Dual mode optical rain sensing device
First Claim
1. A device for detecting rain or a substance on a windshield, the device comprising:
- at least one radiation source that emits radiation toward a detection area on the windshield in a direction such that a first portion of the radiation reflects from the windshield and a second portion of the radiation passes through the windshield;
an internal reflection sensor situated relative to the at least one radiation source such that at least some of the first portion of the radiation that reflects from the detection area on the windshield is incident on the internal reflection sensor, the internal reflection sensor providing a first output that is indicative of an amount of the first portion of the radiation that is incident on the internal reflection sensor, the first output having a characteristic that differs based on whether at least one rain drop is on the windshield in the detection area;
a scattered reflection sensor situated relative to the at least one radiation source differently than the internal reflection sensor such that at least some of the second portion of the radiation reflecting from rain near the windshield or a substance on the windshield may be incident on the scattered reflection sensor, the scattered reflection sensor providing a second output indicative of an amount of radiation incident on the scattered reflection sensor; and
a processor that is configured to determine a condition of the windshield based on the first output and the second output.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An illustrative example embodiment of a device for detecting rain or a substance on a windshield includes at least one radiation source, an internal reflection sensor situated to detect at least some of a first portion of the radiation that reflects from the windshield. The internal reflection sensor provides a first output that has a characteristic that differs based on whether at least one raindrop is on the windshield. A scattered reflection sensor is situated to detect at least some of a second portion of the radiation reflecting from rain near the windshield or a substance on the windshield. The scattered reflection sensor provides a second output indicative of an amount of radiation incident on the scattered reflection sensor. A processor is configured to determine a condition of the windshield based on the first output and the second output.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device for detecting rain or a substance on a windshield, the device comprising:
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at least one radiation source that emits radiation toward a detection area on the windshield in a direction such that a first portion of the radiation reflects from the windshield and a second portion of the radiation passes through the windshield; an internal reflection sensor situated relative to the at least one radiation source such that at least some of the first portion of the radiation that reflects from the detection area on the windshield is incident on the internal reflection sensor, the internal reflection sensor providing a first output that is indicative of an amount of the first portion of the radiation that is incident on the internal reflection sensor, the first output having a characteristic that differs based on whether at least one rain drop is on the windshield in the detection area; a scattered reflection sensor situated relative to the at least one radiation source differently than the internal reflection sensor such that at least some of the second portion of the radiation reflecting from rain near the windshield or a substance on the windshield may be incident on the scattered reflection sensor, the scattered reflection sensor providing a second output indicative of an amount of radiation incident on the scattered reflection sensor; and a processor that is configured to determine a condition of the windshield based on the first output and the second output. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of detecting rain or a substance on a windshield, the method comprising:
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emitting radiation toward a detection area on the windshield in a direction such that a first portion of the radiation reflects from the windshield and a second portion of the radiation passes through the windshield; using an internal reflection sensor for detecting at least some of the first portion of the radiation that reflects from the detection area on the windshield that is incident on the internal reflection sensor; generating a first output from the internal reflection sensor that is indicative of an amount of the first portion of the radiation that is incident on the internal reflection sensor, the first output having a characteristic that differs based on whether at least one rain drop is on the windshield in the detection area; using a scattered reflection sensor for detecting at least some of the second portion of the radiation reflecting from rain near the windshield or a substance on the windshield; generating a second output from the scattered reflection sensor indicative of an amount of radiation incident on the scattered reflection sensor; and determining a condition of the windshield based on the first output and the second output. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification