Vehicle glass cleaning management system

Abstract

A vehicle includes a glass cleaning system that performs a method of cleaning a glass surface of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a glass surface. A glass cleaning system includes a glass cleaning device and a processor. The glass cleaning apparatus is configured to clean a glass surface. The processor receives a signal from a remote device indicating an instruction for operating the glass cleaning device, selects the glass cleaning device, and activates the glass cleaning device to clean the glass surface based on the instruction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The subject disclosure relates to clearing glass surfaces of a vehicle, and in particular, to systems and methods for remote operation of a glass clearing system of a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Glass surfaces of vehicles, such as windshields, may accumulate particles that obstruct vision and / or reduce the quality of the view through the surface. Various devices (e.g., wipers, heated wires, etc.) can be used to remove these particles. However, these devices operate when the driver is behind the steering wheel. When the driver enters the vehicle, the obscured glass surface may cause the driver to have to wait until the device has sufficiently cleaned the glass. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a cleaning system that operates when the driver or user is away from the vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0003] In one exemplary embodiment, a method for cleaning a glass surface of a vehicle is disclosed. A signal is received from a remote device at a glass cleaning system of the vehicle, wherein the signal indicates instructions for operating a glass cleaning device of the glass cleaning system. A glass cleaning device is selected. The glass cleaning device is activated based on the instructions to clean the glass surface.

[0004] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the instructions include one of a configuration for an automatically operated glass cleaning system and a manually operated glass cleaning system.

[0005] In addition to one or more features described herein, the manual instruction includes at least one of selecting a glass cleaning device, activating a glass cleaning device, and deactivating a glass cleaning device.

[0006] In addition to one or more features described herein, the method also includes providing to the remote device at least one of an image of the glass surface and an environmental parameter indicative of a quality of a view through the glass surface.

[0007] In addition to one or more features described herein, the method also includes sending a notification to a user when, at one of a selected time before a predicted key-on event, a quality of view through the glass surface meets an obstruction criterion, and the glass cleaning device is turned off.

[0008] In addition to one or more features described herein, the method also includes turning off the glass cleaning device when one of: the glass cleaning device is activated for more than a selected time period, the charge state of the battery of the vehicle meets the charge state standard, and the vehicle is expected to be stationary for a selected amount of time.

[0009] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the glass cleaning device includes at least one of a windshield wiper, an air conditioner, a heated glass, a compressed air nozzle, and a window washer fluid system.

[0010] In another exemplary embodiment, a glass cleaning system for a vehicle is disclosed. The glass cleaning system includes a glass cleaning device for cleaning a glass surface and a processor. The processor is configured to receive a signal indicating an instruction for operating the glass cleaning device from a remote device, select the glass cleaning device, and activate the glass cleaning device to clean the glass surface based on the instruction.

[0011] In addition to one or more features described herein, the instructions are one of configuration for automatically operating the glass cleaning system and manual instructions for operating the glass cleaning system.

[0012] In addition to one or more features described herein, the manual instruction includes at least one of selecting a glass cleaning device, activating a glass cleaning device, and deactivating a glass cleaning device.

[0013] In addition to one or more features described herein, the processor is further configured to provide to the remote device at least one of a camera image of the glass surface and an environmental parameter indicative of a quality of a view through the glass surface.

[0014] In addition to one or more features described herein, the processor is further configured to send a notification to the user when one of a selected time before a predicted key-on event, a quality of view through the glass surface meets an obstruction criterion, and a glass cleaning device is turned off.

[0015] In addition to one or more features described herein, the processor is configured to shut down the glass cleaning device when one of: the glass cleaning device is activated for a period of time exceeding a selected time period, the state of charge of the vehicle's battery meets a state of charge standard, and the vehicle is expected to be stationary for a selected amount of time.

[0016] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the glass cleaning device includes at least one of a windshield wiper, an air conditioning unit, heated glass, a compressed air nozzle, and a window washer fluid system.

[0017] In yet another exemplary embodiment, a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a glass surface, a glass cleaning device for cleaning the glass surface, and a glass cleaning system for communicating with a remote device and the glass cleaning device. The glass cleaning system includes a processor configured to receive a signal from the remote device indicating an instruction for operating the glass cleaning device, select the glass cleaning device, and activate the glass cleaning device to clean the glass surface based on the instruction.

[0018] In addition to one or more features described herein, the instructions are one of configuration for automatically operating the glass cleaning system and manual instructions for operating the glass cleaning system.

[0019] In addition to one or more features described herein, the manual instruction includes at least one of selecting a glass cleaning device, activating a glass cleaning device, and deactivating a glass cleaning device.

[0020] In addition to one or more features described herein, the processor is further configured to provide to the remote device at least one of a camera image of the glass surface and an environmental parameter indicative of a quality of a view through the glass surface.

[0021] In addition to one or more features described herein, the processor is further configured to send a notification to the user when one of a selected time before a predicted key-on event, a quality of view through the glass surface meets an obstruction criterion, and a glass cleaning device is turned off.

[0022] In addition to one or more features described herein, the notification indicates a quality of view of the glass surface when the glass cleaning device is turned off.

[0023] The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present disclosure are apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, in the following detailed description, which refers to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 A vehicle is shown according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0026] Figure 2 is a flow chart of a method for configuring a glass cleaning system;

[0027] Figure 3 In the illustrative embodiment, Figure 2 A flowchart of a method of operating a glass cleaning system established by the configuration operation; and

[0028] Figure 4 A flow chart is shown for a manual method of operating a glass cleaning system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts and features.

[0030] According to an exemplary embodiment, Figure 1A vehicle 100 is shown. The vehicle 100 includes a glass surface 102 that can collect particles, such as dirt, dust, moisture, rain, snow, fog, etc., which can obscure or reduce the view through the glass surface. The glass surface 102 can be a windshield, side window, rear window, etc. of the vehicle 100.

[0031] The vehicle 100 includes a glass cleaning system 104 for removing particles from a glass surface 102 and / or for improving the view through the glass surface. The glass cleaning system 104 includes a controller 106, a sensor 108 for determining the degree of obstruction of the glass surface or the quality of the view through the glass surface, one or more cleaning devices 110 for removing particles from the glass surface 102, and a communication device 112. The one or more cleaning devices 110 may include, but are not limited to, windshield wipers, defrosters, dehumidifiers, air conditioning units, heated glass, heating wires, compressed air nozzles, window washer fluid systems, etc. The controller 106 may be used to control the activation and / or deactivation of the one or more cleaning devices 110.

[0032] The controller 106 may include processing circuitry that may include an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or grouped) executing one or more software or firmware programs and memory, combinatorial logic circuits, and / or other suitable components that provide the described functionality. According to one or more embodiments detailed herein, the controller 106 may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when processed by one or more processors of the controller 106, implement a method of setting or configuring an automatic cleaning schedule and operating a cleaning system based on the configuration.

[0033] Sensor 108 may be a camera that obtains a view through the glass surface. Alternatively, sensor 108 may be a device that measures various atmospheric or environmental parameters, such as humidity, temperature, dew point, etc., that indicate the quality of viewing through the glass surface.

[0034] The communication device 112 communicates data between the glass cleaning system 104 and a remote device 114, such as a mobile communication device. Figure 1 In the embodiment of the present invention, user 116 has remote device 114. User 116 can receive and view data and queries from communication device 112 via remote device 114, and provide instructions back to the communication device via the remote device. Thus, user 116 can instruct glass cleaning system 104 to establish a cleaning schedule or cleaning regimen and execute a method for cleaning glass based on various cleaning criteria established by the user. The cleaning schedule can be operated when the user is away from the vehicle.

[0035] Figure 22 is a flow chart of a method for configuring the glass cleaning system 104. The method begins at block 202. In block 204, the user decides whether to select a glass monitoring program to clean one or more glass surfaces. The user may opt-in via the remote device 114. If the user does not opt-in, the method returns to block 202. Otherwise, the method proceeds to block 206.

[0036] In block 206, a default state for the glass cleaning routine is set. In the default configuration, the vehicle sends a notification to the user when the glass is obscured (i.e., when the quality of the view through the glass surface reaches or falls below a selected obscuration threshold). The obscuration level of the glass may be based on optical transmittance, light level, etc.

[0037] In box 208, the user decides whether he wants to receive notifications from the vehicle based on the on time (i.e., the time when the on event occurs). If the user selects (e.g., via the remote device 114) that the vehicle perform cleaning based on the on time, the method proceeds to box 210. Otherwise, the method proceeds to box 212. In box 210, the glass cleaning system is configured to track the typical, expected, or predicted on time at the vehicle and send a notification to the user at a selected time (e.g., 15 minutes) before the predicted on time. In box 212, the glass cleaning system 104 is configured to monitor the glass surface 102 and send a notification to the remote device when the quality of the field of view meets the obstruction standard (i.e., the default configuration). From box 210 or box 212, the method proceeds to box 214.

[0038] In box 214, the user decides whether he wants to synchronize the glass cleaning system with the weather forecast. If the user decides on this option, the method proceeds to box 216. In box 216, the glass cleaning system is configured to allow the user to establish an automatic glass cleaning schedule. Otherwise, the method proceeds from box 214 to box 218. In box 218, the glass cleaning system is configured to monitor the glass surface and send a notification when the quality of the view meets the obstruction criteria (i.e., the default configuration). From box 216 or box 218, the method proceeds to box 220. In box 220, the configuration operation is completed and the cleaning operation can be started.

[0039] Figure 3 is shown in an illustrative embodiment operating by Figure 2 A flow chart 300 of a method of configuring and operating a glass cleaning system is provided.

[0040] In block 302, the processor operates a timer and compares the time to a cleaning schedule. If the timer does not indicate that a cleaning operation is to be initiated, the method loops back to block 302. Otherwise, when the current time and the cleaning schedule indicate that it is time to initiate a cleaning operation, the method proceeds to block 304.

[0041] In box 304, the quality of the view from the windshield is checked based on the selected criteria. If the method for checking the level is based on environmental parameters, the method proceeds to box 306. Otherwise, the method proceeds to box 308.

[0042] In block 306, the glass cleaning system detects environmental parameters, such as rain, humidity, temperature, etc., and determines the quality of the view based on these environmental parameters. An illustrative condition is the presence of rain, fog, or frost on the glass. If the condition indicates that the quality of the view is greater than the obstruction threshold, the method loops back to block 306. Otherwise, the method proceeds to block 310.

[0043] In block 308, the camera obtains an image of the glass, and the processor determines from the image whether the glass is obscured. If the quality of the view through the glass is greater than the occlusion threshold, the method loops back to block 308. Otherwise, the method proceeds to block 310.

[0044] In block 310, a glass cleaning system is activated to operate an appropriate glass cleaning device. For example, if rain is indicated at the glass surface, the glass cleaning device may be a windshield wiper. If frost is indicated on the glass surface, a heating system may be activated. Multiple cleaning devices may be used. For example, if the camera detects that the wipers do not result in visibility improvement above a threshold in cold weather, a heating system may be implemented to thaw ice from the glass surface.

[0045] In box 312, the glass cleaning system determines whether to terminate based on termination criteria, such as battery usage or battery state of charge, a selected time period or other customer-specified criteria, an expectation that the vehicle will be stationary for a long time, etc. The time period and / or charge state can be a predefined amount or can be selected by the customer. In various embodiments, the termination criteria can be met when the glass cleaning device is turned on for more than the time period or when the battery charge drops to a specified charge state. The decision to terminate can also be based on the quality of the view or visibility rising above a selected threshold. Until the glass cleaning system meets the termination criteria, the method loops back to box 312. Once the termination criteria are met, the method proceeds to box 314.

[0046] In block 314, the method ends by shutting down or turning off the glass cleaning system. After one of the termination criteria is met, the processor automatically shuts down the cleaning device. When the system times out, the processor can send a notification to the user. When the cleaning device is shut down, the notification can indicate the occlusion status or the quality of the field of view.

[0047] Figure 4A flow chart 400 for a manual method of operating a glass cleaning system is shown. The method begins at box 402. In box 404, the processor checks for a signal indicating that the user is remotely checking the vehicle via a remote device. If the user is not checking, the method loops back to box 404. Otherwise, the method proceeds to box 406. In box 406, the method provides the user with a view through the camera system or an atmospheric or environmental parameter such as temperature, humidity, dew point, etc. In box 408, the user selects a glass cleaning system and activates the selected system. The method ends in box 410.

[0048] The terms "a" and "an" do not indicate a limitation of quantity, but rather indicate the presence of at least one of the referenced item. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term "or" means "and / or". References to "aspects" throughout the specification mean that a particular element (e.g., a feature, structure, step, or characteristic) described in conjunction with that aspect is included in at least one aspect described herein, and may or may not be present in other aspects. In addition, it should be understood that the described elements may be combined in any suitable manner in the various aspects.

[0049] When an element such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to as being "on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" another element, there are no intervening elements present.

[0050] Unless stated to the contrary herein, all test standards are the most current standards in effect as of the filing date of this application or, if priority is claimed, the filing date of the earliest priority application in which the test standards appear.

[0051] Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0052] Although the above disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for its elements without departing from its scope. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt specific circumstances or materials to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the basic scope of the disclosure. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but will include all embodiments falling within its scope.

Claims

1. A method for cleaning a glass surface of a vehicle, comprising: receiving a signal from a remote device at a glass cleaning system of the vehicle, wherein the signal indicates instructions for operating a glass cleaning device of the glass cleaning system; Selecting the glass cleaning equipment; and The glass cleaning device is activated based on the instruction to clean the glass surface.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the instructions include one of: (i) configuration for automatically operating the glass cleaning system; and (ii) manually operating the glass cleaning system.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing to the remote device at least one of: (i) an image of the glass surface; and (ii) an environmental parameter indicative of a quality of a view through the glass surface.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising sending a notification to a user when one of: (i) a selected time prior to a predicted power-on event; (ii) a quality of view through the glass surface meets an obstruction criterion; and (iii) the glass cleaning device is turned off.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising shutting down the glass cleaning device when one of: (i) the glass cleaning device is activated for a period of time exceeding a selected time period; (ii) a state of charge of a battery of the vehicle satisfies a state of charge criterion; and (iii) the vehicle is expected to be stationary for a selected amount of time.

6. A glass cleaning system for a vehicle, comprising: Glass cleaning equipment for cleaning glass surfaces; A processor configured to: receiving a signal from a remote device indicative of instructions for operating the glass cleaning device; Selecting the glass cleaning equipment; and The glass cleaning device is activated based on the instruction to clean the glass surface.

7. The glass cleaning system of claim 6, wherein the instructions are one of: (i) configurations for automatically operating the glass cleaning system; and (ii) manual instructions for operating the glass cleaning system.

8. The glass cleaning system of claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to provide to the remote device at least one of: (i) a camera image of the glass surface; and (ii) an environmental parameter indicative of a quality of a view through the glass surface.

9. The glass cleaning system of claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to send a notification to a user when one of: (i) a selected time prior to a predicted power-on event; (ii) a quality of view through the glass surface meets an obstruction criterion; and (iii) the glass cleaning device is turned off.

10. The glass cleaning system of claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to shut down the glass cleaning device when one of: (i) the glass cleaning device is activated for a time period exceeding a selected time period; (ii) a state of charge of a battery of the vehicle satisfies a state of charge criterion; and (iii) the vehicle is expected to be stationary for a selected amount of time.

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