Ambient light detector for off-the-glass rain sensor

• US 20020084404A1
• Filed: 12/28/2000
• Published: 07/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems Incorporated (Valeo SE)
• Original Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems Incorporated (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Jackson, James A. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 6,806,485 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/205
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/1423 Automatic dimming circuits, i.e. switching between high beam and low beam due to change of ambient light or light level in road traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/312 Adverse weather
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/314 Ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0822 characterized by the arrangement or type of detection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/087 including an ambient light sensor control of vehicle lights B60Q
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0888 characterized by the attachment of the elements in a unit

Abstract

An optical moisture detector for determining a value corresponding to ambient light conditions and comparing that value to a predetermined value. The detector includes an optical moisture sensor and a processor. The optical moisture sensor can be a photo array, a CCD or a CMOS. The processor can be a microprocessor. The processor can emit a control signal to engage or disengage a light generating device based on the result of the comparison of the value to the predetermined value.

Claims

1. An optical moisture detector for measuring ambient light conditions comprising:

an optical moisture sensor for sensing the presence of moisture on a moisture collecting surface, the sensor operable to emit a signal corresponding to sensed conditions; and

processor means for receiving the signal, for determining an absolute ambient light value corresponding to existing ambient light conditions, for comparing the value to a predetermined value, and for emitting a control signal if the value is less than the predetermined value as a result of the comparison.

2. The optical moisture detector of claim 1 further comprising:

means, responsive to the control signal, for controlling a light generating device.

3. The optical moisture detector of claim 1 further comprising:

timer means for disabling the processor means from comparing the value to the predetermined value for a predetermined period of time.

4. The optical moisture detector of claim 1 wherein the optical moisture sensor is operably mountable with respect to a windshield of a motor vehicle.

5. The optical moisture detector of claim 1 wherein the optical moisture sensor is operably positionable in a spaced relationship relative to a windshield of a motor vehicle.

6. The optical moisture detector of claim 1 wherein the optical moisture sensor further comprises:

a CCD camera for collecting data to be sent as signals to the processor means.

7. The optical moisture detector of claim 1 wherein the optical moisture sensor further comprises:

a CMOS camera for collecting data to be sent as signals to the processor means.

8. The optical moisture detector of claim 1 wherein the optical moisture sensor further comprises:

a photo array having a plurality of dark pixels and a plurality of standard pixels for collecting data to be sent as signals to the processor means.

9. The optical moisture detector of claim 1 wherein the processor means further comprises:

a microprocessor for operably receiving the signal from the sensor.

10. The optical moisture detector of claim 1 wherein the processing means compares the absolute ambient light value to a first predetermined value to determine if a signal to turn on a light generating device is to be sent, and compares the absolute ambient light value to a second predetermined value to determine if a signal to turn off the light generating device is to be sent.

11. An optical moisture detector for measuring ambient light conditions comprising:

an optical moisture sensor for sensing the presence of moisture on a windshield of a vehicle, the sensor operable to emit a signal corresponding to sensed conditions; and

processor means for receiving the signal, for determining an absolute ambient light value corresponding to existing ambient light conditions, for comparing the value to a predetermined value, and for emitting a control signal if the value is less than the predetermined value as a result of the comparison.

12. The optical moisture detector of claim 11 further comprising:

means, responsive to the control signal, for controlling a light generating device.

13. The optical moisture detector of claim 11 further comprising:

timer means for disabling the processor means from comparing the value to the predetermined value for a predetermined period of time.

14. The optical moisture detector of claim 11 wherein the processor means emits the control signal only if at least two successive comparisons indicate the value is less than the predetermined value.

15. The optical moisture detector of claim of claim 11 wherein the optical moisture sensor is operably mountable with respect to a windshield of a motor vehicle.

16. The optical moisture detector of claim of claim 11 wherein the optical moisture sensor is operably positionable in a spaced relationship relative to a windshield of a motor vehicle.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of:

mounting the optical moisture sensor to the windshield of a vehicle.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of:

disposing the optical moisture sensor in a spatial relationship relative to the windshield of a vehicle.

20. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of:

controlling a light generating device with controlling means in response to the control signal.

17. A method of measuring ambient light conditions comprising:

sensing the presence of moisture on a moisture collecting surface with an optical moisture sensor, the sensor operable to emit a signal corresponding to the sensed conditions;

receiving the signal and determining an absolute ambient light value corresponding to the existing ambient light conditions with processor means;

comparing the value to a predetermined value with the processor means; and

emitting a control signal with the processor means if the value is less than the predetermined value as a result of the comparing step.