Virtual Visor Low-Power Control for Selective Sun Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual visors in vehicles consume excessive power due to continuous operation, even when not needed, as they actively capture images and process data to control light blocking, which can be unnecessary in certain conditions such as nighttime or when the driver is wearing sunglasses.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a camera for capturing driver images, a liquid crystal display (LCD) visor screen, and environmental sensors that monitor conditions to determine when the visor can transition to a transparent state, reducing power consumption by disabling facial recognition and image processing when triggers indicate reduced need for opaque states, such as during nighttime or when sunglasses are worn.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the virtual visor continuously captures images and processes data to control light blocking, then the driver's eyes are protected from sunlight, but power consumption increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses environmental sensors to monitor conditions and triggers image capture and processing only when specific conditions are met (e.g., sunlight detected, driver face visible). This periodic action based on environmental triggers reduces continuous power consumption while maintaining protection when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The visor dynamically adjusts its state between opaque and transparent based on real-time environmental conditions and driver presence detection. The system transitions between active monitoring and low-power states, optimizing power usage while maintaining reliability when conditions require protection.
2Reliability
If the virtual visor maintains opaque state to block sunlight, then driver's eyes are protected, but visibility through the visor is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual visor applies the opaque state selectively to specific regions where sunlight is detected and driver's eyes are positioned, while other regions remain transparent. This local quality approach ensures protection is applied only where needed, maintaining overall visibility through the visor.
3Measurement precision
If the virtual visor processes captured images continuously to determine eye orientation, then accurate light blocking is achieved, but computational power and energy are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
Image processing to determine eye orientation is performed periodically based on environmental triggers rather than continuously. The system processes images only when sunlight conditions warrant visor activation, significantly reducing computational energy consumption while maintaining measurement precision when needed.
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 effectively reduces power consumption by maintaining the visor in a transparent state during unnecessary conditions, conserving energy and extending battery life in vehicle applications.
Implementation Method 1
each LCD pixel configured to (i) in an opaque state, block light from passing through a corresponding area of the visor screen, and (ii) in a transparent state, allow light to pass through the corresponding area of the visor screen
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A virtual visor (10) in a vehicle includes a screen (14) with various regions that can alternate between being transparent and being opaque. A camera (22) captures an image of the driver's face. A processor (30) performs facial recognition or the like based on the captured images, and determines which region of the screen is transitioned from transparent to opaque to block out the sun (20) from shining directly into the driver's eyes while maintaining visibility through the remainder of the screen (14). Low power monitors (60-64) can be independently run on the vehicle, asynchronously with the algorithms and image processing that controls which region of the screen to be opaque. The monitors consume less power than operating the virtual visor continuously. Based on trigger conditions as detected by the monitors, the image processing and thus the alternating between opaque and transparent is ceased to save power until the trigger condition is no longer present.