SWITCHABLE IMAGER LENS COVER

• US 20180284573A1
• Filed: 03/28/2018
• Published: 10/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Cammenga, David J., Lee, Ethan J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,514,590 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 image data through the cover, 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 lens cover includes an electro-optic cell.

3. The imager module for a vehicle of claim 2, wherein the lens cover further includes a masking layer on a fourth surface of the electro-optic cell.

4. The imager module for a vehicle of claim 3, wherein the electro-optic cell includes a front substrate, a rear substrate, and an electro-optic material disposed therebetween.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

12. 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.

13. The imager lens cover for a vehicle of claim 12, wherein the lens cover is disposed proximate a window of said vehicle.

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

15. The imager lens cover for a vehicle of claim 12, wherein the lens cover defines at least a portion of a housing of a vehicle antenna.

16. 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 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.

17. The imager lens cover for a vehicle of claim 16, wherein the lens cover includes an electro-optic cell.

18. The imager lens cover for a vehicle of claim 17, wherein the lens cover further includes a masking layer on a fourth surface of the electro-optic cell.

19. The imager lens cover for a vehicle of claim 18, wherein the electro-optic cell includes a front substrate, a rear substrate, and an electro-optic material disposed therebetween.

20. The imager lens cover for a vehicle of claim 18, wherein the lens cover includes at least one of a suspended particle device, liquid crystal device, variable light attenuation device, and light scattering device.