Abstract
Portable, light attenuating electrochromic device adapted for heating to prevent fogging and to enhance operability during colder weather comprising: opposed substrates defining an enclosed space for receiving a liquid crystal solution and having conducting layers, the first substrate having a heating element system thereon for controlled operation via a first voltage power supply circuit between an upper voltage limit and a lower voltage limit, the second substrate having a tint control system thereon for controlled operation via a second voltage power supply circuit at first and second state tint voltages outside the heating voltage range upper and lower voltage limits, for heating the device during cold-weather operation to prevent fogging of the device and for attenuating light through the device to account for varying ambient lighting conditions despite colder weather operating conditions.
Claims
1. A portable, light attenuating electrochromic device adapted for heating to prevent fogging and for effectively attenuating impinging light despite colder weather operating conditions comprising: a. first and second opposed substrates defining an enclosed space, each said substrate having a conducting layer thereon and facing the other substrate, wherein said first substrate has a heating element bus bar system thereon for conducting current through the first conducting layer on said first substrate within a heating voltage range having an upper voltage limit and a lower voltage limit, and wherein said second substrate has a tint control bus bar system thereon for conducting current through the second conducting layer on said second substrate at first and second state tint voltages, each of the first and second state tint voltages being of a magnitude that is outside the heating voltage range upper and lower voltage limits; b. a liquid-crystal solution received within the enclosed space between said first and second opposed substrates; c. first and second voltage supply power circuits, said first voltage supply power circuit connected to the conducting layer of said first substrate via the heating element bus bar system, said second voltage supply power circuit connected to the conducting layer of said second substrate via the tint control bus bar system; and d. means adapted for controlling battery power to said first and second voltage supply power circuits for heating the device during cold-weather operation to prevent fogging of the device and for attenuating light through the device to account for varying ambient lighting conditions despite colder weather operating conditions.
2. The portable, light attenuating electrochromic device of claim 1, wherein the first state tint voltage of the second conducting layer of said second substrate is at a voltage above the upper heating voltage range, and wherein the second state tint voltage of the second conducting layer of said second substrate is at a voltage below the lower heating voltage range.
3. The portable, light attenuating electrochromic device of claim 1, wherein said means adapted for controlling battery power to said first and second voltage supply power circuits for heating the device to prevent fogging and for attenuating light through the device to account for varying ambient lighting conditions despite colder weather operating conditions comprises a plurality of user-operable buttons operably connected to the device.
4. The portable, light attenuating electrochromic device of claim 2, wherein said means adapted for controlling battery power to said first and second voltage supply power circuits is capable of varying the voltage applied to the respective circuits independently in accordance with varying needs for heating and attenuation.
5. The portable, light attenuating electrochromic device of claim 4, wherein said liquid-crystal solution received within the enclosed space between said first and second opposed substrates further comprises a host solution having a guest dichroic dye dispersed therethrough to form a guest-host solution received between said substrates, and wherein said means for controlling battery power to said second voltage supply circuit for attenuating light through the device accounts for varying ambient lighting conditions by altering the polarization sensitivity and light transmission properties of the device by adjusting the orientation of said host solution and dichroic dye such that one polarization component of the impinging light can be variably absorbed at a different rate than another polarization component of the impinging light.
6. The portable, light attenuating electrochromic device of claim 5, wherein light transmissivity is relatively high when no electricity is produced by said second power circuit and relatively low when electricity is produced by said second power circuit.
7. The portable, light attenuating electrochromic device of claim 1, used in one of a goggle lens, a portable vision screen lens, and an eyeglasses lens adapted for heating to prevent fogging impairment of vision of a wearer of the lens.
8. The portable, light attenuating electrochromic device of claim 1, used in a visual display of a wearable headset display device adapted for one of a virtual reality display and an augmented reality display and adapted for heating of the visual display to prevent fogging impairment of visibility of the display by a user of the electronic device.
9. An electronically-operable, portable, light attenuating liquid-crystal device adapted for variable heating to prevent fogging and for effectively attenuating impinging light despite cold weather conditions comprising: a. first and second opposed substrates defining an enclosed space, each said substrate having a conducting layer thereon and facing the other substrate, wherein said first substrate has a heating element bus bar system thereon for conducting current through the first conducting layer on said first substrate within a heating voltage range having an upper voltage limit and a lower voltage limit, and wherein said second substrate has a tint control bus bar system thereon for conducting current through the second conducting layer on said second substrate at at least a first state tint voltage above the upper voltage limit of the heating voltage range and a second state tint voltage below the lower voltage limit of the heating voltage range; b. a liquid-crystal solution received within the enclosed space between said first and second opposed substrates; c. first and second voltage supply power circuits, said first voltage supply power circuit being continuously variable and connected to the conducting layer of said first substrate via its corresponding bus bar system to variably alter the heating of said first substrate according to cold-temperature needs, said second voltage supply power circuit connected to the conducting layer of said second substrate via its corresponding bus bar system to allow change of voltage supplied to the conducting layer of said second substrate to alter the light attenuation of the device; and d. means adapted for controlling battery power to said first and second voltage supply power circuits for heating said device to prevent fogging and for attenuating light through the device to account for varying ambient lighting conditions despite colder weather operating conditions.
10. The electronically-operable, portable, light attenuating liquid-crystal device of claim 9, wherein said means adapted for controlling battery power to said first and second voltage supply power circuits for heating said device to prevent fogging and for attenuating light through the device to account for varying ambient lighting conditions despite colder weather operating conditions comprises a plurality of user-operable buttons operably connected to said device.
11. The electronically-operable, portable, light attenuating liquid-crystal device of claim 10, wherein said means adapted for controlling battery power to said first and second voltage supply power circuits is capable of varying the voltage applied to the respective circuits independently in accordance with varying needs for heating and attenuation.
12. The electronically-operable, portable, light attenuating liquid-crystal device of claim 11, wherein said liquid-crystal solution received within the enclosed space between said first and second opposed substrates further comprises a host solution having a guest dichroic dye dispersed therethrough to form a guest-host solution received between said substrates, and wherein said means for controlling battery power to said second voltage supply circuit for attenuating light through the device accounts for varying ambient lighting conditions by altering the polarization sensitivity and light transmission properties of the device by adjusting the orientation of said host solution and dichroic dye such that one polarization component of the impinging light can be variably absorbed at a different rate than another polarization component of the impinging light.
13. The electronically-operable, portable, light attenuating liquid-crystal device of claim 12, wherein light transmissivity is relatively high when no electricity is produced by said second power circuit and relatively low when electricity is produced by said second power circuit.
14. The electronically-operable, portable, light attenuating liquid-crystal device of claim 9, used in one of a goggle lens and a vision-screen lens adapted for heating to prevent fogging impairment of vision of a wearer of the lens.
15. The electronically-operable, portable, light attenuating liquid-crystal device of claim 9, used in a visual display of a wearable headset display device adapted for one of a virtual reality display and an augmented reality display and adapted for heating of the visual display to prevent fogging impairment of visibility of the display by a user of the electronic device.
16. An electronically-operable, portable, variable, light attenuating liquid-crystal device adapted for heating to prevent fogging and for effectively attenuating impinging light despite colder weather conditions comprising: a. first and second opposed substrates defining an enclosed space, each said substrate having a conducting layer thereon and facing the other substrate, wherein said first substrate has a heating element bus bar system thereon for conducting current through the first conducting layer on said first substrate within a heating voltage range having an upper voltage limit and a lower voltage limit, and wherein said second substrate has a tint control bus bar system thereon for conducting current through the second conducting layer on said second substrate at a first state tint voltage above the upper voltage limit of the heating voltage range and a second state tint voltage below the lower voltage limit of the heating voltage range; b. a liquid-crystal solution received within the enclosed space between said first and second opposed substrates comprising a host solution having a guest dichroic dye dispersed therethrough to form a guest-host solution received between said substrates; c. first and second variable voltage supply power circuits, said first voltage supply power circuit connected to the conducting layer of said first substrate via its corresponding bus bar system to alter the heating of said first substrate according to cold-temperature needs, said second voltage supply power circuit connected to the conducting layer of said second substrate via its corresponding bus bar system to alter the polarization sensitivity and light transmission properties of the cell by adjusting the orientation of the liquid-crystal solution and dichroic dye such that one polarization component of the impinging light can be variably absorbed at a different rate than another polarization component of the impinging light; and d. means adapted for controlling battery power to said first and second voltage supply power circuits for heating said device to prevent fogging and for attenuating light through the device to account for varying ambient lighting conditions despite colder weather operation of the device.
