Switchable imager lens cover

• US 10,514,590 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2018
• Issued: 12/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Cammenga, David J., Lee, Ethan J.
• Primary Examiner(s): LaBalle, Clayton E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Butler, Kevin C
• Application Number:
  US15/938,491
• Publication Number:
  US 20180284573A1
• Time in Patent Office: 636 Days
• Field of Search: 396448
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/004 outside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0045 with visible part, e.g. flush mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0094 characterised by means for covering after user, e.g. boxes, shutters or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/137 characterised by the electro-optical or magneto-optical effect, e.g. field-induced phase transition, orientation effect, guest-host interaction or dynamic scattering
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/48 Variable attenuator
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 11/04 Hoods or caps for eliminating unwanted light from lenses, viewfinders or focusing aids
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 11/041 Lens caps as separate accessory accessories in general G03B17/56
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/00 Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor lens hoods or caps G03B11/04
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/02 Bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/04 collapsible, foldable or extensible, e.g. book type
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 9/00 Exposure-making shutters; Diaphragms

Abstract

An imager module for a vehicle includes an imager having an imager lens. The imager is configured to collect image data from at least one of inside and outside the vehicle. A cover is disposed proximate the imager lens and configured to allow the imager to capture image data through the cover. The cover is operable between a first condition, wherein the imager is generally visible through the cover, and a second condition, wherein the imager is generally concealed from view by the cover.

Claims

1. An imager module for a vehicle comprising:

an imager including an imager lens, the imager being configured to collect image data from at least one of inside and outside the vehicle; and

a cover disposed proximate the imager lens, the cover configured to allow the imager to capture the image data through the cover, wherein the cover includes an electro-optic cell with a masking layer on a surface of the electro-optic cell, and wherein the cover is operable between;

a first condition wherein the imager is generally visible through the cover; and

a second condition wherein the imager is generally concealed from view by the cover.

2. The imager module for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the electro-optic cell includes a front substrate, a rear substrate, and an electro-optic material disposed therebetween.

3. The imager module for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the cover is disposed proximate a window of said vehicle.

4. The imager module for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the cover is integrally formed as part of a body panel of said vehicle.

5. The imager module for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the cover defines at least a portion of a housing of a vehicle antenna.

6. The imager module for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a suspended particle device.

7. The imager module for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a liquid crystal device.

8. The imager module for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a variable light attenuation device.

9. The imager module for a vehicle of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a light scattering device.

10. An imager lens cover for a vehicle comprising:

a cover disposed proximate an imager lens, the cover configured to allow an imager to capture image data through the cover, wherein the cover includes at least one of a liquid crystal device, suspended particle device, variable light attenuation device, and light scattering device, the cover being operable between;

a first condition wherein the imager is generally visible through the cover; and

a second condition wherein the imager is generally concealed from view by the cover.

11. The imager lens cover for a vehicle of claim 10, wherein the cover is disposed proximate a window of said vehicle.

12. The imager lens cover for a vehicle of claim 10, wherein the cover is integrally formed as part of a body panel of said vehicle.

13. The imager lens cover for a vehicle of claim 10, wherein the cover defines at least a portion of a housing of a vehicle antenna.

14. An imager lens cover for a vehicle comprising:

a cover disposed proximate an imager lens, the cover configured to allow an imager to capture image data through the cover, wherein the cover includes an electro-optic cell with a masking layer on a surface of the electro-optic cell, and wherein the cover is operable between;

a first condition wherein the imager is generally visible through the cover; and

a second condition wherein the imager is generally concealed from view by the cover.

15. The imager lens cover for a vehicle of claim 14, wherein the electro-optic cell includes a front substrate, a rear substrate, and an electro-optic material disposed therebetween.

16. The imager lens cover for a vehicle of claim 14, wherein the cover includes at least one of a suspended particle device, liquid crystal device, variable light attenuation device, and light scattering device.