US6144022A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rain sensor using statistical analysis
Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems Inc
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Filing: 1999-03-15
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Granted: 2000-11-07
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Expires: 2019-03-15
Abstract
Abstract A method and an assembly for sensing moisture (20) on the exterior surface (22) of a sheet of glass (14) by positioning an imaging lens (16) adjacent to the interior surface (18) of the sheet of glass (14), passing light rays from moisture (20) on the exterior surface (22) of the sheet of glass (14) through the imaging lens (16) and producing first and second successive images of the moisture (20) on the glass (14), and successively directing the first and second images from the lens (16) onto a focal plane detector (12). The focal plane detector (12) is divided into rows of pixels (24) which are ligned into columns. The assembly and method are characterized by scanning the pixels (24) of each row in a first scan (FIG. 4) and producing a reference value X for each pixel (24) in response to an initial image in that pixel (24), scanning the pixels (24) of each row in a second scan (FIG. 5) and producing a subsequent value Y different from the reference value in response to an subsequent image in that pixel (24). A correlation coefficient value r is developed for each row with a statistical formula from the reference and subsequent values to produce a wiper signal in response to the correlation coefficient value r deviating from a predetermined value. An additional condition to the wiper signal could be that the correlation coefficient values r differ from row to row.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeff Tenenbaum
- 👤 Peter A. Hochstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:36
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60S; B60S1/00; B60S1/02; B60S1/04; B60S1/06; B60S1/08; B60S1/0818; B60S1/0822; B60S1/0833; B60S1/0844; G; G06; G06V; G06V20/00; G06V20/50; G06V20/56; B60S1/0862; B60S1/087; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S15/00; Y10S15/15; Y10S318/00; Y10S318/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A method for sensing moisture (20) on the exterior surface (22) of a sheet of glass (14) comprising the steps of; positioning an imaging lens (16) adjacent to the interior surface (18) of the sheet of glass (14), passing light rays from moisture (20) on the exterior surface (22) of the sheet of glass (14) through the imaging lens (16) and producing first and second successive images of the moisture (20) on the glass (14), and successively directing the first and second images from the lens (16) onto a focal plane detector (12), dividing each of the images into a plurality of elements (24), said method characterized by scanning the elements in a first scan and producing an initial reference value for each element in response to an initial image in that element, scanning the elements in a second scan and producing a subsequent value different from the initial reference value in response to an initial image in that element, developing a correlation coefficient value from the reference and subsequent values, and producing a wiper signal in response to the correlation coefficient value deviating from a predetermined value.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
188 words
A method for sensing moisture (20) on the exterior surface (22) of a sheet of glass (14) comprising the steps of; positioning an imaging lens (16) adjacent to the interior surface (18) of the sheet of glass (14), passing light rays from moisture (20) on the exterior surface (22) of the sheet of glass (14) through the imaging lens (16) and producing first and second successive images of the moisture (20) on the glass (14), and successively directing the first and second images from the lens (16) onto a focal plane detector (12), dividing each of the images into a plurality of elements (24), said method characterized by scanning the elements in a first scan and producing an initial reference value for each element in response to an initial image in that element, scanning the elements in a second scan and producing a subsequent value different from the initial reference value in response to an initial image in that element, developing a correlation coefficient value from the reference and subsequent values, and producing a wiper signal in response to the correlation coefficient value deviating from a predetermined value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 further defined as developing the correlation coefficient value in accordance with a statistical formula.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 further defined as developing the correlation coefficient value (r) in accordance with the following statistical formula: ##EQU3## wherein X equals the reference value, Y equals the subsequent value, and N equals the number of elements (24).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 further defined as dividing the plurality of elements into first and second groups, developing a first correlation coefficient value for the first group, developing a second correlation coefficient value for the second group, and producing a wiper signal in response to either of the first and second correlation coefficient values deviating from said predetermined value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 further defined as dividing the plurality of elements into first and second groups, developing a first correlation coefficient value for the first group, developing a second correlation coefficient value for the second group, and producing a wiper signal in response to either of the first and second correlation coefficient values deviating from said predetermined value and differing from each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as set forth in claim 5 further defined as placing the first and second groups in first and second rows, and leading the reference and correlation integers in each row with a zero.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as set forth in claim 6 further defined as aligning the elements of the first and second rows in columns.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
209 words
An assembly for sensing moisture (20) on a glass (14) surface from a position adjacent the glass (14), said assembly comprising; a focal plane detector (12) adapted for disposition adjacent to the interior surface (18) of the sheet of glass (14), and an imaging lens (16) adapted for disposition between said focal plane detector (12) and the interior surface (18) of the sheet of glass (14) for directing light rays from moisture (20) on the exterior surface (22) of the sheet of glass (14) through said imaging lens (16) to produce successive first and second images of the moisture (20) on said focal plane detector (12), a plurality of pixels (24) for dividing the images into a plurality of elements, said assembly characterized by a controller (28) for scanning the elements in a first scan and producing a reference value for each element in response to an initial image in that element, for scanning the elements in a second scan and producing a subsequent value different from the reference value in response to a subsequent image in that element, for developing a correlation coefficient value from the reference and subsequent values, and for producing a wiper signal in response to the correlation coefficient value deviating from a predetermined value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
209 words
An assembly for sensing moisture (20) on a glass (14) surface from a position adjacent the glass (14), said assembly comprising; a focal plane detector (12) adapted for disposition adjacent to the interior surface (18) of the sheet of glass (14), and an imaging lens (16) adapted for disposition between said focal plane detector (12) and the interior surface (18) of the sheet of glass (14) for directing light rays from moisture (20) on the exterior surface (22) of the sheet of glass (14) through said imaging lens (16) to produce successive first and second images of the moisture (20) on said focal plane detector (12), a plurality of pixels (24) for dividing the images into a plurality of elements, said assembly characterized by a controller (28) for scanning the elements in a first scan and producing a reference value for each element in response to an initial image in that element, for scanning the elements in a second scan and producing a subsequent value different from the reference value in response to a subsequent image in that element, for developing a correlation coefficient value from the reference and subsequent values, and for producing a wiper signal in response to the correlation coefficient value deviating from a predetermined value.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said controller (28) includes a storage unit for storing a statistical formula and developing the correlation coefficient value in accordance with said statistical formula.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said controller (28) includes a storage unit for storing the statistical formula: ##EQU4## wherein X equals the reference value, Y equals the subsequent value, and N equals the number of pixels (24), and developing the correlation coefficient value r in accordance with said statistical formula.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein the plurality of pixels are arranged into first and second groups for developing a first correlation coefficient value for the first group and for developing a second correlation coefficient value for the second group to producing a wiper signal in response to either of the first and second correlation coefficient values deviating from said predetermined value.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
70 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein the plurality of pixels are arranged into first and second groups for developing a first correlation coefficient value for the first group and for developing a second correlation coefficient value for the second group to producing a wiper signal in response to either of the first and second correlation coefficient values deviating from said predetermined value and differing from each other.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein the first and second groups are arranged in first and second rows, and including constant integer means for leading the reference and correlation integers in each row with a zero.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein the pixels of the first and second rows are aligned in columns.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-11-07 | 2004-05-08 | 2004-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-11-07 | 2008-05-08 | 2008-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-11-07 | 2012-05-08 | 2012-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |