DE102014203320B4 - sun visor - Google Patents

Abstract

Anti-glare device (112) configured to selectively block light from a glare source (401) at least partially to an eye (403, 404) of a viewer; wherein the anti-glare device (112) comprises a plurality of light-transmitting layers (431, 441) each having a plurality of elements; the light transmittance of the plurality of elements being separately variable, the elements of the plurality of elements each having a viewing direction range (421,443); wherein a reduction in light transmission of an element is perceived more strongly when viewed with an eye (403, 404) of the viewer from a direction within the viewing direction range (421) than when viewed from a direction outside the viewing direction range (421); wherein the viewing direction ranges (421) of the elements of two different layers (431, 441) of the plurality of light-transmitting layers (431, 441) are different.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a corresponding device for providing anti-glare protection in a vehicle. The methods and devices described in this document can be used in particular for road vehicles, rail vehicles, aircraft and/or water vehicles.

Vehicles (particularly land vehicles such as cars or trucks) typically include devices to reduce glare from obstructing a vehicle driver's vision. For example, the driver of a vehicle may be blinded by the headlights of an oncoming vehicle at night. In this context, measures such as low beam, design of a light carpet, glare-free high beam, etc. are provided in vehicles in order to reduce the glare of the headlights of the vehicles. To reduce driver glare during the day, vehicles typically include sun visors to protect against glare from the sun or a glare from a glare. Furthermore, a so-called green wedge in the upper part of the windshield of a vehicle can reduce the glare of the ambient light.

In addition, methods and devices have been described that provide an adaptive sun visor using locally darkenable transparent surfaces (e.g. in the form of a coating on the windshield of a vehicle). Cameras are used to determine the position of a driver's eyes and the position of the glare source, and the area that can be darkened is darkened in such a way that the glare source casts a shadow on the driver's eyes. In this way, the glare from the glare source can be reduced without significantly restricting the driver's field of vision.

The use of areas that can be darkened locally, in particular areas that are attached to the windshield of a vehicle, has the disadvantage that such areas have reduced light transmission even in the transparent state. This can result in legal regulations regarding the transparency of windshields not being able to be complied with. Furthermore, the glare effect of a glare source incident on the side of the vehicle cannot be reduced by areas on a windshield that can be darkened.

In addition, the methods and devices described for the adaptive reduction of a glare source by means of surfaces that can be darkened lead to visible artefacts that a driver can perceive as annoying.

From the U.S. 7,690,712 B2 a glare protection device for a vehicle is known, which contains an element that can be adjusted in terms of light transmission, such as an LCD display. In the display, two circular zones are darkened in such a way that dazzling light incident on a driver located behind the anti-glare device is specifically avoided in the area of his pupils.

In the DE 199 33 397 A1 a glare protection device for a vehicle is also known. It has a locating device for the radiation source, a detection device for the position of the driver's eyes and an aperture support that can be controlled in a matrix-like manner with regard to transparency for generating an aperture spot, through which the dazzling effect of the radiation source is reduced in a targeted manner in the area of the eyes.

The present document addresses the technical problem of providing a device for reducing the glare of a driver which does not impair the light transmission of the windows of a vehicle (in particular the windscreen). Furthermore, the present document deals with the technical task of providing a device for reducing the glare of a driver, by means of which light incident on the vehicle from the side can also be masked out. Furthermore, the present document deals with the technical task of providing an adaptive device for reducing the glare of a driver, which does not produce any visible artefacts and/or which can track the movements of a driver in a precise manner.

At least one of the stated objects is solved in each case by the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described inter alia in the dependent claims.

According to one aspect, an anti-glare device configured to selectively block light from a source of glare at least partially to an eye of a viewer is described. In particular, the light coming from the source of glare can be masked out or darkened in such a way that the area surrounding the source of glare can still be seen through the anti-glare device. In other words, the light coming from the source of the glare can be masked out selectively. The anti-glare device can be arranged, for example, on a pane of a vehicle (eg on a front pane or windshield). Alternatively or additionally, the glare protection direction on a movable panel (similar to today's sun visor). The anti-glare device (in particular a surface of the anti-glare device that can be darkened) typically has an areal extension with a specific width (horizontal) and a specific depth (vertical) in order to be able to mask out sources of glare at different positions.

The anti-glare device includes at least a first translucent layer (also referred to as a translucent display) having a plurality of elements. An exemplary layer may include an LC (Liquid Crystal) display. The light transmission of the plurality of elements can be changed separately and/or independently of one another. In particular, the multiplicity of elements can comprise a matrix of elements that can be “darkened” individually.

The elements of the plurality of elements each have a viewing direction range. The viewing direction range is typically limited. Exemplary viewing direction ranges include a range of 90° solid angle or less, or 135° solid angle or less. A limited viewing direction range means that a reduction in the light transmission of an element is more noticeable when viewed with an observer's eye from a direction within the viewing direction range than when viewed from a direction outside the viewing direction range. In particular, a darkening of an element may only be visible when the element is viewed from a direction within the viewing direction range. When viewed from a direction outside the viewing direction range, the element can still be perceived as (possibly maximally) translucent. Thus, the darkening of the element may not be visible when viewed from a direction outside the viewing direction range.

The anti-glare device may be configured to select a first element (or multiple elements) from the plurality of elements of the first layer. The selected element or elements can then be darkened (i.e. the light transmission can be reduced). This can at least partially block the light from a source of glare.

In particular, the first element can be selected such that the first element lies on a light trajectory between the glare source and a first eye of the viewer and that the light trajectory between the glare source and the first eye lies within the viewing direction range of the first element. This means that the light from the glare source can be at least partially blocked out for the first eye.

Furthermore, the first element can be selected in such a way that a light trajectory between the glare source and a second eye of the viewer lies outside the viewing direction range of the first element. This ensures that a darkening (ie a reduction in light transmission) of the first element is not perceived by the second eye as a "phantom spot". A phantom spot can be a point or a spot or a locally limited area that does not cover any source of glare when viewed by the eye and is therefore perceived as an annoying artifact. Phantom spots typically have the property that they are perceived as "semi-transparent", since the object behind is only covered for one eye, but can be seen unhindered with the other. The creation of a phantom spot is, for example, in 4a illustrated.

The use of such a glare protection device thus makes it possible to provide glare protection for the first eye without generating visible artefacts. The first eye can be the viewer's right eye and the second eye can be the viewer's left eye (or vice versa).

The anti-glare device may include a second light transmissive layer having a further plurality of elements. The anti-glare device can be set up to select and optionally darken a second element (or several elements) from the plurality of elements of the second layer. The second element may be selected such that the second element lies on a light trajectory between the glare source and the viewer's second eye, and such that the light trajectory between the glare source and the second eye lies within the viewing direction range of the second element. Thus, by darkening the second element, the glare source for the second eye can be masked out. Furthermore, the second element can be selected such that a light trajectory between the glare source and the first eye of the viewer lies outside the viewing direction range of the second element. The darkening of the second element is therefore not visible to the first eye, so that no visible artefacts arise as a result of the darkening.

Thus, by using a first layer for the first eye and a second Layer for the second eye a glare protection for both eyes of the viewer (eg the driver of a vehicle) are provided without visible artifacts (especially phantom spots) arise.

A viewing direction range can have a direction range limit or a so-called tear-off edge. The directional range boundary defines the boundary of the viewing direction range such that a viewing direction on one side of the directional range boundary is within the viewing direction range and such that a viewing direction on the other side of the directional range boundary is outside the viewing direction range. The directional range boundaries of the viewing direction ranges of the second layer can be mirror-symmetrical to the directional range boundaries of the viewing direction ranges of the first layer. The line of symmetry may lie on a center line perpendicular to a line connecting the viewer's first and second eyes. Such an arrangement can ensure that the two layers can reliably block out the glare source for the respective eye.

The anti-glare device may comprise a plurality of layers each having a plurality of elements. The viewing direction ranges of the elements of two different layers of the plurality of light-transmitting layers can be different. The antiglare device can be set up to select the first layer from the plurality of layers depending on the viewing direction ranges. In other words, to provide elements for differently positioned glare sources that have a viewing direction range that allows the glare source to be blocked out to the first eye without creating an artifact to the second eye, multiple layers can be used with elements that have different viewing direction ranges exhibit. Depending on the position of the glare source, another layer can then be selected from which one or more elements can then be darkened.

Alternatively or additionally, the viewing direction ranges of the elements can change along a surface axis (in particular along the width axis) of the first transparent layer. In other words, the elements of a layer can have different viewing direction ranges. By using elements with different viewing direction ranges, the first layer can provide artifact-free glare protection for the first eye for differently positioned glare sources. In particular, this makes it possible to increase the light transmission of the anti-glare device (in particular the light-transmitting and darkenable surface of the anti-glare device), since the anti-glare protection can be provided by a single layer (per eye).

The anti-glare device can thus comprise one or more layers with (light-transmitting and darkenable) elements which are set up to at least partially block the light from one or more sources of glare for the first eye by reducing the light transmission, so that the reduced light transmission for the second eye is not substantially noticeable. Furthermore, the anti-glare device may comprise one or more layers with elements configured to at least partially block the light from the one or more sources of glare for the second eye by reducing the transmission of light, so that the reduced transmission of light is not substantially perceptible to the first eye . Artifact-free glare protection can thus be provided for both eyes of the viewer.

Furthermore, the anti-glare device may comprise a shading layer with elements configured to at least partially block the light from the one or more sources of glare for the first eye and for the second eye by reducing the transmission of light. In particular, this can be used to glare-free an entire area of the viewer's field of view (e.g. to provide the effect of a "green wedge" or fully darkened sunshade).

Furthermore, the shading layer can be used to provide a darkened (typically black) background for a display to present information. In this regard, the anti-glare device may comprise one or more self-luminous display layers. The display layers may be arranged on a rear side (facing a driver or occupant) of the bezel device. The anti-glare device can be set up to display information on the darkening layer by means of the one or more self-illuminating display layers. In this way, the panel device can (also) be used efficiently as a display for displaying information.

According to a further aspect, a glare protection device is described, which is configured to selectively block light from a glare source at least partially for an eye of a viewer. Those described in this document Features for anti-glare devices and/or for areas/displays that can be darkened are also applicable to this anti-glare device. The anti-glare device includes a plurality of light-transmitting layers each having a plurality of elements. The light transmittance of the plurality of elements can be changed separately. The elements of the plurality of elements each have a viewing direction range, wherein a reduction in light transmission of an element when viewed with an observer's eye from a direction within the viewing direction range is perceived more than when viewed from a direction outside the viewing direction range. The viewing direction ranges of the elements of two different layers of the plurality of light-transmitting layers can be different. It can thereby be ensured that the light from differently positioned glare sources can be masked out for at least one eye of the observer without artifacts.

The glare protection device can be set up to select a first layer of the plurality of transparent layers depending on a position of the glare source, so that the glare source for a first eye of the observer is within the viewing direction range of at least one element of the plurality of elements of the first layer, and such that the source of glare to a second eye of the viewer is outside the viewing direction range of the at least one element of the plurality of elements of the first layer. This enables artifact-free masking of a glare source for the first eye.

According to a further aspect, a glare protection device is described, which is configured to selectively block light from a glare source at least partially for an eye of a viewer. The features described in this document for anti-glare devices and/or for areas/displays that can be darkened can also be applied to this anti-glare device. The anti-glare device includes at least a first light transmissive layer having a plurality of elements. The light transmittance of the plurality of elements may be changeable separately. The elements of the plurality of elements each have a (limited) viewing direction range, wherein a reduction in the light transmission of an element when viewed with an eye of the viewer from a direction within the viewing direction range is perceived more than when viewed from a direction outside the viewing direction range. The viewing direction ranges of the elements can change along a surface axis of the first light-transmitting layer. It can thereby be ensured that the light from differently positioned glare sources can be masked out for at least one eye of the observer without artifacts.

As already explained above, a viewing direction range can have a direction range limit. The directional range boundaries of the viewing direction ranges of the elements along the plane axis of the first light-transmissive layer may be directed to a common point on a transverse axis perpendicular to the plane axis of the first light-transmissive layer. In particular, the common point may correspond to a midpoint on an axis between the first eye and the second eye of the viewer. Such an arrangement of elements and their viewing direction ranges can ensure that glare sources can be masked out artifact-free along the entire surface axis.

The antiglare device can be set up to determine a focal point. The focal point may correspond to the midpoint on the axis between the viewer's first eye and second eye. The directional range boundaries of the viewing direction ranges of the elements along the surface axis of the first light-transmitting layer can be changed or adjusted such that the directional range boundaries are directed to the focal point. In particular, the glare protection device can be set up to regulate the directional range limits in relation to a changing focal point by means of a control loop. In this way, it can be ensured that even if the viewer's head positions change, sources of glare can be masked out without artifacts.

Controlling with respect to a changing focal point can be done for an anti-glare device with one or more light-transmitting layers. Furthermore, the regulation can be carried out for a transparent layer with (along the layer) uniform viewing direction ranges and/or with (along the layer) different viewing direction ranges.

The viewing direction ranges can be regulated in such a way that one of the directional range limits points to the focal point (e.g. to the first or to the second eye or to a midpoint between the first and second eye) (as e.g. in 5a and 5b illustrated).

According to a further aspect, a vehicle (eg a passenger car, a truck or a rail vehicle) is described that comprises an anti-glare device described in this document.

According to a further aspect, methods for providing anti-glare protection are described. These methods include process steps that correspond to the characteristics of the anti-glare devices described in this document.

According to a further aspect, a software (SW) program is described. The SW program can be set up to run on a processor (e.g. on a controller) and thereby perform the method described in this document.

According to a further aspect, a storage medium is described. The storage medium can comprise a SW program which is set up to be executed on a processor and thereby to carry out the method described in this document.

It should be noted that the methods, devices and systems described in this document can be used both alone and in combination with other methods, devices and systems described in this document. Furthermore, any aspects of the methods, devices and systems described in this document can be combined with one another in a variety of ways. In particular, the features of the claims can be combined with one another in many different ways.

• 1a eine beispielhafte gekrümmte Blende in der Seitenansicht;
• 1b eine beispielhafte verlängerbare Blende in der Seitenansicht;
• 1c eine weitere beispielhafte verlängerbare Blende in der Seitenansicht;
• 1d eine Windschutzscheibe mit einer beispielhaften Blende aus Sicht eines Fahrers;
• 1e eine beispielhafte verlängerbare und gekrümmte Blende in der Seitenansicht;
• 1f eine beispielhafte, als Doppelklappe ausgebildete, Blende;
• 2a eine Frontansicht einer beispielhaften Blende mit abgedunkeltem Keil zur Ausblendung der Scheinwerfer entgegenkommender Fahrzeuge;
• 2b eine Frontansicht einer beispielhaften Blende mit abgedunkelten punktförmigen Bereichen zur punktuellen Ausblendung der Scheinwerfer eines entgegenkommenden Fahrzeugs;
• 3 eine Darstellung der Polarisierung des in den Innenraum eines Fahrzeugs einfallenden Lichts;
• 4a einen sichtbaren Artefakt, der durch den abgedunkelten Bereich einer abdunkelbaren Fläche erzeugt wird;
• 4b eine beispielhafte abdunkelbare Fläche, durch die der sichtbare Artefakt beseitigt werden kann;
• 4c eine beispielhafte Blende mit einer Vielzahl von abdunkelbaren Schichten;
• 4d eine beispielhafte Blende mit einer Vielzahl von abdunkelbaren Schichten zur Ausblendung einer Blendquelle für das rechte Auge;
• 4e eine beispielhafte Blende mit einer Vielzahl von abdunkelbaren Schichten zur Ausblendung einer Blendquelle für das linke Auge;
• 4f einen beispielhaften Betrachtungsrichtungsbereich;
• 5a eine beispielhafte Blende mit einer abdunkelbaren Schicht mit örtlich (ggf. stetig) variablem Betrachtungsrichtungsbereich zur Ausblendung einer Blendquelle für das linke Auge;
• 5b eine beispielhafte Blende mit einer abdunkelbaren Schicht mit örtlich (ggf. stetig) variablem Betrachtungsrichtungsbereich zur Ausblendung einer Blendquelle für das rechte Auge; und
• 6 ein Blockdiagram einer beispielhaften Vorrichtung zur Ermittlung der Position eines Auges eines Fahrers.

The invention is described in more detail below using exemplary embodiments. while showing

• 1a an exemplary curved panel in side view;
• 1b an exemplary extendable screen in side view;
• 1c another example extendable bezel in side view;
• 1d a windshield with an example bezel as seen by a driver;
• 1e an exemplary extensible and curved bezel in side view;
• 1f an exemplary aperture designed as a double flap;
• 2a a front view of an exemplary panel with darkened wedge for blocking the headlights of oncoming vehicles;
• 2 B a front view of an exemplary panel with darkened punctiform areas for punctiform hiding of the headlights of an oncoming vehicle;
• 3 a representation of the polarization of the incident light in the interior of a vehicle;
• 4a a visible artifact created by the darkened area of a darkenable surface;
• 4b an exemplary obscurable surface that can eliminate the visible artifact;
• 4c an exemplary bezel with a plurality of tintable layers;
• 4d an exemplary shade having a plurality of layers that can be darkened to block out a source of glare to the right eye;
• 4e an exemplary shade having a plurality of layers that can be darkened to block out a source of glare to the left eye;
• 4f an exemplary viewing direction range;
• 5a an exemplary aperture with a layer that can be darkened with a locally (possibly continuously) variable viewing direction range for masking out a source of glare for the left eye;
• 5b an exemplary aperture with a layer that can be darkened with a locally (possibly continuously) variable viewing direction range for masking out a source of glare for the right eye; and
• 6 Figure 12 is a block diagram of an exemplary device for determining the position of a driver's eye.

As explained at the outset, the present document deals with reducing the glare effect of one or more sources of glare for a driver of a vehicle.

In this context, a sun visor is described, which at least partially includes a darkenable area or a darkenable area. The sun visor may be fold down attached to an upper frame of the vehicle so that the sun visor may be folded down into view of the driver. On the other hand, the sun visor can also be folded up to take the sun visor out of the driver's field of vision. The use of a sun visor allows the vehicle's windshield to remain unchanged. In particular, this can It must be ensured that the transparency of the windscreen is not reduced by the application of a layer that can be darkened.

1a shows an exemplary panel 100 in side view. The aperture 100 is in 1a and shown in other figures for illustration with square edges. It should be noted that rounded corners and edges can be used to reduce the risk of injury on the bezel 100. The bezel 100 is pivotally attached to the vehicle with an axis 101 . The bezel 100 further includes a bezel surface 102 that can be used to reduce the glare of a glare source on a driver's or occupant's view of the vehicle. In the 1a Aperture 100 as illustrated has a curved or domed shape. This can be advantageous in order to reduce the space required for the pivoting operation of the screen 100 for a given area to be darkened. In particular, it can be ensured that even if the panel 100 protrudes further down into the field of vision than today's sun visors, the panel 100 can still be folded up over the steering wheel of the vehicle. In addition, there are many advantages in terms of freedom of movement for the driver, in terms of a reduced risk of damage and in terms of an increase in a possibly darkened portion of the panel 100. The pivoting process of the panel 100 is in 1a represented by the dotted apertures and the dashed arrow. The panel 100 preferably has a radius of curvature of approximately 15 cm.

As discussed above, the visor 100 can protrude farther into a driver's or an occupant's field of vision than today's sun visors (e.g., about 30% more than today's sun visors). This can ensure that even relatively low-lying sources of glare or light (such as a low-lying sun or the headlights of an oncoming vehicle) can be covered by the screen 100 . In particular, the dimensions and the shape of the screen 100 can be designed in such a way that people of a certain height (e.g. from 160 cm height) look through the screen 100 in such a way that the headlights of oncoming vehicles are covered. In order to achieve the same goal for people who are even smaller (e.g. around 150 cm tall), the panel 100 can be attached to the vehicle with a lowerable suspension, through which the panel 100 can be lowered to a certain extent (e.g. by approx .5cm). Since short people typically use a low steering wheel setting, it can still be ensured that the visor can be folded up if necessary.

The panel 100 can be attached to the vehicle in such a way that the panel can also be folded to the side in order to block light coming from the side. Alternatively or additionally, the panel 100 can be designed as a double flap. A flap of the double flap, which has an opaque surface, can then be opened to the side when the panel is in the folded-down state, in order to cover light incident through a side window of the vehicle. This is an example in 1f shown. In the 1f Aperture 100 shown includes aperture surface 102. Axle 101 may be movably attached to a joint 142. The bezel surface 102 may include a transparent or translucent portion 112 . The transparent or translucent portion 112 may comprise an anti-reflective transparent pane. 1f shows the panel 100 in a front view in front of a windshield 150 of a vehicle.

The screen 100 comprises a flap 171, which in a first (closed) position can at least partially cover the screen surface 102 (in particular the light-transmitting part 112) (this is shown in the upper representation of FIG 1f shown). In the first position, the flap 171 can perform the function of a conventional sun visor. For example, the flap 171 can also include a vanity mirror. The flap 171 can be brought into a second (opened) position via a flap axis 172 . Flap axle 172 may be attached to hinge 142, for example (this is shown in the lower illustration of FIG 1f shown). In the second position, the flap 171 covers, for example, a side window of the vehicle.

The screen 100 includes at least a partial area that is transparent or translucent, but can be darkened if necessary. The dimmerable area of the bezel 100 may include a plurality of dimmerable elements (e.g., pixels). The elements that can be darkened can each be controlled and darkened individually. Thus, the darkened area of the aperture 100 can be adapted to the shape of an glare source. In particular, the darkened area of the screen 100 can be continuously adapted to the shape, the size and/or the position of the source of the screen. As a result, the blinding effect from the blinding source can be reduced while the driver's field of vision is only slightly affected. The transparent and darkenable area of the panel 100 can include an LC (Liquid Crystal) display, for example. Typically, the transparent and darkenable area of the screen 100 includes at least the area of the screen 100 that intervenes in the driver's field of vision of the road.

1b 12 shows an exemplary extendable bezel 100 in side view. The panel 100 comprises a constantly darkened partial area 111 (also referred to as the carrier surface 111) and a partial area 112 that can be darkened (also referred to as the area that can be darkened or the display 112 that can be darkened). The partial areas 111 and 112 form the aperture surface 102. In the in 1b In the example shown, the sub-area 112 of the screen 100 that can be darkened is designed in such a way that it can be pulled or moved out of the darkened sub-area 111 or pushed or moved into the sub-area 111 . In other words, the bezel 100 can include a darkenable area 112 that increases the bezel area 102 of the bezel 100 when needed. For this purpose, the constantly darkened partial area 111 can be designed as a shell with a cavity 113, in which the area 112 that can be darkened can be accommodated. Alternatively or additionally, the surface 112 that can be darkened can be pushed behind or in front of the carrier surface 111 by means of rails in order to take it out of the driver's field of vision or to push it into the driver's field of vision.

In other words, 1b 12 shows a screen 100 in which a relatively narrow, transparent and darkenable display 112 is integrated into a non-transparent sun screen 111. The display 112 that can be darkened (ie the surface 112 that can be darkened) can be pulled out or moved out at the lower edge of the sun visor. In particular, the shade 100 may include a motor and/or a mechanism configured to move the darkenable surface 112 out of the driver's field of vision or into the driver's field of vision. Such a mechanism 124 is in 1c shown schematically.

A surface 112 that can be darkened and placed in the driver's field of vision can largely eliminate the driver being blinded by oncoming vehicles, particularly when driving at night. In particular, sources of glare that are placed relatively low can be masked out by a surface 112 placed in this way.

A screen 100 consisting of a darkened surface 111 and a surface 112 that can be darkened is advantageous, since the functions of a sun screen that are already known can be retained. In particular, the darkened area 111 can continue to be used in a known manner (folding movement forwards and backwards, folding movement to the side, attachment of a make-up mirror, etc.). The additional (possibly extendable) darkenable surface 112 can then be used to provide (possibly adaptive) glare protection against low-lying sources of glare (such as headlights).

A blackout and extendable surface 112 further allows the depth of the bezel 100 to be reduced (e.g. by 3-4 cm). In particular, the darkened support surface 111 of the bezel 100 can be reduced in depth (i.e., in extent perpendicular to the pivoting direction of the bezel 100). This can be advantageous, for example, in the case of convertibles to reduce the cowl cross-sections. In the event of glare from the sun, the transparent display pane 112 can be extended and darkened across the surface. In this way, the same effective depth of a present-day sun visor can then be provided.

The panel 100 can include means 123 for determining an unfolding angle of the panel 100 (see FIG 1c ). An exemplary means 123 for determining the cut-out angle of the aperture 100 is a gyro sensor. A control unit 130 (eg a control unit of the cover 100) can be set up to determine on the basis of the fold-out angle the extent to which the display 112 that can be darkened is moved out. In particular, based on the fold-out angle, it can be determined how far the area 112 that can be darkened has to be moved out in order to interrupt a specific trajectory between a light source and an eye of the driver.

1c FIG. 1 shows a panel 100 that includes a front camera 121 with which an external environment of the vehicle (typically in front of the vehicle) can be detected. The position of a light or glare source can be detected using the image data captured by the front camera 121 . Furthermore, the panel 100 includes a rear camera 122 which is set up to capture an interior of the vehicle. In particular, the position of the driver's eyes can be determined using the image data captured by the rear camera 122 . The control unit 130 can be set up to determine a trajectory between the position of the light source and the position of one or the eyes of the driver based on the image data from the front camera 121 and the rear camera 122 and based on the unfolding angle of the panel 100 . Furthermore, the control unit 130 can be set up to cause the mechanism 124 to extend the screen part 112 that can be darkened so far that the screen part that can be darkened extends into the trajectory between the position of the light source and the position of one or the eyes of the driver. In addition, the control unit 130 can be set up to darken one or more elements of the screen part 112 that can be darkened in such a way that the light source casts a shadow on the driver's eye or eyes. Furthermore, the Control unit 130 may be set up to darken the panel part 112 only to the extent that the dazzling effect of the light source is eliminated, but the driver's field of vision otherwise remains unimpaired.

Such a screen 100 has the advantage that the screen part 112 that can be darkened is only introduced into the driver's field of vision if a source of the screen was actually detected. If no glare source is detected, the visor portion 112 can be taken out of the driver's field of vision to ensure maximum transparency of the field of vision through the windshield of the vehicle.

The glare protection is typically only required when the visor 100 is folded down. In other words, a driver typically indicates that he/she is being blinded by a light source and that he/she wants to reduce the blinding effect by folding down a sun visor. This allows, as in 1c are shown to mount the front camera 121 (for detecting a source of glare) and the rear camera 122 (for detecting the position of the driver's eyes) on the visor 100 itself. In addition, the control unit 130 can also be implemented as part of the panel 100 . Thus, the bezel 100 can be provided as an independent system and can also be retrofitted in existing vehicles. This also enables the panel 100 to be easily installed in the vehicle, since all of the components for providing adaptive anti-glare protection are integrated into the panel 100 .

The design of the panel 100 with a non-transparent support part 111 and an extendable transparent part 112 enables the front camera 121 to be positioned on the non-transparent part 111. In particular, the front camera 121 can be positioned as close as possible to (possibly on the) line of sight of the occupant (driver ) to be positioned forward. As a result, parallax errors can be controlled so well that a mono camera 121 and mono image processing algorithms can be used to calculate the light trajectories from a glare source to an occupant's eye. This is typically not the case if the front camera 121 is not positioned near the occupant's line of sight. The parallax errors then typically require the use of stereo camera systems and corresponding image processing. The positioning of the front camera 121 and/or the rear camera 122 on the bezel 100 (possibly on the occupant's line of sight) thus enables the cost and complexity of adaptive bezel devices to be reduced.

As discussed above, the bezel 100 may include a mechanism 124 for automatically lowering and/or raising the tintable bezel portion 112 . This mechanism 124 can be controlled by the control unit 130 . The use of an automatic mechanism 124 makes it possible, among other things, to prevent the driver from touching the screen part 112 that can be dimmed and thereby reducing the transparency of the screen part 112 in the non-darkened state.

The panel 100 can be folded up or down via the axis 101 . The control unit 130 can be set up to detect the folding down of the panel 100 (e.g. via the means 123 for determining the opening angle). Furthermore, the control unit 130 can be set up to cause the above-described detection of a glare source and the adaptive reduction of the glare effect as soon as the unfolding angle reaches or exceeds a predefined threshold value. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit 130 can be set up to cause the mechanism 124 to raise the shadeable panel part 112 (in order to reduce the depth of the panel 100) as soon as the opening angle falls below a predefined threshold value.

Alternatively or additionally, the panel 100 can be set up so that when it is folded down (i.e. when the opening angle is increased) it only engages once a predefined minimum opening angle has been reached (e.g. in a predefined fixed position). If the unfolding process is ended by the occupant before the predefined minimum unfolding angle is reached (i.e. before the fixed position is reached), the panel 100 can be set up to automatically move back into the folded-up position. The same can be done when reducing the unfolding angle.

If the pop-up angle is brought below the predefined minimum value (i.e. before the fixed position) by the occupant, the bezel 100 can automatically move back to the popped-up position. In other words, the panel 100 can be set up to restrict the possible positions of the panel 100 to one or more fixed positions. As a result, an occupant is only able to bring the panel into one of the fixed positions that are permitted, for example, for safety-related reasons (e.g. in the event of a vehicle crash). The mechanism for automatically moving to the folded-up position if the folding angle falls below the minimum can be mechanical (e.g. by spring force) or electrical (e.g. by a motor).

1e 10 shows an example curved bezel 100 in side view. The aperture 100 includes a carrier part 111 and a part 112 which can be darkened. The part 112 which can be darkened can, as in connection with the 1b and 1c described, be movable. In particular, the part 112 that can be darkened can be moved into the carrier part 111 (which then assumes the function of a cover). As related to 1c shown, a front camera 121 and/or a rear camera 122 can also be mounted on a curved panel 100 .

1d FIG. 12 shows a view of an exemplary panel 100 as seen by the driver of the vehicle. The bezel 100 is pivotally mounted at or near the top edge of the windshield 150 of the vehicle by means of the axle 101 . Furthermore, the cover 100 can be moved via a joint 142 from the windshield to the driver's side window of the vehicle in order to prevent lateral sources of glare. In the 1d The bezel 100 shown includes the shaded portion (ie, the support portion) 111 and the shadeable portion 112. The shadeable portion 112 may be movably attached to the support portion 111, and may be used to adjust the depth of the bezel 100 (toward the steering wheel of the vehicle ) to change. The support portion 111 of the bezel 100 may be used to provide a vanity mirror 141, for example.

the 2a and 2 B show exemplary darkening of the panel 100. In a (possibly static) mode, the panel 100 can be set up to fade in a darkened wedge 201 on the driver's side by means of the part 112 that can be darkened. With the darkened wedge 201, light sources that are located in the driver-side area in front of the vehicle (eg the headlights of oncoming vehicles) can be masked out. On the other hand, the driver's field of vision is unimpaired in the remaining area of the part 112 that can be darkened. The darkenable wedge 201 can include varying degrees of darkening. In particular, the degree of darkening can increase towards the carrier part 111 . In this way, the driver's field of vision can be further enlarged, and still the area in front of the vehicle on the driver's side can be masked out.

The shape of the wedge 201, the degree of darkening of the wedge 201, the size of the wedge 201 can be changeable. For example, the shaded area 201 of the shadeable part 112 can be configured via a user interface, and thus adapted to a user's needs and preferences.

2 B shows punctiform obscurations 211 of the part 112 that can be darkened. The position and size of the obscurations 211 can be determined by the control unit 130, in particular using the image data from a front camera 121 and the image data from a rear camera 122. The obscurations 211 can be designed in such a way that the Darkening 211 a shadow from a light source is thrown onto the driver's eyes, and thus the dazzling effect from the light source (eg glistening sky) is reduced.

The part 112 of the screen 100 that can be darkened can also be used to provide a so-called green wedge. For this purpose, for example, an upper area of the part 112 can be darkened semi-transparently. In this way, the glare of a diffuse light source can be reduced.

The part 112 that can be darkened can also be used in a transparent form to reduce unpleasant reflections in the windshield 150 . In particular, the part 112 that can be darkened can be set up to polarize incoming light. This is an example in 3 shown. In particular shows 3 a light beam 301 in the exterior of the vehicle that is not polarized. A partial polarization in the vertical direction is typically already effected by the windshield 150 of a vehicle. As a result, horizontally polarized light 302 bounces off the windshield 150 and partially vertically polarized light 303 penetrates through the windshield 150 into the interior of the vehicle.

The shadable portion 112 of the bezel 100 can have the same plane of polarization as the windshield 150. This allows the combined transparency of the windshield 150 and the shadable portion 112 to be maximized. In other words, by matching the polarization planes of the windshield 150 and the darkenable portion 112, the energy of the light 304 reaching the driver can be maximized. Furthermore, the use of such a blackout part 112 has the advantage that unwanted reflections on the windshield 150 (e.g. from the top of the instrument panel) are reduced, so that the driver has a more unobstructed view of the traffic.

As explained at the beginning, this document also deals with the reduction of visible artefacts due to the local suppression of glare sources. The aspects presented below are applicable to panes or surfaces 112 that can be darkened in general. In particular, the darkenable pane or surface 112 can be part of a windshield 150 of a vehicle and/or part of a cover 100.

the 4a and 4b show the pair of eyes 403, 404 of a driver of a vehicle. Of further show the 4a and 4b a glare source 401 from which a light beam is thrown onto the driver's right eye 403 . There is a surface 112 that can be darkened between the source of glare 401 and the pair of eyes 403, 404. The surface that can be darkened has a local darkening 412 that interrupts the light beam between the source of glare 401 and the right eye 403. A shadow is thus cast on the right eye 412 by the darkening 412, as a result of which the glare effect of the glare source 401 is eliminated or at least reduced.

The obscuration 412 is also visible to the driver's left eye 404 . In particular, the obscuration 412 causes the left eye 404 to perceive a phantom spot (or phantom spot) 402 . The phantom spot 402 can be arranged to the right of the glare source 401, for example. The phantom spot 402 is typically perceived as semi-transparent since it is only perceived by the left eye 404, while the driver's right eye 403 looks past the darkening 412 and thus at the location of the phantom spot 402 the surroundings of the vehicle perceives.

The phantom spot 402 represents a visible artefact that can be perceived as disruptive, particularly in daylight. This artefact can impair the use of areas 112 that can be darkened for selective masking of sources of glare 401 .

Dimmable areas 112 may include a matrix of tintable elements. For example, a surface 112 that can be darkened can comprise a liquid crystal layer (Liquid Crystal, LC), in which the transparency of individual elements is reduced by applying a voltage. Such areas 112 that can be darkened can be designed in such a way that they have a specific viewing direction range. The viewing direction range causes an obscuration 412 to be seen only in the predefined viewing direction range, e.g., in a predefined angular range. The darkening 412 cannot be seen outside of the predefined angular range.

In 4b the effect of a surface 112 that can be darkened with a limited viewing direction range 421 is shown. The directional range boundaries of the viewing direction range 421 are represented by the sides of a triangle. The viewing direction range 421 has an opening angle 422 between the direction range boundaries. If the obscuration 412 is viewed within the viewing direction range 421, the obscuration 412 can be perceived by a viewer. in the in 4b In the example shown, the darkening 412 is thus perceived by the right eye 403 . The left eye 404 looks at the obscuration 412 from a direction that is outside the viewing direction range 421 . Thus, the darkening 412 is not perceived by the left eye 404. This also eliminates the phantom spot 402. By using a surface 112 that can be darkened with a limited viewing direction range 421, the artifacts caused by local darkening 412 can thus be avoided.

The properties of a viewing direction range 421 are further in 4f illustrated. As in 4f As shown, a viewing direction range 421 typically includes two directional range boundaries or dividing edges 471,472. In other words, a boundary of the viewing direction range 421 is defined by a direction range boundary 471, 472. The boundary of the viewing range is such that a viewing direction on one side of the directional range boundary 471, 472 is within the viewing direction range 421 (e.g., the viewing direction with the right eye 403), and that a viewing direction on the other side of the directional range boundary 471, 472 is outside the viewing direction range 421 (eg the viewing direction with the left eye 404).

The viewing direction areas 421 of the elements of a surface 112 that can be darkened can have a uniform or a changing alignment. In particular, the viewing direction areas 421 of the individual elements can be arranged in such a way that one of the directional area boundaries 471, 472 of the viewing direction areas 421 of the elements points to a common focal point (e.g. to the right eye 403 or to the left eye 404 or to a midpoint between the right and left eye 403, 404). As in connection with the 5a and 5b explained, this can be advantageous for avoiding phantom spots.

4c 12 shows an example of a surface 112 that can be darkened and has a multiplicity of layers 431 that can be darkened. The individual layers 431 have different viewing direction areas 421 . In other words, the individual layers 431 can be used to create obscurations 412 that can be perceived from different viewing direction ranges 421, respectively, and that are not perceived from directions that lie outside the respective viewing direction ranges 421 be able. The multiplicity of layers 431 can be formed in such a way that for the possible viewing angles of a specific eye 403 onto a glare source 401, at least one layer 431 of the multiplicity of layers 431 can produce a darkening 412 that is perceived by the specific eye 403 (um to cover the glare source 401), but is not perceived by the respective other eye 404 (in order to avoid a phantom spot 402).

Such an exemplary area 112 that can be darkened to produce darkening areas 412, 442 for the right eye 403 is shown in 4d shown. The glare source 401 can be covered by a darkening 442 in the layer 441 that can be darkened with the viewing direction area 443 for the right eye 403 in such a way that the darkening 442 for the left eye 404 is outside the viewing direction area 443, and thus no phantom spot 402 is created.

In an analogous manner, a surface 112 that can be darkened can be provided, which makes it possible to darken the glare source 401 for the left eye 404 by a darkening 412, 452 that the right eye 403 cannot perceive. this is in 4e shown as an example. The darkening 452 in layer 451 with the viewing direction range 453 can ensure that the light source 401 is covered by the darkening 452 for the left eye 404, and the darkening 452 for the right eye 403 is outside the viewing direction range 453, so that the Darkening 452 is not visible to the right eye 403.

The shadeable area 112 for the right eye 403 and the shadeable area 112 for the left eye 404 can have complementary viewing direction ranges. For example, the viewing direction ranges 421 of the layers 431 of the darkenable areas 112 can be mirrored about an axis through a midpoint of a connection between the right eye 403 and the left eye 404 . The axis runs perpendicular to the connection between the right eye 403 and the left eye 404.

Thus, in the case of a surface or pane 112 that can be darkened and has a multiplicity of layers 431 that can be darkened, each with different viewing direction areas 421, a first layer 441 and a second layer 451 can be used to create a light source 401 for a first eye 403 and a second eye 404 of the driver hide. In particular, a first darkening 442 can be produced by the first layer 441 with a first viewing direction area 443 , which darkens the light source 401 for the first eye 403 but is not visible for the second eye 404 . In a similar way, a second darkening 452 can be produced by the second layer 451 with a second viewing direction area 453 , which darkens the light source 401 for the second eye 404 but is not visible for the first eye 403 .

A control unit (e.g. the control unit 130 of a shutter 100) can be set up to determine a first trajectory between light source 401 and the first eye 403 and a second trajectory between light source 401 and the second eye 404 (e.g. on the basis of image data from a front camera 121 and a rear camera 122). Furthermore, the control unit can be set up to determine the first layer 441 for generating the first darkening 442 and to determine the second layer 451 for generating the second darkening 452 . Furthermore, the control unit can determine the locations for the first and second darkening 442, 452 on the first and second layer 441, 451 on the basis of the determined first and second trajectories. In this way, it can be ensured that the dazzling effect of the light source 401 is reduced or eliminated without creating disruptive artefacts.

A display 112 that can be dimmed can thus include N display layers 431 with different viewing direction areas 421 . The individual display layers 431 can be LC display layers. The number N of display layers 431 may depend on the distance between the eyes 403, 404 of a driver. Furthermore, the number N can depend on the width (in the horizontal direction) of the display 112 that can be dimmed. For example, n = Truncate(width display 112 / interpupillary distance) display layers 431 can be used for each eye 403, 404, i.e. N=2n display layers 431 for both eyes 403, 404.

Each LC display layer 431 can be designed in such a way that the horizontal viewing angle has a “sharp edge” (i.e. a sharp delimitation of the viewing direction area 421), so that the glare source 401 for an eye 403 is covered (by a darkening) for a suitable solid angle 442), however, this darkening 442 on the display 112 cannot be perceived as an annoying phantom spot (or phantom point) 402 for the other eye 404 . By layering 2n such display layers 431, each of which covers a specific solid angle range 421, phantom spots can be avoided over the entire width of the display 112. In a preferred example, the display 112 comprises N=2n=12 layers 431.

In connection with the 4d and 4e displays 112 having a plurality of layers 431 each having fixed viewing direction ranges 521 are described. Layers 431 with locally continuously varying viewing angles or viewing direction ranges 521 on one layer are described below. As shown, by adjusting the viewing angles/viewing direction ranges depending on the lateral position on a layer, the number of layers 431 required to avoid phantom spots can be reduced.

5a and 5b show exemplary layers 551, 541 of a blackout, transparent display 112 for the second eye 404 and respectively for the first eye 403. The layers 551, 541 each have blackout elements with different viewing direction areas 521. In particular, the viewing direction areas 521 of a layer 551, 541 change along the width orientation of the layer 551, 541. In this way, even when only one layer 551, 541 is used per eye 404, 403, phantom spots 402 can be avoided.

This is an example in 5a shown. 5a shows two light sources 401 at different positions. Furthermore shows 5a the development of the viewing direction ranges 521 of the darkenable elements of the layer 551 along the width axis y of the layer 551. The viewing direction ranges 521 each have a trailing edge or boundary (also referred to as a direction range boundary) 522 which points to a midpoint between the eyes 403, 404 the width axis y is directed. This arrangement can ensure that the light sources 401 can be covered by darkening at the locations 512 on the layer 551 for the second eye 404 . However, the viewing angle of the first eye 403 at the locations 512 lies outside the viewing direction range 521 of the layer 551 at these locations 512, so that the darkenings are not visible to the first eye 403.

The layer 541 for the first eye 403 can be constructed in an analogous manner. The viewing direction regions 521 of layer 541 may be mirrored from the viewing direction regions 521 of layer 551 (specifically, at the x-axis through the midpoint between the eyes 403, 404 and perpendicular to the y-axis). As in 5b shown, the light sources 401 can be covered by obscurations at the locations 512 on the layer 541 for the first eye 403 . However, the viewing angle of the second eye 404 at the locations 512 lies outside the viewing direction range 521 of the layer 541 at these locations 512, so that the darkenings are not visible to the second eye 404.

A display layer 541, 551 (e.g. an LCD display) of a display 112 that can be dimmed can thus have “sharp tear-off edges” 522 that vary continuously in the y-direction. An LC display layer 541, 551 can be designed in such a way that in the horizontal (i.e. in the x-axis) the viewing angles have a sharp tear-off edge, so that for the solid angle of a glare source 401 to an eye 403, the glare source 401 is within the viewing direction range (and thus can be covered by a darkening), but for the solid angle of the same glare source 401 to the other eye 403, the glare source 401 is outside the viewing direction range (and thus the darkening is not perceived as an annoying phantom spot 402).

Display layers 541, 551 of the same type can be used for the first and second eye 403, 404, but are rotated by 180° with respect to one another.

By superimposing the two display layers 541, 551 for the right eye 403 and for the left eye 404, phantom spots can be eliminated over the entire width of the display.

How from the 5a and 5b can be removed, an elimination of the phantom spots can be ensured in particular when the center point between the eyes 403, 404 of the driver coincides with the center of the radially aligned viewing angle breakaway edges 522. The area 112 that can be darkened (or an associated control unit) can be set up to determine a deviation between the center point between the eyes 403, 404 and the center of the radially aligned viewing angle breakaway edges 522. The layers 541, 551 can be set up to change the viewing direction ranges (eg by applying an offset voltage). In particular, the layers 541, 551 can be set up to adjust the above-mentioned center in the x and y direction, for example by applying offset voltage(s) to individual controllable areas of the displays 541, 551. During operation, the center of the displays 541, 551 can be adjusted to the position between the driver's eyes.

The area 112 that can be darkened can comprise a further layer which has one or more viewing direction areas which comprise the viewing directions of both eyes 403, 404 along the entire width of the layer. This can ensure that the darkened area 112 can be darkened (for both eyes 403, 404). Furthermore, such a further layer can be used to switch the display 112 completely black in order to serve as a background for a further, self-luminous display layer (eg AMOLED technology) applied above it. This means that the surface can be used as a monitor to display information (depending on the driving situation).

As explained above, a control unit 130 of the screen 100 or the screen device can be set up to determine the position of one or more darkening areas 412 on the surface 112 that can be darkened, so that corresponding one or more sources of glare 401 are darkened. In particular, a light trajectory between a glare source 401 and an eye 403 of the occupant can be determined on the basis of the image data from the front camera 121 and/or the rear camera 122 . The position of the darkening 412 can then be determined in such a way that the darkening lies in the determined light trajectory and the glare source 401 is therefore hidden from the eye 403 .

The glare source 401, the aperture 100 and the occupant's eye 403 move relative to each other, so that the position of the darkening 412 typically has to be continuously redetermined. Glare sources 401 usually move evenly and without high-frequency vibrations in space. The movements of the occupant's eyes occur due to active movements of the occupant and/or due to accelerations/movements of the vehicle (e.g. caused by uneven roads, cornering, etc.). Movements of the occupant's eyes resulting from vehicle accelerations follow corresponding accelerations of the vehicle with a time delay.

The control unit 130 can be set up to receive data from a gyro/acceleration sensor of the vehicle. For example, a gyro sensor (e.g., gyro sensor 123) can be used to detect the movement/acceleration of the vehicle. The acceleration sensor is typically rigidly connected to the vehicle, so that accelerations of the vehicle can be recorded in an undistorted and timely manner. The acceleration of the driver's eyes can then be predicted from the detected accelerations of the vehicle. The predicted acceleration of the driver's eyes can be used to predict the position of the driver's eyes and adjust the position of an obscuration 412 to the predicted position of the driver's eyes.

6 shows a block diagram of an exemplary device 600 for determining the temporally and spatially correct position of the one or more darkening areas 412 on the area 112 that can be darkened, depending on the current position of the glare source 401, the current position of the eyes 403, 404 and the current acceleration situation of the vehicle (e.g. due to bumps in the road or cornering). In particular, device 600 includes a prediction unit 610 which is set up to predict a position of the occupant's eye on the basis of movement data 601 of the vehicle. The movement data 601 of the vehicle can be provided by a gyro sensor. Image data 602 of the eye of the occupant captured by the rear camera 122 and/or the last determined position 603 of the eye of the occupant can be taken into account as further input variables for the prediction. A future eye position 604 can be predicted from this data. The predicted future eye position 604 can then be used in a control unit 620 to define the positions of the one or more obscurations 412 on the area 112 that can be darkened in such a way that they are then suitable for the eye position that actually occurs. This exploits the fact that the phase of the movement of the eye position "lags behind" the exciting vibration of the vehicle. This can at least partially compensate for the loss of time that typically occurs in the controlled system due to signal analysis, calculation steps and signal propagation times, which means that the control frequency can be reduced with the control quality remaining the same.

In terms of control technology, for the route “excitation vehicle incl. gyro/acceleration sensor; Seat; Driver; Eyes; Darkening on the aperture” a frequency-dependent transfer characteristic or transfer function can be analyzed. This allows a control to be implemented that can predict the movement of the eyes based on the instantaneous acceleration of the vehicle. The transfer function between the detected movement data 601 and the resulting change in the position of the driver's eyes can be determined in advance. For example, the transfer function for the current driver can be determined in a training sequence (e.g. at the start of a journey) by evaluating the signals 601 of the gyro/acceleration sensor and detecting 602 the eye position, in order to then adjust the control characteristics accordingly. In particular, the transfer function in the prediction unit 610 can be used.

• Der abdunkelbare Teil 112 kann auch in transparenter Form dazu verwendet werden, unangenehme Spiegelungen in der Windschutzscheibe 150 zu reduzieren.

Other functions of an aperture are listed below:

• The part 112 that can be darkened can also be used in a transparent form to reduce unpleasant reflections in the windshield 150 .

In particular, the part 112 that can be darkened can be set up to polarize incoming light. This is an example in 3 shown. 3 shows a light beam 301 in the exterior of the vehicle that is not polarized. A partial polarization in the vertical direction is typically already effected by the windshield 150 of a vehicle. As a result, horizontally polarized light 302 bounces off the windshield 150 and partially vertically polarized light 303 penetrates through the windshield 150 into the interior of the vehicle.

The shadable portion 112 of the bezel 100 can have the same plane of polarization as the windshield 150. This allows the combined transparency of the windshield 150 and the shadable portion 112 to be maximized. In other words, by matching the polarization planes of the windshield 150 and the darkenable portion 112, the energy of the light 304 reaching the driver can be maximized. In the event that the layer 112 that can be darkened comprises an LCD layer and the windshield is relatively sharply inclined (as in conventional passenger cars), for example a proportion of approx. 60% of the light can pass through the LCD layer instead of approx. 42% that would occur without the effect of pre-polarization through the windshield 150. The 42% result from approx. 50% transmission loss due to the polarization effect of the LCD layer and additional reflection losses at the interfaces in front of and behind the LCD layer.

The one or more fixed positions described in this document can ensure that crash-incompatible positions of the panel 100 are only possible transiently. The one or more fixed positions can be positions of the panel 100 that are as safe as possible. As explained above, the fold-out angle of the screen 100, and thus the position of the screen 100, can be determined via a sensor 123.

The area 112 that can be darkened can be darkened in several steps or, if necessary, continuously. As a result, different functional modes for the screen 100 can be provided. A transparent surface 112 can be used to eliminate reflections; a solid and completely darkened area 112 can be used to hide a certain area; an adjustable transmission allows the surface 112 to be used in a manner similar to sunglasses; By darkening individual points, dedicated sources of glare can be hidden; and by grading the transmission, sub-areas can be attenuated as required.

The blinding effect of blinding sources on the driver of a vehicle can be significantly reduced by the blind devices described in this document. This can reduce driver fatigue and increase driver comfort. Furthermore, this leads to an increase in the safety of a vehicle.

The present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown. In particular, it should be noted that the description and the figures are only intended to illustrate the principle of the proposed methods, devices and systems.

Claims (7)

Anti-glare device (112) configured to selectively block light from a glare source (401) at least partially to an eye (403, 404) of a viewer; wherein the anti-glare device (112) comprises a plurality of light-transmitting layers (431, 441) each having a plurality of elements; the light transmittance of the plurality of elements being separately variable, the elements of the plurality of elements each having a viewing direction range (421,443); wherein a reduction in light transmission of an element is perceived more strongly when viewed with an eye (403, 404) of the viewer from a direction within the viewing direction range (421) than when viewed from a direction outside the viewing direction range (421); wherein the viewing direction ranges (421) of the elements of two different layers (431, 441) of the plurality of light-transmitting layers (431, 441) are different. Glare protection device (112) according to claim 1 , wherein the glare protection device (112) is set up to select a first layer (441) of the plurality of transparent layers (431, 441) depending on a position of the glare source (401), so that the glare source (401) is for a first eye (403) of the viewer is within the viewing direction range (421) of at least one element of the plurality of elements of the first layer (441), and so that the glare source (401) for a second eye (404) of the viewer is outside the viewing direction range (421 ) of the at least one element of the plurality of elements of the first layer (441). Anti-glare device (112) configured to selectively block light from a glare source (401) at least partially to an eye (403, 404) of a viewer; wherein the antiglare device (112) comprises at least a first light transmissive layer (431, 441) having a plurality of elements; wherein the light transmittance of the plurality of elements is separately variable, the elements of the plurality of elements each having a viewing direction range (521); wherein a reduction in light transmission of an element is perceived more strongly when viewed with an eye (403, 404) of the viewer from a direction within the viewing direction range (521) than when viewed from a direction outside the viewing direction range (521); wherein the viewing direction ranges (521) of the elements change along a plane axis of the first light-transmitting layer (431, 441). Glare protection device (112) according to claim 3 , wherein - a viewing direction range (521) has a direction range boundary (522); and - the directional range boundaries (522) of the viewing direction ranges (521) of the elements along the plane axis of the first light-transmissive layer (431, 441) are directed to a common point on a transverse axis perpendicular to the plane axis of the first light-transmissive layer (431, 441). Glare protection device (112) according to claim 4 , wherein the common point corresponds to a midpoint on an axis between a first eye (403) and a second eye (404) of the viewer. Glare protection device (112) according to one of claims 3 until 5 , wherein the glare protection device (112) is set up - to determine a focal point; and - changing the directional range boundaries (522) of the viewing direction ranges (521) of the elements along the surface axis of the first light-transmitting layer (431, 441) such that the directional range boundaries (522) are directed towards the focal point. Glare protection device (112) according to claim 6 , wherein the glare protection device (112) is set up to regulate the directional range limits (522) in relation to a changing focal point by means of a control circuit.

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