Vehicle Window Transmittance Control via Neural Network Classification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicular systems fail to effectively adjust window transmittance in response to changing light conditions, leading to driver distraction and reduced visibility due to sudden changes in lighting, such as transitioning from shadow to direct sunlight.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle equipped with windows having variable transmittance controlled by a computer system using electrochromatic layers, suspended particle devices, or photovoltaic components, which adjust transmittance based on sensor data, including image classification by an artificial neural network to determine optimal tint settings for improved driver visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a windshield or window is permanently tinted to filter out sunlight, then sunlight filtering is improved, but visibility in lower light conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies electrochromatic layers that can dynamically change their optical properties in response to electrical signals, allowing the window to transition between different transmittance states. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the window to adapt to varying light conditions, resolving the contradiction between sunlight filtering and visibility in lower light conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmittance parameter of the window by applying voltage to electrochromatic layers or suspended particle devices. This parameter change allows the window to adjust its light filtering properties, enabling it to block sunlight when needed while maintaining visibility when light conditions require it.
2Illumination intensity
If window transmittance is increased to improve visibility in low light, then visibility is improved, but sunlight filtering capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electrochromatic layers and suspended particle devices enable real-time dynamic adjustment of window transmittance. The system can switch from a high-transmittance state (for low light visibility) to a low-transmittance state (for sunlight filtering) based on environmental conditions, resolving the contradiction between these two opposing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the transmittance parameter through electrical control of electrochromatic layers or suspended particle devices, the window can adapt its optical properties to meet different lighting conditions, simultaneously addressing both visibility and sunlight filtering needs.
3Device complexity
If no transmittance adjustment is made, then system complexity is reduced, but driver distraction and safety deteriorate due to sudden light changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to detect light conditions and automatically adjusts window transmittance without requiring driver intervention. This self-service capability maintains driver safety while minimizing added complexity, as the system operates autonomously based on environmental sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates light sensors that provide feedback about environmental lighting conditions to the control system, which then adjusts the window transmittance accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures driver safety by continuously adapting to changing light conditions while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
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
The system dynamically adjusts window transmittance to maintain optimal visibility, reducing driver distraction and improving safety by adapting to changing light conditions in real-time, while also considering occupant preferences and environmental factors.
Implementation Method 1
the transmittance component may comprise an electrochromatic layer that changes light transmission properties in response to changes in a voltage applied thereto
Implementation Method 2
the window may include a photovoltaic component... the more light and the more direct the light, the higher may be the voltage output by the photovoltaic component
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle is disclosed that includes systems for adjusting the transmittance of one or more windows of the vehicle. The vehicle may include a camera outputting images taken of an occupant within the vehicle. The vehicle may also include an artificial neural network running on computer hardware carried on-board the vehicle. The artificial neural network may be trained to classify the occupant of the vehicle using the images captured by the camera as input. The vehicle may further include a controller controlling transmittance of the one or more windows based on classifications made by the artificial neural network. For example, if the artificial neural network classifies the occupant as squinting or shading his or her eyes with a hand, the controller may reduce the transmittance of a windshield, side window, or some combination thereof.