Automatic vision adaptation system and method

Abstract

A system and method for adjusting brightness levels within a vehicle includes providing destination brightness data, external brightness data, and internal brightness data to a processing system. Processing, in a processing system, at least the destination data, the external brightness data, and the internal brightness data to: calculate an estimated time of arrival (ETA) for the vehicle to reach a predetermined task destination location; comparing the calculated ETA with a maximum visual adaptation time; and selectively implementing a first brightness level adjustment process for adjusting an interior brightness level within the vehicle or a second brightness level adjustment process for adjusting an interior brightness level within the vehicle based on a comparison of the calculated ETA to a maximum visual adaptation time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to vision adaptation systems and methods, and more particularly to systems and methods for automating vision adaptation of a person within a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] In certain contexts, occupants of a vehicle (including the driver and / or passengers) may be expected to exit the vehicle and engage with the environment outside the vehicle immediately upon arrival at a designated destination. The brightness difference between the vehicle interior and exterior environment may impact the ability to engage immediately. In particular, the brightness difference may adversely impact the visual adaptation time of an occupant exiting the vehicle, which may result in decreased performance for the duration of the visual adaptation time. This problem may occur in situations where movement from a relatively dark environment to a relatively bright environment, in which case receptor overload may result in temporary whiteouts, as well as in situations where movement from a relatively bright environment to a relatively dark environment, in which case the human eye may require several minutes to fully adapt.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need for an automatic vision adaptation system and method that automatically adjusts brightness levels within a vehicle to at least mitigate potential performance degradation associated with vision adaptation time. The present disclosure addresses at least this need. Summary of the invention

[0004] This Summary is provided to describe selected concepts in a simplified form that are further described in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0005] In one embodiment, a visual adaptation system for a vehicle includes a task data source, an external brightness sensor, an internal brightness level data source, and a processing system. The task data source is configured to provide destination brightness data indicating the brightness level at a predetermined task destination location. The external brightness sensor is configured to sense the current external brightness level outside the vehicle and provide external brightness data indicating the current external brightness level. The internal brightness level data source is configured to provide internal brightness data indicating the current internal brightness level within the vehicle. The processing system is coupled to receive at least the destination brightness data, the external brightness data, and the internal brightness data. The processing system is configured to process at least the destination data, the external brightness data, and the internal brightness data to: calculate an estimated time of arrival (ETA) for the vehicle to arrive at the predetermined task destination location; compare the calculated ETA with the maximum visual adaptation time; and based on the comparison of the calculated ETA with the maximum visual adaptation time, selectively implement a first brightness level adjustment process for adjusting the internal brightness level within the vehicle or a second brightness level adjustment process for adjusting the internal brightness level within the vehicle.

[0006] In another embodiment, a method for adjusting the brightness level within a vehicle includes providing destination brightness data, external brightness data, and internal brightness data to a processing system. At least the destination data, external brightness data, and internal brightness data are processed in the processing system to: calculate an estimated time of arrival (ETA) of the vehicle to a predetermined mission destination location; compare the calculated ETA with a maximum visual adaptation time; and selectively implement a first brightness level adjustment process for adjusting the internal brightness level within the vehicle or a second brightness level adjustment process for adjusting the internal brightness level within the vehicle based on the comparison of the calculated ETA with the maximum visual adaptation time. The destination brightness data indicates the brightness level at the predetermined mission destination location. The external brightness data indicates the current external brightness level. The internal brightness data indicates the current internal brightness level within the vehicle.

[0007] In yet another embodiment, a visual adaptation system for a vehicle includes a task data source, an internal brightness level data source, and a processing system. The task data source is configured to provide destination brightness data indicating the brightness level at a predetermined task destination location. The internal brightness level data source is configured to provide internal brightness data indicating the current internal brightness level within the vehicle. The processing system is coupled to receive at least the destination brightness data and the internal brightness data. The processing system is configured to process at least the destination data and the internal brightness data to: calculate an estimated time of arrival (ETA) of the vehicle to arrive at the predetermined task destination location; compare the calculated ETA with the maximum visual adaptation time; and based on the comparison of the calculated ETA with the maximum visual adaptation time, selectively implement a first brightness level adjustment process for adjusting the internal brightness level within the vehicle or a second brightness level adjustment process for adjusting the internal brightness level within the vehicle. The first brightness level adjustment process includes a first visual adaptation time, and the first visual adaptation vision corresponds to a first time when a person leaves the vehicle at the predetermined task destination location, adjusting the brightness level within the vehicle to at least substantially match the external brightness level. The second brightness level adjustment process includes a second visual adaptation time, the second visual adaptation time corresponding to a second time for adjusting the brightness level in the vehicle to at least close to the external brightness level when the person leaves the vehicle at the predetermined task destination location. The first visual adaptation time is greater than the second visual adaptation time.

