Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
2006-02-21
2006-02-21
Hofsass, Jeffery (Department: 2636)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C250S227250, C250S2140LS, C250S208100, C250S573000, C250S574000, C318S483000, C318SDIG002, C356S239800, C356S336000
Reexamination Certificate
active
07002480
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 (10) for total reflection and total-reflected from the detection surface is received by a light-receiving element unit (50). 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 (20) and scattered by the detection surface is received by the light-receiving element unit (50). In an extraneous light quantity increase detection mode, extraneous light is received by the light-receiving element unit (50). Light detection signal generated while changing the mode is analyzed by a deposit estimation unit (60), 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.
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Kobayashi Fumitoshi
Tokuda Tatsumi
Tsunetomo Keiji
Yoshida Harunobu
Hamre Schumann Mueller & Larson P.C.
Hofsass Jeffery
Lai Anne V.
Niles Co., Ltd.
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