17. The electronically-operable, portable, variable, light attenuating liquid-crystal device of claim 16, wherein light transmissivity is relatively high when no electricity is produced by said second power circuit and relatively low when electricity is produced by said second power circuit.
18. The electronically-operable, portable, variable, light attenuating liquid-crystal device of claim 16, used in one of a goggle lens, a vision-screen lens and an eyeglasses lens adapted for heating to prevent fogging impairment of vision of a wearer of the lens.
19. The electronically-operable, portable, light attenuating liquid-crystal device of claim 16, used in a visual display of a wearable headset display device adapted for one of a virtual reality display and an augmented reality display and adapted for heating of the visual display to prevent fogging impairment of visibility of the display by a user of the electronic device.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit diagram of a sample prior art circuit suitable for driving an electrochromic liquid-crystal cell;
[0023] FIG. 2a is a graphic side plan, or edge, view illustration of a prior art electrochromic liquid-crystal cell having a dichroic dye solution therein biased to a fail-safe, power-off, high transmittance state;
[0024] FIG. 2b is graphic side plan, or edge, view illustration of a prior art electrochromic liquid-crystal cell having a dichroic dye solution therein biased to a power-on, low transmittance, state;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective graphic illustration of a prior art electrochromic liquid-crystal cell for illustrating the state operation of the cell and resulting transmissivity of light;
[0026] FIG. 4 is perspective graphic illustration of an electrochromic liquid-crystal cell adapted for heating to prevent fogging and to enhance cold-weather operability of the cell for illustrating the state operation of the cell in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a perspective graphic illustration and state diagram of an alternative embodiment electrochromic liquid-crystal cell having a dichroic dye solution therein and adapted for heating to prevent fogging and to enhance cold-weather operability of the cell in accordance with another aspect of the invention;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a graphic illustration of a circuit diagram and bus bar configuration graphic for controlling power to the cells of FIGS. 4 and 5 in accordance with an aspect of the invention;
[0029] FIG. 7 is graphic illustration of a goggle embodiment employing an electrochromic liquid-crystal-cell adapted for heating to prevent fogging and to enhance cold-weather operability of the cell in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 8 is graphic illustration of a vision screen embodiment employing an electrochromic liquid-crystal cell adapted for heating to prevent fogging and to enhance cold-weather operability of the vision screen in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; and
[0031] FIG. 9 is a graphic illustration of a virtual or augmented reality headset system employing an electrochromic liquid-crystal cell adapted for heating to prevent fogging and to enhance cold-weather operability of the device in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; and
[0032] FIG. 10 is a graphic illustration of a pair of eyewear, whether protective eyeglasses or prescription eyeglasses, employing an electrochromic liquid-crystal cell adapted for heating to prevent fogging and to enhance cold weather-operability of the device in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a prior art circuit 100 for a standard electrochromic liquid-crystal cell 102 that may be used for part of the present invention for attenuating light transmission through the cell adapted for use in a pair of sunglasses, goggles, vision screen, virtual reality gaming or other portable VR system, augmented reality gaming or other portable AR system, or other portable electronic device. The circuit 100 is adapted from a circuit described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,015,086 to Okaue et al., which employs hysteresis (via resisters 104, 105) to aid in effective operation of the device during varying environmental lighting conditions as described in that patent. The circuit 100 is generally comprised of a voltage detecting circuit 106, an oscillating circuit 108, a liquid-crystal driving circuit 110, and other components (i.e., a switch 114 for set illumination, a touch switch 116 for powering the device to a forced illumination state, capacitors 118 for protecting the power source and delaying switching, and resistors 120 for voltage detection) as shown and described in connection with FIG. 3 of the OKaue et al. patent. The circuit 10 may be powered by a battery 12, or with solar power (not shown) as shown and described in the Okaue et al. patent. Further, an alternative embodiment of the circuit may likewise be employed as part of the present invention, as shown at FIG. 4 and described in the Okaue et al. patent, without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention as claimed. Of course, it will be appreciated that other circuitry known in the art for driving an electrochromic cell for attenuating light, such as that shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,239,778 to Palffy-Muhoray et al., may be employed as part of the present invention without departing from the true scope and spirt of the invention as claimed.
[0034] FIGS. 2a and 2b provide graphic illustrations of a prior art electrochromic liquid-crystal cell 200 having a dichroic dye solution therein as shown and described in the Palffy-Muhoray et al. patent, and which may be employed as part of the present invention. In each of the FIGS. 2a and 2b, corresponding to FIGS. 1a and 1b, respectively, of the Palffy-Muhoray et al. patent, there is provided a continuously electronically controllable light attenuating dichroic dye guest-host cell 200 comprising two substrates 202a, 202b having a separation 204 between them, allowing for a separation between the substrates of on the order of 5 to 20 m's, and enclosed by a sealing material 206, such as epoxy. The substrates 202a, 202b are comprised of light-transmissive glass or plastic and are coated with resistive element conducting layers 208a, 208b. It will be appreciated that there are several different ways of applying heating material, such as Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), carbon nano-wires, or other resistive heating material, to the substrates 202a, 202b, including commonly known methods of ion sputtering, coating, vacuum deposited coating, spraying, adhesive, adhesive backed and other methods. The resistive element conducting layers 208a, 208b are connected to a power circuit 210 having a variable voltage supply. An optional passivation layer 212a, 212b may also be employed to minimize the possibility of short circuiting, and there is also provided an alignment layer 214a, 214b to serve further as a passivation layer.
[0035] The device 200 of FIGS. 2a and 2b is shown having enclosed therein a guest-host solution as shown and described in the Palffy-Muhoray et al. patent comprised of a dichroic dye 216 in a liquid-crystal host material 218. Dichroic dye 216 may employ either positive or negative dichroism and may be comprised preferably of any chemical-, temperature-, and UV-stable organic molecule or mixture whose absorption of polarized light strongly depends on the direction of polarization relative to the absorption dipole in the molecule, all as described in the Palffy-Muhoray et al. patent.
[0036] In a resting state, preferably, and as shown in FIG. 2a, the cell 200 is preferably biased by its alignment layers 214a, 214b such that peak light transmission is achieved as shown, wherein the dichroic dye 216 and liquid-crystal host material 218 are shown aligned perpendicular to the substrates 202a, 202b, thus allowing a maximum amount of light to pass through the cell as represented by arrows 222, 224. As shown in FIG. 2b, in an active state, wherein the dichroic dye 216 and liquid-crystal host material 218 are shown to be aligned more parallel to the substrates 202a, 202b, responsive to the charge in the conductive elements 208a, 208b, less light is allowed to pass through the cell 200 as represented by arrows 222, 224. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the aforementioned states produce the light attenuation characteristics described depending upon a negative or positive dichroism of the dye 216, the alignment layers' 214a, 214b characteristics, and any charge applied through the conductive elements 208a, 208b, all as described in the Palffy-Muhoray et al. patent and known in the art, and it will be further appreciated that these factors and elements may be alternatively employed in such a way as to produce minimal light transmissivity through the cell 200 in a resting state, as may be for example beneficial for use in a welding helmet, without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention as claimed. Thus, in an eyeglasses, goggles or other lens application, a fail safe system is comprised of maximum light transmissivity during a resting, or off, state of the device, whereas in a device where the cell's 200 going dark is not problematic, or even beneficial, in an off state, a fail safe for such a device would comprise minimal light transmissivity during resting, or off, state of the device.
[0037] The eye shield substrates 202a, 202b may be selected from any of a number of materials, such as optically-transparent polycarbonate, other plastic, tempered glass, and the like, that are rigid and durable enough to screen a user's eyes from such things as snowfall, rain, wind, or even shrapnel for a ballistics-rated system, or other relatively small airborne particles in the user's environment. Further, to function properly as liquid-crystal cells 200 per the present invention, the materials selected must be sufficiently rigid to retain a consistent distance between the anterior and posterior substrate members comprising the cell.
