Methods and apparatus for color calibration and verification

• US 6,271,920 B1
• Filed: 12/18/1998
• Issued: 08/07/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Color Data, LLC
• Original Assignee: Chromatics Color Sciences International, Inc.
• Inventors: Macfarlane, Darby S., Macfarlane, David K., Billmeyer, Fred W. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): EVANS, FANNIE L
• Application Number:
  US09/215,907
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 356/402, 356/406, 356/407, 356/408, 356/421, 356/422, 356/423, 356/424, 356/425, 356/243.1, 356/243.5, 702/85
• US Class Current: 356/402
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0272 Handheld
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/52 using colour charts
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/524 Calibration of colorimeters

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for calibrating a color measuring instrument with a color standard and verifying the color standard and calibration are provided. One method includes providing a color standard having a surface with at least two different colors (preferably arranged for a simultaneous color measurement), calibrating the instrument, and verifying that said color standard is an authorized color standard of a predetermined specification and that the calibration of the color measuring instrument has achieved predetermined specified results. Some of the provided methods and apparatus use a photosensitive portion of the color standard that changes color in a known way when exposed to a predetermined dose of light. Various color standards for use with this invention are provided.

Claims

1. A method of calibrating a color measuring instrument with a color standard and verifying said color standard and said calibration, said method comprising:

providing a color standard having a surface with at least two different colors arranged for a simultaneous color measurement;

calibrating said instrument with said color standard; and

verifying that said color standard used in calibration is an authorized color standard of a predetermined specification and that the calibration of the color measurement instrument has achieved predetermined specified results, said steps of calibrating and verifying being performed by either sequential (1) exclusion and inclusion or (2) inclusion and exclusion of predetermined color measurement values of a portion of said color standard.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said providing comprises:

providing a color standard having a first of said colors characterized by a first predetermined coloration having premeasured color measurement value(s) and a second of said colors characterized by a second predetermined coloration having premeasured color measurement value(s).

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said calibrating comprises:

measuring at least a first known and predetermined portion of said color standard surface to obtain preliminary calibration color measurement value(s);

adjusting the instrument output to correspond to previously established calibrations, using said portion of said color standard;

remeasuring said portion of said color standard to obtain calibration color measurement value(s); and

comparing said calibration color measurement value(s) with a calibration'"'"'s premeasured color measurement value(s) for the same known and predetermined portion of said color standard surface to ensure that said calibration color measurement value(s) and said calibration'"'"'s premeasured color measurement value(s) is substantially the same and therefore to ensure that calibration has achieved predetermined specified results.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said verifying comprises:

measuring at least a second known and predetermined portion of said color standard surface to obtain verification color measurement value(s), and determining that said verification color measurement value(s) is substantially equal to a verification'"'"'s premeasured color measurement value(s) for the same known and predetermined portion of the said color standard surface.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein said providing comprises providing a color standard wherein said at least two colors of predetermined coloration are disposed on said color standard surface in a known ratio of surface areas.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein said providing comprises providing a color standard wherein said at least two colors of predetermined coloration are disposed on said color standard surface in a known configuration of surface areas.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said providing comprises providing a color standard wherein said at least two colors of predetermined coloration are disposed on said color standard surface with a known radial disposition.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said providing comprises providing a color standard wherein said first color of predetermined coloration is on a central region that is centrally located on said standard surface and wherein said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed on an outer region that is radially outside said central region.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said providing comprises providing a color standard wherein said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed on an annular region of said standard surface.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein said providing comprises providing a color standard wherein said centrally located region has a surface area that is larger than a surface area of said annular region.

11. The method of claim 6 wherein said providing comprises providing a color standard wherein said first color of predetermined coloration is disposed on at least two noncontiguous regions on said color standard surface.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said providing comprises providing a color standard wherein said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed on at least two additional noncontiguous regions on said color standard surface.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said providing comprises providing a color standard wherein said colors of predetermined coloration on said standard surface have a mottled appearance.

14. The method of claim 6 wherein said providing comprises providing a color standard wherein said first color of predetermined coloration is disposed on at least two contiguous regions on said color standard surface.

15. The method of claim 4 wherein said measuring a first known portion comprises masking said second known portion with a mask.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said calibrating comprises measuring a first known portion wherein said first known portion is a region on which said first color of predetermined coloration is disposed.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said verifying comprises measuring a second known portion wherein said second known portion is a region on which said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein said verifying comprises measuring a second known portion wherein said second known portion is a portion on which said first color of predetermined coloration and said second color of predetermined coloration are disposed.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein said verifying comprises measuring a second known portion consisting essentially of a region on which said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein said verifying comprises measuring a second known portion consisting essentially of a portion on which a predetermined combination of said first color of predetermined coloration and said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed.

21. The method of claim 15 wherein said calibrating comprises measuring a first known portion wherein said first known portion is a region on which said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said verifying comprises measuring a second known portion wherein said second known portion is a region on which Salid first color of predetermined coloration is disposed.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein said verifying comprises measuring a second known portion wherein said second known portion is a portion on which said first color of predetermined coloration and said second color of predetermined coloration are disposed.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein said verifying comprises measuring a second known portion consisting essentially of a portion on which said first color of predetermined coloration is disposed.

25. The method of claim 21 wherein said verifying comprises measuring a second known portion, consisting essentially of a portion on which a predetermined combination of said first color of predetermined coloration and said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed.

26. The method of claim 15 wherein said calibrating comprises measuring a first known portion wherein said first known portion is a portion on which said first color of predetermined coloration and said second color of predetermined coloration are disposed.

27. The method of claim 15 wherein said calibrating comprises measuring a first known portion, wherein said first known portion is selected from a group consisting essentially of a portion on which said first color of predetermined coloration is disposed, a portion on which said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed, and a portion on which a predetermined combination of said first color of predetermined coloration and said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein said calibrating comprises measuring a first known portion consisting essentially of a portion on which said first color of predetermined coloration is disposed.

29. The method of claim 27 wherein said calibrating comprises measuring a first known portion consisting essentially of a portion on which said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed.

30. The method of claim 27 wherein said calibrating comprises measuring a first known portion consisting essentially of a portion on which said predetermined combination is disposed.

31. The method of claim 15 wherein said mask has an aperture, said measuring a first known portion comprises positioning said mask adjacent said color standard surface so that-said first known portion is measurable and said second known portion is not measurable.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein said first known portion is one of a plurality of calibration portions disposed on said color standard surface and said mask has a plurality of operable positions that correspond to said calibration portions, and wherein said positioning comprises positioning said mask in one of said plurality of operable positions to select one of said calibration portions.

33. The method of claim 4 wherein said measuring a second known portion comprises masking said first known portion with a mask.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein said verifying comprises measuring a second known portion wherein said second known portion is a region on which said first color of predetermined coloration is disposed.

35. The method of claim 33 wherein said verifying comprises measuring a second known portion wherein said second known portion is a region on which said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed.

36. The method of claim 33 wherein said verifying comprises measuring a second known portion wherein said second known portion is a portion on which said first color of predetermined coloration and said second color of predetermined coloration are disposed.

37. The method of claim 33 wherein said verifying comprises measuring a second known portion, wherein said second known portion is selected from a group consisting essentially of a portion on which said first color of predetermined coloration is disposed, a portion on which said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed, and a portion on which a predetermined combination of said first color of predetermined coloration and said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein said verifying comprises measuring a second known portion consisting essentially of a portion on which said first color of predetermined coloration is disposed.

39. The method of claim 37 wherein said verifying comprises measuring a second known portion consisting essentially of a portion on which said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed.

40. The method of claim 37 wherein said verifying comprises measuring a second known portion consisting essentially of a portion on which said predetermined combination is disposed.

41. The method of claim 36 wherein said mask has an aperture, said measuring a second known portion comprises positioning said mask adjacent said color standard surface so that said second known portion is measurable and said first known portion is not measurable.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein said second known portion is one of a plurality of calibration portions disposed on said color standard surface and said mask has a plurality of operable 1) positions that correspond to said calibration portions, and wherein said positioning comprises positioning said mask in one of said operable positions to select one of said calibration portions.

43. The method of claim 4 wherein said first known portion and said second known portion are the same.

44. The method of claim 43 wherein said determining that said verification color measurement value(s) is substantially equal comprises:

calculating computed color measurement value(s) based on said verification color measurement value(s); and

determining that said computed color measurement value(s) are substantially equal to said verification'"'"'s premeasured color measurement value(s).

45. The method of claim 44 wherein said first known portion is selected from a group consisting essentially of a portion on which said first color is disposed, a portion on which said second color is disposed, and a portion on which a predetermined combination of said first color of predetermined coloration and said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed.

46. The method of claim 45 wherein said calculating computed color measurement value(s) comprises adding predetermined differential color measurement value(s) to said verification color measurement value(s) to obtain said computed color measurement value(s).

47. The method of claim 46 wherein said predetermined differential color measurement value(s) is at least partially based on said first predetermined coloration'"'"'s premeasured color measurement value(s), said second predetermined colorations'"'"'s premeasured color measurement value(s), or a combination thereof.

48. The method of claim 45 wherein said determining of said calculated color measurement value(s) comprises subtracting said predetermined differential color measurement value(s) from said verification color measurement value(s) to obtain said computed color measurement value(s).

49. The method of claim 48 wherein said first known portion consists essentially of a portion on which said predetermined combination of said first color of predetermined coloration and said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed, and wherein said predetermined differential color measurement value(s) is at least partially based on said first predetermined coloration'"'"'s premeasured color measurement value(s).

50. The method of claim 48 wherein said first known portion consists essentially of a portion on which said predetermined combination of said first color of predetermined coloration and said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed, and wherein said predetermined differential color measurement value(s) are at least partially based on said second predetermined coloration'"'"'s premeasured color measurement value(s).

51. The method of claim 4 wherein said providing a color standard comprises providing a color standard having at least two different colors, a first of said colors being disposed on a first surface of said color standard and being characterized by a first predetermined coloration having premeasured color measurement value(s) and a second of said colors being disposed on a second surface of said color standard and being characterized by a second predetermined coloration having premeasured color measurement value(s).

52. The method of claim 51 wherein said measuring a first known portion comprises measuring at least said first known and predetermined portion of said first surface of said color standard to obtain said calibration color measurement value(s).

53. The method of claim 51 wherein said measuring a second known portion comprises measuring at least said second known and predetermined portion of said second surface of said color standard to obtain said verification color measurement value(s).

54. The method of claim 51 wherein said color standard first surface and said color standard second surface are separable.

55. The method of claim 51 wherein said color standard first surface and said color standard second surface are inseparable.

56. The method of claim 55 wherein said inseparable first and second surfaces are disposed on opposite sides of a flat substrate.

57. The method of claim 1 wherein said color measuring instrument has a head with a window, said providing a color standard comprises providing a color standard having at least two different colors arranged for a simultaneous color measurement within said window.

58. The method of claim 57 wherein said window has a substantially round shape, said providing a color standard comprises providing a color standard having at least two different colors arranged for a simultaneous color measurement within said substantially round window.

59. The method of claim 1 wherein said at least two different colors includes a first color having a first surface area and a second color having a second surface area, said providing comprises providing a color standard wherein said first surface area is substantially larger than said second surface area.

60. The method of claim 1 wherein said providing comprises:

providing a color standard having a first color that is characterized by a first predetermined coloration having premeasured color measurement value(s) and a second color that is photosensitive.

61. The method of claim 60 wherein said calibrating comprises measuring a known and predetermined portion of said color standard to obtain calibration color measurement value(s), and wherein said verifying comprises measuring said portion to obtain verification color measurement value(s), said method further comprising:

exposing at least said second color to a predetermined dose of light for verification after calibration such that said calibration color measurement value(s) and said verification color measurement value(s) are different.

62. The method of claim 60 wherein said first color has a first surface area and said second color has a second surface area, said providing comprises providing a color standard wherein said first surface area is larger than said second surface area.

63. The method of claim 62 wherein said providing comprises providing a color standard wherein said first surface area is substantially larger than said second surface area.

64. The method of claim 60 wherein said calibrating comprises measuring a known and predetermined portion of said color standard to obtain calibration color measurement value(s), and wherein said verifying comprises measuring said portion to obtain verification color measurement value(s), said method further comprising:

exposing at least said second color to a predetermined dose of light after said calibrating such that said calibration color measurement value(s) and said verification color measurement value(s) are different.

65. The method of claim 1 wherein said providing comprises providing a color standard that is substantially opaque to said light.

74. The method of claim 17 wherein said window has a substantially round shape, said providing a color standard comprises providing a color standard having at least two different colors arranged for a simultaneous color measurement within said substantially round window.

66. A method of calibrating a color measuring instrument with a color standard and verifying said color standard and said calibration, said method comprising:

providing a color standard having a surface with at least a first region and a second region, wherein said first region has a first color characterized by a first predetermined coloration having premeasured color measurement value(s), and wherein said second region is photosensitive so that it changes color in a known way when exposed to a predetermined dose of light, the change in color distinguishing the so exposed color standard from a color standard that has not been so exposed;

calibrating said instrument with said color standard;

exposing at least said second region with light; and

verifying that said color standard used in calibration is an authorized color standard of a predetermined specification and that the calibration of the color measurement instrument has achieved predetermined specified results.

67. The method of claim 66 wherein said providing comprises:

providing a color standard having said first color characterized by a first predetermined coloration having premeasured color measurement value(s) and a second color characterized by a second predetermined coloration having premeasured color measurement value(s).

68. The method of claim 67 wherein said calibrating comprises:

measuring at least a first known and predetermined portion of said color standard surface to obtain preliminary calibration color measurement value(s);

adjusting the instrument output to correspond to previously established calibrations, using said portion of said color standard;

remeasuring said portion of said color standard to obtain calibration color measurement value(s); and

comparing said calibration color measurement value(s) with a calibration'"'"'s premeasured color measurement value(s) for the same known and predetermined portion of said color standard surface to ensure that said calibration color measurement value(s) and said calibration'"'"'s premeasured color measurement value(s) is substantially the same and therefore to ensure that calibration has achieved predetermined specified results.

69. The method of claim 68 wherein said verifying comprises:

measuring at least a second known and predetermined portion of said color standard surface to obtain verification color measurement value(s), and determining that said verification color measurement value(s) is substantially equal to a verification'"'"'s premeasured color measurement value(s) for the same known and predetermined portion of the said color standard surface.

70. The method of claim 66 wherein said calibrating comprises at least measuring a known and predetermined portion of said color standard to obtain calibration color measurement value(s), wherein said verifying comprises at least measuring said portion to obtain verification color measurement value(s), and wherein said exposing comprises exposing at least said second region to said predetermined dose of light for verification after calibration such that said calibration color measurement value(s) and said verification color measurement value(s) are different.

71. The method of claim 66 wherein at least one of said calibrating and verifying comprises measuring the color of said portion, wherein said portion comprises said first region and said second region, wherein said first region has a first surface area and said second region has a second surface area, said first surface area being larger than said second surface area.

72. The method of claim 66 wherein said providing comprises providing a color standard having a surface with at least two different colors arranged for a simultaneous color measurement.

73. The method of claim 66 wherein said color measuring instrument has a head with a window, said providing a color standard comprises providing a color standard having at least two different colors arranged for a simultaneous color measurement within said window.

75. The method of claim 66 wherein said providing comprises providing a color standard that is substantially opaque to light.

76. A method for calibration of a color measuring instrument and verification of the calibration using a color calibration and verification apparatus, said apparatus comprising:

a color standard having a substantially opaque surface with at least two different colors arranged for simultaneous color measurement to sequentially calibrate the instrument with first predetermined color measurement value(s) of the color standard and verify the calibration with at least second and different predetermined color measurement value(s) of the color standard, and

variance means to provide said first and second different color measurement values, said variance means being selected from the group consisting of;

(1) sequential inclusion and exclusion of predetermined color measurement value(s) of a portion of said colors, (2) sequential exclusion and inclusion of predetermined color measurement value(s) of a portion of said colors, and (3) sequential exposure of photosensitive paper or material which provides at least one of said colors or portion of at least one of said colors, said photosensitive paper or material being capable of changing color in a known way when exposed to a predetermined dose of light, the chance in color distinguishing the so exposed color standard from a color standard that has not been so exposed, said method comprising the steps of;

calibrating said instrument with said first predetermined color measurement value(s) of the color standard;

causing the variance means to provide at least second and different predetermined color measurement value(s) of the color standard; and

verifying the calibration of the color measurement instrument with said at least second and different predetermined color measurement value(s) of the color standard.

