Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of a detector device includes a sensor portion that is configured to at least emit or receive a first type of radiation. A cover near the sensor portion is transparent to the first type of radiation to allow the first type of radiation to pass through the cover. A radiation source emits a second, different type of radiation. A plurality of reflecting surfaces are transparent to the first type of radiation and at least partially opaque to the second type of radiation to at least partially reflect the second type of radiation into the cover to increase a temperature of at least a portion of the cover.

Abstract: An illustrative example camera device includes a sensor that is configured to detect radiation. A first portion of the sensor has a first field of vision and is used for a first imaging function. A distortion correction prism directs radiation outside the first field of vision toward the sensor. A lens element between the distortion correcting prism and the sensor includes a surface at an oblique angle relative to a sensor axis. The lens element directs radiation from the distortion correcting prism toward a second portion of the sensor that has a second field of vision and is used for a second imaging function. The sensor provides a first output for the first imaging function based on radiation detected at the first portion of the sensor. The sensor provides a second output for the second imaging function based on radiation detection at the second portion.

Abstract: An illustrative example device for controlling a direction of radiation includes a source of at least one beam of radiation. A plurality of optical components in a pathway of the at least one beam of radiation establish a first direction of the at least one beam of radiation. The plurality of optical components includes at least one adjustable optical component that includes at least one portion that is moveable relative to the source. A positional feedback feature on a portion of at least one of the optical components deflects at least some of the at least one beam of radiation in a second direction that is different than the first direction. A detector is situated to detect at least some of the deflected radiation and provides an output indicative of the first direction.

Abstract: An illustrative example device for steering radiation includes an optic component including a plurality of concave surfaces on at least one side of the optic component, a plurality of radiation sources respectively aligned with the plurality of concave surfaces, and at least one actuator that selectively moves the optic component relative to the plurality of light sources to selectively change a direction of respective beams of radiation passing through the plurality of concave surfaces.

Abstract: An illustrative example device for steering a beam of radiation includes at least one compressible optic component including at least one lens in a compressible optic material adjacent the lens. An actuator controls an orientation of the lens by selectively applying pressure on the compressible optic material.

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.

Abstract: An illustrative example camera assembly includes a sensor. An infrared cut filter is situated to filter radiation as the radiation approaches the sensor. A plurality of lens elements is situated between the sensor and the infrared cut filter.

Abstract: An illustrative example method of making a camera includes assembling a plurality of lens elements, a sensor, and a housing to establish an assembly with each of the lens elements and the sensor at least partially in the housing. The assembly is then situated adjacent a circuit board substrate. At least the sensor is secured to the circuit board substrate using surface mount technology (SMT) and the assembly becomes fixed relative to the circuit board substrate.

Abstract: An illustrative example camera device includes a sensor that is configured to detect radiation. A first portion of the sensor has a first field of vision and is used for a first imaging function. A distortion correction prism directs radiation outside the first field of vision toward the sensor. A lens element between the distortion correcting prism and the sensor includes a surface at an oblique angle relative to a sensor axis. The lens element directs radiation from the distortion correcting prism toward a second portion of the sensor that has a second field of vision and is used for a second imaging function. The sensor provides a first output for the first imaging function based on radiation detected at the first portion of the sensor. The sensor provides a second output for the second imaging function based on radiation detection at the second portion.

Abstract: An illustrative example camera assembly includes a sensor. An infrared cut filter is situated to filter radiation as the radiation approaches the sensor. A plurality of lens elements is situated between the sensor and the infrared cut filter.

Abstract: A camera suitable for use on an automated vehicle includes an imager-device, a lens-module, and an array of light-guides. The imager-device is operable to determine an image and includes a plurality of light-detecting pixels. Each pixel is overlaid with a micro-lens. The lens-module directs light from a field-of-view of the camera toward the imager-device. The array of light-guides is interposed between the lens-module and the imager-device, and is arranged so each instance of light-guide is aligned with a corresponding instance of micro-lens. Each light-guide is defined by a lens-end and an imager-end. The lens-end of each of the light-guides cooperates to define a planar-surface of the array, and imager-end of the light-guide is characterized by an angle selected to direct light within the light-guide toward the corresponding instance of the micro-lens. The angle is determined based on a chief-ray-angle (CRA) of light from the lens-module impinging on the lens-end.

Abstract: An imager device for detecting light indicative of an image projected onto the device includes an arrangement of visible-light pixels. Each visible-light pixel is characterized by a first-area. The device also includes an arrangement of infrared pixels interleaved with the visible-light pixels. Each infrared pixel is characterized by a second-area greater than the first-area. The visible-light pixels are alternatively characterized by a first-resolution, so the infrared pixels are characterized by a second-resolution less than the first-resolution. The device also defines a plurality of pixel-cells. Each pixel-cell includes a visible-light pixel and a portion of an infrared pixel that is part of an adjacent pixel-cell.

Abstract: A multiple imager camera includes a block, an imager, and an alignment apparatus. The block is configured to direct an image to a plurality of imagers located proximate to a plurality of apertures defined by the block. The imager of the plurality of imagers is configured to receive the image through an aperture of the plurality of apertures. The alignment apparatus is interposed between the block and the imager. The alignment apparatus is configured to allow for six degrees of freedom to align the imager with the image. The six degrees of freedom include adjustment along a x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis of the aperture, and adjustment about a pitch-axis, a yaw-axis, and a roll-axis of the aperture. The alignment apparatus is further configured to fixedly couple the imager to the block after the imager is aligned with the image.

Abstract: An optical sensor system adapted to operate through a window of a vehicle includes a lens, a plurality of optoelectronic devices, and an optical device. The lens is configured to direct light from a field-of-view toward a focal plane. The plurality of optoelectronic devices are arranged proximate to the focal plane. The plurality of optoelectronic devices includes a first optoelectronic device operable to detect an image from a first portion of the field-of-view, and a second optoelectronic device operable to detect light from a second portion of the field-of-view distinct from the first portion. The optical device is configured to direct light from outside the field-of-view toward the second portion.

Abstract: An imager assembly adapted to capture an image proximate to a vehicle includes a camera and a heater element. The camera is configured to capture an image of a field-of-view about a vehicle through a window of the vehicle. The heater element is configured to direct heat toward a portion of the window that intersects the field-of-view for defogging the portion of the window. The heater element is located outside of the field-of-view.

Abstract: An optical sensor system that includes a master lens, an optical diffuser, and a plurality of optoelectronic devices. The master lens is positioned on the vehicle to observe a field of view about the vehicle. An optical diffuser is located proximate to a focal plane of the master lens. The diffuser is configured to display an image of the field of view from the master lens. A first optoelectronic device generates a first video signal indicative of images on a first portion of the diffuser. A second optoelectronic device generates a second video signal indicative of images on a second portion of the diffuser. The optoelectronic devices may be sensitive to distinct ranges of wavelength. The second portion substantially overlaps the first portion such that the image captured by the first optoelectronic device is substantially the same as the image captured by the second optoelectronic device.

Abstract: An imager assembly adapted to capture an image proximate to a vehicle includes a camera and a heater element. The camera is configured to capture an image of a field-of-view about a vehicle through a window of the vehicle. The heater element is configured to direct heat toward a portion of the window that intersects the field-of-view for defogging the portion of the window. The heater element is located outside of the field-of-view.

Abstract: An optical sensor system adapted to operate through a window of a vehicle includes a lens, a plurality of optoelectronic devices, and an optical device. The lens is configured to direct light from a field-of-view toward a focal plane. The plurality of optoelectronic devices are arranged proximate to the focal plane. The plurality of optoelectronic devices includes a first optoelectronic device operable to detect an image from a first portion of the field-of-view, and a second optoelectronic device operable to detect light from a second portion of the field-of-view distinct from the first portion. The optical device is configured to direct light from outside the field-of-view toward the second portion.

Abstract: A multiple imager camera includes a block, an imager, and an alignment apparatus. The block is configured to direct an image to a plurality of imagers located proximate to a plurality of apertures defined by the block. The imager of the plurality of imagers is configured to receive the image through an aperture of the plurality of apertures. The alignment apparatus is interposed between the block and the imager. The alignment apparatus is configured to allow for six degrees of freedom to align the imager with the image. The six degrees of freedom include adjustment along a x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis of the aperture, and adjustment about a pitch-axis, a yaw-axis, and a roll-axis of the aperture. The alignment apparatus is further configured to fixedly couple the imager to the block after the imager is aligned with the image.

Abstract: A molded camera suitable for use on a vehicle to capture an image of a field-of-view about the vehicle includes a circuit board assembly, a pigtail connector, an imager device, a lens assembly, and a polymeric compound. The pigtail connector is attached to the circuit board assembly. The imager device is attached to the circuit board assembly. The lens assembly is configured to focus the image of the field-of-view about the vehicle on the imager device. The polymeric compound is configured to encapsulate the circuit board assembly, seal/protect the molded camera and define an external portion of an exterior surface of the molded camera.