DE102017222031A1 - Preventing the glare of a driver - Google Patents

Abstract

Method (100) for preventing dazzling of a vehicle driver (1), wherein by means of a sensor (21) from the vehicle environment (22) incident light intensity (3) is detected (110), is subsequently checked (120), if at least the light intensity (3) from a sub-region (22a) of the vehicle surroundings (22) exceeds a predetermined threshold value (3a), and wherein a light intensity (3) exceeding the threshold value (3a) is shielded and / or limited (130) before the light intensity Eyes of the driver (1) achieved, wherein for shielding and / or limiting (130) of the light intensity (3) to be borne by the driver (1) glasses (11) with controllable transmission, a head-up display (23) of the vehicle (2), and / or a window heater (24) of the vehicle (2), is driven (140, 150, 160).
Associated computer program.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for preventing dazzling of a vehicle driver, such as may be caused by an oncoming vehicle or a low sun.

State of the art

For driving a vehicle, it is essential to have the vehicle environment constantly in view, especially in the direction of travel, in order to be able to react to events or objects. The driver's eyes typically have a wide dynamic range and can adapt to both daytime and night driving. However, it is problematic when suddenly a dominating light source appears. The eyes then have to adjust to the brightness of this dominant light source, so that less bright areas of the vehicle environment are no longer perceived. The dominant light source can even overstrain the dynamic range of the eyes and completely dazzle the driver.

For example, during the day a low sun and at night an oncoming vehicle with high beam in this way act as a dominant light source.

The EP 1 654 133 B1 , the EP 1 928 677 B1 , the DE 41 28 717 C2 and the DE 38 38 125 A1 disclose anti-glare systems that can selectively screen the incident light from the dominant light source before it reaches the driver's eyes. In this way, the driver can still fully view at least most of the vehicle environment.

Disclosure of the invention

In the context of the invention, a method for preventing dazzling of a vehicle driver has been developed. In the process, the light intensity incident from the vehicle surroundings is detected by means of a sensor system. Subsequently, it is checked whether at least the incident of a sub-region of the vehicle surrounding light intensity exceeds a predetermined threshold.

The predetermined threshold value does not have to be a fixed quantity, but may depend in particular on the ambient brightness. Thus, for example, an oncoming vehicle with high beam at night seems very dazzling, while it may be barely noticeable during the day in bright sunshine.

A threshold intensity exceeding light intensity is shielded and / or limited before it reaches the eyes of the driver. For this purpose, a to be worn by the driver glasses with controllable transmission, a head-up display of the vehicle, and / or a window heating of the vehicle, driven.

It has been recognized that through the shared use or misuse of the glasses, the head-up display and / or the window heating, the anti-glare at very low cost and with minimal physical intervention in the vehicle, in extreme cases, even without such intervention implemented can be. For example, many driver assistance systems already use one or more cameras that can be used as sensors. Furthermore, many vehicles already have a head-up display for displaying driving-relevant information. Finally, heaters for the windscreen of vehicles are becoming more popular in order to avoid the annoying free scratching of the windshield in winter before driving.

Furthermore, eyeglasses with controllable transmission are becoming increasingly popular, for example in the form of sunglasses that automatically adjust to the light intensity, or in the form of "data glasses", with which it is possible to project the user information or media content in semipermeable form into the field of view , Transmission control technology even works fast enough to be used in automatic welding goggles. All of these types of spectacles can be misused by driving in the context of the process to protect the driver from glare from dominant light sources.

However, it is also economically advantageous, for example, to use glasses with controllable transmission exclusively as glare protection. Compared to a solution in which the transmission of the windshield itself is changed, there is initially an additional effort for the consideration of the fact that the beam path of the dominant light source to the eyes of the driver also depends on the current head position and viewing direction of the driver. This additional effort is overcompensated by the fact that the expensive material with variable transmission only a much smaller area must be covered.

When driving the spectacles, the transmission is advantageously reduced selectively in the region through which the light intensity exceeding the threshold passes. In this way, the interference is eliminated by the excessive light intensity, without that something changes and attracts attention in the rest of the field of view.

Alternatively, when driving the glasses, the glasses can be switched opaque, and they can also be supplied with at least one camera image of the vehicle environment to display this camera image to the driver. If, for example, the dynamic range of the camera is set to the basic brightness of the vehicle surroundings, then the brightness of the dominant light source is clearly outside the dynamic range and is displayed in the camera image with the maximum brightness within the dynamic range. The excessive light intensity is thus cut off. So that the camera image shows the same perspective on the vehicle environment as before the unfiltered view through the glasses, the head position and viewing direction of the vehicle driver must be approximately known. However, the requirements in this regard are significantly lower than in the selective masking of the dominant light source. Furthermore, it is not necessary to track the movement of the dominant light source, such as an oncoming vehicle.

When a head-up display is actuated, a pattern or element which locally reduces the transmission of the head-up display is analogously advantageously selectively displayed in the region through which the light intensity exceeding the threshold passes. The view of the rest of the vehicle environment then remains unchanged. The typical resolution of a head-up display designed to display information in the form of text, numbers or diagrams is more than sufficient to selectively hide the dominant light source. In most cases, the head-up display can thus be misappropriated as it is in this sense.

The head-up display can also be switched opaque and at the same time supplied with at least one camera image of the vehicle environment to represent this camera image. For this purpose, for example when the camera image is displayed, the opacity of the head-up display can be increased beyond the value used in the normal semipermeable display of driving-relevant information. Compared to the embodiment with the glasses results in the simplification that when switching to the camera image perspective can not "jump".

If a pane heater is activated, then, for example, a temperature-dependent transmission of a chemical layer contained in the pane can be reduced at least locally. It can then be implemented on the detour via the temperature change in the change of transmission so the electrical drive signal.

For this purpose, for example, a chemical layer can be selected, which is designed as a polarizing filter with a variable polarization direction and is connected in series in the beam path of the light intensity to the driver with at least one further polarizing filter. The light intensity is then uniformly reduced for all colors, unlike the more or less intense tint of the layer with a hue.

However, for example, the window heating can also be misused in order to pass on an electrical signal directly to an active layer, which responds to this.

For example, by controlling the disk heater, the transmission of an electrochromic layer contained in the disk can be reduced at least locally. An electrochromic layer only needs a voltage supply for the conversion; the current state is maintained even without power supply. Such a brief exposure of the disk heater with a voltage does not lead to a significant warming of the disc.

Alternatively, the transmission of a disk designed as a PDLC glass can be reduced at least locally by activating the disk heater. In such a glass liquid crystals are initially in statistical orientation and make the glass milky. By applying a DC voltage, the liquid crystals are arranged in the electric field, so that the disc is transparent. For this purpose, a lower voltage than is needed for heating, so that the disc is also not heated appreciably.

It is also a division of labor between different mechanisms and corresponding devices possible. For example, the windshield as a whole can be opaque or milky, and at the same time, a head-up display can display a camera image on the windshield so that the driver still has a view of the vehicle environment.

In a further advantageous embodiment, it is checked whether the light intensity exceeding the threshold value originates from an oncoming vehicle. If this is the case, the transmission is reduced in the region of a roadway along which the oncoming vehicle is moving. In this way it is ensured that the excessive light intensity during the entire encounter with the oncoming vehicle from the eyes of the driver is kept away, while at the same time the ongoing tracking of the area in which the transmission is reduced, according to the movement of the own vehicle does not produce too obtrusive visual effects.

Similarly, in a further advantageous embodiment, it is checked whether the light intensity exceeding the threshold value originates from the sun. If this is the case, the transmission in the area of the visible sky is reduced. It is then at any time here the transmission on a larger area reduced than is currently necessary to shield the sun. For the tracking again causes only a few intrusive visual effects, so that the driver is not distracted too much.

As previously described, the hardware implementation of the method may be based, in part or in full, on devices already in the vehicle. To implement the procedure on a specific vehicle, so sometimes only individual components must be added. On the other hand, the process itself may be mainly embodied in a software which in this respect represents an independently salable product, for example for the retrofitting of existing vehicles. Therefore, the invention also relates to a computer program having machine-readable instructions which, when executed on a computer and / or on a controller, cause the computer and / or the controller to perform the described method. Likewise, the invention also relates to a machine-readable data carrier and / or to a download product with the computer program.

Further measures improving the invention will be described in more detail below together with the description of the preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to figures.

embodiments

• 1 Schematische Übersicht des Verfahrens 100;
• 2 Schematische Darstellung zweier Situationen, in denen eine Blendung des Fahrzeugführers 1 auftreten kann, in Aufsicht (2a), durch eine Scheibe 25 gesehen (2b) und durch eine Brille 11 gesehen (2c);
• 3 Seitenansicht eines für das Verfahren 100 ausgerüsteten Fahrzeugs 2, auf das von vorne aus der Fahrzeugumgebung 2 die Lichtintensität 3 einfällt;
• 4 Mehrschichtiger Aufbau einer Scheibe 25 zur Änderung der Transmission mit Hilfe der Scheibenheizung 24.

It shows:

• 1 Schematic overview of the process 100 ;
• 2 Schematic representation of two situations in which a glare of the driver 1 can occur in supervision ( 2a) through a pane 25 seen ( 2 B) and through glasses 11 seen ( 2c) ;
• 3 Side view of one for the procedure 100 equipped vehicle 2 , on the front of the vehicle environment 2 the light intensity 3 is incident;
• 4 Multilayer construction of a pane 25 to change the transmission with the help of the disc heater 24 ,

To 1 the procedure begins 100 with that in step 110 from the sensor 21 the light intensity 3 is detected. In step 120 is checked, if at least those from a sub-area 22a of the vehicle environment 22 For example, from an oncoming vehicle 4 , incident light intensity 3 a predetermined threshold 3a exceeds. If this is the case (truth value 1 ), there are different ways, according to step 130 to shield or limit the light intensity, before the eyes of the driver 1 reached.

According to block 140 can one from the driver 1 glasses to wear 11 be controlled.

It is then a possibility of transmission of the glasses 11 selective in the area 11a to lessen, by which the threshold value 3a crossing light intensity 3 passes, so for example only an oncoming vehicle 4 with flashing headlights or the sun 5 cover. This will be in step 141 done. Optionally, before in step 140a Checked if the light source is an oncoming vehicle 4 is, and possibly the area to be covered on the road 41 extended, along which the vehicle 4 emotional. Alternatively or in combination will be optional in step 140b checked if the light source is the sun 5 is. If necessary, the area to be covered is extended to the visible sky.

Alternatively, in step 142 the glasses 11 be switched opaque everywhere. She then gets in step 143 a camera picture 22b the vehicle environment 22 which in step 144 the driver 1 is displayed so that it does not drive blind.

According to block 150 can be a head-up display 23 be controlled. Analogous to block 140 can in step 151 selectively an area 23a through which the too high light intensity 3 passes through, be reduced in its transmission, optionally with the steps 140a and 140b analogous steps 150a and 150b be executed. Alternatively, in step 152 the head-up display 23 be switched opaque everywhere. It then gets in step 153 the camera picture 22a and put this in step 154 represents.

According to block 160 can have different mechanisms of action with the disc heater 24 of the vehicle 2 on the too high light intensity 3 be reacted.

In step 161 can the temperature-dependent transmission of a chemical layer 25a in the disk 25 can be reduced, optionally here according to step 162 a disk 25 is chosen, in which the polarization direction of the layer 25a is changed by the temperature increase.

In step 163 can the transmission of an electrochromic layer 25e in the disk 25 be changed.

In step 164 Can a PDLC glass through the pane heater 24 be controlled electrically.

2a shows by way of example a first situation in which the driver 1 of the vehicle 2 can be blinded. The high light intensity 3 In this example, the headlights of one on the opposite lane 41 oncoming vehicle 4 radiated, so can be a limited sub-area 22a of the vehicle environment 22 assign.

2 B shows by way of example a second situation in which the driver 1 of the vehicle 2 can be blinded. The situation in the vehicle environment 22 is here through the windscreen 25 viewed on the inside with a head-up display 23 Is provided. In this example, the sun is 5 the light source, the too high light intensity 3 radiates. 2 B also shows the countermeasure: the area 23a on the head-up display 23 through which the too high light intensity 3 from the sun 5 passes through, is by fading in the dark element 23b selectively darkened.

2c shows the same situation seen by a driver 1 glasses to wear 2 , This is where the area becomes selective 11a through which the high light intensity 3 from the sun 5 passes, impermeable switched.

3 shows a side view of a vehicle 2 responsible for the implementation of the procedure 100 equipped. In the direction of travel from the front falls on the vehicle 2 the light intensity 3 on. The light intensity 3 gets into the eyes of the driver 1 after having the windscreen 25 (optional with window heating 24 ), the head-up display on the inside of the windscreen 25 as well as the glasses 11 of the driver 1 happened.

The symbolic outside of the vehicle 2 drawn camera 21 fulfills a double function. The camera 21 on the one hand, it serves the light intensity 3 and especially to record their location-dependent distribution. On the other hand that can be done by the camera 21 delivered camera picture 22b on the head-up display 23 , and / or on the glasses 11 , presented and the unfiltered view of the vehicle environment 22 replace.

4 exemplifies the layered structure of a disc 25 , whose transmission via the control of the disc heater 24 can be changed. Looking in the direction of the drawing plane, ie in the direction of the beam path 3b the light intensity 3 to the driver 1 , lies at the top of a layer 25b made of normal glass. This is followed by the next heating layer 24 on, in 4 is sketched in the plane of the associated layer in the form of meanders, but can be configured addressable spatially resolved. The window heating 24 primarily heats the chemical layer 25a , which can be changed thereby, for example, in their polarization direction. Through the interaction with another polarization filter 25d in the next layer, this can through the disc 25 be transmitted light intensity modulated. The layer package of the disc 25 ends at the bottom with another layer 25c made of normal glass.

In place of the chemical layer 25a can also be an electrochromic layer 25e to step. Unlike the chemical layer 25a becomes the electrochromic layer 25e not by the heat from the window 24 outgoing heat, but directly through the with the window heating 24 introduced electrical voltage.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 1654133 B1 [0004]
• EP 1928677 B1 [0004]
• DE 4128717 C2 [0004]
• DE 3838125 A1 [0004]

Claims (12)

Method (100) for preventing dazzling of a vehicle driver (1), wherein by means of a sensor (21) from the vehicle environment (22) incident light intensity (3) is detected (110), is subsequently checked (120), if at least the light intensity (3) from a sub-region (22a) of the vehicle surroundings (22) exceeds a predetermined threshold value (3a), and wherein a light intensity (3) exceeding the threshold value (3a) is shielded and / or limited (130) before the light intensity Eyes of the vehicle driver (1), characterized in that for shielding and / or limiting (130) the light intensity (3) to be borne by the driver (1) glasses (11) with controllable transmission, a head-up display (23 ) of the vehicle (2), and / or a window heater (24) of the vehicle (2), is driven (140, 150, 160). Method (100) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that when driving (140) of the spectacles (11) the transmission is selectively reduced (141) in the region (11a) through which the light intensity (3) exceeding the threshold value (3a) passes. Method (100) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that when driving (140) of the spectacles (11) the spectacles (11) is switched opaque (142) and at the same time with at least one camera image (22b) of the vehicle environment (22) is supplied (143) to this camera image ( 22b) to the driver (1) to indicate (144). Method (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that when driving (150) of the head-up display (23) selectively in the region (23a) through which passes the threshold (3a) exceeding light intensity (3), a pattern or element (23b) appears becomes (151), which locally reduces the transmission of the head-up display (23). Method (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that when driving (150) of the head-up display (23) the head-up display (23) is switched opaque (152) and at the same time with at least one camera image (22b) of the vehicle environment (22) is supplied (153) to display this camera image (22b) (154). Method (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that by the driving (160) of the disk heater (24) a temperature-dependent transmission of a in the disc (25) contained chemical layer (25a) is at least locally reduced (161). Method (100) according to Claim 6 , characterized in that a chemical layer (25a) is selected (162) formed as a polarizing filter with a variable polarization direction and in the beam path (3b) of the light intensity (3) to the driver (1) with at least one further polarizing filter (25d) in series is switched. Method (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the transmission of an electrochromic layer (25e) contained in the disk (25) is at least locally reduced by the activation (160) of the disk heater (24) (163). Method (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that by the driving (160) of the disk heater (24), the transmission of a disc formed as a PDLC glass (25) is at least locally reduced (164). Method (100) according to one of Claims 2 or 4 as well as optionally after one of the Claims 6 to 9 characterized in that it is checked (140a, 150a) whether the light intensity (3) exceeding the threshold value (3a) originates from an oncoming vehicle (4) and, if so, the transmission in the region of a roadway (41 ) along which the oncoming vehicle (4) moves is reduced (141, 151). Method (100) according to one of Claims 2 or 4 as well as optionally after one of the Claims 6 to 10 , characterized in that it is checked (140b, 150b) whether the light intensity (3) exceeding the threshold value (3a) originates from the sun (5), and if this is the case, the transmission in the area of the visible sky is reduced (141, 151). A computer program comprising machine readable instructions which, when executed on a computer and / or on a controller, cause the computer or controller to perform a method (100) of any one of Claims 1 to 11 perform.

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