Abstract:
A portable color measuring device (10) is provided that includes a hand-holdable housing (15). The color measuring device (10) is configured to receive an independently operable processing device (105) that is mounted to the housing (15). The independently operable processing device (105) is a portable general purpose computer that executes software application to control the operation of the color measuring device (10) and process color data. The color measuring device (10) measures the color properties of a sample by illuminating the sample with a light source (35). The measured properties are processed and/or analyzed by the independently operable processing device (105) allowing software upgrades or modifications to be easily performed. New applications can be downloaded to the processing device (105) or the processing device (105) can be interchanged with a different processing device.
Abstract:
Low cost and form factor spectrometers are disclosed. A spectrometer comprises a substrate, a plurality of optical sensors (979), a plurality of spectral filters (977), an optical manifold (976) and one or more processing elements (980). The plurality of spectral filters (977) and the one or more processing elements (980) are mounted on the substrate. The spectral filters (977) are fixedly positioned over at least a group of the optical sensors (979) and fixedly positioned with respect to the substrate. An optical manifold (976) is fixedly positioned over the spectral filters (977). The optical manifold (976) has a plurality of exit ports and an entrance port, wherein light entering the entrance port is transmitted to an interior portion of the optical manifold (976) and a portion of the light is transmitted from the exit ports through some of the spectral filters (977). The spectrometers are disclosed embedded in printing and scanning devices, computer companion devices, scope-type devices and the like.
Abstract:
A color measuring system (10) includes a portable spectrophotometer (100) connectable to a general-purpose computer (130). The portable unit (100) includes a microprocessor with a read-only program memory for storing machine executable instructions and input/output functions. A random-access data memory is used to temporarily store process data for later transfer to the general-purpose computer (130) or to store in a command buffer area transferred high-level, generalized commands from the general-purpose computer (130). The microprocessor also includes a command interpreter which reads a generalized command from data memory and executes the predefined sequence of machine executable functions.
Abstract:
The invention relates to evaluation of gemstones and other transparent specimens and in particular to color grading of gemstones. The device utilizes a band pass filter (23) which transmits light through lenses (32) onto the detector array (31) to obtain the spectral response of a complete image. The gemstone is illuminated with annular light ring (22), which receives light from a light source (18) located in the right half compartment (14), in a way that provides for analysis of both reflected and transmitted light. The device utilizes multiple lighting angles to construct a composite image that is used to perform the grading of the gemstones.
Abstract:
A colorimeter for reading color bars (403, 404) of printed sheets (401) or the like includes a longitudinally extending base (400) including a paper stop (442) along which a sheet to be tested for color may be positioned. An autonomously operating colorimeter head (410) is moved along the base in a direction parallel to the edge of the sheet by means of an electric motor (600) mounted on the base and driving an helical thread lead screw (418) engaging an X-axis carriage supporting the head. The head is moved by operation of the lead screw in a direction parallel to the edge of the sheet, referred to as the direction of the X-axis. The head includes an electric motor and a Y-axis transport supporting an optics unit (510). The optics unit is moved within the head in a direction parallel to a Y-axis, extending perpendicularly to the X-axis.
Abstract:
A portable spectrophotometer includes a small-diameter optical sphere (101) as well as optical detectors (130, 136) and signal processing and display circuitry (140, 142) which allows the instrument to be taken to an object to be measured and which provides a readout of color values at the portable instrument. The instrument is capable of providing specular-included and specular-excluded color readings simultaneously. The interior of the integrating sphere is coated with a highly reflective, color-absorbing material, and light from an incandescent lamp (103) is diffused within the sphere prior to reaching the object to be measured. The sphere is provided with a first aperture (120) which receives spectrally-included light and which is positioned to absorb a spectral component of the diffused source light. A second aperture (125) positioned at a corresponding angular position with respect to the object measures specular-excluded light, excluding the specular component absorbed by the first aperture. By appropriately combining the specular-included and specular-excluded light at one wavelength, a value for the specular component is derived.
Abstract:
A portable colorimeter for characterizing the optical properties of a colored surface and in particular a colored surface containing metallic or pearlescent particles, which employs three multiangular spectrophotometric measurements to derive color constants for the surface. The colorimeter is a compact integrated unit housing irradiation, detection, control, analysis and display means and employs three illumination angles, preferably -30°, O°, and 65°, and one detection angle, preferably 45°, all measured from the sample normal. The method includes determining the tristimulus values of the color of the sample surface from low resolution spectral reflectance data preferably using twelve detector elements.
Abstract:
L'invention permet de déterminer la couleur à donner en particulier à une prothèse dentaire à partir de la mesure de la couleur des dents adjacentes dans la bouche du patient. Un instrument (44) à fibre optique permet de capter la lumière réfléchie par une dent (50) et de la transmettre à l'entrée d'un spectrocolorimètre (12, 14) associé à un microprocesseur (10), pour déterminer la réflectance spectrale diffuse de la dent et calculer les composantes trichromatiques de ses couleurs apparentes pour divers types d'éclairage. L'invention s'applique notamment à la détermination des couleurs des prothèses dentaires.