US 12,135,236 B2
Vehicle rain sensing using modulated infrared transmission
Vipul M. Patel, Northville, MI (US)
Assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed by GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed on Mar. 17, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/696,994.
Prior Publication US 2023/0296431 A1, Sep. 21, 2023
Int. Cl. G01J 1/42 (2006.01); B60S 1/08 (2006.01)
CPC G01J 1/42 (2013.01) [B60S 1/0833 (2013.01); B60S 1/0837 (2013.01); G01J 2001/4242 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A rain sensor in a vehicle, comprising:
a transmitter configured to implement a pseudorandom modulation of a timing of emission of infrared transmissions toward a windshield of the vehicle, wherein a particular time of emission of each of the infrared transmissions is varied within a given interval relative to times of emission for other of the infrared transmissions; and
a receiver configured to be active for only a specified period of time following each emission of the infrared transmissions and to receive a reflection based on the infrared transmission encountering any substance on the windshield, wherein the receiver is activated only in correspondence with the infrared transmissions.