GB2475870A

GB2475870A - Camera and navigation based window shading for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2475870A
Application number: GB0921186A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Marten Wittorf; Frank Fischbach; Klaus Bauer
Original assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Current assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Priority date: 2009-12-03
Filing date: 2009-12-03
Publication date: 2011-06-08
Anticipated expiration: 2029-12-03
Also published as: DE102010053036A1; GB2475870B; GB0921186D0

Abstract

A camera and navigation based window shading method and anti-glare function for a motor vehicle improves driver and passenger safety when driving a motor vehicle by enabling adaptive shading for navigational determined situations, such as approaching a tunnel. Information from the navigation data, camera data and a board computer are inputted into a shading determining system to determine the potential glare and to automatically activate the anti-glare shading mechanism.

Description

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

NO 2008/131843 Al is referring toan anti-glare device for a motor vehicle based on polarization layers for polarizing light which enters the interior through the windshield.

DE 100 57 795 Al discloses a method for a variable local shading for motor vehicle glazing. The darkening strategy described here is dependent from the direction of the perturbing light source.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for window shading for a motor vehicle, determining how much shading is required based on information provided from camera-and navigation systems.

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

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

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a flowchart illustrating the method according to the present invention with a navigation system input of data.

Fig. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the method according to the present invention by way of an application example.

Fig.3 is a schematic view of different shading stages, dependent from glare occurrence.

Fig. 1 illustrates the method according to the present invention. Starting with step 1, 301, data provided by a navigation system, camera and from the board computer are inputted in a shading determining system.

In step 2, 302, an analysis of potential glare occurrence is performed. Herein an amount of glare, as well as location and time for glare occurrence and also the duration of this constraint are analyzed by the shading determining system.

Further in step 3, 303, preparation and activation of anti-glare shading mechanism is performed.

At step 4, 304, an execution of the shading function is performed.

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

Fig. 2 illustrates by way of example the method according to the present invention. Starting with step 1, 401, a navigation system indicates, that the motor vehicle is located in a tunnel, driving towards an approximated location of the sun. At the same time the analyzed camera data are indicating the end of tunnel ahead. From the board computer speed and weather information are collected. These data are then inputted in a shading determining system.

In the next step 2, 402, an analysis of potential glare occurrence is performed. In the shown example a rising amount of glare is determined by analyzing the camera data.

Simultaneously analysis of location and time information for glare occurrence has determined that the sun is in proximate driving direction. The duration of this constraint, analyzed by the shading determining system, is computed to start in for example 25 seconds.

Further in step 3, 403, preparation and activation of anti-glare shading mechanism is performed. In the exemplary case shown, the shading mechanism needs 15 sec to fully deploy, so the system will start in 10 seconds to deploy the mechanism, so that full deploy is achieved in 25 seconds.

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

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

In Fig.3 a windshield of a motor vehicle is shown at different darkening stages dependent from the determined degree of glare occurrence, causing a reduction of constraining the driver from safe driving.

According to the above described method, an automated and quickly reacting way of protecting the driver and passengers of a motor vehicle against glare is provided.

In absence of such a system, a mechanical activation of mechanical anti-glare apparatus is required to be activated by the driver. According to the present invention, a completely automated method is provided, wherein data provided by a navigation system, a camera and from a board computer are inputted in a shading determining system.

The board computer could for example provide information related to the actual time in correlation to the seasonally dependent location of the sun. According to that kind of data, an analysis of potential glare occurrence is performed, wherein preparation and activation of anti-glare shading mechanism is accomplished. As a result of the above mentioned data processing, an execution of the shading function is performed automatically, as to render a safe way of driving a vehicle by decreasing immediately and exactly in the moment of occurrence the negative effect of glare on the driver of a motor vehicle.

The above described method can be enhanced even more, when an amount of glare, as well as location and time for glare occurrence and also the duration of this constraint are analyzed by the shading determining system as well as data collected from a board computer are for example weather condition data received by the board computer for example from broadcasting systems in the driving perimeter.

Navigation data including vehicle current position and orientation should be as precise as possible, being supplied by an integrated navigation system of the vehicle, which is able to deliver that kind of information even in areas, as for example tunnels, where no satellite information (as for example GPS signals) can be received. Ps a result navigation data is able to include the vehicle assumed next position and orientation even in difficult environmental conditions.

Other enhancements to the method can be reached by using a camera system data including precisely measured actual light and glare conditions in every single phase of driving the motor vehicle. Preferably a camera system should provide also data measured in previous glare situations or even include recognition of dark/light transition zones as tunnel or city or forest recognition, for enabling an increase or decrease of shading dependent on the glare impact on the driver of the motor vehicle.

While there has been illustrated and/or described what are presently considered to be example embodiments of claimed subject matter, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other modifications may be made, and/or equivalents may be substituted, without departing from the true scope of claimed subject matter.

Additionally, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation to the teachings of claimed subject matter without departing from subject matter that is claimed.

Therefore, it is intended that the patent not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that it covers all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A camera-and navigation based window shading method for a motor vehicle wherein said method includes: -step 1, wherein data provided by a navigation system, a camera and from a board computer are inputted in a shading determining system, -step 2, wherein an analysis of potential glare occurrence is performed, -step 3, wherein preparation and activation of anti-glare shading mechanism is performed, -step 4, wherein an execution of the shading function is performed, -step 5, wherein a reset is initiated by a selection option.
2. A camera-and navigation based window shading method for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, whereby in step 2 an amount of glare, as well as location and time for glare occurrence and also the duration of this constraint are analyzed by the shading determining system.
3. A camera-and navigation based window shading method for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, whereby data collected from a board computer in step 1 are current vehicle speed data.
4. A camera-and navigation based window shading method for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, whereby data collected from a board computer in step 1 are weather condition data.
5. A camera-and navigation based window shading method for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, whereby navigation data include vehicle current position and orientation.
6. A camera-and navigation based window shading method for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, whereby navigation data include vehicle assumed next position and orientation.
7. A camera-and navigation based window shading method for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, whereby camera system data include measured actual light and glare.
8. A camera-and navigation based window shading method for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, whereby camera system data include measured previous glare situation.
9. A camera-and navigation based window shading method for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, whereby camera system data include recognition of dark/light transition zones.
10. A camera-and navigation based window shading method for a motor vehicle according to claim 9, whereby dark/light transition zones are tunnel or city or forest recognition.