[0038] Referring now to FIG. 3, another prior art electrochromic liquid-crystal cell 300 is shown, which is substantially identical to the cell 200 of FIGS. 2a and 2b, except that the cell 300 does not include the dichroic dye like the cell 200. Thus, cell 300 comprises substrates 302a, 302b, resistive conductive elements 308a, 308b (including a continuous rectangular bus bars 309a, 309b), passivation layers 312a, 312b and alignment layers 314a, 314b. A separation/separator is illustrated at 304. The cell 300 is shown in State 1, in this case with minimal transmissivity of light being illustrated since liquid crystals 318 are shown oriented so as to block light transmission, and with the polarity of the device being indicated in the table to the right. Thus, the arrows 322 illustrate light entering into the cell 300, and arrows 324 illustrate significantly less light leaving the other side of the cell. Of course, switching the state of the device to State 2, would alter the directional orientation of the liquid crystals 318 and allow more light to transfer through the cell 300, and this state change is effected by altering the relative polarity of the cell as indicated in the State table 330.
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 4, a perspective graphic illustration of an electrochromic liquid-crystal cell 400 adapted for heating to prevent fogging and to enhance cold-weather operability is shown in accordance with an aspect of the invention. Similar to the construction of cells 200a, 200b, and 300, cell 400 comprises substrates 402a, 402b, resistive conductive layers 408a, 408b, optional passivation layers 412a, 412b, alignment layers 414a, 414b, and spacer represented by 404. However, in accordance with the present invention, bus bars 430, 432a and 432b, including a rectangular continuous tint bus bar 430 and opposing non-continuous heat bus bars (i.e., upper and lower, or left and right, bus bar strips) 432a, 432b, are provided. Further, heating power circuitry 440 is provided with a power application regimen resulting in state configuration 450 for the cell 400 as illustrated in the State table 450 of FIG. 4.
[0040] Thus, as shown in FIG. 4, in State 1, 9 volts of electricity are passed from a tint power system 460 through the continuous tint bus bar 430 to create a polarity differential between the high, +8, voltage heating element portion of the cell 400, in order to bias the liquid crystals of the cell to a horizontal state, which blocks more light from passing through the cell as indicated by arrows 422, 424 (arrows 424 are smaller than arrows 422, indicating less light is passing through the cell 400). As power transmits through the conductive layer 408a, it encounters the resistance of the conductive material, and this results in a voltage drop across the conductive layer as illustrated by wavy arrows 470. The voltage drop is shown as 8 volts (from +8 to 0 volts). Thus, to change state of the tint bus bar and corresponding conductive material 408b in order to alter the orientation of liquid crystals 418 to allow greater light transmissivity, the tint power 460 system generates a 1 voltage, which is a sufficiently differential voltage relative to the low power state of the heating circuit 440 and bus bars 432a, 432b. Thus, in this manner, not only does the system 400 provide for the required state change to allow varying the transmissivity of light through the cell 400, but also the liquid crystal solution 418 is warmed sufficiently to provide enhanced operability of the cell despite colder-weather operating temperatures.
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 5, a perspective graphic illustration of an alternate electrochromic liquid-crystal cell 500 adapted for heating to prevent fogging and to enhance cold-weather operability is shown. Similar to the construction of cells 200a, 200b, 300 and 400, cell 500 comprises substrates 502a, 502b, resistive conductive layers 508a, 508b, optional passivation layers 512a, 512b, alignment layers 514a, 514b, and spacer 504. However, in accordance with the present invention, bus bars 530, 532, including a rectangular continuous (rectangular picture-frame shaped, or alternatively annular or other continuous shape) tint bus bar 530 and opposing non-continuous heat bus bars (i.e., upper and lower, or left and right, bus bar rectangular strips) 532a, 532b, are provided. Of course, the bus bars may take the shape necessary to conform to the contours of the edges of the cell, whether it be rectangular, circular, oval, oblong or otherwise as shown in other Figures hereof without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention. Further, heating power circuitry 540 is provided with a power application regimen resulting in state configuration 550 for the cell 500 as illustrated in the State table 550 of FIG. 5. Unlike cells 300 and 400, cell 500 includes both liquid crystals 518 and dichroic dye 520 to enable to tune sensitivity of the device to light polarization.
[0042] Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, in State 2, 1 volts of electricity are passed from a tint power system 560 through the continuous tint bus bar 530 to create a polarity differential between the low, 0, voltage heating element portion of the cell 500, in order to bias the liquid crystals 518 and associated dichroic dye 520, of the cell to a perpendicular state (relative to the substrates 502a, 502b, which allows more light to pass through the cell as indicated by arrows 522, 524 (arrows 524 are about the same size as arrows 522, indicating more light is passing through the cell 500 than in the case of cell 400 shown in FIG. 4). As electric power transmits through the conductive layer 508a, it encounters the resistance of the conductive material, and this results in a voltage drop and generation of heat across the conductive layer as illustrated by wavy arrows 570. The voltage drop is shown as 8 volts (from +8 to 0 volts). Thus, to change state of the tint bus bar and corresponding conductive material 508b in order to alter the orientation of liquid crystals 518 to allow lesser light transmissivity, the tint power 560 system generates a +9 voltage, which is sufficient differential voltage relative to the high power state of the heating circuit 540 and bus bars 532a, 532b. Thus, in this manner, not only does the system 500 provide for the required state change to allow varying the transmissivity of light through the cell 500, but also the liquid crystal 518 and dichroic dye 520 solution is warmed sufficiently to provide enhanced operability of the cell despite colder-weather operating temperatures.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 6, a graphic illustration of a circuit diagram and bus bar configuration graphic for controlling power to the cells of FIGS. 4 and 5 in accordance with an aspect of the invention is provided. As described previously in connection with cells 400 and 500, bus bars 432a/532a, 432b/532b, and 430/530 are shown together with a simple circuit, comprising both a tint power circuit 460/560 and a heating power circuit 440/540, for powering both the tint control features of the invention and the heating features of the invention. A switch 602 is used to change state for the tint control power circuit 460/560, and each of the systems may be controlled with an on/off button, as is known in the art, or other automated dew point calculating and/or light sensing means known in the art. As appreciated by those skilled in the art given the teachings herein, the tint power control circuit 460/560 may comprise hysteresis and/or protection circuitry as taught in the Okaue et al. patent, and the heating control circuit 440/540 may comprise power control similar to that shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,566,962 for PWM Heating System for Eye Shield by Cornelius. In the Cornelius patent, a system of multiple channels is disclosed for controlling power to each of the channels of an eye shield using PWM, and such a control system may be advantageously used to create the bifurcated tint power control circuit 460/560 and heating power control circuit 440/540. Or alternatively, the power to the two control systems, circuit 460/560 and circuit 440/540, may be accomplished by other means of directing differential power to different loads as known in the art of electronics without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 7, in a goggle eye shield 700, a goggle frame 702 holds the cells 400, 500, batteries 710, tint control button 762 and heating power control button 760. It will be appreciated that other methods of starting the systems may be implemented in accordance with that understood in the art, such as automated methods using light and/or humidity sensors. Note from FIG. 7 that the cells 400, 500 comprise a tint control bus bar 730 and related power system (the same as that described relative to either cell 400 or cell 500), as well as a heater control bus bar 732a (upper bus bar), 732b (lower bus bar). Thus, when a user of the goggle eye shield 700 encounters fogging, he or she is enabled in de-fogging the eye shield by pressing heating power button 760 (or otherwise the heating power system is activated as with an automated program based on a temperature/humidity sensor or otherwise), and he or she is also enabled in adjusting the tint by pressing tint control button 762 (or otherwise the tint is able to be automatically changed relative to ambient lighting conditions). Further, the user is enabled in using such a device in very cold weather, since the heater control power system keeps the liquid-crystal material warmed to be able to flow more freely and thus achieve state changes to adapt to changing ambient lighting conditions.
