Optical pattern of information acquisition system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to laminated glazing having a viewing area for an information acquisition system, the viewing area for the information acquisition system being configured to have a pattern of optical power.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 820,363, entitled "Optical Pattern of Information Acquisition System," filed March 19, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 866,217, entitled "Optical Pattern of Information Acquisition System," filed June 25, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 886,060, entitled "Optical Pattern of Information Acquisition System," filed August 13, 2019, all of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties herein.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to vehicle glazing having a viewing area through which an information acquisition system gathers information, the viewing area being configured to provide a pattern of refractive power within the viewing area. [Background technology]

[0003] To improve the safety performance and comfort of vehicles, including autonomous vehicles, information acquisition systems may be installed inside the vehicle. Information acquisition systems may include imaging systems, collision prevention systems, braking assistance systems, driver assistance systems, and / or autonomous driving systems, typically using various electrical sensors and / or cameras.

[0004] The electrical sensors or cameras in the information acquisition system are typically mounted directly on or near the inside surface of the vehicle's laminate windshield and collect information or data about conditions outside the vehicle by emitting and / or detecting infrared, near infrared, laser radar, and / or visible light through the windshield.

[0005] In addition to the opaque printed areas around the perimeter of the laminated vehicle windshield, an opaque layer (e.g., a dark ceramic print and / or a silver print) may be printed on the inside surface S2 of the outer glass (first glass) or the outside surface S4 of the inner glass (second glass) to hide the electrical sensors or cameras from view when viewed from outside the vehicle. Such opaque printed areas to hide the electrical sensors or cameras from view may have openings (i.e., localized areas without opaque print) to allow the information acquisition system to collect information from outside the vehicle through the camera opening.

[0006] Autonomous driving technology makes extensive use of optical sensors and relies on good image quality. Surface imperfections in windshields and other vehicle windows can cause optical distortions and be a concern for obtaining optimal image quality. Manufacturing repeatable viewing areas for information acquisition systems are needed in the art to provide a reliable surface for information gathering.

[0007] Our proposed and preferred aspects are set out below and in the accompanying claims. Glazing in combination with an information acquisition system, such as including one or more sensors and / or cameras, is one proposed aspect.

[0008] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more exemplary aspects of the present disclosure and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles and implementations of the present disclosure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1a] FIG. 1 illustrates glazing having a viewing area for an information acquisition system having an optical power pattern, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1b] FIG. 1a illustrates a cross-section of glazing having a viewing area for an information acquisition system having a refractive power pattern, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure (cross-section taken along line A-A' in FIG. 1a). [Figure 1c]FIG. 1a illustrates a cross-section of glazing having a viewing area for an information acquisition system having a refractive power pattern, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure (cross-section taken along line A-A' in FIG. 1a). [Figure 2a] FIG. 1 illustrates glazing having a viewing area for an information acquisition system having an optical power pattern, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2b] 2a shows a cross-section of glazing having a viewing area for an information acquisition system with a refractive power pattern according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure (cross-section taken along line A-A' in FIG. 2a). [Figure 2c] 2a shows a cross-section of glazing having a viewing area for an information acquisition system with a refractive power pattern according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure (cross-section taken along line A-A' in FIG. 2a). [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 illustrates glazing having a viewing area for an information acquisition system having an optical power pattern, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates glazing having a viewing region for an information acquisition system having a zoom region, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] High resolution acquisition systems, which may be part of automated safety operations or autonomous driving of vehicles, may require glazing with minimal optical distortion or desired optical power patterns within a wide camera aperture. The acquisition systems may require optical power that is limited by the capabilities of typical glass glazing. Therefore, it is desirable to improve the optical quality of glass glazing.

[0011] For purposes of this disclosure, including reference to the figures, the "first side" may refer to the outer glass substrate surface of a glass product. The "fourth side" may refer to the inner glass substrate surface of an automotive laminated glass product. The "second side" may be the glass substrate surface opposite the first side, and the "third side" may be the glass substrate surface opposite the fourth side. In laminated glass glazing, the second side and the third side may oppose each other within the laminated glazing.

[0012] Cameras and sensors, i.e., acquisition systems, are increasingly being used in vehicles and may be preferred to be located inside the vehicle to provide better protection and environmental conditions for electronics. If the acquisition system is located inside the vehicle, it may collect data through a surface, usually a glass window. The acquisition system may be located behind or attached to any suitable glass, including a windshield, side window, pillar, or rear window. The glass window may be one that is preferably minimally distorted to provide a clean viewing surface for the camera or sensor. As technology develops, more powerful and longer-range cameras and sensors become available, which may be more sensitive to distortions in the glass window. Furthermore, more detailed and clearer images may be required to utilize the collected information. This may be particularly important when the camera or sensor is located behind a laminated glass structure, such as a windshield, which may include at least two glass substrates.

[0013] Optical distortions can occur in single glazing or laminated glazing structures. The curvature of the glass can produce a change in refractive power by a convex lens effect with positive refractive power and / or a concave lens effect with negative refractive power. The refractive power is defined as the inverse of the focal length of the convex lens / concave lens and is usually expressed in millidiopters ("mdpt"). The refractive power can be positive or negative mdpt depending on the shape of the lens. In a typical laminated glazing, the refractive power can range from -200-200mdpt to outside -400-400mdpt in the field of view area for the information acquisition system. The refractive power can be preferably -200-200mdpt, more preferably -100mdpt-100mdpt, and even more preferably -60-60mdpt.

[0014] The optical distortion can be measured as defined in ECE-R43 (UN / ECE Regulation Article 43 - Uniform Provisions for the Approval of Safety Glazing Materials and Their Installation on Vehicles). The refractive power can also be measured using an ISRA Labscan-Screen2D inspection device. The optical filter settings can be 3 / 2 / 0, corresponding to a physical length of 2 mm. A suitable masking filter setting can also be applied, such as 6 / 5 / 5 / R. The horizontal or vertical refractive power of the transmission optical system can be measured depending on the purpose of the refractive power pattern, the design of the position or distribution, or the information acquisition system. In some embodiments, the transmitted refractive power of the laminated glazing can be measured if the glazing is a laminated glazing.

[0015] In some embodiments, the information acquisition system may operate differently with various degrees of refractive power. For example, the lenses defined by the refractive power and through which information is collected may be optimized differently based on how far information is to be collected by the information acquisition system. Among other features, the present disclosure provides an improved performance field of view for the information acquisition system in a glass product. The glass product may be a single pane of glass or a laminated glazing. The glass product may include a field for collecting information by the information acquisition system, and preferably includes a pattern of refractive power across the field of view for the information acquisition system. The refractive power may be optimized based on various factors, including the distance at which the information acquisition system collects information.

[0016] Glass may contain distortions due to manufacturing and processing methods, including float glass manufacturing. Draw lines, cords, and thermal history variations formed in the glass during manufacturing may include refractive index non-uniformities, thickness variations, surface roughness variations, or combinations thereof, which may contribute to transmission distortion of the glass. Depending on manufacturing and process parameters, the glass surface may have surface waviness and curvature variations. When multiple glass substrates are combined, such as in laminated glazing, optical power and distortion may increase as one substrate acts as a lens and amplifies the distortion of another glass substrate.

[0017] Additionally, the glass may include distortions created by the opaque print. For example, a flat glass sheet is bent at a hot bending process temperature (e.g., above 580°C for soda-lime glass as defined in ISO 16293-1:2008) to form the required three-dimensional shape, including a cylindrical or spherical shape suitable for vehicle windows. The opaque print may be printed, for example, by screen printing on the flat glass sheet before hot bending. The screen-printed opaque print is fired at 580°C to 700°C during the hot bending process to form a robust print with high mechanical durability. In such a manufacturing process, different physical properties may be exhibited between the opaque print material, such as black ceramic paste, and the glass sheet, which may include a transparent or translucent soda-lime silica glass material, such as light absorption, elastic modulus, thermal expansion coefficient, etc. For example, the black ceramic print absorbs more heat in the bending furnace than the glass sheet, resulting in a non-uniform temperature distribution in the glass sheet. The temperature of the glass sheet near the black print area may be locally higher than the temperature of the glass sheet in areas away from the print. Furthermore, differences in the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) exist between the black ceramic print and the soda-lime-silica glass sheet, which can result in changes in local curvature and residual stresses after cooling, which can affect the refractive index. For at least these reasons, optical distortions near the opaque print can form after the heat bending process.

[0018] The relationship between refractive power and local surface curvature can be simplified and given by equation (I):

[0019]

number

[0020] where f is the focal length, n is the refractive index, r1 is the local radius of curvature of the first glass substrate, r2 is the local radius of curvature of the second glass substrate, and t is the local lens thickness. According to formula (I), it can be seen that the optical power is a function of the local radius of curvature r1 of the first glass substrate and the local radius of curvature r2 of the second glass substrate, i.e., the local radii of curvature of the first and fourth surfaces after lamination. Optical distortion can be a non-zero value of the optical power.

[0021] Also, distortion of the glass can be created in localized areas of heating differences. For example, a heating mechanism including heat-generating silver wires can be present in the viewing area for the information acquisition system. The heating mechanism can be used to keep the area clear of frost and mist. Silver can be typically screen printed in lines on the glass substrate, with electrical connections later provided to provide heat to clear the viewing area for the information acquisition system. The silver print can be on the second, third, and / or fourth side. Preferably, the silver print can be on the fourth side. Thermal non-uniformities can occur during the glass bending process due to the higher heat dissipation of silver compared to areas of glass without silver. Localized variations in temperature can cause undesirable profile deviations near the printed silver wires, which can cause distortions in the viewing area for the information acquisition system.

[0022] The optical power of the glazing may be affected by processing steps, including glass manufacturing, which may not provide a reproducible optical power. Manufacturing repeatability of the optical power pattern may be desirable to provide a determinable viewing area for an information acquisition system. It may be desirable to control the optical power with or without an opaque print boundary, since optical distortions may be formed in the glass without bending or opaque printing, and preferably may be determined in a controlled process to provide a desired optical power and optical power pattern. Thus, it may be desirable to provide a viewing area with at least one optical power value, or two or more optical power values ​​in different areas of the viewing area, that may be repeatedly or reproducibly formed during glazing manufacturing.

[0023] In some embodiments, it may be preferable to provide a pattern of refractive power (or distortion) with at least one refractive power value or multiple refractive power values ​​to meet the visibility requirements of the information acquisition system as disclosed herein. To fully collect information from the environment around the vehicle, the information acquisition system may collect data from various distances, including near and far from the vehicle. The lenses required to focus at various distances may preferably have regions with different refractive powers. For example, a positive refractive power may increase visibility near the information acquisition system, and a negative refractive power may increase visibility far from the information acquisition system. A field of view with a single refractive power value may have a depth of field for information collection limited by the refractive power. The information acquisition system may be limited to the focal length possible with the refractive power of the field of view. It may be preferable for the optimal refractive power to vary within a field of view for an information acquisition system where information is collected near and far from the vehicle, such that the refractive power may form a pattern. The pattern of refractive power may be any suitable pattern. For example, the pattern may include a gradual or gradient change in optical power or a step change in optical power in the field of view for the information acquisition system. A step change may be a non-gradual shift in optical power between two power values.

[0024] The preferred refractive power pattern may depend on various factors, including the field of view and direction of desired data collection of the information acquisition system, the size of the vehicle, the location of the information acquisition system in or on the vehicle, and the installation angle of the glazing on the vehicle. The field of view from which information is collected by the information acquisition system may include areas close to the vehicle and areas far from the vehicle. The refractive power of the field of view from which information is collected may be optimized separately based on the distance at which the information is collected, which may vary within the field of view for the information acquisition system. The size of the vehicle, the location of the information acquisition system relative to the vehicle, and the environment around the vehicle may further affect the distance and optimal refractive power between the information acquisition system and the information collected from outside the vehicle.

[0025] The acquisition system may be positioned such that the optimal optical power may be substantially symmetric or asymmetric across the vertical and / or horizontal axes. In some embodiments, the optical power pattern may preferably include a change along the vertical axis within the acquisition system viewing area. In some embodiments, the optical power may preferably vary along the horizontal axis, with the optical power varying from one side to the other within the acquisition system viewing area. For example, in some embodiments, the optical power may increase from a center point of the viewing area toward the left and right sides. In further embodiments, the pattern may be formed with a change in optical power along both the vertical and horizontal axes. Additionally, the pattern may be formed independent of either axis.

[0026] In certain embodiments, the change in refractive power along the vertical axis may preferably include a refractive power that decreases in value from the bottom of the acquisition system viewing area upward along the vertical axis. The acquisition system may collect information from the ground close to the vehicle, and a positive refractive power may be preferred at the bottom of the acquisition system viewing area to provide an improved lens for collecting nearby information. A stronger positive refractive power may improve the clarity of the acquisition system at close range. Such a refractive power may be preferred at the edge of the acquisition system viewing area, where the acquisition system may collect information from close to the vehicle, and thus the viewing area may include a change in refractive power along the horizontal axis. Further embodiments may include a change in refractive power along the vertical axis, where the refractive power increases toward the top of the acquisition system viewing area compared to the center of the acquisition system viewing area. In some embodiments, it may be preferred to provide a stronger positive refractive power toward the top of the viewing area, where information about traffic lights may be collected, for example.

