Centralized control and management system for automobiles
In a control and management system for automobiles, a central processor in the system connects traditionally unrelated vehicle subsystems together to realize synergistic functions such as smart driving, automatic parking, etc. A master interface having a display is employed in the system to help a user control and manage the vehicle functions.
1 - 20 . (canceled)
21 . A system for use in a vehicle having a windshield, comprising:
at least one device for providing information concerning detected objects falling onto the windshield;
an actuator for controllably operating at least one windshield wiper for wiping the windshield; and
a processor configured to control the actuator to operate the at least one windshield wiper to wipe at a rate based on the information, the rate being a function of at least a frequency of the detected falling objects.
22 . The system of claim 21 wherein the objects include rain.
23 . The system of claim 21 wherein the objects include snow.
24 . The system of claim 21 wherein the objects include hail.
25 . The system of claim 21 wherein the objects include insects.
26 . The system of claim 21 wherein the falling objects are detected by sensing an intensity of vibrations of the windshield resulting from the objects falling onto the windshield, the sensed intensity being greater than a threshold intensity.
27 . The system of claim 26 wherein the information includes a frequency of the vibrations.
28 . The system of claim 21 further comprising an interface allowing a user to manually select a rate of operation of the windshield wiper.
29 . A method for use in a system in a vehicle having a windshield, and an actuator for controllably operating at least one windshield wiper for wiping the windshield, the method comprising:
providing information concerning detected objects falling onto the windshield; and
automatically controlling the actuator to operate the at least one windshield wiper to wipe at a rate based on the information, the rate being a function of at least a frequency of the detected falling objects.
30 . The method of claim 29 wherein the objects include rain.
31 . The method of claim 29 wherein the objects include snow.
32 . The method of claim 29 wherein the objects include hail.
33 . The method of claim 29 wherein the objects include insects.
34 . The method of claim 29 wherein the falling objects are detected by sensing an intensity of vibrations of the windshield resulting from the objects falling onto the windshield, the sensed intensity being greater than a threshold intensity.
35 . The method of claim 34 wherein the information includes a frequency of the vibrations.
36 . The method of claim 29 further comprising allowing a user to manually select a rate of operation of the windshield wiper.