[0045] While cells 400, 500 of goggle eye shield 700 are rigid, the frame 702 must also be able generally to conform to the user's head and face with the eye shield 700 preferably being retained in a frame that holds the eye shield around its periphery. Also, the eye shield 700 is held an appropriate distance from the user's face, so as to form an enclosed space around and in front of the user's eyes, with the use of a conventional goggle strap 704. Thus, the goggle frame 702 typically provides a semi-permeable seal between the user's face and the rest of the goggle. Materials used for the various eye shields 700 employed with the present invention should also be resistant to shattering, cracking or otherwise breaking as necessary for the particular purpose for which they are chosen and as is known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 8, in an eye shield visor 800, such as a medical visor (or similar to that adapted for a motorcycle helmet), a frame 802 holds the cells 400, 500, battery 810, tint control button 862 and heating power control button 860. It will be appreciated that other methods of starting the systems may be implemented in accordance with that understood in the art, such as automated methods using light and/or humidity sensors. Note from FIG. 8 that the cells 400, 500 comprise a tint control bus bar 830 and related power system (the same as that described relative to either cell 400 or cell 500), as well as a heater control bus bar 832a (upper bus bar) and 832b (lower bus bar). Thus, when a user of the eye shield 800 encounters fogging, he or she is enabled in de-fogging the eye shield by pressing heating power button 860 (or otherwise the heating power system is activated as with an automated program based on a temperature/humidity sensor or otherwise), and he or she is also enabled in adjusting the tint by pressing tint control button 862 (or otherwise the tint is able to be changed, for example automatically, relative to ambient lighting conditions). Further, the user is enabled in using such a device 800 in very cold weather, since the heater control power system keeps the liquid-crystal material warmed to be able to flow more freely and thus achieve state changes to adapt to changing ambient lighting conditions.
[0047] While cells 400, 500 of goggle eye shield 800 are rigid, the frame 802 must also be able generally to conform to the user's head and face with the eye shield 800 preferably being retained in a frame that holds the eye shield around its periphery, or at least along the top of the eye shield as shown. Also, the eye shield 800 is held an appropriate distance from the user's face, so as to form at least a partially enclosed space around and in front of the user's eyes, with the use of a conventional adjustable band 804. Materials used for the various eye shields 800 employed with the present invention should also be resistant to shattering, cracking or otherwise breaking as necessary for the particular purpose for which they are chosen and as is known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
[0048] The eye shield 800 substrates 402a, 402b (502a, 502b) are preferably made from a rigid plastic, or glass, material, and in the case of a visor or medical full face eye shield 800, the substrate 402a/502a, 402b/502b would likewise be selected of a somewhat more rigid plastic, or glass, material that is sufficiently light weight, but also sufficiently rigid to allow durable and repeated positioning of the eye shield in place to protect the user's eyes. Selection of the eye shield substrates will preferably be of a material that is smooth to the touch, both on its inner (posterior) surface and its outer (anterior) surfaces and which is adapted to form a bond with the selected heating material, bus bars and sealing material for forming the enclosure for the liquid-crystal host material and any dye material in accordance with aspects of the invention. Eye shield substrate materials are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the selection of any type of optically-transparent eye shield substrate shall fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 9, in a virtual reality (VR), or augmented reality (AR), system 900, such as an available device for holding a person's cellular phone, or other video playing device, up to a user's eyes to create the appearance of a dynamic, virtual, 3d, real-time virtual, or augmented, reality view, a frame 902 holds the cells 400, 500, batteries 910, tint control button 962 and heating power control button 960. It will be appreciated that other methods of starting the systems may be implemented in accordance with that understood in the art, such as automated methods using light, temperature and/or humidity sensors. Note from FIG. 9 that the cells 400, 500 comprise a tint control bus bar 930 and related power system (the same as that described relative to either cell 400 or cell 500), as well as a heater control bus bar 932a (upper bus bar) and 932b (lower bus bar). Thus, when a user of the VR/AR system 900 encounters fogging, he or she is enabled in de-fogging the eye shield by pressing heating power button 960 (or otherwise the heating power system is activated as with an automated program based on a temperature/humidity sensor or otherwise), and he or she is also enabled in adjusting the tint by pressing tint control button 962 (or otherwise the tint is able to be changed, for example automatically, relative to ambient or programmed lighting conditions). Further, the user is enabled in using such a device 900 in very cold weather, since the heater control power system keeps the liquid-crystal material warmed to be able to flow more freely and thus achieve state changes to adapt to changing ambient lighting conditions. A front cover 970 may be implemented either as part of an integrated AR/VR system 900, or alternatively, the cover 970 may be removable to allow insertion of a smart phone or other video gaming device (not shown) into a receptacle 980 defined around and anteriorly of the cell 400/500. After insertion of the removable smart phone, etc., the cover 970 may be snapped back into place to cover and protect the smart phone.
[0050] While cells 400, 500 of VR/AR system 900 are rigid, the frame 902 must also be able generally to conform to the user's head and face with the VR/AR system 900 preferably being retained in a frame that holds the eye shield around its periphery, or at least along the top of the eye shield as shown. Also, the system 900 is held an appropriate distance from the user's face, so as to form at least a partially enclosed space around and in front of the user's eyes, with the use of a conventional adjustable strap 904. Materials used for the VR/AR system 900 frame and cells 400/500 employed with the present invention should be resistant to shattering, cracking or otherwise breaking as necessary for the particular purpose for which they are chosen and as is known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Frame 902 also holds batteries 910 to provide power to the system's needs.
[0051] The system 900 substrates 402a, 402b (502a, 502b) are preferably made from a rigid plastic, or glass, material, and in the case of a VR/AR system 900, the substrate 902a, 902b would likewise be selected of a somewhat more rigid plastic, or glass, material that is sufficiently light weight, but also sufficiently rigid to allow durable and repeated positioning of the eye shield in place to use the VR/AR system. Selection of the eye shield substrates 402a, 402b (502a, 502b) will preferably be of a material that is smooth to the touch, both on its inner (posterior) surface and its outer (anterior) surfaces and which is adapted to form a bond with the selected heating material, bus bars and sealing material for forming the enclosure for the liquid-crystal host material and any dye material in accordance with aspects of the invention. Eye shield substrate materials are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the selection of any type of optically-transparent eye shield substrate shall fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto.
[0052] Referring now to FIG. 10, there is shown a graphic illustration of a pair of eyewear 1000, whether protective eyeglasses or prescription eyeglasses, employing electrochromic liquid-crystal cells 400/500 adapted for heating to prevent fogging and to enhance cold weather-operability of the device in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. In such an eyewear 1000, a frame 1002 holds the cells 400, 500, batteries 1010, tint control button 1062 and heating power control button 1060. It will be appreciated that other methods of starting the systems may be implemented in accordance with that understood in the art, such as automated methods using light and/or humidity sensors. Note from FIG. 10 that the cells 400, 500 comprise a tint control bus bar 1030 and related power system (the same as that described relative to either cell 400 or cell 500), as well as a heater control bus bar 1032a (upper bus bar) and 1032b (lower bus bar). Thus, when a user of the eyewear 1000 encounters fogging, he or she is enabled in de-fogging the eyewear by pressing heating power button 1060 (or otherwise the heating power system is activated as with an automated program based on a temperature/humidity sensor or otherwise), and he or she is also enabled in adjusting the tint by pressing tint control button 1062 (or otherwise the tint is able to be changed, for example automatically, relative to ambient lighting conditions). Further, the user is enabled in using such a device 1000 in very cold weather, since the heater control power system keeps the liquid-crystal material warmed to be able to flow more freely and thus achieve state changes to adapt to changing ambient lighting conditions.
[0053] While cells 400, 500 of the eyewear 1000 are rigid, the frame 1002 must also be able generally to conform to the user's head and face, using standard eyeglasses temples 1102, 1104 with the cells 400/500 preferably being retained in the 1002 frame that holds the cells around their periphery. Also, the eyewear 1000 is held an appropriate distance from the user's face and eyes. A leash, strap, or band (not shown) may also be used to help retain the eyewear 1000 on the user's face during strenuous activity. Materials used for the various eye shields employed with the present invention should also be resistant to shattering, cracking or otherwise breaking as necessary for the particular purpose for which they are chosen and as is known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
[0054] The substrates 402a, 402b (502a, 502b) of the present invention are preferably made from a rigid plastic, or glass, material, however a material and thickness must be selected that is sufficiently light weight, but also sufficiently rigid to allow durable and repeated positioning of the eye shield in place to protect the user's eyes. Selection of the eye shield substrates will preferably be of a material that is smooth to the touch, both on its inner (posterior) surface and its outer (anterior) surfaces and which is adapted to form a bond with the selected heating material, bus bars and sealing material for forming the enclosure for the liquid-crystal host material and any dye material in accordance with aspects of the invention. Eye shield substrate materials are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the selection of any type of optically-transparent eye shield substrate shall fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto.
[0055] The bus bars of any of the system of the present invention may be applied using known methods of silver ink, metal foil in contact with the conductive resistive elements of the various systems described, or other known method of creating a suitable bus bar.
[0056] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. For example, it will be appreciated that one of ordinary skill in the art may mix and match the various components of the various embodiments of the invention without departing from the true spirit of the invention as claimed. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
