Electronic Spectacles
20230350234 · 2023-11-02
Inventors
Cpc classification
A63B2071/0666
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B33/004
HUMAN NECESSITIES
G02F1/13312
PHYSICS
International classification
G02C7/10
PHYSICS
A63B33/00
HUMAN NECESSITIES
Abstract
A system for the color coding of objects in the field of view of a plurality of spectacle wearers includes a pair of spectacles per spectacle wearer. Liquid crystal cells of at least one spectacle lens of the spectacles are so designed that a transmission (TR) of the liquid crystal cells may be switched between high and low transmission states. The system also includes one RGB light source per spectacle wearer and means for controlling or regulating the luminance times, color and intensity of the RGB light source such that the light source for a first spectacle wearer illuminates with a first color at a time of the state of high transmission of the liquid crystal cell and the light source for a second spectacle wearer illuminates at a time of high transmission of the liquid crystal cell of their spectacles with a second color different from the first.
Claims
1. Spectacles for a wearer with at least one eye, with 1.1 at least one spectacle lens; 1.1.1 wherein the at least one spectacle lens comprises a liquid crystal cell (LC), the transmission (TR) of which may be varied by a suitable control; 1.2 an eye tracker (ET) capable of determining the viewing direction of the eye; 1.3 at least one sensor (IL, IR) for measuring the brightness of the visible light incident thereon; 1.3.1 wherein the at least one sensor (IL, IR) is arranged on the eye-side of the spectacle lens; 1.3.2 wherein the at least one sensor (IL, IR) can measure the brightness through the at least one spectacle lens; 1.3.3 wherein the at least one sensor (IL, IR) comprises 1.3.3.1 an imaging system with a camera or 1.3.3.2 at least three sensors that span a coordinate system or 1.3.3.3 a compound eye; 1.3.4 wherein the at least one sensor (IL, IR) is able to determine the brightness of the visible light which is incident upon it from the viewing direction of the eye determined by the eye tracker (ET); and 1.4 a closed-loop control circuit (MC) to control the transmission of the liquid crystal cell (LC); 1.4.1 wherein a setpoint value for the brightness at the eye is preset; 1.4.2 wherein the control circuit takes the brightness measured by the at least one sensor (IL, IR) in the viewing direction of the eye as the actual value.
2. Spectacles according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the liquid crystal cell (LC) is so designed that it can change its transmission from 90% to 10% and from 10% to 90% in a maximum of 10 ms.
3. Spectacles according to the preceding claim, characterized in that 3.1 the liquid crystal cell (LC) is so designed that the transmission (TR) of the liquid crystal cell (LC) may be switched between states of high and low transmission; 3.2 means are provided for controlling or regulating the times of the state of high (T) and low (T.sub.off) transmission of the liquid crystal cell (LC) as well as the change between these two states; 3.2.1 wherein the control or regulation and the closed-loop control circuit (MC) are so designed that the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on) become shorter with increasing brightness of the visible light incident on the at least one sensor (IL, IR); 3.2.2 wherein the change between the states of high (T.sub.on) and low (T.sub.off) transmission takes place with a temporal frequency which the human eye cannot resolve.
4. Spectacles according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control circuit is so designed that, when determining the brightness from the viewing direction of the eye, it can take into account a user-specific eye/retina sensitivity curve for weighting the brightness.
5. Spectacles according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a spectacle frame (F), wherein the spectacle frame seals the eye assigned to the at least one spectacle lens against the ambient light in a light-tight manner.
6. Spectacles according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the setpoint value of the control circuit prescribes a brightness at the eye of 20 to 400 lx.
7. Spectacles according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the brightness of the ambient light is derived from the setpoint value and a control signal of the control circuit.
8. Spectacles according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one further brightness sensor (OL, OR) is arranged on the side of the spectacles facing away from the eye (external sensor) and determines the brightness of the ambient light.
9. Spectacles according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that 9.1 the setpoint value of the control circuit may be changed as a function of the brightness of the ambient light; and 9.2 the change in the setpoint value is slower than the control of the transmission of the liquid crystal cell by a factor of at least 10.
10. Spectacles according to the preceding claim, characterized in that 10.1 the setpoint value is changed in preset steps; 10.2 wherein the stepwise change of the setpoint value is slower than the control of the transmission of the liquid crystal cell by at least a factor of 100.
11. Spectacles according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the control is so designed that it reacts to extreme brightness values within 10 μs to one second such that the liquid crystal cell (LC) is set to the state of low transmission.
12. Spectacles according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by 12.1 two spectacle lenses for two eyes of a spectacle wearer; 12.2 an eye-side sensor for each spectacle lens for measuring the brightness of the visible light incident on the respective eye; and 12.3 a control circuit for each spectacle lens.
13. Spectacles according the preceding claim, characterized in that the setpoint values for the two eyes differ from one another by 1% to 60%.
14. Spectacles according to claim 12, characterized in that when regulating the brightness of the visible light incident on an eye the regulation of the brightness for the other eye is taken into account.
15. Spectacles according to claim 1, characterized by 15.1 at least one light source (S) arranged on the side of the spectacles facing away from the eye; 15.2 wherein the light source may be controlled as a function of the viewing direction of the spectacle wearer.
16. Spectacles according to the preceding claim, characterized by 16.1 means for controlling the lighting times and the luminous intensity of the light source (S) such that it illuminates during the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cell (LC); 16.2 wherein the temporal integral of the product of 16.2.1 the luminous intensity of the light source (S) and 16.2.2 the transmission (TR) of the liquid crystal cell (LC) remains constant within a predetermined tolerance upon a change in the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on).
17. Spectacles according to claim 1, characterized by a light source for the dazzling of a living being, an optical sensor or a camera, and/or a display on the side of the spectacle lens facing away from the eye, and/or a display on the eye-side of the spectacle lens, and/or a head-up display (HUD).
18. Spectacles according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the measured values of the sensors and/or the setpoint values of the control circuits and/or the brightness of the environment derived therefrom are connected to a geo-coordinate signal of a geo-coordinate receiver and recorded.
19. Spectacles according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that 19.1 the at least one spectacle lens has a further liquid crystal cell, the transmission of which may be varied by a suitable control, 19.2 wherein the further liquid crystal cell is arranged behind or in front of the liquid crystal cell (LC) in the viewing direction.
20. Spectacles according to one of the preceding claims in combination with the system according to one of claims 69 to 73.
21. Method for regulating the brightness of the visible light incident on at least one eye comprising the following steps: 21.1 a pair of spectacles is provided, wherein the spectacles comprise: 21.1.1 at least one spectacle lens; 21.1.2 wherein the at least one spectacle lens has a liquid crystal cell (LC), the transmission (TR) of which may be varied by a suitable control; 21.2 an eye tracker (ET) which determines the viewing direction of the eye; 21.3 at least one sensor (IL, IR) for measuring the brightness of the visible light incident on the sensor is provided; 21.3.1 wherein the at least one sensor (IL, IR) is arranged on the eye-side of the spectacle lens; 21.3.2 wherein the at least one sensor (IL, IR) measures the brightness through the at least one spectacle lens; 21.3.3 wherein the at least one sensor (IL, IR) comprises 21.3.3.1 an imaging system with a camera or 21.3.3.2 at least three sensors which span a coordinate system or 21.3.3.3 a compound eye; 21.3.4 wherein the at least one sensor (IL, IR) determines the brightness of the visible light from the viewing direction of the eye determined by the eye tracker (ET); 21.4 a closed-loop control circuit (MC) for controlling the transmission of the liquid crystal cell (LC) is provided; 21.4.1 wherein a setpoint value for the brightness at the eye is preset; 21.4.2 wherein the control loop takes the brightness measured by the sensor in the viewing direction of the eye as the actual value.
22. System for visual enhancement by glare suppression comprises: 22.1 spectacles for a wearer with at least one eye, comprising 22.1.1 at least one spectacle lens; 22.1.1.1 wherein the at least one spectacle lens has a liquid crystal cell (LC), the transmission of which may be varied by a suitable control; 22.1.1.1.1 wherein the liquid crystal cell (LC) is so designed that the transmission (TR) of the liquid crystal cell (LC) may be switched between high and low transmission states; and with 22.1.2 means for controlling or regulating the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cell (LC); 22.1.3 at least one sensor (IL, IR) for measuring the brightness of the visible light incident thereon; 22.1.3.1 wherein the at least one sensor (IL, IR) is arranged on the eye-side of the spectacle lens; 22.1.3.2 wherein the at least one sensor (IL, IR) measures the brightness through the at least one spectacle lens; and with 22.1.4 a closed-loop control circuit (MC) for regulating the transmission of the liquid crystal cell (LC); 22.1.4.1 wherein the regulation is so designed that the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on) become shorter with increasing glare; 22.1.4.2 wherein a setpoint value for the brightness at the eye of the spectacle wearer is preset; 22.1.4.3 wherein the control circuit uses the brightness measured by the sensor as the actual value; and with 22.2 a display with 22.2.1 means for controlling the lighting times and the luminous intensity of the display in order to illuminate during the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cell (LC); 22.2.2 wherein the temporal integral of the product of 22.2.2.1 the luminous intensity of the display and 22.2.2.2 the transmission (TR) of the liquid crystal cell (LC) remains constant within a predetermined tolerance upon a change in the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on).
23. System according to claim 22, characterized in that the display comprises a display on the side of the spectacle lens facing away from the eye, and/or a display on the eye-side of the spectacle lens, and/or a head-up display (HUD).
24. System according to claim 22, characterized in that the liquid crystal cell (LC) is so designed that it can change its transmission from 90% to 10% and from 10% to 90% in a maximum of 10 ms.
