Variable attenuated transmittance device control system

• US 7,835,060 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2009
• Issued: 11/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Wright, Aaron
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinh; Jack
• Application Number:
  US12/413,662
• Publication Number:
  US 20100245972A1
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 359/275, 359/265, 359/296, 359/900
• US Class Current: 359/275
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/80 Circuits; Control arrangements for dashboards B60Q3/16; for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/47
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 359/90 Methods

Abstract

Some embodiments include an automotive variable attenuated transmittance device having a predetermined minimum transmittance. Such devices can include a suspended particle device, liquid crystal device, polymer dispersed liquid crystal device, or electrochromic device. Some embodiments also include a manual and/or automatic control system for varying transmittance according to any of a variety of data including, without limitation, position, orientation, transmitted power, and/or the position of an occupant'"'"'s head.

Claims

1. A method for modulating the transmittance of an assembly of suspended particle devices, comprising the steps of:

A) providing a vehicle having tires, wheels, a suspension, and a frame for supporting a vehicle body and automotive glass;

at least four suspended particle automotive glass devices, mounted within the vehicle frame, and having a predetermined minimum transmittance from about 10% to about 100% under no-power conditions;

an automatic transmittance controller, having a GPS navigation data source, in electronic controlling communication with each suspended particle device element; and

a manual transmittance control, providing a selectively adjustable transmittance setting to the controller;

B) providing power to the automatic transmittance controller and manual transmittance control;

C) using the automatic transmittance controller to calculate the position of the suspended particle devices relative to the sun by comparing coordinates captured by the GPS navigation data source to pre-programmed coordinates of the suspended particle devices in relation to the GPS navigation data source;

D) using the automatic transmittance controller to;

a) reduce the transmittance of suspended particle devices facing the sun to levels consistent with a transmittance setting provided by the manual transmittance control, and b) provide a transmittance level to suspended particle devices not facing the sun that is greater than the suspended particle devices facing the sun;

E) repeating steps C and D as long as power is provided to the automatic transmittance controller.