[0008] Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of automatic visual adaptation systems and methods will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing background. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The present disclosure will now be described in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like numerals represent like elements, and wherein:

[0010] Figure 1 depicts a functional block diagram of one embodiment of an automatic visual adaptation system; and

[0011] Figure 2 Depicted in Figure 1 A process flow diagram of an example process for adjusting brightness levels within a vehicle implemented in a system of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The following specific embodiments are merely exemplary in nature and are not intended to limit the invention or the application and use of the invention. As used herein, the word "exemplary" means "used as an example, instance or illustration". Therefore, any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be understood as being preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. All embodiments described herein are exemplary embodiments provided to enable those skilled in the art to make or use the invention, without limiting the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In addition, it is not intended to be bound by any express or implied theory presented in the aforementioned technical field, background technology, content of the invention or the following specific embodiments.

[0013] refer to Figure 1 , depicts a functional block diagram of one embodiment of an automatic visual adaptation system 100, which includes a task data source 102, an external brightness sensor 104, an internal brightness level data source 106, and a processing system 108. Figure 1 Also depicted, at least a portion of the system 100 is disposed within a vehicle 110, which may be any of numerous types of land, water, or air vehicles. Figure 1 As depicted by the dashed lines in , some or all of the mission data sources 102 may be located remotely from the vehicle 110. It should be noted that regardless of the specific type of vehicle 110, the vehicle 110 will have a location to which it is destined to travel for the mission when deployed. This location is referred to herein as the predetermined mission destination location.

[0014] The task data source 102 is configured to provide destination brightness data indicating the brightness level at the predetermined task destination location. It should be understood that the task data sensor 102 can be configured and implemented differently. For example, in some embodiments, the task data source 102 may include one or more remote illumination sensors 112 disposed at the predetermined task destination location. The remote illumination sensor 112, which can be implemented using any of a number of types of illumination sensors, is configured to sense the brightness level at the predetermined task destination location, thereby generating the destination brightness data. The remote illumination sensor 112 is additionally configured to transmit the destination brightness data to the processing system 108 in real time.

[0015] In other embodiments, the task data source 102 may be implemented using one or more processors 114 configured to generate destination brightness data from other types of input data. For example, the task data source 102 may be configured to receive and process data indicating the estimated arrival time of the vehicle 110 at the predetermined task destination location via one or more processors 114 to generate destination brightness data. In these embodiments, the task data source 102 may be further configured to receive various other additional data for the predetermined task destination location, and additionally generate destination brightness data based on the additional data. Some examples of additional data include, but are not limited to, time, date, solar and lunar cycles, forecast weather, air particle levels (dust or smoke), whether the destination location is indoors or outdoors. The time, date, solar and lunar cycles may provide a baseline for the estimated brightness level at the destination location, and the additional data may be used, for example, to more accurately estimate the brightness level at the destination location. In some embodiments, the additional data may also include primary direction data (i.e., whether the person is moving toward the sun or away from the sun), local terrain data, and / or leaf concentration data. For example, the destination location may be in a valley or a densely wooded area, blocking the sun, resulting in a darker brightness level than expected.

[0016] In other embodiments, the task data source 102 may simply be, for example, a user interface 116 in operative communication with the processing system 108. In these embodiments, the destination brightness data may be manually input via the user interface 116.

[0017] The exterior brightness sensor 104 is configured to sense the current exterior brightness level outside the vehicle 110 and provide exterior brightness data indicating the current exterior brightness level. Preferably, the exterior brightness sensor 104 is mounted on the vehicle 110 and is configured to easily sense the current exterior brightness level outside the vehicle 110. It should be understood that the exterior brightness sensor 104 can be implemented using any of a number of known brightness sensors. Additionally, it should be understood that in some embodiments, the system 100 can be implemented without the exterior brightness sensor 104.