[0027] The information acquisition system viewing area may have a refractive power pattern including one or both of positive and negative refractive power. The information acquisition system may include various settings for collecting near and far information, which may affect the desired refractive power pattern. Negative refractive power may provide good visibility for distant views, where a certain focal length is preferred. The information acquisition system may collect information from a distance for various purposes, including, for example, determining upcoming traffic conditions or obstacles. Thus, in some of the information acquisition system viewing areas, a more negative refractive power may be desirable. To collect information from a near range, a positive refractive power may be desirable. For example, some of the information acquisition system viewing areas may be used for collection near the front of the vehicle or near the side of the vehicle. The refractive power may be influenced, for example, by the glass shape or lens in the information acquisition system viewing area. The lens may include any suitable lens shape to obtain a preferred refractive power pattern. In some embodiments, the glass viewing area may have any suitable shape, including concave, convex, plano-convex, plano-concave, meniscus, aspheric, etc. Additionally, the optical power may be affected by whether there is an opaque print around the viewing area, i.e., whether an opaque print is located around the viewing area. Process control of these factors or other methods of controlling the optical power may provide a repeatable optical power pattern.

[0028] The optical power may be patterned by any suitable means, which may include the placement of a print, film, and / or mask. The opaque print may be formed on any glass surface, including the first, second, third, and / or fourth surface. Preferably, the opaque print is on the second and / or fourth surface. In certain embodiments, the print may be formed on flat glass, which may later be bent. The optical power pattern may be formed by at least one print at least partially adjacent to the acquisition system viewing area. For example, the print may form a border around the acquisition system viewing area, masking or obscuring the interior of the vehicle behind the print. The opaque enamel black print may cause localized heating differences, affecting the curvature around the print. The location of the opaque print may impart a particular change in optical power. If the glass substrate is heat treated with the printed side facing up, the print on the second or third side may provide a negative refractive power, while the print on the first or fourth side may provide a positive refractive power. Thus, the print pattern may be utilized to provide a refractive power pattern around the print. The refractive power from the printed side may depend on the manufacturing process. For example, heating and bending the glass substrate with the printed side facing down may change the refractive power around the printed area in the final bent glass. The location of the edge of the print along the printed glass surface may affect the refractive power pattern of the viewing area that is fully or partially bordered by the opaque print. For example, the distance between the print and the viewing area may affect how much curvature and refractive power change there is in the viewing area. Additionally, the viewing area may include edges that are not bordered with black print or that include only one black print, such as the second or fourth side. During manufacturing, prints may be applied to provide a specific pattern of optical distortion in the viewing area for the information acquisition system.

[0029] In further embodiments, the refractive power can be influenced by a film, including, for example, a holographic film, laminated in or attached to the glazing. A holographic film can be provided to modify the refractive power, and the refractive power can be influenced by the magnifying power of the holographic film. The holographic film can be laminated between glass substrates or attached to the outer surface of the glazing, and can be provided in part or the entire viewing area for the information acquisition system. If the holographic film is laminated to the glazing, the film can be adjacent to the second surface, the fourth surface, or between polymer interlayers. The laminated holographic film can include a volume hologram, and the holographic film attached to the outer glass surface, such as the fourth surface, can include a volume hologram or a surface hologram. Furthermore, a film including a holographic portion can be provided in part or the entire viewing area for the information acquisition system, and the holographic portion does not have to be provided in the entire viewing area for the information acquisition system. Holographic films can be utilized to provide patterns that contain positive or negative refractive power, or both positive and negative refractive power.

[0030] In some embodiments, a mask may be used to provide the desired pattern of refractive power. It may be preferable to include an opaque print around some or all of the acquisition system viewing area, since the opaque print may help hide the interior of the vehicle behind the print, including the acquisition system mounting system. The change in refractive power due to the opaque print may be caused, in part, by the bending process of the glass. A mask may be used to correct the final refractive power and provide the optimal refractive power pattern. For example, the mask may include a black or dark polymer film bonded to the fourth surface. The mask may hide some of the changes in refractive power due to the opaque print from the acquisition system, leaving the desired pattern of refractive power. In such a design, the printed frame or border around the acquisition system may be larger than the acquisition system viewing area in which the mask will be placed. The mask may then hide undesired changes in optical distortion without encroaching on the acquisition system viewing area. Additionally, the mask may be laminated to the glazing, causing changes in refractive power. When a mask is laminated to the glazing, the thickness of the glazing may vary locally because the mask locally increases the thickness of the laminate, which may create negative optical power in the relatively thin laminate around the laminate mask, including in the viewing area where the laminated mask provides a boundary for the viewing area.

