GB2620744A - Adjusting a darkening element of a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A sun visor system and method for adjusting a darkening element of a vehicle automatically. Also claimed is a computer program for carrying out the method and a computer-readable medium comprising such program. The system 1, 1’ comprises at least one sensor 3, 3’, 13, 23, 23’ directed towards a vehicle occupant 5, 6, 7, 8, at least one automatically adjustable darkening element 2, 2’, 12, 12’, 12’’, 12’’’ located to reduce incident light on the occupant, and a processing element 4 connected to the sensor(s) and the darkening element(s). The sensor is configured to capture information of the occupant(s) with regard to incident light from external light sources and the processing element is configured to analyse the information and to, based on the analyzation, automatically adjust the darkening element. The information captured may be one or more facial features such as an eye position, pupil size, eyelid position or shadow cast on occupant’s face. The sensor may be an image capturing device such as a 180-degree camera.

Description

Adjusting a darkening element of a vehicle The present invention relates to a system and method for adjusting a darkening element of a vehicle. The present invention further relates to a computer program for 5 adjusting a darkening element of a vehicle and a computer-readable medium comprising such program.

Darkening elements of vehicles, such as sun visors, are known from the prior art. When folded down, such sun visors darken a section in front of a windshield or a side window to reduce the incidence of light through the corresponding windshield or window and from blinding a vehicle occupant. Sun visors are available in various designs, e.g. non-transparent systems that are completely opaque to light. In addition, there are also partially transparent sun visors that, similar to sunglasses, attenuate light in the visible wavelength range and block it almost completely in the UV range.

To achieve darkening and prevent being blinded by light from external light sources, e.g. by a sun glare, a vehicle occupant must mechanically operate a sun visor and adjust it so that he or she is not blinded. Particularly in situations where light falls unexpectedly onto an occupant's face, incident light can have a disturbing effect or, in the worst case, lead to dangerous situations. An initial reaction of a vehicle occupant in the event of incident light may be to hold a hand in front of the face so that an initial glare effect is reduced. Disturbing light incidence can occur in particular when the sun is low in the sky and when there are reflections from surfaces. Further disturbing incidence of light can occur, for example, when light falls through trees at the roadside. But also in the dark, for example in tunnels or at night, incident light from other vehicles can have a disturbing effect and lead to dangerous situations. Disturbing incidence of light in general can give rise to situations that can lead to accidents, especially if there is an unexpected incidence of light.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to increase the safety and comfort of vehicle occupants in the presence of light incidence.

This object is solved by a system, a method, a computer program for adjusting a darkening element of a vehicle in accordance with the independent claims and a computer-readable medium comprising a program in accordance with the independent claims. Developments of the system are provided in the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a system for adjusting a darkening element of a vehicle comprises a sensor directed to a vehicle occupant, at least one automatically adjustable darkening element and a processing element. The processing element is connected to the sensor and the darkening element. The sensor is configured to capture information of an occupant of the vehicle, i.e., the driver and/or another front-seat passenger, with regard to incidence light from external sources. However, such system may be also advantageous for rear-seat passengers in case a respective darkening element installed to reduce incident light is also positioned at a window in the rear-seat area. A respective darkening element can be configured, e.g., as a known non-transparent sun visor that is completely opaque to light or as a partially transparent sun visor. However, a darkening element can also be configured, e.g., as a roll curtain. Essentially is that the respective darkening element is adjustable in an automatic way, e.g., the darkening element can be connected to a DC motor or any other motor or actuator which enables an automatic adjustment of the darkening element, e.g., fold down and/or fold up a sun visor or moving, extending and/or retracting a roll curtain. The processing element analyzes the information captured by the sensor and causes an automatic adjustment of the darkening element based on the analyzed information, e.g., by sending respective signals to a motor or actuator connected to the darkening element.

In accordance with the invention, a darkening element to reduce incident light on an occupant, especially on an occupant's face, will be adjusted automatically. The respective occupant must therefore not by his own operate the darkening element, which is especially advantageous for a driver that is able to better concentrate on driving and stay alert on the road without making additional maneuvers in order to adjust the darkening element. Furthermore, such system can trigger an adjustment of a darkening element more efficient and faster as in case of manually operation of such darkening element by an occupant on his own. In addition, such system can automatically trigger a darkening element on a side window in the rear-seat area of a vehicle, for example, to protect a child in the rear-seat area from sunburn and overheating due to incidence of light.

If the processing element is configured to analyze facial features of an occupant, the adjustment of the darkening element can be done very precise and the adjustment of a position of the darkening element can be done, for example, due to incident light on the occupant's face. The correct positioning of a darkening element can be inspected and adjusted almost instantly at capture. For example, facial features may comprise an eye position, a pupil size, an eyelid position and/or a position of a shadow on an occupant's face, e.g. a shadow made by a cheek due to a sun glare.

Based on an analyzation of the eye position, a pupil size, an eyelid position and/or a position of a shadow on an occupant's face by the processing element, the adjustment of the darkening element can be done efficiently. The precision of the system is enhanced by taking more than only one facial feature into account. It is clear that in embodiments where facial features are taken into account it is advantageous if the used sensor is directed directly to an occupant's face in order to capture the entire face and to be able to capture as many facial features as possible. Therefore, embodiments of the system may be advantageous that comprises more than only one sensor in order to capture all occupants faces within the vehicle. However, there are embodiments where only one sensor is sufficient that covers at least the front seat-area in order to capture facial features, especially of the driver but also from the co-driver. Such embodiment with only one sensor to capture facial features of more than one occupant reduces cost.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the processing element is configured to analyze the whole body or body parts other than a face of an occupant of a vehicle with regard to incident light from external sources. This embodiment can be advantageous with regard to comfort aspects in a vehicle and especially in addition to an analysis of facial features. For example, once a darkening element is moved from an initial position into a position in which an occupant's face is darkened, so as to reduce the incidence of light from external sources, the processing element can analyze a body or body parts of an occupant with regard to incident light and, e.g., based on a trajectory of light on the body, e.g., the torso and/or neck, trace and draw conclusions about whether incident light would also be incident on an occupant's face if the darkening element would be moved into a initial position. It is clear that for such an embodiment, the sensor must be adapted or directed onto an occupant in such a way that the sensor captures information of the body or respective body parts of the occupant with regard to incidence light from external light sources.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the processing element is adapted to analyze incidence light on the darkening element. Such embodiment is also advantageous with regard to whether incident light still falls onto an occupant, especially an occupant's face once a darkening element is moved from an initial position into a position in which the face of an occupant is darkened. The processing element may therefore be adapted to not cause an adjustment, i.e., removing a darkening element into an initial position, as long as the processing element registers a certain amount of light on the darkening element or falling through the darkening element. Therefore, the processing element may be adapted to determine an amount of a light or light intensity falling on or through the darkening element, compare it with a certain light threshold, and only if the amount of light or light intensity falling on or through the darkening element is below the light threshold, cause the darkening element to move back into an initial position, e.g., a roll curtain is retracted into an initial position or a sun visor is folded up into an initial position. In addition, a certain time threshold may be used to determine an incidence of light over a period of time and only when no light has occurred for a certain period of time, the processing element causes an adaption of the darkening element. It is clear that for such an embodiment, the sensor is adapted or directed additionally onto a darkening element in such a way that the sensor captures information of incidence light on the darkening element.

If the sensor is an image capturing device, e.g., an interior camera, to capture images and/or videos of a vehicle occupant, the system can be implemented in an easy way. Different image sensors can be used that are sensitive to different wavelengths, such as visible and/or infrared (IR). Therefore, the system may comprise an additional light source of respective wavelength, e.g., in IR, to illuminate an occupant, e.g., an occupant's face. In embodiments with only one image capturing device to capture facial features of more than one occupant, e.g., a 1800 or 360° camera device can be used. It is clear that the invention is not restricted to the usage of a camera and that there are further sensors known that may be used to capture information of a vehicles occupant with regard to incidence light from external light sources, e.g, incidence light disturbing from external light sources.

It is clear that features and advantages that are described in accordance with the above system, can also be taken into account with a method, described in the following.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a method for adjusting a darkening element of a vehicle comprises receiving information of a vehicle occupant with regard to incidence light from external light sources, analyzing the received information, and automatically adjusting a darkening element to reduce incident light on the occupant's face. It is clear that the information is received from a sensor directed to a vehicle occupant to capture information with regard to incidence light from external light sources.

If captured facial features are analyzed, a precise adjustment of the darkening element in order to reduce incident light on a vehicle occupant's face can be done due to incident light on the occupant's face. The analyzed facial features may include an eye position, a pupil size, an eyelid position and/or a position of a shadow on an occupant's face, e.g., a shadow made by a cheek due to a sun glare.

If the method further comprises analyzing the actual position of the darkening element and readjusting the position of the darkening element based on current analyzed captured information, the position of the darkening element can be adjusted to current incidence of light. For example, if the analyzation of captured information shows that incidence of light stopped, the darkening element may be adjusted back into a starting position, e.g., a sun visor is folded up, a roll curtain is retracted. A time threshold may be used to prevent the darkening element from constantly adjusting in situations where light conditions change quickly or frequently.

According to further aspects of the invention, a computer program comprises instructions which, when the program is executed by a processing element, cause the processing element to carry out the above-described method and a computer-readable medium having stored thereon such computer program.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the appended claims in conjunction with the figures.

Figures Fig. 1 shows a sketch of a system in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 shows a sketch of a system in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 3 shows a sketch of a method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a sketch of a front area of an interior of a vehicle in which a system 1 for adjusting darkening elements of a vehicle in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention is installed. The system 1 comprises two sensors directed to vehicle occupants 5, 6, two automatically adjustable darkening elements 2, 2', and a processing element 4. Both sensors in fig. 1 are image capturing devices 3, 3' integrated in a driver display and a co-driver display, here respective camera devices working in RGB and infrared region. The first image capturing device 3 is directed to the driver 5 and is configured to capture information of the driver 5 with regard to incidence light from external light sources, e.g., sunlight, reflected sunlight and/or light from other vehicles. The second image capturing device 3' is directed to a further front-seat passenger, the co-driver 6, and is configured to capture information of the co-driver 5 with regard to incidence light from external light sources, e.g., sunlight, reflected sunlight and/or light from other vehicles. The processing element 4 is connected to both sensors and the darkening elements 2, 2'. In fig. 1 the darkening elements 2, 2' for the driver 5 and the co-driver 6 are sun-visors 2, 2' that are automatic adjustable, i.e., foldable down and up, via respective actuators 10, 10' connected to the sun visors 2, 2' and the processing element 4. The processing element 4 analyzes the information captured by the first sensor 3 with regard to the driver 5 and causes an automatic adjustment of the sun visor 2 based on the analyzed information, e.g., by sending respective signals to the actuator 10 connected to the sun visor 2.

As an example, the driver 5 and the co-driver 6 drive in a vehicle along a road with trees on the roadside. Through the branches of the trees, light falls into the frontal area of the vehicle at irregular times. The two image capturing devices 3, 3' taking images or videos of the driver 5 and the co-driver 6. The images, respectively the videos, comprise information of the driver 5 and the co-driver 6 with regard to incidence light from external light sources. The processing element 4 receives the images, respectively the videos, and analyzes them, e.g., by analyzing facial features of the driver 5 and the co-driver 6, such as eye position, a pupil size, eyelid position, and/or a position of a shadow on the driver's or co-driver's face. In addition, or alternatively, the processing element 4 can also be configured to analyze the whole body or body parts, other than the face of an occupant with facial features, with regard to incidence light from external sources. In the example, based on the analyzation, the processing element 4 determines that the incidence of light is such that the driver 5 could be dazzled and thus causes the sun visor 2, via the actuator 10, to be folded down so that the incident light does not disturb the driver 5. The analysis for the co-driver 6 shows that, at the moment, he could not be dazzled by incident light, and therefore there is no reason for the processing element 4 to cause the sun visor 2' of the co-driver 6 via actuator 10' to fold down. Nevertheless, the image capturing devices 3, 3' constantly capture images or videos analyzed by the processing element 4. In the example, the processing element 4 by analyzing received image, determines based on light on the driver's 5 torso that incident light continues to fall on the driver's 5 face, disturbing him. Hence, the sun visor 2 of the driver 5 stays folded down. After the driver 5 at an intersection of the road has moved in a different direction with the vehicle, the processing element 4 no longer registers light on the driver's 5 torso and causes the darkening element to return into a starting position, i.e. to fold up the sun visor 2. While the sun visor 2 of the driver 5 returns into the starting position, the processing element 4 still analyzes facial features of the driver 5 and terminates a fold up of the sun visor 2 or causes the sun visor to fold down again in case the processing element registers light on the driver's face.

Fig. 2 shows a sketch of a vehicle 11 in which a system 1' for adjusting darkening elements 2, 2', 12, 12', 12", 12-in the vehicle 11 in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention is installed. The system 1' differs from that shown in Fig.1 in that the system 1' comprises three sensors 13, 23, 23' and four darkening elements 12, 12', 12", 12" in addition to the two darkening elements, i.e., the two sun visors 2, 2' in the front area in the interior of the vehicle. A first sensor, an image capturing device, is integrated in a display in the front area of the interior of the vehicle 11, here a 180-degree camera device 13 working in RGB and/or infrared directed to the driver 5 and the co-driver. A second sensor, an image capturing device 23, here a camera device working in RGB and/or infrared, is integrated in a display in the back of the front seat of the driver 5 directed to a first person in the rear-seat area, here a first child 7 in a child seat. A third sensor, an image capturing device 23', here a camera device working in RGB and/or infrared, is integrated in a display in the back of the front seat of the co-driver 6 directed to a second person in the rear-seat area, here a second child 8 in a child seat. The four darkening elements 12, 12', 12", 12" that are installed in addition to the two sun visors 2, 2', consist all of roll curtains 12, 12', 12", 12" installed at side windows of the vehicle, i.e., two roll curtains 12, 12' at side windows in the front-seat area and two roll curtains 12", 12" at side windows in the rear-seat area of the vehicle. The four roll curtains 12, 12', 12", 12" as well as the two sun visors 2, 2' are connected with respective actuators (not shown) for automatic adjustment. To cause an adjustment of a roll curtain 12, 12', 12", 12", the processing element 4 is adapted to analyze the whole body of occupants 5, 6, 7, 8 with regard to incident light and, for example, additionally, take a certain time threshold of incidence of light into account. When the time of incidence of light exceeds the time threshold, the processing element 4 causes an adaption, i.e, a rolling down of a roll curtain 12, 12', 12", 12". There may be applied a first time threshold for incidence of light for the front-seat area and a second time threshold for incidence of light for the rear-seat area, where the second time threshold is less than the first time threshold. The second time threshold may be set lower due to children sitting in the back seats who cannot judge whether the light incidence in the rear-seat area is too strong, so that there is a risk of sunburn.

Additionally or alternatively, there may be applied a certain light threshold taking into account an amount of light or a light intensity falling on an occupant's body or body parts. When the processing element 4 analyzing an occupant's body or body parts with regard to incidence of light from external sources and registers an exceedance of the light threshold, the processing element 4 causes a respective darkening element, here a roll curtain 12, 12', 12", 12", to extend in such a way that incident light from external sources is reduced.

Fig. 3 shows a sketch of a method 100 for adjusting a darkening element of a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The method 100 comprises receiving 101 information of a vehicle occupant with regard to incidence light from external light sources, analyzing 102 the received information, and automatically adjusting 103 a darkening element to reduce incident light on the occupant. Analyzing 102 received information further comprises, analyzing 1020 captured facial features, such as for example, an eye position, a pupil size, an eyelid position and/or a position of a shadow on an occupant's face. The Method 100 further comprises analyzing 104 the actual position of the darkening element and readjusting 105 the position of the darkening element based on current analyzed captured information. The system 1 as described in Fig. 1 and/or Fig. 2 may comprise a computer program that comprises instructions which, when the program is executed by the processing element 4, cause the processing element 4 to carry out the method as described in fig. 3. Further, the system 1 may comprise a computer-readable medium having stored thereon such computer program.

Reference numerals System sun visor image capturing device processing element driver co-driver first child second child actuator vehicle roll curtain 180-degree camera device image capturing device 1, 1' 2, 2' 3, 3' 4 10, 10' 12, 12', 12", 12-23, 23'

Claims (10)

1. Claims 1. A system (1, 1') for adjusting a darkening element (2, 2', 12, 12', 12", 12-) of a vehicle, the system (1, 1') comprising: -a sensor (3, 3', 13, 23, 23') directed to a vehicle occupant (5, 6, 7, 8), the sensor (3, 3', 13, 23, 23') being configured to capture information of the occupant (5, 6, 7, 8) with regard to incidence light from external light sources, - at least one automatically adjustable darkening element (2, 2', 12, 12', 12", 12") installed to reduce incident light on the occupant (5, 6, 7, 8), -a processing element (4) connected to the sensor and the darkening element, the processing element (4) being configured to analyze the information and to based on the analyzation cause an automatically adjustment of the darkening element (2, 2', 12, 12', 12", 12").
2. 2. System (1, 1') according to claim 1, wherein the processing element (4) is adapted to analyze facial features of an occupant (5, 6, 7, 8)
3. 3. System (1, 1') according to claim 2, wherein the analyzed facial features comprise an eye position, a pupil size, an eyelid position and/or a position of a shadow on an occupant's face.
4. 4. System (1, 1') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor (3) is an image capturing device.
5. 5. A method (100) for adjusting a darkening element of a vehicle, the method comprising: - receiving (101) information of a vehicle occupant with regard to incidence light from external light sources, - analyzing (102) the received information, and -automatically adjusting (103) a darkening element to reduce incident light on the occupant.
6. 6. Method according to claim 5, wherein analyzing (102) received information comprises, analyzing (1020) captured facial features.
7. 7. Method (100) according to claim 6, wherein the analyzed facial features comprise an eye position, a pupil size, an eyelid position and/or a position of a shadow on an occupant's face.B.
8. Method (100) according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the method further comprises analyzing (104) the actual position of the darkening element and readjusting (105) the position of the darkening element based on current analyzed captured information.
9. 9. A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a processing element, cause the processing element to carry out the 15 method of one of claims 5 to 8.
10. 10. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon, the computer program of claim 9.