DE19814094A1 - Arrangement for darkening transparent plate, e.g. vehicle windscreen, to prevent disturbing light from passing through or for use as information display - Google Patents

Abstract

The arrangement has local, selectively electrically driven darkening elements (36) for selective local darkening of the plate (14-19) in a transmission region of the noise source (4-6) through the plate to form a noise or aperture protection plate, for stepped overall darkening of the plate or for local selective information display. An optical system determines the position of the noise source in size, direction and intensity on one side of the plate. An Independent claim is also included for a method of darkening a transparent plate.

Description

The invention relates to a device and a method for darkening egg ner transparent pane as protection against sources of interference from one side of the Pane, such as disturbing transparency, disturbing light sources or disturbing heat impacts, and / or as an information display.

To prevent the incidence of light through a transparent pane in the Eyes of people who drive or use a means of transport or who To operate systems with glare sources, there are some facilities today such as e.g. B. Sun visors, sun blinds, dark adhesive films for see-through windows, electrically controlled blackout mirrors, tinted Windows, flaps, sunglasses, welding goggles and much more.

All facilities have specific disadvantages, such as: B. unchangeable Light attenuation, complete darkening of the entire area of a trans Parent disc by coloring or tinting, complete optical out glare from the anti-glare agent, like sunglasses that darken effect even in unwanted areas. Other disadvantages are awkward handling and the annoying design and the like.

While sometimes these drawbacks are only annoying, e.g. B. in a car by the glare of the sun or oncoming traffic by the sudden Decreased eyesight or through hectic movements when moving around swiveling sun visors or by closing eyes or by Averting the eyes creates dangerous situations.

In addition, the sun visor or sun blind in a car takes egg on a bus, train or plane, the upper field of vision is completely out of sight  Field of vision so that signals can be overlooked. One electronically controlled dimming of the rear-view mirror, as shown in the publication EP 0 788 947 is known, darkens disadvantageously due to the use of the entire surface the entire rear-view mirror pane against electro-chromatic elements, see above that the dimly lit environment of the disturbing light source with the Light source is hidden, and safety-related movements and Changes in the detection range of this rear-view mirror by a derar can be lost.

Sunglasses also darken the entire field of vision and lead short-shaded passages on total vision loss.

The problem of displaying information in Blickrich is still completely unsolved the driver of a means of transport. A previously known solution sees Mirror overlays on a section of a windshield in front of the disadvantageously faded in backlight or completely disappears. Another Lö solution provides displays in the dashboard. These have the disadvantage that the driver of a means of transport differs from the traffic situation must turn what transport security, especially in public Means of transport also reduced for passengers carried.

Another disadvantage of transparent and / or tinted windows is that that the interior of a means of transport in intense sunlight especially in the case of means of transport parked outdoors during the day heat up, especially since conventional sunscreens only partially heat the shit cover surfaces.

Protection against looking outside into the interior of a traffic vehicle tels can currently only through internal mirroring, d. H. semipermeable Mirror surfaces, through intensive tinting of the panes or through inside slopes or blinds can be reached. This protection should be removed rend for safety-relevant panes of means of transport mirrored and tinted windows impossible and mechanical  Aids such as roller blinds, blinds or curtains only take a long time wall and movements distracting from traffic.

The object of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art nik known solutions to overcome and a device according to The preamble of claim i specify the targeted glare effects only then switches off if they occur disturbing and only in the area of one Hide transparent pane in which the dazzling source of interference the transparent pane from an exterior from one side of the Disk enters an interior on the other side of the disk. Furthermore, the device should be able, if necessary, as information to serve on one disc and, if desired, the entire Darken the transparent pane.

This object is achieved with the subject matter of claim 1.

For this purpose, the device has locally selectively electrically controllable darkening elements for selective local darkening in a passage area range of the source of interference through the disc to form an interference or glare protective pane or for the graded overall darkening of the pane to the bil that of a viewing or heat shield or for the locally selective type reveal information to form an information display disc.

This advantageously creates a device that when a dazzlingly bright source of interference on one side of the pane, like a beam dazzling dazzling sun or spotlight from an oncoming mode of transport, selectively a passage area on the disc, which lies between a viewer and the source of interference, ver darkens. In addition, the invention provides a device the as a heat shield and as protection against viewing from one side the disc can be used by all for such protection darkening elements of a pane can be activated or activated at the same time be so that the heat radiation into the interior on the other Side of the disc is advantageously reduced and a review of  one side of the pane in the interior on the other side of the Disk is advantageously difficult or completely prevented.

This solution advantageously ensures that a transparent Schei be a means of transport or an industrial plant or a building which can be selectively darkened in the area in which the location of the Passage of the source of interference through the pane, which is otherwise for a Glare-prone person distracting with a transparent or tinted or mirrored pane would impact.

In a mode of transport, such as an airplane, can be particularly blinding puts the pilot and co-pilot's eyes at risk from dazzling sources of interference be protected so that human error in aviation is reduced becomes. In addition, it is advantageous in aviation that the selectively controllable Ren darkening elements can also be activated to display information are, so that especially in the critical landing approach neither a dazzling The sun disk can still disturb the attention of the pilot and co-pilot is reduced by looking at instrument displays, since all important in Formations in the direction of the runway with the help of the ß device are displayed.

Several blinding sources of interference, as they come in through the headlights, especially at night the or in the rear-view mirror caused by vehicles, selek tiv be hidden with the help of the darkening elements.

Another advantage of the invention is the ability to park for Ver sweeping means the entire pane surfaces with their darkening elements to be controlled in such a way that protection against transparency or complete Thermal shield is formed by total blackout, and this protection quickly and easily and automatically when the traffic is turned off tels can be used without cumbersome curtains, protective cloths, blankets or the like must cover the windows of the means of transport.  

Furthermore, the invention enables relief for moving means of transport the air conditioner by adding disc surfaces that are not immediately safe unit of the occupants are required, such as. B. skylights or rear sides window panes with intensive heat radiation over their entire surface can be darkened. Finally, the invention provides in terms of the increasing exposure to UV radiation provides excellent protection the occupants of a means of transport who also travel in polar regions, such as For example, cruise ships that may be equipped by Terrace viewing windows with the new device provide UV protection for realize the guests.

Can also be used for building window panes and complete glazing by providing a preferred embodiment of the invention on me mechanically moving and therefore maintenance-intensive solutions, such as blinds or the like can be dispensed with and the building air conditioning system considerably be relieved. By varying the relatively simple control of the Ab darkening elements, such as by pulse length modulation the degree of darkening of the window fronts to the external and climatic conditions be adjusted.

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises at least one opti cal recording system for recording a position of the interference source in size, Direction and intensity on one side of the disc is a detection system to determine the eye position of a person at risk of glare or from the sturgeon source harassed person on the other side of the disc and a Auswer system with a computing unit for calculating the passage area the disc in relation to the position of the interference source and the Au determined gene position and a control unit for activating the darkening elements the disc.

With this preferred embodiment of the invention, the interference sources len, like dazzling headlights of passing vehicles, tracked and without mandatory intervention by a person at risk of glare protective darkening surfaces formed by the darkening elements  det, the wandering of the passage areas on the pane fits by automatically controlling the darkening elements or be switched off. Since there is none in the passage area of a glare source anyway Seeing is possible, the visual perceptual ability of the guide Nes means of transport not turned on by this embodiment of the invention limits, but significantly improved, for example, traffic situation conditions or conditions in one with dazzling sources of heat or radiation working system, better judged by the remaining disc area can be.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is device as glare, visual, heat protection and / or as information display disc part of a means of transport, such as a motor vehicle, one Ship, train or plane. In particular for such ver Often the Si safety for the total number of occupants of the means of transport increased. Each however, the device according to the invention also brings about advantages for being fixed de Facilities, such as industrial plants, in which monitoring or Lei staff affected by local light or light sources in their work are pregnant.

In the case of transport, such a device is preferably used as a glare, Visual, heat protection and / or as information display on the front, screen ten- and / or rear window and / or attached to a roof window and / or provided as an integral part of these discs. This has the intent partly that, for example, the responsible leader of the means of transportation in al len possible directions is protected from glare or heat.

If the device is used as an information display disc, it can Information can be read into the disc by selectively controlling it darkenable elements can be activated accordingly. For this, the Device preferably turned on for the front window of a means of transport sets, so that the driver of the means of transport is unaffected  can pursue impaired and at the same time necessary and the traffic security receives security-increasing information in the direction of view.

For anti-glare protection of a driver of a means of transport is the preferred Embodiment of the invention for front and front side windows preferably provided, especially since glare from backwards through correspondingly selectively darkenable rear view mirror panes can be.

Glare from a central or side rear view mirror preferably by attaching a device according to the invention directly reduced on the window of the rearview mirror. Unlike the above he mentioned conventional solutions will not cover the entire rear-view mirror area darkened, but only the relatively small area of the rear-view mirror pane darkened in which the interfering light source relative to the position reflects the eyes of the person at risk of glare.

The recording system has at least one of several overlapping ones Recording optics, which are arranged on a means of transport, and has a recording area for the outside space that faces forward, right, left, rear and / or top is aligned. With such an overlapping recording meoptiken is ensured in an advantageous manner that no gaps arise hen and the entire exterior can be checked for sources of interference. These sources of interference are with the help of recording chips, such as can be used for CCD cameras, in terms of their spatial position and extent voltage measured and compared to the average brightness or darkness that prevails in the outdoor area and finally who which the darkening elements are activated selectively for the passage area, so that even when walking the passage area on the disk with respect on the eyes of the person at risk of glare, they are always protected.

For this purpose, the detection system detects the eye position above, below, right and / or left at least one detection optics, which in the Means of transport forward, right, left, rear up and / or down  is aimed at. This detection optics is in any case on the head of the person who is at risk of glare or has search mechanisms or tracking devices that cover the head of the person at risk of glare search or track and its spatial location and thus the spatial Determine the position of the eye position. This has the advantage that the verbatim leader of the means of transport can move freely without his Action radius to be hindered or restricted.

Such detection optics can preferably be made with an infrared fiber system or a system of photocells or photo arrays or a Ultrasound system, so that the spatial position of the head and / or the eyes of the person at risk of glare without restricting them Freedom of movement can be determined.

Active detection elements in the interior of the Means of transport that are sufficient for the usual field of vision Can detect the angle of rotation of the head of the person at risk of glare and in front of the head or to the right or left of it on or in the headlining or in a dashboard or in a steering wheel baffle or in window frames or are arranged in roof pillars of a means of transport. This arrangement in the interior of the means of transport has the advantage that the detection elements te are protected against the weather and that even a small Number of optimally arranged detection elements is sufficient to be cost-effective the position of the eyes of the person at risk of glare. Preferential the detection elements are manual by means of an adjustment device or spatially adjustable in terms of software.

In a further preferred embodiment, passive detection can also be carried out be used without the freedom of movement of the blendge endangered person is significantly impaired. A preferred one Embodiment requires that the means of transportation with rearview mirrors is permitted. In such a case, rotation angle sensors are preferred store in rear-view mirrors in horizontal and vertical directions. There the responsible leader of a mode of transport is obliged to return all  correctly adjust the mirror for a trip in relation to his eye position, this setting can be used advantageously to the eyes position to be detected by the Invention at least one of the rear-view mirrors with rotation angle sensors in ho horizontal and vertical direction, which in turn is capable an angle of rotation signal must be transmitted to the evaluation system.

The recording system preferably has a recording optics with black White chips on, as these are inexpensive to use in the surrounding area of a means of transport and can generate output signals that to determine the location of sources of interference using an evaluation system in the Outdoor areas are required. For high resolution mapping and Such a black and white chip has at least size determination 50,000 pixels on the triggering of darkening elements on the Glare, view, heat protection and / or information display disc serve.

The recording system preferably comprises recording optics in or on Transport in protected areas with good visibility, ge preferably hear the headlight or signaling device housing, the rear side of interior mirrors and / or window niches. This has the advantage that the recording system remains fully functional even in bad weather. If such places in the means of transport are not sufficient, then preference can be given instruct the recording system on recording optics in or on the means of transport Have points at which cleaning devices of the means of transport are effective or where the risk of contamination is low. So that will advantageous a durable, reliable and secure arrangement of the up system on the means of transport.

Due to the optical recording system, the average are preferably Light intensity of the monitored recording area and selective peak values the light intensity can be transmitted to the evaluation system. This is the end a medium brightness value is available, which is used to weight the Interference source intensity can be used, and by a threshold The value for the weighted interference source intensity is then darkened  the darkening elements acti when this threshold is exceeded fourth.

In addition, the evaluation system preferably has a monitor chich device for comparing the light intensities and for determining egg Failure of one or more chips due to contamination or techni defect, as well as for checking and compensating for failed images score or leads on. The monitoring device can be a mistake Activate the user display, which is a warning signal and a display option for the Provides localization of the error.

The recording system is available with the evaluation unit for the transfer of In formations to check for completeness and completeness are correct, in operative connection, so that taking into account the Infor mations transmitted to the evaluation unit by the detection system an accurate correlation calculation with respect to the location of the blen source of interference, the position of the eyes at risk of glare and the location and the size of the passage area by the between eyes and sturgeon source transparent disc pre-selected by means of the evaluation unit can be taken. The result of this calculation is information which of the darkening elements of the glare, sight, heat protection and / or Information display disc are to be activated so that exactly in the passage area the window is richly darkened.

The darkening elements belong to a large-area monochrome Screen film that prefers the screen at least partially congruent covering from the inside. This screen slide is particularly advantageous for Suitable for retrofitting a means of transport and can be retrofitted Installation of active connections between the screen film on the pane and a recording system, a recording system and an evaluation system for a glare, sight, heat protection and / or in formation display device to be completed.  

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the picture is screen foil in sandwich construction between two laminated glass panes ordered and extends at least partially congruently across the Schei expansion. This embodiment has the advantage that the screen film an integral part of the glare, privacy or heat protection and / or Information display disc is protected and consequently from damage is. In addition, this embodiment facilitates the handling of the Glare, view, heat protection and / or information display at the Assembly and manufacture of a means of transport.

The darkening elements of the screen film are preferably over hori zonal and vertical tracks can be controlled selectively. To do this, electri cal signals for darkening from the evaluation system to the large area monochrome screen film passed so that the glare, sight or heat protective and / or information display panel selectively in the passage area is darkened and thus protects the person at risk of glare or for Information is selectively darkened accordingly.

The large-area monochrome screen film is preferably liquid crystal display elements, such as LCD elements, equipped, which are transparent when a signal is not present and when a signal is applied electrical signal have a reduced transparency. This LCD Elements have the advantage that they can be produced over a large area and with transparent vertical and horizontal conductor tracks can. For a stepless, electrically controllable degree of blackening the preferably electro-chromatic darkening films used in hereinafter referred to as EC elements. These are preferably in integral part of the large monochromatic screen film or can be designed and arranged as additional elements.

