Rain detection apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A rain detection apparatus comprising:
- a camera that is configured to view a surface and to generate a plurality of images thereof focused at a plurality of distances therefrom, each of the images containing a number of visible edges; and
a processor that captures the plurality of images from the camera and generates at least one signal that is indicative of a presence of rain on the surface from information contained in the plurality of captured images, whereinthe processor includes an edge detection means that detects edges that are visible in the plurality of captured images,the processor includes a difference means that calculates a difference between the number of edges visible between differing images, andthe processor generates the at least one signal in response to the calculated difference between the number of edges visible between differing images.
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Abstract
A rain detection apparatus and method, comprising a camera adapted to view a surface and a processor adapted to capture at least one image from the camera, in which the processor is further adapted to generate at least one signal indicative of the presence of rain on the surface from information contained in the at least one captured image and to, optionally drive surface cleaning apparatus in response thereto, in which the apparatus is adapted to capture images focused at a plurality of distances; in which the processor includes edge detection means adapted to detect edges visible in the at least one captured image and difference means adapted to calculate the difference between the number of edges visible between differing images; and in which the edge detection means is further adapted to disregard edges close to areas of light larger than the largest raindrop that is desired or expected to be detected. The apparatus and method optionally includes a backlight, which the difference in numbers of edges between frames with and without the backlight illuminated being used to distinguish between background features and rain on the surface. The surface may be a vehicle windscreen, windshield or the cover or lens of a vehicle lamp, in which case the cleaning apparatus may be one or more wipers or washers.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A rain detection apparatus comprising:
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a camera that is configured to view a surface and to generate a plurality of images thereof focused at a plurality of distances therefrom, each of the images containing a number of visible edges; and a processor that captures the plurality of images from the camera and generates at least one signal that is indicative of a presence of rain on the surface from information contained in the plurality of captured images, wherein the processor includes an edge detection means that detects edges that are visible in the plurality of captured images, the processor includes a difference means that calculates a difference between the number of edges visible between differing images, and the processor generates the at least one signal in response to the calculated difference between the number of edges visible between differing images. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A rain detection apparatus comprising:
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a camera that is configured to view a surface and to generate a plurality of images thereof focused at a plurality of distances therefrom, each of the images containing a number of visible edges; and a processor that captures the plurality of images from the camera and generates at least one signal that is indicative of a presence of rain on the surface from information contained in the plurality of captured images, wherein the processor includes an edge detection means that detects edges that are visible in the plurality of captured images and a difference means that calculates the difference between the number of edges visible between differing images, and the processor generates the at least one signal in response to the calculated difference between the number of edges visible between differing images. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification