Abstract: A vehicle control system employing acoustic and impact sensors for sensing acoustics and vibrations at a vehicle to detect environmental conditions and provide appropriate vehicle control and driver warnings according to the environmental conditions. The acoustics may include sounds generated by objects in the external environment surrounding the vehicle or sounds generated by impacts on the vehicle. The vibrations may include vibrations of the vehicle generated by the sounds generated by objects in the external environment surrounding the vehicle or vibrations of the vehicle generated by the impacts on the vehicle.

Abstract: A device, and a corresponding method, for controlling a wiper of a vehicle may include: a storage that stores a reference table, wherein each wiper operation mode corresponding to each rainfall and each sensitivity level is recorded in the reference table; a rain sensor that measures the rainfall; a wiper switch that receives a wiper operation mode and a sensitivity level input from a driver; and a controller that detects a wiper manipulation pattern of the driver based on the measured rainfall and that changes the reference table to a driver-customized-table based on the wiper manipulation pattern of the driver.

Abstract: An electrical control apparatus of an internal speed change device of a wheel hub for gear switching has a control base and a lateral cover; a circuit board, a motor and a logic driving ring being assembled in an interior receiving space between the control base and the lateral cover; the circuit board being installed with at least one signal transmission contact joint; the logic driving ring being installed with at least one logic loop and a logic driving ring gear; wherein the circuit board is used to drive the motor so that a motor gear of the motor drives the logic driving ring to rotate; rotation of the logic driving ring drives the at least one logic loop to rotate and be positioned to an object position so as to complete electrically control gear switching.

Abstract: A cleaning device for a lidar sensor set-up. The cleaning device includes a movable cleaning element, and is configured, for a cleaning operation, to move the cleaning element over a window of the lidar sensor set-up, on a side facing away from the lidar sensor device and facing the field of view of the lidar sensor set-up. The movable cleaning element has an optical element. The optical element is configured to send back and, in particular, reflect back primary light from a transmitting path of the lidar sensor set-up, which is incident upon the optical element, into a receiving path of the lidar sensor set-up.

Abstract: A vehicle and vehicle wiper with antenna is directed to improve communication stability with other target vehicles by securing sufficient signal reception sensitivity of an antenna of a vehicle even in rainy weather where the signal reception sensitivity of the antenna may decrease, while at the same time supplementing shortcomings of a short communication distance. A vehicle includes a wiper including a blade for wiping a windshield of the vehicle and an arm for supporting the blade, and a first antenna provided on the arm of the wiper.

Abstract: Provided is an electric dual-mode wiper system for a railway vehicle. The electric dual-mode wiper system for a railway vehicle includes a first wiper drive unit and a second wiper drive unit, and controls a synchronization operation of the first wiper drive unit and a second wiper drive unit.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a method for using one or more audio signals from one or more sensors to establish the presence and severity of precipitation at a particular location. Methods may include: receiving at least one first audio signal from a first audio sensor of a vehicle; extracting acoustical features including frequency and amplitude from the at least one first audio signal; receiving at least one second audio signal from a second audio sensor of the vehicle; extracting acoustical features including frequency and amplitude from the at least one second audio signal; processing the frequency and amplitude from the at least one first audio signal and the frequency and amplitude from the at least one second audio signal as inputs to an algorithm to generate an output from the algorithm; and determining, from the output of the algorithm, a precipitation condition and a confidence measure of the precipitation condition.

Abstract: A glazing unit of a vehicle or building, which has at least one glass pane or polymer film, wherein a capacitive sensor is arranged on a first surface of the or a glass pane or polymer film, which sensor includes a first sensor section and a second sensor section spaced at a distance therefrom on the first surface, which second sensor section acts as a signal readout section, wherein during operation of the sensor, an electrical field is generated between the first and second sensor section, which field partially penetrates the glass pane or polymer film, wherein a material property compensation electrode is provided on the second surface of the same glass pane or polymer film, opposite the second sensor section.

Abstract: Motor vehicles may be equipped with running board activated powered closure member systems. A powered opening or closing sequence of a closure member may be initiated by activating a running board assembly of the powered closure member system in response to a user input. The user input can be provided by a limb of the user, for example. In some embodiments, the running board assembly may include integrated sensors for receiving the user input. In other embodiments, the running board assembly may be configured to function as a switch for receiving the user input.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to method and system for sensor protection. A sensor protection system includes an assembly having a first structure embedded in a second structure, wherein a sensor is firmly placed in the first structure for sensing information through the assembly and protected from negative impact of outside environment, and one or more devices mounted on the second structure for providing means to clean a slanted surface of the second structure through which the sensor senses the surrounding information, wherein the one or more devices can be individually or jointly activated as needed to clean the slanted surface in order to prevent degradation of information sensed by the sensor through the assembly.

Abstract: Provided are a wiper intelligence control method and device. The a wiper intelligence control method includes following steps: an operation state of a wiper is switched to an automatic wiper operation state or a manual wiper operation state according to a received wiper operation state switch signal; when the wiper operates in the automatic wiper operation state, if a wiper movement speed adjustment signal output from a manual operation module is received, a current wiper movement speed is adjusted; when the wiper is switched from the automatic wiper operation state to the manual wiper operation state, the current wiper movement speed of the wiper is locked as the wiper movement speed in the manual wiper operation state; when the wiper operates in the manual wiper operation state, if the wiper movement speed adjustment signal output from the manual operation module is received, the current wiper movement speed is adjusted.

Abstract: A vehicle with an active climate control system. The vehicle having sensors that communicate with the active climate control system. The active climate control system controlling climate control elements upon evaluation of the sensor data. The active climate control fully customizable by the user of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to method and system for sensor protection. A sensor protection system includes an assembly having a first structure embedded in a second structure, wherein a sensor is firmly placed in the first structure for sensing information through the assembly and protected from negative impact of outside environment, and one or more devices mounted on the second structure for providing means to clean a slanted surface of the second structure through which the sensor senses the surrounding information, wherein the one or more devices can be individually or jointly activated as needed to clean the slanted surface in order to prevent degradation of information sensed by the sensor through the assembly.

Abstract: An imaging system that is translucent can be achieved by placing an image sensor (204) at one of more edges or periphery of a translucent window (202). A small fraction of light from the outside scene scatters off imperfections (218) in the translucent window (202) and reach the peripheral image sensor (204). Based on appropriate calibration of the response of point sources (206) from the outside scene, the full scene can be reconstructed computationally from the peripherally scattered light (210, 212). The technique can be extended to color, multi-spectral, light-field, 3D, and polarization selective imaging. Applications can include surveillance, imaging for autonomous agents, microscopy, etc.

Abstract: A controller is provided which performs extracting a post related to a vehicle washing machine from posts to a social networking service, and transmitting, to a terminal of a user using the social networking service, information on a position of the vehicle washing machine and a type of the vehicle washing machine specified based on the extracted post.

Abstract: An opening and closing body control device includes: a target speed recalculation unit that, when the first opening and closing body and the second opening and closing body are moving, recalculates the respective target speeds of each of the first opening and closing body and the second opening and closing body for reaching the target open amounts at the same time; and a second synchronous control unit that, in a case in which a speed of at least one of the first opening and closing body or the second opening and closing body is different from the target speed calculated by the target speed calculation unit, controls the first motor drive unit and the second motor drive unit so that the first opening and closing body and the second opening and closing body move at the respective target speeds recalculated by the target speed recalculation unit.

Abstract: A rainwater detection device for detecting rainwater is provided. The rainwater detection device includes: a panel having a surface; rainwater sensing wires on the surface; and a rainwater sensor (i) physically connected with the rainwater sensing wires without an electrical connection if a condition is unsatisfied and (ii) physically and electrically connected with the rainwater sensing wires if the condition is satisfied; wherein a first wire, one of the rainwater sensing wires, is separated from a second wire, another of the rainwater sensing wires, by an interval, without contacting each other and wherein the rainwater sensing wires are connected to opposite polarity of an electrode connected with the rainwater sensor, and wherein the condition is that a first state where no current flows between the first and the second wires is changed to a second state where current flows between the first and the second wires due to the rainwater.

Abstract: Provided is a motor device capable of detecting entry of water into a housing before a control circuit is submerged. A first motor bus bar includes a first U-phase motor bus bar, a first V-phase motor bus bar, and a first W-phase motor bus bar. A first control circuit is connected to the first motor bus bar. The first U-phase motor bus bar, the first V-phase motor bus bar, and the first W-phase motor bus bar are disposed on the lower side with respect to the first control circuit in a gravity direction. The first control circuit detects entry of water into a motor housing of the motor device, based on the status of power supply to the first U-phase motor bus bar, the first V-phase motor bus bar, and the first W-phase motor bus bar.

Abstract: A door control device in a vehicle including seats and doors, includes: a door driver; a seating position detector; and a door controller. The door driver at least drives opening of the doors. The seating position detector detects a seating position information indicating a position of the seat on which an occupant is seated. The door controller determines a door to be opened on the basis of the seating position information detected by the seating position detector and causes the door driver to drive opening of the determined door.

Abstract: A steering system includes a rack shaft, a housing, an electric motor, a control device, and a speed reduction mechanism that applies a moving force in the axial direction to the rack shaft with the speed of rotation of the electric motor reduced. The housing has a rack shaft housing portion and a speed reduction mechanism housing portion. The electric motor has: a motor case fixed to the housing; a plurality of stator cores disposed annularly in the motor case; coil windings wound around the plurality of stator cores; and a rotor. The motor case is formed with a water introduction hole that introduces water that has entered the speed reduction mechanism housing portion into the motor case. The control device has a detector that detects entry of water into the motor case.

Abstract: One general aspect includes a method to provide a rear window wiper notification, the method including: when a rear window wiper is in an active state, via a processor, establishing a time duration; and when the rear window wiper remains in the active state throughout the time duration and after a conclusion of the time duration, via the processor, providing the rear window wiper notification in an interior cabin of a vehicle.

Abstract: An amount and type of precipitation, and a speed of a vehicle is determined. A component in the vehicle is actuated based on the amount and type of precipitation, and the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a reflection polarization prism having an incident surface on which illumination light emitted from a light emitter is incident and a transmission surface that passes the illumination light entered the incident surface through one surface of a light-transmitting member, an imager including an image sensor having a first light-receiving portion that receives light from a predetermined imaging area transmitting the light-transmitting member and a second light-receiving portion adjacent to the first light-receiving portion that receives the illumination light reflected on an opposite surface to the one surface of the light-transmitting member, and an optical member that emits the light introduced from the predetermined imaging area to the first light-receiving portion and emits the illumination light reflected on the opposite surface of the light-transmitting member to the second light-receiving portion.

Abstract: A system includes an optical fiber embedded in a windshield. The system includes a reflector embedded in the windshield and oriented to reflect light to a first end of the optical fiber. The system includes a sensor oriented to receive light from a second end of the optical fiber.

Abstract: An operating control method of a motorized driving device of a home automation installation comprises at least one step for entering a configuration mode of the device, a step for pairing a control point with an electronic control unit of the device, a step for activating at least one selection element of the control point during a predetermined time period beginning after the pairing step and a step for entering a second standby state of a control order receiving module of the electronic control unit. The second standby state of the control order receiving module has a wake-up frequency of the control order receiving module lower than the wake-up frequency of the control order receiving module in a first standby state.

Abstract: One embodiment of a liquid-modulated antenna using an antenna of a type commonly used in the field of wireless identification which is placed within sufficient proximity of a source of liquid to allow the liquid to flow onto the antenna, thereby altering (modulating) the characteristics of the signal being transmitted from the antenna to a signal receiving unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control device (160) for a drive unit (120) of a vehicle windshield wiper system (100) comprising at least one wiper arm (140). The control device (160) is designed to determine a load quantity (L) of the drive unit (120) and to set the wiping frequency (WH) of the wiper arm (140) on the basis of the ratio of the load quantity (L) to at least one load threshold value (LS). Furthermore, the control device (160) is designed to set the wiping frequency (WH) depending on the current speed (v) of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for adjusting the wipers of a vehicle based on the use of rain and proximity detecting subsystem on a given vehicle for detecting the presence of rain and one or more other vehicles in proximity to the given vehicle, such that the wipers of the given vehicle can be automatically operated to better respond to material such as rain, snow, or other material being splashed on the given vehicle by the other vehicle(s). This system may utilize sensor subsystems used for other purposes for use as the proximity sensors.

