Patent ID: 7983803

Claim:
An apparatus for controlling a wiper system of a type that can operate in an automatic mode wherein the wiper system is deactivated automatically and in a manual mode wherein the wiper system is deactivated by a user, the wiper system including at least one wiper configured to move across a surface of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a motor coupled to the at least one wiper for moving the at least one wiper across the surface; at least one sensor for detecting when the at least one wiper is in the predetermined position; and a processor in operable communication with the motor and the at least one sensor, the processor configured to: detect when the wiper system is operating in the automatic mode; return the at least one wiper to a predetermined position, and deactivate the wiper system, if the wiper system is operating in the automatic mode and the vehicle is turned off; detect when the wiper system is operating in the manual mode; and move the at least one wiper away from the predetermined position if the wiper system is operating in the manual mode, the at least one wiper is in the predetermined position, and the vehicle is turned off.