Smart sunshade for a vehicle window
First Claim
1. A system for reducing sunlight shining into a vehicle comprising:
- a window having an array of liquid crystals that can each be switched between a transparent state and a shaded state in which less light can pass therethrough;
an eye position sensor configured to detect a location of eyes of a driver;
an inertial measurement unit (IMU) configured to detect a current heading of the vehicle; and
an electronic control unit (ECU) coupled to the array of liquid crystals, the eye position sensor and the IMU and configured to determine a current location of the sun relative to the vehicle based on the current heading of the vehicle and a current time of day, to select an area of the window to be shaded in order to reduce an amount of sunlight reaching the eyes of the driver based on the location of the eyes of the driver and the current location of the sun relative to the vehicle, and to control liquid crystals within the selected area of the window to switch from the transparent state to the shaded state.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for reducing sunlight shining into a vehicle includes a window having an array of liquid crystals switchable between a transparent state and a shaded state. The system also includes an eye position sensor for detecting a location of eyes of a driver and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) for detecting a current heading of the vehicle. The system also includes an electronic control unit (ECU) that may determine a current location of the sun relative to the vehicle based on the current heading of the vehicle and a current time of day. The ECU may also select an area of the window to be shaded in order to reduce an amount of sunlight reaching the eyes of the driver and control liquid crystals within the selected area of the window to switch from the transparent state to the shaded state.
32 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for reducing sunlight shining into a vehicle comprising:
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a window having an array of liquid crystals that can each be switched between a transparent state and a shaded state in which less light can pass therethrough; an eye position sensor configured to detect a location of eyes of a driver; an inertial measurement unit (IMU) configured to detect a current heading of the vehicle; and an electronic control unit (ECU) coupled to the array of liquid crystals, the eye position sensor and the IMU and configured to determine a current location of the sun relative to the vehicle based on the current heading of the vehicle and a current time of day, to select an area of the window to be shaded in order to reduce an amount of sunlight reaching the eyes of the driver based on the location of the eyes of the driver and the current location of the sun relative to the vehicle, and to control liquid crystals within the selected area of the window to switch from the transparent state to the shaded state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for reducing sunlight shining into a vehicle comprising:
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a window having an array of liquid crystals that can each be switched between a transparent state and a shaded state in which less light can pass therethrough; a driver-facing camera configured to detect a current location of exposed skin of a driver; a sun position sensor configured to detect a current location of the sun relative to the vehicle; and an electronic control unit (ECU) coupled to the array of liquid crystals, the driver-facing camera and the sun position sensor and configured to select at least one area of the window to be shaded in order to reduce an amount of sunlight reaching the exposed skin of the driver based on the current location of the exposed skin and the detected current location of the sun relative to the vehicle, and to control liquid crystals within the at least one selected area of the window to switch from the transparent state to the shaded state. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A method for reducing sunlight shining into a vehicle comprising:
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detecting, by an eye position sensor, a location of eyes of a driver; detecting, by an inertial measurement unit (IMU), a current heading of the vehicle; determining, by an electronic control unit (ECU), a current location of the sun relative to the vehicle based on the current heading of the vehicle and a current time of day; selecting, by the ECU, an area of a window of the vehicle to be shaded in order to reduce an amount of sunlight reaching the eyes of the driver based on the location of the eyes of the driver and the current location of the sun relative to the vehicle; and controlling, by the ECU, liquid crystals within the selected area of the window to switch from a transparent state to a shaded state in which less light can pass therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification