The present disclosure provides automatic cleaning system and method. The automatic cleaning system includes a control unit, a Micro Control Unit (MCU), a cleaning device and a sensor device. The control unit is configured to determine a cleaning type for cleaning a protective cover of a camera based on an image captured by the camera and the measured temperature and humidity on the outer surface of the protective cover. The control unit is also configured to generate a cleaning instruction based on the cleaning type. The control unit is also configured to send the instruction to the MCU. The MCU is configured to control the cleaning device to clean the protective cover of the camera in accordance with the cleaning instruction in response to receiving the instruction sent from the control unit.

The present disclosure provides automatic cleaning system and method. The automatic cleaning system includes a control unit, a Micro Control Unit (MCU), a cleaning device and a sensor device. The control unit is configured to determine a cleaning type for cleaning a protective cover of a camera based on an image captured by the camera and the measured temperature and humidity on the outer surface of the protective cover. The control unit is also configured to generate a cleaning instruction based on the cleaning type. The control unit is also configured to send the instruction to the MCU. The MCU is configured to control the cleaning device to clean the protective cover of the camera in accordance with the cleaning instruction in response to receiving the instruction sent from the control unit.

The disclosure describes systems and methods for controlling a heating element of a window of a vehicle. The systems and methods include capturing an image of the window with a camera of the vehicle. The image is analyzed to determine a state of the window and the heating element is controlled based on the state of the window.

A wiper is controlled to sweep a surface area, e.g., a portion of a windshield, in front of a camera, e.g., a camera mounted inside a vehicle. An image captured from the camera after the wiper completes, e.g., immediately completes, the sweep of the surface area in front of the camera is used in generating a depth map. In some embodiments a first wiper is controlled to clear a surface area in front of a first camera while a second wiper is controlled to clear a surface area in front of second camera at the same time, and the first and second cameras are synchronized to initiate image capture at the same time, capturing images through recently cleared area, and the captured images are used to generate a depth map. A vehicle control operation, e.g., a direction, braking or speed control operation is performed based on the depth map.

The invention relates to a management method of an assistance system for a windscreen of a cab of a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a camera assembly including at least one camera located on the top of the windscreen with an angle between 25° and 75° with respect to the windscreen, for providing a captured image of a wide angle field of view located in front of the vehicle, said wide angle field of view comprising a first front field of vision, a second field of vision of a front-view and a third rear field of the vision, the method comprising: Determining a state of the windscreen using the at least one camera and Processing the captured image, according to the state of the windscreen, to operate the windscreen system on the windscreen.

The present teaching relates to method and system for sensor protection. A sensor protection system includes an assembly having a first structure embedded in a second structure, wherein a sensor is firmly placed in the first structure for sensing information through the assembly and protected from negative impact of outside environment, and one or more devices mounted on the second structure for providing means to clean a slanted surface of the second structure through which the sensor senses the surrounding information, wherein the one or more devices can be individually or jointly activated as needed to clean the slanted surface in order to prevent degradation of information sensed by the sensor through the assembly.

A camera device includes a windshield information detection camera and a vehicle exterior information detection camera. The windshield information detection camera captures an image to obtain information about a surface of a windshield. The vehicle exterior information detection camera captures an image to obtain information about the vehicle exterior. The windshield information detection camera and the vehicle exterior information detection camera are fixed to a vehicle in a state in which they are also fixed to each other.

A method to automatically activate at least one cold weather feature of a vehicle includes determining if the vehicle is in a state for activating at least one cold weather feature, and then determining at least one cold weather condition exists for activating at least one cold weather feature. When it is determined that at least one cold weather condition exists the at least one cold weather feature is automatically activated.

A system mounted on a vehicle for detecting an obstruction on a surface of a window of the vehicle, a primary camera is mounted inside the vehicle behind the window. The primary camera is configured to acquire images of the environment through the window. A secondary camera is focused on an external surface of the window, and operates to image the obstruction. A portion of the window, i.e. window region is subtended respectively by the field of view of the primary camera and the field of view of the secondary camera. A processor processes respective sequences of image data from both the primary camera and the secondary camera.

The invention relates to a device for cleaning a vehicle window that includes a foam generator that is configured to draw in air and a cleaning fluid (L) and mix them and at least partially convert them into a foam form; and further includes, a regulating means for regulating the air flow drawn in by the foam generator and a control unit that is configured to control an air flow regulating means on the basis of at least one parameter.