Differential imaging rain sensor
First Claim
1. A method for sensing moisture on the exterior surface of a sheet of glass comprising the steps of;
- capturing an ambient image of light rays made up of a first plurality of pixel light intensity with each value derived from at least one of a plurality of pixels to represent the ambient image of light rays passing through the glass from the exterior to the interior surfaces thereof under ambient light conditions, said method characterized illuminating the glass with rays, capturing an illuminated image made up of a second plurality of pixel light intensity values with each value derived from the same grouping of the plurality of pixels to represent an illuminated image of the glass containing the ambient image plus the illuminated image containing the reflected light pixel light intensity values from the second series of pixel light intensity values to produce a moisture signal in response to increased light intensity values captured by corresponding pixels.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and assembly for sensing moisture on the exterior surface of a sheet of glass (16) by capturing an ambient image (A) of light rays passing through the glass (16) from the exterior to the interior surfaces thereof under ambient light conditions. The invention is characterized by illuminating (18) the glass with pulses of light rays, capturing an illuminated image of the glass containing the ambient image (A) plus the illuminated image (B) containing the reflected light from the illuminating (18) of the glass (16) between the ambient images (A), and subtracting each ambient image (A) from the next adjacent illuminated image (B) to produce a moisture signal (30).
79 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for sensing moisture on the exterior surface of a sheet of glass comprising the steps of;
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capturing an ambient image of light rays made up of a first plurality of pixel light intensity with each value derived from at least one of a plurality of pixels to represent the ambient image of light rays passing through the glass from the exterior to the interior surfaces thereof under ambient light conditions, said method characterized illuminating the glass with rays, capturing an illuminated image made up of a second plurality of pixel light intensity values with each value derived from the same grouping of the plurality of pixels to represent an illuminated image of the glass containing the ambient image plus the illuminated image containing the reflected light pixel light intensity values from the second series of pixel light intensity values to produce a moisture signal in response to increased light intensity values captured by corresponding pixels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An assembly for sensing moisture on an exterior surface of a sheet of glass from a position adjacent the sheet of glass, said assembly comprising;
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a light source (18) for illuminating the sheet of glass with light rays, an imager device including a plurality of pixels and adapted for disposition adjacent to the interior surface of the sheet of glass for capturing an ambient image of light rays made up of a first plurality of pixel light intensity values each derived from at least one of said pixels to represent an ambient image of light rays passing through the sheet of glass from the exterior to the interior surface thereof under ambient light conditions and for capturing an illuminated image made up of a second plurality of pixel light intensity values each derived from corresponding grouping of pixels to represent an illuminated image of the sheet of glass containing the reflected light from the illuminating of the sheet of glass, pixel light intensity values from the second series of pixel light intensity values to produce a moisture signal in response to increased light intensity values captured by corresponding pixels. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification