Moisture sensor for optically detecting moisture

• US 7,718,943 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2005
• Issued: 05/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Johnson, Ryan D., Stam, Joseph S., Bechtel, Jon H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu; Thanh X
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUI PHO, PASCAL M
• Application Number:
  US11/239,191
• Publication Number:
  US 20060076478A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,692 Days
• Field of Search: 250/227.25, 250/227.2, 250573-575, 250/208.1, 250/222.2, 250/214.AL, 250/221, 340600-604, 340/583, 318/483, 318/444, 731/701.6, 731/701.7, 731/702.1
• US Class Current: 250/208.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0822 characterized by the arrangement or type of detection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0833 Optical rain sensor
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0844 including a camera
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0885 the sensor being integrated in a rear-view mirror module
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/56 exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle

Abstract

The present invention provides various improvements in components for optical based moisture sensing systems and to moisture sensing systems incorporating the components. In at least one embodiment an imager sensor based moisture sensing system is provided that is capable of detecting a moisture pattern.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a target generating means for projecting a predetermined pattern of illumination toward a substantially transparent substrate comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface;

an optical sensing means comprising a first lens and an image sensor having a primary optical axis that is optically aligned with said first lens, such that said optical sensing means is configured to detect reflection of said illumination of said target generating means from said interior surface and to detect reflection of said illumination of said target generating means from said exterior surface such that said interior reflection is separate from said exterior reflection to detect moisture on at least one of said exterior surface and said interior surface based upon said detected reflection and said predetermined pattern of illumination of said target generating means;

a transparent diffuse surface configured to allow said optical sensing means to obtain information about ambient light that has first transmitted through said interior and exterior surfaces of said substantially transparent substrate; and

a means for analyzing said interior and said exterior reflection to detect a presence of moisture on at least one surface of said substantially transparent substrate based upon said illumination of said target generating means that is reflected from said interior and exterior surfaces, respectively, and received by said optical sensing means, and said obtained information about ambient light.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said target generating means projects a series of lines.

3. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said optical sensing means comprises a single row of light sensors.

4. An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising a means for analyzing at least said exterior reflection to detect a presence of moisture on said exterior surface.

5. An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising a means for analyzing at least said interior reflection to detect a presence of moisture on said interior surface.

6. An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising a means for analyzing said exterior reflection to detect an absence of at least a portion of said exterior reflection, wherein an absence of at least a portion of said exterior reflection is indicative of the presence of moisture on said exterior surface.

7. An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising a detection screen positioned between said optical sensing means and said substantially transparent substrate.

8. An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising a controller configured to control at least one vehicle equipment.

9. An apparatus as in claim 1 comprising only one optical sensing means configured to receive illumination of said target generating means reflected by both said internal and external surfaces.