System and method to dim at least a portion of a vehicle window

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10845628-B2
Application number	US-201816185107-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 9, 2018
Priority date	Nov 9, 2018
Publication date	Nov 24, 2020
Grant date	Nov 24, 2020

Abstract

One general aspect includes a system to tint at least a portion of a vehicle window, the system including: a memory configured to include one or more executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, where the executable instructions enable the processor to: monitor ambient light in a surrounding vehicle environment; and based on the ambient light, dim at least a portion of an OLED window located at a vehicle.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system to tint at least a portion of a vehicle window, the system comprising:
a memory configured to comprise one or more executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, wherein the executable instructions enable the processor to:
monitor an amount of ambient light in a surrounding vehicle environment;
compare the monitored amount of ambient light to a threshold value;
when the monitored amount of ambient light exceeds the threshold value, dim at least a portion of an OLED window located at a vehicle; and
receive regulatory information from a remote database, wherein the regulatory information is related to minimum allowable VLT levels designated for a plurality of jurisdictional areas;
receive a vehicle location;
compare the vehicle location to the regulatory information to determine the minimum allowable VLT level for the vehicle location;
establish the minimum VLT level for the OLED window; and
wherein the OLED window cannot be dimmably adjusted to exceed the minimum VLT level.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the executable instructions further enable the processor to:
in response to feedback provided by a vehicle occupant, adjust a visible light transmission (VLT) level of the dimmed OLED window from a first VLT level to a second VLT level, wherein both the first VLT level and second VLT level correspond to actively inhibiting light distractors from being able to distract and/or temporarily blind a vehicle occupant, and wherein both the first VLT level and second VLT level block out a percentage of the light from the light distractor from passing through the OLED window.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the executable instructions further enable the processor to:
in response to feedback provided by a vehicle occupant, adjust a color of the dimmed OLED window such that, as ambient light passes through the dimmed OLED window, an interior of the vehicle will illuminate with the color of the dimmed OLED window.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle window is a windshield.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the ambient light is monitored via a light sensor located at the vehicle.

6. A system to tint at least a portion of a vehicle window, the system comprising:
a memory configured to comprise one or more executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, wherein the executable instructions enable the processor to:
monitor an amount of ambient light in a surrounding vehicle environment via a light sensor located on a vehicle;
compare the monitored amount of ambient light to a threshold value;
when the monitored amount of ambient light exceeds the threshold value, monitor one or more facial features of a vehicle occupant via a camera located on a steering column of the vehicle;
based on an orientation of the one or more facial features, identify a point of gaze (POG) position along a surface of an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) window that corresponds to the orientation of the one or more facial features;
generate a dim spot relative to the POG position via the OLED window; and
in response to feedback provided by the vehicle occupant, adjust a visible light transmission (VLT) level of the dim spot from a first VLT level to a second VLT level, wherein both the first VLT level and second VLT level correspond to actively inhibiting light distractors from being able to distract and/or temporarily blind a vehicle occupant, and wherein both the first VLT level and second VLT level block out a percentage of the light from the light distractor from passing through the dim spot.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the vehicle occupant feedback is provided by a mobile computing device.

8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the vehicle occupant feedback is provided by a touch screen display.

9. The system of claim 6 , wherein the executable instructions further enable the processor to:
receive regulatory information from a remote database, wherein the regulatory information is related to minimum allowable VLT levels designated for a plurality of jurisdictional areas;
receive a vehicle location;
compare the vehicle location to the regulatory information to determine the minimum allowable VLT level for the vehicle location;
establish the minimum VLT level for the dim spot; and
wherein the VLT of the dim spot cannot be adjusted to exceed the minimum VLT level.

10. The system of claim 6 , wherein the executable instructions further enable the processor to:
in response to feedback provided by the vehicle occupant, adjust a color of the dim spot such that, as ambient light passes through the dim spot, an interior of the vehicle will illuminate with the color of the dim spot.

11. The system of claim 6 , wherein the vehicle window is a windshield.

12. A vehicle comprising:
an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) window;
a light sensor installed on a vehicle;
a steering column comprising a camera;
a cabin configured to hold at a vehicle occupant;
a memory configured to comprise one or more executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, wherein the executable instructions enable the processor to:
monitor an amount of ambient light in a surrounding vehicle environment via the light sensor;
compare the monitored amount of ambient light to a threshold value;
when the monitored amount of ambient light exceeds the threshold value, monitor one or more facial features of a vehicle occupant via the camera;
based on an orientation of the one or more facial features, identify a point of gaze (POG) position along a surface of the OLED window that corresponds to the orientation of the one or more facial features;
generate a dim spot relative to the POG position via the OLED window; and

in response to feedback provided by the vehicle occupant, adjust a visible light transmission (VLT) level of the dim spot from a first VLT level to a second VLT level, wherein both the first VLT level and second VLT level correspond to actively inhibiting light distractors from being able to distract and/or temporarily blind a vehicle occupant, and wherein both the first VLT level and second VLT level block out a percentage of the light from the light distractor from passing through the dim spot.

13. The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the executable instructions further enable the processor to:
when an orientation of the one or more facial features is adjusted, adjust the POG position along the surface of the OLED window so as to correspond to the subsequent orientation of the one or more facial features; and
provide the dim spot relative to the adjusted POG position via the OLED window.

14. The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the vehicle occupant feedback is provided by a mobile computing device.

15. The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the vehicle occupant feedback is provided by a touch screen display.

16. The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the executable instructions further enable the processor to:
receive regulatory information from a remote database, wherein the regulatory information is related to minimum allowable VLT levels designated for a plurality of jurisdictional areas;
receive a vehicle location;
compare the vehicle location to the regulatory information to determine the minimum allowable VLT level for the vehicle location;
establish the minimum VLT level for the dim spot; and
wherein the VLT of the dim spot cannot be adjusted to exceed the minimum VLT level.

17. The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein

Assignees

• Gen Motors Llc

Inventors

• Cermak Alexander X
• Olejniczak Ryan
• Lowe Dexter C
• Camacho Esteban

Classifications

• G06V40/166

  using acquisition arrangements · CPC title

• G06V20/59

  inside of a vehicle, e.g. relating to seat occupancy, driver state or inner lighting conditions · CPC title

• G02F1/0155

  modulating the optical absorption · CPC title

• B60J3/04

  adjustable in transparency · CPC title

• G02F1/015 Primary

  based on semiconductor elements having potential barriers, e.g. having a PN or PIN junction (G02F1/03 takes precedence) · CPC title