A droplet sensor system is configured to detect the presence of droplets or other foreign bodies on the surface of a window. The sensor system emits light rays that are coupled into the window, where the window serves as a waveguide that guides the confined electromagnetic radiation across the window. Foreign bodies present on the surface of the glass outcouples a subset of the light as it propagates across the window, attenuating the power of outcoupled light measured at a photodetector mounted near an edge of the window. The system initiates a notification or a control action in response to detecting this attenuation of power due to outcoupling of the propagating light by foreign bodies.

A system and method are provided for inspecting an aircraft window for anomalies by directing light that is polarized at a first angle at the window and analyzing light emerging from the window. The light emerging from the window may be polarized at a second angle. One or both of the angles may be adjustable and, in a nominal position, the second angle may be rotated about 90-degrees relative to the first angle. A camera may record the light as polarized at the first and second angles. For a window installed on an aircraft, a vacuum hood may produce a pressure on the window. An analysis subsystem may be coupled to the camera to receive and analyze the image from the camera of light as polarized at the first and second angles. The analysis subsystem may use a database of information relating to light patterns for anomalous and non-anomalous windows.

A droplet sensor system is configured to detect the presence of droplets or other foreign bodies on the surface of a window. The sensor system emits light rays that are coupled into the window, where the window serves as a waveguide that guides the confined electromagnetic radiation across the window. Foreign bodies present on the surface of the glass outcouples a subset of the light as it propagates across the window, attenuating the power of outcoupled light measured at a photodetector mounted near an edge of the window. The system initiates a notification or a control action in response to detecting this attenuation of power due to outcoupling of the propagating light by foreign bodies.

A computer includes a processor and a memory storing processor-executable instructions. The processor is programmed to receive data indicating a contaminant on a sensor window of a vehicle; determine a combination of an air pressure setting of an air source and a liquid pressure setting of a liquid source to remove the contaminant from the sensor window; and set the air source to the air pressure setting and the liquid source to the liquid pressure setting.

A system for detecting damage to a glass surface particularly vehicle glazing panels such as vehicle windscreens. The system uses a sensor unit disposed proximate the surface and a processor in communication with the sensor unit. The processor is configured to analyse data received from the sensor unit in order to determine the integrity of the surface and a communication unit is configured to output a signal in response to the processor determining that the surface has been damaged. For vehicle glass the system is preferably integrated into the vehicle management and control systems such that the system is active when the vehicle is active or moving. The management and or control system may monitor for instances or situations when changes, such as above threshold changes, occur in order to produce an output warning signal.

A method of installing a glass panel on a vehicle that includes an opaque coating formed about a perimeter of the glass panel that includes a plurality of voids where the opaque coating is absent. The method includes determining whether a primer has been applied to the opaque coating by inspecting the glass panel to determine whether at least some of the plurality of voids have been covered by the primer. After determining whether a primer has been applied to the opaque coating, it is determined whether the primer has been correctly applied to the opaque coating by inspecting the glass panel to determine whether each of the plurality of voids has been covered by the primer. Then, after determining whether the primer has been correctly applied, an adhesive may be applied to the primer and the glass panel may be installed on the vehicle.

A method for detecting liquid on a windowpane in which radiation is emitted by at least one radiation emitter, the radiation is coupled into the windowpane via at least one optical element, and, after reflection in the windowpane, the radiation is coupled out of the windowpane. The radiation which is coupled out of the windowpane is captured in single measurements. A measurement cycle is formed from a multiplicity of single measurements. An average value is calculated from the measurement results of a measurement cycle. The average value is used a reference value for the single measurements of the subsequent measurement cycle currently in progress. The differences between the measured values of the single measurements of a measurement cycle currently in progress and the reference value are determined. The differences between the measured values of the single measurements of the measurement cycle currently in progress and the reference value are evaluated statistically. A conclusion is drawn regarding the state of coverage with liquid of the measuring section on the windowpane from the statistical evaluation.

A computer includes a processor and a memory storing processor-executable instructions. The processor is programmed to receive data indicating a contaminant on a sensor window of a vehicle; determine a combination of an air pressure setting of an air source and a liquid pressure setting of a liquid source to remove the contaminant from the sensor window; and set the air source to the air pressure setting and the liquid source to the liquid pressure setting.

The invention concerns an apparatus for determining a secondary image angle (20) of a light source (11) on a transparent object (14). To achieve the objective of building a simple apparatus and to determine the secondary image angle (20) with higher measuring point densities even on transparent objects (14) with large surfaces in a quick, reliable manner with few movements, the apparatus includes an illuminating device (10), which has multiple, simultaneously illuminating, punctiform light sources (11), a two-dimensional target (16a) with at least one camera (16), whereby at least one camera (16) is set up to capture the positions of a primary image (21a) and a secondary image (21b) of multiple simultaneously illuminating light sources (11) at the same time, whereby the primary image (21) and the secondary image (21b) of one light source (11) are generated on the target by one of the volume elements (14a) of the transparent object illuminated by the light source (11), and an evaluation device (18) is set up to determine the secondary image angle (20) of the respective volume element (14a) of the transparent object (14) based on the positions of the primary image (21a) and the secondary image (21b). Furthermore, a method for determining the secondary image angle is also specified.

A method and apparatus are disclosed which enable the analysis of a break in a vehicle glazing panel without the attendance of a technician, the method and apparatus utilize capturing an image of the break and processing the image of the break to enable the suitability for repair or replacement of the glazing panel to be determined.