An on-board device, that outputs a control signal to a cleaning control unit that controls accumulation removing units used to remove accumulations settled on a photographic lens in an on-board camera by adopting a plurality of methods, includes: an accumulation detection unit that detects an accumulation settled on the photographic lens from a photographic image output from the on-board camera when a vehicle speed input thereto is equal to or higher than a predetermined vehicle speed; a selection unit that selects an accumulation removing unit adopting a first method among the accumulation removing units adopting the plurality of methods; and a removal decision unit that makes a decision, based upon the photographic image, as to whether or not the accumulation has been removed from the photographic lens through a removal operation performed by the accumulation removing unit adopting the first method, which has been selected by the selection unit, wherein: if the removal decision unit decides that the accumulation has not been removed from the photographic lens, the selection unit selects an accumulation removing unit adopting a second method, different from the accumulation removing unit adopting the first method, based upon a number of times that the removal operation has been performed by engaging the accumulation removing unit adopting the first method.

A vehicle window wiper system includes a wiper arm having a sliding joint operated by a linear actuator which selectively extends and retract the sliding joint. A controller is configured to cause the linear actuator to selectively extend and retract the sliding joint. A wiper arm rotational position provided to the controller determines whether the wiper arm should be in an extended or a retracted position.

A vehicle window wiper system includes a wiper arm having a sliding joint operated by a linear actuator which selectively extends and retract the sliding joint. A controller is configured to cause the linear actuator to selectively extend and retract the sliding joint. A wiper arm rotational position provided to the controller determines whether the wiper arm should be in an extended or a retracted position.

Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for controlling rear wiper units and rear washer units for a rear windshield of a vehicle. In accordance with one embodiment, the vehicle includes, in addition to the rear windshield, the rear washer unit, and the rear windshield, a control system. The control system includes a detection unit and a processor. The detection unit is coupled to a single input device onboard the vehicle. The detection unit is configured to detect a user's engagement of the single input device. The processor is coupled to the detection unit. The processor is configured to at least facilitate automatically controlling the rear wiper unit and the rear washer unit based on the detecting of the user's engagement of the single input device.

Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for controlling rear wiper units and rear washer units for a rear windshield of a vehicle. In accordance with one embodiment, the vehicle includes, in addition to the rear windshield, the rear washer unit, and the rear windshield, a control system. The control system includes a detection unit and a processor. The detection unit is coupled to a single input device onboard the vehicle. The detection unit is configured to detect a user's engagement of the single input device. The processor is coupled to the detection unit. The processor is configured to at least facilitate automatically controlling the rear wiper unit and the rear washer unit based on the detecting of the user's engagement of the single input device.

A motor vehicle windshield wiper system includes a windshield wiper and a controller. The controller is configured, in response to a threat of freezing precipitation, to park the windshield wiper in a parked position with a first end of the windshield wiper oriented toward a top edge of the windshield and a second end of the windshield wiper oriented toward a bottom edge of the windshield. A related method of minimizing ice and snow buildup on a windshield wiper is also disclosed.

A motor vehicle windshield wiper system includes a windshield wiper and a controller. The controller is configured, in response to a threat of freezing precipitation, to park the windshield wiper in a parked position with a first end of the windshield wiper oriented toward a top edge of the windshield and a second end of the windshield wiper oriented toward a bottom edge of the windshield. A related method of minimizing ice and snow buildup on a windshield wiper is also disclosed.

Disclosed herein are a rain sensor of a vehicle and a control method thereof to solve a problem that a measurement result of rainfall varies according to a glass specification of a windshield even under the same rainfall condition by tuning sensitivity of the rain sensor in accordance with the glass specification of the windshield. For this, a method of determining the glass specification of the rain sensor according to the present disclosure includes determining the glass specification of the windshield from a light-receiving signal obtained by receiving light reflected by the windshield of the vehicle, and eliminating a deviation between light-receiving signals by glass specification, which is caused by a difference in the glass specification, by applying parameter tuning according to a glass specification to the light-receiving signal.

A rear-view mirror wiper system for wiping moisture from a rear-view mirror includes a vehicle. The vehicle has a pair of rear-view mirrors. A pair of wiping units is provided. Each of the wiping units is coupled to an associated one of the rear-view mirrors. Thus, each of the wiping wipes moisture from the mirror of the associated rear-view mirrors thereby enhancing visibility.

An object detection apparatus includes a light illumination unit that emits illuminating light; an imaging unit that captures a first image of distant photographic subjects by detecting lights from the photographic subjects, captures a second image of foreign matter attached to a monitoring area by detecting the illuminating light reflected from the foreign matter, and generates an image frame; a target detection unit that detects a detection target among the distant photographic subjects based on the first image; a foreign matter detection unit that detects the foreign matter based on the second image; and an exposure amount change unit that changes an exposure amount of the imaging unit. The target detection unit detects the detection target using plural imaging frames with different exposure amounts. The foreign matter detection unit detects the foreign matter using the imaging frame other than the imaging frame with the greatest exposure amount.