INFRARED OBSTACLE DETECTION IN THE PRESENCE OF SUNLIGHT

In an infrared obstruction detection system, an apparatus is used to detect the presence of ambient light and initiate compensation to minimize the effects of the ambient light on the performance of the system. In one embodiment, the magnitude of the ambient light is measured and an offset proportional to that magnitude is fed to the obstruction detection system such that the data indicative of an obstacle are not obscured. In another embodiment, the apparatus continually monitors the effect of ambient light and adjusts the obstacle detection information during the changing states of the ambient light detected.