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. 27, 2004
Filed:
Jan. 29, 2002
Kenneth Schofield, Holland, MI (US);
Mark L Larson, Grand Haven, MI (US);
Brent J Bos, Tucson, AZ (US);
Niall R Lynam, Holland, MI (US);
Donnelly Corporation, Holland, MI (US);
Abstract
A vehicular precipitation sensor which detects precipitation on a vehicle window includes an imaging array sensor directed at the vehicle window from inside the vehicle, and a control operable to detect precipitation at a surface of the vehicle window in response to an output of the imaging array sensor. The imaging array sensor includes a plurality of pixels which sense a light value of incident radiation. The control controls an accessory of the vehicle in response to the precipitation detected reaching a threshold level of precipitation. The threshold level of detected precipitation is preferably adjustable in response to a level of ambient light present at the window. The rain sensor may include an illumination device which is preferably operable in a pulse mode, whereby the control is operable to reduce noise of the output of the imaging array sensor as a function of the pulse mode.