Patent ID: 7828478

Claim:
A thermal radiation detecting device for sensing temperature at multiple locations proximate to a vehicle, the detecting device comprising: a first infrared detector located on a vehicle and configured to measure a temperature of a first location proximate to the vehicle by receiving the infrared radiation of the first location; a second infrared detector located on the vehicle and configured to measure a temperature of a second location proximate to the vehicle by receiving the infrared radiation of the second location, wherein said second location is substantially non-overlapping of said first location; a housing located on the vehicle for housing said first and second infrared detectors, said housing being configured to allow the infrared radiation of first and second locations to be received therein; and a reflector for directing the infrared radiation of said first location towards said first infrared detector and for directing the infrared radiation of said second location towards the second infrared detector, wherein the detecting device has an operating temperature range from −40° C. to 85° C., and said detecting device is configured to determine a temperature differential by comparing a short term average to a threshold value, said short term average being based upon the infrared radiation received by said first and second infrared detectors.