[0018] The interior brightness level data source 106 is configured to provide interior brightness data indicating the current interior brightness level within the vehicle 110. It should be understood that the interior brightness level data source 106 may also be configured and implemented differently. For example, in some embodiments, the interior brightness level data source 106 is implemented using an interior brightness sensor configured to sense the current interior brightness level within the vehicle 110.

[0019] In other embodiments, the interior brightness level data source 106 may be implemented using one or more processors 118 configured to generate interior brightness data from other types of input data. For example, the interior brightness level data source 106 may be configured, via the one or more processors 118, to receive and process data indicating the intensity of interior lights 122 within the vehicle 110 to generate interior brightness level data.

[0020] Regardless of how the task data source 102, the external brightness sensor 104, and the internal brightness level data source 106 are configured, each is in operative communication with the processing system 108. The processing system 108 may include one or more processors and a computer-readable storage device or medium encoded with programming instructions for configuring the processing system 108. The one or more processors may be any custom or commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an auxiliary processor among several processors associated with a controller, a semiconductor-based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chipset), any combination thereof, or generally any device for executing instructions.

[0021] For example, computer readable storage devices or media may include volatile and non-volatile storage in read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), and wear correction factor memory (KAM). KAM is a persistent or non-volatile memory that can be used to store various operating variables when the processor is powered off. Computer readable storage devices or media may be implemented using any of a number of known memory devices, such as PROM (programmable read-only memory), EPROM (electrical PROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable PROM), flash memory, or any other electrical, magnetic, optical, or combination memory device capable of storing data, some of which represent executable programming instructions used by one or more processors.

[0022] The processing system 108 is coupled to receive at least the destination brightness data, the external brightness data, and the internal brightness data. The processing system 108 is configured to process at least a minimum set of the destination data, the external brightness data (when provided), and the internal brightness data to selectively implement a first brightness level adjustment process or a second brightness level adjustment process. More specifically, the processing system 108 is configured to calculate an estimated time of arrival (ETA) for the vehicle 110 to arrive at a predetermined mission destination location, and compare the calculated ETA with a maximum visual adaptation time.

[0023] Before proceeding further, it should be noted that the maximum visual adaptation time is the amount of time it takes on average for the human eye to adjust when transitioning from one brightness level to another, whether going from a high brightness level to a low brightness level or vice versa. For example, the maximum visual adaptation time when transitioning from a low brightness level (e.g., relatively dark) to a high brightness level (e.g., daylight) is about 5 minutes, while the maximum visual adaptation time when transitioning from a high brightness level to a low brightness level is at least about 10 minutes (and even up to 45 minutes). In addition, the maximum visual adaptation time may vary depending on the relative brightness level to which the person is transitioning. Therefore, at least in some embodiments, the maximum visual adaptation time used in the processing system 108 may vary depending on the relative brightness level. The maximum visual adaptation may be stored, for example, in a memory 124 that is implemented separately from or as part of the processing system 108.

[0024] In view of the above, the processing system 108 is further configured to implement a first brightness level adjustment process for adjusting the interior brightness level in the vehicle 110 or a second brightness level adjustment process for adjusting the interior brightness level in the vehicle 110 based on the comparison of the calculated ETA with the maximum visual adaptation time. To this end, and as Figure 1 Further depicted, the processing system 108 is in operable communication with and configured to control the one or more interior brightness sources 122 to adjust the interior brightness level within the vehicle 110 according to the first brightness level adjustment process or the second brightness level adjustment process.

[0025] It should be understood that the one or more internal brightness sources 122 can be implemented using various types of devices. For example, the (one or more) internal brightness source 122 can be implemented using known vehicle interior lights, such as LED lights, incandescent lights, or halogen lights, to name a few examples. The (one or more) internal brightness source can also (or instead) be implemented using a vehicle control panel and / or a display device. As is known, because displays have minimum and maximum available brightness levels, the processing system can also be configured to adjust the pixel saturation level to help control the overall ambient brightness level, at least in some embodiments.

