IMAGE SYSTEM FOR IRISE DETECTION AND DRIVER MONITORING

Description

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention generally relates to an imaging apparatus for driver identification and monitoring.

[0002] US 2017 / 177935 A1 describes a scanning apparatus that may be disposed in a vehicle mirror assembly. The mirror assembly comprises an electrochromic element comprising a first substrate comprising a first surface and a second surface, and a second substrate comprising a third surface and a fourth surface. The mirror assembly further comprises an image sensor directed toward the fourth surface and configured to capture image data of an object through the electrochromic element. A light source is disposed proximate the fourth surface and configured to transmit an emission through the electrochromic element. The image sensor is configured to capture the image data to identify at least one passenger of the vehicle.

[0003] US 2004 / 040772 A1 describes optical image processing methods for determining the occupation of a vehicle seat. The side surface of the backrest, facing the camera is part of a boundary plane. A section between a separating plane cutting vertically through the vehicle seat and the boundary plane is at least partly not covered by a seat occupant in the direction of the camera. By means of an image processing method the position of the seat may be determined.

[0004] US 2010 / 283842 A1 describes a method and system for monitoring a field of regard. At least a part of a field of regard is imaged by concurrently collecting a plurality of light components propagating from a plurality of zones, respectively, located within the field of regard, a combined collected light beam is produced, and corresponding data is generated being indicative of a combined image of the at least part of the field of regard formed by the collected light components.

[0005] US 2017 / 126986 A1 describes a dual-field-of-view (FOV) optical imaging system having a primary FOV and a simultaneously viewable secondary FOV. One example of the system includes an imaging sensor, primary and secondary FOV objective optics configured to receive and output electromagnetic radiation corresponding to the primary FOV and secondary FOV, respectively, imager optics, and a field-of-view selection mechanism disposed between the secondary FOV objective optics and the imager optics and configured to selectively pass the second FOV to the imager optics, the imaging sensor being configured to produce primary FOV image frames and combined image frames that include imagery from both the primary and secondary fields-of-view.

[0006] US 2007 / 176402 A1 describes a detection system of vehicle interior condition including an illumination unit for illuminating a plurality of mutually different illumination regions including at least one seat of a vehicle and a surrounding region thereof so as to have different illumination time durations shifted by a predetermined time, an imaging unit for photographing an occupant and / or an object on the seat upon each illumination of the illumination unit, and a control processor for comparing a plurality of images photographed by the imaging unit and also for generating information indicative of a condition of the occupant and / or the object on the basis of a comparison result of the image comparator.

[0007] US 2007 / 272837 A1 describes a vehicle occupant detection device that includes light-receiving elements for receiving light from a vehicle interior, and a signal processing part for processing a signal detected by the light detecting elements. A vehicle occupant in the vehicle interior is detected by the signal detecting part on the basis of an image signal obtained by the light-receiving elements.

[0008] JP 2017 124037 A describes a first image acquisition for turning on a first light source and a third light source, acquiring a bright pupil image by a first camera, and acquiring a dark pupil image by a second camera, and a second image acquisition for turning on a second light source and the third light source, acquiring a bright pupil image by the second camera, and acquiring a dark pupil image by the first camera are carried out.

[0009] US 2017 / 106892 A1 describes various implementations related to an operator monitoring system (OMS). Certain implementations include an OMS coupled to a rotatable portion of a steering wheel assembly of a vehicle. For example, the OMS may include an imaging unit, such as a camera, that is coupled to a central hub portion of the steering wheel assembly. The imaging unit has a field of view directed toward one or more occupants in the vehicle and is configured to capture an image signal corresponding to an imaging area in the field of view.

[0010] US 2002 / 167589 A1 describes a rearview vision system for a vehicle including at least one image capture device directed rearwardly with respect to the direction of travel of the vehicle. A display system displays an image synthesized from output of the image capture device. The display system is preferably contiguous with the forward field of view of the vehicle driver at a focal length that is forward of the vehicle passenger compartment.

