Patent ID: 6404490
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: B60S,G01N

Abstract:
A method for detecting and localizing coatings on inner and outer surfaces of a translucent pane using a light source and an optical sensor array each positioned adjacent the inner side of the translucent pane, the method comprising:transmitting a light beam from the light source to the translucent pane; focusing a first light beam part reflected from the inner surface of the translucent pane to form a first image on the optical sensor array; focusing a second light beam part reflected from the outer surface of the translucent pane to form a second image on the optical sensor array; comparing an intensity profile of the first image to a first reference intensity profile indicative of the absence of coatings on the inner surface of the translucent pane; comparing an intensity profile of the second image to a second reference intensity profile indicative of the absence of coatings on the outer surface of the translucent pane; determining the absence of coatings on the inner and outer surfaces of the translucent pane if the intensity profile of the first image matches the first reference intensity profile and the intensity profile of the second image matches the second reference intensity profile; determining the absence of coatings on the inner surface of the translucent pane and the presence of coatings on the outer surface of the translucent pane if the intensity profile of the first image matches the first reference intensity profile and the intensity profile of the second image is different than the second reference intensity profile; and determining the presence of coatings on the inner surface of the translucent pane if the intensity profile of the first image is different than the first reference intensity profile.