[0026] The first brightness level adjustment process is implemented using a first visual adaptation time, and the second brightness level adjustment process is implemented using a second visual adaptation time that is less than the first visual adaptation time. The first visual adaptation time corresponds to a first time when the brightness level inside the vehicle 110 is gradually adjusted to at least substantially match the external brightness level when the person leaves the vehicle 110 at the predetermined task destination location, and the second visual adaptation time corresponds to a second time when the brightness level inside the vehicle is adjusted to at least be close to the external brightness level when the person leaves the vehicle at the predetermined task destination location. It should be noted that the phrase "at least close to the external brightness level" as used herein means that in some cases, the brightness level may not be adjusted to substantially match the external brightness level (i.e., within 5% of the external brightness level).

[0027] More specifically, in at least one embodiment, the processing system 108 is configured to implement a first brightness level adjustment process when the calculated ETA is at least substantially equal to the maximum visual adaptation time, and to implement a second brightness level adjustment process when the calculated ETA is less than the maximum visual adaptation time. This is because the first brightness level adjustment process will cause the brightness level within the vehicle 110 to be adjusted within a time period that at least substantially matches the maximum visual adaptation time, while the second brightness level adjustment process will cause the brightness level within the vehicle 110 to be adjusted within a time period that is less than the maximum visual adaptation time. It should be further noted that when the calculated ETA exceeds the maximum visual adaptation time, the processing system 108 will not implement the first brightness level adjustment process or the second brightness level adjustment process. It should be noted that the phrase "at least substantially matches the maximum visual adaptation time" is used herein because this allows the buffer to account for potential changes in arrival times.

[0028] It should be understood that because the second brightness level adjustment process is faster than the first brightness level adjustment process, the second brightness level adjustment process may not cause the person to obtain complete visual adaptation, but may obtain the best possible result within the available time. The second brightness level adjustment process is implemented because, as described above, the calculated ETA is less than the maximum visual adaptation time. However, in some embodiments, if an unexpected situation occurs that requires immediate departure from the vehicle 110, the second brightness level adjustment process may also be implemented. In such embodiments, the processing system 100 is further configured to receive an immediate departure trigger signal and implement the second brightness level adjustment process after receiving it.

[0029] It should be understood that the source of the immediate exit trigger signal can vary. For example, the source 126 can be a switch disposed in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, a switch disposed in the driver's compartment of the vehicle, or a switch mechanism connected to a door of the vehicle, to name a few examples.

[0030] In some embodiments, the system 100 may additionally include one or more sensors for providing feedback to the processing system 108. These sensors may include one or more internal brightness sensors 128, which may be implemented using any of a number of known brightness sensors, cameras, or arrays of sensors and / or cameras. In some embodiments, the system 100 may additionally (or instead) include one or more eye sensors 132 (only one is shown for clarity). The (one or more) eye sensors 132 (when included) are configured to sense at least pupil size and eye activity of the person 130 (or multiple persons) within the vehicle 110, and provide eye data indicative thereof to the processing system 108. In such embodiments, the processing system 108 is further configured to process the eye data to adjust the first visual adaptation process or the second visual adaptation process in real time, as the case may be.

[0031] Reference now Figure 2 , depicts a process flow diagram of an example process 200 implemented in the system 100 for adjusting the brightness level within the vehicle 110. The order of operations in the process 200 is not limited to being performed in the order shown, but may be performed in one or more altered orders when applicable and in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0032] The example process 200 that can be implemented within the processing system 108 includes providing destination brightness data, exterior brightness data, and interior brightness data to the processing system 108 (202) and processing the data in the processing system 108 to calculate an estimated time of arrival (ETA) for the vehicle 110 to arrive at a predetermined mission destination location (204). The calculated ETA is compared to a maximum visual adaptation time (206), and based on the comparison, a first brightness level adjustment process, a second brightness level adjustment process, or no adjustment level process is implemented.

[0033] That is, when the calculated ETA exceeds the maximum visual adaptation time, neither the first brightness level adjustment process nor the second brightness level adjustment process is implemented, and process 200 repeats. When the calculated ETA is at least substantially equal to the maximum visual adaptation time, the first brightness level adjustment process (208) is implemented, and when the calculated ETA is less than the maximum visual adaptation time, the second brightness level adjustment process (212) is implemented.

[0034] like Figure 2 Also depicted, in some embodiments, process 200 may implement a second brightness level adjustment process (212) upon receiving an immediate leave trigger signal (214). Additionally, in some embodiments, process 200 may adjust the first visual adaptation process or the second visual adaptation process (216) based on data (218) received from one or more feedback sensors.

