Electrochromic Window Gesture Control for Vehicle Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tinted electro-chromatic windows in vehicles complicate the identification of vehicle markings, conditions, and availability, potentially leading to unsafe situations and discouraging the use of rideshare vehicles.
Innovation Solution
Integration of multiple devices in vehicles, including cameras, antennas, and electro-chromatic modules, with a control unit that identifies gestures and provides visual signals to enhance vehicle identification and condition assessment, such as transitioning windows from tinted to transparent states based on passenger interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electro-chromatic windows are used to protect from sun load and UV degradation, then interior material protection and sun protection are improved, but vehicle identification and condition assessment deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies electro-chromatic windows that can change their optical properties (tinted vs. transparent states) based on control signals. This allows the window to dynamically adjust its transparency, enabling vehicle identification when needed while providing protection when the tinted state is active.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically transitions windows between tinted and transparent states based on detected gestures or commands from potential occupants. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the window properties adaptable rather than static, allowing both protection and identification functions to be fulfilled at different times.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If tinted windows are used to protect from sun load, then UV protection is improved, but visualization of identifying markings and vehicle conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electro-chromatic windows change their optical transmission properties between tinted and transparent states, allowing the window to provide UV protection when tinted while enabling marking visualization when transparent, based on control signals from gesture detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses gesture detection to trigger window state changes, creating a feedback loop where the detected gesture (e.g., pointing at a vehicle) automatically causes the window to transition to a transparent state to enable identification, then returns to tinted state for protection.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If windows remain in tinted state to provide continuous protection, then sun and UV protection are maintained, but vehicle availability and condition assessment deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The windows alternate between tinted and transparent states based on periodic gesture detection events. The window remains tinted for extended periods to provide continuous protection, but temporarily transitions to transparent state when a gesture is detected, allowing brief periods of identification while maintaining overall protection duration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Improves the safety and usability of vehicle identification by providing clear visual cues to passengers about the vehicle's condition and availability, reducing misidentification risks.
Implementation Method 1
the control unit is to cause the electro-chromatic module to switch an optical state of the window of the vehicle from the tinted state to the transparent state
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies are provided for identification of a vehicle or a condition of the vehicle based on recognition of gestures of a pedestrian in the surrounding of the vehicle. Some embodiments of the technologies utilize multiple devices integrated into the vehicle and include a control unit that can control the operation of at least some of the multiple devices. The control unit can determine that a defined mobile device is within a defined range from the vehicle. In response to such a determination, the control unit can identify a gesture of a pedestrian relative to the vehicle, the pedestrian having the mobile device. The control can then cause at least one of the multiple devices to provide one or more visual signals based at least on the gesture. Such visual signals permit identifying the vehicle, an entry point to the vehicle, a condition of the vehicle, or a combination thereof.