DE102010053036A1 - Camera and navigation-based window darkening for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a camera and navigation-based window vignetting method with antiglare function for a motor vehicle, which is intended to improve the safety for drivers and passengers when driving a motor vehicle, by allowing an adaptive darkening for navigationally determined situations.

Description

The invention relates to a camera-based and navigation-based window darkening method with anti-glare function for a motor vehicle.

WO 2008/131843 A1 relates to an antiglare device for a motor vehicle based on polarization layers for the polarization of light entering the interior through the windshield.

DE 100 57 795 A1 discloses a method for a variable local darkening for vehicle glazing. The darkening strategy described here depends on the direction of the interfering light source.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of window dimming for a motor vehicle that determines how much dimming is required based on information provided by camera and navigation systems.

A method according to the invention is defined in independent claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

1 Fig. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the data entry procedure of the navigation system according to the present invention;

2 Fig. 10 is a flowchart explaining the method according to the present invention by means of an application example;

3 is a schematic view of different darkening levels depending on the appearance of the glare.

1 illustrates the method according to the present invention. Starting with step 1, 301 , data supplied by a navigation system, a camera and the on-board computer are input to a system for determining the obscuration.

In step 2, 302 , an analysis of a possible occurrence of glare is performed. Here, the extent of glare, as well as the location and time of glare and also the duration of this disability, are analyzed by the obscurity determination system.

Continue in step 3, 303 , the anti-dazzle darkening mechanism is prepared and activated.

At step 4, 304 , the execution of the dimming function takes place.

Step 5, 305 , allows a reset in a feedback loop, initiated for example by a selection option.

2 illustrates by way of example the method according to the present invention. Starting with step 1, 401 , a navigation system indicates that the motor vehicle is in a tunnel and is approaching the sun in an approximate location. At the same time, the analyzed camera data at the front shows the end of the tunnel. The on-board computer gathers information about speed and weather. These data are then read into a blackout determination system.

In the next step 2, 402 , an analysis of a possible occurrence of glare is performed. In the illustrated example, an increasing amount of glare is determined by analysis of the camera data. At the same time, the analysis of location and time information for the occurrence of glare has revealed that the sun is approximately in the direction of travel. For example, the calculated time to onset of this obstruction, as analyzed by the obscurity determination system, is 25 seconds.

Continue in step 3, 403 , the anti-dazzle darkening mechanism is prepared and activated. In the case shown, the obscuring mechanism requires 15 seconds to fully unfold so that the system will begin to trigger the mechanism in 10 seconds to reach full deployment in 25 seconds.

At step 4, 404 , the execution of the dimming function will be performed by starting a countdown of 15 seconds, determined in the previous step.

Step 5, 405 , allows in a feedback loop a reset, which is initiated for example by the driver of the motor vehicle.

In 3 is a windshield of a motor vehicle at different darkening levels depending on the determined degree of glare occurring, thereby reducing the driver's safety is reduced.

According to the method described above, an automatic and quick-reacting means for protecting the driver and the passengers of a motor vehicle against glare is provided. In the absence of such a system, a mechanical activation of a mechanical anti-glare device by the driver must be done. According to the present invention, there is provided a fully automatic method in which data supplied from a navigation system, a camera and an on-board computer are input to a blackout determination system.

For example, the on-board computer could provide information related to the current time associated with the time-related sunshine. In accordance with this type of data, an analysis of a possible occurrence of glare is performed, with the preparation and activation of the anti-glare obscuring mechanism. As a result of the above-mentioned data processing, the execution of the dimming function is automatically performed to ensure the safety of driving a vehicle by immediately and precisely at the time of occurrence of the negative glare effect on the driver of a motor vehicle is reduced.

The above-described method can be further improved by analyzing the degree of glare and the location and time of occurrence of glare, as well as the duration of this obstruction, as well as data collected by an on-board computer, for example data on weather conditions, from the blackout determination system. which are received by the on-board computer, for example, from broadcast systems in the driving circuit.

Navigation data comprising the current position and orientation of the vehicle should be as accurate as possible by being provided by an integrated navigation system of the vehicle capable of delivering this type of information also in zones such as tunnels. in which satellite information (such as GPS signals) can not be received. This allows the navigation data to contain the estimated next position and orientation of the vehicle even under difficult environmental conditions.

Further improvements to the method can be achieved through the use of data from a camera system which includes an accurate measurement of the current light and glare conditions in each individual phase of the drive of the motor vehicle. Preferably, a camera system should also provide data measured in previous glare situations, or include detection of dark / light transition zones such as tunnel or city or forest detection, to increase or decrease the dimming depending on glare on the driver allow the motor vehicle.

While there has been described and / or described what is presently considered to be exemplary embodiments of the claimed subject matter, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various other modifications can be made and / or equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true scope of the claimed subject matter. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation to the teachings of the claimed subject matter without departing from the claimed subject matter. Therefore, the patent should not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but should include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

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

• WO 2008/131843 A1 [0002]
• DE 10057795 A1 [0003]

Claims (10)

Camera and navigation-based window dimming method for a motor vehicle in which this method comprises: Step 1, wherein data supplied by a navigation system, a camera and an on-board computer are input to a system for determining the obscuration, Step 2, in which an analysis of a possible occurrence of glare is carried out, Step 3, wherein the preparation and activation of an anti-dazzle darkening mechanism takes place, Step 4, wherein an execution of the dimming function takes place, Step 5, wherein a reset is initiated by a selection option. A camera and navigation-based window evadation method for an automotive vehicle according to claim 1, wherein in step 2, the obscurity determination system analyzes the amount of glare and the location and time of occurrence of glare and also the duration of said obstruction. A camera and navigation based window dimming method for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the data collected by an on-board computer in step 1 is data about the current speed of the motor vehicle. A camera and navigation based window dimming method for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the data collected by an on-board computer in step 1 is weather condition data. The camera and navigation based window dimming method for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the navigation data includes the current position and orientation of the vehicle. The camera and navigation based window dimming method for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the navigation data includes the estimated next position and orientation of the vehicle. The camera and navigation-based window dimming method for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the camera system data includes the measured current light and glare. A camera and navigation based window dimming method for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the camera system data includes the measured previous glare situation. The camera and navigation-based window dimming method for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the camera system data includes detection of dark / light transition zones. A camera and navigation based window dimming method for a motor vehicle according to claim 9, wherein said dark / light transition zones are a tunnel or city or forest detection.

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