Method of image processing for off the glass rain sensing
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) adjacent to the interior surface (18) of the sheet of glass (14), passing light waves from moisture (20) on the exterior surface (22) of the sheet of glass (14) through the imaging lens (16) and producing first and second successive images of the moisture (20) on the glass (14), and successively directing the first and second images from the lens (16) onto a focal plane detector (12), dividing the first image into a plurality of elements (24) and producing an analog signal (26) corresponding to each of the elements, dividing the second image into the plurality of elements (24) and producing an analog signal (26) corresponding to each of the elements, storing the signals (26) from the elements (24) for the first image, storing the signals (26) from the elements (24) for the second image, comparing the signal from each element for the first image to the signal from that element for the second image, and providing a control signal (30) in response to predetermined differences between the signals (26) from the elements (24) for the first and second images.
1 Assignment
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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). 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 waves from moisture (20) on the exterior surface (22) of the sheet of glass (14) through the imaging lens (16) to produce successive images of the moisture (20) on the focal plane detector (12).
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Citations
16 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) adjacent to the interior surface (18) of the sheet of glass (14), passing light waves from moisture (20) on the exterior surface (22) of the sheet of glass (14) through the imaging lens (16) and producing first and second successive images of the moisture (20) on the glass (14), and successively directing the first and second images from the lens (16) onto a focal plane detector (12), dividing the first image into a plurality of elements (24) and producing an analog signal (26) corresponding to each of the elements, dividing the second image into the plurality of elements (24) and producing an analog signal (26) corresponding to each of the elements, storing the signals (26) from the elements (24) for the first image, storing the signals (26) from the elements (24) for the second image, comparing the signal from each element for the first image to the signal from that element for the second image, and providing a control signal (30) in response to predetermined differences between the signals (26) from the elements (24) for the first and second images. - 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 adjacent the glass (14), said assembly comprising;
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a focal plane detector (12) adapted for disposition adjacent to the interior surface (18) of the sheet of glass (14), and said focal plane detector (12) including a plurality of elements (24) for producing an analog signal (26) corresponding to each of the elements, 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 waves from moisture (20) on the exterior surface (22) of the sheet of glass (14) through said imaging lens (16) to produce successive first and second images of the moisture (20) on said focal plane detector (12), said assembly characterized by a controller (28) for storing the signals (26) from the elements (24) for the first image and for storing the signals (26) from the elements (24) for the second image and for comparing the signal from each element for the first image to the signal from that element for the second image, and for providing a control signal (30) in response to predetermined differences between the signals (26) from the elements (24) for the first and second images. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification