TECHNICAL FIELD:

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a system and method for eliminating glare, as experienced by an optical detector. The present disclosure also relates to a system and method for substantially occluding a glare source from an optical detector’s field of vision.

BACKGROUND:

[0002] Glare is a visual phenomenon that impairs, to at least some degree, the ability of an optical detector to discern discrete objects appearing within the optical detector’s field of vision. Such impairment may be caused by the high luminance of the source of such glare relative to its surrounding objects. While some occurrences of glare are merely a nuisance (e.g. an intermittent camera flash at a sporting event), other occurrences of glare (e.g. sustained high- beam headlights from oncoming traffic) may have more detrimental effects, and may lead to accidents or have the potential to cause accidents. An example of a situation where glare may become a hazard is in the operation of motor vehicles.

[0003] Motor vehicles are commonly equipped with one or more sun visors that may be manually adjusted by a user (e.g. a motor vehicle operator or passenger) to block glare originating from a glare source (e.g. the sun). While the sun visor may be easy to use (e.g. fold down when in use, and fold up when no longer required) and may be able to entirely eliminate the effects of glare on a motor vehicle operator (since the sun visor is an opaque object that may be disposed between a motor vehicle operator’s eyes and the glare source, thereby blocking entirely the glare source and the resulting glare), the sun visor, when in use, also suffers from a number of shortcomings including, but not limited to: (i) entirely blocking or obstructing other areas of the motor vehicle operator’s field of vision beyond just the glare source and the effects that it may impart; (ii) being restricted to only protecting a fixed area (e.g. the area around the top of the windshield on the driver side); and (iii) being manually operated, which in itself can be a distraction to the motor vehicle operator. These shortcomings of the sun visor present themselves fairly often. For example, when a glare source is located near the bottom edge of the windshield in between the driver side and the passenger side of a motor vehicle (e.g. when the sun rises or when the sun sets), the sun visor (because of its limited physical size and coverage of the windshield) would not be able to occlude such glare source from the motor vehicle operator’s field of vision.

[0004] Using the sun as an example of a glare source, because (i) the sun and a motor vehicle move relative to each other while the motor vehicle is in operation, (ii) the sun visor is a manually operated piece of equipment, and (iii) the sun visor is designed to only provide coverage for a limited portion of the windshield, there will inevitably be times when the sun visor would be unable to protect the motor vehicle operator from the effects of glare originating from the sun. Similar problems may be experienced during night time driving where the glare sources are the illuminated head lamps of motor vehicles from oncoming traffic.

[0005] To compensate for the shortcomings of the sun visor, a motor vehicle operator or passenger may choose to wear sunglasses to reduce the potential effects of glare while travelling in a motor vehicle. However, the entire field of vision of the motor vehicle operator would be darkened (and remain darkened until the sunglasses are removed) because the lenses of the sunglasses are darkened. In some instances, motor vehicles are equipped with auto-tinting windows which tint and untint according to the luminance of the ambient environment. However, in such cases the entire windshield (and therefore the entire field of vision of the motor vehicle operator) would be darkened in the event of high luminance of the ambient environment. In addition, auto-tinting windows may not tint or un-tint instantaneously (or close to instantaneously). That is, it may take a certain period of time (e.g. seconds or minutes) before the auto-tinting windows tint or un-tint. Depending on the absorbance/transmittance of the tint, the effects of glare, while reduced, may still be present since neither sunglass lenses nor tinting truly occlude the glare source from the motor vehicle operator’s field of vision.

SUMMARY:

[0006] It is an object to provide a means for substantially occluding a glare source from an optical detector’s field of vision, but without substantially occluding or substantially obstructing or substantially affecting the other parts of the optical detector’s field of vision beyond the part of the field of vision that is affected by the glare source. Through such means, the glare experienced by the optical detector may be substantially eliminated or at least reduced without substantially occluding or substantially obstructing or substantially affecting the other parts of the optical detector’s field of vision. [0007] According to a part of the disclosure, there is a method for substantially occluding a glare source from an optical detector’s field of vision, the method comprising: (a) generating, by a system control centre of a glare occluding system, a glare occluder displayed on a glare shield by (i) generating a glare occluder precursor displayed on the glare shield, (ii) monitoring, by a monitoring camera of the glare occluding system, a position of a shadow cast by the glare occluder precursor within a visual area that is monitored by a monitoring camera; (iii) controlling, by the system control centre, parameters of one or more characteristics of the glare occluder precursor so that the shadow cast by the glare occluder precursor substantially overlaps with a first area of an optical detector; and (iv) finalizing the parameters of the one or more characteristics of the glare occluder precursor displayed on the glare shield, thereby generating the glare occluder; (b) monitoring, by the monitoring camera, the position of the shadow that is cast by the glare occluder, within a visual area, relative to a position of the first area of the optical detector within the visual area; and (c) determining, by the system control centre, if a position of the glare occluder displayed on the glare shield requires adjustment based on information collected by the monitoring camera regarding the position of the shadow that is cast by the glare occluder, within the visual area, relative to the position of the first area of the optical detector within the visual area.

[0008] The first area of the optical detector may be a lens of the optical detector or a feature around the lens of the optical detector.

[0009] The glare occluder may be generated on the glare shield at a position where the glare source appears in the optical detector’s field of vision. The glare occluder may lie between the glare source and the optical detector such that the shadow that is cast by the glare occluder does not substantially overlap with areas beyond the first area of the optical detector. The glare occluder may lie between the glare source and the optical detector such that the shadow that is cast by the glare occluder substantially overlaps the first area of the optical detector.

[0010] The method may further comprise a step of adjusting, by the system control centre, one or more characteristics of the glare occluder based on a detected misalignment in position between (i) the shadow cast by the glare occluder over the first area of the optical detector and (ii) the first area of the optical detector within the visual area that is monitored by the monitoring camera, so that the shadow that is cast by the glare occluder continuously substantially overlaps the lens of the optical detector. Such step of adjusting one or more characteristics of the glare occluder may be done in real-time.

[0011] The method may further comprise a step of removing, by the system control centre, the glare occluder from the glare shield upon determination by the system control centre that the glare source no longer falls within the optical detector’s field of vision.

[0012] The method may further comprise a step of tinting the glare shield by controlling the magnitude of luminance of one or more pixels of one or more parts of the general visual area falls within pre-set values that are stored in the system control centre.

[0013] The method may further comprise: (i) collecting, by the monitoring camera, information on visual images of the visual area and information on a luminance of light reflected off the first area of the optical detector and a luminance of one or more reference surfaces proximate to the first area of the optical detector, the first area of the optical detector and the one or more reference surfaces being visible within the visual area that is monitored by the monitoring camera; (ii) transmitting the information collected by the monitoring camera to the system control centre; (iii) analyzing, by the system control centre, the information transmitted by the monitoring camera to the system control centre; (iv) comparing, by the system control centre, the information analyzed by the system control centre to: (A) one or more characteristics of the features of the first area of the optical detector; (B) one or more reference parameters that are stored in a database on the system control centre; or (C) both items (A) and (B) above; and (v) determining, by the system control centre, if the one or more conditions are met; the monitoring camera and the glare shield being in communication with the system control centre.

[0014] Any one of the monitoring camera, the glare shield, or both the monitoring camera and the glare shield, may be in communication with the system control centre by a wireless connection. Any one of the monitoring camera, the glare shield, or both the monitoring camera and the glare shield, may be in communication with the system control centre by a physical (e.g. wire) connection.

[0015] The visual area may comprise a plurality of sub-areas.

[0016] The method may further comprise a step of determining, by the system control centre, whether a change in a luminance of one or more pixels of one or more parts within a sub-area of the plurality of sub-area exceeds a threshold value of activating a generation of the glare occluder, the threshold value being stored on the system control centre, the one or more reference parameters comprising said threshold value.

[0017] The method may further comprise a step of determining, by the system control centre, whether a magnitude of luminance of one or more pixels of one or more parts within a sub-area of the plurality of sub-areas (i) exceeds a maximum threshold or control value or (ii) is less than a minimum threshold or control value assigned to said sub-area, such threshold or control values being stored on the system control centre, the one or more reference parameters comprising such minimum or maximum control or threshold values.

[0018] The method may further comprise a step of determining, by the system control centre, whether a difference in magnitude of luminance between one or more pixels of one or more parts of a sub-area (e.g. sub-area B-1 , as described below) of the plurality of sub-areas and one or more pixels of one or more parts of another sub-area (e.g. sub-area B-2, as described below) of the plurality of sub-areas is less than a threshold value of a minimum difference in pixel luminance, said threshold value being used for determining by the system control centre whether the glare source has disappeared or reduced in luminance so that it no longer causes glare on the optical detector, said threshold value being stored on the system control centre, the one or more reference parameters comprising said threshold value of a minimum difference in pixel luminance.

[0019] The method may further comprise a step of determining, by the system control centre, the direction of the glare source relative to the optical detector affected by the glare source, by comparing a difference in magnitude of luminance between one or more pixels of a first one or more parts of a sub-area of the plurality of sub-areas and one or more pixels of a second one or more parts of said sub-area relative to a comparison reference value, the comparison reference value being stored in the database, the one or more reference parameters comprising the comparison reference value.

[0020] The method may further comprise a step of determining, by the system control centre and based on whether a ratio of an illuminated portion of a sub-area of the plurality of sub- areas versus a non-illuminated portion of that sub-area is less than a comparison reference value, whether the glare source is an indirect glare source, the comparison reference value being stored in the database, the one or more reference parameters comprising the comparison reference value.

[0021] The first area of the optical detector may lie within one sub-area of the general visual area that is monitored by the monitoring camera.

[0022] The method may further comprise a step of providing a means for manually adjusting a size, a transmittance, or both, of the glare occluder.

[0023] The method may further comprise a step of controlling, by the system control centre, a transmittance of the glare occluder by controlling the magnitude of luminance of one or more pixels of one or more parts in a sub-area which the shadow cast by the glare occluder is located in, such that such magnitude of luminance does not exceed a control value of a maximum pixel luminance, the control value of a maximum pixel luminance being stored in the database, the one or more reference parameters comprising the control value.

[0024] The information that is collected by the monitoring camera may be collected on a frame-by-frame basis. The information that is collected by the monitoring camera may be collected on a pixel-by-pixel basis. The collection, transmission, analysis, comparison, and determination of the information by the glare occluding system may be done in real-time.

[0025] The optical detector may be a human eye. The optical detector may be a second camera.

[0026] According to another part of the disclosure, there is a system for facilitating a method for substantially eliminating glare from an optical detector’s field of vision, the system comprising: (a) a monitoring camera for collecting information on a visual area, said information including visual images of the visual area and data on a magnitude of luminance of one or more pixels within the visual area and any change thereto; (b) a glare shield; and (c) a system control centre connected to the monitoring camera and the glare shield, the system control centre comprising (i) a means, including feature recognition software, to process the information collected from the monitoring camera, (ii) a database on which reference parameters and features of the optical detector are stored, and (iii) a means for comparing the information collected from the monitoring camera to the stored reference parameters and features of the optical detector. [0027] The system may be adapted for generating a glare occluder on the glare shield if certain conditions based on the information collected by the monitoring camera and processed by the system control centre are met. The system may be adapted for adjusting the characteristics of the glare occluder, by the system control centre, when the shadow that is cast by the glare occluder is detected by the system control centre as not substantially overlapping the lens of the optical detector as monitored by the monitoring camera.

[0028] The system may further comprise a manual control unit connected to the system control centre, the manual control unit for overriding a determination of the system control centre.

[0029] The reference parameters may comprise a threshold value related to a maximum change in luminance of a monitored pixel. The reference parameters may comprise one or more maximum pixel luminance threshold values and control values and one or more minimum pixel luminance threshold values and control values. The reference parameters may further comprise one or more comparison reference values related to a difference in pixel luminance or of a ratio of an illuminated portion versus a non-illuminated portion. The reference parameters may further comprise one or more threshold values of minimum difference in pixel luminance.

[0030] This summary does not necessarily describe the entire scope of all aspects of the disclosure. Other aspects, features and advantages will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

[0031] In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one or more embodiments:

[0032] FIGURE 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for substantially occluding a glare source from an optical detector’s field of vision, the system comprising a plurality of components including a monitoring camera, a system control centre, one or more glare shields, and a manual control unit.

[0033] FIGURE 2 is a schematic diagram representing a flow of communication and information between the various components of the system depicted in FIGURE 1 .

[0034] FIGURE 3 is a schematic diagram of a general visual area that is monitored by the monitoring camera depicted in FIGURE 1 , said schematic diagram including examples of three- dimensional objects that may be visible within the general visual area and sub-areas within the general visual area.

[0035] FIGURE 4(a) is a schematic diagram of a beginning of a glare occluder generation process related to the system depicted in FIGURE 1 , as implemented in a motor vehicle environment, the schematic diagram depicting a first view, from the perspective of a motor vehicle operator, of the motor vehicle operator’s field of vision through a glare shield disposed proximate to a windshield of the motor vehicle. As depicted in the first view, a glare occluder precursor that is generated and controlled by the system control centre is disposed at a top edge of the glare shield, the glare occluder precursor being directed in a downward direction toward a bottom edge of the glare shield. The schematic diagram further depicts a second view, from the perspective of the monitoring camera, of the motor vehicle operator’s facial features and its surrounding areas. The second view depicts a shadow cast by the glare occluder precursor within the general visual area, as monitored by the monitoring camera.

[0036] FIGURE 4(b) is a schematic diagram of a glare occluder generation process, in process, related to the system depicted in FIGURE 1 , as implemented in a motor vehicle environment, the schematic diagram depicting (i) a first view of a motor vehicle operator’s field of vision through the glare shield depicted in FIGURE 4(a), and (ii) a second view of the motor vehicle operator’s facial features and its surrounding areas from the monitoring camera. As depicted in the first view, when the system control centre detects that the bottom edge of the shadow cast by the glare occluder precursor overlaps with the upper eyelid margin of the motor vehicle operator, the system control centre issues a new command directing the side edges of the glare occluder precursor towards each other while at the same time directing both the top and bottom edge of the glare occluder precursor to move in a downward direction, for further controlling the size and movement of the glare occluder precursor. The second view depicts the shadow cast by the glare occluder precursor within the general visual area, as monitored by the monitoring camera.

[0037] FIGURE 4(c) is a schematic diagram of a glare occluder generation process, in process, related to the system depicted in FIGURE 1 , as implemented in a motor vehicle environment, the schematic diagram depicting (i) a first view of a motor vehicle operator’s field of vision through the glare shield depicted in FIGURE 4(a), and (ii) a second view of the motor vehicle operator’s facial features and its surrounding areas from the monitoring camera. As depicted in the first view, system control centre controls the size of the glare occluder precursor such that the bottom edge of the glare occluder precursor stops moving downward when its shadow overlaps with the lower eyelid margin of the motor vehicle operator. Other edges of the glare occluder precursor continue to be adjusted in accordance with the detected area of the motor vehicle operator’s eyes. The second view depicts a shadow cast by the glare occluder precursor within the general visual area, as monitored by the monitoring camera.

[0038] FIGURE 4(d) is a schematic diagram of an end/completion of a glare occluder generation process related to the system depicted in FIGURE 1 , as implemented in a motor vehicle environment, the schematic diagram depicting (i) a first view of a motor vehicle operator’s field of vision the glare shield depicted in FIGURE 4(a), and (ii) a second view of the motor vehicle operator’s facial features and its surrounding areas from the monitoring camera. The schematic diagram depicts the glare occluder precursor depicted in Figure 4(a) as finally forming a plurality of glare occluders on the glare shield. As controlled by the system control centre, the shape of the glare occluder is adjusted such that all edges of the shadow of that glare occluder overlaps respectively with the upper eyelid margin, the lower eyelid margin, the outer canthus, and the inner canthus of the motor vehicle operator’s eyes. The second view depicts the shadows cast by the plurality of glare occluders within the general visual area, as monitored by the monitoring camera. As depicted herein, the system further comprises a manual control unit.

[0039] FIGURE 5 is a schematic diagram for expressing a method of adjusting a glare occluder, as related to the system depicted in FIGURE 1 and as implemented in a motor vehicle environment, the schematic diagram depicting (i) a first view of a motor vehicle operator’s field of vision through a glare shield disposed proximate to a windshield of the motor vehicle, and (ii) a second view of the motor vehicle operator’s facial features and its surrounding areas from the monitoring camera. The schematic diagram depicts the monitoring camera as monitoring positions of the shadows cast by the plurality of glare occluders on the motor vehicle operator’s eyes relative to the positions of the motor vehicle operator’s eyes such that if any part of the motor vehicle operator’s eyes is detected by the system at least through the recognition software loaded onto the system control centre as not covered by the shadows cast by the glare occluders, the positions of the glare occluders casting the shadows are adjusted accordingly by the system control centre so that the shadows cast by the glare occluders continue to be cast over the vehicle operator’s eyes as long as the glare source remains in the vehicle operator’s field of vision.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

[0040] Directional terms, (e.g. “top”, “bottom”, and “downwards”) are used in this disclosure for the purpose of providing relative reference only, and are not intended to suggest any limitations on how any article is to be positioned during use, or to be mounted in an assembly, or relative to an environment. The use of the word “a” or “an” when used herein in conjunction with the term “comprising” may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one” and “one or more than one.” Any element expressed in the singular form also encompasses its plural form. Any element expressed in the plural form also encompasses its singular form. The term “plurality” as used herein means more than one; for example, the term “plurality includes two or more, three or more, four or more, or the like.

[0041] In this disclosure, the terms “comprising”, “having”, “including”, and “containing”, and grammatical variations thereof, are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, un recited elements and/or method steps. The term “consisting of” when used herein in connection with a composition, use, or method, excludes the presence of additional elements and/or method steps.

[0042] In this disclosure, the term “frame-by-frame” (or other term related thereto) contemplates the recording of one frame to the next or the recording of one frame for every “n” frames that occurs (e.g. one every two frames, one every three frames, etc...).

[0043] In this disclosure, the term “general visual area” means an entire visual area as monitored by a monitoring camera, where images thereof are captured or recorded by the monitoring camera.

[0044] In this disclosure, the term “glare occluder” refers to a visual image that is generated or activated on a corresponding glare shield, by a system control centre, such generation or activation being in response to certain events. The visual image has a transmittance that is adapted to occlude or substantially occlude a glare source from an optical detector’s field of vision and therefore eliminate or at least reduce the effects of glare on the optical detector that would otherwise be caused by the glare source if such glare source were not occluded by the glare occluder.

[0045] In this disclosure, the term “luminance” describes the amount of light that passes through, is emitted from, or is reflected from a particular source.

[0046] In this disclosure, the term “optical detector” refers to any sensor of visible light, examples of which include, but are not limited to, manufactured optical sensors and natural sensors. A non-limiting example of a manufactured optical sensor is a camera. A non-limiting example of a natural sensor is an eye.

[0047] In this disclosure, the term “pixel-by-pixel” (or related term thereto) contemplates the recording of one pixel to the next or the recording of one pixel for every “n” pixel that occurs (e.g. one every two pixels, one every three pixels, etc...).

[0048] In this disclosure, the term “substantially” is intended to contemplate any and all variations or deviations from a measurement that are not of material effect on such measurement.

[0049] When a three-dimensional object having one or more non-planar surfaces is illuminated by light, different parts of such object may reflect different amounts of light. Using a human face as a non-limiting example of a three-dimensional object: (a) if a light source is only directed to the right front side of the human face, but not the left front side of the human face, then the right front side of the human face will appear “significantly brighter” (i.e. as having a detected luminance value that is greater than a pre-determined value loaded onto a system control centre) than the left front side of the human face; (b) if a light source is only directed to the left front side of the human face, but not the right front side of the human face, then the left front side of the human face will appear “significantly brighter” (and will have a higher luminance) than the right front side of the human face; (c) if a light source is directed to the front of the human face, then neither the left front side of the human face nor the right front side of the human face will appear “significantly brighter” than the other.

[0050] The present disclosure relates to a system and method for reducing the effects of glare as experienced by an optical detector. The present disclosure also relates to a system and method for substantially occluding a glare source from an optical detector’s field of vision. The present disclosure also relates to a system and method for substantially occluding a glare source from an optical detector’s field of vision, but without substantially occluding or substantially obstructing or substantially affecting the other parts of the optical detector’s field of vision beyond the area in the optical detector’s field of vision that is occupied by the glare source. The present disclosure also relates to a system and method for eliminating glare, as experienced by an optical detector. The system and method can be adapted to substantially occlude a glare source, which appears within an optical detector’s field of vision, from the optical detector’s field of vision but without occluding or substantially obstructing or substantially affecting other parts or areas of the optical detector’s field of vision beyond the area in the optical detector’s field of vision that is occupied by the glare source. The system and method can be adapted to only substantially occlude the glare source, which appears within an optical detector’s field of vision, from the optical detector’s field of vision but without substantially occluding or substantially obstructing or substantially affecting the other parts of the optical detector’s field of vision, such other parts of the optical detector’s field of vision including the parts of the optical detector’s field of vision immediately surrounding or in the vicinity of the glare source.

[0051] The system can comprise a monitoring camera, a system control centre, a glare shield, and a manual control unit. Each of the monitoring camera, the glare shield, and the manual control unit is connected to the system control centre by a means known in the art. For example, each of the monitoring camera, the glare shield, and the manual control unit can be connected to the system control centre by a wireless connection (e.g. Bluetooth™, Internet). For example, each of the monitoring camera, the glare shield, and the manual control unit can be connected to the system control centre by a wire or other physical connection. Some embodiments of the system comprise a monitoring camera, a system control centre, at least one glare shield, and a manual control unit. Some embodiments of the system comprise a monitoring camera, a system control centre, and a glare shield. Some embodiments of the system comprise a monitoring camera, a system control centre, and at least one glare shield. Some embodiments of the system do not comprise a manual control unit.

[0052] The monitoring camera is adapted to monitor a general visual area. One or more optical detectors and the areas and/or objects surrounding or in the vicinity of the one or more optical detectors may come into view within the general visual area. The monitoring camera is adapted to capture, collect, and/or record visual images of such general visual area and any portion thereof; such capture, collection, and recording can be done in real-time. The monitoring camera transmits to the system control centre the visual images that the monitoring camera captures, collects, and/or records of the general visual area or any portion thereof; such transmission can be in real-time, frame-by-frame, pixel-by-pixel, or any combination thereof.

[0053] The system control centre comprises a central processing unit, a graphics processing unit, and other supporting components and processing units known in the art. The system control centre further comprises a plurality of software including, but not limited to, recognition software. Using a motor vehicle environment as an example, such recognition software may be feature recognition software for use in (i) identifying facial features of an optical detector, (ii) identifying the location and movement of the motor vehicle operator’s eyes (which are examples of optical detectors) in the general visual area, and (iii) identifying the location of the shadow cast by a glare occluder precursor or a glare occluder. The system control centre further comprises a library or database where reference values for various parameters and/or conditions are stored, at least some of which are described later in this disclosure. The system control centre may be a control centre known in the art.

[0054] The system control centre is responsible for processing and analyzing the visual images captured, collected, and/or recorded by the monitoring camera, and extracting data from said captured, collected, and/or recorded visual images. Such capturing, collecting, and recording can be done in real-time, pixel-by-pixel, frame-by-frame, or any combination thereof. Data that are extractable, by the system control centre, from the visual images captured, collected, and/or recorded by the monitoring camera (which may be referred to herein as “extracted data”) include data pertaining to the luminance of the light (e.g. on a pixel-by-pixel basis) reflected off of each object in view within the general visual area including, but not limited to, the luminance of the light reflected off of the optical detector’s lens and the areas and/or objects surrounding or in the vicinity of the one or more optical detector. The system control centre analyzes the extracted data and determines the magnitude of the luminance of the light, (e.g. on a pixel-by-pixel basis) reflected off of such objects as well as the magnitude of the luminance of the light (e.g. on a pixel-by-pixel basis) reflected off of such objects relative to each other. For example, the system control centre analyzes such data and can determine the difference in luminance between two or more portions of an area immediately surrounding or in the vicinity of one or more optical detectors for the purposes of identifying the relative location of a glare source to an optical detector. For example, in a situation where a glare occluder is generated, the system control centre analyzes such data and can determine a pixel luminance difference between a first sub-area and a second sub-area of a general visual area for the purposes of identifying: (i) whether a glare source has disappeared from the optical detector’s field of vision; or (ii) whether the luminance of a previously identified glare source has decreased to the point that the system control centre no longer identifies such previously identified glare source as a source of glare. Extracted data that has been analyzed by the system control centre may be referred to herein as “analyzed data”.

[0055] The system control centre compares the analyzed data against reference values or parameters or conditions that are stored in a database in the system control centre. Reference values, parameters, or conditions can be pre-set by a manufacturer of the system, manually inputted by an operator of the system, or set by a combination of both. Depending on whether certain reference values, parameters, or conditions have been met, the system control centre may, in response, issue a corresponding command to initiate a process for generating one or more glare occluders to be displayed on one or more corresponding glare shields. The generated glare occluder lies along the line of sight between an optical detector and a glare source, and is adapted to occlude the glare source from the optical detector’s field of vision. The generated glare occluder is adapted to cast a shadow covering a first area (e.g. lens) of the optical detector while the glare source is in the optical detector’s field of vision. The generated glare occluder is adapted to remain on the line of sight between the glare source and the optical detector until the glare source is no longer in the optical detector’s field of vision or until the previously identified glare source is no longer a source of glare in the optical detector’s field of vision. Depending on the number of glare sources there are in an optical detector’s field of vision, a corresponding number of glare occluders can be generated to occlude such number of glare sources from the optical detector’s field of vision. The system control centre can be programmed to perform the tasks of extracting, analyzing, identifying, comparing, and determining in real-time.

[0056] The glare shield can be any suitable glare shield known within the art. Examples of suitable glare shields include, but are not limited to, see-through displays, transparent displays, displays based on LED (e.g. OLED) technology, and displays based on LCD technology. Examples of suitable glare shields include, but are not limited to, displays described in U.S. Pub. No. 2016/0361980 to Huber. Following the principles that are the same as or similar to the control of images and displays appearing on a computer monitor or a television monitor, the system control centre can control the characteristics of a glare occluder on a glare shield, such characteristics including, but not limited to, those related to the generation, positioning, size, transmittance, displacement, movement, shape, and removal of such glare occluder.

[0057] Depending on the information collected by the monitoring camera about the general visual area, physical parameters of a glare occluder that is generated on a glare shield, such as but not limited to size, transmittance, and absorbance, may be modified (e.g. in real time) by the system control centre to correspond accordingly with, for example, the size, luminance, or both the size and luminance of the glare source (or portion thereof) that adversely affects an optical detector’s field of vision. The physical parameters of the glare occluder generated on the glare shield can be modified in response to changes in information collected regarding the general visual area (e.g. changes in luminance of light reflected off of objects within the general visual area), as captured, collected and/or recorded by the monitoring camera; such modification of the physical parameters of the glare occluder can be done in real-time; such capturing, collection, and/or recording by the monitoring camera can also be done in real-time. Such physical parameters may also be manually modified by an operator of the system through a manual control unit that is connected to the system control centre. In other words, the manual control unit may act as an operator override of the default settings of the system control centre (e.g. settings pertaining to the physical parameters of the glare occluder). For example, if an operator of the system subjectively feels that the transmittance of the glare occluder is too high, then the operator may choose to decrease the level of transmittance of the glare occluder (as otherwise automatically determined by the system control centre) by inputting a corresponding command through the manual control unit. For example, if an operator of the system subjectively feels that the transmittance of the glare occluder is too low, then the operator may choose to increase the level of transmittance of the glare occluder (as otherwise automatically determined by the system control centre) by inputting a corresponding command through the manual control unit.

[0058] A glare occluder is not intended to remain static on the glare shield once generated thereon; rather the monitoring camera continuously monitors the location of the shadow cast by the glare occluder over a first area of the optical detector (e.g. a lens of the optical detector or other identifiable feature surrounding the lens of the optical detector) and if there is a “misalignment” between the shadow cast by the glare occluder and first area of the optical detector (i.e. the shadow does not substantially cover the lens of the optical detector), then the system control centre adjusts, in real-time or other pre-defined time segments, the position, size, and other characteristics of the glare occluder to stay along a line of sight extending between a glare source and the optical detector, thereby continuously substantially occluding the glare source from the optical detector’s field of vision. In this manner, the glare occluder can occlude a glare source from an optical detector’s field of vision until the glare source disappears from the optical detector’s field of vision (e.g. a headlamp from a passing vehicle in oncoming traffic) or until the previously identified glare source ceases to be a source of glare in an optical detector’s field of vision.

[0059] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, and according to an embodiment of a system for substantially occluding a glare source from an optical detector’s field of vision, there is a system 100 comprising a monitoring camera 110, a system control centre 120, a glare shield 130, and a manual control unit 140. As contemplated in this embodiment, system 100 is disposed in a motor vehicle passenger compartment. In other embodiments, the system can be disposed in another suitable environment (e.g. a boat, a cockpit, air traffic control tower). As contemplated in this embodiment, system 100 is adapted to eliminate or substantially eliminate the effects of glare on a vehicle operator’s eyes ( i.e . the vehicle operator’s eyes are examples of optical detectors). In other embodiments, the system is adapted to reduce the effects of glare on a vehicle operator’s eyes. In other embodiments, the system is adapted to eliminate, substantially eliminate, or reduce the effects of glare within an optical detector’s field of vision (e.g. a camera other than a “monitoring camera” as such term is used herein).

[0060] Monitoring camera 110 is disposed in a location in the motor vehicle passenger compartment where monitoring camera 110 would not otherwise obstruct vehicle operator “A’”s field of vision. Monitoring camera 110 monitors a general visual area “B” which at least includes an area of the motor vehicle passenger compartment where a visage of vehicle operator “A” (including the vehicle operator’s eyes) would be visible. As depicted in Figure 1 , monitoring camera 110 is disposed proximate a top edge of the windshield of the motor vehicle. In other embodiments, the monitoring camera can be installed in any other suitable location within the motor vehicle passenger compartment. Monitoring camera 110 is coupled to system control centre 120 by a wired or wireless connection 110a.

[0061] System control centre 120 is disposed in any suitable location in the motor vehicle passenger compartment. As system control centre 120 is primarily a data processing and analyzing centre, it is contemplated in this embodiment that system control centre 120 is hidden and not visible from within the motor vehicle passenger compartment. In other embodiments, the system control centre can be made visible from within the motor vehicle passenger compartment.

[0062] A glare shield 130 is disposed proximate to the windshield of the motor vehicle by means known in the art. Suitable means include, but are not limited to, suction coupling, adhesive coupling, and magnetic coupling. As contemplated in this embodiment, glare shield 130 is substantially the same size as the windshield of the motor vehicle and therefore substantially overlaps the entire windshield on the vehicle passenger compartment side thereof.

[0063] Other glare shields 130 are disposed proximate to other areas of the motor vehicle having transparent barriers (e.g. sunroof, side windows, rear passenger windows, rear windows, and the like) where light originating from outside the motor vehicle passenger compartment can penetrate into the motor vehicle passenger compartment. In other embodiments, no such glare shields are disposed proximate to such other areas of the motor vehicle having transparent barriers. In other embodiments, glare shields are disposed proximate to some of such other areas of the motor vehicle having transparent barriers.

[0064] Glare shield 130 is connected to system control centre 120 by a physical (e.g. wired) or wireless connection 130a. In other embodiments, a glare shield overlaps with only a portion of a transparent barrier (e.g. windshield, sunroof, side windows, rear passenger windows, rear windows) of a motor vehicle passenger compartment. In other embodiments, a glare shield can serve as a transparent barrier of a motor vehicle.

[0065] Manual control unit 140 is disposed in any suitable location in the motor vehicle passenger compartment that is proximate to vehicle operator “A” and that can be operated by vehicle operator “A” while the motor vehicle is in motion (e.g. steering wheel, centre console). The manual control unit may be voice activated, hand activated, activated by any other known means, or comprise any combination thereof. Manual control unit 140 is connected to system control centre 120 by a wired or wireless connection 140a. In other embodiments, the system does not comprise a manual control unit.

[0066] Referring to Figure 3, there is depicted a general visual area “B” that is monitored by monitoring camera 110. The general visual area may be divided into one or more sub-areas. As contemplated in this embodiment, the sub-areas include but are not limited to those identified as sub-area B-1 , sub-area B-2, sub-area B-3, and sub-area B-4. In other embodiments, other sub-areas may be monitored by the monitoring camera of the system.

[0067] Sub-area B-1 refers to an area monitored by monitoring camera 110, such area containing within it vehicle operator “A”’s eyes (in other embodiments, one or more optical detectors in general). Sub-area B-1 is monitored by monitoring camera 110 in real-time. Any visual image in, or information on a luminance of, any part of sub-area B-1 on a frame-by-frame and pixel-by-pixel basis would be captured, collected and/or recorded by monitoring camera 110. Sub-area B-2 refers to an area monitored by monitoring camera 110, such area containing within it vehicle operator “A”’s face. Sub-area B-2 is monitored by camera 110 in real-time. Any visual image in, or information on a luminance of, any part of sub-area B-2 on a frame-by-frame and pixel-by-pixel basis would be captured, collected and/or recorded by monitoring camera 110. Sub-area B-3 refers to an area monitored by monitoring camera 110, that can be illuminated by direct light (e.g. direct sunlight) entering the vehicle cabin through a transparent barrier that is not the side windows, rear window, or windshield (e.g. through the sunroof). Sub-area B-3 is monitored by monitoring camera 110 in real-time. Any visual image in, or information on a luminance of, any part of sub-area B-3 on a frame-by-frame and pixel- by-pixel basis would be captured, collected and/or recorded by monitoring camera 110. Sub- area B-4 refers to an area monitored by monitoring camera 110, such sub-area of visual area “B” that is not covered by sub-area B-1 , sub-area B-2, and sub-area B-3. Sub-area B-4 is monitored by monitoring camera 110 in real-time. Any visual image in, or information on a luminance of, any part of sub-area B-4 on a frame-by-frame and pixel-by-pixel basis, would be captured, collected and/or recorded by monitoring camera 110. Real-time images on a frame-by-frame and pixel-by-pixel basis, as captured, collected and/or recorded by monitoring camera 110, are transmitted to system control centre 120 via wired or wireless connection 110a. As contemplated in this embodiment, sub-area B-1 , sub-area B-2, sub-area B-3, and sub-area B-4 are intended to be discrete sub-areas that do not overlap. In other embodiments, one or more sub-areas of a general visual area may overlap.

[0068] The activity, appearance, characteristics, or any combination thereof, of one or more glare shields, including but not limited to the generation, size, location, transmittance, absorbance, and removal of a glare occluder, by the controlling of system control centre 120, depend on whether certain parameters and conditions set for each sub-area of general visual area “B” are met or satisfied (or not met, or not satisfied). Below is a summary of some of the parameters and conditions contemplated in this embodiment, such parameters and conditions being stored in a database in the system control centre 120:

ln other embodiments, there may be other parameters.

