The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 06, 1999
Filed:
Jul. 15, 1997
Applicant:
Inventors:
Assignee:
Fuji Electric Co., Ltd., Kawasaki, JP;
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01C / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
356-314 ; 2502016 ; 180167 ; 340903 ; 396121 ; 396128 ;
Abstract
A distance-measuring apparatus includes light-sensitive devices formed of optical sensor arrays disposed on image-forming surfaces of right and left image-forming lenses, respectively. The apparatus uses image data from the optical sensor arrays of the light-sensitive devices to determine the distance from an object such as a vehicle in front of the apparatus via a distance detection circuit and capable of detecting condensation or a foreign particle obscuring a cover glass or defective pixels in the optical sensor arrays. In a defective condition, a defective visibility sensor emits an alarm signal to alert the operator.