The screen film preferably has a transparent substrate film with egg ner first transparent and structured conductor coating, one Liquid crystal coating and a cover sheet with a second transparent annuity and structured conductor coating. Here are the  structured conductor track coatings of the substrate and cover foil in contact with the liquid crystal coating. Preferably, the first one and second structured conductor coating parallel vertical or hori zonal tracks. The substrate film is opposite the cover foil arranged in such a way that the parallel conductor tracks of the foils cross zen and in contact with the liquid crystal coating. That has the Advantage that each darkening element is selectively vertical and a horizontal conductor track can be activated by a corresponding one electrical signal is applied to these conductor tracks.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the darkening elements of the glare, visual or heat protection and / or information display panes have an average size of approximately 0.25 to 25 cm ² and preferably an edge length of 0.5 to 5 cm. Such large-area darkening elements can be used in part for window fronts in buildings.

In a favorable variant, the darkening elements on the glare, visual or heat protection and / or information display panes have an average size of approximately 1 to 25 mm ² and preferably have an edge length of 1 to 5 mm. These medium-sized darkening elements are advantageously provided for the large-area screen film in order to be used in transparent panes of means of transport. For the relatively small areas of rear-view mirror panes, darkening elements with an average size of less than 1 mm ² , preferably a size of 0.3 to 0.03 mm ² , are preferably provided.

In principle, the individual area can also be used as the pane area increases a darkening element larger and with smaller pane area che be chosen accordingly smaller. With this choice essentially is determined by the application and economic aspects.

In many cases, sources of interference on people at risk of glare differ perceived glare. It is therefore preferably provided that egg ne response brightness as reaction threshold of the system is adjustable in order  the system to the different individual needs of a blendge to adapt the person at risk.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the following control variables of the device can also be set manually:

• a) size of a darkening area in the area of the passage area ( 11 , 12 , 13 ) and / or,
• b) radial decrease in the blackening of a darkening surface ( 48 ) and / or,
• c) maximum blackening of a darkening surface ( 48 ) and / or,
• d) position corrections of a darkening surface ( 48 ) on the glare, visual or heat protection and / or information display disc ( 14 to 19 ), and / or
• e) a response brightness of the device as the response threshold of System is adjustable.

With the adjustability of the size of a darkening area in the area of Edge effects are advantageously avoided. these can even better due to the adjustability of the decrease in blackening in radia direction in relation to the center of the interfering light source will be. The radial decrease in the degree of blackening can be preferred wise by decreasing the areal density of the activated darkening elements te can be achieved or by pulsing the darkening elements, the impulse / pause ratio being reduced towards the edge. Finally, the manual adjustability of position corrections helps from darkening surface on the glare, sight or heat protection and / or informa tion indicator disc of the person at risk of glare, minor errors in the automatic darkening of the passage area up to, for example adjust or correct the next maintenance date.

It is preferably provided that manually adjustable inputs are saved are searchable and can be called up repeatedly. It is advantageously achieved that the one-off individual corrections to the automatic  Control variables always set by a person at risk of glare are available if this person uses the means of transport again.

A preferred method for darkening a transparent pane with tels one of the embodiments of the invention is by a supply of Control signals to the connections of the darkening elements, accordingly one depending on the type and size of the source of interference and / or showing information calculated or predetermined pattern for the Disc.

This method has the advantage that it darkens a selective loading for a limited time when a source of interference occurs on one side the pane to protect the eyes of a person at risk of glare on the on the other side of the disc or display an important In formation in the field of view of a person realized on the disc, so that an op timely protection of the person and an increase in the safety of the operation of stationary systems and moving means of transport is achieved.

A preferred implementation of the method also provides for the following method steps

• - Detection of a position of a source of interference in size, direction and in intensity on one side of the disc,
• - Detecting the eye position of a person at risk of glare or through a Source of disturbance on the other side of the pane,
• - Calculate the passage area on the disc with respect to the Position of the source of interference and the determined eye position,
• - Darken the transparent pane in the passage area through the Disc and  
• - Activate the selectively controllable darkening elements of the window be in the passage area or in an information display area.

With this preferred method, it becomes reliable and reproducible is enough that both the source of interference and the eye position are constantly related be correlated to the disc and only the area of the disc is dimmed is in the passage area of the source of interference in relation to the eye po sition lies.

A preferred implementation of the method is by activating all available darkening elements after parking a means of transport Total darkening of the panes to form visual or thermal protection discs marked. This has the advantage that the darkening elements a further protection, namely from looking through a pane and from The effects of heat, as soon as, for example, a means of transport is parked or parked.

Furthermore, in a further preferred implementation of the method by means of pulse-like control of the darkening elements advantageously any degree of darkening can be achieved. For a dazzling Interference source, this means that their passage area depending on their Radiation intensity can be darkened more or less.

Another preferred process variant is characterized by the following process steps:

• - Detection of the average brightness on the outside of the pane be,
• - Darken the pane in the passage area if exceeded an adjustable and / or programmable brightness thresholds of a local source of interference.

This process variant has the advantage that the darkening by the Ab darkening elements to the interference source intensity or the interference source brightness and can be advantageously adapted to the person's perception of interference. There The blackening of the pane area can preferably be done by means of An control of the darkening elements by pulse length modulation and / or by pulse frequency modulation or by darkening surface density tion to be adapted to the protection needs of the person sensitive to interference.

Further advantages, features and possible uses of the invention are now based on an embodiment with reference to the attached drawings explained in more detail.

Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the device for darkening a transparent pane.

Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the device for darkening a transparent pane.

Fig. 3 shows the structure of a glare, sight or heat protection and / or in formation indicator in sandwich construction.

Fig. 4 shows sections of enlarged darkening elements of the glare, privacy or heat protection and / or information display panel.

Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the device to darken at least one transparent pane 14 to 19. In this embodiment, it is a front window 14 , right side windows 15 and 16 , a rear window 17 and left side windows 18 and 19 of a passenger car (car). For the sake of clarity, the roof of the car with a skylight and a headlining is omitted, so that the head 35 of a person 2 who is at risk of glare can be seen directly. As an example, the eyes 1 of this person 2 are blinded by three sources of interference 4 , 5 , 6 . To form an anti-glare screen, the device has locally selectively electrically controllable darkening elements 36 for selectively darkening the window 14 to 19 in a passage area 11 , 12 , 13 of the sources of interference ( 4 , 5 , 6 ) through the window ( 14 to 19 ). For total darkening of the pane 14 to 19 to form a sight or heat shield, all of the darkening elements of the panes 14 to 19 can also be activated at the same time. To form information displays 60 in the field of vision of the driver of a means of transport, the selective controllability of the darkening elements of these panes is advantageously used with the device according to the invention.

In this embodiment, the darkening elements 36 are made of LCD elements, which are arranged and dimensioned specifically for the needs of a selective pane darkening. These LCD elements blacken the glare, visual or heat protection and / or information display discs 14 to 19 when applying a DC voltage by obstructing the passage. In the case of pulsed control, any degree of blackening can advantageously be realized by adjusting the pulse / pause ratio.

To determine a blackening or darkening Durchgangsbe rich 11 , 12 , 13 , the detection of the interference source 4 , 5 , 6 on one side of the disc 14 to 19 is required and the detection of the eye position of a person at risk of glare 2 on the other side of the disc 14th seen before 19 .

To detect the source of interference 4 , 5 , 6 on one side of the disc, recording optics 27 to 31 with recording chips in the manner in the vehicle or in protected locations, such as in the headlight housings, attached that they overlap recording areas 22 to 26 with their recording angles Form 22 'to 26 ' on one side of the disks 14 to 19 . This overlap is advantageous so that there are no gaps in the glare protection against disturbing light sources and to achieve "all-round glare protection".

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, no complete "all-round glare protection" is shown, since no recording optics with recording chips are provided for interference sources in the region of the rear side windows 16 and 18 . However, in the rear window area, a receiving area 25 is provided, which is captured by the receiving optics 30 with a receiving angle 25 '. In this case, it can be provided on the one hand that the rear window is equipped with corresponding darkening elements 36 with an average size of 1 to 5 mm ² and a preferred edge length of 1 to 5 mm, or it can be the much smaller area of the inner rearview mirror 21 with darkening elements an area of less than 1 mm ² , preferably from 0.3 to 0.03 mm ² . In both cases, the rear interference source 6 is successfully hidden. The risk of glare from the rear source of interference 6 is also given via the side rear view mirrors 46 and 47 and can be sufficient in the case of the side rear view mirror on the one hand by activating darkening elements of the front side window or by activating darkening elements of the pane of the side rear view mirror 46 and 48 .

The front area of the means of transport is monitored in this embodiment by the recording optics 27 , 28 , 29 and 31 , the recording angles 22 ', 23 ', 24 'and 26 ' overlap in such a way that each interference source is in the range from 0 to 180 degrees is detected in the field of view of the person 2 at risk of glare. The sources of interference 4 and 5 are shown as examples, which are located in the recording area 22 and 24 of the front or side recording optics 27 and 29 and form the passage areas 11 and 12 in relation to the eye position of the person 2 at risk of glare. These passage areas 11 and 12 are selectively darkened directly on the transparent pane by activating corresponding darkening elements of the front pane designed as an anti-glare pane.

The degree of blackening of the darkening elements 36 can be adapted in a preferred implementation of the control method of the darkening elements 36 by means of pulse control with the aid of the pulse / pause ratio of the intensity of the interference source 4 , 5 or 6 .

Passive and active elements can be provided to determine the eye position of a person 2 at risk of glare on the other side of the pane 14 to 19 . In the present embodiment of FIG. 1, an active recording optics 32 with an image evaluation system is provided, which is arranged on the armature panel and receives the head 35 with the eyes 1 of the person 2 at risk of glare.

For comfort reasons, other seats can also be integrated into the system. A further improvement in occupant comfort can be achieved by using the control for influencing the permeability for entire panes 14 to 19 , such as, for. B. the rear side windows ben 16 and 18th The rear side windows 16 and 18 , the sliding roofs made of glass or transparent plastic and the rear window 17 can be completely darkened in strong light to reduce the heat radiation and thus to reduce the adverse effects of the air conditioning system or to prevent outside view of a means of transport . Each window seat can be darkened individually or side by side by the passenger, driver or by the system, depending on the position of the sun. In the same way, the dimming can be automatically initiated in the parked means of transport via light or heat sensors.

Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the device for darkening a transparent pane. The sources of interference 4 , 5 and 6 are recorded with the aid of the recording system 8 by means of a plurality of recording optics 27 , 29 and 30 in the direction, size and intensity. These data are transmitted to an evaluation system 10 , which correlates this data with the eye position, which was passed on from a detection system 9 to the evaluation system 10 , and calculates the passage area on the panes with the aid of a computing unit. The evaluation unit 10 supplies control signals correlated with the passage area for a screen film 37 with darkening elements 36 , which is preferably an integral part of the panes 14 to 19 . An input unit 51 enables the automatic or manual input of control variables into the evaluation unit, so that the dimmed area can be adapted to the individual needs of the person at risk of glare, and all darkening elements can be activated for visual or thermal protection.

Fig. 3 shows the structure of a glare, viewing or heat shield in a sandwich construction. For this purpose, a large-area monochromatic image screen film 37 is arranged between two laminated glass panes 39 and 38 . The screen film 37 is constructed on a substrate film 41 , onto which a vertically and parallel structured transparent conductor coating 42, for example made of a material consisting essentially of indium oxide, is applied. On this conductor coating 42 , a liquid crystal layer 43 is applied on which a cover film 44 with a horizontally and parallel structured transparent conductor coating 45 is located, the substrate film 41 and the cover film 44 being arranged to one another in such a way that the conductor coatings 42 and 45 layer with the liquid crystal 43 are in contact and their conductor tracks run horizontally or vertically. . Both the substrate film 41 and the cover film 44 are in turn made of transparent material.

Fig. 4 shows sections of enlarged darkening elements 36 of a glare, visual or heat protection and / or information display panel, which can be controlled by crossing horizontal H ₁ to H _n and vertical V ₀ to V _m conductors. A liquid crystal layer 43 , shown in FIG. 3, is arranged between the intersecting conductor track surfaces and has a reduced transparency due to the application of a direct voltage U between the conductor tracks in the region of the intersecting conductor track surface. The degree of darkening or blackening, which occurs with reduced transparency, can be graded by pulse control of the conductor tracks H and V. The function of these darkening elements 36 corresponds to the function of known LCD elements, but the dimensions to be used here for darkening elements 36 are many times larger than of LCD elements for high-resolution LCD displays, such as those found in digital wristwatches, pocket calculators or black / white laptops are known.

The electronics of the recording chips detects the glare or interference sources 4 , 5 and 6 with the recording chips, controls the individual corresponding LCD surfaces and darkens them. Due to the non-darkened area boundaries, a light residue remains which is sufficient for the exact determination of the location of the glare or interference source 4 , 5 and 6 . The size of the LCD points of the panes 14 to 19 can be several mm ² , so that the number of points in the ratio of the pane to the laptop display remains approximately the same. With higher comfort requirements, the resolution can be further improved. This requires a higher outlay for the areas of the darkening elements 36 , the receiving chips and the control. The size of the darkening processing elements 36 in the rear-view mirrors 21 , 46 and 47 is correspondingly fitted and thus much smaller.

Particularly convenient is a continuous decrease of the controlled darkening elements 36 around a glare or interference source 4 , 5 and 6 , which creates a smooth transition from the dimmed area to the normal transparent pane area.

The control speed of the darkening elements 36 must be quickly enough to follow the movements of the head 35 and the means of transport without the glare or interference source 4 , 5 and 6 emerging from the darkened area. The delay between an incident of the light on the eyes 1 and the darkening of the window 14 to 19 is necessary for determining the glare or interference source 4 , 5 and 6 , but can be set between approximately 1/25 sec and 1/100 sec's be, without the eyesight of the person at risk of glare 2 is impaired.

A manual fine adjustment of the direction, the size of the darkening area around the glare or interference source 4 , 5 and 6 , the grayscale, as well as a coupling to the driver's memory functions allow the system to be individually adapted.

For large-area continuous darkening of the panes 14 to 19 , systems can also be used in conjunction with the present embodiments of the invention, which continuously darken the panes over the entire surface, such as systems which cause a darkening effect of large-scale electro-chromatic effects.

Reference list

V, H conductor tracks

1

eyes

2nd

person

3rd

inner space

4th

,

5

,

6

dazzling sources of interference

7

Outside space

8th

Recording system

9

Acquisition system

10th

Evaluation system

11

,

12th

,

13

Passage area

14

Windscreen

15

,

19th

Side window (front)

16

,

18th

Side window (rear)

17th

rear window

20th

Transportation

21

Rearview mirror

22

to

26

Recording area

27

to

31

Optics

32

Detection elements

33

,

34

Headlight housings

35

head

36

Darkening elements

37

Screen slide

38

,

39

Laminated glass panes

40

LCD elements

41

transparent substrate film

42

first transparent and structured conductor track coating

43

Liquid crystal coating

44

Cover film

45

second transparent and structured conductor coating

46

left side rear view mirror

47

right side rear-view mirror

48

Darkening area

49

inner space

50

Sandwich construction

51

Input unit

60

Information display

Claims (40)

1. Device for darkening a transparent pane ( 14 to 19 ) as protection against sources of interference from one side of the pane ( 14 to 19 ), such as a disturbing view, disturbing light sources ( 4 , 5 , 6 ) or disturbing heat effects, and / or as an information display ( 60 ) characterized in that the device locally selectively electrically controllable darkening elements ( 36 ) for selective local darkening of the pane ( 14 to 19 ) in a passage area ( 11 , 12 , 13 ) of the interference source ( 4 , 5 , 6 ) by the Disc 14 to 19 for forming a glare or glare shield or for graded total darkening of the pane ( 14 to 19 ) for forming a sight or heat shield or for locally selective display of information to form an information display disc. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device further comprises:
an optical recording system ( 8 ) for detecting a position of the interference source ( 4 , 5 , 6 ) in size, direction and intensity on one side of the pane ( 14 to 19 ),
a detection system ( 9 ) for determining the eye position of a person at risk of glare or from the source of interference on the other side of the pane ( 14 to 19 ),
an evaluation system ( 10 ) with a computing unit for calculating the passage area ( 11 , 12 , 13 ) on the pane ( 14 to 19 ) in relation to the position of the interference source ( 4 , 5 , 6 ) and the determined eye position and a control unit for activation the darkening elements ( 36 ) of the pane ( 14 to 19 ). 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is a glare, visual, heat protection and / or as an information display disc ( 14 to 19 ) part of a motor vehicle, a ship, egg ner train or an aircraft. 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is a glare, visual, heat protection and / or as an information display disc ( 14 to 19 ) is part of an industrial system or a building. 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is a front ( 14 ), side ( 15 , 16 ) as a glare, visual, heat protection and / or as information display disc ( 14 to 19 ) , 18 , 19 ) or rear window ( 17 ) or a roof window of a means of transport. 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it is used as a glare shield for a front ( 14 ) and for front side windows ( 15 and 19 ) of a means of transport. 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is a rear-view mirror ( 21 , 46 , 47 ) as an anti-glare screen. 8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is a windshield ( 14 ) egg nes means of transport as an information display disc. 9. Device according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the recording system ( 8 ) has at least one of a plurality of overlapping recording optics ( 27 to 31 ) which are arranged on a means of transport ( 20 ) and with their recording area ( 22 to 26 ) for the outside space ( 7 ) are oriented towards the front, right, left, back and up. 10. The device according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the detection system ( 9 ) for determining the eye position up, down, right and left at least one detection optics ( 32 ) in the means of transport forward, right, left, rear, top and bottom. 11. Device according to one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the recording system ( 8 ) has a recording optics ( 27 to 31 ) with black and white chips with at least 50,000 pixels. 12. The device according to one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that the recording system ( 8 ) recording optics ( 27 to 31 ) in or on the means of transport in protected places with good visibility, preferably in at least one headlight ( 33 , 34 ) or signaling device housing or on a rear view mirror rear and / or in window recesses. 13. The device according to one of claims 2 to 12, characterized in that the recording system ( 8 ) recording optics ( 27 to 31 ) in or on the means of transport ( 20 ) at locations where cleaning devices of the means of transport are effective or where the The risk of contamination is low. 14. The device according to any one of claims 2 to 13, characterized in that an average light intensity of the monitored recording area ( 27 to 31 ) and selective peak values of the light intensity to the evaluation system ( 10 ) through the optical recording system ( 8 ) can be transmitted. 15. The device according to one of claims 2 to 14, characterized in that the evaluation system ( 10 ) has a monitoring device for comparing the light intensities, for determining a failure of one or more chips due to contamination or technical defect, for checking and compensating for failed pixels or Has leads. 16. The device according to one of claims 2 to 15, characterized in that the detection system ( 9 ) has a detection optics ( 32 ) from egg nem system of photo cells or photo arrays, preferably with an infrared detection system, or an ultrasound system or an optical system, so that the spatial position of the head ( 35 ) and / or the eyes ( 1 ) of the person at risk of glare ( 2 ) can be determined. 17. The device according to one of claims 2 to 16, characterized in that the detection system ( 9 ) has active detection elements in interior space 49 of the means of transport, which for the usual field of view sufficient angle of rotation of the head ( 35 ) of the person at risk of glare ( 2nd ) can capture and in front of the head ( 35 ) or to the right or left of it on or in a headlining or in a dashboard or in a steering wheel baffle plate or in window frames or in roof pillars of a means of transport. 18. Device according to one of claims 2 to 17, characterized in that the detection system ( 9 ) has passive detection elements, preferably angle transducers in rear-view mirror bearings in ho rizontal and vertical direction, by their setting values, the spatial position of the eyes ( 2 ) can be detected is. 19. The device according to one of claims 2 to 18, characterized in that the recording system ( 8 ) with the evaluation unit ( 10 ) for the transfer of information that is to be checked for correspondence and completeness and correcting is in operative connection. 20. Device according to one of claims 2 to 19, characterized in net that the detection elements manually or by software other spatial and intensity by means of an adjustment device are adjustable. 21. The apparatus according to claim 1 to 20, characterized in that it has a large-area monochrome screen film ( 37 ) as a glare, visual, heat protection and / or information display ( 14 to 19 ), which the disc ( 14 to 19 ) covers at least partially congruent from the inside. 22. The device according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that it is anti-glare, visual, heat protection and / or as information display disc ( 14 to 19 ) a monochrome screen film ( 37 ) in sandwich construction ( 50 ) between has two laminated glass panes ( 38 , 39 ) which at least partially extend congruently over the pane extension. 23. The device according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the screen film ( 37 ) has darkening elements ( 38 ) which are selectively controllable. 24. Device according to one of claims 2 to 23, characterized in that electrical signals for darkening of the evaluation system ( 10 ) to a large-area monochrome screen film ( 37 ) are passed so that the glare, visibility, heat protection and / or information display panel ( 14 to 19 ) can be selectively darkened in the passage area ( 11 , 12 , 13 ). 25. The device according to any one of claims 21 to 24, characterized in that the large-area monochrome screen film ( 37 ) has liquid crystal display elements ( 40 ), such as LCD elements, which are transparent when a signal is not present and when applied of an electrical signal (U) have a reduced transparency. 26. The device according to any one of claims 21 to 25, characterized in that the large-area monochrome screen film ( 37 ) has EC elements that are continuously variable in the degree of blackening electro-chromatically. 27. The apparatus of claim 25 or 26, characterized in that the large-area monochrome screen film ( 37 ) has a transparent substrate film ( 41 ) with a first transparent and structured Lei terbahn coating ( 42 ), a liquid crystal coating ( 43 ) and a cover film ( 44 ) a second transparent and structured conductor track coating ( 45 ). 28 Device according to claim 27, characterized in that the structured conductor track coatings ( 42 , 45 ) of the substrate ( 41 ) and cover film ( 44 ) are in contact with the liquid crystal coating ( 43 ). 29. The device according to claim 27 or 28, characterized in that the first and second structured conductor track coating ( 42 , 45 ) each have parallel conductor tracks (V, H) and the substrate film ( 41 ) is arranged relative to the cover film ( 42 ) in such a way that the parallel conductors (V, H) of the foils cross and are in contact with the liquid crystal coating ( 43 ). 30. The device according to claim 1 to 29, characterized in that the darkening elements ( 36 ) on glare, sight, heat protection and / or information display panels ( 14 to 19 ) have an average size of about 0.25 to 25 cm ² and preferably have an edge length of 0.5 to 5 cm 31. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 29, characterized in that the darkening elements ( 36 ) on glare, visual, heat protection and / or information display panels ( 14 to 19 ) an average size of about 1 to 25 mm ² and preferably have an edge length of 1 to 5 mm. 32. Device according to one of claims 1 to 29, characterized in that darkening elements ( 36 ) on rear-view mirrors ( 21 , 46 , 47 ) are arranged and an average size of less than 1 mm ² , preferably a size of 0.3 to 0 , 03 mm ² . 33. Device according to one of claims 1 to 32, characterized in that it has optically high-contrast, large-area information displays ( 60 ), preferably for reproducing information from traffic management systems. 34. Device according to one of claims 1 to 33, characterized in net that a response brightness of the device as a response threshold of the system is adjustable. 35. Device according to one of claims 1 to 34, characterized in that the following control variables can be set manually:

• a) size of a darkening area in the area of the passage area ( 11 , 12 , 13 ) and / or,
• b) radial decrease in the blackening of a darkening surface ( 48 ) and / or,
• c) maximum blackening of a darkening surface ( 48 ) and / or,
• d) position corrections of a darkening surface ( 48 ) on the glare, visual or heat protection and / or information display panel ( 14 to 19 ) and / or
• e) a response brightness of the device can be set as the response threshold of the system.

36. Apparatus according to claim 35, characterized in that manually adjustable control variables can be stored and called up repeatedly.   37. A method for darkening a transparent pane ( 14 to 19 ) by means of a device according to one of claims 1 to 36, characterized by supplying control signals to the connections of the darkening elements, corresponding to one depending on the type and size of the interference source and / or the information to be displayed calculated or predetermined pattern for the disc ( 14 to 19 ). 38. The method according to claim 37, characterized by the method steps:

• Detecting a position of a source of interference ( 4 , 5 , 6 ) in size, direction and intensity on one side of the pane ( 14 to 19 ),
• - Detecting the eye position of a person ( 2 ) at risk of glare or who is disturbed by a source of interference ( 4 , 5 , 6 ) on the other side of the pane ( 14 to 19 ),
• Calculating the passage area ( 11 , 12 , 13 ) on the pane ( 14 to 19 ) in relation to the position of the interference source ( 4 , 5 , 6 ) and the determined eye position,
• - Activation of selectively controllable darkening elements ( 36 ) of the pane ( 14 to 19 ) in the passage area ( 11 , 12 , 13 ) or in an information display area ( 60 ).
• - Darken the transparent pane ( 14 to 19 ) in the passage area ( 11 , 12 , 13 ) through the pane

39. The method according to claim 38 or 39, characterized by the method step:

• - Activate all available darkening elements ( 36 ) after parking a means of transport.

40. Method according to one of claims 37 to 39, characterized by the method steps:

• - detection of the average brightness,
• - Darkening of the pane in the passage area when an adjustable and / or programmable threshold value of a local interference source is exceeded.