Privacy window system

• US 9,950,658 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2015
• Issued: 04/24/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Salter, Stuart C., Lobsinger, Terry, Buttolo, Pietro
• Primary Examiner(s): Breval, Elmito
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZIMMERMAN, GLENN D
• Application Number:
  US14/744,637
• Publication Number:
  US 20150283937A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: 362503, 362510, 362464
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 3/04 adjustable in transparency
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/268 on windscreens or windows B60Q1/302 takes precedence; lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for windows B60Q3/208
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/208 Sun roofs; Windows
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/68 using ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/80 Circuits; Control arrangements for dashboards B60Q3/16; for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/47
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1001 Alarm systems associated with another car fitting or mechanism, e.g. door lock or knob, pedals features related to the general power supply B60R25/1018
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1004 Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A privacy window system of a vehicle is provided herein. A light-producing assembly is operable to illuminate a window such that visibility there through becomes obscured. A proximity sensor is configured for object detection. A controller is in communication with the light-producing assembly and the proximity sensor. When the proximity sensor detects an object proximate the window, the controller activates the light-producing assembly.

Claims

1. A privacy window system comprising:

a light-producing assembly disposed on a side window of a vehicle and operable to illuminate a substantial entirety of the side window to obscure visibility therethrough;

proximity sensors disposed along an entire outer edge of the side window to surround the light-producing assembly; and

a controller for activating the light-producing assembly based on the proximity sensors detecting an onlooker outside the vehicle and proximate the side window.

2. The privacy window system of claim 1, wherein the light-producing assembly comprises a plurality of light sources and a photoluminescent structure configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted from the plurality of light sources such that the resultant luminescent light is emitted through the window.

3. The privacy window system of claim 1, wherein the proximity sensors comprise capacitive sensors.

4. The privacy window system of claim 1, further comprising a camera system disposed onboard the vehicle and in communication with the controller, wherein the camera system is operable to capture and record images of the onlooker.

5. The privacy window system of claim 1, further configured to send an alert to a remote electronic device notifying a user of the remote electronic device that the onlooker is detected.

6. The privacy window system of claim 4, further configured to provide a live video stream accessible by a remote electronic device.

7. A privacy window system of a vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of light-producing assemblies, each coupled to a corresponding side window of the vehicle and configured to illuminate the corresponding side window to obscure visibility therethrough;

proximity sensors coupled to each side window and disposed along an entire edge of the corresponding light-producing assembly; and

a controller for activating a given light-producing assembly based on the corresponding proximity sensors detecting an onlooker outside the vehicle and proximate the corresponding side window.

8. The privacy window system of claim 7, wherein the light-producing assemblies each comprise a plurality of light sources and a photoluminescent structure configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted from the plurality of light sources such that the resultant luminescent light is emitted through the corresponding window.

9. The privacy window system of claim 7, wherein the proximity sensors comprise capacitive sensors.

10. The privacy window system of claim 7, further comprising a camera system disposed onboard the vehicle and in communication with the controller, wherein the camera system is operable to capture and record images of the onlooker.

11. The privacy window system of claim 7, further configured to provide a live video stream accessible by a remote electronic device.

12. The privacy window system of claim 7, further configured to send an alert to a remote electronic device notifying a user of the remote electronic device that the onlooker is detected.