# US 11,027,677 B2 · Camera based activation of heated wipers and windshield defrost > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,027,677 B2 - Document ID: US11027677B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/938,375 - Filed: 2018-03-28 - Published: 2019-10-03 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-03-28 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Gary Rushton; Mohannad Murad; Lynn Y. Lau - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11027677B2 ## CPC - B60R 16/0237: {circuits concerning the atmospheric environment (meteorology G01W)} - B60S 1/0844: {including a camera} - B60R 11/04: Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle - B60S 1/023: {including defroster or demisting means} - B60S 1/026: {using electrical means} - B60S 1/0477: {Arrangement for deicing or for removing debris from wiper blades (heated wiper blade B60S1/3805)} - B60S 1/3805: {electrically} - F02N 11/0807: {Remote means} - G06T 7/0008: {checking presence/absence} - G06T 7/70: Determining position or orientation of objects or cameras (camera calibration G06T7/80) - G06V 20/56: exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle - H05B 1/0236: {for vehicles} - G06T 2207/10004: Still image; Photographic image - G06T 2207/30168: Image quality inspection - G06T 2207/30252: Vehicle exterior; Vicinity of vehicle - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B60S: SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F02N: STARTING OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; STARTING AIDS FOR SUCH ENGINES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL - G06V: IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING - H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL ## Abstract A method to automatically activate at least one cold weather feature of a vehicle includes determining if the vehicle is in a state for activating at least one cold weather feature, and then determining at least one cold weather condition exists for activating at least one cold weather feature. When it is determined that at least one cold weather condition exists the at least one cold weather feature is automatically activated. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method to automatically activate at least one cold weather feature of a vehicle, the method comprising: determining if the vehicle is in a state for activating at least one cold weather feature by determining if the vehicle has been remotely started; activating a front camera configured to view through a vehicle windshield when the vehicle has been remotely started; determining at least one cold weather condition exists for activating at least one cold weather feature by reading the front camera configured to view through the vehicle windshield; and automatically activating at least one cold weather feature when it is determined that at least one cold weather condition exists, wherein automatically activating the at least one cold weather feature includes activating a wiper deicer when vehicle wipers are not visible by the front camera. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein determining if the vehicle is in the state for activating further comprises determining if the vehicle is being driven with the vehicle wipers on. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein determining at least one cold weather condition exists further comprises reading an outside air temperature sensor or cold weather alerts received by the vehicle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising activating a defroster when a vehicle hood is not visible in a field of view of the front camera. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising estimating a time when the vehicle wipers are positioned in a field of view of the front camera when reading the front camera. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising activating a defroster when the vehicle windshield is at least partially disposed with ice or snow in a streaking pattern. ### Claim 7 A method to automatically activate at least one cold weather feature of a vehicle, the method comprising: determining if the vehicle is in a state for activating at least one cold weather feature including determining if the vehicle is being driven with windshield wipers on; determining at least one cold weather condition exists for activating at least one cold weather feature by: reading a front camera configured to view through a vehicle windshield when the vehicle is being driven with the windshield wipers on; estimating a time when the windshield wipers are positioned in a field of view of the front camera; reading an image from the front camera at the estimated time; verifying a cold weather condition from the image; reading an outside air temperature sensor or cold weather alerts received by the vehicle from a remote location; and determining the outside air temperature is below a threshold value or receipt of the cold weather alerts; and automatically activating at least one cold weather feature when it is determined that at least one cold weather condition exists. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 wherein determining if the vehicle is in the state for activating further comprises determining if the vehicle has been started remotely. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 further comprising activating a defroster and a wiper deicer when a vehicle hood is not visible in a field of view of the front camera. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 further comprising activating a wiper deicer when the windshield wipers are at least partially not visible in a field of view of the front camera. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 further comprising activating a defroster and a wiper deicer when the vehicle windshield is at least partially disposed with ice or snow in a streaking pattern.