Attenuation of light glare and dazzling prevention

Abstract

Method and apparatus to attenuate light glare, including capturing digital stereoscopic images, calculating peak brightness areas, and displaying them as either darkened or semi-opaque areas on a screen (102) that selectively blocks incoming light, such that the light emanating from different sources is intercepted and blocked or attenuated before reaching an observer or sensor (101). Methods for calculating the peak brightness areas may be through different image-processing techniques, from a simplistic limiting threshold based on a per-pixel check, to more complex algorithms and solutions such as machine-learning. Example use cases may be: eye protection during welding applications, night time driving, improving the dynamic range of stand-alone camera sensors, such as automotive camera sensors, surveillance camera sensors, sunglasses, military applications, such as attenuation or prevention of disorientation due to for example blinding light or muzzle flashes, or any other application that involves the dynamic range of luminance levels or brightness.

Description

ATTENUATION OF LIGHT GLARE AND DAZZLING PREVENTIONBACKGROUND

[0001] Aspects of the disclosure relate to displays that are capable of having transparent qualities, positioned between the observer, user or sensor, and bright sources of light. The disclosure encompasses the selective blocking or darkening of specific pixels or areas of the display, that would have otherwise allowed light to dazzle or cause glare to an observer, user or sensor. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention are directed towards having many regions, similar to pixels on a display, that can be individually controlled in a way as to selectively block incoming light, while leaving other regions transparent.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0002] Methods, systems, and apparatuses that can attenuate light glare to prevent or eliminate dazzling are presented. Technology is already available that enables the construction of displays or screens that are by default transparent, and when an electric current is applied, regions of the screen can become darkened or opaque.

[0003] Current digital display technology, such as, but not limited to, LCDs (Liquid Crystal Displays) can already be constructed in a transparent way, and is an aspect for the approach defined hereafter. As the only requirement is for the screen to be darkened (shades of black), limitations in screen transparency levels which are caused by the presence of coloured pixels can be avoided. Additionally, there are multiple smart-glass technologies that are able to transform a pane of glass from being almost transparent to having a darkened state (shade of black) or almost fully opaque, such as with electrochromic or electric switchable glass. The technologies used may also be based on, but not limited to, polymer-dispersed liquid-crystal devices, Suspended-Particle devices, or micro-blinds.

[0004] Another embodiment which is part of this disclosure consists of having a transparent display that instead of outright blocking or attenuating incoming light, the display acts as a selective polarizer. Unpolarized light from a bright source gets converted into polarized light, with bright regions are polarized at a certain angle, while dark regions are polarized at an opposite angle. By having an additional polarizer filter in front of an observer or user's eyes that is aligned with the dark region's polarized angle, the user will see an output which blocks light that has opposite polarization.

[0005] Within the scope of the disclosure are also methods that attenuate bright light through the use of a micromirror-array, or a digital micromirror device, which by default reflects incoming light towards a camera sensor. By individually controlling shifting the micromirrors, overly bright light can be deflected, having the result of completely eliminating any glare from overly-bright light.

[0006] Also within the methods included in this disclosure are transparent displays positioned in front of camera sensors themselves to selectively block bright light, therefore reducing bright light glare for camera sensors. Such embodiments can also improve a camera's dynamic range.

[0007] Certain embodiments are described that allow a user or an image sensor to be protected from light glare, dazzling, and flashes, such as in the case of metal welding or military applications.

[0008] Use cases include for example having windshields, either partially or completely, with regions that can block or attenuate bright light coming towards the driver, reducing eye strain. This encompasses both direction specific and colour specific light attenuation. For example, traffic light colours may be excluded from the attenuation.

[0009] Other use cases can include smart sunglasses, with the capacity of either attenuating bright light or preventing bright flashes of light from dazzling or even blinding the user, for example in the case of stun grenades or muzzle flashes.

[0010] In some embodiments, the invention may be used for welding applications, enabling a user to better see how to perform welds, as the method described herein provides a way to attenuate or eliminate the bright light caused by the welding arc, while fully protecting the user's eyes from harmful light.

[0011] Embodiments may also be mobile in nature, for example in dedicated cameras, camera-phones, other hand-held devices, or even more compact embodiments, such as within a camera sensor itself.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Aspects of the disclosure are illustrated by way of example. In the accompanying figures, like reference numbers indicate similar elements, and:

[0013] FIG. 1 represents a block diagram illustrating an exemplary such system, and the main components used according to some embodiments.

[0014] FIG. 2 represents another block diagram which illustrates an embodiment with the set-up of having the controllable transparent display module in front of the camera sensor module itself.

[0015] FIG. 3 presents another block diagram, with an embodiment that is closely related to the previous set-up from FIG 2, but in addition to the controllable transparent display module having a display module as well.

[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates embodiments with a single observer and a single bright source.

[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a typical scenario where the invention can be used, inside an automobile. In this embodiment the windshield is represented as the controllable transparent display, capable of projecting dark pixels, spots, or blobs to selectively attenuate incoming bright light.

[0018] FIG. 6 is based on the previous FIG. 5, and shows the invention in action, by blocking the incident bright light from the Sun. The same result may also be obtained by using smart sunglasses, where the lenses serve as the controllable transparent display.

[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates examples of two bright light-sources in the field of view. The same example can be extrapolated to an undefined number of bright light-sources.

[0020] FIG. 8 shows another typical scenario where the invention can be used, in dimly lit environments, for example at night, where incoming light from other cars can dazzles drivers.

[0021] FIG. 9 is based on the previous FIG. 8, and shows the invention in action, by attenuating the incident light glare from the different sources of the environment, both primary and the ones caused by reflections.

[0022] FIG. 10 represents the typical embodiment where the invention is used to attenuate light glare for a human with binocular vision.

[0023] FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment where the spatial positions of the observer's eyes are estimated through a set of front-facing cameras. By using such a set-up, a high accuracy in blocking the correct regions on the controllable transparent display can be achieved, while at the same time allowing the observer to have a higher degree of movement.

[0024] FIG. 12 represents a block diagram which illustrates an embodiment specific to avoiding camera sensor glare, that avoids the use of a controllable transparent display, and instead uses a micromirror array to completely block regions of the image that are too bright.

[0025] FIG. 13 is related to the block diagram of FIG. 12, offering a representation of the individual micromirrors in the array, and the simplified physics related to the reflection of light from the micromirrors to the camera sensor.

[0026] FIG. 14 represents another embodiment of the disclosure which instead of blocking light through the controllable transparent screen, it polarizes it at a certain angle. To be able to see the light attenuation, polarized glasses can be used.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Several illustrative embodiments will now be described with respect to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. While particular embodiments, in which one or more aspects of the disclosure may be implemented, are described below, other embodiments may be used and various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure or the spirit of the appended claims.

[0028] There are multiple smart-glass technologies that are able to transform a pane of glass from being almost transparent to having a darkened state (shade of black) or almost fully opaque, such as with electrochromic or electric switchable glass. The technologies used may be based on, but not limited to, polymer-dispersed liquid-crystal devices, suspended- particle devices, or micro-blinds.

[0029] As per FIG. 1, a light attenuation system can consist of two camera modules 104, and 105, so as to enable a stereoscopic view of the environment, and thus enablespatial localization of possible bright light sources. The information from the two camera modules gets transmitted to an Image Processing module 103, which contains the algorithms to identify the bright light sources, to pinpoint the spatial location of these sources, and also the controller for the transparent display module 102, so that it can trigger specific pixels to darken. The observer 101, would look through the transparent display at the environment, and any bright light sources would be attenuated. In order to predict the correct position of the observer, calibration 107 may be required in the form of both factory- automated correspondences between information fed from the cameras and the controllable transparent display, and may also be manual user-dependent variables, such as X and Y axis positioning, and possibly different algorithms that are to be used in different lighting circumstances. Calibration 107 details would typically require both setings that are specific to the hardware, for example the spatial position of the two camera sensors 104 and 105 in relation to each other and their alignment with the captured environment, while some manual setings may be required for the correct estimation of observer's 101 (eye) position. Calibration 107 may also be simplified or automated based on other sensors 106.

[0030] In some embodiments, diverse sensors may be used. One example would be to use ambient-light sensors that automatically determine day-time or night-time to enable a pre-selection of bright light sensitivity thresholds. For example, in the night-time, at a given moment there may be many regions of above-average brightness threshold, but these should not be completely blocked as they may be needed (e.g., bright red or green lights). In the day-time, as the Sun would usually the brightest it would be the main region on the controllable transparent display which is blocked or dimmed.

[0031] As there are specific inherent difficulties in predicting eye position, the blocked region on the screen can have a gaussian coefficient applied, increasing the darkened display regions transforming individual pixels into "blobs". A gaussian blur of different parameters may also be applied to the processed image to smooth out sharp gradients between transparent and the blocked or darkened regions of the controllable transparent display. This effect would be applied by the Image Processing Module 103, with either automated or manual inputs also coming from the calibration module 107. Calibration may be in several forms such as manually inputing height or X-axis and Y-axis adjustments for each eye, or for example applying a different gaussian blur to the processed image, thereby increasing or decreasing the size of the blocked or dimmed region of the transparent display is larger or smaller.

[0032] The position of the observer is presumed to be stationary. Nevertheless, small spatial movement of the observer can be compensated by having a slight increase in the size of the blocked areas compared to the required area. This may be in the form of a user supplied calibration input. Automatic observer tracking or eye-tracking solutions can automatically calculate spatial positioning and adjust the blockage or atenuation areas on the screen without the need for a user-supplied calibration input. By using such additional sensors which use automatic eye tracking technology would bypass this limitation, as described in other embodiments within the same disclosure.

[0033] The Image Processing Module 103 needs to continuously compute the spatial positions of any bright light sources. In some embodiments, the image processing module may also include motion estimation to improve efficiency and resolve system timing lag between camera sensor, processing, and the transparent screen display. Response time is critical for successful implementation of glare and bright light attenuation.

[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a system with the set-up of having the transparent display module 102 in front of the camera sensor module 202 itself. By using a feedback loop 205 from the Image Processing module 103, any bright light that is captured can be subsequently blocked or attenuated by the transparent display. Calibration 107 would still be required to map the transparent display to the camera sensor, but this set-up would not explicitly necessitate manual input. This embodiment would enable to provide a solution for capturing objects hidden due to light glare. For this set-up, periodic checks, for example every few seconds, would be required to determine correctly if bright light continues to remain an issue, and if attenuation is still needed. Initially more extensive regions may be dimmed / blocked, but as the sensor automatically adjusts to the new luminance range, together with the periodic brightness rechecks, the blocked regions are adjusted to the minimum size and intensity required. The Image Processing module 103 may be equipped with algorithms that predict movement (motion-estimation). For example, for Sun-induced bright light, the proposed periodic checks can be extended to longer durations, but for nighttime faster moving light generating sources may require more frequent checks. A typical usage would be for example in the case of external surveillance cameras. In such situations, malicious actors that use blinding light, visible or infrared, could also be prevented by using this solution.

[0035] In some embodiments, the same set-up which is elaborated in FIG. 2, can be used for enabling higher dynamic range of the camera sensor, resulting in better-quality captured images under bright light conditions. Even though the bright light would not actually sensor itself as it would be blocked by the transparent panel, attenuated regions may be recorded on the digital image as having higher luminance, corresponding to the amount of dimming applied to the transparent screen.

[0036] FIG. 3 presents another block diagram, with an embodiment that is closely related to the previous set-up from FIG. 2, but this embodiment assumes a smaller package typically designed for portable or mobile devices. It consists of the Transparent Display module 102 positioned in front of the Camera module 302. Both 102 and 302 modules are connected to the Image Processing module 103, which controls the Transparent Display through a Feedback loop 205, and receives information from the Camera module 302. For correct functioning a calibration to map the camera pixels to the pixels from the transparent display is typically required. Following the attenuation of any bright light coming into the camera sensor by means of passing through darkened regions on the Transparent Display 303, the final image captured by the camera can be shown to the user by means of a Display module 305. This embodiment may also be used for example for welding applications, enabling the person performing the weld to see both the environment and the welding arc at the same time. Also, using this set-up, the transparent screen module 303 could protectthe camera sensor from possible degradation due to electromagnetic radiation generated from the welding arc. Current usual applications in the industry temporarily darken the entire screen, while in this embodiment, only the region close to the welding arc would be darkened. Other examples of this technology may be to reduce bright light glare for typical mobile camera sensors.

[0037] At the basis of the invention is a transparent display 102 and two cameras 403 and 405, which enable the spatial localization of a bright light source 401 through stereoscopic image capture 404 and 406. By knowing the position of the bright light source 401 in relation to an observer 101, the light path's 402 incidence on the transparent screen 102 can be predicted, and intercepted in the form of a black or darkened area 408. The initial path of light is attenuated 409 before arriving to the observer 101.

[0038] In other envisioned embodiments, such as in the automotive industry, the entire windshield could be used as the transparent screen. For after-market applications, all the components could be integrated in the shape of a sun-visor or sun-visor extender.

[0039] A typical scenario where such an invention can be used is visible in FIG. 5, where in this situation the Sun 501 is causing excessive glare while driving a car. Envisioning the entire windshield as the transparent display, as seen in FIG. 6, dark areas can be activated 601 and 602 so that the Sun's glare is attenuated. In this specific situation, the brightest spots detected by the cameras are attenuated using the maximum darkness of the transparent display 601, while in this situation a gaussian algorithm is applied around the maximum brightness area 602 as identified by the cameras (not visible in this illustration). This was performed to increase the size of the darkened areas so as to improve probability of attenuation in case of moving light sources, vibrations, camera sensor perturbances, or slight alterations of either the observer position or the light source position. The same result may also be obtained in other embodiments, by using smart sunglasses, where the lenses serve as the transparent display.

[0040] In some embodiments, "Smart" Sunglasses and Augmented Reality (AR) glasses may be used. If the "smart" sunglasses or AR glasses, are capable of selectively displaying darkened or black areas, thus specifically preventing light glare from reaching the user's eyes, are also to be enveloped in the scope of the invention. Within the same scope, are "smart" sunglasses or Augmented Reality glasses which prevent dazzling as well.

[0041] When there are several bright light-sources, for example in dim light conditions, where eyes or camera sensors get adjusted to the low intensity light, the invention may successfully block all glare-inducing light-sources using the same principle. For example, in FIG. 7, two bright light-sources are present in the field of view 701 and 702. The same example can be extrapolated to an undefined number of bright light-sources. The previously elaborated principles stay the same, the two camera sensors, 703 and 705 detect the relative spatial positioning of the bright light sources by stereoscopic imaging and measurements based on the incident angles 703, 704, 707, and 710. After the relative position of the observer 716 is identified either based on manual calibration or on other sensors (not represented), the incident angles of light 703 and 704 that are directed at theobserver 716 may be intercepted on the transparent screen 102, and blocked through the generation of darkened pixels in the corresponding regions 712 and 713. Thus, successfully intercepting the light going towards the observer and attenuating it 714 and 715 either partially or fully.

[0042] In some embodiments, like for example in the case of vehicles, certain wavelengths or colours of light may be ignored by the algorithm, so that they are not attenuated, such as is the case for red, green, yellow, and blue light, as they are used for organizing or controlling traffic.

[0043] Dimly lit night-time situations, as the one illustrated in FIG. 8, captures a situation where there are multiple bright spots, including incoming light from a vehicle dazzles an observer (such as a driver or a camera sensor). In this situation, the camera sensor that captured the image has adjusted to the bright light, therefore losing information related to the darker surroundings. The main bright light is generated by the headlights of the car in front 801, with multiple reflections on other objects of the environment, such as from the pavement 802, wall panels 803, and metallic poles 804, 807. Due to the night-time environment, the camera sensor also picks up light artefacts 805 and 806 due to internal lens reflections or lens-flares. With the system activated, as exemplified in FIG. 9, the main sources of bright light 901 and 902 are attenuated, and the camera sensor can adjust itself to better capture information from the darker surroundings. As a final output, the bright high intensity light is blocked also from the primary reflections of the lights to the pavement 903 and 904, to the lateral wall 905, and also reflections from other objects such as from the metalling pole 906. There is also the attenuation of bright camera sensor artifacts mentioned previously, 907 and 908. Such light artifacts may be partially avoided by using different material camera lenses or anti-reflective coatings which are not part of the current disclosure.

[0044] In typical situations where this invention is used to attenuate light glare involves of course humans with binocular vision. As depicted in FIG. 10, the situation is very similar to the previous ones, but instead of having just one region of darkened pixels on the transparent screen, there now are two 1009 and 1010, corresponding to the two eyes of a person, 1013 and 1014. The principle stays the same, firstly the bright light source, identified as 401, is positionally analysed by the two stereoscopic cameras 403 and 405 by measuring the incidence angles 404 and 406. The position of the observer's eyes 1013 and 1014 is then correlated to where darkened regions 1009 and 1010 on the transparent display 102 are generated in order to intercept the light coming from the bright light source 1001 towards the user's eyes 1013 and 1014, through light path 1002 and 1003, and attenuating it correspondingly 1011 and 1012. As the majority of humans have binocular vision, in order to correctly estimate the spatial positions of both eyes in relation to the bright light source, an initial degree of manual calibration may be required.

