Method and apparatus for detecting an obstructed view
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsMichael D. Alarcon, Christian Kuss, Tomer Noyhouzer, Janine Mauzeroll
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for detecting an obstructed surface are provided. The apparatus includes: at least one memory comprising computer executable instructions; and at least one processor configured to read and execute the computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions cause the at least one processor to: detect a current draw from a generator; determine that a surface including a conductive coating is obstructed in response to the current draw being greater than a predetermined threshold; and output a signal to perform a function in response to determining that the surface is obstructed.
Claims14
An apparatus for detecting an obstruction, the apparatus comprising:
- a surface comprising a conductive coating;
- a generator configured to apply a four volt square wave signal to the surface;
- and
- a controller configured to detect a current draw from the generator, determine that the surface is obstructed in response to the current draw being greater than a predetermined threshold, and output a signal in response to determining that the surface is obstructed,
- wherein the surface comprises at least one from among a sensor surface, a camera lens, and a reflective surface,
- wherein the controller is configured to output the signal to control at least one from among:
- a display to output a notification that the surface is obstructed, a speaker to output an audible notification that the surface is obstructed, and a cleaning device to clean the obstructed surface, and
- wherein the conductive coating comprises a nanoparticle coating comprising flower like structures with a maximum size of 3 μm.
-6. (canceled)
An apparatus for detecting an obstruction, the apparatus comprising:
- at least one memory comprising computer executable instructions;
- and
- at least one processor configured to read and execute the computer executable instructions, the computer executable instructions causing the at least one processor to:
- detect a current draw of a generator outputting a wave signal;
- determine that a surface is obstructed in response to the current draw being greater than a predetermined threshold;
- and
- output a signal to perform a function in response to determining that the surface is obstructed,
- wherein the surface comprises at least one from among a sensor surface, a camera lens, and a reflective surface,
- wherein the function comprises at least one from among:
- outputting a display notification that the surface is obstructed, outputting an audible notification that the surface is obstructed, and cleaning the obstructed surface, and
- wherein the surface comprises a nanoparticle coating comprising flower like structures with a maximum size of 3 μm.
-12. (canceled)
A method for detecting obstruction, the method comprising
- detecting a current draw based on a wave signal output by a generator;
- determining that a surface including a conductive coating is obstructed in response to the current draw being greater than a predetermined threshold;
- and
- controlling to perform a function in response to determining that the surface is obstructed,
- wherein the surface comprises at least one from among a sensor surface, a camera lens, and a reflective surface,
- wherein the controlling to perform the function comprises controlling to perform at least one from among:
- output a display notification that the surface is obstructed, output an audible notification that the surface is obstructed, and control a cleaning device to clean the obstructed surface, and
- wherein the conductive coating comprises a nanoparticle coating comprising flower like structures with a maximum size of 3 μm.
-18. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.