Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly, electronic circuitry, an imaging sensor, a rain sensor control and a headlamp control. The electronic circuitry is operable to control an electrochromic reflective element of the mirror assembly. The imaging sensor is positioned with a field of view through a window of the vehicle. The rain sensor control is responsive to an output signal of the imaging sensor and controls a windshield wiper of the vehicle and/or a defogging system of the vehicle in response to the output signal. The headlamp control is responsive to an output signal of the imaging sensor and controls a headlamp of the vehicle in response to the output signal. The rain sensor control and the headlamp control at least one of (a) access a common component of the electronic circuitry, and (b) share a common component of the electronic circuitry.

Abstract: A light-sensitive sensor unit, in particular for automatic switching of lighting devices, preferably in motor vehicles, including at least two light-sensitive sensors, at least one first sensor detecting the global lighting conditions, and at least one second sensor detecting the lighting conditions in predetermined directions. All light guide elements provided for the sensors are joined in one piece to form a light guide body.

Abstract: The system of the present invention is configured to detect moisture on a surface and includes a sensor that may be divided into a plurality of subwindows. At least one of the subwindows has a sensitivity that is independently variable. The system may further include an optical system operative to direct light rays from at least a portion of the surface onto the sensor, and a processing system in communication with the sensor and operative to independently adjust the sensitivity of the at least one subwindow and to analyze data from the sensor to detect moisture. The processing system may control the windshield wipers based upon a number of subwindows in which moisture is detected.

Abstract: A sensor in a car window permits a reduction in size thereof. The sensor includes a lens that is provided on the inner side of a sloping windshield to condense light coming from an object to be detected that is located outside the windshield, a sensor main body that detects the object to be detected by means of the light that has passed through the lens, and a transparent glass pane that is provided between the windshield and the lens to refract the light from the object to be detected that has passed through the windshield.

Abstract: The invention relates to the detection of parameters that are representative of a state associated with an automobile windscreen (1), by optical means. The inventive device comprises a module (20) that is sensitive to at least one of the aforementioned parameters and which is at least partially embedded in a layer (11) of the windscreen. Said windscreen comprises two glass panels (10a, 10b), which are separated by a spacer comprising the part of the module (20) that is embedded.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement for detecting a wetting, in particular a precipitation and dirt accumulation, on a window (13) is proposed, with at least one transmitter (14) and at least one receiver (15) for the transmitter light (17) emitted by the transmitters (14), where the transmitters (14) and receivers (15) are disposed on the vertex points of an imaginary trapezoid. As a result, the external dimensions of the sensor are reduced, the ratio of sensitive area (19) and base area (18) of the sensor is improved, and a coherent sensitive area is produced, where there is also space available for a receiving element of an automatic light control.

Abstract: A vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a housing having a front end releasably attached to the interior surface of the vehicle windshield and a rear end having a ball and socket joint for a rearview mirror unit. An internal wall subdivides the interior of the housing into first and second compartments. The first compartment contains a rain sensor which is preferably biased into contact with the windshield, and the second compartment contains a further electrical component such as a compass sensor accessible through a side opening. A removable cover mates with the housing around the opening and extends along the windshield towards the vehicle header. Electrical leads for the rain sensor and the component are routed under the cover to the header.

Abstract: A control system for automatically detecting moisture on the windshield of a vehicle. The automatic moisture detecting system includes an optical system for imaging a portion of the windshield on to an image array sensor, such as a CMOS active pixel sensor. The voltage of each of the pixels which represents the illumination level is converted to a corresponding gray scale value by an analog digital converter. The spatial frequency composition of the gray scale values are analyzed to determine the amount of rain present in order to provide a control signal to control the operation of the windshield wipers of the vehicle as a function of the amount of moisture present. The system is also adapted to detect the level of fog both on the interior of the windshield as well as the exterior of the windshield.

Abstract: The system of the present invention is configured to detect moisture on a surface and includes a sensor that may be divided into a plurality of subwindows. At least one of the subwindows has a sensitivity that is independently variable. The system may further include an optical system operative to direct light rays from at least a portion of the surface onto the sensor, and a processing system in communication with the sensor and operative to independently adjust the sensitivity of the at least one subwindow and to analyze data from the sensor to detect moisture. The processing system may control the windshield wipers based upon a number of subwindows in which moisture is detected.

Abstract: A moisture sensing system of the present invention includes first and second sensor arrays, at least one optical system operative to image the same portion of the surface onto both of the sensor arrays, and a processing system in communication with the sensor arrays and operative to analyze images from the sensor arrays to detect moisture. The sensor arrays may be two-dimensional sensor arrays that are separate or different portions of the same sensor array. This system may be used to control the windshield wipers of a vehicle. The processing system may be configured to subtract an image obtained from the first sensor array from an image obtained from the second sensor array to distinguish between near field and far field objects.

Abstract: A method and assembly for sensing moisture on the exterior surface of a sheet of glass (14) comprising the steps of emitting light rays from an illuminator (12) on an illuminator axis (I) intersecting the glass (14) at an illuminator angle of incidence I&thgr; to reflect the light rays on a reflection axis (R) at an angle (R&thgr;) of reflection to the glass (14) and capturing on an imaging axis (C) the reflected light rays including reflections of moisture (19) on the exterior surface of the glass (14). The method is characterized by isolating the reflection of moisture (19) from the direct reflection of the illuminator (12) to prevent the capture of the direct reflection of the illuminator (12). This can be accomplished by offsetting the imaging axis (C) from the reflection axis (R), or by stopping the direct reflection of the illuminator (12) from being captured, as with a beam stop (24).

Abstract: A detector of stains on a transparent plate surface is arranged on an internal surface of the plate and includes an emitter for emitting a modulated light signal towards the inside of the plate and a receiver for receiving the signal after it has been reflected on an external surface of the plate. An optical unit made with a material having an index substantially higher than the plate, is arranged on the internal surface of the plate. The optical unit is made up of at least three faces returning the light signal and an interface with the internal surface of the plate through an optical coupler. A deflector deflects the signal from the emitter toward the plate and from the optical unit towards the receiver. At least two reflections on the external surface of the plate are produced through the optical coupler without reflection on the internal surface of the plate.

Abstract: In an apparatus S, a peripheral light beam detecting light-receiving element 5 is disposed on a substrate 3 carrying a light-emitting element 4 and a light-receiving element 5 for detecting a raindrop. The peripheral light beam detecting light-receiving element 5 and the light receiving element 5 for detecting a raindrop are the same element. A plano-convex lens 10 is disposed so that a convex wall 10a thereof is opposed to the light-receiving element 5; the plano-concave lens 11 is disposed so that a concave wall 11a thereof is opposed to a plane wall 10b of the plano-convex lens 10, and a plane wall 11b of the plano-convex lens 10 is in tight or substantially tight contact with the inside wall 9b of the front windshield 9, whereby the peripheral light beams are collected to the light-receiving element 5 via the plano-concave lens 11 and the plano-convex lens 10.

Abstract: An improved biosensor cell comprises a fluid-carrying chamber and a fixture configured to receive the chamber. The chamber includes one or more optical waveguides immersed in the fluid, each waveguide having an input end and an output end, both of which are optically accessible from outside the chamber. The fixture includes a first coupling or optical path for routing the source of light to one end of one of the optical waveguides, and a second coupling or optical path for routing the other end of the optical waveguide to the optical detector. The relationship between the fluid-carrying chamber and the fixture is such that the fluid-carrying chamber may be removed and replaced with the alignment of the ends of the waveguide and the optical coupling being physically maintained. The preferred embodiment uses a plurality of optical couplers, with partitions to establish a serpentine path around the couplers for comprehensive exposure to the fluid.

Abstract: A sensor device for detecting the degree of wetting and/or soiling of a pane or windshield arranged in a motor vehicle includes individual radiation guide elements integrally molded onto a wall of a housing to be separated from one another by a blocking element of the wall. This reduces the amount of ambient radiation from the environment. A radiation emitter and a radiation receiver are structured as SMD components which are arranged on a circuit board carrier. The sensor device created in this way has a simple and compact design.