[0045] Other embodiments may exist that benefit from eye-positioning technology enabling to spatially locate the observer's eyes automatically, thus eliminating several difficulties and manual fine-tuning or calibrations related to the positioning and sizing of the darkened regions on the transparent screen. One of the significant advantages of trackingeye positions is that the observer's position would no longer be required to be quasi- stationary. As presented in FIG. 11, there is the addition of two user-facing cameras 1108 and 1109, which track eye position through their stereoscopic measurement of the incidence angles 1111, 1112, 1113 and 1114. Similar to already available eye-positioning technology, certain embodiments may additionally benefit from eye tracking or even pupildilatation measurements to automatically enhance vision based on what the user is looking at, dimming or clearing the corresponding area of the transparent screen in front of the user. For example, highly dilated pupils and intense focus on a certain area would mean both a dark environment and that the user tries to better identify a certain object or region in space, therefore in this case, any darkened areas of the transparent screen that the user is intensely looking at could temporarily be made more transparent.

[0046] A micromirror array is based on optical micro-electro-mechanical technology, consisting of microscopically small mirrors laid out in a matrix on a semiconductor chip, also known as a digital micromirror device, but which is outside of the current disclosure. Nevertheless, current use cases are different from this disclosure, as micromirror arrays are currently not utilized to capture light, but to project it. This disclosure specifically involves capturing light, instead of projecting it. Another method and system for attenuating light glare to prevent dazzling for camera sensors is also detailed, it consists of using a micromirror array, as represented in FIGS. 12-13. In this method, light first hits the micromirror array 1203, before it gets reflected into the camera sensor 202. Afterwards the same previous methods and systems are used, the image received from the camera sensor is processed 103, and based on identified bright spots through diverse algorithms and calibrations 107, the feedback loop 205 may be used to control individual micromirrors, for example 1310 and 1311, which may be tilted to selectively prevent light propagating from certain directions from reaching the camera sensor altogether. After unwanted light is blocked, the final result may optionally be displayed on a conventional display 305, and saved digitally to the device as the user prefers. For example, bright incident light 401, gets directed at the Camera sensor 202, firstly being directed at the micromirror array 402 bouncing off the individual micromirror 1311, then reaching the camera sensor through the reflected light-path 1303. The image processing module 103 contains the mapping correspondence between each camera sensor pixel and each micromirror in the array, and consequently commands the tilting of the mirror, deflecting the light and entirely preventing the bright light from reaching the camera sensor.

[0047] The disclosure includes a usage-case for digital micromirror devices, the functioning basis consists of having the camera sensor pointed at the micromirror array, such that light from the camera aperture reflects on the micromirror on a one-to-one matrix with each pixel on the camera sensor. Each micromirror can reflect the light to specific pixels of the camera sensor, either individually, or focusing on small areas of a single pixel (tuned to prevent light interference). The visual edges of the camera sensor are represented by the intermittent lines 1035, 1306, 1307, 1308 in FIG. 13, this ensures proper mapping between the mirror array and the individual pixels of the camera sensor.

[0048] Another embodiment which is part of this disclosure consists, as seen in FIG. 14, of having a transparent display 1402 that instead of outright blocking or attenuating incoming light, it only polarizes it. The basis of this embodiment is a twisted nematic effect liquid crystal display which polarizes light. Currently, twisted nematic liquid crystal technology is widely used for example in the computer monitor industry, therefore could provide an economic way of incorporating such benefits of attenuating light glare to prevent dazzling. Specific regions 1408 of the transparent screen cause the light arriving from the bright source 401 incoming towards an observer 101 through light path at a certain angle 402 to be polarized 1409. Unpolarized light 402 from bright source 401, gets intercepted on the transparent display 1402. A certain region 1408 on this display shifts the polarization to a certain angle (e.g., vertical) while the rest of the image would get polarized at the opposite angle (e.g., horizontal). The polarized light 1409 passes through the polarized filter 1410, which blocks any light that coincides with the light shifted region 1408, while leting the rest of the image pass unaffected (e.g., polarizer filter is horizontal, therefore blocking all light that is vertically polarized) and reaches the user / observer 101. More specifically, the observer 101 can utilize another polarizer filter 1410, such as polarized glasses, of an opposite polarity or an opposite polarization angle, thus being able to see the areas on the display that the system darkened or atenuated the glare of 1411. Through this method, in case there is a malfunction with the system, the user can just remove the polarizer filter (glasses) off, and, with the naked eye, there would be practically no discernible difference between the activated and deactivated areas of the transparent screen. The system would function only when the user is using polarized glasses of the required polarization angle 1410. While naked eye observers would not notice any difference with the system activated or disabled, by using polarized glasses at the correct angle, the atenuation regions of the invention can become visible. This can increase safety in case of system failures (for example, in case that the system wrongly identifies the brightly lit light sources).

[0049] The methods, systems, and devices discussed above are solely examples. Various other configurations may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, in alternative configurations, the methods may be performed in an order different from the ones described, and / or various stages may be added, omited, and / or combined. Also, features described with respect to certain configurations may be combined in various other configurations. Different aspects and elements of the configurations may be combined in a similar manner. Also, because technology evolves, many of the elements are examples and therefore do not limit the scope or claims of the disclosure.

[0050] Specific details are given in the description to provide a thorough understanding of example configurations and implementations. However, configurations may be practiced without these specific details. For example, well known processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques have been shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the configurations. This description provides example configurations only, and does not limit the scope, applicability, or configurations of the claims. Rather, the preceding description of the configurations can provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing the prior described techniques. Various changes maybe made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.

[0051] Also, configurations may be described as a process which is depicted as a flow diagram or block diagram. Although each may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be rearranged. A process may have additional steps not included in the respective figure. Furthermore, examples of the methods may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, firmware, middleware, or microcode, the program code or code segments to perform the necessary tasks may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as a storage medium. Digital, or even analogic, processors may perform the described tasks of selectively attenuating light propagating towards an observer or sensor.

[0052] Having described several configuration examples, different modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents which may be used without departing from the spirit of the disclosure, the above-described elements may be components of a larger system, wherein other rules may take precedence over or otherwise modify the application of the invention, accordingly, the above description does not bind the scope of the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method for attenuating light glare and the prevention of dazzling, the method comprising of: the real-time capture of digital images, wherein there are one or more bright light sources which cause glare or which dazzle the observer or sensor; a transparent display, which can selectively block incoming light; an algorithm that identifies the position of the bright light sources in relation to the camera sensor or observer; an image processing module which based on an algorithm controls the transparent display so that bright light sources are dimmed, blocked, before reaching the observer or sensor.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising using a micromirror array which can deviate or reflect incoming light so that it does not reach the observer.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising of an image processing module which based on the used algorithm controls a micromirror array so that bright light sources are deviated or reflected before reaching the sensor.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the detection of the spatial positioning of the bright sources in relation to the observer or sensor can be through manual tuning of blockage size and position, or automatic calibration by means of eye-tracking technology.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the detection of specific-coloured bright sources of light are partially ignored by the algorithm, e.g., red, yellow, or green traffic lights.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the transparent display which can selectively block incoming bright light is placed in front of a camera sensor.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising situations where the observer itself is a sensor, such as a camera sensor.

8. The method of claim 1, and claim 2, wherein the blocked regions get digitally converted to an image having corresponding high brightness levels in the blocked areas, so as to increase the high dynamic range of a camera sensor.

9. The method of claim 1, claim 2, and claim 8, or any combination, which is incorporated within a handheld or portable device displaying the computed image directly on a typical display.

10. An apparatus for attenuating light glare or dazzling prevention by being comprised of: A transparent display capable of selectively blocking incoming light interposed between the bright light and the observer or sensor;An image capturing and processing module;An algorithm identifying the spatial positioning of one or more sources of bright or dazzling light in relation to an observer or sensor;11. The apparatus of claim 10, alternatively being comprised of:A transparent display capable of selectively polarizing incoming light in at least two configurations;Bright light propagating towards the observer or sensor is polarized at a specific angle. For example, bright light is polarized at angle X, while the rest of the light ispolarized at an opposite angle Y;A polarizer filter in front of an observer or a camera sensor which is angled such that bright light polarized at angle X is attenuated while light polarized at angle Y is unaffected.

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