77. A method for calibrating a color measuring instrument and verifying the calibration of said instrument, said method comprising:

(a) providing a color standard having a substantially opaque surface with at least two different colors arranged for simultaneous color measurement;

(b) sequentially calibrating the instrument with first predetermined color measurement value(s) of the color standard and verifying the calibration with at least second and different predetermined color measurement value(s) of the color standard;

(c) providing variance means to provide said first and second different color measurement values, said variance means being selected from the group consisting of;

(1) sequential inclusion and exclusion of at least the predetermined color measurement value(s) of a portion of said colors, (2) sequential exclusion and inclusion of at least the predetermined color measurement value(s) of the portion of said colors, and (3) sequential exposure of photosensitive paper or material which provides at least one of said colors or region or portion of said colors, said photosensitive paper or material being capable of changing color in a known way when exposed to a predetermined dose of light, the chance in color distinguishing the so exposed color standard from a color standard that has not been so exposed;

(d) calibrating said instrument with said first predetermined color measurement value(s) of the color standard;

(e) causing the variance means to provide at least second and different predetermined color measurement value(s) of the color standard; and

(f) verifying the calibration of the color measurement instrument with said at least second and different predetermined color measurement value(s) of the color standard.

78. A color calibration and verification apparatus for calibrating and verifying a color measuring instrument, said apparatus comprising a color standard having at least two different colors, wherein a first of said colors is characterized by a first predetermined coloration having premeasured color measurement value(s) and wherein a second of said colors is characterized by a second predetermined coloration having premeasured color measurement value(s), said second of said colors being photosensitive so that said second color changes color in a known way when exposed to a predetermined dose of light, the change in color distinguishing the so exposed color standard from such a color standard that has not been so exposed.

79. The apparatus of claim 78 wherein said colors are arranged for a simultaneous color measurement.

80. The apparatus of claim 78 wherein said at least two colors of predetermined coloration are disposed on said color standard surface in a known ratio of surface areas.

81. The apparatus of claim 78 wherein said at least two colors of predetermined coloration are disposed on said color standard surface in a known ratio of predetermined colorations.

82. The apparatus of claim 81 wherein said at least two colors of predetermined coloration are disposed on said color standard surface with a known radial disposition.

83. The apparatus of claim 78 wherein said first color of predetermined coloration is on a central region that is centrally located on said color standard surface and wherein said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed on an outer region that is radially outside said central region.

84. The apparatus of claim 83 wherein said central region has a surface area that is larger than a surface area of said outer region.

85. The apparatus of claim 83 wherein said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed on an annular region of said color standard surface.

86. The apparatus of claim 78 wherein said first color of predetermined coloration is disposed on at least two noncontiguous regions on said color standard surface.

87. The apparatus of claim 86 wherein said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed on at least two additional noncontiguous regions on said color standard surface.

88. The apparatus of claim 86 wherein said colors of predetermined coloration on said color standard surface has an appearance selected from a group consisting of mottled, continuously graded, variegated, and any combination thereof.

89. The apparatus of claim 78 wherein said color standard surface has a first known portion that is one of a plurality of calibration regions disposed on said color standard surface.

90. The apparatus of claim 78 wherein said first predetermined coloration'"'"'s premeasured color measurement value(s) in CIE Hunter Lab space (1948) color coordinates have a lightness variable L that is greater than about 80.

91. The apparatus of claim 90 wherein said first color of predetermined coloration is partially provided by applying a highly reflecting coating or gloss finish to said color standard surface where said first color of predetermined coloration is disposed on said color standard surface, but not where said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed on said color standard surface.

92. The apparatus of claim 78 further comprising a color standard frame or rim, said frame or rim being mountable to a head of said instrument and said color standard being fastened to said frame or rim so that said color standard surface faces a sensor in said instrument head when said frame or rim is mounted to said head.

93. The apparatus of claim 92 wherein said color standard is permanently fastened to said frame or rim so that when said color standard is unfastened from said frame or rim in order to make a color measurement after said instrument is calibrated and said color standard and calibration is verified, said color standard will be destroyed, thereby ensuring that said color standard can only be used once for calibrating and verifying.

94. The apparatus of claim 93 wherein said authorized color standard is fastened with adhesive to said frame or rim.

95. The apparatus of claim 94 wherein said adhesive is permanent adhesive so that said color standard is-destroyed when said color standard is unfastened from said frame in order to make a color measurement after calibration and verification is performed.

96. The apparatus of claim 92 wherein said frame or rim is a variable aperture frame, said variable aperture frame comprising:

at least one fixed frame element that does not move relative to said head when said apparatus is mounted to said head; and

at least one movable frame element.

97. The apparatus of claim 96 wherein said at least one fixed frame element to which said color standard is fastened and wherein said at least one movable frame element is used to partially mask said color standard surface.

98. The apparatus of claim 97 wherein said at least one movable frame element has at least two masking positions, each of said masking positions causing a first known portion of said color standard surface to be available for measuring and a second known portion of said color standard surface not to be available for measuring.

