Automated eye adaptation system and method

A method for adjusting brightness level within a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• supplying, to a processing system, destination brightness data, exterior brightness data, and interior brightness data;
• processing, at least the destination data, the exterior brightness data, and the interior brightness data, in the processing system to:
• compute an estimated time of arrival (ETA) for the vehicle to arrive at a predetermined mission destination location;
• compare the computed ETA to a maximum sight adaptation time;
• and
• based on the comparison of the computed ETA and the maximum sight adaptation time, selectively implement a first brightness level adjustment process for adjusting the interior brightness level within the vehicle or a second brightness level adjustment process for adjusting the interior brightness level within the vehicle, wherein:
• the destination brightness data is indicative of a brightness level at the predetermined mission destination location;
• the exterior brightness data is indicative of current exterior brightness level;
• and
• the interior brightness data is indicative of current interior brightness level within the vehicle.

A sight adaptation system for a vehicle, comprising:

• a mission data source configured to supply destination brightness data that is indicative of a brightness level at a predetermined mission destination location;
• an interior brightness level data source configured to supply interior brightness data indicative of current interior brightness level within the vehicle;
• and
• a processing system coupled to receive at least the destination brightness data and the interior brightness data, the processing system configured to process at least the destination data and the interior brightness data to:
• compute an estimated time of arrival (ETA) for the vehicle to arrive at the predetermined mission destination location;
• compare the computed ETA to a maximum sight adaptation time;
• and
• based on the comparison of the computed ETA and the maximum sight adaptation time, selectively implement a first brightness level adjustment process for adjusting the interior brightness level within the vehicle or a second brightness level adjustment process for adjusting the interior brightness level within the vehicle, wherein:
• the first brightness level adjustment process includes a first sight adaptation time, which corresponds to a first time to adjust the brightness level within the vehicle to at least substantially match the exterior brightness level when the person exits vehicle at the predetermined mission destination location;
• the second brightness level adjustment process includes a second sight adaptation time, which corresponds to a second time to adjust the brightness level within the vehicle to at least approach the exterior brightness level when the person exits vehicle at the predetermined mission destination location;
• and
• the first sight adaptation time is greater than the second sight adaptation time.