Patent ID: 7619740

Claim:
A sensor for optically measuring surface characteristics of a product that comprises: a source of light that directs an illuminating beam of light of known intensity incident to a target area on the surface at a predetermined angle of incidence θ as measured relative to an axis or line that is perpendicular to a plane of the product and wherein the target area is coplanar with the plane of the product; a detector; imaging optics which is configured to collect light, that is reflected from the target area at an angle of reflection that is the same as the angle of incidence θ, to the detector which generates signals that represent a two-dimensional distribution profile or the light that is reflected from the target area surface is generated, and means for calculating a microgloss value for the target area based on the signals that represent the two-dimensional distribution profile, wherein the means for calculating the microgloss value for the target area comprises a pattern recognition device that compares the signals that represent the two-distributional distribution profile to predetermined reference patterns and that assigns the microgloss value.