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:
Nov. 03, 2009
Filed:
May. 15, 2007
Akira Utida, Okazaki, JP;
Masayuki Imanishi, Okazaki, JP;
Katsunori Michiyama, Toyota, JP;
Atsushi Yamamoto, Nagoya, JP;
Akira Utida, Okazaki, JP;
Masayuki Imanishi, Okazaki, JP;
Katsunori Michiyama, Toyota, JP;
Atsushi Yamamoto, Nagoya, JP;
DENSO CORPORATION, Kariya, JP;
Nippon Soken, Inc., Nishio, JP;
Abstract
A raindrop sensor includes an image sensor and an image processor. The image sensor captures an image of a windshield from inside a vehicle. The image processor performs a frequency analysis of the image to detect a high-frequency component in the image. When the high-frequency component is detected, the image processor detects a width of a change region where a change in gradation of the image occurs. When the width of the change region is within a predetermined range corresponding to a diameter of a raindrop, the image processor determines that the raindrop is on the windshield. Even when a foreign matter such as a water stain appears as the high-frequency component as a result of the frequency analysis, the raindrop and the foreign matter can be distinguished from each other based on the width of the change region.