[0011] US 2016 / 170486 A1 describes a device for acquiring a combined eye gaze image of an object under dark-eye effect conditions, with a first camera, a second camera, a first light source and a second light source being located on opposite sides of, and on essentially equal distance to a central optical axis. A control unit is arranged to acquire the combined eye gaze image by capturing, in a first point in time, a first frame of the object with the first camera with the second light source activated, and, at a second point in time, capturing a second frame of the object with the second camera with the first light source activated.

[0012] US 2017 / 364736 A1 describes an apparatus for a combined camera system. The apparatus includes an adjustable infrared (IR) pass filter. A passband of the adjustable infrared (IR) pass filter is electrically adjusted. The apparatus also includes a rolling shutter sensor. An adjustable filter is to implement a global shutter and a rolling shutter sensor global reset.

[0013] US 2009 / 128664 A1 describes an electronic optical zoom system that includes a first lens assembly and a second lens assembly. The first lens assembly and the second lens assembly may be adjacently disposed or concentrically disposed. The first lens assembly and second lens assembly, in one embodiment, have different magnification configurations. An image sensor captures electronic images of a subject. Optical zoom capability is achieved by an alterable electronic optical device, such as a switchable mirror. The alterable electronic optical device selectively redirects received light between a first optical path from a reflective surface to a second optical path from the alterable electronic optical device depending upon the state of the alterable electronic optical device. The electronic optical zoom system thereby provides optical zoom capabilities in a compact package without the need for physically moving lens assemblies.

[0014] US 2018 / 081163 A1 describes an endoscope imager that includes a system-in-package and a specularly reflective surface. The system-in-package includes a camera module having an imaging lens with an optical axis and an illumination unit. The system-in-package includes a camera module having an imaging lens with an optical axis and an illumination unit configured to emit illumination propagating in a direction away from the imaging lens, the direction having a component parallel to the optical axis. The specularly reflective surface faces the imaging lens and forming an oblique angle with the optical axis, to deflect the illumination toward a scene and deflect light from the scene toward the camera module.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0015] The present invention provides an image apparatus having the features of independent claim 1. Additional embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0016] These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present device will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an imaging system incorporated in an interior rearview mirror assembly; FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the interior rearview mirror assembly shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a process diagram representing an operation of an imaging system comprising a plurality of fields of view; FIG. 4A is a process diagram representing an operation of an imaging system capturing image data in a first field of view; and FIG. 4B is a process diagram representing an operation of an imaging system capturing image data in a second field of view in accordance with the disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0018] For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0019] The terms "including," "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by "comprises a . . ." does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

[0020] As used herein, the term "and / or," when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 10 generally designates an imaging system operable to perform one or more identification functions. An exemplary embodiment of the imaging system 10 is shown incorporated into an interior rearview mirror assembly 12 of an automotive vehicle. The interior rearview mirror assembly 12 may be configured as an electro-optic rearview mirror assembly that is partially reflective and partially transmissive and having a mirror element 14 coupled to a housing 16. Though demonstrated as incorporated in the mirror assembly 12, it may be understood that one or more components of the imaging system 10 may be incorporated in other portions of the vehicle (e.g. panels, an overhead console, visor, center consoles, a steering wheel, etc.).

[0022] A first light source 18 and a second light source 20 may be disposed inside the housing 16. Additionally, in some embodiments, the light sources 18, 20 may be positioned separate from the housing 16 (e.g. in an overhead console, vehicle pillar, etc.), while still providing illumination in a field of view of the imaging system 10. In the illustrated example, the light sources 18, 20 may be located in the housing 16 behind the mirror element 14. While the first and second light sources 18, 20 are shown located at opposite sides of the housing 16, it is to be understood that their illustrated positions should not be construed as limiting. In alternative embodiments, the first and / or second light sources 18, 20 may be located elsewhere in the housing 16 or otherwise be provided on external portions of the housing 16.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the first light source 18 is configured to project a first illumination generally represented by arrow 22 and the second light source 20 is configured to project a second illumination generally represented by arrow 24. The first and second illuminations are projected through the mirror element 14 onto a vehicle occupant, such as driver 25. In some embodiments, the first and second illumination use the same wavelength. In some embodiments, the first illumination and the second illumination each include a distinct wavelength selected from a near-infrared (NIR) spectrum including wavelengths ranging from 800 nm to 950 nm. The second illumination may have a longer wavelength than the first illumination. In some embodiments, the first illumination may have a wavelength of about 810 nm and the second illumination may have a wavelength of about 940 nm. In some embodiments, the first illumination may have a wavelength of about 860 nm and the second illumination may have a wavelength of about 940 nm. In some embodiments, the first illumination may have a wavelength of about 880 and the second illumination may have a wavelength of 940 nm. The wavelengths of the first and second illuminations are only provided as examples and are not intended to be limiting.

[0024] It is generally contemplated that the first and second light sources 18, 20 may each include one or more infrared emitter banks 26 that emit the first and second illumination, respectively. Each emitter bank 26 may include a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which may be grouped in a matrix or otherwise grouped in other arrangements. It will be understood that the emitter banks 26 may be positioned anywhere inside the housing 16 that would enable the first and second illumination to be projected onto the driver 25.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an imager 28 is disposed inside the housing 16 and is exemplarily shown located in a generally central location behind the mirror element 14. The imager 28 is configured to acquire one or more images of a biometric feature of the driver 25 and generates image data corresponding to the one or more acquired images. The imager 28 is further configured with a variable field of view based on which of the first and second light sources 18, 20 is activated.

[0026] The first light source 18, the second light source 20, and the imager 28 may be electrically coupled to a printed circuit board (PCB) 30 and are in communication with a controller 32. The controller 32 may be located on the PCB 30, elsewhere located in the housing 16, or elsewhere located in the vehicle. The controller 32 may further be in communication with various devices incorporated in the interior rearview mirror assembly 12 and / or equipment of the vehicle. The controller 32 may include one or more processors configured to selectively activate the first and second light sources 18, 20, and process image data received from the imager 28 to determine an identity of the driver 25 or monitor the driver 25, among other things.

[0027] In the present embodiment, the controller 32 may communicate with a display 33 disposed inside the housing 16 of the interior rearview mirror assembly 12 and visible through the mirror element 14. The controller 32 may be configured to operate the display 33 to show image data received from the imager 28. The display 33 may be configured as an LCD, LED, OLED, plasma, DLP, or other display types. Examples of displays that may be utilized are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,572,233, entitled "Rearview Mirror With Display," 8,237,909, entitled "Vehicular Rearview Mirror Assembly Including Integrated Backlighting for a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)," U.S. Pat. No. 8,411,245, entitled "Multi-Display Mirror System and Method for Expanded View Around a Vehicle," and U.S. Pat. No. 8,339,526, entitled "Vehicle Rearview Mirror Assembly Including a High-Intensity Display".

[0028] The controller 32 may also communicate with an indicator 34 configured to output a visual notification indicating an operation state of the imaging system 10. The indicator 34 may be configured as an LED or other light source and is operable by the controller 32 to flash and / or change colors to indicate the operation state of the imaging system 10. In one specific embodiment, the indicator 34 may be configured as an RGB LED operable to indicate the operation state by emitting light expressed in a red color, a green color, a blue color, or any color combination thereof.

[0029] In the depicted embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the first and second light sources 18, 20 is uniquely associated with an identification function executed by the controller 32. According to a first identification function, or an iris scanning function to identify a vehicle occupant (e.g., driver 25), the controller 32 activates only the first light source 18 to project the first illumination toward the driver 25. As discussed herein, the first illumination may be a NIR illumination having a wavelength in the range of about 810 nm to 880 nm. For example, the first illumination may have a wavelength of 810 nm, of 860 nm, or of 880 nm. In some embodiments, when activating only the first light source 18, the controller 32 also may operate the imager 28 with a first field of view 38 to enable image acquisition of an iris 40 of one or both eyes 41 of the driver 25.

[0030] The controller 32 may process image data generated by the imager 28 while operating with the first field of view 38 to identify the driver 25. The first field of view 38 is typically a narrow field of view. In some embodiments, the first field of view 38 may have a first horizontal field component 42 of approximately 20 degrees and a similar or different vertical component (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, image data generated by the imager 28 may be shown on the display 33. Using the display 33 as a reference, the driver 25 may adjust the position of the interior rearview mirror assembly 12 such that the image appearing on the display 33 is properly trained on the necessary biometric feature (e.g., iris 40) required to identify the driver 25. Driver identification may be used alongside vehicle security features and to authorize financial transactions.

