A method for detecting local defects on a reflective surface with a device having at least one pattern for reflection on the reflective surface, at least one camera and a data processing unit. The pattern has at least one substantially linear light-dark transition, the positioning and orientation of the camera are known, the camera captures the pattern reflected on the surface and generates image data of the reflected pattern which are transmitted by the camera to the data processing unit, and the data processing unit determines local defects on the surface on the basis of an evaluation of at least one property of the at least one light-dark transition in the image data of the reflected pattern. Also a device and a computer program.

A device comprises a housing, a detector for receiving solar irradiance and for providing a detector signal providing an indication of an amount of solar irradiance received by the detector and a shield transparent to at least part of the solar irradiance to be detected, the shield and the housing providing a detector space for housing at least part of the detector. The device further comprises a first light source for emitting light to the shield and a first light sensor arranged to receive light from the first light source, arranged to provide a first signal providing an indication for an amount of light received by the first light sensor. Particles will and reflect light back to the detector space. The reflected light is received by the light sensor. Hence, a signal generated by the sensor is an indication for pollution of the shield.

Method and apparatus are disclosed for detection and identification of opaqueness of vehicle windows. An example vehicle includes a window including an interior surface and an exterior surface, a light transmitter to emit light, and light sensors to measure the light. The light sensors include a first sensor offset from and a second sensor aligned with the interior surface. The light sensors also include a third sensor offset from and a fourth sensor aligned with the exterior surface. The example vehicle also includes a controller for detecting a source of opaqueness of the window via the light sensors.

A glass sheet optical inspection system installed online in a glass sheet processing system includes an apparatus for measuring small optical or obstructive defects in a first selected area of the glass sheet by acquiring and developing a first set of image data, and an apparatus for measuring transmitted optical distortion in a second selected area of the glass sheet by acquiring and developing a second set of image data. The system may also include a glass sheet part identifier and a programmable control including logic for analyzing acquired image data and identifying the glass sheet as one of a set of known part types and thereafter securing and positioning the glass sheet based upon the part-shape analysis.

A small defect detection apparatus installed online in a glass sheet processing system includes a line scan camera, a background screen including contrasting elements arranged in a pre-defined pattern, an upstream conveyor and a downstream conveyor, wherein the upstream conveyor and downstream conveyor are positioned end-to-end, spaced apart by a selected size gap such that the camera may acquire multiple images of the background screen as the unsupported portion of the glass sheet is conveyed over the gap, and a computer programmed to execute logic for receiving the set of image data comprising multiple images of the background screen and identifying small defects in the glass from the data. The system may also include a glass sheet part identifier and a programmable control including logic for analyzing acquired image data and selecting an area of interest on the glass sheet for the analysis.

Systems and methods for providing optical distortion information of a vehicle glazing are disclosed. In one example, a method comprises obtaining and analyzing, via at least one processor of a computing device, optical characteristics of the vehicle glazing; generating digitized optical distortion information for the vehicle glazing based on analysis results; generating identification information for the vehicle glazing; and associating the digitized optical distortion information with the identification information.

A system and a method for inspecting a transparent object. The system may comprise a light source module; a collimating lens system; a sensor; a collector lens system for concentrating the sheet of light, passed through the object, in a plane of the sensor; and an optical element, the optical element being adapted to provide different focus ranges for the light portions emitted with different colors (intensity peak wavelengths).

A method for measuring the optical quality of a delineated region of a glazing, the delineated region being intended to be placed in front of an acquiring or measuring device such as a camera. The method is particularly suitable for measuring the optical quality of a delineated region of a transportation-vehicle glazing, such as an airplane or automobile windshield, in front of which an optical device for recording images or a device for measuring the environment outside the vehicle is placed with a view to enabling operation of an advanced driver-assistance system of the vehicle.

A system for acquiring surface data from one of the surfaces of a curved panel having a specular surface and developing a surface definition of the panel includes a conveyor for conveying the panel in a first direction, at least one display projecting a preselected multi-phase non-repeating contrasting pattern, and at least one camera, each one of the cameras uniquely paired with one of the displays. The system may also include a control programmed to execute logic for controlling each of the camera/display pairs to acquire the desired images, and logic for analyzing and combining the data acquired by the cameras to construct a definition of the surface of the panel.

A glass sheet acquisition and positioning mechanism and associated method are utilized in an in-line glass sheet optical inspection system. The mechanism includes an exterior support frame mounted in proximity to one of the glass sheet processing system conveyors, and an interior support frame operably connected to the exterior support frame such that the interior support frame may be selectively positioned from its first orientation to a second orientation whereby the retained glass sheet is positioned between the camera and the screen at a preselected position. The interior support frame is also operably connected to the exterior support frame to provide for positioning of the interior support frame to a third orientation in which the glass sheet is released from the interior support frame for continued movement on the conveyor. An in-line glass sheet optical inspection system incorporating the glass sheet acquisition and positioning mechanism is also disclosed.