[0031] The thickness and refractive power variations may further be created by a change in the thickness of the polymer interlayer, which may cause a change in the curvature and refractive power of the glass. The change in thickness of the interlayer may be created by any suitable means, including a local increase in interlayer thickness, replacement of a portion of the interlayer with a thicker interlayer, or a local addition of a layer of interlayer. The polymer interlayer, which may be an adhesive that attaches the first and second glass substrates to form the laminated glazing, may include any suitable material, including polyvinyl butyral (PVB), polyvinyl acetate (PVA), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and / or ionomeric materials. The polymer interlayer may include a uniform or non-uniform thickness throughout the glass laminate. In this way, there may be localized regions where the polymer interlayer has a thicker or thinner depth, which may cause a change in the curvature and refractive power of the glass. The change in thickness of the interlayer may be included within the field of view for the information acquisition system to provide a change in refractive power and a refractive power pattern in at least a portion of the field of view. The interlayer structure with thickness variation may or may not extend further outside the acquisition system viewing area. Further embodiments may include replacing a portion of the interlayer material with another interlayer having a different thickness. For example, a portion of the polymer interlayer may be removed from the main interlayer portion and replaced with a different polymer interlayer to provide a localized change in the thickness of the polymer interlayer. The replaced polymer interlayer may be a portion of the acquisition system viewing area or may span the entire viewing area. If the interlayer thickness is locally greater than the surrounding interlayer, a positive optical power may be achieved, and if the thickness is locally less, a negative optical power may be created. Replacing a portion of the interlayer within the acquisition system viewing area may provide a difference in thickness and optical power. The difference or pattern in optical power may be a gradual or step change. In further embodiments, the optical power may be patterned by adding or removing a portion of the polymer interlayer. The polymer interlayer may have portions removed to provide a thinner interlayer in areas desired to have negative refractive power, and / or additional interlayer may be added in areas desired to have positive refractive power.Further embodiments may include a non-adhesive interlayer in the portion of the glazing where additional thickness is preferred. The non-adhesive interlayer may be any suitable material including polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and may preferably be sandwiched between adhesive layers.

[0032] In yet another embodiment, the optical power pattern may be formed during the glazing manufacturing process. For example, glass heat treatment may include cooling of the glass, which may be controlled to provide the desired optical power. For example, rapid cooling of the glass may result in a change in optical power to form a more positive optical power. In a further example, the glass may be locally heat treated, such as by localized tempering or heating.

[0033] During the lamination process, the glass substrates and the polymer interlayer are autoclaved at the desired temperature and pressure (e.g., 100-160°C and 10-15 bar). The interlayer may be a single layer or have multiple sub-layers, such as a three-layer structure that may include acoustic properties. As the structure heats up during the lamination process, the polymer interlayer may begin to soften. The softened material may then fill the space between the glass substrates as pressure presses the substrates together. Localized pressure during the lamination process may locally change the optical power of the laminated glazing by controlling the distance between the glass substrates. Depending on the pressure and where this pressure is applied, the localized pressure may provide a positive or negative lens in the viewing area. The pressure limits the space available to the polymer interlayer between the glass substrates, and localized variations in thickness and optical power may be created. The variations in optical power may be created to provide a desired pattern of optical power.

[0034] In some embodiments, polishing can be performed to affect the refractive power. Positive and / or negative refractive power can be caused by polishing the glass surface. Polishing can include any suitable process, including mechanical polishing and / or chemical polishing. Chemical polishing can include, for example, chemical etching. Any suitable chemical etching material can be used, such as hydrofluoric acid solution, nitric acid solution, sulfuric acid solution, ammonium fluoride solution or ammonium bifluoride solution, or any combination thereof. Any glass surface can be polished to create a refractive power pattern. Polishing can be applied with or without masking. Polishing can reduce the thickness of the glass substrate, which can create a negative lens and negative refractive power, while polishing around the area of ​​interest can create a positive lens and positive refractive power in the area of ​​interest.

[0035] In certain embodiments, the refractive power may be patterned by applying a lens to an area of ​​the information acquisition system. The lens may be formed to have a lens shape that may provide a desired refractive power pattern. For example, a convex lens may be formed to provide positive refractive power and a concave lens may be formed to provide negative refractive power. The lens shape may be formed to provide a range of refractive powers across the entire field of view. Lenses may be formed with variable strength of refractive power, such as all positive, all negative, or a mixture of positive and negative. For example, a concave lens may be formed to have a variable lens shape that provides variable refractive power. Thus, the lenses disclosed herein may provide a variable focus lens for an information acquisition system.