[0031] According to a second identification function, or a driver monitoring function that includes facial recognition, the controller 32 activates only the second light source 20 to project the second illumination onto the driver 25. As discussed herein, the second illumination may be a NIR illumination having a wavelength of 9 40 nm. In some embodiments, when activating only the second light source 20, the controller 32 also may operate the imager 28 with a second field of view 44 to enable image acquisition of a face 46 and / or body 48 of the driver 25.

[0032] The controller 32 may process image data generated by the imager 28 while operating with the second field of view 44 to monitor the driver 25. The second field of view 44 is typically a wide field of view. In some embodiments, the second field of view 44 may have a second horizontal field component 50 of approximately 60 degrees and a similar or different vertical component (not shown). As described herein, image data generated by the imager 28 may be shown on the display 33 and the driver 25 may adjust the position of the interior rearview mirror assembly 12 such that the image appearing on the display 33 is properly trained on the necessary biometric feature (e.g., face 46 and / or body 48) required to monitor the driver 25. Driver monitoring may include monitoring for sleepiness, inattentiveness, and other driver states. Additionally, the imager 28 may be configured to capture image data in the second field of view 44 to provide for an occupancy detection (e.g. passenger occupancy) or detection of various objects in a cabin of the vehicle.

[0033] According to one embodiment, it is contemplated that the controller 32 may use output (e.g., an auto gain threshold) from the imager 28 to determine characteristics (e.g., wavelength, intensity, etc.) of the first and / or the second illumination based on current vehicle and / or ambient lighting conditions. In embodiments where the interior rearview mirror assembly 12 is configured as an electro-optic rearview mirror assembly, the controller 32 may additionally, or alternatively, use available feedback mechanisms from a dimming controller to determine the characteristics of the first and / or the second illumination. Additionally, or alternatively, the imaging system 10 may be configured to include manual entry criteria, such as eye color and skin color, to aid the controller 32 in determining the characteristics of the first and / or the second illumination. The criteria may be entered using any available user-input device of the vehicle. By employing one or more of the foregoing features, the imaging system 10 may benefit from improved speed and accuracy with respect to biometric capture and / or user authentication.

[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B, in some embodiments, the imaging system 10 may comprise an interchangeable lens apparatus 60 configured selectively to supply reflected light captured in the first field of view 38 and the second field of view by the imager 28 in the form of a single pixel array 62. The interchangeable lens apparatus 60 comprises one or more optic elements 64, which are configured to selectively direct a first reflected light 22a from the first illumination 22 to the imager 28 through a first lens 66. Additionally, the lens apparatus 60 is configured to selectively direct a second reflected light 24a from the second illumination 24 to the imager 28 through a second lens 68. In this configuration, the controller 32 is operable to adjust the field of view of the imaging system 10 from the first field of view 38 to the second field of view 44 in order to selectively capture image data of the iris 40 and the face 46 or body 48 of the driver 25.

[0035] The lens apparatus 60 comprises a shutter 70, which is configured to selectively direct light from each of the lenses 66, 68 to the pixel array 62. The shutter 70 comprises a first shutter 70a and a second shutter 70b, which are configured to vary in transmittance in response to one or more electrical control signals supplied by the controller 32. Each shutter 70a, 70b comprises a liquid crystal shutter. As shown in FIGS. 4A, in response to control signals from the controller 32, the first shutter 70a is controlled to transmit the first reflected light 22a to process the first identification function. In addition to the control of the first shutter 70a, the controller 32 further controls the operation of the second shutter 70b to transmit the second reflected light 24a to process the second identification function as shown in FIG. 4B. In this way, the imaging system 10 selectively captures image data for the first identification function or the second identification function with the single pixel array 62 of the imager 28.

[0036] The lens apparatus 60 further comprises a plurality of mirror elements 72. As shown in FIG. 3, the mirror elements 72 comprise a first mirror element 72a and a second mirror element 72b. The first mirror element 72a is aligned with a first focal axis A1 of the first lens 66. The second mirror element 72b is aligned with a second focal axis A2 of the second lens 68. In operation, as shown in FIG. 4A, the first reflected light 22a captured by the first lens 66 is selectively transmitted through the first shutter 70a, wherein the selective transmission is controlled by the controller 32 to enable the first identification function. Once transmitted through the first shutter 70a, the first reflected light 22a impinges upon the first mirror element 72a.

[0037] The first mirror element 72a is oriented at a first angle α relative to the first focal axis A1 such that the first reflected light 22a is reflected in transverse to the first focal axis A1. The first reflected light 22a is then transmitted to the second mirror element 72b, which is aligned with the reflection of the first reflected light 22a from the first mirror element 72a and angled at a first angle β relative to the second focal axis A2. In this configuration, the first reflected light 22a is reflected parallel to the second focal axis A2, which is aligned with a focal plane of the pixel array 62. In this way, the controller 32 of the system 10 selectively controls the first reflected light 22a to be received by the imager 28 to process the first identification function. During the capture of the first reflected light 22a, the controller 32 is configured to control the second shutter 70b to block the transmission of the first reflected light 22a via the second lens 68 to the imager 28 by controlling the second shutter 70b to a darkened, opaque, or otherwise non-transmissive state.

[0038] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 4B, the controller 32 is configured to control the lens apparatus 60 to selectively direct the second reflected light 24a through the second lens 68 to the pixel array 62 of the imager 28 to process the second identification function. While processing the second identification function, the controller 32 is configured to control the first shutter 70a to block the transmission of the first reflected light 22a to the imager 28 via the first lens 66 by controlling the first shutter 70a to a darkened, opaque, or otherwise non-transmissive state. At the same time, the controller 32 controls the second shutter 70b to transmit the second reflected light 24a in a transmissive state. In this configuration, the second reflected light 24a is transmitted to the second mirror element 72b. In this configuration, the second reflected light 24a is transmitted through the optic filter 74 such that the second reflected light 24a is received by the pixel array 62. In this way, the controller 32 may selectively control the lens apparatus 60 to process the second identification routine.

[0039] In some embodiments, each of the shutters 70a, 70b may comprise a plurality of pixels 76 and 78. As shown, the plurality of pixels 76 may comprise a first pixel 76a and a second pixel 76b aligned with the first lens 66. The plurality of pixels 78 may comprise a first pixel 78a and a second pixel 78b. The pixels 76 and 78 may provide for the system 10 to gradually or sequentially change from the first identification function to the second identification function. Such operation may be particularly beneficial in embodiments wherein the imager is configured to capture image data with a rolling shutter.

[0040] For example, the controller 32 of the system may be configured to transition from the first identification function utilizing the first lens 66 to the second identification function using the second lens 68 in sequence with the rolling shutter and during the capture of an image frame with the pixel array 62. In doing so, if the pixel array 62 operates in a rolling configuration, the controller 32 may selectively control the first pixel 76a aligned with the first lens 66 to transition from a transmissive configuration to an opaque or blocking configuration. Additionally, the controller 32 may selectively control the first pixel 78a aligned with the second lens 68 to transition from an opaque or blocking configuration to a transmissive configuration. Such changes may be may controlled by the controller 32 as the rolling shutter exposes the pixels in the pixel array 62 corresponding to the second pixels 76b and 78b.

[0041] Additionally and similar to the transition of the first pixels 76a and 78a, the controller 32 may be configured to transition from the first lens 66 to the second lens 68 in sequence with the rolling shutter of the pixel array 62. The transition may be processed by the controller 32 as the rolling shutter exposes the pixels in the pixel array 62 corresponding to the first pixels 76a and 78a. Accordingly, the transition from the first identification configuration to the second identification configuration may comprise the controller 32 selectively controlling the second pixel 76b aligned with the first lens 66 to transition from a transmissive configuration to an opaque or blocking configuration. Additionally, the controller 32 may selectively control the second pixel 78b aligned with the second lens 68 to transition from an opaque or blocking configuration to a transmissive configuration. Accordingly, the pixels 76 and 78 may provide for the system to seamlessly transition from the first identification configuration to the second identification configuration without interrupting the capture of the image data by the pixel array 62.

[0042] The first shutter 70a and the second shutter 70b are implemented as liquid crystal shutter elements. The shutters 70 each comprise a polarizing filter 80a and 80b, which are configured to pass light in a first polarization or a second polarization. The first polarization and the second polarization are orthogonal to each other. In this configuration, the first shutter 70a is configured to selectively pass the first polarization and the second shutter 70b is configured to pass the second polarization. The optic filter 74 of the second mirror element 72b comprises a reflective polarizer configured to reflect the first polarization and transmit the second polarization. In this configuration, the first reflected light 22a may be reflected from the second mirror element 72b while the second reflected light 24a may be transmitted through the second mirror element 72b as previously discussed herein.

[0043] In some embodiments which are not within the scope of the claims, one or more of the shutters 70a and 70b may be implemented as electrochromic devices as discussed herein. In such embodiments, the controller 32 may similarly supply control signals to the shutters 70 and 70b to adjust a transmittance of the first reflected light 22a and the second reflected light 24a therethrough. In this way, the electrochromic devices may provide for improved transmission to the imager 28 with limited attenuation. The transition from the first identification configuration to the second identification configuration may require a transition period during which the image data may not be captured by the imager 28. In such embodiments, the optic filter 74 of the second mirror may correspond to a spectral filter. For example, the spectral filter may be configured to pass the wavelengths of the second reflected light 24a (e.g. wavelengths greater than 900 nm [940 nm]) while reflecting the first reflected light 22a (e.g. wavelengths of about 810 nm to 880 nm [810 nm, 860 nm, and / or 880 nm]). In this configuration, the lens apparatus 60 may be controlled by the controller to selectively supply the first reflected light 22a and / or the second reflected to the imager 28.

[0044] Additional information on the construction of the mirror element 14 and transflective coatings can be found in U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2017 / 0177935 to Weller et al., entitled "MIRROR ASSEMBLY INCORPORATING A SCANNING APPARATUS," and 2017 / 0166134 to Gao et al., entitled "IR TRANSMITTING COATING FOR ELECTRO-OPTIC ELEMENT".

[0045] In some embodiments which are not within the scope of the claims, the mirror element 14 may be an electrochromic element or an element such as a prism. One non-limiting example of an electrochromic element is an electrochromic medium, which includes at least one solvent, at least one anodic material, and at least one cathodic material. Typically, both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least one of them is electrochromic. It will be understood that regardless of its ordinary meaning, the term "electroactive" will be defined herein as a material that undergoes a modification in its oxidation state upon exposure to a particular electrical potential difference. Additionally, it will be understood that the term "electrochromic" will be defined herein, regardless of its ordinary meaning, as a material that exhibits a change in its extinction coefficient at one or more wavelengths upon exposure to a particular electrical potential difference. Electrochromic components, as described herein, include materials whose color or opacity are affected by electric current, such that when an electrical current is applied to the material, the color or opacity change from a first phase to a second phase. The electrochromic component may be a single-layer, single-phase component, multi-layer component, or multi-phase component, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,572 entitled "Electrochromic Layer and Devices Comprising Same," U.S. Pat. No. 5,998,617 entitled "Electrochromic Compounds," U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,987 entitled "Electrochromic Medium Capable of Producing a Pre-Selected Color," U.S. Pat. No. 6,037,471 entitled "Electrochromic Compounds," U.S. Pat. No. 6,141,137 entitled "Electrochromic Media for Producing a Preselected Color," U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,916 entitled "Electrochromic System," U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,912 entitled "Near Infrared-Absorbing Electrochromic Compounds and Devices Comprising Same," U.S. Pat. No. 6,249,369 entitled "Coupled Electrochromic Compounds with Photostable Dication Oxidation States," and U.S. Pat. No. 6,137,620 entitled "Electrochromic Media With Concentration-Enhanced Stability, Process for the Preparation Thereof and Use In Electrochromic Devices," U.S. Pat. No. 6,519,072, entitled "Electrochromic Device"; and International Patent Publication Nos. WO 98 / 42796 entitled "Electrochromic Polymeric Solid Films, Manufacturing Electrochromic Devices Using Such Solid Films, and Processes for Making Such Solid Films and Devices" and WO 99 / 02621 entitled "Electrochromic Polymer Systems".

[0046] The present disclosure may be used with a mounting system such as that described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,814,373; 8,201,800; 8,210,695; 9,174,577; 8,925,891; and 9,838,653; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 61 / 709,716; 61 / 707,676; and 61 / 704,869. Further, the present disclosure may be used with a rearview packaging assembly such as that described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,814,373; 8,646,924; 8,643,931; 8,264,761; and 8,885,240; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 61 / 707,625; and 61 / 590,259. Additionally, it is contemplated that the present disclosure can include a bezel such as that described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,827,517; 8,210,695; and 8,201,800.

[0047] It will be appreciated that embodiments of the invention described herein may be comprised of one or more conventional processors and unique stored program instructions that control one or more processors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of the interior rearview mirror assembly 12, as described herein. The non-processor circuits may include but are not limited to, signal drivers, clock circuits, power source circuits, and / or user input devices. As such, these functions may be interpreted as steps of a method. Alternatively, some or all functions could be implemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of certain of the functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches could be used. Thus, the methods and means for these functions have been described herein. Further, it is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein will be readily capable of generating such software instructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.

[0048] It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described invention and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the invention disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials unless described otherwise herein.

[0049] For purposes of this disclosure, the term "coupled" (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

[0050] It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the invention as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and / or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and / or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations.

[0051] It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present device, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

[0052] The above description is considered that of the illustrated embodiments only. Modifications of the device will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the device.

Claims

1. An imaging apparatus (10) comprising: a first light source (18) configured to project a first illumination (22) onto a vehicle occupant; a second light source (20) configured to project a second illumination (24) onto the vehicle occupant; and an imager (28) comprising a pixel array (62); characterized in that the imaging apparatus (10) further comprises: a lens apparatus (60) comprising: a first lens (66) comprising a first field of view (38); a second lens (68) comprising a second field of view (44); a first shutter (70a) and a second shutter (70b) that are implemented as liquid crystal shutter elements, wherein the first shutter (70a) comprises a first polarizing filter (80a) and the second shutter (70b) comprises a second polarizing filter (80b), wherein the first shutter (70a) is configured to selectively pass a first polarization of light and the second shutter (70b) is configured to pass a second polarization of light orthogonal to the first polarization;a first mirror element (72a) aligned with a first focal axis (A1) of the first lens (66) and a second mirror element (72b) aligned with a second focal axis (A2) of the second lens (68), wherein the first focal axis (A1) and the second focal axis (A2) are parallel focal axes, wherein the first mirror element (72a) is oriented with an angle relative to the first focal axis (A1) such that a first reflected light (22a) from the first illumination (22) is reflected in transverse to the first focal axis (A1) and is then transmitted to the second mirror element (72b), wherein the second mirror element (72b) is aligned with the reflection of the first reflected light (22a) from the first mirror element (72a) and angled at an angle relative to the second focal axis (A2), and wherein the second mirror element (72b) comprises an optic filter (74) comprising a reflective polarizer configured to reflect the first polarization and transmit the second polarization; and a controller (32) configured to control the first shutter (70a) and the second shutter (70b) to selectively transmit light from the first illumination to the pixel array (62) of the imager (28) from the first lens (66) or light from the second illumination to the pixel array (62) of the imager (28) from the second lens (68).

2. The imaging apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein the controller (32) is further configured to: control the first shutter (70a) in a first configuration configured to selectively transmit the first illumination from the first lens (66) to the pixel array (62).

3. The imaging apparatus (10) according to claim 2, wherein the controller (32) is further configured to: control the second shutter (70b) in a second configuration to selectively transmit the second illumination from the second lens (68) to the pixel array (62), wherein the imager (28) is configured to process the first illumination in the first field of view (38) and the second illumination in the second field of view (44).

4. The imaging apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the controller (32) is configured to control the first shutter (70a) to a transmissive state to transmit the first light to the imager (28) while controlling the second shutter (70b) to an opaque state.

5. The imaging apparatus (10) according to claim 4, wherein the controller (32) is configured to control the second shutter (70b) to a transmissive state to transmit the second light to the imager (28) while controlling the first shutter (70a) to an opaque state.