99. The apparatus of claim 98 wherein said movable elements comprises two semi-circular elements.

100. The apparatus of claim 99 wherein one of said masking positions is when said semi-circular elements are positioned to form a substantially closed circle causing a first known portion of said color standard surface to be available for measuring and a second known portion of said color standard surface not to be available for measuring.

101. The apparatus of claim 99 wherein one of said masking positions is when said semi-circular elements are positioned to substantially form a circle that masks one of said known regions.

102. The apparatus of claim 97 wherein said variable aperture frame comprises an iris.

103. The apparatus of claim 97 wherein said movable element is a rotatable mask having an aperture, said mask has a plurality of operable positions that correspond to respective calibration regions on said color standard surface.

104. The apparatus of claim 96 wherein said at least one fixed frame element is used to partially mask said color standard surface and wherein said at least one movable frame element is fastened to said color standard.

105. The apparatus of claim 78 wherein at least one of said colors is that of a skin color that is close to the color of a skin color to be measured.

106. The apparatus of claim 105 wherein said first color and said second color is that of a skin color that is close to the color of a skin color to be measured.

107. The apparatus of claim 78 wherein said colors are arranged on at least one section and wherein said color standard has a substantially opaque back surface.

108. The apparatus of claim 107 wherein at least one of said colors is that of a skin color that is close to the color of a skin color to be measured.

109. The apparatus of claim 108 wherein said first color and said second color is that of a skin color that is close to the color of a skin color to be measured.

110. The apparatus of claim 107 wherein said at least two colors of predetermined coloration are disposed on at least one of a first and a second color standard surfaces in a known ratio of surface areas to each other.

111. The apparatus of claim 107 wherein said at least two colors of predetermined coloration are disposed on at least one of a first and a second color standard surfaces in a known ratio of said predetermined colorations to each other.

112. The apparatus of claim 107 wherein said at least two colors of predetermined coloration are disposed on at least one of a first and a second color standard surfaces in a known configuration.

113. The apparatus of claim 112 wherein said at least two colors of predetermined coloration are disposed on at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces with a known radial disposition.

114. The apparatus of claim 107 wherein said first color of predetermined coloration is on a central portion that is centrally located on at least one of a first and a second color standard surfaces and wherein said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed on an outer portion that is radially outside said central portion.

115. The apparatus of claim 114 wherein said central portion has a surface area that is larger than a surface area of said outer portion.

116. The apparatus of claim 114 wherein said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed on an annular portion of at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces.

117. The apparatus of claim 112 wherein said first color of predetermined coloration is disposed on at least two noncontiguous portions on at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces.

118. The apparatus of claim 117 wherein said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed on at least two additional noncontiguous portions on at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces.

119. The apparatus of claim 117 wherein said colors of predetermined coloration on at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces has an appearance selected from a group consisting of mottled, continuously graded, variegated, and any combination thereof.

120. The apparatus of claim 107 wherein at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces has a first known portion that is one of a plurality of calibration regions disposed on at least one of a first and a second color standard surfaces.

121. The apparatus of claim 107 wherein said first predetermined coloration'"'"'s premeasured color measurement value(s) in CIE Hunter Lab space (1948) color coordinates have a lightness variable L that is greater than about 80.

122. The apparatus of claim 121 wherein said first color of predetermined coloration is partially provided by applying a highly reflecting coating or gloss finish to at least one of a first and a second color standard surfaces where said first color of predetermined coloration is disposed on at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces, but not where said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed on at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces.

123. The apparatus of claim 107 further comprising a color standard frame or rim, said frame or rim being mountable to a sensor head of said instrument and said color standard being fastened to said frame or rim so that at least one of a first and a second color standard surfaces faces a sensor in said instrument head when said frame or rim is mounted to said head.

124. The apparatus of claim 123 wherein said color standard is permanently fastened to said frame or rim so that when said color standard is unfastened from said frame or rim in order to make a color measurement after said instrument is calibrated and said color standard and calibration is verified, said color standard will be destroyed, thereby ensuring that said color standard can only be used to perform calibration and verification once.

125. The apparatus of claim 124 wherein a first portion of said color standard is fastened with adhesive to said frame or rim.

126. The apparatus of claim 125 wherein said adhesive is permanent adhesive so that said color standard is destroyed when a second portion of said color standard not attached to said frame with said adhesive is unfastened from said frame in order to make a color measurement after calibration and verification is performed.

127. The apparatus of claim 124 wherein said color standard is fastened with adhesive to said frame or rim.

128. The apparatus of claim 127 wherein said adhesive is such that said color standard is destroyed when said color standard is unfastened from said frame in order to make a color measurement after calibration and verification is performed.

129. The apparatus of claim 123 wherein said frame or rim is a variable aperture frame, said variable aperture frame comprising:

at least one fixed frame element that does not move relative to said head when said apparatus is mounted to said head; and

at least one movable frame element.

130. The apparatus of claim 129 wherein said at least one fixed frame element to which said color standard is fastened and wherein said at least one movable frame element is used to mask a portion of at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces.

131. The apparatus of claim 130 wherein said at least one movable frame element has at least two masking positions, each of said masking positions causing a first known portion of at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces to be available for measuring and a second known portion of at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces not to be available for measuring.

132. The apparatus of claim 131 wherein said movable elements comprises two semi-circular elements.

133. The apparatus of claim 132 wherein one of said masking positions is when said semi-circular elements are positioned to form a substantially closed circle causing a first known portion of at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces to be available for measuring and a second known portion of at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces not to be available for measuring.

