FIG. 9 is an example of one process consistent with this embodiment starting at 204. In this example, the temperature of a surface such as window 102 or 106 is monitored by sensor 119 and this temperature is saved as T_Last. The process waits for a prescribed period of time (e.g., two seconds) at 208 and then moves to 210 where the temperature of the same surface is measured again. This new measurement is referenced herein as T_Current. At 212, T_Current is compared to T_Last (the previous measurement) to determine if there has been a change, how much the change is and if the temperature increased or decreased. With this information the processor(s) 111 can determine if the conditions are likely to produce a fog or frost condition on the window at 214.
In this example, if a fog or frost condition is established at 214, the heater 144 can be activated at 216. As will be discussed later, the activation of the heater may be further subject to other conditions such as the state of charge of the battery and temperature thereof. Moreover, the heater may be activated to less than 100% of its capacity in order to preserve battery charge or minimize peak power drain under some circumstances. But for the present embodiment, the heater is activated at 216 and the value of T_Last is changed to the most recent measurement T_Current at 200. The process then proceeds to 208 and repeats.
In the event the processor 111 determines at 214 that no frost or fog condition exists, the heater can be deactivated at 224.