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:
Feb. 18, 2003
Filed:
Mar. 10, 2000
Kazuyoshi Sumiya, Hekinan, JP;
Keiji Horiba, Aichi-ken, JP;
Masaki Takashima, Kariya, JP;
Inao Toyoda, Okazaki, JP;
Denso Corporation, Kariya, JP;
Abstract
Plural photodetectors for receiving light and generating detection signals. A light amount controlling portion is arranged above the photodetectors for controlling an amount of the light to the photodetectors according to an incident angle. A weighting portion for weighting sensitivities of the photodetectors respectively. The sensitivities are weighted to provide a total output characteristic of the weighted detection signals of which magnitude varies according to the incident angle. Weighting is provided by a signal processing circuit by controlling gains, or a translucent film on the photodetectors for controlling transparencies portions above respective photodetectors, or opaque films on the photodetectors for controlling amounts of the light to respective photodetectors. A first function signal may be obtained from a part of photodetectors for an air conditioner and a second function signal may be obtained from all of photodetectors for head lamp on/off controlling. Each coaxially arranged photodetector is divided to provide a semicircle or a semi-ring shape arranged with respect to the front direction of the vehicle to provide orientation angle data to control the air conditioner.