Automatic visor for continuously repositioning a shading object to shade a designated location from a direct radiation source
First Claim
1. A method for continuously repositioning a shading element to shade an eyepoint from the direct rays originated from a source of radiation;
- said method comprising the steps of;
(a) finding a first geometric entity containing said eyepoint;
(b) finding a second geometric entity containing said eyepoint, preferably the intersection of said two geometric entities is a point in space;
(c) finding a point in said intersection; and
(d) continuously repositioning said shading element to shade said point in said intersection from said direct rays.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A two dimensional matrix of liquid crystal cells is laid on the surface of a vehicle'"'"'s windshield. The sunshade is formed by selectively turning some of the cells to be less transparent. The size of the sunshade is close to the minimum necessary to cast an umbra covering the vehicle occupant'"'"'s eyes. A three dimensional Cartesian coordinate system is used, in which the z axis is parallel to the direction of travel and perpendicular to the x and y axes. The coordinates of an internal target are stored in the memory and may separately be increased or decreased by pushing some buttons. In a normal mode of operation, the microprocessor continuously repositions the sunshade to shade the target from direct sunlight. The computation is based on the image of the sun captured by a two dimensional CCD, the relative locations of the CCD and the optical center of a lens forming the image on the CCD, and the locations of the target and the windshield surface. In a special mode of operation, the microprocessor continuously repositions the sunshade to a position having the same x,y-coordinates as the target. With this sunshade system, the method comprises the steps of (a) switching the system to the special mode and adjusting the x,y-coordinates of the target until the sunshade is repositioned straight ahead of, and at the same height as, the eyes; and (b) switching the system to the normal mode and adjusting the z-coordinate of the target until the sunshade shades the eyes from direct sunlight. Thus the target is coincident with the eyes, and the system will always reposition the sunshade to shade the eyes from direct sunlight.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for continuously repositioning a shading element to shade an eyepoint from the direct rays originated from a source of radiation;
- said method comprising the steps of;
(a) finding a first geometric entity containing said eyepoint; (b) finding a second geometric entity containing said eyepoint, preferably the intersection of said two geometric entities is a point in space; (c) finding a point in said intersection; and (d) continuously repositioning said shading element to shade said point in said intersection from said direct rays. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
- said method comprising the steps of;
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8. A device for continuously repositioning a shading object to shade a designated location from the direct radiation originated from an origin, said device comprising
(a) means for positioning said shading object; -
(b) a tracking means comprising a plurality of sites responsive to said radiation; and means for causing uneven distribution of said radiation over said sites; (c) means in an electric network with said means for positioning said shading object and said tracking means, for selecting a shading position between said designated location and said origin in accordance with said designated location, said distribution, and the geometric configuration of said tracking means;
so that said shading object positioned at said shading position will shade said designated location from said direct radiation; andproducing signals for said means for positioning said shading object to position said shading object at said shading position. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A device for continuously repositioning a shading object to shade a designated location from the direct radiation originated from an origin, said device comprising
(a) means for positioning said shading object; -
(b) means for providing spatial information sufficient for determining the location of said origin; and (c) means in an electric network with said means for positioning said shading object and said means for providing spatial information, for determining the location of said origin in accordance with said spatial information; selecting a shading position between said designated location and the determined location of said origin, so that said shading object positioned at said shading position will shade said designated location from said direct radiation; and producing signals for said means for positioning said shading object to position said shading object at said shading position. - View Dependent Claims (11, 13, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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12. A device for continuously repositioning a shading element to shade an eyepoint from the direct rays originated from a source, said device comprising:
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(a) said shading element; (b) a holding means for holding electrical values representing a location, said represented location being referred hereinafter as the target;
said values being referenced by the repositioning means in (c) and changeable by the calibrating means in (d);(c) a repositioning means for continuously repositioning said shading element to shade said target from said direct rays; and (d) a calibrating means in an electrical circuit with said holding means and said repositioning means, for determining the location of said eyepoint and changing said values to represent the determined location of said eyepoint. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification