Shading apparatus for vehicle and control method thereof

Abstract

A light shielding apparatus for a vehicle and a control method thereof are disclosed. The light shielding device includes: a sensor module configured to detect strong light incident to an interior of a vehicle; a camera module configured to capture an expression of a face of a user inside the vehicle; and a processor configured to automatically perform a shading function based on the incident direction of the strong light and the expression of the user's face.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a light-shielding device for a vehicle and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a light-shielding device for a vehicle and a control method thereof that can automatically perform light shielding when strong light is incident on the interior of the vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Generally, a sun visor (e.g., a vehicle sun visor) is installed in a vehicle, and the sun visor is configured to block light (e.g., sunlight or headlight) incident on the interior of the vehicle through a front window and a side window (or a windshield).

[0003] A conventional sun visor is hingedly connected and installed inside (or on a ceiling) of a vehicle roof and is configured to allow a user to adjust a rotational position of the sun visor at a desired angle.

[0004] Thus, if the sun visor is rotated from a storage position (e.g., the ceiling) toward a light-shielding position (e.g., the front window or the side window) by adjusting an angle of the sun visor, glare of a driver can be prevented by blocking sunlight.

[0005] However, if the sun visor is rotated in a direction of the light-shielding position (e.g., the front window or the side window), there is a problem in that since the sun visor blocks a view of a driver (or a passenger), the driver (or the passenger) feels stuffy and safe driving is hindered. In addition, when the sun visor is rotated, the driver has to move his or her face in another direction to avoid a collision between the face and the sun visor. Therefore, there is a problem in that since the driver cannot temporarily keep his or her gaze forward, a risk of a traffic accident may increase.

[0006] Such a problem still occurs even though an existing sun visor (so-called a vehicle sun visor) is automatically opened or closed or a direction of the sun visor is changed.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for a light-shielding technology that can minimize an area covering a driver's view while performing light shielding, can prevent a risk of collision with a driver's face when moving a sun visor of a light-shielding device for light shielding, and can minimize an obstruction of keeping a user's (i.e., a driver's or a passenger's) eyes forward.

[0008] Background art of the present disclosure is disclosed in Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2019-0139668 (published on December 18, 2019 and titled "SYSTEM FOR PREVENTING GLARING FOR VEHICLE"). Summary of the Invention

[0009] Various embodiments are directed to providing a light-shielding device for a vehicle and a control method thereof that can automatically perform light shielding when strong light enters the interior of the vehicle.

[0010] In an embodiment, the light-shielding device for a vehicle includes: a sensor module configured to detect strong light incident on the interior of the vehicle; a camera module configured to capture the facial expression of a user inside the vehicle; and a processor configured to automatically perform a light-shielding function based on the incident direction of the strong light and the facial expression of the user.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor determines whether the user's facial expression is a specified uncomfortable expression by recognizing the facial expression of the user through machine learning.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, before performing the light-shielding function, the processor outputs a voice alert for performing the light-shielding function to the user through a voice input / output module.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the voice input / output module outputs a voice alert for performing the light-shielding function or receives a voice command from the user for the voice alert.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor performs the light-shielding function through a light-shielding module that performs light shielding by darkening a variable-color glass or by lowering or unfolding a light-shielding plate or curtain in a specified direction.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the light-shielding module is made of an opaque material or a translucent material having a specific color.

[0016] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor detects the magnitude of the incident amount of strong light through the sensor module, and wherein the strong light is directed towards the direction of the user's face.

[0017] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, if the incident direction of the strong light is directed towards the face but the facial expression of the user is not an uncomfortable expression, the processor does not perform the light-shielding function.

[0018] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when a "light-shielding function cancellation command" or a "light-shielding function release command" is input in a voice form, when the strong light incident on the interior of the vehicle disappears, or when no strong light is incident on the interior of the vehicle, the processor releases the light-shielding function or does not perform the light-shielding function.

[0019] In an embodiment, a method of controlling a light-shielding device for a vehicle includes: detecting strong light incident on the interior of the vehicle by a sensor module; capturing the facial expression of a user inside the vehicle by a camera module; and automatically performing a light-shielding function by a processor based on the incident direction of the strong light and the facial expression of the user.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when strong light enters the interior of a vehicle, the convenience of a user can be improved by automatically performing light shielding based on the incident direction of the strong light and the facial expression of the user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 is an exemplary diagram showing a schematic configuration of a light shielding device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 2 is a flowchart shown to describe a method of controlling a light shielding device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Hereinafter, a light shielding device for a vehicle and a method of controlling the same according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0024] In this process, for clarity and convenience of description, the thickness of lines or the size of components shown in the drawings may be enlarged. In addition, the terms to be described below are defined by considering their functions in the present disclosure and may vary according to the intention or practice of a user or an operator. Therefore, these terms should be defined based on the entire content of this specification.

[0025] Figure 1 is an exemplary diagram showing a schematic configuration of a light shielding device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a flowchart shown to describe a method of controlling a light shielding device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] As Figure 1 shown, a light shielding device for a vehicle according to the present disclosure includes a sensor module 110, a camera module 120, a processor 130, a light shielding module 140, and a sound input / output module 150.

[0027] The sensor module 110 detects the incident angle (i.e., direction (azimuth angle) and angle (elevation angle)) of light that enters the interior of the vehicle through a window of the vehicle.

[0028] For example, the sensor module 110 may include at least one sensor for detecting the incident angle of strong light (e.g., sunlight or high beam).

[0029] The camera module 120 captures an image of the face and facial expression of a user (i.e., a driver or a passenger) sitting on a driver's seat or a seat inside the vehicle.

[0030] The processor 130 identifies whether the detected strong light has entered the user and the user's expression through the sensor module 110 and the camera module 120.

[0031] For example, the processor 130 identifies whether the user's expression is an uncomfortable expression (e.g., a painful complexion or squinting his or her eyes compared to a normal expression).

[0032] When strong light is incident on the user's face and the user's facial expression is an uncomfortable expression (e.g., a painful complexion or squinting his or her eyes compared to normal), the processor 130 performs a light-shielding function.

[0033] In this case, the processor 130 can pre-learn the expression of the user's face through machine learning.

[0034] Before performing the light-shielding function, the processor 130 outputs a voice alert for performing the light-shielding function for the user through the voice input / output module 150 (e.g., "The light-shielding function will be performed. If you don't want it, say 'cancel'").

[0035] In this case, the light-shielding function refers to a function for performing light-shielding by dimming a discolored glass (not shown) or by lowering (or unfolding) a light-shielding plate (not shown) in a specified direction (e.g., from the upper direction to the lower direction).

[0036] In this case, preferably, the direction in which the light-shielding plate (not shown) unfolds is from the upper direction to the lower direction, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0037] The voice input / output module 150 can output a voice alert for performing the light-shielding function or can receive a voice command from the user with respect to the voice alert (e.g., perform light-shielding or cancel light-shielding).

[0038] The light-shielding module 140 is a device that can be unfolded or folded in a specified direction by a motor (not shown) and a mechanical guide (not shown) at a specified storage location (e.g., on the ceiling of the vehicle or inside the vehicle door), and can include, for example, a light-shielding plate or a curtain.

[0039] In addition, the light-shielding module 140 can be made of an opaque material or a translucent material having a specific color (e.g., a polarizing filter).

[0040] Refer to Figure 2 , the processor 130 detects whether there is strong light incident from the outside into the vehicle interior (e.g., sunlight or high beams) by using the sensor module 110 (S101).

[0041] In addition, when strong light is detected as incident on the interior of the vehicle (Yes in S101), the processor 130 detects the magnitude of the incident amount of the strong light (i.e., the intensity of the external light) and the direction of the incident angle of the strong light (i.e., the direction of the user's face), that is, the position where the strong light is directed (e.g., around the chin, around the mouth, around the nose, around the eyes, or around the forehead) (S102).

[0042] In this case, the external light refers to the strong light incident on the interior of the vehicle from the outside.

[0043] In addition, the processor 130 identifies the face of the user (i.e., the driver or the passenger) through the camera module 120 (S103), and checks whether the expression on the face of the user (i.e., the driver or the passenger) is an uncomfortable expression (e.g., pain or squinting of his or her eyes compared to the normal situation) (S104).

[0044] In this case, the processor 130 can pre-learn the expressions on the face of the user through machine learning.

[0045] Therefore, when the incident direction of the strong light points to a specified position on the face and the expression on the face of the user (i.e., the driver or the passenger) is an uncomfortable expression (Yes in S104), the processor 130 outputs a voice alert (e.g., "The shading function will be executed. If you don't want it, say 'Cancel'") for the user to execute the shading function (S105) before executing the shading function.

