Abstract: A system and method for evaluating the performance of a vehicle windshield wiper system includes a digital camera positioned to allow the camera to capture an image of the surface of the windshield, and a computer including logic for capturing a digital image of the surface of the soiled windshield, capturing a digital image of the surface of the wiped windshield, and comparing the data from both captured images to develop selected indicia related to the extent to which the soil has been removed from the windshield.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for measuring both transmitted optical distortion and other minimal visible defects in the surface of a glass sheet. The disclosed apparatus includes a glass stand which receives a glass sheet for mounting between a background screen which includes a pre-defined contrasting pattern, and a digital camera which captures an image of the pattern transmitted through the glass sheet. The digital image is downloaded to a computer that is suitably programmed to analyze the image data to determine (1) optical distortion indicia, including the magnification and lens power, in the observed image of the pattern transmitted through the glass sheet, and (2) small visible optical or obstructive defects on the glass sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for measuring transmitted optical distortion in a glass sheet includes a glass stand which receives a glass sheet for mounting between a background screen which includes a matrix of spaced apart dots, and a digital camera which captures (1) an image of the glass sheet surface, and (2) an image of the dot matrix transmitted through the glass sheet. The captured images are downloaded to a computer that is suitably programmed to analyze the image data to (1) determine the presence of any markings or elements on the surface of the glass sheet that should be isolated from the dot matrix image, (2) modify the background image to eliminate the image data corresponding to any such surface markings or elements from the image, and (3) determine characteristics indicative of optical distortion in the modified image of the dot matrix background transmitted through the glass sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for measuring transmitted optical distortion in a glass sheet includes a glass stand which receives a glass sheet for mounting between a background screen which includes a matrix of spaced apart dots, and a digital camera which captures (1) an image of the glass sheet surface, and (2) an image of the dot matrix transmitted through the glass sheet. The captured images are downloaded to a computer that is suitably programmed to analyze the image data to (1) determine the presence of any markings or elements on the surface of the glass sheet that should be isolated from the dot matrix image, (2) modify the background image to eliminate the image data corresponding to any such surface markings or elements from the image, and (3) determine characteristics indicative of optical distortion in the modified image of the dot matrix background transmitted through the glass sheet.