The present disclosure relates to contaminant detection systems and related optical systems and methods. An example contaminant detection system includes an optical coupler configured to couple light into and/or out of an optical element. The contaminant detection system also includes a plurality of light-emitter devices configured to emit emission light toward the optical coupler. The contaminant detection system additionally includes a plurality of detector devices configured to detect at least a portion of the emission light by way of the optical element and the optical coupler. The plurality of detector devices is also configured to provide detector signals indicative of a presence of a contaminant on the optical element.

An imaging system for an autonomous vehicle comprises a camera for capturing images within a first field of view, a transparent disc arranged in front of the camera such that the transparent disc covers the field of view of the camera, an actuator configured to rotate the transparent disc, and a mounting arrangement configured to mount the camera, the transparent disc and the actuator on an autonomous vehicle. Also described is an imaging system comprises a camera for capturing images within a first field of view through a transparent surface, and a fluid dispenser constructed and arranged to spray a fluid onto the transparent surface within the first field of view. Also described is an image capture system for an autonomous vehicle comprising two such cameras with respective transparent discs and actuators.

An imaging system for an autonomous vehicle comprises a camera for capturing images within a first field of view, a transparent disc arranged in front of the camera such that the transparent disc covers the field of view of the camera, an actuator configured to rotate the transparent disc, and a mounting arrangement configured to mount the camera, the transparent disc and the actuator on an autonomous vehicle. Also described is an imaging system comprises a camera for capturing images within a first field of view through a transparent surface, and a fluid dispenser constructed and arranged to spray a fluid onto the transparent surface within the first field of view. Also described is an image capture system for an autonomous vehicle comprising two such cameras with respective transparent discs and actuators.

An apparatus includes an interface and a processor. The interface may be configured to receive video frames comprising at least one of a vehicle or an outdoor environment near the vehicle and a correction signal. The processor may be configured to perform video operations on the video frames to detect objects, predict a state of the vehicle based on the objects detected in the video frames and generate the correction signal. The correction signal may be configured to apply a corrective measure based on the predicted state of the vehicle. The state of the vehicle may be predicted when the vehicle is parked in the outdoor environment. The state of the vehicle may comprise factors that prevent driving the vehicle.

An apparatus includes an interface and a processor. The interface may be configured to receive video frames comprising at least one of a vehicle or an outdoor environment near the vehicle and a correction signal. The processor may be configured to perform video operations on the video frames to detect objects, predict a state of the vehicle based on the objects detected in the video frames and generate the correction signal. The correction signal may be configured to apply a corrective measure based on the predicted state of the vehicle. The state of the vehicle may be predicted when the vehicle is parked in the outdoor environment. The state of the vehicle may comprise factors that prevent driving the vehicle.

A rear windshield gutter assembly includes a vehicle that has a rear windshield, a rear surface and a rear windshield wiper that is positioned on the rear windshield. The rear windshield wiper includes a wiper fluid dispenser that selectively releases a fluid onto the rear windshield for cleaning the rear windshield. A gutter is coupled to the vehicle and is aligned with the rear windshield. The gutter captures the fluid when the fluid is released onto the rear windshield and directs the fluid to a predetermined drain location. Moreover, the gutter inhibits the fluid from running down the vehicle thereby enhancing visual appearance of the vehicle with respect to inhibiting streaks caused by the fluid on the vehicle.

A rear windshield gutter assembly includes a vehicle that has a rear windshield, a rear surface and a rear windshield wiper that is positioned on the rear windshield. The rear windshield wiper includes a wiper fluid dispenser that selectively releases a fluid onto the rear windshield for cleaning the rear windshield. A gutter is coupled to the vehicle and is aligned with the rear windshield. The gutter captures the fluid when the fluid is released onto the rear windshield and directs the fluid to a predetermined drain location. Moreover, the gutter inhibits the fluid from running down the vehicle thereby enhancing visual appearance of the vehicle with respect to inhibiting streaks caused by the fluid on the vehicle.

A vehicle cleaning system includes a wiper motor, a vehicle wiper, a washer nozzle, a washer pump, and a controller. The wiper motor forwardly and reversely rotates an output shaft. The vehicle wiper is coupled to the output shaft and reciprocally wipes a surface for wiping in accordance with forward and reverse rotations of the output shaft. The washer nozzle is arranged on the vehicle wiper. The washer pump feeds a washer fluid to the washer nozzle. The controller controls the wiper motor and the washer pump. The controller drives the washer pump so that the washer fluid is ejected in a direction in which accumulated snow is present based on a determination that the vehicle wiper is in a constrained state caused by accumulated snow.

A wiper washer control apparatus includes an ignition sensor, a shift position sensor, a wiper driving unit, a washer spraying unit, a wiper lever detection unit, and a wiper washer control unit. The wiper washer control unit changes a control to be performed by the wiper driving unit to a delay mode when receiving information indicating that the traveling driver is in the started state from the ignition sensor, receiving information indicating that a shift position is in a parking range from the shift position sensor, and receiving information indicating that the delay mode is to be started from the wiper lever detection unit. The wiper washer control unit changes the control to be performed by the wiper driving unit to a spray mode when receiving, in the delay mode, information indicating that the spray mode is to be started from the wiper lever detection unit.

A wiper washer control apparatus includes an ignition sensor, a shift position sensor, a wiper driving unit, a washer spraying unit, a wiper lever detection unit, and a wiper washer control unit. The wiper washer control unit changes a control to be performed by the wiper driving unit to a delay mode when receiving information indicating that the traveling driver is in the started state from the ignition sensor, receiving information indicating that a shift position is in a parking range from the shift position sensor, and receiving information indicating that the delay mode is to be started from the wiper lever detection unit. The wiper washer control unit changes the control to be performed by the wiper driving unit to a spray mode when receiving, in the delay mode, information indicating that the spray mode is to be started from the wiper lever detection unit.