See-through dimming panel

US10670937B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC · US

Inventors

• Daniel Alton · Bellevue, US
• Nathan Ackerman · Palo Alto, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 12, 2017
• Grant date: Jun 2, 2020
• Expiry date: Jul 25, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B2027/0118
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A see-through dimming panel includes first and second transparent substrate layers and suspended-particle-device (SPD) layer therebetween. A first transparent conductor layer is between the first transparent substrate layer and the SPD layer, and a second transparent conductor layer is between the second transparent substrate layer and the SPD layer. A first electrode is electrically coupled to the first transparent conductor layer. Second and third electrodes are electrically coupled to opposite ends of the second transparent conductor layer. An electric potential difference applied between the first and second electrodes controls a transmittance level of the SPD layer. An electric potential difference applied between the second and third electrodes, which results in a transverse electric field, controls a speed at which the transmittance level of the SPD layer decreases when the electric potential difference applied between the first and second electrodes controls is decreased.