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. 21, 2006
Filed:
Dec. 25, 2001
Fumitoshi Kobayashi, Osaka, JP;
Keiji Tsunetomo, Osaka, JP;
Harunobu Yoshida, Osaka, JP;
Tatsumi Tokuda, Osaka, JP;
Fumitoshi Kobayashi, Osaka, JP;
Keiji Tsunetomo, Osaka, JP;
Harunobu Yoshida, Osaka, JP;
Tatsumi Tokuda, Osaka, JP;
Niles Co., Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A deposit detector in which deposit on a detection surface has a surface shape effect, and generation of a flashing phenomenon caused by irregular reflection of the light incident on the deposit from the outside is estimated. In a deposit detection mode, light emitted from a light source () for total reflection and total-reflected from the detection surface is received by a light-receiving element unit (). Each element is disposed at such an angle that the light undergoes total reflection when no deposit is present or the condition of total reflection is not satisfied when deposit is present. Further, in a light-scattering deposit detection mode, light emitted from a scattering light source () and scattered by the detection surface is received by the light-receiving element unit (). In an extraneous light quantity increase detection mode, extraneous light is received by the light-receiving element unit (). Light detection signal generated while changing the mode is analyzed by a deposit estimation unit (), and deposition of rain drops and increase in incident extraneous light quantity are detected to estimate generation of irregular reflection (flashing phenomenon) caused by the shape effect of deposit.