Transmission detector for a window body, in particular the windshield of a motor vehicle, and a cleaning device for a viewing area of a window body

• US 6,954,047 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2002
• Issued: 10/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Neubauer, Achim
• Primary Examiner(s): IP, SHIK LUEN PAUL
• Application Number:
  US10/398,843
• Publication Number:
  US 20040100217A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,221 Days
• Field of Search: 318/443, 318/643, 318/444, 318/DIG.2, 359/267, 363/494, 382/232, 250/208.1, 250/574, 315/82, 315/83, 315/DIG.15, 356/239.8
• US Class Current: 318/483
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0818 including control systems responsive to external conditions, e.g. by detection of moisture, dirt or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0822 characterized by the arrangement or type of detection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0837 with a particular arrangement of the optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0844 including a camera
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/157 Monitoring by optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/59 Transmissivity G01N21/25 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/94 Investigating contamination, e.g. dust G01N21/85 takes precedence

Abstract

A transmission detector for a window body, in particular the windshield of a motor vehicle, has an optical sensor device which includes an imaging system and a position-sensitive optical detector. In addition, the transmission detector has an analyzing system for the image data recorded by the optical detector. The imaging system is arranged such that sections of a surface of the window body whose distance to one another is comparable to the size of the free aperture of the window body are projected on the optical detector. This allows for a precise allocation of the variables affecting the transmission of the window body. A cleaning system for a viewing area of a window body being equipped with this transmission detector also has a cleaning device which is controlled by the analyzing system. Such a cleaning system may be triggered as needed.

Claims

1. A transmission detector for a windshield window body, comprising:

an optical sensor device, including an imaging system having a wide-angle lens, a position-sensitive optical detector and an aperture; and

an analyzing system for analyzing image data recorded by the optical detector, wherein sections of a surface of the windshield window body, covering approximately an entire span of the windshield window body, are projected on the optical detector.

2. The transmission detector of claim 1, wherein the position-sensitive optical detector includes a sensor array.

3. The transmission detector of claim 2, wherein the sensor array includes a CCD array.

4. The transmission detector of claim 1, wherein the optical sensor device includes at least one aperture via selected ones of the sections to be imaged.

5. The transmission detector of claim 4, further comprising:

at least one actuator for controlling the at least one aperture opening.

6. The transmission detector of claim 5, wherein the at least one actuator communicates with the analyzing system via a signal link.

7. The transmission detector of claim 1, wherein the optical sensor device includes apertures.

8. The transmission detector of claim 1, wherein the optical sensor device includes a radiation source for illuminating the sections to be imaged.

9. The transmission detector of claim 8, wherein the radiation source is operable to emit IR radiation.

10. The transmission detector of claim 1, wherein the analyzing system is operable to perform a contrast analysis of an intensity distribution of the imaged sections based upon image data recorded by the optical detector.

11. The transmission detector of claim 1, wherein the analyzing system is operable to perform a Fourier analysis of an intensity distribution of imaged sections based upon image data recorded by the optical detector.

12. The transmission detector of claim 1, wherein the analyzing system is operable to perform an auto-correlation analysis of an intensity distribution of imaged sections based upon the image data recorded by the optical detector.

13. The transmission detector of claim 1, further comprising:

a comparator for comparing analyzed image data with reference values.

14. The transmission detector of claim 13, wherein the reference values are dynamically adjusted to the results of a plurality of sets of analyzed image data.

15. The transmission detector of claim 14, wherein the comparator includes a neural network.

16. The transmission detector of claim 1, wherein the windshield window body is a windshield of a motor vehicle.

17. A cleaning system for a field of vision of a windshield window body, comprising:

a transmission detector, including an optical sensor device having an imaging system including a wide angle lens, a position-sensitive optical detector and an aperture, and including an analyzing system for analyzing image data recorded by the optical detector, wherein sections of a surface of the windshield window body, having an area covering approximately an entire span of the windshield window body, are projected on the optical detector, and

a cleaning device controlled by the analyzing system.

18. The cleaning system of claim 17, wherein the cleaning device includes a window wiper body.

19. The cleaning system of claim 17, wherein the cleaning device includes a window washing device.

20. The cleaning system of claim 17, wherein the imaged sections lie in a user'"'"'s field of vision through the windshield window body.

21. The cleaning system of claim 20, wherein the imaged sections essentially cover the field of vision.

22. The cleaning system of claims 17, wherein the analyzing system controls the cleaning device only after a first time activation by the user.

23. A transmission detector for a windshield window body, comprising:

an optical sensor device, including an imaging system having a wide-angle lens, a position-sensitive optical detector and at least one aperture;

an analyzing system for analyzing image data recorded by the optical detector, wherein sections of a surface of the windshield window body, having an area that approximately covers an entire span of the windshield window body, are projected on the optical detector; and

at least one actuator for controlling the at least one aperture opening.

24. The transmission detector of claim 23, wherein the position-sensitive optical detector includes a sensor array.

25. The transmission detector of claim 24, wherein the sensor array includes a CCD array.

26. The transmission detector of claim 23, wherein the at least one actuator communicates with the analyzing system via a signal link.

27. The transmission detector of claim 23, wherein the optical sensor device includes a radiation source for illuminating the sections to be imaged.

28. The transmission detector of claim 27, wherein the radiation source is operable to emit IR radiation.

29. The transmission detector of claim 23, wherein the analyzing system is operable to perform a contrast analysis of an intensity distribution of the imaged sections based upon image data recorded by the optical detector.

30. The transmission detector of claim 23, wherein the analyzing system is operable to perform a Fourier analysis of an intensity distribution of imaged sections based upon image data recorded by the optical detector.

31. The transmission detector of claim 23, wherein the analyzing system is operable to perform an auto-correlation analysis of an intensity distribution of imaged sections based upon the image data recorded by the optical detector.

32. The transmission detector of claim 23, further comprising:

a comparator for comparing analyzed image data with reference values.

33. The transmission detector of claim 32, wherein the reference values are dynamically adjusted to the results of a plurality of sets of analyzed image data.

34. The transmission detector of claim 33, wherein the comparator includes a neural network.

35. A cleaning system for a field of vision of a windshield window body, comprising:

a transmission detector for a window body, including;

an optical sensor device, including an imaging system having a wide-angle lens, a position-sensitive optical detector and at least one aperture

an analyzing system for analyzing image data recorded by the optical detector, wherein sections of a surface of the windshield window body, having an area that approximately covers an entire span of the windshield window body, are projected on the optical detector; and

at least one actuator for controlling the at least one aperture opening; and

a cleaning device controlled by the analyzing system.

36. The cleaning system of claim 35, wherein the cleaning device includes a window wiper body.

37. The cleaning system of claim 35, wherein the cleaning device includes a window washing device.

38. The cleaning system of claims 35, wherein the imaged sections lie in a user'"'"'s field of vision through the windshield window body.

39. The cleaning system of claim 35, wherein the imaged sections essentially cover the field of vision.

40. The cleaning system of claims 35, wherein the analyzing system controls the cleaning device only after a first time activation by the user.

41. The transmission detector of claim 35, wherein the windshield window body is a windshield of a motor vehicle.