of less than 400 nm, such that an optical connection is achieved between at least portions of the first and the second sheet in at least the first position.

A light control film is described comprising alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions disposed between a light input surface and a light output surface. The absorptive regions have an aspect ratio of at least 30. In some embodiments, the alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions have a transmission as measured with a spectrophotometer at a viewing angle of 0 degrees of at least 35, 40, 45, or 50% for a wavelength of the range 320-400 nm (UV) and/or at least 65, 70, 75, or 80% for a wavelength of the range 700-1400 nm (NIR). In another embodiment, the absorptive regions block light at the light input surface and light output surface and the maximum surface area that is blocked is less than 20% of the total alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions. Also described are various optical communication systems comprising the light control films described herein and methods.

A base structure and associated method for converting the base structure into an operable vane on a shade for an architectural opening. The base structure includes a back sheet and a front sheet attached together in engagement regions spaced along the length of the back sheet and front sheet. The front sheet is separated into front strip sections having a free end. Operating elements are positioned along the back sheet and situated so as to move relative thereto. The operating elements are attached adjacent to a free end of the front strip. Movement of the operating elements actuates the free end of the front strip to move from a closed position to an open position as desired by the user.

Systems, apparatus, and methods to adjust dimming associated with vehicle sunroofs are disclosed. A disclosed sunroof dimming system for a vehicle includes a dimmable panel of a vehicle sunroof. The sunroof dimming system also includes a controller operatively coupled to the dimmable panel. The controller is configured to obtain data during operation of the vehicle. The controller is also configured to determine, based on the data, that a vehicle occupant will be exposed to an external light via the dimmable panel when the vehicle is at a first predicted location of a road. The controller is also configured to control the dimmable panel before the vehicle is at the first predicted location to reduce a brightness of the external light that the vehicle occupant will encounter.

A driving mechanism for a roll blind capable of shade adjustment is proposed. The driving mechanism includes: a cover housing (212) having a stopper (212c) protrudingly foamed; a driving shaft (213a) relatively and rotatably coupled to the cover housing (212); a torsional coil spring (220) wound and tightened around an outer circumferential surface of the driving shaft (213a); and a clutch wheel (223) integrally rotating with the driving shaft (213a), wherein, in a case when the torsional coil spring (220) is caught by the stopper (212c) while the driving shaft (213a) is rotating, rotation of the torsional coil spring (220) is blocked therethrough, whereas the driving shaft (213a) is continuously rotatable regardless of whether the rotation of the torsional coil spring (220) is blocked, and wherein the driving mechanism further includes a tilting gear (222) and a tilting wheel (224) rotated in conjunction with the tilting gear (222).

Disclosed herein is a projector sunshade for projecting an image of a logo onto a surface. The projector sunshade includes a UV-treated sheet, a first area on the UV-treated sheet including a shape of the logo, the first area being substantially transparent to light from an illumination source; and a second area surrounding the first area and including a lower transparency to the light relative to the first area.

A base structure and associated method for converting the base structure into an operable vane on a shade for an architectural opening. The base structure includes a back sheet and a front sheet attached together in engagement regions spaced along the length of the back sheet and front sheet. The front sheet is separated into front strip sections having a free end. Operating elements are positioned along the back sheet and situated so as to move relative thereto. The operating elements are attached adjacent to a free end of the front strip. Movement of the operating elements actuates the free end of the front strip to move from a closed position to an open position as desired by the user.

The present disclosure describes various embodiments of a structure for a composite light regulating film, methods of using the composite light regulating film, and for methods of making a composite light regulating film. The composite light regulating film can include particles and an elastomer matrix. The composite film is configured to modify in response to a force.

A smart window-based security system is provided. The system includes a plurality of smart windows, each smart window of the plurality of smart windows having at least one electrochromic window and at least one sensor integrated into the smart window. The plurality of smart windows are coupled together in a system having at least one processor configured to detect a personal or property security threat, such as an intruder or fire based, on information from sensors of the plurality of smart windows.