Patent ID: 9517716
Filing Date: 2016-12-13
CPC Classification: B60Q,G01J

Claim Text:
1. A light sensor comprising: a first light receiving element that outputs a first intensity signal indicative of a first intensity which is an intensity of light irradiated from above a vehicle; a second light receiving element that outputs a second intensity signal indicative of a second intensity which is an intensity of light irradiated from ahead of the vehicle; an operational determination circuit that receives the first intensity signal from the first light receiving element and the second intensity signal from the second light receiving element, determines based on the first intensity signal and the second intensity signal whether the vehicle is positioned under a shield structure for intercepting sunlight, determines whether it is necessary to turn on a light in the vehicle for the shield structure when the vehicle is positioned under the shield structure, and outputs a result of determination as a determination signal; and a communication output circuit that receives the first intensity signal from the first light receiving element and the determination signal from the operational determination circuit portion, generates an output signal having information about the first intensity indicated by the first intensity signal, and outputs the output signal to a control unit for controlling to turn on or off the light based on the output signal, wherein: the communication output circuit outputs the output signal to the control unit, the output signal including information whether it is necessary to turn on the light for the shield structure when the vehicle is positioned under the shield structure.