Light Sensor for Broadband Solar and Twilight Function Control
First Claim
1. A sensor that detects external ambient light energy for automatically controlling vehicle lighting and that detects solar loading within a vehicle passenger compartment for automatically controlling interior climate, wherein the sensor comprises:
- a) an integrated circuit comprising a photodetector adapted for receiving ambient light energy and having a solar output signal and a twilight output signal that respond separately to received light energy,i. wherein the solar output signal experiences a first gain and the twilight output signal experiences a second gain,ii. wherein the solar output signal controls climate functions and the twilight output signal controls lighting functions, andiii. wherein the spectral response of the sensor is dictated primarily by the spectral response of the photodetector;
b) a transmissive layer adapted to cover the sensor while providing no significant spectral filtering of the ambient light energy; and
c) a neutral density diffuser disposed between the transmissive layer and the integrated circuit wherein the diffuser lacks dyes or pigments for controlling the spectral response of the sensor and wherein the diffuser thereby allows light energy to reach the photodetector at an undiminished level of intensity.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a sensor that detects external ambient light energy for automatically controlling vehicle headlights while also detecting solar loading within a vehicle passenger compartment for automatically controlling interior climate. The integrated circuit comprises a signal amplifier and a photodetector adapted for receiving ambient light energy. The integrated circuit produces a solar output signal having a first gain and a twilight output signal having a second gain, such that the spectral response of the sensor is dictated primarily by the spectral response of the photodetector. A transmissive layer covers the sensor, and the neutral density diffuser is disposed between the transmissive layer and the integrated circuit and lacks any pigments that would prevent light energy from reaching the photodetector at an undiminished level of intensity.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A sensor that detects external ambient light energy for automatically controlling vehicle lighting and that detects solar loading within a vehicle passenger compartment for automatically controlling interior climate, wherein the sensor comprises:
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a) an integrated circuit comprising a photodetector adapted for receiving ambient light energy and having a solar output signal and a twilight output signal that respond separately to received light energy, i. wherein the solar output signal experiences a first gain and the twilight output signal experiences a second gain, ii. wherein the solar output signal controls climate functions and the twilight output signal controls lighting functions, and iii. wherein the spectral response of the sensor is dictated primarily by the spectral response of the photodetector; b) a transmissive layer adapted to cover the sensor while providing no significant spectral filtering of the ambient light energy; and c) a neutral density diffuser disposed between the transmissive layer and the integrated circuit wherein the diffuser lacks dyes or pigments for controlling the spectral response of the sensor and wherein the diffuser thereby allows light energy to reach the photodetector at an undiminished level of intensity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification