IP Library Granted Patent US 9,330,552
Granted Patent B2
US 9,330,552 · App. 14/111,014 · Granted May 3, 2016

Detection of ice on a vehicle window by means of an internal temperature sensor

Inventors: Mario Götz (Jettingen, DE); Armin Vogl (Obergriesbach, DE); Helmut Steurer (Gerolsbach-Junkenhofen, DE); Dionisie-Catalin Iordachescu (Rimnicu Vilcea, RO)
Assignees: Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbH; Continental Automotive GmbH
G08B21/02B60Q9/008G01S15/93G01S15/931G08G1/16G08G1/165B60R16/0232B60S1/0866B64D15/20E05Y2900/55
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,330,552
App. No.
14/111,014
Granted
May 3, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to a method for adapting the signal processing of at least one sensor device arranged behind a window in a motor vehicle, wherein the adaptation of the signal processing comprises changing at least one detection threshold value if a probability of ice being on the window is detected on the basis of a determined temperature, characterized in that a temperature signal of at least one temperature sensor integrated in the sensor device is used to detect the probability of ice on the window.

Claims (15)

1. A method for adapting a signal processing of at least one sensor device that is arranged behind a windowpane in a motor vehicle, wherein the adaptation of the signal processing comprises:

providing a temperature signal from at least one temperature sensor integrated in the sensor device,

determining that a probability of ice on the windowpane is detected on the basis of the temperature signal, and

changing at least one detection threshold of a vehicle obstacle detection system if the probability of ice on the window pane is detected.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one temperature sensor is integrated in the sensor device to perform at least a continuous determination of an operating temperature of the sensor device.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the temperature signal of the at least one temperature sensor is only used to detect the probability of ice on the windowpane when the motor vehicle is started.

4. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the continuous determination of the operating temperature of the sensor device is to prevent overheating.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the change of the at least one detection threshold continues for a predefined period of time.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a hysteresis is used for switching from a normal to an increased detection threshold for relevant objects and vice versa.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the vehicle obstacle detection system is at least one of driver assistance system, an Adaptive/Active Cruise Control system and a braking assistance system.

8. A sensor device that is arranged behind a windowpane in a motor vehicle, including an integrated temperature sensor and a memory in which is stored a method for adapting a signal processing of the sensor device, the method comprising:

providing a temperature signal from the integrated temperature sensor,

determining that a probability of ice on the windowpane is detected on the basis of the temperature signal, and

changing at least one detection threshold of a vehicle obstacle detection system if the probability of ice on the window pane is detected.

9. The sensor device according to claim 8 , wherein the vehicle obstacle detection system is at least one of driver assistance system, an Adaptive/Active Cruise Control system and a braking assistance system.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 16, 2025
From: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
To: CONTINENTAL AUTONOMOUS MOBILITY GERMANY GMBH
Reel/Frame 073225/0515 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 12, 2025
From: CONTI TEMIC MICROELECTRONIC GMBH; CONTI TEMIC MICROELECTRONIC GMBH
To: CONTINENTAL AUTONOMOUS MOBILITY GERMANY GMBH
Reel/Frame 073202/0113 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 20, 2015
From: GÖTZ, MARIO; VOGL, ARMIN; STEURER, HELMUT; IORDACHESCU, DIONSIE-CATLAN
To: CONTI TEMIC MICROELECTRONIC GMBH; CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
Reel/Frame 037101/0591 →
Priority Claims (2)
DE 10 2011 017 085 · Apr 14, 2011 · national
EP 11464005 · Jun 27, 2011 · regional
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20160078736A1 · Mar 17, 2016