OPTICAL PANEL CAPABLE OF SWITCHING BETWEEN REFLECTIVE AND TRANSMISSIVE STATES

摘要

A device (8), comprising a switchable optical panel (10) and means (19, 21, 23) for switching the panel between a reflecting state and a transmitting state. The switchable optical panel includes a transparent optically active layer (12) having a first and a second major surface, a first reflective polarizer (32) disposed on the first major surface and a second reflective polarizer (34) disposed on the second major surface. The optically active layer preferably comprises a liquid crystal device and the switching means preferably comprises a system of driving electronics for applying voltage across the liquid crystal device. The invention also includes a switchable window (62, 114) and a transflective optical display (128).