Vehicle Interior Brightness Control for Faster Eye Adaptation

Solution Overview

Problem

The brightness difference between a vehicle interior and the outside environment can adversely impact sight adaptation time, leading to decreased performance due to receptor overload or prolonged adaptation periods when exiting the vehicle.

Innovation Solution

An automated sight adaptation system that adjusts interior brightness levels based on destination brightness data, exterior brightness data, and interior brightness data, using a processing system to compute estimated time of arrival and implement gradual or rapid brightness adjustments to match or approach exterior brightness levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the interior brightness level is adjusted to match the exterior brightness level quickly, then the sight adaptation time is reduced, but the risk of receptor overload increases when transitioning to bright environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesight adaptation timeVSAvoidreceptor overload

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-adjusting the interior brightness level before the vehicle arrives at the destination. The processing system computes the estimated time of arrival and begins adjusting the brightness in advance, so that the brightness adjustment is already complete or nearly complete by the time the occupant needs to exit, thereby reducing sight adaptation time without causing receptor overload.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies dynamics by making the brightness adjustment adaptive and time-dependent. The processing system selectively implements different brightness level adjustment processes (first or second) based on the comparison between ETA and maximum sight adaptation time, and based on whether the destination is brighter or darker than the current environment. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between reducing adaptation time and preventing receptor overload.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the interior brightness level is adjusted gradually to prevent receptor overload, then the harm to eyes is reduced, but the sight adaptation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereceptor overloadVSAvoidsight adaptation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-adjusting the interior brightness level before the vehicle arrives at the destination. The processing system computes the estimated time of arrival and begins adjusting the brightness in advance, so that the brightness adjustment is already complete or nearly complete by the time the occupant needs to exit, thereby reducing sight adaptation time without causing receptor overload.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies dynamics by making the brightness adjustment adaptive and time-dependent. The processing system selectively implements different brightness level adjustment processes (first or second) based on the comparison between ETA and maximum sight adaptation time, and based on whether the destination is brighter or darker than the current environment. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between reducing adaptation time and preventing receptor overload.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the system computes ETA and compares it with maximum sight adaptation time to selectively implement adjustment processes, then the sight adaptation effectiveness is optimized, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesight adaptation effectivenessVSAvoidprocessing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The processing system performs multiple functions using a single integrated unit: it receives destination brightness data, computes the estimated time of arrival, compares ETA with maximum sight adaptation time, determines the brightness adjustment strategy, and controls the brightness level adjustment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby optimizing sight adaptation effectiveness while limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12397638B2Automated eye adaptation system and method

Publication Date: 2025.08.26 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A system and method for adjusting brightness level within a vehicle includes supplying, to a processing system, destination brightness data, exterior brightness data, and interior brightness data. At least the destination data, the exterior brightness data, and the interior brightness data are processed in the processing system to: compute an estimated time of arrival (ETA) for the vehicle to arrive at a predetermined mission destination location, compare the computed ETA to a maximum sight adaptation time, and based on the comparison of the computed ETA and the maximum sight adaptation time, selectively implement a first brightness level adjustment process for adjusting the interior brightness level within the vehicle or a second brightness level adjustment process for adjusting the interior brightness level within the vehicle.