[0046] If the incident direction of the strong light points to the face, but the facial expression of the user (i.e., the driver or the passenger) is not an uncomfortable expression (No in S104), the processor 130 may not execute the shading function.

[0047] In this case, the shading function refers to a function for performing shading by darkening a discolored glass (not shown) or by lowering (or unfolding) a sunshade (not shown) in a specified direction (e.g., from the upper direction to the lower direction).

[0048] If the voice command of the user for the voice alert (e.g., "The shading function will be executed. If you don't want it, say 'Cancel'") is not a "cancel command" (e.g., if the "Cancel" command is not input within the specified time or a "shading function execution command" is directly input) (Yes in S106), the processor 130 executes the specified shading function (S107).

[0049] For example, the processor 130 can perform shading by darkening a discolored glass (not shown), or can perform shading by lowering (or unfolding) a sunshade (not shown) in a specified direction (e.g., from the upper direction to the lower direction).

[0050] If the user inputs "cancel command" or directly inputs "light-shielding function release command" (No in S106), the processor 130 may release the light-shielding function or may not execute the light-shielding function (S108).

[0051] In addition, if there are clouds, a change in the driving direction of the vehicle, and the disappearance of strong light incident on the interior of the vehicle, or if no strong light is incident on the interior of the vehicle (No in S101), the processor 130 releases the light-shielding function or may not execute the light-shielding function (S108).

[0052] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when strong light is incident on the interior of the vehicle, by automatically executing the light-shielding function based on the incident direction of the strong light and the user's facial expression, the convenience of the user can be improved.

[0053] The present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments shown in the drawings, but the embodiments are merely illustrative. Those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains will understand that various modifications and other equivalent embodiments can be made from the embodiments. Thus, the protection scope of the present disclosure should be determined by the claims. In addition, the embodiments described in this specification can be implemented as, for example, a method or process, a device, a software program, a data stream, or a signal. Although the present disclosure is discussed only in the context of a single form of implementation (e.g., only discussed as a method), the implementation of the discussed features can also be achieved in another form (e.g., a device or a program). The device can be implemented as appropriate hardware, software, or firmware. The method can be implemented in a device, such as a processor generally referring to a processing device, including a computer, a microprocessor, an integrated circuit, or a programmable logic device. The processor includes a communication device, such as a computer, a cellular phone, a mobile phone / personal digital assistant ("PDA"), and another device that facilitates information communication between end users.

Claims

1. A light-shielding device for a vehicle, comprising: a sensor module configured to detect strong light incident on the interior of the vehicle; a camera module configured to capture the expression of the face of a user inside the vehicle; and a processor configured to automatically perform a light-shielding function based on the incident direction of the strong light and the expression of the face of the user.

2. The light-shielding device according to claim 1, wherein, the processor identifies the expression of the face of the user through machine learning to determine whether the expression of the user is a specified uncomfortable expression.

3. The light-shielding device according to claim 1, wherein, before performing the light-shielding function, the processor outputs a voice alert for performing the light-shielding function to the user through a voice input / output module.

4. The light-shielding device according to claim 3, wherein, the voice input / output module outputs a voice alert for performing the light-shielding function or receives a voice command from the user for the voice alert.

5. The light-shielding device according to claim 1, wherein, the processor performs the light-shielding function through a light-shielding module, and the light-shielding module performs light shielding by darkening a discolored glass or by lowering or unfolding a light-shielding plate or a curtain in a specified direction.

6. The light-shielding device according to claim 5, wherein, the light-shielding module is made of an opaque material or a translucent material having a specific color.

7. The light-shielding device according to claim 1, wherein, the processor detects the magnitude of the incident amount of the strong light through the sensor module, and wherein the strong light is directed towards the face of the user.

8. The light-shielding device according to claim 1, wherein, if the incident direction of the strong light is directed towards the face but the expression of the face of the user is not an uncomfortable expression, the processor does not perform the light-shielding function.

9. The light-shielding device according to claim 1, wherein, when a "light-shielding function cancellation command" or a "light-shielding function release command" is input in voice form, when the strong light incident on the interior of the vehicle disappears, or when the strong light is not incident on the interior of the vehicle, the processor releases the light-shielding function or does not perform the light-shielding function.

10. A method for controlling a light-shielding device for a vehicle, the method comprising: detecting strong light incident on the interior of the vehicle by a sensor module; capturing the expression of the face of a user inside the vehicle by a camera module; and automatically performing a light-shielding function by a processor based on the incident direction of the strong light and the expression of the face of the user.

Images