[0036] The lens shape can be formed to provide a desired optical pattern while considering the first surface. The first surface can have a curved shape that can include distortion. Light passing through the viewing area can be affected by the first surface and the lens shape, which can have positive and / or negative refractive power. Since the combination of the first surface and the lens together can provide a desired optical pattern in the viewing area, the lens can be formed to provide a complementary surface so that the desired refractive power can be formed through the glass and the lens. For example, an opaque print on the second surface can provide a local negative refractive power on the first surface, which can be compensated by the lens to become a weaker negative, neutral, or positive refractive power. Furthermore, a flat surface on the fourth surface can provide the first surface as a lens that controls the refractive power value. Thus, if the first surface provides the desired refractive power, the lens can be formed to have a flat or partially flat surface.

[0037] The lens may cover some or all of the viewing area. Additionally, the edges of the lens may overlap an opaque print on the glazing, thereby preventing the edges of the compensation structure from being visible from the exterior of the vehicle.

[0038] In some embodiments, a lens may be formed on the glazing. As described herein, the lens may be formed by a mold having a desired lens shape. The mold may be any suitable material and may be non-adherent to the filled resin, allowing the mold to be removed from the hardened resin without damaging the glass or lens surface. The mold may be a non-adherent material or may be coated with a non-adherent material such as nickel. Additionally, the mold may be any suitable two- or three-dimensional shape or combination of shapes to provide a lens, as described herein. To form a resin lens on a glass surface, in some embodiments, a resin material may be placed on the glass surface and covered with the mold. The resin may then be cured by any suitable means. In further embodiments, the mold may include a fill port, allowing the mold to be placed on the glass surface and then filled with resin material.

[0039] In certain embodiments, the fill material may include a resin, which may be ultraviolet (UV), thermally, or chemically cured. The resin may have a low shrinkage, but the mold may be formed to accommodate shrinkage resulting from the curing process. The resin material may have a refractive index that is preferably equal to that of the glass substrate on which it is formed. For example, but not limited to, a soda lime glass substrate may have a refractive index of about 1.52 at visible wavelengths. If the refractive index of the resin matches that of the glass substrate, light transmitted therethrough may not be reflected at the interface between the resin and the glass. Since the refractive index generally depends on the wavelength or frequency of light, the refractive index of the resin may match that of the glass substrate, at least over a range of wavelengths, or at a particular wavelength that may be used in a camera or sensor. If the refractive indexes of the resin and glazing are matched or substantially matched, light may freely transmit through the glass glazing and resin without reflection or with little reflection. The resin may include, by way of non-limiting example, Norland Optical Adhesive 61 from Norland Products, Inc.

[0040] The resin may be cured by any suitable means. For example, in certain UV-curable embodiments, the resin may be cured by UV irradiation through a mold. The mold may be transparent to the wavelength of UV light used to cure the resin. The resin may also be cured by UV light applied through a glass substrate or a laminated glass product. In a laminated glass product, the resin may be selected to cure upon exposure to wavelengths greater than 380 nm. The polymer interlayer may be UV absorbing, and non-absorbing wavelengths may cure the resin through the polymer interlayer. In further embodiments, a prism may be used to guide the UV light source, with the glass substrate used as a waveguide to direct the light to the resin in the mold.

[0041] In certain embodiments, a hard coating may be formed over the cured resin. Such a hard coating may provide a protective layer over the resin. In some embodiments, an anti-fog film may be provided over the resin to provide an anti-fog surface for the face of the camera or sensor.

[0042] The pattern of refractive power may be formed by any suitable method, or any combination of methods, including those described herein. The refractive power pattern may preferably include positive and / or negative refractive power. If positive and negative refractive powers are desired, the positive and negative refractive powers may be present in equal amounts or in a uniform pattern throughout the field of view for the information acquisition system, or may be absent. The desired refractive power may preferably be defined by the curvature of the glass substrate. The curvature may be related to the refractive power as described herein by formula (I). In some embodiments, the refractive power may be defined by the refractive index of the glass. Formula (I) may define the refractive power that may result from a particular refractive index. Additionally, the glazing may have some non-zero refractive power, and any suitable method, including those described herein, may further vary this non-zero refractive power to form the optical pattern. This may include making a negative power more positive without producing a positive power, or making a positive power more negative without producing a negative power. As used herein, a positive power may be associated with a relatively more positive power than the adjacent power value, and a negative power may be associated with a relatively more negative power than the adjacent power value.

[0043] In some embodiments, the glazing may have viewing areas for multiple acquisition systems. The acquisition systems may or may not be part of a single system, such as a stereo camera system. Each acquisition system may be located at a different point behind the glazing and may require a separate viewing area. Different systems and / or different locations behind the glazing may have different preferred power patterns. Thus, a single glazing may include multiple viewing areas that may have separate power patterns. When there are multiple viewing areas in a glazing, the viewing areas may or may not be separated by an obstruction, including an opaque print on the glazing. The multiple viewing areas may have a single lens with one power pattern, or may have multiple lenses with power patterns appropriate for each viewing area. A single lens may have the same power pattern or different power patterns across the multiple viewing areas.

[0044] When light passes through the glazing to reach the acquisition system, some of the light may reflect off the glass surface, creating a double or ghost image on the acquisition system. The intensity of the ghost image may be increased by a stronger lens or stronger refractive power of the glazing. It may therefore be preferable to provide an anti-reflective coating on the first and / or fourth surface. The anti-reflective coating may minimize the ghost image seen by the acquisition system and improve the performance of the system.

[0045] FIG. 1(a) shows a glazing 101 having a viewing area 106 for an acquisition system. The viewing area 106 for an acquisition system is shown surrounded by an opaque print 103 and includes a change in refractive power 104. As shown in FIG. 1(a), the viewing area 106 can include a change in refractive power 104 along both a vertical axis A-A' and a horizontal axis C-C'. FIGS. 1(b) and 1(c) show a specific embodiment of the viewing area 106 for an acquisition system along the vertical axis A-A'. A field of view 108 of an acquisition system 130 extends through the viewing area 106. In FIG. 1(b), the opaque print 103 is shown on a first glass substrate 121, where a polymer interlayer 127 and the opaque print 103 are laminated between the first glass substrate 121 and the second glass substrate 124. In FIG. 1(c), the opaque print 103 is shown on the first glass substrate 121. The opaque print 103 may or may not be aligned with the field of view 108, and in some embodiments, the print 103 may provide an opening that is larger than the field of view 108, for example. Figure 1(c) further shows a lens 140 formed on the second glass substrate 124. The lens 140 may have a curvature that provides a desired optical power or optical power pattern in the field of view 106, including variations in optical power across the vertical and / or horizontal axes.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 2(a), the exemplary viewing area 106 for the information acquisition system may have a refractive power pattern 204 including discrete areas 205, 206 of refractive power variation. FIGS. 2(b) and 2(c) show a specific embodiment of the exemplary viewing area 106 along the vertical axis A-A'. In FIG. 2(b), the opaque print 103 is shown on the first glass substrate 121 and the opaque print 203 is shown on the second glass substrate 124. The opaque print 103 on the first glass substrate 121, particularly the opaque print 103 on the inner glass surface (side 2) of the laminate, may form a negative refractive power 205, while the opaque print 203 on the second glass substrate 124, particularly the opaque print 203 on the outer glass surface (side 4), may form a positive refractive power 205. Thus, the refractive power pattern 204 may be formed with both more positive and more negative refractive powers. 2(c) further illustrates the inclusion of lenses 240 that can affect the optical power pattern 204. Lenses 240 can, for example, provide both convex and concave lens portions within the viewing region 106. The optical power pattern 204 can be achieved without the opaque print 103, 203 by any suitable method disclosed herein, such as placement of a film or mask, controlling the manufacturing process, intermediate layers with a desired thickness pattern, polishing, forming lenses, etc.

[0047] 3 further illustrates an exemplary power pattern 304 having a variation along a horizontal axis CC'. The power pattern 304 may be formed by any of the methods disclosed herein.

[0048] In further embodiments, the pattern may include localized regions having a different refractive power than the majority of the field of view for the information acquisition system, i.e., zoom regions. Such zoom regions may include positive or negative refractive power to provide a lens for the information acquisition system to zoom in or out to gather information from far or near.

[0049] The local zoom regions may provide multiple views to the acquisition system from which the acquisition system may gather information. The aggregate of information may be used by the system to provide information about the vehicle's surroundings. The zoom regions may be of any suitable size and shape. In certain embodiments, the zoom regions may be circular in shape and occupy a portion of the acquisition system viewing area. The zoom regions may have a boundary with a gradual change in optical power or a boundary with a step change in optical power from a peripheral portion of the viewing area. In some embodiments, the viewing area may include multiple zoom regions, which may have the same or different optical powers. For example, the acquisition system viewing area may include a zoom out area and a zoom in area. In some further embodiments, multiple zoom regions within the acquisition system viewing area may have the same or substantially the same optical power. As shown in FIG. 4, a zoom region 404 may be within the acquisition system viewing area 106.

[0050] Preferably, the zoom region 404 may be located within any suitable region of the acquisition system viewing region 106, depending on the desired zoom direction and whether the zoom region 404 enhances close or far field information gathering. Additionally, the dimensions of the zoom region 404 may depend on the dimensions of the viewing region 106, with a larger viewing region 106 allowing for a larger zoom region within the viewing region 106. The zoom region 404 may further be sized to gather a desired amount of information from close or far field distances. A negative optical power may be used to facilitate gathering information from far field distances, and a positive optical power may be provided to the acquisition system to gather information at close field distances.

[0051] The zoom region 404 in the acquisition system viewing area 106 may be formed by the methods disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, the zoom region 404 may be formed by a film, such as a holographic film, laminated into or attached to the glazing 101. If the holographic film is laminated into the glazing 101, a non-holographic film may cover the acquisition system viewing area 106 outside the zoom region 404. The non-holographic film may include a polyethylene terephthalate film, which has a portion removed in the zoom region 404. The holographic film may be provided in the portion without the non-holographic film, providing a holographic zoom region laminated to the glazing 101. In further embodiments, the holographic film may be adhered to a fourth surface of the glazing 101.

[0052] In some embodiments, a lens may be applied to the fourth surface in the zoom region 404. The lens may be formed to provide a desired lens shape in the zoom region 404. Additional thickness in the glazing 101 may further provide the zoom region 404 where the lens is locally formed. The additional thickness may be formed by including a laminate film or by including a thicker region of interlayer material.

[0053] In further embodiments, a difference or local variation in the refractive index of at least one of the first and second glass substrates of the glazing may provide a local difference in refractive power. In some embodiments, a material having a different refractive index than the glazing 101 may be applied to the glazing 101 to provide the zoom region 404 with a different refractive power than the surrounding region. The material having a different refractive index may be provided in any suitable form, including a film or coating. In certain embodiments, the material having a different refractive index may be laminated into the glazing 101 in the viewing region 106. The refractive power (1 / f) may be determined using the refractive index according to formula (I) disclosed herein.

[0054] The above description of the disclosure is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the common principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Furthermore, the above description in conjunction with the drawings illustrates examples and does not represent the only examples within the scope of the claims that may be implemented.

[0055] Additionally, although elements of the described aspects and / or embodiments may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is included unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. Moreover, all or a portion of any aspect and / or embodiment may be utilized with all or a portion of any other aspect and / or embodiment unless otherwise stated. Thus, the present disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. 1. A glazing having a viewing area for an information acquisition system, the viewing area configured to provide a refractive power pattern in which the refractive power varies across the viewing area based on a distance at which information is gathered, the refractive power being a transmitted refractive power; the optical power pattern includes a zoom region having an optical power different from an optical power of a majority of the information acquisition system viewing region; Glazing.

2. The glazing of claim 1 , wherein the optical power pattern comprises a gradient change in optical power in the viewing region.

3. The glazing of claim 1 , wherein the optical power pattern comprises a variation in optical power along a normal axis of the viewing area.

4. The glazing of claim 3 , wherein the optical power pattern decreases in optical power upwardly along the vertical axis.

5. The glazing of claim 1 , wherein the optical power pattern includes a variation in optical power along a horizontal axis of the viewing area.

6. The glazing of claim 5 , wherein the optical power is substantially symmetric along the horizontal axis of the viewing area.

7. The glazing of claim 1 , wherein the optical power pattern is formed by a film.

8. The glazing of claim 7, wherein the film is a holographic film.

9. The glazing of claim 1 , wherein the optical power pattern is formed by variations in glazing thickness.

10. the glazing includes a first glass substrate, a second glass substrate, and a polymer interlayer; 10. The glazing of claim 9, wherein the variation in thickness of the glazing is due to a variation in thickness of a polymer interlayer.

11. the glazing includes a first glass substrate and a second glass substrate; The optical power pattern is determined by the local curvature of at least one of the first and second glass substrates.

2. The glazing of claim 1.

12. the glazing includes a first glass substrate and a second glass substrate; The glazing of claim 1 , wherein the optical power pattern is determined by a difference in refractive index of at least one of the first and second glass substrates.

13. The glazing of claim 1 , further comprising a lens formed over at least a portion of the viewing area, the lens shaped to provide an optical power pattern in the viewing area.

14. The glazing of claim 1 , wherein the optical power pattern comprises concave or convex lenses.

15. The glazing of claim 1 , wherein the optical power pattern includes positive and negative optical powers.

16. providing a glazing having a viewing region through which an information acquisition system is configured to collect information; providing a pattern of refractive power within the viewing area, the refractive power being a transmitted refractive power, the refractive power pattern including a zoom area, the zoom area having a different refractive power than a majority of the information acquisition system viewing area; A method for manufacturing glazing.

17. Providing a pattern of refractive power within a field of view for the information acquisition system includes: applying uncured resin to the glazing within the viewing area; molding the uncured resin to form a desired lens structure; The method of claim 16 including curing the resin.

18. The glazing of claim 1 , wherein the glazing has a curvature.

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