# US 11,307,485 B2 · Switchable imager lens cover > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,307,485 B2 - Document ID: US11307485B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/407,818 - Filed: 2019-05-09 - Published: 2019-11-14 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2018-05-09 - Assignees: Gentex Corporation - Applicants: Gentex Corporation - Inventors: David J. Cammenga; Xiaoxu Niu; Kurtis L. Geerlings; Jason D. Hallack; Robert R. Turnbull; Carl N. Wassink - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11307485B2 ## CPC - G03B 11/043: {Protective lens closures or lens caps built into cameras} - B60R 11/04: Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle - G02B 5/23: Photochromic filters - G02F 1/133526: {Lenses, e.g. microlenses or Fresnel lenses} - G02F 1/133528: {Polarisers} - H04N 23/55: Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof - H04N 23/60: Control of cameras or camera modules - H04N 23/957: Light-field or plenoptic cameras or camera modules - B60R 2011/004: {outside the vehicle} - B60R 2300/10: characterised by the type of camera system used - G02B 27/0006: {with means to keep optical surfaces clean, e.g. by preventing or removing dirt, stains, contamination, condensation (G02B1/18 takes precedence; cleaning in general B08B)} - G03B 17/02: Bodies - H04N 23/57: Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - G02F: OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract An imager module for a vehicle includes an imager having an imager lens. The imager is configured to collect image data from at least one of inside and outside the vehicle. A cover is disposed proximate the imager lens and configured to allow the imager to capture image data through the cover. The cover is operable between a first condition, wherein the imager is generally visible through the cover, and a second condition, wherein the imager is generally concealed from view by the cover. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An imager module for a vehicle comprising: an imager including an imager lens, the imager being configured to collect image data from at least one of inside and outside the vehicle; a cover disposed proximate the imager lens, the cover configured to allow the imager to capture image data through the cover, wherein the cover includes an electro-optic element that is operable between: a first condition in which the imager is generally visible through the cover; and a second condition in which the imager is generally concealed from view by the cover; a light sensor subsystem for sensing an ambient light level; and a controller configured to receive an output from the light sensor subsystem representing the ambient light level and to control the electro-optic element by selecting a clear state when the ambient light level is below a first threshold level and by selecting a dimmed state when the ambient light level is above a second threshold level. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The imager module of claim 1, wherein the electro-optic element is an electrochromic element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The imager module of claim 1, wherein the electro-optic element has a light transmission of less than about 15 percent when in the dimmed state. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The imager module of claim 1, wherein the electro-optic element has a light transmission of less than about 12 percent when in the dimmed state. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The imager module of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to control the electro-optic element by selecting a clear state when the vehicle ignition is on. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The imager module of claim 1, wherein the electro-optic device consumes 5 mW or less of power in the dimmed state. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The imager module of claim 1, wherein the electro-optic device changes from the dimmed state of 15 percent transmittance or less to the cleared state of 40 percent transmittance or more in 2 seconds or less. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The imager module of claim 1, wherein the electro-optic element comprises at least one of a liquid crystal device, suspended particle device, variable light attenuation device, and light scattering device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The imager module of claim 1, wherein the controller further controls the transmissive state of electrochromic windows of the vehicle, wherein the controller controls the electrochromic windows to be in a dimmed state when the vehicle ignition is off and the ambient light level is above the second threshold level and controls the electrochromic windows to be in a clear state when the ambient light level is below a first threshold level. ### Claim 10 An imager lens cover for a vehicle having an imager having an imager lens, the imager lens cover comprises a cover disposed proximate the imager lens, wherein the cover is configured to allow the imager to capture image data through the cover, the cover includes an electro-optic device operable between a first condition in which the imager is generally visible through the cover, and a second condition in which the imager is generally concealed from view by the cover, wherein the electro-optic device consumes 5 mW or less of power in the dimmed state. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The imager lens cover of claim 10, wherein the electro-optic element comprises at least one of a liquid crystal device, suspended particle device, variable light attenuation device, and light scattering device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The imager lens cover of claim 10, wherein the electro-optic element is an electrochromic element. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The imager lens cover of claim 10, wherein the electro-optic element has a light transmission of less than about 15 percent when in the dimmed state. ### Claim 14 An imager lens cover for a vehicle having an imager having an imager lens, the imager lens cover comprises a cover disposed proximate the imager lens, wherein the cover is configured to allow the imager to capture image data through the cover, the cover includes an electro-optic device operable between a first condition in which the imager is generally visible through the cover, and a second condition in which the imager is generally concealed from view by the cover, wherein the electro-optic device changes from the dimmed state of 15 percent transmittance or less to the cleared state of 40 percent transmittance or more in 2 seconds or less. ### Claim 15 An imager lens cover for a vehicle having an imager having an imager lens, the imager lens cover comprises a cover disposed proximate the imager lens, wherein the cover is configured to allow the imager to capture image data through the cover, the cover includes an electro-optic device operable between a first condition in which the imager is generally visible through the cover, and a second condition in which the imager is generally concealed from view by the cover, wherein the electro-optic device is a liquid crystal device and the cover further comprises a first polarizer positioned in front of the liquid crystal device and a second polarizer positioned behind the liquid crystal device, the first and second polarizers having opposite polarization orientations so as to block both polarization orientations when there is no power supplied to the liquid crystal device, wherein the liquid crystal device alters the polarization of the light received through the first polarizer such that it passes through the second polarizer to the imager when the liquid crystal device receives power. ### Claim 16 An imager lens cover for a vehicle having an imager having an imager lens, the imager lens cover comprises a cover disposed proximate the imager lens, wherein the cover is configured to allow the imager to capture image data through the cover, the cover is operable between a first condition in which the imager is generally visible through the cover, and a second condition in which the imager is generally concealed from view by the cover, wherein the cover consumes 5 mW or less of power in the dimmed state. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The imager lens cover of claim 16, wherein the cover includes a photochromic device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The imager lens cover of claim 16, wherein the cover includes an electro-optic device.