[0035] The systems and methods described herein automatically adjust brightness levels within a vehicle to at least mitigate potential performance degradation associated with visual adaptation time.

[0036] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, circuits and algorithm steps described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software or a combination of the two. Some embodiments and specific implementations are described above according to functions and / or logic block components (or modules) and various processing steps. However, it should be understood that such block components (or modules) can be implemented by any number of hardware, software and / or firmware components configured to perform a specified function. In order to clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various exemplary components, blocks, modules, circuits and steps have been described above in general according to their functions. Whether such functions are implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the entire system. The technician can implement the described functions in different ways for each specific application, but such specific implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing deviations from the scope of the present invention. For example, the embodiments of the system or components can use various integrated circuit components, such as memory elements, digital signal processing elements, logic elements, lookup tables, etc., which can perform multiple functions under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices. In addition, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein are only exemplary specific implementations.

[0037] The various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or executed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination of the above designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in an alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0038] The steps of the methods and algorithms described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein may be directly embodied in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. The software module may reside in a RAM memory, a flash memory, a ROM memory, an EPROM memory, an EEPROM memory, a register, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. In an alternative, the storage medium may be integrated into the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC.

[0039] Skills and techniques may be described herein according to functions and / or logic block components and reference to symbolic representations of operations, processing tasks and functions that may be performed by various computing components or devices. Such operations, tasks and functions are sometimes referred to as computer-implemented, computerized, software-implemented or computer-implemented. In practice, one or more processor devices may perform the operations, tasks and functions by controlling electrical signals and other processing signals representing data bits at memory locations in a system memory. The memory location for holding data bits is a physical location having specific electrical properties, magnetic properties, optical properties or organic properties corresponding to the data bits. It should be understood that the various block components shown in the figure may be implemented by any number of hardware, software and / or firmware components configured to perform a specified function. For example, the embodiment of a system or component may use various integrated circuit components, such as memory elements, digital signal processing elements, logic elements, lookup tables, etc., which may perform multiple functions under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices.

[0040] When implemented in software or firmware, the various elements of the system described herein are basically code segments or instructions that perform various tasks. A program or code segment may be stored in a processor-readable medium, or transmitted through a transmission medium or communication path by a computer data signal contained in a carrier. "Computer-readable medium", "processor-readable medium" or "machine-readable medium" may include any medium that can store or transmit information. Examples of processor-readable media include electronic circuits, semiconductor memory devices, ROMs, flash memory, erasable ROMs (EROMs), floppy disks, CD-ROMs, optical disks, hard disks, optical fiber media, radio frequency (RF) links, etc. Computer data signals may include any signal that can be propagated on a transmission medium such as an electronic network channel, optical fiber, air, electromagnetic path or RF link. Code segments may be downloaded via computer networks such as the Internet, intranets, LANs, etc.

[0041] Some of the functional units described in this specification have been referred to as "modules" in order to more specifically emphasize their specific implementation independence. For example, the functions referred to as modules herein may be implemented in whole or in part as hardware circuits, which include custom VLSI circuits or gate arrays, finished semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors or other discrete components. Modules may also be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices, etc. Modules may also be implemented in software for execution by various types of processors. The identification module of the executable code may, for example, include one or more physical or logical modules of computer instructions, which may, for example, be organized as objects, processes or functions. However, the executable files of the identified modules do not need to be physically located together, but may include different instructions stored at different locations, which include modules and implement the purpose of the modules when they are logically connected together. In fact, the module of the executable code may be a single instruction or many instructions, and may even be distributed over multiple different code segments, between different programs, and across several memory devices. Similarly, the operating data can be implemented in any suitable form and can be organized in any suitable type of data structure. The operational data may be collected as a single data set, or may be distributed over different locations, including on different storage devices and may exist, at least in part, merely as electronic signals on a system or network.

[0042] In this document, relational terms such as first and second, etc., may be used only to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. Unless explicitly defined by the claim language, numerical ordinals such as "first", "second", "third", etc., only represent different individuals in a plurality, and do not imply any order or sequence. Unless explicitly defined by the claim language, the sequence of text in any claim does not imply that the processing steps must be performed in a temporal or logical order according to such sequence. Without departing from the scope of the present invention, the method steps may be interchanged in any order, as long as such interchange does not contradict the claim language and is not logically absurd.