25. System according to claim 22, characterized in that 25.1 the spectacles have a spectacle frame, wherein 25.2 the spectacle frame seals the at least one eye of the spectacle wearer against the ambient light in a light-tight manner.
26. System according to claim 22, characterized in that the setpoint value of the control circuit prescribes a brightness at the eye of 20 to 400 lx.
27. System according to claim 22, characterized in that the brightness of the ambient light is derived from the setpoint value and a control signal of the control circuit.
28. System according to claim 22, characterized in that at least one further brightness sensor (OL, OR) is arranged on the side of the spectacles facing away from the eye (external sensor) and determines the brightness of the ambient light.
29. System according to claim 22, characterized in that 29.1 the setpoint value of the control circuit may be changed as a function of the brightness of the ambient light; and 29.2 the change in the setpoint value is slower than the control of the transmission of the liquid crystal cell by a factor of at least 10.
30. System according to claim 29, characterized in that 30.1 the setpoint value is changed in preset stages; 30.2 wherein the stepwise change of the setpoint value is slower than the control of the transmission of the liquid crystal cell by a factor of at least 100.
31. System according to claim 22, characterized in that the regulation is so designed that it reacts to extreme brightness values within 10 μs to one second such that the liquid crystal cell (LC) is set to the state of low transmission.
32. System according to claim 22, characterized in that the glasses comprise 32.1 two spectacle lenses for two eyes of a spectacle wearer; 32.2 respectively an eye-side sensor for each spectacle lens for measuring the brightness of the visible light incident on the respective eye; and 32.3 a control circuit for each spectacle lens.
33. System according to claim 32, characterized in that the setpoint values for the two eyes differ from one another by 1% to 60%.
34. System according to claim 31, characterized in that when regulating the brightness of the visible light incident on an eye the regulation of the brightness for the other eye is taken into account.
35. System according to claim 22, characterized in that 35.1 an eye tracker (ET) capable of determining the viewing direction of the eye is provided; 35.2 wherein the at least one sensor (IL, IR) comprises 35.2.1 an imaging system with a camera or 35.2.2 at least three sensors which span a coordinate system or 35.2.3 a compound eye; 35.3, wherein the at least one sensor (IL, IR) can determine the brightness of the visible light which is incident upon it from the viewing direction of the eye determined by the eye tracker (ET); and 35.4 wherein the control circuit (MC) takes the brightness measured by the sensor in the viewing direction of the eye as the actual value.
36. System according to claim 22, characterized in that the control circuit is so designed that, when determining the brightness from the viewing direction of the eye, it can take into account a user-specific eye/retina sensitivity curve for weighting the brightness.
37. System according to one of claims 22 to 36, characterized in that the measured values of the sensors and/or the setpoint values of the control circuits and/or the brightness of the environment derived therefrom, are connected to a geo-coordinate signal of a geo-coordinate receiver and recorded.
38. System according to claim 22, characterized in that 38.1 the at least one spectacle lens has a further liquid crystal cell, the transmission of which may be varied by a suitable control, 38.2 wherein the further liquid crystal cell is arranged behind or in front of the liquid crystal cell (LC) in the viewing direction.
39. Method for visual enhancement by glare suppression, comprising the following steps: 39.1 spectacles for a wearer with at least one eye are provided, wherein the spectacles are so designed that they comprise the following: 39.1.1 at least one spectacle lens; 39.1.1.1 wherein the at least one spectacle lens has a liquid crystal cell (LC), the transmission of which may be varied by a suitable control; 39.1.1.1.1 wherein the liquid crystal cell (LC) is so designed that the transmission (TR) of the liquid crystal cell (LC) may be switched between high and low transmission states; 39.1.2 means for regulating or controlling the times of the state of high transmission (T) of the liquid crystal cell (LC); 39.1.3 at least one sensor (IL, IR) for measuring the brightness of the visible light incident thereon; 39.1.3.1 wherein the at least one sensor (IL, IR) is arranged on the eye-side of the spectacle lens; 39.1.3.2 wherein the at least one sensor (IL, IR) measures the brightness through the at least one spectacle lens; 39.1.4 a closed-loop control circuit (MC) to control the transmission of the liquid crystal cell (LC); 39.1.4.1 wherein the regulation is so designed that the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on) become shorter with increasing glare; 39.1.4.2 wherein a setpoint value is preset for the brightness at the eye of the spectacle wearer; 39.1.4.3 wherein the control circuit takes the brightness measured by the sensor as the actual value; 39.2 a display is provided, wherein the display is so formed that it comprises the following: 39.2.1 means for controlling the lighting times and the luminous intensity of the display such a way that it illuminates during the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cell (LC); 39.2.2 wherein the temporal integral of the product of 39.2.2.1 the luminous intensity of the display and 39.2.2.2 the transmission (TR) of the liquid crystal cell (LC) remains constant within a predetermined tolerance upon a change in the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on).
40. System for visibility enhancement by glare suppression with: 40.1 spectacles for a wearer with at least one eye, with 40.1.1 at least one spectacle lens; 40.1.1.1 wherein the at least one spectacle lens has a liquid crystal cell (LC), the transmission (TR) of which may be varied by a suitable control; 40.1.1.1.1 wherein the liquid crystal cell (LC) is so designed that the transmission (TR) of the liquid crystal cell (LC) may be switched between high and low transmission states; and with 40.1.2 means for controlling or regulating the times of the state of high transmission (T) of the liquid crystal cell (LC); 40 and with 40.2 a light source (S) comprising 40.2.1 means for controlling the lighting times and the luminous intensity of the light source (S) such that it illuminates during the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cell (LC); 40.2.2 wherein the temporal integral of the product of 40.2.2.1 the luminous intensity of the light source (S) and 40.2.2.2 the transmission (TR) of the liquid crystal cell (LC) remains constant within a predetermined tolerance upon a change in the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on); 40.3 wherein the regulation or control of the liquid crystal cell (LC) and of the light source (S) is so formed 40.3.1 that the temporal position of the times of the high transmission state (T.sub.on) within a period of times of the high transmission state (T.sub.on) and times of the low transmission state (T.sub.off) may be altered continuously or discontinuously; and/or 40.3.2 that the duration of a period of times of the high transmission state (T.sub.on) and times of the low transmission state (T.sub.off) may be altered continuously or discontinuously; 40.3.3 wherein the changes are determined by a secret coding key.
41. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that 41.1 the spectacles further comprise at least one sensor (IL, IR) for measuring the brightness of the visible light incident on the sensor; 41.1.1 wherein the at least one sensor (IL, IR) is arranged on the eye-side of the spectacle lens; 41.1.2 wherein the at least one sensor (IL, IR) measures the brightness through the at least one spectacle lens; 41.2 the spectacles further comprise a closed-loop control circuit (MC) for regulating the transmission of the liquid crystal cell (LC); 41.2.1 wherein a setpoint value is preset for the brightness at the eye of the spectacle wearer; 41.2.2 wherein the control circuit takes the brightness measured by the sensor as the actual value.
42. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that 42.1 the at least one sensor (IL, IR) comprises 42.1.1 an imaging system with a camera or 42.1.2 at least three sensors which span a coordinate system, or 42.1.3 a compound eye; 42.2 the spectacles further comprise an eye tracker (ET) capable of determining the viewing direction of the eye; 42.3 the at least one sensor can determine the brightness of the visible light which is incident upon it from the viewing direction of the eye determined by the eye tracker (ET); and 42.4 the control circuit takes the brightness measured by the sensor in the viewing direction of the eye as the actual value.
43. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by 43.1 a second light source for the dazzling of a living being, an optical sensor or a camera, 43.2 which illuminates during the times of the low transmission (Toa) state of the liquid crystal cell (LC).
44. System according to claim 40, characterized in that the light source is a light source for the dazzling of a living being, an optical sensor or a camera.
45. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light source is a display.
46. Method for visual enhancement by glare suppression, comprising the following steps: 46.1 spectacles for a wearer with at least one eye are provided, 46.1.1 wherein the spectacles have at least one spectacle lens; 46.1.2 wherein the at least one spectacle lens has a liquid crystal cell (LC), the transmission (TR) of which may be varied by a suitable control; 46.1.2.1 wherein the liquid crystal cell (LC) is so selected that the transmission (TR) of the liquid crystal cell (LC) may be switched between high and low transmission states; 46.1.2.1.1 wherein the times of the high transmission (T.sub.on) states of the liquid crystal cell (LC) are controlled or regulated; 46.2 a light source (S) is provided; 46.2.1 wherein the luminance times and the intensity of the light source (S) are controlled or regulated such that the latter illuminates during the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cell (LC), wherein 46.2.2 the temporal integral of the product of 46.2.2.1 the intensity of the light source (S) and 46.2.2.2 the transmission (TR) of the liquid crystal cell (LC) remains constant within a predetermined tolerance upon a change in the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on); 46.3 wherein the regulation or control of the liquid crystal cell (LC) and of the light source (S) is so formed 46.3.1 that the temporal position of the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on) within a period of times of the high transmission state (T.sub.on) and times of the low transmission state (T.sub.off) may be changed continuously or discontinuously; and/or 46.3.2 that the duration of a period of times of the high transmission state (T.sub.on) and times of the low transmission state (T.sub.off) may be altered continuously or discontinuously; 46.3.3 wherein the changes are determined by a secret coding key.
47. System for dazzling a living being, an optical sensor or a camera, comprising: 47.1 spectacles for a wearer with at least one eye, with 47.1.1 at least one spectacle lens; 47.1.1.1 wherein the at least one spectacle lens has a liquid crystal cell (LC), the transmission of which may be varied by a suitable control; 47.1.1.1.1 wherein the liquid crystal cell (LC) is so designed that the transmission (TR) of the liquid crystal cell (LC) may be switched between high and low transmission states; and with 47.1.2 means for controlling the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cell (LC); 47.2 a light source for dazzling a living being, an optical sensor or a camera, 47.2.1 which illuminates during the times of the low transmission state (T.sub.off) of the liquid crystal cell (LC); 47.3 wherein the regulation or control of the liquid crystal cell (LC) and the light source for dazzling is so formed 47.3.1 that the temporal position of the times of the high transmission state (T.sub.on) within a period of times of the high transmission state (T.sub.on) and times of the low transmission state (T.sub.off) may be altered continuously or discontinuously; and/or 47.3.2 that the duration of a period of times of the high transmission state (T.sub.on) and times of the low transmission state (T.sub.off) may be altered continuously or discontinuously; 47.3.3 wherein the changes are determined by a secret coding key.
48. System according to the preceding claim, characterized by 48.1 a second light source (S); 48.2 means for controlling or regulating the lighting times and the luminous intensity of the second light source (S) such that it illuminates during the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cell (LC).
49. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second light source is a display.
50. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that 50.1 the spectacles further comprise at least one sensor (IL, IR) for measuring the brightness of the visible light incident on the at least one sensor; 50.1.1 wherein the at least one sensor is arranged on the eye-side of the spectacle lens; 50.1.2 wherein the at least one sensor measures the brightness through the at least one spectacle lens; 50.2 the spectacles further comprise a closed-loop control circuit (MC) for regulating the transmission of the liquid crystal cell (LC); 50.2.1 wherein a setpoint value is preset for the brightness at the eye of the spectacle wearer; 50.2.2 wherein the control circuit takes the brightness measured by the sensor as the actual value.
51. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that 51.1 the sensor (IL, IR) comprises 51.1.1 an imaging system with a camera or 51.1.2 at least 3 sensors which span a coordinate system, or 51.1.3 a compound eye; 51.2 the spectacles further comprise an eye tracker (ET) capable of determining the viewing direction of the eye; 51.3 the sensor can determine the brightness of the visible light which is incident upon it from the viewing direction of the eye determined by the eye tracker (ET); and 51.4 the control circuit takes the brightness measured by the sensor in the viewing direction of the eye as the actual value.
52. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the liquid crystal cell (LC) is so designed that it can change its transmission from 90% to 10% and from 10% to 90% in a maximum of 10 ms.
53. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spectacle frame seals the at least one eye of the spectacle wearer against the ambient light in a light-tight manner.
54. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nominal value of the control circuit prescribes a brightness at the eye of 20 to 400 lx.
55. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the brightness of the ambient light is derived from the setpoint value and a control signal of the control circuit.
56. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one further brightness sensor (OL, OR) is arranged on the side of the spectacles facing away from the eye (external sensor) and determines the brightness of the ambient light.
57. System according to one of the two preceding claims, 57.1 wherein the setpoint value of the control circuit may be varied as a function of the brightness of the ambient light; and 57.2 wherein the change in the setpoint value is slower by a factor of at least 10 than the control of the transmission of the liquid crystal cell.
58. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that 58.1 the setpoint value is changed in preset steps; 58.2 wherein the stepwise change of the setpoint value is slower than the control of the transmission of the liquid crystal cell by a factor of at least 100, and 58.3 has hysteresis in its course.
59. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the control is so designed that it reacts to extreme brightness values within 10 μs to one second such that the liquid crystal cell (LC) is set to the state of low transmission.
60. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by 60.1 two spectacle lenses for two eyes of a spectacle wearer; 60.2 two eye-side sensors for measuring the brightness of the visible light incident on the respective eye; and by 60.3 a control circuit for each eye.
61. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the setpoint values for the two eyes differ from one another by 1% to 60%.
62. System according to claim 60, characterized in that when regulating the brightness of the visible light incident on an eye the regulation of the brightness for the other eye is taken into account.
63. System according to claim 47, characterized by 63.1 light sources arranged on the side of the spectacles facing away from the eye; 63.2 wherein the light sources are controlled as a function of the viewing direction of the spectacle wearer.
64. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the measured values of the sensors and/or setpoint values of the control circuits and/or the brightness of the environment derived therefrom, are connected to a geo-coordinate signal of a geo-coordinate receiver and recorded.
65. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that 65.1 the at least one spectacle lens has a further liquid crystal cell, the transmission of which may be varied by a suitable control, 65.2 wherein the further liquid crystal cell is arranged behind or in front of the liquid crystal cell in the viewing direction.
66. System according to claim 47 to 65 in combination with the system according to one of the claims 73 to 84.
67. Method for dazzling a living being, an optical sensor or a camera, comprising the following steps: 67.1 spectacles for a wearer with at least one eye are provided; 67.1.1 wherein the spectacles have at least one spectacle lens; 67.1.1.1 wherein the at least one spectacle lens has a liquid crystal cell (LC), the transmission of which may be varied by a suitable control; 67.1.1.1.1 wherein the liquid crystal cell (LC) is so designed that the transmission (TR) of the liquid crystal cell (LC) may be switched between high and low transmission states; 67.1.2 wherein the spectacles further comprise means for controlling the higher transmission state (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cell (LC); 67.2 a light source is provided for dazzling a living being, an optical sensor or a camera, 67.2.1 which illuminates during the times of the low transmission state (T.sub.off) of the liquid crystal cell (LC); 67.3 wherein the regulation or control of the liquid crystal cell (LC) and the light source for dazzling is so formed 67.3.1 that the temporal position of the times of the high transmission state (T.sub.on) within a period of times of the high transmission state (T.sub.on) and times of the low transmission state (T.sub.off) may be altered continuously or discontinuously; and/or 67.3.2 that the duration of a period of times of the high transmission state (T.sub.on) and times of the low transmission state (T.sub.off) may be altered continuously or discontinuously; 67.3.3 wherein the changes are determined by a secret coding key.
68. System for visibility enhancement by glare suppression with: 68.1 spectacles for a wearer with at least one eye, with 68.1.1 at least one spectacle lens; 68.1.1.1 wherein the at least one spectacle lens has a liquid crystal cell (LC), the transmission of which may be varied by a suitable control; 68.1.1.1.1 wherein the liquid crystal cell (LC) is so designed that the transmission (TR) of the liquid crystal cell (LC) may be switched between high and low transmission states; and with 68.1.2 at least one sensor (IL, IR) for measuring the brightness of the visible light incident on the at least one sensor; and with 68.1.3 a closed-loop control circuit (MC) for regulating the transmission of the liquid crystal cell (LC); 68.1.3.1 wherein a setpoint value is preset for the brightness at the eye of the spectacle wearer; 68.1.3.2 wherein the control circuit takes the brightness measured by the at least one sensor (IL, IR) as the actual value; 68.1.3.3 wherein the regulation or control is so formed that the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on) become shorter with increasing glare; and with 68.2 a light source (S) with 68.2.1 means for controlling or regulating the lighting times and the luminous intensity of the light source (S) such that it illuminates during the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cell (LC); 68.2.2 wherein the temporal integral of the product of 68.2.2.1 the luminous intensity of the light source and 68.2.2.2 the transmission (TR) of the liquid crystal cell (LC) remains constant within a predetermined tolerance upon a change in the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on); 68.3 wherein the at least one sensor (IL, IR) measures the brightness of the visible light incident thereon exclusively in the times of the low transmission state (T.sub.off).
69. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that 69.1 the sensor also measures the brightness of the visible light incident thereon in the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on); 69.2 wherein these measurements are carried out separately from the measurements in the times of the low transmission state (T.sub.off).
70. System according to the preceding claim, characterized by a control of the light source (S) such that, in the case in which the measured brightness during the times of the high transmission state (T.sub.on) is higher than a predetermined threshold above the brightness during the times of the low transmission state (T.sub.off), the light source (S) is switched off or its luminous intensity is reduced.
71. System according to claim 68 to 70 in combination with the system according to one of the claims 1 to 21.
72. Method for visibility enhancement by glare suppression, comprising the following steps: 72.1 spectacles for a wearer with at least one eye are provided; 72.1.1 wherein the spectacles are so designed that they have at least one spectacle lens; 72.1.1.1 wherein the at least one spectacle lens has a liquid crystal cell (LC), the transmission (TR) of which may be varied by a suitable control; 72.1.1.1.1 wherein the liquid crystal cell (LC) is so designed that the transmission (TR) of the liquid crystal cell (LC) may be switched between high and low transmission states; 72.1.2 providing at least one sensor (IL, IR) for measuring the brightness of the visible light incident on the sensor; 72.1.2.1 wherein the at least one sensor (IL, IR) is arranged on the eye-side of the spectacle lens; 72.1.2.2 wherein the at least one sensor (IL, IR) measures the brightness through the at least one spectacle lens; 72.1.3 the transmission of the liquid crystal cell (LC) is controlled; 72.1.3.1 wherein a setpoint value is preset for the brightness at the eye of the spectacle wearer; 72.1.3.2 wherein the control circuit takes the brightness measured by the at least one sensor (IL, IR) as the actual value; 72.1.3.3 wherein the control is so designed that the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on) become shorter with increasing glare; 72.2 a light source (S) is also provided; 72.2.1 the lighting times and the luminous intensity of the light source (S) are so controlled that it illuminates during the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cell (LC); 72.2.2 wherein the temporal integral of the product of 72.2.2.1 the luminous intensity of the light source (S) and 72.2.2.2 the transmission (TR) of the liquid crystal cell (LC) remains constant within a predetermined tolerance upon a change in the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on); 72.3 wherein the at least one sensor (IL, IR) measures the brightness of the visible light incident thereon exclusively in the times of the low transmission state (T.sub.off).
73. System for the color coding of objects in the field of view of a plurality of spectacle wearers, with: 73.1 a pair of spectacles per spectacle wearer, with 73.1.1 respectively at least one spectacle lens; 73.1.2 wherein the respective at least one spectacle lens comprises a liquid crystal cell (LC), the transmission of which may be varied by a suitable control; 73.1.2.1 wherein the liquid crystal cells (LC) are so designed that the transmission (TR) of the liquid crystal cells (LC) may be switched between high and low transmission states; and with 73.1.3 means for regulating or controlling the times of the high transmission (T) states of the liquid crystal cells (LC) such that the respective liquid crystal cells (LC) are set to high transmission (T.sub.on) states at different times; and with 73.2 one RGB light source (S1, S2, S3) per spectacle wearer; 73.2.1 means for controlling or regulating the luminance times, the color and the intensity of the RGB light source (S1, S2, S3) such that 73.2.1.1 the RGB light source (S1) for a first spectacle wearer illuminates with a first color at a time of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cell (LC) of their spectacles; and that 73.2.2.2 the RGB light source (S2) for a second spectacle wearer illuminates at a time of high transmission (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cell (LC) of the spectacles of the second spectacle wearer with a second color different from the first.
74. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that in the times of the state of low transmission (Toa) of the respective spectacles, the associated RGB light sources (S1, S2, S3) emit those colors that are necessary in order to produce, in a temporal mean, a white color impression in persons not wearing any of the spectacles.
75. System according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the liquid crystal cell (LC) of a first spectacle wearer has an attenuated but non-zero transmission in a time of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on) of a second spectacle wearer.
76. System according to one of the claims 73 to 75, characterized in that 76.1 the color in which the RGB light source for the first spectacle wearer illuminates at a time of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cell (LC) of their spectacles may be freely defined through an arbitrary intensity value between 0% and 100% of a color component of each primary color of its RGB light source (S1); 76.2 while the missing fraction to 100% is emitted for each of the three primary colors of their RGB light source (S1) at the associated time of the low transmission state (T.sub.off) of the liquid crystal cell (LC).
77. System according to one of the claims 73 to 76 in combination with the system according to one of the claims 40 to 46.
78. System according to one of the claims 73 to 76, characterized in that the spectacles 78.1 each comprise at least one sensor (IL, IR) for measuring the brightness of the visible light incident on them; 78.1.1 wherein the respective at least one sensor (IL, IR) is arranged on the eye-side of the respective spectacle lens; 78.1.2 wherein the respective at least one sensor (IL, IR) measures the brightness through the at least one spectacle lens; 78.2 and with a closed-loop control circuit (MC) each for controlling the transmission of the respective liquid crystal cell (LC); 78.2.1 wherein a setpoint value is preset for the brightness at the eye of the respective spectacle wearer; 78.2.2 wherein the control circuit (MC) takes the brightness measured by the at least one sensor (IL, IR) as the actual value.
79. System according to the preceding claim, characterized by an additional LED that can address the sensor in order to check the proper functioning of the liquid crystal cell of the respective spectacles for safety reasons.
80. System according to the claims 73 to 79 in combination with the system according to one of the claims 1 to 21.
81. System according to the claims 73 to 79 in combination with the system according to one of the claims 22 to 39.
82. System according to the claims 73 to 79 in combination with the system according to one of the claims 40 to 46.
83. System according to the claims 73 to 79 in combination with the system according to one of the claims 47 to 67.
84. Method for the color coding of objects in the field of view of a plurality of spectacle wearers, comprises the following steps: 84.1 each spectacle wearer wears spectacles, with 84.1.1 in each case at least one spectacle lens; 84.1.2 wherein the respective at least one spectacle lens comprises a liquid crystal cell (LC), the transmission of which may be varied by a suitable control; 84.1.2.1 wherein the liquid crystal cells (LC) are so designed that the transmission (TR) of the liquid crystal cells (LC) may be switched between high and low transmission states; and 84.1.3 wherein the times of the high transmission states (T.sub.on) of the respective liquid crystal cells (LC) are set to high transmission states (T.sub.on) at different times; 84.2 an RGB light source (S1, S2, S3) is provided for each spectacle wearer; 84.2.1 the luminance times, the color and the intensity of the RGB light sources (S1, S2, S3) are controlled such that 84.2.1.1 the RGB light source (S1) for a first spectacle wearer illuminates with a first color at a time of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cell (LC) of their spectacles; and that 84.2.2.2 the RGB light source (S2) for a second spectacle wearer illuminates at a time of high transmission (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cell (LC) of the spectacles of the second spectacle wearer with a second color that is different from the first.
85. System for enhancing the spatial impression of an object, comprising: 85.1 spectacles for a wearer with at least two eyes, a right (E(R)) and a left (E(L)) eye, with 85.1.1 one spectacle lens in front of each of the two eyes; 85.1.2 wherein each spectacle lens comprises a liquid crystal cell (LC(L), LC(R)), the transmission of which may be varied by a suitable control; 85.1.2.1 wherein the liquid crystal cells (LC(L), LC(R)) are so designed that the transmission (TR) of the liquid crystal cells may be switched between high and low transmission states, respectively; and with 85.1.2.1.1 means for controlling or regulating the times of the high transmission states (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cells (LC(L), LC(R)); and with 85.2 two light sources (S1(L), S1 R)) each associated with one eye; 85.2.1 wherein the two light sources emit different colors, and 85.2.2 wherein the stereoscopic base (DS1) of the light sources is greater than the eye distance (PD); and with 85.2.3 means for controlling or regulating the lighting times of the light sources (S1(L), S1(R)) in such a way 85.2.3.1 that the light source (S1(R)) associated with the right eye (E(R)) illuminates during a high transmission state (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cell (LC(R)) of the right eye, 85.2.3.1.1 while the light source (S1(L)) associated with the left eye (E(L)) does not illuminate, and 85.2.3.1.2 the liquid crystal (LC(L)) of the left eye is set to low transmission; 85.2.3.2 and vice versa.
86. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the color emitted by the respective light sources at the times of the high transmission states (T.sub.on) is supplemented during the associated times of the low transmission (T.sub.off) states to give a white color impression.
87. System according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the two light sources are amplitude-modulated with a predetermined frequency which may be perceived by the human eye.
88. System according to one of the claims 85 to 87 in combination with the system according to one of the claims 1 to 6.
89. System according to one of the claims 85 to 87, characterized in that the spectacles 89.1 comprise at least one sensor (IL, IR) for measuring the brightness of the visible light incident thereon; 89.1.1 wherein the at least one sensor (IL, IR) is arranged on the eye-side of the at least one spectacle lens; 89.1.2 wherein the at least one sensor (IL, IR) measures the brightness through the at least one spectacle lens; and 89.2 with at least one closed-loop control circuit (MC) for regulating the transmission of the respective liquid crystal cell (LC); 89.2.1 wherein at least one setpoint value is preset for the brightness at the eye of the spectacle wearer; 89.2.2 wherein the control circuit (MC) takes the brightness measured by the at least one sensor as the actual value.
90. System according to one of the claims 85 to 89 in combination with the system according to one of the claims 73 to 84.
91. System according to one of the claims 85 to 89 in combination with the system according to one of the claims 22 to 39.
92. System according to one of the claims 85 to 89 in combination with the system according to one of the claims 1 to 21.
93. System according to one of the claims 85 to 89 in combination with the system according to one of the claims 95 to 100.
94. Method for enhancing the spatial impression of an object, comprising the following steps: 94.1 spectacles are provided for a wearer with at least two eyes, a right (E(R)) and a left (E(L)) eye, wherein the spectacles 94.1.1 have a respective spectacle lens in front of each of the two eyes; 94.1.2 wherein each spectacle lens comprises a liquid crystal cell (LC(L), LC(R)), the transmission of which may be varied by a suitable control; 94.1.2.1 wherein the liquid crystal cells (LC(L), LC(R)) are so designed that the transmission (TR) of the liquid crystal cells may be respectively switched between high and low transmission states; 94.1.2.1.1 the times of the high transmission states (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cells (LC(L), LC(R)) are controlled; 94.2 two light sources (S1(L), S1(R)) are further provided, each being associated with one eye; 94.2.1 wherein the two light sources emit different colors, and 94.2.2 wherein the stereoscopic base (DS1) of the light sources is greater than the eye distance (PD); 94.2.3 the lighting times of the light sources (S1(L), S1(R)) are controlled such 94.2.3.1 that the light source (S1(R)) associated with the right eye (E(R)) illuminates during a high transmission state (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cell (LC(R)) of the right eye, 94.2.3.1.1 while the light source (S1(L)) associated with the left eye (E(L)) does not illuminate, and 94.2.3.1.2 the liquid crystal (LC(L)) of the left eye is set to low transmission; 94.2.3.2 and vice versa.
95. System for improving the view of an area to be monitored spatially by means of glare suppression with: 95.1 spectacles, with 95.1.1 at least one spectacle lens; 95.1.2 wherein the at least one spectacle lens comprises a liquid crystal cell (LC) whose transmission (TR) may be varied by a suitable control; 95.1.2.1 wherein the liquid crystal cell (LC) is so designed that the transmission (TR) of the liquid crystal cell (LC) may be switched between high and low transmission states; and with 95.1.2.1.1 means for regulating or controlling the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cell (LC); 95.2 a pulsed light source (S) which emits light pulses; 95.2.1 wherein the light source (S) is so designed that it can generate light pulses whose temporal duration is shorter than the time that the light of the light source needs to traverse the area to be monitored spatially in the viewing direction of the wearer; and with 95.3 means for controlling or regulating the times of the state of high transmission (Tm) of the liquid crystal cell (LC) that are able to temporally arrange the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cell so that only the backscattering signal of the light pulse from the area to be monitored spatially is transmitted by the liquid crystal cell (LC).
96. System according to claim 95 in combination with the system according to one of the claims 40 to 46.
97. System according to claim 95 in combination with the system according to one of the claims 22 to 39.
98. System according to claim 95 in combination with the system according to one of the claims 85 to 94.
99. System according to claim 95, characterized in that the spectacles 99.1 comprise at least one sensor (IL, IR) for measuring the brightness of the visible light incident thereon; 99.1.1 wherein the at least one sensor (IL, IR) is arranged on the eye-side of the respective spectacle lens; 99.1.2 the at least one sensor (IL, IR) measures the brightness through the at least one spectacle lens; and 99.2 with at least one closed-loop control circuit (MC) for controlling the transmission of the respective liquid crystal cell (LC); 99.2.1 wherein a setpoint value is preset for the brightness at the eye of the spectacle wearer; 99.2.2 wherein the control circuit (MC) takes the brightness measured by the at least one sensor (IL, IR) as the actual value.
100. Method for improving the view of an area to be monitored spatially by means of glare suppression, comprising the following steps: 100.1 spectacles are provided, wherein the spectacles 100.1.1 comprise at least one spectacle lens; 100.1.2 wherein the at least one spectacle lens comprises a liquid crystal cell (LC), the transmission (TR) of which may be varied by a suitable control; 100.1.2.1 wherein the liquid crystal cell (LC) is so formed that the transmission (TR) of the liquid crystal cell (LC) may be switched between high and low transmission states; 100.1.2.1.1 the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cell (LC) are controlled; 100.2 a pulsed light source (S) which emits light pulses is provided; 100.2.1 wherein the light source (S) is so designed that it can generate light pulses whose temporal duration is shorter than the time that the light of the light source needs to traverse the area to be monitored spatially in the viewing direction of the wearer; 100.3 further, the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cell are so arranged temporally that only the backscattering signal of the light pulse from the area to be monitored spatially is transmitted by the liquid crystal cell (LC).
101. System according to claim 55, 101.1 wherein the setpoint value of the control circuit may be varied as a function of the brightness of the ambient light; and 101.2 wherein the change in the setpoint value is slower by a factor of at least 10 than the control of the transmission of the liquid crystal cell.
102. System according to claim 101, characterized in that 102.1 the setpoint value is changed in preset steps; 102.2 wherein the stepwise change of the setpoint value is slower than the control of the transmission of the liquid crystal cell by a factor of at least 100, and 102.3 has hysteresis in its course.
103. System according to claim 102, characterized in that the control is so designed that it reacts to extreme brightness values within 10 μs to one second such that the liquid crystal cell (LC) is set to the state of low transmission.
Description
[0248] The exemplary embodiments are schematically illustrated in the figures. Identical reference numerals in the individual figures denote the same or functionally equivalent elements or corresponding elements with respect to their functions:
[0249]
[0250]
[0251]
[0252]
[0253]
[0254]
[0255]
[0256]
[0257]
[0258]
[0259]
[0260]
[0261] In the following, reference is made in part to
[0262] Everything that follows always applies to one eye (right or left, also referred to as a “channel”). A channel consists of at least one LC cell (but it is also possible to connect two or more LC cells in series) which, depending on the application, contains suitable fast and high-contrast LC material (TN, STN, Fe-LC).
[0263] Cells that are more distant from the human body are referred to as “distal”, while those closer to the eye are referred to as “proximal.” One to three complex photosensors IL1, IR1 are located at a certain distance (typically 1-3 mm) behind the proximal cell, to detect the light incident through the LC cell LC 1L, LC 2L, LC 1R, LC 2R in the viewing direction, wherein a single photosensor consists, in turn, of at least three sensors which span an orthogonal x-y-z coordinate system—wherein the vector (1,1,1) appropriately points in the viewing direction.
[0264] As an alternative to such an x-y-z photosensor, it is possible to use a photosensor array which, like a compound eye, comprises significantly more than 3 orthogonal channels. Each channel may measure the brightness over a wide dynamic range so that a “coarse image” is transmitted to the microprocessor.
[0265] As an alternative to such a “coarse image”, a system (camera) with a significantly higher resolution (e.g. 5 megapixel camera) with an identical miniature size not exceeding a few square millimeters, may be provided with a significantly higher resolution, similar to those already used in smartphones and notebooks. The image transmitted by such cameras to the processor is finely resolved: the dynamic scope and the linearity to measure the brightness are ensured by using highly dynamic chip materials, similar to those used in analytical medical photography.
[0266] For pure safety reasons, at least 3 such complex photosensors (x-y-z, or compounds or camera) are used per eye E(L), E(R) (channel).
[0267] All of the above-mentioned photosensors may be e.g. in the form of photodiodes, phototransistors, photocells, etc., wherein all of these have in common that they react color-neutrally by including the color-sensitivity curve of the eye (the so-called V-lambda function according to DIN 5031). Photocells of this type are used, for example, in photography for color-neutral illumination measurement. Depending on the ambient brightness (measured by an external sensor OL, OR, or derived from the manipulated variable and setpoint value of the controller MC), a look-up table (LUT) mainly in the case of darkness, may be included in the calculation algorithm, which comprises the V′ values for night vision, so that the so-called Purkinje effect (increased blue sensitivity at night) is taken into account. Furthermore, individual, age-dependent glare sensitivity may be taken into account—on the basis of empirical studies, in particular angle-dependent and age-dependent (e.g. Adrian and Bhanji 1991 Illumination Engineering Society of North America).
Free-Form Lens/Channel or Software with Camera
[0268] The physical conversion of the above-mentioned eye sensitivity formula may be used for the direction-sensitive measurement of brightness through a free-form lens of transparent material (e.g. glass, plastic, liquid, etc.), which is mounted in front of a photosensor in such a way that it acts like the human eye. It thus creates an “artificial eye”, which is as sensitive to glare via the incidence angle as a human eye. Two factors must be taken into account here: 1. the V-Lambda and V′-Lambda functions (Purkinje effect at night); 2. the angle-dependent glare sensitivity.
[0269] Instead of this lens, it is also possible to use a black channel (i.e. essentially a bore), which is shaped appropriately by means of a free-form calculation, at the end of which the photoelectric call is located, so that it receives an opening angle which corresponds to the sensitivity of the human eye.
[0270] Alternatively, the formula for glare sensitivity may be implemented purely as an algorithm or in the software, which also receives the high-resolution/high-dynamic image of the camera, since the directional information and brightness per pixel is also contained in the camera image. The camera image may then be weighted with individual (age-dependent) evaluation formulas, especially as one may determine their personal age or other individual preferences or medical indications/recommendations regarding glare sensitivity via any human-machine interface (e.g. buttons on the spectacles, USB-PC software interface, smartphone app via (Bluetooth) wireless).
Eye Tracker
[0271] The directional and brightness information of the photocells/camera may also be mathematically correlated with the viewing direction, which may be determined by an eye tracker ET(L), ET(R).
[0272] The individual and age-dependent glare sensitivity function, which may be stored in the software as a formula or look-up table (LUT), may then be laid over the signal of the forward-looking brightness sensor as a template (e.g. with multiplicative weighting). This sensor is mounted rigidly on the spectacles. However, due to the eye tracker signal, this template is also displaced according to the eyeball movement, wherein the functionality of an artificial eye is achieved that takes into account the individual viewing angle-dependent glare sensitivity,
Pulse Shaping in the LC Cells
[0273] There are three possibilities: [0274] 1. Both LC cells are cells which are transparent in the voltage-free state in order to allow normal vision in the event of a system or voltage failure. [0275] 2. For high-safety applications where there is a permanent risk of glare in the work area (e.g. a LASER laboratory or when arc welding), LC cells may be used which operate in exactly the opposite way, i.e. they are completely dark in the voltage-free state and may only be switched to become transparent by pressing a safety switch or the like. [0276] 3. Mixing of cells of the above-mentioned types, i.e. one that is permeable in the voltage-free state, and an impermeable cell. This arrangement may be used to improve the flank slope at both the ascending and falling flanks of an optical pulse, in the sense of a transparent circuit for a fraction of a second in the form of a square pulse on the time axis (rectangle with high flank slope on the optically measuring oscilloscope image).
[0277] The advantage of this is the reduced noise and other contrast-reducing artifacts (crosstalk) in synchronous applications with one's own source of light or several participants.
[0278] The spectacles described above may be used as part of a glare suppression system.
[0279] The spectacles are opened in the time T.sub.on, i.e. switched to transparent. In the remaining time (period T minus T.sub.on), the glasses are closed, i.e. non transparent.
[0280] In order to obtain seamless and analog gray values, the signal in
[0281] In order to improve the “SNR” (“Signal to Noise Ratio”), the pulse energy per transmitted light pulse is kept constant within certain limits. In particular, the area A in the middle line of
[0282] In practice, this may be done by applying a higher voltage or by impressing a higher current in a suitable light source that is designed for such high energies. It is up to the person skilled in the art to ensure that the existing light source is suitable for this purpose.
[0283] In addition, the light intensity IE must always correspond to the standardized intensity value I standard, which has already been approved by authorities (TOV, etc.), but multiplied by the reciprocal of a hundredth of the duty cycle D.
[0284] Example: [0285] Pulse-pause ratio=duty cycle=50%=0.5 [0286] Reciprocal of 0.5=factor 2 [0287] IE=2×I standard
[0288] This method is necessary so that the intensity measured over a long time integral always corresponds to a constant I standard. Even if the temporal measurement interval is only 1 second for the authorities, then in the case of a 70 Hz spotlight, so many different pulse heights or pulse cycles will have already been averaged in time so that the required constant light value I standard always results. The principle becomes clear by integrating the signal IE in the middle line of
[0289] Moreover, in very narrow time slots in which the spectacles are open and transparent (e.g. 5%), the setpoint value of the control circuit, the eye is so sensitive to light that even small powers of IE (i.e. IE divided by T.sub.on) are sufficient to achieve a visible improvement of the observed scenery, while about 100-5%=95% of the interfering extraneous light may be suppressed.
[0290] The present glare suppression system may be combined with a glare weapon (dazzler). The bottom line of
[0291]
[0292] The synchronization of the spectacles with the display may be effected in various ways: [0293] 1) In one case, the electronic device is the “master”, which emits simple pulsed light, wherein the spectacles may synchronize purely optically with the help of their light sensors (outside=OS, inside=IS). [0294] 2) Optionally, synchronous information may be exchanged via a radio link RF between the spectacles and the terminal. Typically, already existing radio systems, such as, for example, Bluetooth, may be used. The “master” device may remain open here and it is only a question of programming. [0295] 3) in addition, sync information SYNC between the terminal and the spectacles may also be transmitted by means of a cable (e.g. USB) or in any other conceivable way. The one that is the “master” of both, may remain open here and it is only a question of programming.
[0296] In the following, reference is made to
[0297] A solution is also possible for displays and indicators which do not readily allow the background lighting to be modulated. For displays which have at least uniform background illumination (e.g. paper-like displays with “electronic ink” for reading books), another liquid crystal shutter AddLC may be placed or clamped on this display. This additional shutter modulates the otherwise even (DC), but maximum (or also over-maximal through interference) background light of the display corresponding to the time slots of the spectacles. If the uniform background illumination may be set to very bright, this arrangement results in the already described advantages of glare suppression of extraneous sources of interference S, including the described improvement in legibility. The additional shutter has its own interfaces for synchronization with the spectacles, e.g. Radio RF2 or a cable connector (e.g. USB) or any other access SYNC2.
[0298] In addition, a suitable combination of the aforementioned information channels may also be used, e.g. software (“App”) for activating the backlighting via radio RF1, and the radio connection RF2 or the cable SYNC2 for synchronization with the spectacles. A purely optical synchronization by the optical sensors OS, IS of the spectacles is also possible.
[0299] In contrast to the head-up display (HUD) external to the spectacles, the “HUD” within the spectacles represents a special case which is shown in
[0300] The following refers to
[0301] In the context of work protection, there are very simple glare goggles which are worn in the dark, e.g. in research and development laboratories, which have to be dark to carry out the work (e.g. light and LASER experiments, bio-tech), when used by skin doctors during intensive pulsed light therapy (IPL therapy) or the like. However, these protective goggles are often unsuitable for carrying out work because they know only two states, i.e. on and off, and also react incorrectly, since too few photosensors are mounted on the outside, which only control the liquid crystal cells, but not in real-time (see, for example, DE 10 2014 107 587). In addition, the transmission state of the glasses (on or off) remains unknown in the dark, since neither a controller nor a regulator can provide reliable “actual values”. Even a regulator would have the problem in complete darkness (e.g. about zero lux) in that the actual value may be too small to provide reliable and safety-relevant information about the correct functioning of the liquid crystal cells.
[0302] For such situations, an active light curtain LS is provided for each eyeglass lens (i.e. left and right) comprising an active light-emitting diode LED and a further internal sensor IS2 lying opposite, wherein the transmission through the liquid-crystal cells is specifically transmitted via a wide analog dynamic range and may be measured even in complete darkness.
System for Glare Suppression with RGB Coding
[0303] In the following, reference is made to
[0304] Particularly in the case of glare suppression systems provided for group applications for use with authorities and organizations with security tasks (BOS) or with the military, an embodiment may be used which makes it possible, e.g. (for example, for marked targets) to assign a freely selectable light color, which, for example, can only be clearly seen by one team member, and in a weakened form also by his group members, while the light appears white to outsiders.
[0305] For this purpose, own light sources are used, which may be modulated not only in their amplitude or luminous intensity, but also in their color (wavelength). In addition to wavelength-tunable light sources such as oscillators (e.g. OPO, OPA lasers, etc.), powerful RGB LASER or RGB LED may be used in the simplest case, wherein they typically have 3 separately controllable channels, namely the so-called primary colors “red, green and blue” according to the RGB color model, which result in a corresponding overlap of white light. Other types and combinations of primary colors close to the RGB color model are also possible as long as they result in total white light.
[0306] The colors R=red, G=green, B=blue of the first channel Ch #1, shown separately in the lower 3 diagrams of
[0307] The difference for the wearer of the spectacles with respect to the channel designation is, however, that the color in the time slot T.sub.on in which the spectacles are opened (i.e. TR near 100%), the two colors red and green are transmitted from the own light source, while blue is only transmitted when the glasses are closed again (TR near 0%=OFF). In
[0308] In
[0309] In order for the wearer to have an idea of which channel his neighbor is lighting the target (e.g. for secret marking), the spectacles Ch #1 will only be slightly opened in the time slot of the channel, e.g. from close to 0% (spectacles closed) to 25% transmission (for example and freely adjustable), so that the wearer also sees the color magenta of the wearer of the spectacles Ch #2. However, since only 25% are visible, the wearer of the spectacles Ch #1 may concentrate more on his own light. Depending on the specific application, the degree of this attenuation may be freely changed between 0% (hidden from other team members) and 100% (to all others exactly as bright as their own color light source).
[0310] In fact, the “equal-time signal flanks” (solid, dashed and dotted lines in
[0311]
[0312] Apart from the color marking of objects, this phase modulation may also be encoded with a secret key and secret information contents in such a way that other information (e.g. what type of object, name, etc.) in the sense of a complete marking (“full information designation”), may be applied to a target or object. This complete information may, in turn, be decoded by the external and internal sensors OS, IS or also by separate receiving and decoding units.
[0313] In
[0314] The splitting of the blue pulse in B2′ and B2″ (negated in each case at the top) is visible on the lower time beam (IE blue), but only at half height, i.e. amplitude 0.51 standard. In this example, too, it becomes clear that the area A (i.e. the energy of the pulse array) remains constant. The amplitude information may also be used for the transmission of information, as in the case of an amplitude modulation AM, if appropriate also encoded with a secret key. It is also possible to use mixing of any FSK, x-PSK and AM methods.
[0315] The synchronization of the spectacles and own light sources is usually effected via radio signals, but may also take place optically. Synchronization may take place according to a certain hierarchy system, where one participant is always “master” and all others are always “slaves” (if the master fails, another specified “slave” becomes “master”, etc.). This hierarchy may be determined, for example in the context of a common initialization routine (i.e. before a deployment), but also in the middle of the process (e.g. by radio or optically, due to a programmed encoded recognition, similar to multi-user IT systems such as LAN, WLAN, Token-Ring, etc.).
[0316] In addition, this overall multi-user system may be operated at the expense of a slightly smaller number of channels so that the pulse width modulation stroke of the spectacles is somewhat extended (see
[0317] One's own light source does not necessarily have to consist exclusively of high-performance RGB LED or RGB LASER, but may also consist of high-power white-light LED which, for example, make up the main proportion of one's own light, while the red-green-blue components are only added for the purpose of coloring. This may be achieved by placing at least one or more RGB LED/LASER in the headlight/reflector next to the white light LEDs.
[0318] In the short time slot T.sub.on in which one's own spectacles are open, a specific color is also emitted from the source of one's own light, in addition to the white light pulse of the same area already shown in
[0319] Optionally, as already described above, one's own light source may still be provided with a secret pulse hopping process, so that, for example, enemy units can not decode the colors and can not interfere with the entire system (spotlights with spectacles). Such an overall system may, of course, also be combined with the improved readability of displays (
Enhancing the Spatial Impression
[0320] Due to the limited human eye distance, objects at larger distances appear increasingly one-dimensional, which limits their recognisability. An embodiment of the overall system according to the invention, which can provide a remedy here, is shown in
[0321] The mode of operation essentially corresponds to the RGB coding described above. The liquid crystals of the spectacles are then opened in succession, but never simultaneously, as shown in the diagram TR(L) and TR (R). Since this is still a time-division multiplexing process, this is at the expense of the free channels (users) so that the system may only process half as many users in a group application if all participants wanted to use the 3D enhancement. In contrast to the above-described RGB coding, however, a clearly distinguishable color is used per eye, e.g. yellow Y on the left and magenta M on the right.
[0322] For reasons of space, not every individual RGB channel is recorded in
[0323] Overall, this method leads to a better 3D perception, which is often referred to as “2.5D” in the specialist literature, since one can not look completely behind the object.
[0324] The method also works with a mixture of modulated white light and RGB light, so the system for mixing high frequency RGB LED/LASER modules with the above is compatible with somewhat slower white light LEDs.
[0325] The use of pure white light (i.e. without RGB sources) is also possible, in particular by increasing the distance between the sources DS1(LR) and/or by flashing perceptibly on either side of the left and right channels e.g. with 2 to 10 Hz), which is possible by appropriate control of the self-illuminators and the spectacles.
LIDAR
[0326] The system described so far may be so extended that light reflections of falling or ascending particles are hidden in the vicinity of the user. The problem occurs, for example, when driving at night in snowmobiles, where the snowflakes appear directly in front of the headlights because of the higher luminance, and obscure the view to a greater distance into the depth of the space. This situation is shown in
[0327] If ultrasound pulses with pulse widths of a few nanoseconds are generated using special LASER or LED-based headlights, they may be controlled according to the LIDAR/LaDAR principle (known from the prior art) over their lifetime by means of an equally fast shutter, in order to be hidden/exposed to the users. For this purpose, the shutter lenses are so controlled that they only open at the (later) time t2 after the reflection of one's own headlight light on the spatially close particle RP1 has elapsed. The time axis in
[0328] Snowflakes or other particles (or mist) are not really invisible—they appear rather as black dots—but the overall view into the depth of the space is significantly improved due to reduced glare.
Own Light Recognition or Suppression
[0329] In the following, reference is made to
[0330] Since the microcontroller knows the points in time when it turns on its own headlight W, it can query the outer photosensor, which is more than sufficiently fast, in a time slot shortly before (or shortly after) the light pulse is transmitted—shown in
A(t)=U(t)+W(t) (1),
[0331] or discretely queried, where N=average value from a time slot N according to
A(N)=U(N)+W(N) (2),
[0332] It is assumed that the interfering light does not change significantly in time “shortly before or shortly after” the light pulse since the period between N−1 and N and N+1 is very small.
U(N)=U(N−1)=U(N+1) (3).
[0333] Other, e.g. more complex, experience-based averaging methods, or the simple arithmetic mean may be selected. In any case, it is assumed that with this method, the interfering light value U (N) may be determined in the time slot N with very high accuracy, provided that the ambient light does not change very quickly and is not pulsed on its own. If one assumes that the additional light from one's own beam is added to the ambient light according to formula (1), then it is always greater than the ambient light in the neighboring time slots for A (N):
A(N)>A(N−1) and A(N)>A(N+1) (4).
[0334] Further, the normal return reflection of one's own light from remote and not very reflective objects, i.e. from a normal scenery/environment (road, forest, field, in the house with large rooms), is rather small compared to a massive interfering light like strong sunlight, so that in the extreme application of massive glare suppression, the following applies:
W(N)<<U(N) (6).
[0335] Often one speaks of a “delta”, which is added or omitted, for very small quantities, so that the formula (1) may also be written as:
A(N)=W(N)=A(N)−U(N) (7).
[0336] Since, in a 70 Hz system, a Δ (N) is measured 70 times per second, these values may in turn be averaged, e.g. over a meaningful small period of time that is fast enough to adequately protect the eye with respect to potential emergency shutdown or down-regulation of one's own headlights when inadvertently looking into these headlights, e.g. over a period of one-third or one-eighth of a second (x=e.g. 125 ms to 300 ms):
[0337] Mean value: MΔ (N)=MW (N)=e.g. flowing arithmetic mean of all W (N) in period T=t to t+x
[0338] This value may then be fed to a threshold value switch-off, or may be used for a more uniform (analog) down-regulation of one's own headlights.
[0339] Example: [0340] S=Decision threshold for the emergency stop of one's own headlights [0341] W (N)<S one's own headlights continues normally [0342] W (N)>=S one's own headlights is switched off
[0343] As a rule-of-thumb formula, it may be said that an empirically determined multiple M (multiplier) brighter appearing light serves as a threshold:
S=M*U(N) (8.1)
[0344] Or, if one does not want to refer to U (N), i.e. make independent of so-called “scenarios”, such as excessive or no glare—then one simply formulates self-referentially through multiples of W (N), e.g.:
S=50% to 500% of the usual experience value of W(N) (8.2).
[0345] In
Measurement with the IS Inner Sensor—in Combination with Short, One-Off Flashes
[0346] In addition, the delta, i.e. W(N), may be measured as an alternative to the above method or for test purposes in a cycle T, as described above, in order then, exceptionally and exclusively only in the following cycle 2T, the lamp S instead of the expected light pulse, thus deliberately exposing a light pulse as dropping out. Because such an individual “dropout” in cycle 2T is only one of a total of 70 light pulses per second (in the case of a 70 Hz system), wherein this is not noticed by the user or by external third parties.
[0347] If DC light is present, or if the glasses run synchronously with an AC interfering light, then one may even assume that the interfering light does not change very much in the very short time interval N−1, N, N+1 and remains largely constant from one cycle T until the next cycle 2T:
U(N,T)=U(N,2T) (9)
[0348] The internal sensor IS may then measure the delta W(N) in the cycle T, whereas in the cycle 2T this delta W(N) no longer appears because of the one's own switched-off headlight. Thus, it may occur in the same time slot N, that an additional measurement of W(N) may be carried out by means of the internal sensor, without having to rely on the above-explained measurement with the outside sensor (in the time slots N−1, N, N+1). If one uses both methods (i.e. the internal sensor with the light source and the light sensor once switched off) simultaneously, then the accuracy and reliability of the W(N) measurement may be increased with this redundancy. Conflicting or illogical measurements may be determined and correspondingly corrected by simultaneous application of both methods via the microcontroller.
[0349] No DC backlight source, but accidental view into own source of light
[0350] It may be assumed in an extreme case that in the case of a very dark night and a disturbance-free view (e.g. completely alone in the forest), the following applies
U(N)=0
[0351] It follows from the above formula (2)=A (N)=U (N)+W (N) that the following applies
A(N)=W(N)
[0352] In this case, the spectacles may also be completely open/transparent, while the headlamp may also be switched on permanently or apparently or largely permanently (e.g. separated measuring pulses every 300 ms), so that the delta measurements described above may also take place. The spectacles are automatically transferred back into the usual PWM modulation mode only when sudden disturbances occur.
[0353] Strong AC back-light source, e.g. electrical artificial light source, e.g. from the 50/60 Hz low-voltage network
[0354] The external sensor OS or OL, OR has three main characteristics: [0355] 1) It is comparatively much faster than industrial artificial light (100-120 Hz) and may trigger this electronically and may easily be detected by means of microcontrollers. [0356] 2) It is also standardized as a measuring device (it can output values in lux or comparable light technical units or in corresponding voltage equivalents) and is weighted with the human eye sensitivity curve so that it can also measure light intensity. [0357] 3) It is preferably, but not necessarily, identical to the internal sensor IS so that the microcontroller may be instantaneously measured in real-time “compensating measurements” between the inside (through the LCD) and the outside (bypassing the LCD).
[0358] If there is only one single dominant artificial light source, so that a cyclic 100/120 Hz oscillation can be detected by the external sensor, it determines the start time T.sub.Null of the fundamental frequency of the PWM of the spectacles and the frequency of the PWM, wherein the brightness maximum of the external light source is always exactly at the beginning of a cycle and may be measured immediately by the external sensor OS and also by the internal sensor IS. The internal sensor IS may also measure this maximum brightness of the artificial light source because at the beginning of a cycle, the spectacles are always “open”, i.e. the liquid crystal cell is transparent. Thus, the external sensor OS and the internal sensor IS basically measure the same light, but with the slight difference that the transparent LCD is located in front of the internal sensor IS, so that IS receives a little less light—i.e. minus the temperature-dependent and aging-dependent transmission in the continuous state—e.g. 50% less with crossed polarizers (polarizer-analyzer position).
[0359] Furthermore, the internal and external sensors IS1 and OS1 are also arranged spatially very closely on an imaginary axis, e.g. not more than 3 mm apart—also called the “measuring pairs No. 1” (MP1). Thus, even spatial frequencies OF (in the broadest sense “stripe pattern”) of OF>3 mm may in no way lead to measurement errors. In addition, a further measuring pair MP2 consisting of IS2 and OS2 exists in each case orthogonally to the aforementioned measuring pair MP1, so that checkerboard patterns, i.e. spatial frequencies, which run perpendicular to the aforementioned spatial frequencies, may be correspondingly detected if these are more than 3 mm. Both measuring pairs (MP1 and MP2) provide values which may be evaluated by the microcontroller in such a way that “geometric mean values” may be formed according to the imaginary triangle between the pupil centerpoint position and the sensor arrangement.
Integration within One Cycle
[0360] The internal sensor IS measures the light incident through the LC and integrates this light during an idle initialization phase in the very first cycle of 100 or 120 Hz in which the spectacles remain completely open (see
[0361] If the sensor IS forms an integral via, for example, a constant (DC interfering light), then a straight ascending line (see
[0362] The so-called control is thus “hard” in this case and reacts in real time already in cycle T to a setpoint value—also called “microscopic control”.
[0363] The so-called “macroscopic control”:
[0364] However, this microscopic integration value from the N.sup.th cycle may be stored in a volatile intermediate memory so that it may be used as a “floating/sliding mean value correction value”, i.e. for further successive integration values. As a macroscopic integration value—approximately within a quarter or third of a 100 Hz or 120 Hz cycle (i.e. within imperceptible fractions of a second).
[0365] Thus the regulation always reacts correctly in the case of fluctuating artificial light.
[0366] In the third cycle, for example, it is shown how the outer brightness has increased and also fluctuates. The corresponding integral (graph in the center of the image) now runs steeper so that the setpoint value Thres is reached more quickly and consequently the spectacles close earlier in time—T.sub.OFF is thus longer than in the cycle before. The integral values are set to zero at the end of each cycle so that each cycle is controlled in real-time in its transmittance TR.
[0367] Scenario: Several strong AC back-light sources, e.g. electrical artificial light sources, e.g. from various networks, so that frequency mixtures are present.
[0368] A mixture of various superimposing frequencies may cause the external sensor to no longer be able to synchronize with a certain interference frequency. However, this may also have advantages, since a mixture in the oscillogram is represented as “noise”, which hardly has more valleys and misfires of extraneous light than results from a stable “ground noise” due to the superimpositions. In this case, the spectacles or microcontrollers will abort the attempt to synchronize and simply switch to a typical preset operating frequency, e.g. to 70 Hz, in order to work there unintentionally according to the above integration scheme.
[0369] Scenario: Several strong pulsed back-light sources, e.g. electrical LED type light sources, e.g. such as the present or similar systems
[0370] Due to the immediate integration within a cycle, the spectacles may close as soon as a threshold is reached. Since the dynamic range and the measuring speed of the external and internal sensors are always faster and better than the human eye, extreme intensities and harmful performances may also be avoided, such as, for example, extremely short light pulses of high energy, such as, e.g. from pulsed Q-switch lasers or pulsed LEDs.
[0371] The human eye can no longer perceive and react from a certain growing intensity with pulses which are becoming shorter and shorter at the same time, as the cornea and retina are in danger of being harmed.
Reaction of the Spectacles in Case of Doubt
[0372] The spectacles therefore tend to “close” (eye protection) at high intensities—while they tend to be “open” in the case of low intensities, but in the case of chaotic unspecifiable frequency patterns, which may not be synchronized, a kind of “average brightness” is determined by integrating and averaging over several cycles T (e.g. over 300 ms), as if it were noise or a nearly uniform source—whereas, however, it is basically in the PWM night vision and dark range (5% to approx. 20% open PWM time slot with appropriately pulsed spotlight).
[0373] According to an embodiment of the invention, a system for enhancing the spatial impression of an object is provided herein, comprising: [0374] spectacles for a wearer with at least two eyes, a right (E(R)) and a left (E(L)) eye, with one spectacle lens in front of each of the two eyes; [0375] wherein each spectacle lens comprises a liquid crystal cell (LC(L), LC(R)), the transmission of which may be varied by a suitable control; [0376] wherein the liquid crystal cells (LC(L), LC(R)) are so designed that the transmission (TR) of the liquid crystal cells may be switched between high and low transmission states, respectively; and with [0377] means for controlling or regulating the times of the high transmission states (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cells (LC(L), LC(R)); and with [0378] two light sources (S1(L), S1 R)) each associated with one eye; [0379] wherein the two light sources emit different colors, and [0380] wherein the stereoscopic base (DS1) of the light sources is greater than the eye distance (PD); and with [0381] means for controlling or regulating the lighting times of the light sources (S1(L), S1(R)) in such a way [0382] that the light source (S1(R)) associated with the right eye (E(R)) illuminates during a high transmission state (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cell (LC(R)) of the right eye, [0383] while the light source (S1(L)) associated with the left eye (E(L)) does not illuminate, and [0384] the liquid crystal (LC(L)) of the left eye is set to low transmission; [0385] and vice versa.
[0386] According to an embodiment, the system is characterized in that [0387] the color emitted by the respective light sources at the times of the high transmission states (T.sub.on) is supplemented during the associated times of the low transmission (T.sub.on) states to give a white color impression.
[0388] According to an embodiment, the system is characterized in that [0389] the two light sources are amplitude-modulated with a predetermined frequency which may be perceived by the human eye.
[0390] According to an embodiment, the system is characterized in that [0391] the spectacles [0392] comprise at least one sensor (IL, IR) for measuring the brightness of the visible light incident thereon; [0393] wherein the at least one sensor (IL, IR) is arranged on the eye-side of the at least one spectacle lens; [0394] wherein the at least one sensor (IL, IR) measures the brightness through the at least one spectacle lens; and [0395] with at least one closed-loop control circuit (MC) for regulating the transmission of the respective liquid crystal cell (LC); [0396] wherein at least one setpoint value is preset for the brightness at the eye of the spectacle wearer; [0397] wherein the control circuit (MC) takes the brightness measured by the at least one sensor as the actual value.
[0398] According to an embodiment of an invention, a method for enhancing the spatial impression of an object, comprising the following steps, is provided herein: [0399] spectacles are provided for a wearer with at least two eyes, a right (E(R)) and a left (E(L)) eye, wherein the spectacles [0400] have a respective spectacle lens in front of each of the two eyes; [0401] wherein each spectacle lens comprises a liquid crystal cell (LC(L), LC(R)), the transmission of which may be varied by a suitable control; [0402] wherein the liquid crystal cells (LC(L), LC(R)) are so designed that the transmission (TR) of the liquid crystal cells may be respectively switched between high and low transmission states; [0403] the times of the high transmission states (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cells (LC(L), LC(R)) are controlled; [0404] two light sources (S1(L), S1(R)) are further provided, each being associated with one eye; [0405] wherein the two light sources emit different colors, and [0406] wherein the stereoscopic base (DS1) of the light sources is greater than the eye distance (PD); [0407] the lighting times of the light sources (S1(L), S1(R)) are controlled such [0408] that the light source (S1(R)) associated with the right eye (E(R)) illuminates during a high transmission state (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cell (LC(R)) of the right eye, [0409] while the light source (S1(L)) associated with the left eye (E(L)) does not illuminate, and [0410] the liquid crystal (LC(L)) of the left eye is set to low transmission; [0411] and vice versa.
[0412] According to an embodiment of an invention, a system for improving the view of an area to be monitored spatially by means of glare suppression is provided herein, the system having: [0413] spectacles, with [0414] at least one spectacle lens; [0415] wherein the at least one spectacle lens comprises a liquid crystal cell (LC) whose transmission (TR) may be varied by a suitable control; [0416] wherein the liquid crystal cell (LC) is so designed that the transmission (TR) of the liquid crystal cell (LC) may be switched between high and low transmission states; and with [0417] means for regulating or controlling the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cell (LC); [0418] a pulsed light source (S) which emits light pulses; [0419] wherein the light source (S) is so designed that it can generate light pulses whose temporal duration is shorter than the time that the light of the light source needs to traverse the area to be monitored spatially in the viewing direction of the wearer; and with [0420] means for controlling or regulating the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cell (LC) that are able to temporally arrange the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cell so that only the backscattering signal of the light pulse from the area to be monitored spatially is transmitted by the liquid crystal cell (LC).
[0421] According to an embodiment, the system is characterized in that [0422] the spectacles [0423] comprise at least one sensor (IL, IR) for measuring the brightness of the visible light incident thereon; [0424] wherein the at least one sensor (IL, IR) is arranged on the eye-side of the respective spectacle lens; [0425] the at least one sensor (IL, IR) measures the brightness through the at least one spectacle lens; and [0426] with at least one closed-loop control circuit (MC) for controlling the transmission of the respective liquid crystal cell (LC); [0427] wherein a setpoint value is preset for the brightness at the eye of the spectacle wearer; [0428] wherein the control circuit (MC) takes the brightness measured by the at least one sensor (IL, IR) as the actual value.
[0429] According to an embodiment of an invention, a method for improving the view of an area to be monitored spatially by means of glare suppression is provided herein, the method comprising the following: [0430] spectacles are provided, wherein the spectacles [0431] comprise at least one spectacle lens; [0432] wherein the at least one spectacle lens comprises a liquid crystal cell (LC), the transmission (TR) of which may be varied by a suitable control; [0433] wherein the liquid crystal cell (LC) is so formed that the transmission (TR) of the liquid crystal cell (LC) may be switched between high and low transmission states; [0434] the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cell (LC) are controlled; [0435] a pulsed light source (S) which emits light pulses is provided; [0436] wherein the light source (S) is so designed that it can generate light pulses whose temporal duration is shorter than the time that the light of the light source needs to traverse the area to be monitored spatially in the viewing direction of the wearer; [0437] further, the times of the state of high transmission (T.sub.on) of the liquid crystal cell are so arranged temporally that only the backscattering signal of the light pulse from the area to be monitored spatially is transmitted by the liquid crystal cell (LC).
[0438] Thus, spectacles are proposed. The spectacles have a spectacle lens with a liquid crystal cell LC, the transmission TR of which may be switched between transmitting and blocking. Furthermore, the spectacles have an eye tracker ET, which can determine the viewing direction of the eye. Furthermore, at least one sensor IL, IR is provided to measure the brightness of the visible light incident thereon, wherein the sensor is arranged on the eye-side of the spectacle lens and measures the brightness by the at least one spectacle lens in a spatially resolved manner. The sensor can determine the brightness of the visible light from the viewing direction of the eye determined with the eye tracker. The spectacle also has a closed-loop control circuit for the control of the transmission of the liquid crystal cell, wherein a setpoint value for the brightness is preset at the eye, and wherein the control circuit takes the brightness measured by the sensor in the viewing direction of the eye as the actual value.
CITED LITERATURE
Cited Patent Literature
[0439] DE 10 2012 217 326 A1 [0440] DE 101 34 770 A1 [0441] DE 2 001 086 A, [0442] EP0813079A2 [0443] U.S. Pat. No. 2,066,680 A [0444] U.S. Pat. No. 5,172,256 [0445] WO 2013/143 998 A2
Cited Non-Patent Literature
[0446] Adrian, W. and Bhanji, A.: “Fundamentals of disability glare. A formula to describe stray light in the eye as a function of the glare angle and age.” Proceedings of the First International Symposium on Glare, 1991, Orlando, Florida, pp. 185-194. [0447] Douglas Mace, Philip Garvey, Richard J. Porter, Richard Schwab, Werner Adrian: Counter-measures for Reducing the Effects of Headlight Glare; Prepared for: The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Washington, D.C., December 2001 [0448] Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gert Hauske: “Systemtheorie der visuellen Wahrnehmung”, Teubner Verlag, Stuttgart, 1994