Apparatus and method for measuring optical characteristics of an object
First Claim
1. A method for determining optical characteristics of an object, comprising the steps of:
- measuring the object by moving a probe in proximity to the object through relative movement between the probe and the object, wherein the probe provides light to the object from one or more light sources, and receives light from the object through a plurality of light receivers;
determining the intensity of light received by more than one of the light receivers with first sensors; and
measuring the optical characteristics of the object with second sensors based on light received by one or more of the light receivers in response to the intensity determinations made by the first sensors, wherein the measurement produces data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object.
3 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
Color/optical characteristics measuring systems and methods are disclosed. Perimeter receiver fiber optics/elements (7) are spaced apart from a central source fiber optic/element (5) and received light reflected from the surface of the object (20) is measured. Light from the perimeter fiber optics (7) pass to a variety of filters. The system utilizes the perimeter receiver fiber optics (7) to determine information regarding the height and angle of the probe (1) with respect to the object (20) being measured. Under processor control (20), the color measurement may be made at a predetermined height and angle. Various color spectral photometer arrangements are disclosed. Translucency, fluorescence, and/or surface texture data also may be obtained. Audio feedback may be provided to guide operator use of the system. The probe (1) may have a removable or shielded tip for contamination prevention.
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Citations
185 Claims
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1. A method for determining optical characteristics of an object, comprising the steps of:
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measuring the object by moving a probe in proximity to the object through relative movement between the probe and the object, wherein the probe provides light to the object from one or more light sources, and receives light from the object through a plurality of light receivers;
determining the intensity of light received by more than one of the light receivers with first sensors; and
measuring the optical characteristics of the object with second sensors based on light received by one or more of the light receivers in response to the intensity determinations made by the first sensors, wherein the measurement produces data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
processing the measured data with a computing device; and
displaying a representation corresponding to the measured data on a display device.
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14. The method of claim 13, wherein the computing device is coupled to a telecommunication device, the method further comprising transmitting data corresponding to the measured data to a remote facility.
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15. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising generating audio information, wherein the audio information is indicative of the status of the optical characteristics determination.
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16. The method of claim 1, wherein the probe has a removable cover element.
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17. The method of claim 16, wherein the removable cover element comprises a shield.
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18. The method of claim 16, further comprising positioning the removable cover element on the probe prior to measuring the object.
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19. The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of sterilizing the removable cover element and positioning the cover element on the probe prior to measuring the object.
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20. The method of claim 1, wherein the probe has a removable tip.
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21. The method of claim 20, further comprising positioning the removable tip on the probe prior to measuring the object.
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22. The method of claim 20, further comprising sterilizing the removable tip and positioning the removable tip on the probe prior to measuring the object.
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23. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of
determining the intensity of reflected light with the first sensors comprises the steps of: -
determining a first peak intensity value with one or more of the first sensors as the probe is moved towards the object; and
determining a second peak intensity value with one or more of the first sensors as the probe is moved away from the object.
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24. The method of claim 23, wherein the object is measured with the second sensors when the first and second peak intensity values are substantially equal.
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25. The method of claim 23, further comprising the steps of:
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comparing the first and second peak intensity values;
accepting the data measured by the second sensors if the compared first and second peak intensity values are within a predetermined range; and
rejecting the data measured by the second sensors if the compared first and second peak intensity values are outside the predetermined range.
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26. The method of claim 25, further comprising the steps of:
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generating first audio information if the measured data is accepted; and
generating second audio information if the measured data is rejected.
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27. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of modifying the predetermined range.
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28. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of determining an intermediate intensity value with the first sensors at a time intermediate between the time when the first and second peak intensity values are determined, wherein the intermediate intensity value corresponds to the translucence of the object.
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29. The method of claim 28, wherein the intermediate intensity value is determined when the probe is in contact or near contact with the object.
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30. The method of claim 1, wherein the optical characteristics of the object are measured without the probe contacting the object.
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31. The method of claim 1, wherein the object is measured at a time when a plurality of the first sensors measure peak intensity values as the probe moves with respect to the object.
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32. The method of claim 1, wherein the object is measured when the probe is at a predetermined distance from the object.
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33. The method of claim 1, wherein the object is measured when the probe is at a predetermined distance and angle with respect to the object.
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34. The method of claim 1, wherein the intensity determinations made by the first sensors correspond to a physical position of the probe with respect to the object.
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35. The method of claim 1, wherein the intensity determinations made by the first sensors correspond to an angle of the probe with respect to the object.
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36. The method of claim 1, wherein the intensity determinations made by the first sensors correspond to a distance of the probe from the object.
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37. An apparatus for determining optical characteristics of an object, comprising:
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a probe movable relative to the object, wherein through relative movement between the probe and the object the probe is in proximity to the object, wherein the probe provides light to the object from one or more light sources, and receives light from the object through a plurality of light receivers;
first sensors for determining the intensity of light received by more than one of the light receivers; and
second sensors for measuring the optical characteristics of the object based on light received by one or more of the light receivers in response to the intensity determinations made by the first sensors, wherein the measurement produces data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40)
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41. A method comprising the steps of:
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measuring a first object by positioning a probe in proximity to the first objects wherein the first object is positioned in proximity to the probe through relative movement between the probe and the first object, wherein the probe provides light to the first object from one or more light sources, and receives light from the first object through a plurality of light receivers;
determining the intensity of light received by more than one of the light receivers with first sensors;
measuring the optical characteristics of the first object with second sensors based on light received by one or more of the light receivers in response to the intensity determinations made by the first sensors, wherein the measurement produces data indicative of the optical characteristics of the first object;
preparing a second object based on the data indicative of the optical characteristics of the first object, wherein constituent materials of the second object are selected based on said data. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A method comprising the steps of:
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measuring an object by moving a probe in proximity to the object through relative movement between the probe and the object, wherein the probe provides light to the object from one or more light sources, and receives light from the object through a plurality of light receivers;
determining the intensity of light received by more than one of the light receivers with first sensors;
measuring the optical characteristics of the object with second sensors based on light received by one or more of the light receivers in response to the intensity determinations made by the first sensors, wherein the measurement produces data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object; and
performing an industrial process on the object based on said data. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50)
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51. An apparatus for measuring the color of an object with a probe as the probe is moved with respect to the object through relative movement between the probe and the object, comprising:
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a probe having at least one light source and a plurality of light receivers spaced apart from the at least one light source, wherein light from the at least one light source is returned into the plurality of light receivers;
sensors coupled to receive light from the light receivers, wherein at least some of sensors measure the value of the intensity of light in predetermined color bands;
a processor coupled to receive data from the light sensors;
wherein the processor monitors the intensity values for one or more of the light receivers and stores data from the sensors at time when the one or more light receivers have a peak intensity value. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54)
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55. A method, comprising the steps of:
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positioning a probe in proximity to an object through relative movement between the probe and the object, wherein the probe provides light to the object from one or more light sources, and receives light from the object through a plurality of light receivers, wherein light from the light receivers is coupled to one or more optical sensors through a color gradient filter;
taking a plurality of first and second measurements with the one or more optical sensors, wherein the first and second measurements include at least measurements taken at first and second distances from the surface of the object; and
generating data indicative of optical characteristics of the object based on the first and second measurements, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68)
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69. A method, comprising the steps of:
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positioning a probe in proximity to an object through relative movement between the probe and the object, wherein the probe provides light to the object from one or more light sources, and receives light from the object through a plurality of light receivers, wherein light from the light receivers is coupled to one or more optical sensors through a color gradient filter;
taking a plurality of measurements with the one or more optical sensors, wherein the plurality of measurements include at least measurements taken to determine a physical position of the probe with respect to the object; and
generating data indicative of optical characteristics of the object based on the measurements. - View Dependent Claims (70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84)
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85. A method, comprising the steps of:
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positioning a probe in proximity to an object through relative movement between the probe and the object, wherein the probe provides light to the object from one or more light sources, and receives light from the object through a plurality of light receivers, wherein light from the light receivers is coupled to one or more optical sensors through a color gradient filter;
taking a plurality of measurements with the one or more optical sensors; and
determining at least a peak intensity of received light based on the measurements as the probe is a distance away from the object, wherein data indicative of optical characteristics of the object are generated based on at least the peak intensity. - View Dependent Claims (86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98)
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99. A method, comprising the steps of:
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positioning a probe in proximity to an object through relative movement between the probe and the object, wherein the probe provides light to the object from one or more light sources, and receives light from the object through a plurality of light receivers; and
determining the intensity of light received by more than one of the light receivers with second optical sensors, and measuring the optical characteristics of the object with first optical sensors based on light received by one or more of the light receivers through a color gradient filter in response to the intensity determinations made by the second optical sensors, wherein the measurement produces data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object. - View Dependent Claims (100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112)
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113. A method, comprising the steps of:
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positioning a probe in proximity to an object through relative movement between the probe and the object, wherein the probe provides light to the object and receives light from the object, wherein the received light is coupled to one or more optical sensors at least in part through a color gradient filter for generating data indicative of optical characteristics including at least spectral and translucence characteristics of the object; and
taking first and second measurements with the one or more optical sensors as the probe is directed towards the surface of the object, wherein the first and second measurements measure light that is incident on the object and returned from the object, wherein data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object are determined based on the first and second measurements and without requiring the positioning of an optical implement behind the object. - View Dependent Claims (114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126)
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127. A method, comprising the steps of:
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positioning a probe in proximity to an object through relative movement between the probe and the object, wherein the probe provides light to the object from one or more light sources, and receives light from the object through a plurality of light receivers, wherein light from the light receivers is coupled to one or more optical sensors, wherein the one or more optical sensors generate at least one signal having a frequency proportional to the light intensity received by one or more of the light receivers;
taking a plurality of first and second measurements with the one or more optical sensors, wherein the first and second measurements include at least measurements taken at first and second distances from the surface of the object; and
generating data indicative of optical characteristics of the object based on the first and second measurements, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138)
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139. A method, comprising the steps of:
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positioning a probe in proximity to an object through relative movement between the probe and the object, wherein the probe provides light to the object from one or more light sources, and receives light from the object through a plurality of light receivers, wherein light from the light receivers is coupled to one or more optical sensors, wherein the one or more optical sensors generate at least one signal having a frequency proportional to the light intensity received by one or more of the light receivers;
taking a plurality of measurements with the one or more optical sensors, wherein the plurality of measurements include at least measurements taken to determine a physical position of the probe with respect to the object; and
generating data indicative of optical characteristics of the object based on the measurements. - View Dependent Claims (140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149)
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150. A method, comprising the steps of:
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positioning a probe in proximity to an object through relative movement between the probe and the object, wherein the probe provides light to the object from one or more light sources, and receives light from the object through a plurality of light receivers, wherein light from the light receivers is coupled to one or more optical sensors, wherein the one or more optical sensors generate at least one signal having a frequency proportional to the light intensity received by one or more of the light receivers;
taking a plurality of measurements with the one or more optical sensors; and
determining at least a peak intensity of received light based on the measurements as the probe is a distance away from the object, wherein data indicative of optical characteristics of the object are generated based on at least the peak intensity.- View Dependent Claims (151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161)
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162. A method, comprising the steps of:
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positioning a probe in proximity to an object through relative movement between the probe and the object, wherein the probe provides light to the object from one or more light sources, and receives light from the object through a plurality of light receivers; and
determining the intensity of light received by more than one of the light receivers with second optical sensors, and measuring the optical characteristics of the object with first optical sensors based on light received by one or more of the light receivers in response to the intensity determinations made by the second optical sensors, wherein the measurement produces data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object, wherein at least one of the first optical sensors generate at least one signal having a frequency proportional to the light intensity received by one or more of the light receivers. - View Dependent Claims (163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173)
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174. A method, comprising the steps of:
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positioning a probe in proximity to an object through relative movement between the probe and the object, wherein the probe provides light to the object and receives light from the object, wherein the received light is coupled to one or more optical sensors for generating data indicative of optical characteristics including at least spectral and translucence characteristics of the object, wherein the one or more optical sensors generate at least one signal having a frequency proportional to the light intensity received by one or more of the light receivers; and
taking first and second measurements with the one or more optical sensors as the probe is directed towards the surface of the object, wherein the first and second measurements measure light that is incident on the object and returned from the object, wherein data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object are determined based on the first and second measurements and without requiring the positioning of an optical implement behind the object. - View Dependent Claims (175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185)
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Specification