Vehicle Interior Brightness Control for Faster Sight Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

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

Innovation Solution

An automated sight adaptation system that adjusts the interior brightness level of a vehicle based on destination brightness data, current exterior brightness, and interior brightness, using a processing system to compute an estimated time of arrival and implement either a first or second brightness adjustment process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the interior brightness level is adjusted to match the exterior brightness level, then the sight adaptation time is reduced, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesight adaptation timeVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by adjusting the interior brightness level before the occupant exits the vehicle. The processing system computes the ETA and compares it to the maximum sight adaptation time, then proactively adjusts the brightness to prepare the occupant's eyes for the external environment, reducing the actual adaptation time needed upon exit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic adjustment of brightness based on real-time conditions. The processing system continuously monitors ETA, exterior brightness data from sensors, and interior brightness data, then dynamically selects and adjusts between different brightness level profiles (first brightness level adjustment process or second brightness level adjustment process) to optimize both adaptation time and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the interior brightness level is adjusted to match the exterior brightness level, then the performance during sight adaptation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperformance during sight adaptationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The processing system performs multiple functions using a single integrated unit. It computes ETA, receives and processes exterior brightness data from sensors, receives interior brightness data, compares ETA to maximum sight adaptation time, and controls brightness adjustment - all within one processing system that leverages existing vehicle computing resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses existing vehicle components and data sources to achieve brightness adaptation. It leverages the vehicle's existing sensor network for exterior brightness data, uses the ETA computation already performed by the navigation system, and controls existing interior lighting systems, rather than requiring entirely new dedicated hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the interior brightness level is adjusted dynamically based on ETA and brightness data, then the sight adaptation effectiveness is improved, but the measurement precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesight adaptation effectivenessVSAvoidbrightness data precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring both exterior brightness data from sensors and interior brightness data, comparing the actual interior brightness level against the target brightness level, and making iterative adjustments to achieve the desired adaptation effect. The processing system uses this feedback loop to ensure reliable sight adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes multiple parameters simultaneously - ETA computation, exterior brightness measurements, interior brightness levels, and adjustment rates - to achieve effective sight adaptation. By adjusting the interior brightness level as a controllable parameter based on measured external conditions and computed time parameters, the system achieves reliable adaptation without requiring ultra-precise measurement of any single parameter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4494944A1Automated sight adaptation system and method
Publication Date: 2025.01.22 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC
  • EP4494944A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4494944A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4494944A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A system (100) and method for adjusting brightness level within a vehicle (110) includes supplying, to a processing system (108), 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 (108) 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 (110) or a second brightness level adjustment process for adjusting the interior brightness level within the vehicle (110).