[0043] As used herein, the term "substantially" means taking into account an uncertainty within 5%. In addition, depending on the context, words such as "connected" or "coupled to" used when describing the relationship between different elements do not imply that a direct physical connection must be made between these elements. For example, two elements may be connected to each other physically, electronically, logically, or in any other way through one or more additional elements.

[0044] Although at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the aforementioned specific embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that there are a large number of variations. It should also be understood that an exemplary embodiment or multiple exemplary embodiments are only examples and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or construction of the present invention in any way. On the contrary, the aforementioned specific embodiments will provide a convenient roadmap for implementing the exemplary embodiments of the present invention for those skilled in the art. It should be understood that, without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims, various changes may be made to the functions and arrangements of the elements described in the exemplary embodiments.

Claims

1. A visual adaptation system for a vehicle, comprising: a task data source configured to provide destination brightness data indicative of a brightness level at a predetermined task destination location; an exterior brightness sensor configured to sense a current exterior brightness level outside the vehicle and to provide exterior brightness data indicative of the current exterior brightness level; an interior brightness level data source configured to provide interior brightness data indicative of a current interior brightness level within the vehicle; and a processing system coupled to receive at least the destination brightness data, the external brightness data, and the internal brightness data, the processing system configured to process at least the destination data, the external brightness data, and the internal brightness data to: Calculating an estimated time of arrival (ETA) of the vehicle at the predetermined mission destination location; The calculated ETA was compared with the maximum visual adaptation time; as well as Based on a comparison of the calculated ETA and the maximum visual adaptation time, a first brightness level adjustment process for adjusting the interior brightness level within the vehicle or a second brightness level adjustment process for adjusting the interior brightness level within the vehicle is selectively implemented.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein: The first brightness level adjustment process includes a first visual adaptation time corresponding to a first time for adjusting the brightness level within the vehicle to at least substantially match the exterior brightness level when the person exits the vehicle at the predetermined mission destination location; The second brightness level adjustment process includes a second visual adaptation time corresponding to a second time for adjusting the brightness level in the vehicle to at least be close to the external brightness level when the person leaves the vehicle at the predetermined task destination location; and The first visual adaptation time is greater than the second visual adaptation time.

3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: an eye sensor configured to sense at least pupil size and eye movement of a person in the vehicle and to provide eye data indicative of pupil size and eye movement of a person in the vehicle to the processing system, Wherein, the processing system is further configured to process the eye data to adjust the first visual adaptation process or the second visual adaptation process in real time.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: When the calculated ETA exceeds the maximum visual adaptation time, not implementing the first brightness level adjustment process or the second brightness level adjustment process; When the calculated ETA is at least substantially equal to the maximum visual adaptation time, implementing the first brightness level adjustment process; and When the calculated ETA is less than the maximum visual adaptation time, the second brightness level adjustment process is implemented.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the first brightness level adjustment process will cause the brightness level within the vehicle to be adjusted within a time period that at least substantially matches the maximum visual adaptation time.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the second brightness level adjustment process will cause the brightness level within the vehicle to be adjusted within a time period that is less than the maximum visual adaptation time. 7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the processing system is further configured to receive an immediate leave trigger signal, and implement the second brightness level adjustment process upon receiving the immediate leave trigger signal.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein: The task data source includes a remote illumination sensor disposed at the predetermined task destination location; and The destination brightness data is transmitted from the remote illumination sensor to the processing system in real time.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a user interface in operable communication with the processing system and configured to receive user input, The destination brightness data is manually input via the user interface.

10. A method for adjusting the brightness level in a vehicle, comprising the steps of: providing the destination brightness data, the exterior brightness data, and the interior brightness data to a processing system; processing at least the destination data, the external brightness data, and the internal brightness data in the processing system to: Calculating an estimated time of arrival (ETA) of the vehicle at a predetermined mission destination location; The calculated ETA was compared with the maximum visual adaptation time; as well as selectively implementing a first brightness level adjustment process for adjusting the interior brightness level within the vehicle or a second brightness level adjustment process for adjusting the interior brightness level within the vehicle based on a comparison of the calculated ETA with the maximum visual adaptation time, in: The destination brightness data indicates a brightness level at the predetermined task destination location; The external brightness data indicates a current external brightness level; and The interior brightness data indicates a current interior brightness level within the vehicle.

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