[0069] With regard to sub-area B-1 as monitored by monitoring camera 110, a process for generating a glare occluder “E” on a glare shield 130 is activated if a change in the magnitude of luminance of any one or more pixels of a part of sub-area B-1 , as monitored and determined on a frame-by-frame and pixel-by-pixel basis, exceeds threshold value “M1”. The transmittance of any subsequently generated glare occluder is controlled and adjusted by system control centre 120 by controlling the magnitude of luminance of any one or more pixels of the shadow cast by the glare occluder, within sub-area B-1 , so that any such magnitude does not exceed control value “H1”. Other physical parameters of the glare occluder (e.g. location, size) may be modified by system control centre 120 according to the information about sub-area B-1 that is captured, collected, and/or recorded by monitoring camera 110 and transmitted to system control centre 120.

[0070] Tinting of a glare shield 130 that is installed proximate to the windshield or front side windows of the motor vehicle also depends on the information collected by the monitoring camera 110 regarding the luminance of sub-area B-1 or any part thereof. For example, if a magnitude of the luminance of any one or more pixels of any part of sub-area B-1 exceeds value “H2”, then a process for tinting glare shield 130 is activated. The transmittance of the glare shield is controlled and adjusted by system control centre 120, by controlling the magnitude of the luminance of any one or more pixels of sub-area B-1 so that any such magnitude does not exceed value H2 and does not fall below value L2. If a magnitude of the luminance of any one or more pixels of any part of sub-area B-1 is less than value L2, then tinting of the glare shield is not activated and the glare shield returns to transparency.

[0071] With regard to sub-areas B-1 and B-2 as monitored by monitoring camera 110, a process for removing a glare occluder from a glare shield 130 is activated if the difference in the magnitude of luminance between any one or more pixels in any part of the shadow cast by the glare occluder within sub-area B-1 and any part of sub-area B-2 is less than threshold value “D1”. If the difference between the luminance of any one or more pixels of any part of the shadow cast by the glare occluder within sub-area B-1 and any part of sub-area B-2 is not less than threshold value “D1”, then a glare occluder “E” remains on the glare shield 130.

[0072] With regard to sub-area B-2 as monitored by monitoring camera 110, the direction of the light, which causes glare to be experienced by vehicle operator “A”’s eyes, enters a motor vehicle passenger compartment is determined by (i) measuring the magnitude of difference in luminance of any one or more pixels between two parts of sub-area B-2 (summarized as “D2”’) and (ii) comparing the value of D2’ relative to D2. For example: (a) if the absolute value of D2’ is not greater than D2 (i.e. the difference in value is either positive or negative), then the light causing glare is determined by system control centre 120 to be entering the motor vehicle passenger compartment either (i) from the rear-view mirror and both side mirrors, or (ii) through the windshield; (b) if the absolute value of D2’ is greater than D2 and the value of D2’ is positive, then the light causing glare is determined by system control centre 120 to be entering the motor vehicle passenger compartment from the vehicle operator side of the motor vehicle; (c) if the absolute value of D2’ exceeds D2 and the value of D2’ is negative, then the light causing glare is determined by system control centre 120 to be entering the motor vehicle passenger compartment from the passenger side of the motor vehicle.

[0073] With regard to sub-area B-3 as monitored by monitoring camera 110, the transmittance or absorbance of an entire glare shield 130 that is installed proximate to a sunroof of the motor vehicle, rear side windows of the motor vehicle, rear windows of the motor vehicle, or any one or more thereof, can be varied depending on the luminance of any one or more pixels of any part of sub-area B-3 as detected by monitoring camera 110. Transmittance of a glare shield 130 is determined relative to a maximum value H3 and a minimum value L3. If the magnitude of the luminance of any one or more pixels of a part within sub-area B-3 exceeds value H3, then a process for tinting the glare shield located at a sunroof, rear side windows, or rear windows of a vehicle is activated. If the magnitude of the luminance of any one or more pixels of any part of sub-area B-3 is less than value L3, then a process for tinting the glare shield located at the sunroof, rear side windows, or rear windows is not activated and the glare shield returns to transparency. In addition, the transmittance of the glare shield is controlled and adjusted, by controlling the magnitude of the luminance of any one or more pixels of sub-area B-3 so that any such magnitude does not exceed value H3 and does not fall below value L3. [0074] With regard to sub-area B-4 as monitored by monitoring camera 110, monitoring camera 110 captures frame-by-frame images of sub-area B-4, which are then transmitted to system control centre 120 for analysis. Through its analysis, system control centre 120 can make an assessment as to whether a light source entering the motor vehicle passenger compartment is likely direct light (e.g. a headlamp shining directly into the motor vehicle passenger compartment) or likely reflected light (e.g. sunlight reflected off one or more mirrors that then enters the vehicle passenger compartment). Such assessment is made based on a ratio of an illuminated portion of sub-area B-4 versus a non-illuminated portion of sub-area B-4 at any given time, frame-by-frame and pixel-by-pixel. For example: (i) if a determined ratio RT is less than R1 , then the light is deemed to be reflected; or (ii) if the determined ratio RT is not less than R1 , then the light is deemed to be not reflected.

[0075] In addition to being able to control the generation of one or more glare occluders on a glare shield 130, system control centre 120 can further control the transmittance or absorbance of an entire glare shield 130 or portion thereof, the transmittance or absorbance of a glare shield 130 being adjusted according to the overall luminance of the motor vehicle passenger compartment as detected by monitoring camera 110 relative to conditions, parameters, or threshold values that are stored in system control centre 120.

[0076] Figures 4(a) to 4(d) depict an example of a process of generating a glare occluder. Assuming that the conditions for activating a process for generating a glare occluder have been met, a glare occluder precursor “D” is generated by system control centre 120 proximate to the top edge of glare shield 130. System control centre 120 can (i) analyze visual images collected by the monitoring camera 110, (ii) compare said visual images to reference information that is stored onto the system control centre 120 (e.g. information regarding the features of or around the first area), and (iii) determine, during the process of generating a glare occluder, whether the conditions for issuing a subsequent command to modify the characteristics of a glare occluder precursor have been met. As depicted in Figure 4(a), a glare occluder precursor “D" is generated at a top edge of glare shield 130. In other embodiments, the glare occluder precursor “D” may be generated elsewhere on the glare shield. System control centre 120 directs the movement of glare occluder precursor “D”. As depicted in Figure 4(a), system control centre 120 directs glare occluder precursor “D” to move wholly in a downward motion “d-1” towards a bottom edge of glare shield 130. [0077] Camera 110 monitors a shadow “d-2” cast by glare occluder precursor “D” on the objects within general visual area “B” (including vehicle operator “A”’s eyes) until a bottom edge of shadow “d-2” substantially overlaps with a top edge of a designated first facial feature of vehicle operator “A”. The first facial feature is identifiable by facial recognition software that is pre-loaded onto system control centre 120. As contemplated in this embodiment, the designated facial feature of vehicle operator “A” is the eye socket surrounding vehicle operator “A”’s eyes; in other embodiments, the designated facial feature can be any other suitable facial feature such as but not limited to the upper eyelid margin, the lower eyelid margin, the outer canthus of the vehicle operator’s eye, and the inner canthus of the vehicle operator’s eye. In other embodiments, the designated facial feature can be another identifiable feature around the optical detector.

[0078] Once substantial overlap of the bottom edge of shadow “d-2” with the top edge of the designated first facial feature of vehicle operator “A” is achieved, system control centre 120 directs both of the side edges of the glare occluder precursor “D” towards each other while both top and bottom edges of glare occluder precursor “D” continue to move in a downward direction until the bottom edge of shadow “d-2” substantial overlaps with the bottom edge of the designated first facial feature of vehicle operator “A”.

[0079] Once substantial overlap of the bottom edge of shadow “d-2” with the bottom edge of the designated first facial feature of vehicle operator “A” is achieved, system control centre 120 finalizes the dimensions of glare occluder precursor “D” so that the edges of shadow “d-2” substantially overlap with the edges of the designated first facial feature of vehicle operator “A”. As contemplated in this embodiment, the designated first facial feature of vehicle operator “A” is the eye socket surrounding the vehicle operator “A’”s eyes; in other embodiments, the designated facial feature can be any other suitable facial feature such as but not limited to the upper eyelid margin, the lower eyelid margin, the outer canthus of the vehicle operator’s eye, and the inner canthus of the vehicle operator’s eye. In other embodiments, the designated facial feature can be another identifiable feature around the optical detector.

[0080] Once the edges of shadow “d-2” are deemed by system control centre 120 to substantially overlap with the edges of the designated first facial feature of vehicle operator “A”, a glare occluder “E”, whose shadow “d-2” substantially overlaps with the designated first facial feature but does not substantially overlap with areas beyond the area of the designated first facial feature, is generated and lies on the line of sight between vehicle operator “A”’s eyes and glare source “C”. Since vehicle operator “A”’s eyes are contained within the boundaries of the designated first facial feature, glare source “C” is thereby occluded from vehicle operator “A”’s field of vision.

[0081] Referring to Figures 4(d) and 5, the physical characteristics (e.g. transmittance, absorbance, size, etc...) of glare occluder “E” can then be manually adjusted by vehicle operator “A” via manual control unit 140. To ensure that glare occluder “E” continuously occludes glare source “C” from vehicle operator “A”’s field of vision, monitoring camera 110 continuously monitors the position of shadow “d-2” relative to the boundaries of the first facial feature such that the boundaries of shadow “d-2” continuously substantially overlap the boundaries of the designated first facial feature but not substantially overlap the areas beyond the boundaries of the designated first facial feature. For example, when it is detected that a boundary of the first facial feature does not fall within the boundaries of shadow “d-2”, system control centre 120 adjusts the position of glare occluder “E” accordingly so that the shadow “d-2” cast by glare occluder “E” substantially overlaps said boundary of the first facial feature without substantially overlapping the areas of general visual area “B” not within the boundary of the first facial feature. In practice, the size and shape of glare occluder “E” can be continuously adjusted in real-time so that shadow “d-2” continuously substantially overlaps with the boundaries of the first facial feature in order to continuously occlude glare source “C” from vehicle operator “A”’s field of vision until glare source “C” is out or substantially out of vehicle operator “A”’s field of vision (e.g. a vehicle headlight from oncoming traffic that passes by) or until glare source “C” ceases to be a source of glare for vehicle operator “A” (e.g. a vehicle headlight from oncoming traffic turning off).

[0082] The operation of system 100 may be summarized as follows. When a change in the magnitude in the luminance of light that is received by an optical detector within sub-area B-1 is detected by system control centre 120 to be greater than threshold value “M1”, then a process to generate a glare occluder “E” on a corresponding glare shield 130 is activated. The information related to the magnitude of luminance collected by monitoring camera 110 and analyzed by system control centre 120 in other sub-areas of general visual area “B” are also important in determining the direction of the glare source and on which glare shield a glare occluder should ultimately be formed (e.g. glare shield proximate to windshield, glare shield proximate to driver side window, glare shield proximate to passenger side window, etc...). [0083] In other embodiments, a glare occluder can be formed through different steps, though the fundamental concept and purpose behind its generation remains substantially similar to the methods and system described herein. As contemplated in this embodiment, glare occluder “E” is generated within a time-frame that would appear instantaneous to a human eye. As contemplated in this embodiment, the glare occluder precursor “D” is initially in the shape of a rectangular strip having an initial length that is equivalent to the length of the glare shield 130. In other embodiments, the glare occluder precursor can be any suitable shape. As contemplated in this embodiment, the components of system 100 operate in real-time, and the information is captured, collected, or recorded by system 100 on a pixel-by-pixel and frame-by- frame basis. In other embodiments, the components of system 100 may not operate in real time. In other embodiments, information may not be captured, collected, or recorded by the system on a pixel-by-pixel and frame-by-frame basis.

[0084] Depending on the data collected from the sub-areas within general visual area “B”, system control centre 120 may be able to make an assessment on the relative direction of the glare source and whether the glare-causing light is direct light or reflected light. For example, if:

(a) the absolute value of the detected difference in luminance between a first half of a vehicle operator’s face and a second half of vehicle operator’s face (D2’) exceeds comparison reference value D2, and D2’ is positive (meaning that the first half of the vehicle operator’s face is “significantly brighter” or more illuminating than the second half of the vehicle operator’s face), and the ratio of an illuminated portion of sub-area B-4 versus a non-illuminated portion of sub- area B-4 in real-time, frame-by-frame and pixel-by-pixel, is less than comparison reference value R1 , then system control centre 120 interprets such data to mean that the light entering the motor vehicle passenger compartment and causing glare in the vehicle operator “A’”s eyes is reflected in from the vehicle operator side of the motor vehicle (e.g. reflected from the vehicle operator side mirror);

(b) the absolute value of D2’ exceeds the value of D2, and D2’ is positive (meaning that the first half of the vehicle operator’s face is “significantly brighter” or more illuminating than the second half of the vehicle operator’s face), and the ratio of an illuminated portion of sub-area B-4 versus a non-illuminated portion of sub- area B-4 in real-time, frame-by-frame and pixel-by-pixel, is not less than comparison reference value R1 , then system control centre 120 interprets such data to mean that the light source causing glare in vehicle operator “A”’s eyes is directly shining into the motor vehicle passenger compartment from the vehicle operator side of the motor vehicle (e.g. through the vehicle operator side window);

(c) the absolute value of D2’ exceeds the value of D2, and D2’ is negative (meaning that the second half of the vehicle operator’s face is “significantly brighter” or more illuminating than the first half of the vehicle operator’s face), and the ratio of an illuminated portion of sub-area B-4 versus a non-illuminated portion of sub- area B-4 in real-time, frame-by-frame and pixel-by-pixel, is less than comparison reference value R1 , then system control centre 120 interprets such data to mean that the light entering the motor vehicle passenger compartment and causing glare in vehicle operator “A’”s eyes is reflected into the motor vehicle passenger compartment from the passenger side of the motor vehicle (e.g. reflected from the passenger side mirror);

(d) the absolute value of D2’ exceeds the value of D2, and D2’ is negative (meaning that the second half of the vehicle operator’s face is “significantly brighter” or more illuminating than the first half of the vehicle operator’s face), and the ratio of an illuminated portion of sub-area B-4 versus a non-illuminated portion of sub- area B-4 in real-time, frame-by-frame and pixel-by-pixel, is not less than comparison reference value R1 , then system control centre 120 interprets such data to mean that the light source causing glare in vehicle operator “A’”s eyes is directly shining into the motor vehicle passenger compartment from the passenger side of the motor vehicle (e.g. through the passenger side window);

(e) the absolute value of D2’ does not exceed the value of D2 (meaning that neither half of the vehicle operator’s face is “significantly brighter” or more illuminating than the other), and the ratio of an illuminated portion of sub-area B-4 versus a non-illuminated portion of sub-area B-4 in real-time, frame-by-frame and pixel- by-pixel, is less than comparison reference value R1 , then system control centre 120 interprets such data to mean that the light causing glare in vehicle operator “A”’s eyes is reflected from the vehicle operator side mirror, and the passenger side mirror, and the interior rear-view mirror; and

(f) the absolute value of D2’ not exceed the value of D2 (meaning that neither half of the vehicle operator’s face is “significantly brighter” or more illuminating than the other), and the ratio of an illuminated portion of sub-area B-4 versus a non- illuminated portion of sub-area B-4 in real-time, frame-by-frame and pixel-by- pixel, is not less than comparison reference value R1 , then system control centre 120 interprets such data to mean that the light source causing glare in vehicle operator “A”’s eyes is directly shining into the motor vehicle passenger compartment through the windshield.

[0085] Based at least in part on the foregoing assessments, system control centre 120 can initiate a process for generating one or more appropriate glare occluders “E” on one or more corresponding glare shield 130 for occluding glare source “C” from a vehicle operator ”A”’s field of vision.

[0086] Monitoring camera 110 also monitors, and system control centre 120 also analyzes, the magnitude of luminance of sub-area B-1 or any part thereof relative to pre-set control value “HI”. The absorbance/transmittance of a generated glare occluder is adjusted accordingly to such determination. At the same time, monitoring camera 110 monitors, and system control centre 120 determines, the difference in magnitude of luminance in general between sub-area B-1 and its surrounding areas (e.g. sub-area B-2 or portion thereof). If the difference is less than threshold value D1 , then system control centre 120 provides a command to remove the glare occluder from the corresponding glare shield. If the difference is not less than threshold value D1 , then system control centre 120 maintains the glare occluder on the corresponding glare shield and adjusts the parameters of the generated glare occluder to correspond with real-time data collected by the monitoring camera 110 and analyzed by the system control centre 120.

Example 1

[0087] Glare shields are installed in place of the windshield, sunroof, windows, and mirrors of a motor vehicle. The monitoring camera is installed on or in the interior frame of the vehicle, proximate to the windshield on the driver side of the vehicle and in a position that does not obstruct the driver’s field of vision through the windshield. A voice activated manual control unit is installed proximate to the driver seat of the vehicle. A system control centre is installed in the vehicle, preferably in a location that is not visible. The glare shields, manual control unit, and monitoring camera are connected to the system control centre by hard-wire connection.

[0088] In the event that light of high luminance penetrates the vehicle passenger compartment through the sunroof of the vehicle, the system control centre may determine that the magnitude of luminance of any one part of sub-area B-3, which is monitored by the monitoring camera, exceeds threshold value H3 or is less than threshold value L3. If the magnitude of luminance of any one part of sub-area B-3 exceeds threshold value H3, then the glare shield disposed proximate to the sunroof is tinted accordingly to a degree where the detected magnitude of luminance of said any one part of sub-area B-3 no longer exceeds control value H3. Such tinting occurs instantaneously, from the perspective of the human eye. Concurrently, the vehicle operator can manually modify the tinting parameters so as to meet the vehicle operator’s preferences. On the other hand, if the magnitude of luminance of any one part of sub-area B-3 is less than threshold value L3, then the glare shield returns to transparency.

[0089] When the system control centre detects that the luminance value of one or more pixels in sub-area B-1 exceeds threshold value H2, the system control centre determines that the brightness of the vehicle operator’s field of vision is too high and directs the relevant glare shields located at the windshield and windows of the motor vehicle to tint, thereby controlling the luminance value of one or more pixels in sub-area B-1 so that such values do not exceed control value H2. In addition, the vehicle operator can, through the manual control unit, control the magnitude of tinting. When the brightness of the vehicle operator’s field of vision is detected to have decreased to a certain value, and the system control centre determines that the luminance value of one or more pixels in sub-area B-1 is less than threshold value L2, then tinting of the glare shields is removed by the system control centre.

[0090] When the system control centre detects that a change in pixel luminance of sub-area B- 1 , frame over frame, as collected by the monitoring camera, exceeds threshold value M1 , the system control centre determines that the vehicle operator’s eyes are affected by glare caused by a glare source. Concurrently, and based on the characteristics of value D2’ and how its absolute value compares with value D2 as such values relate to sub-area B-2, and based on a comparison of R1 ’ to R1 as such values relate to sub-area B-4, the system control centre also determines the direction of the glare source relative to the vehicle operator’s eyes and whether such glare source is a “direct” glare source or an “indirect” glare source (such as one resulting from light that is reflected off of one or more mirrors of the motor vehicle). Based on the system control centre’s determinations, the system control centre initiates the generation of a glare occluder on an appropriate glare shield, and adjusts in real time the transmittance, dimensions, and location of such glare occluder so as to continuously occlude the glare source from the vehicle operator’s field of vision. The transmittance and size of the glare occluder can also be adjusted through the manual control unit of the glare occluding system. When the system control centre detects that the luminance difference between sub-area B-1 (as shadowed by the glare source occluder) and the surrounding sub-area B-2 is less than threshold value D1 , as monitored by the monitoring camera, then the system control centre determines that the glare source no longer exists and therefore removes the glare occluder from the glare shield.

Example 2

[0091] A glare shield is installed in the location where a sun-visor would typically be installed or is installed as a flap that is coupled to the sun visor. In this way, the glare shield can cover portions of the vehicle operator’s field of vision that a sun visor by itself would otherwise not be able to cover. When a glare source (e.g. sunlight) is in a portion of the vehicle operator’s field of vision that a sun visor by itself would otherwise not be able to occlude, the vehicle operator can dispose the glare shield in between the glare source and the vehicle operator’s eyes and activate the system to generate a corresponding glare occluder on the glare shield.

Example 3

[0092] The system is used or combined with another camera (an “observing camera” which is an example of an optical detector) for the purposes of eliminating glare experienced by such other camera. The monitoring camera of the system monitors the observing camera. If the change in luminance of the lens of the observing camera (more specifically, the change in luminance of light that is reflected off the lens of the observing camera), as monitored by the monitoring camera from frame-to-frame, exceeds threshold value M1 , then a process for generating a glare occluder on a corresponding glare shield is activated so as to occlude the glare source from the observing camera’s field of vision.

GENERAL:

[0093] It is contemplated that any part of any aspect or embodiment discussed in this specification may be implemented or combined with any part of any other aspect or embodiment discussed in this specification. While particular embodiments have been described in the foregoing, it is to be understood that other embodiments are possible and are intended to be included herein. It will be clear to any person skilled in the art that modification of and adjustment to the foregoing embodiments, not shown, is possible.

[0094] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. In addition, any citation of references herein is not to be construed nor considered as an admission that such references are prior art to the present invention.

[0095] The scope of the claims should not be limited by the example embodiments set forth herein, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.