This system would utilize several established or emerging technologies including LCDs, Facial Recognition and Optical Sensors.
The system could be installed on any transparent material using the same technology as in Electrochromatic mirrors with the difference that the entire surface would be zoned into small 1mm squares. A small optical sensor oriented towards the light source would record intesity and angle of incidence. The facial recognition system would determine the location of the operators eyes within the zone of effect. A computer would then calculate the point at which the light rays intersect the glass panel. It would then selectively shade that area using a formula that is adjustable by individual users(to determine area, level of opacity etc.)
In an application such as a car windshield this would appear as a small darkened area(mask) over things such as Headlights of oncoming cars, reflections of windows and other very bright light sources that could create a dangerous situation for the driver.
It could be set with maximum opacity restrictions to prevent potentially hazardous situations and would be intelligent such that it would work on a differential light level so that the effect would be different depending on outside illumination.
It could also serve as a security enhancement as well allowing for the driver to set the opacity on thier windows to an opaque setting while away from there car to prevent casual snoopers from peaking in(could be fun for romantic teenagers too)-- jhomrighaus, Mar 14 2006 Anti-Dazzle Windshields Redundant [omegatron, Dec 12 2006] Some info http://www.ais.frau...ion/omni-intro.html [jhomrighaus, Dec 13 2006] // A small optical sensor oriented towards the light source would record intesity and angle of incidence.
What kind of optical sensor can measure that? Wouldn't it need to be facing the front of the car?
// The facial recognition system would determine the location of the operators eyes within the zone of effect.
How? What if the operator is leaning forward a little?-- omegatron, Dec 12 2006 the sensor knows where it is and it knows where the light is in relation to it and it knows where your eyes are. Go read up on the Darpa robotic vehicle challenge and learn about modern sensor technology.-- jhomrighaus, Dec 12 2006 // the sensor knows where it is and it knows where the light is in relation to it and it knows where your eyes are.
How?-- omegatron, Dec 13 2006 See the link for some basic info, i will find more. It is actually not that hard it is basic optics. System knows shape and distance to mirror which allows for determination of angle of incidence and direction. Determine relative position of head and it knows where to block the light.-- jhomrighaus, Dec 13 2006 Skip the iffy facial recognition system, just wear some signal emitting eyeglass frames.-- M Carter, Jan 29 2008 Yes what we need is a computer with the ability to blot over our windshield while we are driving.-- DanDaMan, Jan 30 2008 The face locating software could work easily with a few sonic range finders aimed at the area the driver's head would be expected to be. The sensors, one at the side and one at the front would then be able to keep the PIC controller informed of the approximate position of the head and thus intuitively know about where the eyes are within a reasonable area. Located on the front of the vehicle or even near the top of the windscreen, a pair of light sensors, tuned to interpret head light brightness on the road ahead would be able to locate the source of the offending light...the windshield could be made of LCD material, very much like instant darkening welders lenses are....the PIC controller would be able to calculate the approximate area of the windshield to darken in order to shield the drivers eyes...the size of area could be adjustable by the driver and so could the amount of darkening. The darkend area would move according to the proximity of the oncoming headlights. The driver might even be able to move his or her head a bit and the spot would also move accordingly to keep the eyes shielded. In reality, I think the darkend area could be quite small...not much larger than the apparent size of the headlights ahead.
This is really an excellent idea...very dooable and it would be rather inexpensive...probably less than a thousand dollars. I hope automakers read this column occassionally.-- Blisterbob, Jan 31 2008 I read somewhere about a month ago (not halfbakery) about a monochromatic display that actually generated power from the light hitting the darkened parts of the screen.
I haven't been able to find it again (yet) but the energy capture technology would be perfect for a windshield with Anti-Dazzle. As a double bonus, the car could darken all of it's windows during the day for both privacy and energy generation, especially if it's a hybrid or electric car. The triple bonus would be that the A/C would not need to work as hard since solar heating of the interior would be minimized.-- moots13181, Feb 16 2009 random, halfbakery