AUTOMATED CAMERA WASH FOR VEHICLES
First Claim
1. An automatic spraying system for a vehicular camera comprising:
- a camera disposed on a vehicle and producing an image;
a pump delivering fluid from a washer system to spray the camera; and
a controller operatively associated with the camera and pump to analyze the image and activate the pump if the image is obstructed.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system to remove debris from a vehicle camera lens using washer fluid from the vehicle'"'"'s washer system is disclosed. The system analyzes a captured image and determines if the image is obstructed by debris. If the image is determined to be obstructed, the system automatically sprays the camera lens with fluid to remove the debris. The system includes a method of determining obstruction by comparing an image with a reference image. The system includes a method of determining obstruction by analyzing relative movement within a reference area of the image. The system also prevents the draining of the washer fluid due to a false obstruction reading or debris that does not come off after a few sprayings.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An automatic spraying system for a vehicular camera comprising:
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a camera disposed on a vehicle and producing an image; a pump delivering fluid from a washer system to spray the camera; and a controller operatively associated with the camera and pump to analyze the image and activate the pump if the image is obstructed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for operating a processing unit to automatically spray a vehicle camera lens with a fluid comprising:
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receiving a camera image; performing digital analysis on the camera image to determine if the camera image is obstructed; and sending a signal to spray the vehicle camera lens if the camera image is determined to be obstructed. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification