Patent ID: 7348586
Filing Date: 2008-03-25
Classification: B60S,G01N

Abstract:
1. An exterior element sensor for use with a window that has an interior surface and an exterior surface, the window separating an exterior atmosphere from an interior atmosphere, comprising: a light source capable of emitting light; a sensing optical element including wherein the sensing optical element of the exterior element sensor further includes a connection portion having one end portion serving as the incident optical element portion and the other end portion serving as the emissive optical element portion, the one end portion and the other end portion both being convex in shape, and a central planar portion of the sensing optical element extends continuously from the one end portion to the other end portion to provide a substantially flat surface between the one end portion and the other end portion; a first photoreceptor located opposite to the emissive optical element portion such that it can receive the light that is totally reflected from the exterior surface of the window; and a second photoreceptor serving as an exterior light sensor located opposite to the connection portion and between the incident optical element portion and the emissive optical element portion.