134. The apparatus of claim 132 wherein one of said masking positions is when said semi-circular elements are positioned to substantially form a circle that masks one of said known regions.

135. The apparatus of claim 130 wherein said variable aperture frame comprises an iris.

136. The apparatus of claim 130 wherein said movable element is a rotatable mask having an aperture, said mask has a plurality of operable positions that correspond to respective calibration regions on at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces.

137. The apparatus of claim 129 wherein said at least one fixed frame element is used to mask a portion of at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces and wherein said at least one movable frame element is fastened to said color standard.

138. The apparatus of claim 133 wherein said first surface area is substantially larger than said second surface area.

139. A color calibration and verification apparatus for calibrating and verifying a color measuring instrument, said apparatus comprising a color standard having a surface with at least a first region and a second region, wherein said first region has a first color characterized by a first predetermined coloration having premeasured color measurement value(s), and wherein said second region is photosensitive so that said second region changes color in a known way when exposed to a predetermined dose of light, the change in color distinguishing the so exposed color standard from a color standard that has not been so exposed.

140. The apparatus of claim 139 wherein said first region has a first surface area and said second region has a second surface area, and wherein said first surface area is larger than said second surface area.

141. The apparatus of claim 140 wherein said first surface area is substantially larger than said second surface area.

142. The apparatus of claim 139 wherein said color standard is substantially opaque to light.

143. The apparatus of claim 139 wherein said second region darkens in a known way when exposed to a predetermined dose of light.

144. The apparatus of claim 139 wherein said at least two different colors arranged for a simultaneous color measurement.

145. A color calibration and verification apparatus for calibrating and verifying a color measuring instrument, said apparatus comprising:

a color standard having a first surface and a second surface, said first surface having at least a first region characterized by a first predetermined coloration having premeasured color measurement value(s); and

a photosensitive layer having a first surface and a second surface, said first surface of said photosensitive layer having a second region that is photosensitive so that said second region changes color in a known way when exposed to a predetermined dose of light, the change in color distinguishing the so exposed color standard from a color standard that has not been so exposed.

146. The apparatus of claim 145 wherein said color standard and said photosensitive layer are coupled to each other such that said first and said second regions face in the same direction.

147. The apparatus of claim 146 wherein said first surface of said photosensitive layer is coupled to said second surface of said color standard.

148. The apparatus of claim 147 wherein at least a first part of said first region and a second part of said second region are arranged for a simultaneous color measurement.

149. The apparatus of claim 148 wherein said first part has a surface area that is larger than a surface area of said second part.

150. The apparatus of claim 149 wherein said first part is centrally located within said second part.

151. The apparatus of claim 149 further comprising a substantially optically opaque release liner mounted to face at least said second part to prevent at least said second part from being exposed to light before said apparatus is used.

152. The apparatus of claim 151 further comprising a sanitary layer having an optically transparent aperture, said sanitary layer being mounted between said release liner and said color standard.

153. The apparatus of claim 146 wherein said first surface of said color standard is coupled to said second surface of said photosensitive layer.

154. The apparatus of claim 153 wherein at least a first part of said first region and a second part of said second region are arranged for a simultaneous color measurement.

155. The apparatus of claim 154 wherein said first part has a surface area that is larger than a surface area of said second part.

156. The apparatus of claim 155 wherein said first part is centrally located within said second part.

157. The apparatus of claim 155 further comprising a substantially optically opaque release liner mounted to face at least said second part to prevent at least said second part from being exposed to light before said apparatus is used.

158. The apparatus of claim 157 further comprising a sanitary layer having an optically transparent aperture, said sanitary layer being mounted between said release liner and said color standard.

159. A color calibration and verification apparatus for a color measuring instrument, said apparatus comprising a color standard having a substantially opaque back surface and an additional surface that has at least one section with at least two different colors arranged for a simultaneous color measurement, a first of said colors being characterized by a first predetermined coloration having premeasured color measurement value(s) and a second of said colors being characterized by a second predetermined coloration having premeasured color measurement value(s) and being photosensitive so that it changes color in a known way when exposed to a predetermined dose of light, the change in color distinguishing the so exposed color standard from a color standard that has not been so exposed.

160. The apparatus of claim 159 wherein said at least two colors of predetermined coloration are disposed on said additional color standard surface in a known ratio of surface areas to each other.

161. The apparatus of claim 159 wherein said at least two colors of predetermined coloration are disposed on said additional color standard surface in a known configuration.

162. The apparatus of claim 161 wherein said at least two colors of predetermined coloration are disposed on said additional color standard surface with a known radial disposition.

163. The apparatus of claim 159 wherein said first color of predetermined coloration is on a central portion that is centrally located on said additional color standard surface and wherein said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed on an outer portion that is radially outside said central portion.

164. The apparatus of claim 163 wherein said central portion has a surface area that is larger than a surface area of said outer portion.

165. The apparatus of claim 163 wherein said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed on an annular portion of said additional color standard surface.

166. The apparatus of claim 161 wherein said first color of predetermined coloration is disposed on at least two noncontiguous portions on said additional color standard surface.

167. The apparatus of claim 166 wherein said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed on at least two additional noncontiguous portions on said additional color standard surface.

168. The apparatus of claim 166 wherein said colors of predetermined coloration on said additional color standard surface has an appearance selected from a group consisting of mottled, continuously graded, variegated, and any combination thereof.

169. The apparatus of claim 159 wherein said additional color standard surface has a first known portion that is one of a plurality of calibration regions disposed on said additional color standard surface.

170. The apparatus of claim 159 wherein said first predetermined coloration'"'"'s premeasured color measurement value(s) in CIE Hunter Lab space (1948) color coordinates have a lightness variable L that is greater than about 80.

171. The apparatus of claim 170 wherein said first color of predetermined coloration is partially provided by applying a highly reflecting coating or gloss finish to said additional color standard surface where said first color of predetermined coloration is disposed on said additional color standard surface, but not where said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed on said additional color standard surface.

172. The apparatus of claim 159 further comprising a color standard frame or rim, said frame or rim being mountable to a sensor head of said instrument and said color standard being fastened to said frame or rim so that said additional color standard surface faces a sensor in said instrument head when said frame or rim is mounted to said head.

173. The apparatus of claim 172 wherein said color standard is permanently fastened to said frame or rim so that when said color standard is unfastened from said frame or rim in order to make a color measurement after said instrument is calibrated and said color standard and calibration is verified, said color standard will be destroyed, thereby ensuring that said color standard can only be used to perform calibration and verification once.

174. The apparatus of claim 173 wherein said color standard is fastened with adhesive to said frame or rim.

175. The apparatus of claim 174 wherein said adhesive is such that said color standard is destroyed when said color standard is unfastened from said frame in order to make a color measurement after calibration and verification is performed.

176. The apparatus of claim 172 wherein said frame or rim is a variable aperture frame, said variable aperture frame comprising:

at least one fixed frame element that does not move relative to said head when said apparatus is mounted to said head; and

at least one movable frame element.

177. The apparatus of claim 176 wherein said at least one fixed frame element to which said color standard is fastened and wherein said at least one movable frame element is used to mask a portion of said additional color standard surface.

178. The apparatus of claim 177 wherein said at least one movable frame element has at least two masking positions, each of said masking positions causing a first known portion of said additional color standard surface to be available for measuring and a second known portion of said additional color standard surface not to be available for measuring.

179. The apparatus of claim 178 wherein said movable elements comprises two semi-circular elements.

180. The apparatus of claim 179 wherein one of said masking positions is when said semi-circular elements are positioned to form a substantially closed circle causing a first known portion of said additional color standard surface to be available for measuring and a second known portion of said additional color standard surface not to be available for measuring.

181. The apparatus of claim 179 wherein one of said masking positions is when said semi-circular elements are positioned to substantially form a circle that masks one of said known regions.

182. The apparatus of claim 177 wherein said variable aperture frame comprises an iris.

183. The apparatus of claim 177 wherein said movable element is a rotatable mask having an aperture, said mask has a plurality of operable positions that correspond to respective calibration regions on said additional color standard surface.

184. The apparatus of claim 176 wherein said at least one fixed frame element is used to mask a portion of said additional color standard surface and wherein said at least one movable frame element is fastened to said color standard.

185. The apparatus of claim 159 wherein at least one of said colors is that of a skin color that is close to the color of a skin color to be measured.

186. The apparatus of claim 185 wherein said first color is that of a skin color that is close to the color of a skin color to be measured.

187. The apparatus of claim 159 wherein said at least two colors of predetermined coloration are disposed on said additional color standard surface in a known ratio of said predetermined colorations to each other.

188. The apparatus of claim 177 wherein a first portion of said color standard is fastened with adhesive to said frame or rim.

189. The apparatus of claim 188 wherein said adhesive is permanent adhesive so that said color standard is destroyed when a second portion of said color standard not attached to said frame with said adhesive is unfastened from said frame in order to make a color measurement after calibration and verification is performed.

190. A color calibration and verification apparatus for a color measuring instrument, said apparatus comprising a color standard having a substantially opaque back surface and at least one section having at least two different colors arranged for a simultaneous color measurement, wherein a first of said colors is characterized by a first predetermined coloration having premeasured color measurement value(s) and wherein a second of said color is capable of changing color in a known way when exposed to a predetermined dose of light, the change in color distinguishing the so exposed color standard from a color standard that has not been so exposed, and characterized by a second predetermined coloration having premeasured color measurement value(s), said at least two colors of predetermined coloration are disposed on at least one of a first and a second color standard surfaces.

191. The apparatus of claim 190 wherein at least one of said colors is that of a skin color that is close to the color of a skin color to be measured.

192. The apparatus of claim 191 wherein said first color is that of a skin color that is close to the color of a skin color to be measured.

193. The apparatus of claim 190 wherein said at least two colors of predetermined coloration are disposed on at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces in a known ratio of surface areas to each other.

194. The apparatus of claim 190 wherein said at least two colors of predetermined coloration are disposed on at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces in a known ratio of said predetermined colorations to each other.

195. The apparatus of claim 190 wherein said at least two colors of predetermined coloration are disposed on at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces in a known configuration.

196. The apparatus of claim 195 wherein said at least two colors of predetermined coloration are disposed on at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces with a known radial disposition.

197. The apparatus of claim 190 wherein said first color of predetermined coloration is on a central portion that is centrally located on at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces and wherein said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed on an outer portion that is radially outside said central portion.

198. The apparatus of claim 197 wherein said central portion has a surface area that is larger than a surface area of said outer portion.

199. The apparatus of claim 197 wherein said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed on an annular portion of at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces.

200. The apparatus of claim 195 wherein said first color of predetermined coloration is disposed on at least two noncontiguous portions on at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces.

201. The apparatus of claim 200 wherein said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed on at least two additional noncontiguous portions on at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces.

202. The apparatus of claim 200 wherein said colors of predetermined coloration on at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces has an appearance selected from a group consisting of mottled, continuously graded, variegated, and any combination thereof.

203. The apparatus of claim 190 wherein at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces has a first known portion that is one of a plurality of calibration regions disposed on at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces.

204. The apparatus of claim 190 wherein said first predetermined coloration'"'"'s premeasured color measurement value(s) in CIE Hunter Lab space (1948) color coordinates have a lightness variable L that is greater than about 80.

205. The apparatus of claim 204 wherein said first color of predetermined coloration is partially provided by applying a highly reflecting coating or gloss finish to at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces where said first color of predetermined coloration is disposed on at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces, but not where said second color of predetermined coloration is disposed on at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces.

206. The apparatus of claim 190 further comprising a color standard frame or rim, said frame or rim being mountable to a sensor head of said instrument and said color standard being fastened to said frame or rim so that at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces faces a sensor in said instrument head when said frame or rim is mounted to said head.

207. The apparatus of claim 206 wherein said color standard is permanently fastened to said frame or rim so that when said color standard is unfastened from said frame or rim in order to make a color measurement after said instrument is calibrated and said color standard and calibration is verified, said color standard will be destroyed, thereby ensuring that said color standard can only be used to perform calibration and verification once.

208. The apparatus of claim 207 wherein a first portion of said color standard is fastened with adhesive to said frame or rim.

209. The apparatus of claim 207 wherein said adhesive is permanent adhesive so that said color standard is destroyed when a second portion of said color standard not attached to said frame with said adhesive is unfastened from said frame in order to make a color measurement after calibration and verification is performed.

210. The apparatus of claim 207 wherein said color standard is fastened with adhesive to said frame or rim.

211. The apparatus of claim 210 wherein said adhesive is such that said color standard is destroyed when said color standard is unfastened from said frame in order to make a color measurement after calibration and verification is performed.

212. The apparatus of claim 206 wherein said frame or rim is a variable aperture frame, said variable aperture frame comprising:

at least one fixed frame element that does not move relative to said head when said apparatus is mounted to said head; and

at least one movable frame element.

213. The apparatus of claim 212 wherein said at least one fixed frame element to which said color standard is fastened and wherein said at least one movable frame element is used to mask a portion of at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces.

214. The apparatus of claim 213 wherein said at least one movable frame element has at least two masking positions, each of said masking positions causing a first known portion of at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces to be available for measuring and a second known portion of at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces not to be available for measuring.

215. The apparatus of claim 214 wherein said movable elements comprises two semi-circular elements.

216. The apparatus of claim 215 wherein one of said masking positions is when said semi-circular elements are positioned to form a substantially closed circle causing a first known portion of at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces to be available for measuring and a second known portion of at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces not to be available for measuring.

217. The apparatus of claim 215 wherein one of said masking positions is when said semi-circular elements are positioned to substantially form a circle that masks one of said known regions.

218. The apparatus of claim 213 wherein said variable aperture frame comprises an iris.

219. The apparatus of claim 213 wherein said movable element is a rotatable mask having an aperture, said mask has a plurality of operable positions that correspond to respective calibration regions on at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces.

220. The apparatus of claim 212 wherein said at least one fixed frame element is used to mask a portion of at least one of said first and said second color standard surfaces and wherein said at least one movable frame element is fastened to said color standard.

221. A color calibration and verification apparatus for calibration of a color measuring instrument and verification of the calibration, said apparatus comprising:

a color standard having a substantially opaque surface with at least two different colors arranged for simultaneous color measurement to sequentially calibrate the instrument with first predetermined color measurement value(s) of the color standard and verify the calibration with at least second and different predetermined color measurement value(s) of the color standard; and

variance means to provide said first and at least second different color measurement values, said variance means being selected from the group consisting of;

(1) means for sequential inclusion and exclusion of predetermined color measurement value(s) of a portion of said colors, (2) means for sequential exclusion and inclusion of predetermined color measurement value(s) of a portion of said colors, and (3) means for sequential exposure of photosensitive paper or material which provides at least one of said colors or portion of at least one of said colors, said photosensitive paper or material being capable of changing color in a known way when exposed to a predetermined dose of light, the change in color distinguishing the so exposed color standard from a color standard that has not been so exposed.

222. The color calibration and verification apparatus of claim 221 wherein said variance means is said means for sequential inclusion and exclusion of predetermined color measurement value(s) of a portion of said colors.

223. The color calibration and verification apparatus of claim 221 wherein said variance means is said means for sequential exclusion and inclusion of predetermined color measurement value(s) of a portion of said colors.

224. The color calibration and verification apparatus of claim 221 wherein said variance means is said means for sequential exposure of photosensitive paper or material which provides at least one of said colors or portion of at least one of said colors, said photosensitive paper or material being capable of changing color in a known way when exposed to a predetermined dose of light, the change in color distinguishing the so exposed color standard from a color standard that has not been so exposed.

225. A color standard for color calibration of a color measuring instrument and verification that said color standard used in calibration is an authorized color standard of a predetermined specification and that the calibration of the color measurement instrument has achieved predetermined specified results, wherein said standard comprises:

a surface with at least two different colors arranged for a simultaneous color measurement by said color measuring instrument, and wherein said color standard is capable of being used to so calibrate and verify by either sequential (1) exclusion and inclusion or (2) inclusion and exclusion of predetermined color measurement values of a portion of said color standard.