Abstract: The invention in certain embodiments relates to a control circuit for an electric-motor-operated window lifter (10) of a motor vehicle (1), the control circuit having a first switch (11) for opening a vehicle window (7), a second switch (12) for closing the vehicle window (7), and a control device (15), which, when one of the switches (11, 12) is activated, actuates the window lifter (10) to move the vehicle window (7) in the opening direction or closing direction. The control device (15) monitors the lighting current (ILED) which flows across a lighting element (14) for the switches (11, 12), and generates a control signal (I12), if appropriate, for opening the vehicle window (7) if the lighting current (ILED) exceeds an overcurrent threshold value (IRef) thereby detecting inundation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A wiper system is provided and may include a wiper that operates between a parked state and a use state, a motor associated with the wiper that selectively moves the wiper between the parked state and the use state, and a switch that generates a signal identifying whether the wiper is in the parked state or the use state. The wiper system may also include a controller in communication with the switch. The controller may include a second-order filter and a comparator, whereby the controller passes the signal through the second-order filter and the comparator to differentiate between the parked state and the use state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a windscreen wiping device for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one wiper, a wiper drive (1), an electronic control device (2) that controls the wiper drive (1), a first signal transmitter for capturing the angular position of the wiper, and a first control line (7) that can emit an angle position signal captured by the first signal transmitter to the control device (2). According to the invention, a second signal transmitter for capturing the angular displacement of the wiper is provided. A second control line (8) that can emit an angle modification signal captured by the second signal transmitter to the control device (2) is provided. Said claimed windscreen wiper device has the advantage that it has a permanent self-locking device for at least one wiper.

Abstract: A rain detector for use with an automotive vehicle. The rain detector includes a capacitance sensor mounted to the inside surface of a windshield. The sensor includes at least two output lines which vary in capacitance as the function of magnitude of rain on the outside surface of the windshield. A programmed microcontroller receives the sensor output lines as analog input signals and then compares the magnitude of the capacitance with a threshold capacitance. In the event that the sensed capacitance exceeds the threshold capacitance, indicative of raindrops on the outside surface of the windshield, the microcontroller generates an output signal to the wiper control circuitry of the vehicle to activate the windshield wiper system.

Abstract: In a wiper control apparatus, a water drop detector outputs an output signal in accordance with water drops adhering to a windshield of a vehicle. When a traveling determination portion determines that the vehicle is traveling, a first level setting portion sets a sensitivity for detecting the output signal to a first sensitivity. When the traveling determination portion determines the vehicle is not traveling, a second level setting portion sets the sensitivity for detecting the output signal to a second sensitivity that is larger than the first sensitivity. A water drop adhesion determination portion determines that water drops adhere to the windshield when a determination waiting time elapses in a state where detection of the output signal continues. A driving control portion controls a wiper driving portion to drive the wiper when the water drop adhesion determination portion determines that water drops adhere to the windshield.

Abstract: An electric motor includes a magnet rotor which is placed with an air gap interposed between it and a stator and has a magnetic pole portion formed from a plastic magnet which swells by hydrogen bonds, an inverter circuit, a DC-voltage conversion portion, a driving logic control portion, a supply current value control portion, a current value designation portion, a reference current value designation portion, and a correlation designation portion, wherein the correlation designation portion determines an average current value by changing the average current value linearly or non-linearly with respect to a reference current value, and the magnetic pole portion absorbs moisture to swell, thereby making the air gap smaller, at higher humidity than a reference humidity.

Abstract: During rain, including a light source (5) for radiating light such that the light is transmitted through a vehicle window (2), a light receiving element (6) for sensing an optical signal when the light radiated from the light source (5) is reflected from the raindrop fallen on the vehicle window (2) and performing a photoelectric transduction, and a receiver (9) for receiving the photoelectrically transduced signal from the light receiving element (6) and judging the level of rainfall. The light source (5) and the light receiving element (6) are inclined with respect to the surface of the vehicle window (2) such that the light of the light source (5) directly reflected from the vehicle window (2) exits to the outside of the light receiving element (6) and the light reflected from a raindrop (8) on the vehicle window (2) is received by the light receiving element (6) to operate a vehicle wiper.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a low-cost windshield wiper control system which can be readily incorporated into existing vehicle systems, particularly into an operator-accessible windshield wiper control unit assembly (100). The windshield wiper control assembly (100) is selectively operable as an intermittent wiper control system, or as a rain sensing windshield wiper control system without the need for microprocessors or multiplex circuitry.

Abstract: A motor drive apparatus for driving a motor in a normal rotation direction or a reverse rotation direction in accordance with a state of operation of an operation switch has a first semiconductor switching device that switches ON/OFF state based on a normal rotation instruction provided by the operation switch, a second semiconductor switching device that switches ON/OFF state based on a reverse rotation instruction provided by the operation switch, a control circuit for controlling drive of the motor in the normal rotation direction or the reverse rotation direction, based on the ON/OFF state of the first and second semiconductor switching devices, and a wetting detection circuit for detecting wetting and controlling operation of the first and second semiconductor switching devices.

Abstract: First and second temperature check portions 7 and 8 determine whether an ambient temperature T1 is lower than 20° C. or not, whether an external surface temperature T2 of a windshield S is lower than 25° C. or not and whether a temperature difference (T2?T1) is lower than 20° C. or not, and a weather condition check portion 9 determines whether a condition that condensation occurs over the windshield S is met or not based on results of the checks. A wiper control portion 10 controls a driving operation of a wiper W based on a rainfall state checked by a low sensitivity rainfall check portion 5 when the condition that the condensation occurs is met, and controls the driving operation of the wiper W based on a rainfall state checked by a high sensitivity rainfall check portion 4 when a condition that the condensation does not occur is met.

Abstract: A system, and a method for manufacturing that system, for electrically and automatically opening, closing and otherwise controlling window shutters on a building, for the purposes of limiting radiant, conductive, and convective thermal losses from the inside of the building to the outside during the heating season, and limiting radiant, conductive, and convective thermal gains from the outside of the building to the inside during the cooling season. The system further comprises an interface to accommodate connection to other sensors not used to control the thermal environment of the building, such as motion detectors, burglar alarms, CO sensors and the like.

Abstract: In a wiper control apparatus, a water drop detector outputs an output signal in accordance with water drops adhering to a windshield of a vehicle. When a traveling determination portion determines that the vehicle is traveling, a first level setting portion sets a sensitivity for detecting the output signal to a first sensitivity. When the traveling determination portion determines the vehicle is not traveling, a second level setting portion sets the sensitivity for detecting the output signal to a second sensitivity that is larger than the first sensitivity. A water drop adhesion determination portion determines that water drops adhere to the windshield when a determination waiting time elapses in a state where detection of the output signal continues. A driving control portion controls a wiper driving portion to drive the wiper when the water drop adhesion determination portion determines that water drops adhere to the windshield.

Abstract: A motor control circuit includes a manipulation unit, a control unit that drives a motor in a normal rotation direction or a reverse rotation direction, a catch detecting unit that detects a foreign substance caught in the opening and closing body, a first relay circuit that connects one of terminals of the motor to a power supply when the motor is driven in the normal rotation direction, a second relay circuit that connects the other terminal of the motor to the power supply when the motor is driven in the reverse rotation direction, a switch element that cuts off connection to the power supply when the normal rotation command is fed into the control unit from the manipulation unit, a detection circuit, and a feed circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a low-cost windshield wiper control system which can be readily incorporated into existing vehicle systems, particularly into an operator-accessible windshield wiper control unit assembly (100). The windshield wiper control assembly (100) is selectively operable as an intermittent wiper control system, or as a rain sensing windshield wiper control system without the need for microprocessors or multiplex circuitry.

Abstract: A raindrop detecting device includes a raindrop sensor, and a controller. The raindrop sensor is disposed in a wiping area of a wiper blade on a front windshield, and outputs a detection signal regarding a raindrop amount. The controller activates the wiper blade based on the detection signal, and sets a prohibition period for which the raindrop sensor is prohibited from determining the raindrop amount. The raindrop sensor outputs signals when raindrop collected by the wiper blade passes above the raindrop sensor in a reciprocating wiping operation. The controller calculates the prohibition period of a second reciprocating wiping operation based on the signals of a first reciprocating wiping operation.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for automatically controlling a wiper of a vehicle, the apparatus including a light emitting means to output one or more optical signals to an inside of a front glass of the vehicle, a light receiving means to receive the optical signals output from the light emitting means, and a control means to control the wiper of the vehicle to be driven based on a light receiving efficiency with respect to received signals received by the light receiving means, when operating in an automatic wiper control mode. Since driving of the wiper is automatically controlled based on the light receiving efficiency of optical signals output to the inside of the front glass, it is possible to secure a visual field of a driver without a need to separately manipulate manually a wiper controller.

Abstract: During rain, including a light source (5) for radiating light such that the light is transmitted through a vehicle window (2), a light receiving element (6) for sensing an optical signal when the light radiated from the light source (5) is reflected from the raindrop fallen on the vehicle window (2) and performing a photoelectric transduction, and a receiver (9) for receiving the photoelectrically transduced signal from the light receiving element (6) and judging the level of rainfall. The light source (5) and the light receiving element (6) are inclined with respect to the surface of the vehicle window (2) such that the light of the light source (5) directly reflected from the vehicle window (2) exits to the outside of the light receiving element (6) and the light reflected from a raindrop (8) on the vehicle window (2) is received by the light receiving element (6) to operate a vehicle wiper.

Abstract: A motor drive apparatus for driving a motor in a normal rotation direction or a reverse rotation direction in accordance with a state of operation of an operation switch has a first semiconductor switching device that switches ON/OFF state based on a normal rotation instruction provided by the operation switch, a second semiconductor switching device that switches ON/OFF state based on a reverse rotation instruction provided by the operation switch, a control circuit for controlling drive of the motor in the normal rotation direction or the reverse rotation direction, based on the ON/OFF state of the first and second semiconductor switching devices, and a wetting detection circuit for detecting wetting and controlling operation of the first and second semiconductor switching devices.

Abstract: A wiper control circuit is provided for invalidating the state of a wiper operation switch to suppress unnecessary operations of a wiper in an automotive vehicle upon starting an engine using a remote control engine starter. The wiper control circuit is configured to suppress generation of a sneak current and thereby reduce the likelihood that an erroneous operation instruction is received.

Abstract: A raindrop detecting device for detecting a raindrop amount on a windshield of a vehicle and selecting a wiping mode of a wiper based on the detected raindrop amount includes a controller for lowering the wiping mode when the detected raindrop amount is kept to be smaller than a mode-keep threshold while the wiper performs a predetermined number of wiping operations. The controller changes the predetermined number of wiping operations based on at least one of a sensitivity data of a user of the vehicle and a rainfall block data relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: A wiper controlling apparatus capable of discriminating between a signal change at the time of a wiper blade passage and that at the time of a raindrop impact so as to allow a wiper control promptly responding to the change in the condition of the sensing surface is provided.

Abstract: A detecting apparatus for detecting operation of a fan, includes a first current module disposed at an airflow path of the fan, a second current module insulated from the airflow, and an indicating module for giving an indicating signal, having a LED, and a transistor. The first and second current modules being mirror-images of each other. When the fan does not operate, the first and second current modules operate the same. The transistor of the indicating module is turned off, and the LED to be lit. When the fan operates, current flow of the first and second modules are different from each other producing a voltage greater than zero, the transistor of the indicating module is turned on, and the LED does not light.