Abstract: A plurality of the first L1 and second L2 image sensor elements are interleaved with one another. The first image sensor elements L1 has a peak response at the first wavelength &lgr;1 for capturing an illuminated image of the glass and objects on the glass containing a first wavelength &lgr;1 from an infrared illuminator (12). The second image sensor element L2 has a peak response at a second wavelength &lgr;2 for capturing an ambient image of light rays at the second wavelength &lgr;2 passing through the glass (10) from the exterior to the interior surfaces simultaneously with the capture by the first image sensor element L1. Instead of storing two complete sequential images and differentially subtracting them, the present invention creates two simultaneous images from a specially interleaved, single imager (14).

Abstract: A device and a method for automatically adapting a light sensor to the light transmission properties of a windshield include determining the light transmission properties of the windshield for light having at least two different wavelengths. Light intensities of each of at least two different wavelengths of a light beam transmitted by a transmitter along a path through the windshield are measured by a light receiver. The measured light intensities are compared with reference light intensity values associated with clear glass. Transmission properties of the windshield are then calculated based on the comparison between the measured light intensities and the reference light intensity values. The light sensor is then adapted as a function of the calculated transmission properties of the windshield.

Abstract: A sensor device is described for detecting wetting of a windshield that has only one transmitter with which two measuring zones of the sensor device can be implemented on a wettable outside of the windshield. A light guidance body injecting transmitter radiation into the windshield has structures with which the transmitter radiation emitted by the transmitter is collected and parallelized in two different directions.

Abstract: A raindrop sensor has a prism body, incoming radiation side plano-convex lens portions each provided on inclined surfaces of the prism body for receiving light from light-emitting elements, and outgoing radiation side plano-convex lens portions provided on inclined surfaces of the prism body for emitting light toward a light-receiving element. The plano-convex lens portions are configured to cause a relatively small number of light-receiving element(s) to receive light from a number of outgoing radiation side plano-convex lens portions. Such a raindrop sensor can be made to have a more structure while employing a widened detection region.

Abstract: An apparatus for non-intrusively sensing fluid flow within a pipe is provided. The apparatus includes an array of sensors that include a plurality of optical fiber coils. The array of sensors senses the fluid flow inside the pipe. At least one optical reflective device is disposed between adjacent optical fiber coils. An isolation pad is disposed between each optical reflective device and the pipe.

Abstract: A sensor device is described for detecting wetting, in particular rainfall and soiling, on a windshield that has at least two, preferably eight, transmitters and at least one receiver for receiving light emitted by the respective transmitters. The at least two transmitters are arranged concentrically around the at least one receiver. A base area is defined by the at least two transmitters and the at least one receiver, with the base area being at least a sector of a circle. This reduces an outer dimension of the sensor device and improves a ratio of sensitive area to base area of the sensor device.

Abstract: A moisture sensor for detecting moisture on the surface of a transparent material. The moisture sensor includes one or more emitters for producing emitter signals, and one or more detectors for receiving the emitter signals. The detector produces a detector output signal which is filtered and amplified in a pre-demodulation gain and filtering circuit to remove some of the unwanted signal components including noise from ambient light and EMI. Digital Signal Processing filtering is used after the moisture signal is demodulated to a dc signal to discern small signal changes due to moisture events in the presence of large amounts of the noise created by the pre-demodulation gain circuit. The DSP filtering includes a low pass filter stage and a bandpass filter stage implemented by a microcomputer and provides a Finite Impulse Response, an Infinite Impulse Response, or uses Fast Fourier Transform to provide the necessary filtering.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for detecting and localizing diffuse-reflecting coatings situated on a translucent pane. The aim of the invention is to make it possible to detect any diffuse-reflecting coatings in a non-contacting manner and to differentiate between coatings situated on the pane surface facing the sensor and those situated on the pane surface facing away from the sensor. To this end an image of an object is captured by a recording unit forming part of the device by positioning the pane in the optical path between the object and recording unit, after which the image information obtained is evaluated accordingly.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical sensor for motor vehicles, for detecting ambient parameters that affect vision, having at least one transmitter and at least one receiver for electromagnetic waves (light waves), in which a windshield is disposed in a measurement segment between the at least one transmitter and the at least one receiver and influences a wave propagation between the at least one transmitter and the at least one receiver in such a way that when a film develops on the windshield, and especially when wetting occurs from precipitation, an output signal generated by the receiver varies and serves to trigger a windshield wiper system. It is provided that at least one of the receivers (16, 20, 22) of the optical sensor (4) receives electromagnetic waves (light waves) of an ambient brightness of the motor vehicle and serves to trigger a light system of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a moisture sensor in which light is coupled into a light guiding layer by a light source, undergoes total reflection there as long as the surrounding medium has a moisture lower than a threshold moisture and does not undergo total reflection if the moisture of the medium exceeds a threshold moisture, having an uncoupling element to uncouple the light from the light guiding layer and a detector for the uncoupled light. In accordance with the invention, a reflection hologram is provided on a part of the light guiding layer which, when a light ray is incident at the angle with which the light propagates in the light guiding layer, reconstructs a light ray which extends substantially counter to the incident light ray. The invention furthermore relates to a corresponding moisture sensor in which a pane, in particular an aeroplane or vehicle windscreen, is used as the light guiding layer.

Abstract: The device for the detection of a wetting of a pane of glass, has an optical rain sensor which detects extraneous light and evaluates it for purposes of day-night detection. The amount of light striking the receiver (14) is integrated in an integration stage (16) and supplied to a comparator stage (20). The total light quantity formed by the light of a transmitter (12) and extraneous light and the extraneous light quantity detected when the transmitter (12) is switched off are measured in separate time intervals (Tg, Tf, Tf′). The time interval (Tf, Tf′) utilized for measurement of the extraneous light quantity is to be extended after a predeterminable number of measurement cycles (M) or after a predeterminable time period and/or the threshold (S2) is to be lowered for day-night detection.

Abstract: A description is given of a rain indicator (1), which has a light source in the form of a light emitting diode (36) and a light detector in the form of a photodiode (37). There is a light guide (20) made from a material transparent to the light of the light source and e.g. glass, which has at least one surface portion (45, 46) exposed to the precipitation and which is so positioned relative to the light source that the light source light is totally reflectable towards the light detector on the surface portion. When the surface portion is dry light passes by total reflection to the light detector. In the case of precipitation a gap (43, 44) adjacent to the surface portion fills with liquid and the light intensity is substantially coupled out of the light guide (20) and no light passes to the light detector. Total reflection again occurs when the gap dries out.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring the change in refractive index of a liquid uses the lowest critical angle of a normal fiber optic to achieve sensitivity when the index of the liquid is significantly less than the index of the fiber core. Another embodiment uses a liquid filled core to ensure that its index is approximately the same as the liquid being measured.

Abstract: A system for protecting optical elements from moisture and/or ice build up when used in freezing environment, such as a freezer compartment of a refrigerator. The system includes a hood or sleeve which can be assembled to an optical element such as a light emitting or receiving elements used in a freezer compartment. The sleeve acts to trap air about the optic element such that warm humid air does not readily move into contact with the optic element. Moreover, the warm, humid air that does flow toward the optic element may be cooled by the sleeve such that moisture condenses out of the air and onto the sleeve. A heater may be provided adjacent the sleeve for heating the sleeve if the optic element is impaired due to ice or moisture build up.

Abstract: Two embodiments include a first image sensor (14, 114) for sensing a first image of the exterior surface of the glass (12) along a first optical axis A and a second image sensor (16, 116) for sensing a second image of the exterior surface of the glass (12) along a second optical axis B which intersects the first optical axis A at an intersection X disposed adjacent the exterior surface of the glass (12). Both embodiments include an image correlator (22) for correlating the first and second images and producing an activation signal (24) in response to coincidence of moisture (10) in the respective correlated first and second images. The rain sensor accurately interprets images of moisture that lie in a narrow measurement zone adjacent the exterior surface of the windshield while disregarding images of objects that lie outside that zone.

Abstract: A water sensor, such as a rain or dew sensor, includes a light emitting device for producing sensing light to be reflected in a transparent plate such as a windshield glass panel of a vehicle, a light receiving device for receiving the sensing light, and a hologram sheet having at least one hologram for defining a light path of the sensing light between the light emitting device and the light receiving device. The hologram sheet may be attached to the inside surface of a windshield glass panel or interposed between inside and outside glass layers of a laminated glass panel.

Abstract: In a method for detecting liquid drops adhering upon a front windshield with superior sensitivity but without obstructing drivers, a light beam emitted from a light emitting element 4 is guided into a light guiding body 7, and after undergoing total internal reflection within light guiding body 7, it is guided into a front windshield G. The light guided into the front windshield G is received by a light receiving element 5 after repeated total internal reflections within the front windshield G. In this instance, when raindrops adhere on the outside surface of the front windshield G and the adhering points are at the total internal reflection points of the light mentioned above, then the light beam guided into the front windshield G passes through and goes out from the windshield G without undergoing total internal reflection therein.

Abstract: A control system for automatically detecting moisture on the windshield of a vehicle. The automatic moisture detecting system includes an optical system for imaging a portion of the windshield on to an image array sensor, such as a CMOS active pixel sensor. The voltages of each of the pixels which represents the illumination level is converted to a corresponding gray scale value by an analog digital converter. The gray scale values corresponding to the image are stored in memory. The spatial frequency composition of the gray scale values are analyzed to determine the amount of rain present. In order to provide a control signal to control the operation of the windshield wipers of the vehicle as a function of the amount of moisture present. The system is also adapted to detect the level of fog both on the interior of the windshield as well as the exterior of the windshield.

Abstract: An automatic intensity control unit for use in a moisture sensor which senses moisture on the surface of a transparent material. The moisture sensor includes one or more emitters for producing an emitter signal which is influenced by moisture on the transparent material, and one or more detectors for receiving the emitter signals. The automatic intensity control unit adjusts the intensity of the emitter signals to accommodate transparent materials having different transmittances. The automatic intensity control unit includes a comparator for comparing the intensity the emitter signals received by the detectors with a predetermined reference signal and a counter communicating with the comparator for producing a counter output.

Abstract: A device for detecting the presence of moisture on an outside surface of a windshield is disclosed. The device includes am emitter for transmitting energy, a sensor for receiving energy, an energy absorbing member and a controller for monitoring energy.

Abstract: An optical sensor for detecting wetting of a surface in a motor vehicle, the optical sensor has a measuring segment which has at least one transmitter of electromagnet waves and at least one receiver of electromagnetic waves and in which a windshield is disposable so that when a layer of moisture forms on the windshield upon wetting from precipitation a wave propagation between the at least one transmitter and the at least one receiver changes and an output signal generated by the receiver changes, a housing disposable on an inside of the windshield and having a bottom face adapted to be in physical contact with the windshield, the bottom face of the housing being oval.

Abstract: An assembly (10) for sensing moisture (20) on the exterior surface (22) of a windshield (14) from a position spaced from the interior surface (18) of the windshield (14). The assembly (10) includes a focal plane detector (12) comprising a plurality of pixels (24) adapted for disposition in spaced relationship to the interior surface (18) of the sheet of glass (14), as on the backside of the rearview mirror. An imaging lens (16) is adapted for disposition between the 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 the imaging lens (16) to produce a real image of the moisture (20) on said focal plane detector (12).

Abstract: A liquid level sensor comprising a transparent waveguide containing fluorescent material that is excited by light of a first wavelength and emits at a second, longer wavelength. The upper end of the waveguide is connected to a light source at the first wavelength through a beveled portion of the waveguide such that the input light is totally internally reflected within the waveguide above an air/liquid interface in a tank but is transmitted into the liquid below this interface. Light is emitted from the fluorescent material only in those portions of the waveguide that are above the air/liquid interface, to be collected at the upper end of the waveguide by a detector that is sensitive only to the second wavelength. As the interface moves down in the tank, the signal strength from the detector will increase.