Abstract:
A color measurement apparatus is adapted as an attachment for a personal computing system. An interface integral to the color measurement apparatus couples the color measurement apparatus to the personal computing system. A computer pointing device integral to the color measurement apparatus provides a pointer input for the personal computing system. A spectral sensing device integral to the color measurement apparatus measures light received via an input port in a plurality of spectral bands. A light source integral to the color measurement apparatus emits light external to the color measurement apparatus. The color measurement apparatus is operable in first, second and third modes of operation. In the first mode of operation, the computer pointing device provides pointer input of a user to the personal computing system. In the second mode of operation, the spectral sensing device measures light generated by a display of the personal computing system. In the third mode of operation, the light source provides light to a printed object printed by a printer coupled to the personal computing system and the spectral sensing device is adapted to receive and measure light that is returned from the printed object.
Abstract:
A process for color matching a metallic paint by taking a color measurement reading at a single angle using a regular spectrophotometer or colorimeter is provided. The preferred type of metallic pigment to be utilized in preparing the matching color can be selected by microscopic evaluation of the metallic pigment in the target metallic paint to identify its size, shape and probable composition.
Abstract:
A spectroscopy system comprises a tunable semiconductor laser, such as an external cavity laser, that generates a tunable signal. A detector is provided for detecting the tunable signal after interaction with a sample. In this way, the system is able to determine the spectroscopic response of the sample by tuning the laser of the scan band and monitoring the detector's response. An integrating device, such as an integrating sphere, is interposed optically between the tunable semiconductor laser and the detector. This integrating device is used to mitigate the effects of parasitic spectral noise, such as noise that is generated by speckle or the combination of single- and multi-mode optical fibers in the transmission link between the tunable semiconductor laser and the detector.
Abstract:
Optical characteristic measuring systems and methods such as for determining the color or other optical characteristics of teeth are disclosed. Perimeter receiver fiber optics preferably are spaced apart from a source fiber optic and receive light from the surface of the object/tooth being measured. Light from the perimeter fiber optics pass to a variety of filters. The system utilizes the perimeter receiver fiber optics to determine information regarding the height and angle of the probe with respect to the object/tooth being measured. Under processor control, the optical characteristics measurement may be made at a predetermined height and angle. Various color spectral photometer arrangements are disclosed. Translucency, fluorescence, gloss and/or surface texture data also may be obtained. Audio feedback may be provided to guide operator use of the system. The probe may have a removable or shielded tip for contamination prevention. A method of producing dental prostheses based on measured data also is disclosed. Measured data also may be stored and/or organized as part of a patient data base. Such methods and implements may be desirably utilized for purposes of detecting and preventing counterfeiting or the like.
Abstract:
Systems, methodologies, media, and other embodiments associated with color measuring are described. One exemplary system embodiment includes a spectrophotometer, one or more light sources for illuminating an interior of the spectrophotometer, and a digital camera configured at a port of the spectrophotometer and being configured to measure light components from a sample. In the present invention, segmentation logic is provided for the spectrophotometer that is configured to employ computational image segmentation to characterize specular reflection from a sample and to characterize a selected patch or portion from the test sample, such as a selected color in a multicolor pattern. In accordance with the present invention, the spectrophotometer and the included digital camera may be color-characterized in situ.
Abstract:
A combination of a response adapting filter (11, 12, 13) and a detector (14), the detector having a predetermined spectral response function to electromagnetic radiation, a method of its preparation, a camera (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) comprising such a response filter and detector combination, and use thereof in e.g. colour measurements in combination with an integrating cavity and a vision inspection system of natural and/or a synthetic material surfaces; also a display and detector combination, a method of displaying optical information, a colour display and monitor system, and a method of controlling colour display, said combination, systems and methods comprising such combination of a response adapting filter and a detector.
Abstract:
Method, system and computer product for formulating a bi-directional color match. In this disclosure, a computing unit obtains spectral measurements of a target bi-directional color. The computing unit uses a bi-directional color formulation tool determine a combination of pigments, dyes and platelet-shaped pigments that generates spectral measurements that match the spectral measurements of the target bi-directional color.
Abstract:
Optical characteristic measuring systems and methods such as for determining the color or other optical characteristics of teeth are disclosed. Perimeter receiver fiber optics preferably are spaced apart from a source fiber optic and receive light from the surface of the object/tooth being measured. Light from the perimeter fiber optics pass to a variety of filters. The system utilizes the perimeter receiver fiber optics to determine information regarding the height and angle of the probe with respect to the object/tooth being measured. Under processor control, the optical characteristics measurement may be made at a predetermined height and angle. Various color spectral photometer arrangements are disclosed. Translucency, fluorescence, gloss and/or surface texture data also may be obtained. Audio feedback may be provided to guide operator use of the system. The probe may have a removable or shielded tip for contamination prevention. A method of producing dental prostheses based on measured data also is disclosed. Measured data also may be stored and/or organized as part of a patient data base. Such methods and implements may be desirably utilized for purposes of detecting and preventing counterfeiting or the like. Low cost and small form factor spectrometers, and methods for manufacturing the same, also are disclosed.
Abstract:
A computer color matching method of paint for measuring a proper formulation of colorants for obtaining a target color or color and luster, or a proper formulation of colorants and luster color materials, directly in a liquid state of paint, without preparing painted panels from adjusted paint, and calculating the adjusted blending ratio easily and accurately, and a paint manufacturing method by using this method. A color matching method of determining the blending ratio of colorants and luster color materials conforming to a target color by computation, when color matching a metallic and pearlescent paint composed of plural colorants and luster color materials, in which the color of a paint as liquid varied in the volume formulation ratio of usable colorants and luster color materials is preliminarily measured by paint color measuring means, the data is stored in the memory of a computer, the color of each one of two or more paints adjusted in the blending ratio for realizing a target color is measured by paint color measuring means when color matching a metallic and pearlescent paint, a reproduced color is predicted and computed by using the measured data and the data on the memory and considering change in the calorimetric value due to difference in blending ratio of colorants and luster color materials, and an appropriate blending ratio of colorants and luster color materials is determined by computation.
Abstract:
An improved process of matching the color of a paint to the pre-existing color of a vehicle is provided. The process includes the steps of exposing a photo-reactive film to the surface of the vehicle whose paint color is to be matched. Once exposed, pigments in the film are activated to mimic precisely the color of the vehicle. The pigments are then extracted, isolated and mixed with a neutral base paint solution, which is tinted by the pigments to match the color of the vehicle. The tinted and matched solution is used for painting or touch-up work on the vehicle.