Off the glass imaging rain sensor
First Claim
1. A method for sensing moisture (20) on the exterior surface (22) of a sheet of glass (14) comprising the steps of;
- positioning an imaging lens (16) in spaced relationship to the interior surface (18) of the sheet of glass (14), focusing light with moisture (20) on the exterior surface (22) of the sheet of glass (14) into a concentrated light image, passing light rays concentrated from moisture (20) on the exterior surface (22) of the sheet of glass (14) through the imaging lens (16) and producing a real image of a bright spot of concentrated light from the moisture (20) on the glass (14), and directing the real image of concentrated light from the lens (16) onto a focal plane detector (12).
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An assembly (10) for sensing moisture (20) on the exterior surface (22) of a windshield (14) from a position spaced from the interior surface (18) of the windshield (14). The assembly (10) includes a focal plane detector (12) comprising a plurality of pixels (24) adapted for disposition in spaced relationship to the interior surface (18) of the sheet of glass (14), as on the backside of the rearview mirror. An imaging lens (16) is adapted for disposition between the focal plane detector (12) and the interior surface (18) of the sheet of glass (14) for directing light rays from moisture (20) on the exterior surface (22) of the sheet of glass (14) through the imaging lens (16) to produce a real image of the moisture (20) on said focal plane detector (12). A processing circuit (28) establishes a steady-state level of analog signals (26) representing a non-moisture (20) condition of the exterior surface (22) of the glass (14) and scans the analog signals (26) and analyzes the data to produce a wiper signal (30) in response to a deviation from the steady-state level. The processing circuit (28) also changes the steady-state level in response to permanent changes, e.g., scratches, in the non-moisture (20) condition of the exterior surface (22) of the glass (14). For use in the absence of daytime light, a light source (32) is adapted for disposition in spaced relationship to the interior surface (18) of the sheet of glass (14) for directing light to the exterior surface (22) of the glass (14) whereby light rays generated by the light source (32) are directed from moisture (20) on the exterior surface (22) of the sheet of glass (14) through said imaging lens (16) to produce the real image of the moisture (20) on said focal plane detector (12).
129 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for sensing moisture (20) on the exterior surface (22) of a sheet of glass (14) comprising the steps of;
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positioning an imaging lens (16) in spaced relationship to the interior surface (18) of the sheet of glass (14), focusing light with moisture (20) on the exterior surface (22) of the sheet of glass (14) into a concentrated light image, passing light rays concentrated from moisture (20) on the exterior surface (22) of the sheet of glass (14) through the imaging lens (16) and producing a real image of a bright spot of concentrated light from the moisture (20) on the glass (14), and directing the real image of concentrated light from the lens (16) onto a focal plane detector (12). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An assembly for sensing moisture (20) on a glass (14) surface from a position spaced from the glass (14), said assembly comprising;
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a focal plane detector (12) adapted for disposition in spaced relationship to the interior surface (18) of the sheet of glass (14), and an imaging lens (16) adapted for disposition between said focal plane detector (12) and the interior surface (18) of the sheet of glass (14) for directing light rays focused into concentrated light from moisture (20) on the exterior surface (22) of the sheet of glass (14) through said imaging lens (16) to produce a real image of a bright spot of concentrated light the moisture (20) on said focal plane detector (12). - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification