Colorimeter

• US 6,784,995 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2002
• Issued: 08/31/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Datacolor AG Europe (Datacolor AG)
• Original Assignee: Colorvision Administrative AG
• Inventors: Merle, Cormic K., Gonzales, Leonardo C. II
• Primary Examiner(s): Font, Frank G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAUCHMAN, LAYLA G
• Application Number:
  US10/251,426
• Publication Number:
  US 20030058448A1
• Time in Patent Office: 711 Days
• Field of Search: 356/402, 356/218, 356/225, 356/432, 348/182, 348/184, 348/191, 348/180, 250/226, 250/239, 345/82, 324/404, 248/918
• US Class Current: 356/402
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0291 Housings; Spectrometer accessories; Spatial arrangement of elements, e.g. folded path arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/46 Measurement of colour; Colour measuring devices, e.g. colorimeters measuring colour temperature G01J5/60
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/50 using electric radiation detectors

Abstract

A colorimeter for measuring a color of light includes a color sensing device, a hanging means, and a means for reducing color distortion. The hanging means hangs the color sensing device in an operative relationship relative to a color producing device. The means for reducing color distortion reduces color distortion on the color producing device while the color sensing device is in the operative relationship relative to the color producing device.

Claims

1. A calorimeter for measuring a color of light, comprising:

a color sensing device;

a hanging means for hanging the color sensing device in an operative relationship relative to a color producing device, wherein the hanging means includes;

a suspension device; and

means for suspending the color sensing device from the suspension device, wherein the means for suspending includes;

a flexible material connecting the color sensing device and the suspension device;

a dock, the flexible material connecting the color sensing device via the dock; and

a counterweight connected to the suspension device, the counterweight balancing the color sensing device, dock, and means for reducing color distortion and

means for reducing color distortion on the color producing device while the color sensing device is in the operative relationship relative to the color producing device.

2. A colorimeter for measuring a color of light, comprising:

a color sensing device;

a hanging means for hanging the color sensing device in an operative relationship relative to a color producing device;

means for reducing color distortion on the color producing device while the color sensing device is in the operative relationship relative to the color producing device; and

means for substantially limiting light received by the sensing device to be light emitted from the color producing device within a predetermined angle.

3. The colorimeter as set forth in claim 2, wherein the means for substantially limiting is a baffle.

33. The colorimeter as set forth in claim 2, wherein the means for substantially limiting light is a passage.

34. The colorimeter as set forth in claim 3, wherein the baffle includes a passage.

4. A calorimeter for measuring a color of light, comprising:

a color sensing device;

a suspension device for placing the color sensing device in a plane for operative relationship relative to a color producing device;

a color distortion reduction device for placing the color sensing device in a line, which is substantially perpendicular to the color producing device, for operative relationship relative to the color producing device and substantially eliminating color distortion on the color producing device; and

a baffle between the color producing device and the color sensing device for substantially limiting light received by the sensing device to be light emitted from the color producing device within a predetermined angle.

5. The calorimeter as set forth in claim 4, wherein the predetermined angle is ±

45°

.

6. A system for measuring a color of light, comprising:

a color producing device;

a color detection device for measuring a color produced by the color producing device;

a suspension device, secured to the color producing device, for placing the color sensing device in a substantially parallel plane for operative relationship relative to the color producing device;

a color distortion reduction device for placing the color sensing device in a line substantially perpendicular to the color producing device for operative relationship relative to the color producing device and substantially eliminating color distortion on the color producing device; and

a counterweight secured to the suspension device for balancing the color sensing device in the operative relationship relative to the color producing device.

7. A system for measuring a color of light, comprising:

a color producing device;

a color sensing device for measuring a color produced by the color producing device;

a suspension device, secured to the color producing device, for placing the color sensing device in a substantially parallel plane for operative relationship relative to the color producing device;

a color distortion reduction device for placing the color sensing device in a line substantially perpendicular to the color producing device for operative relationship relative to the color producing device and substantially eliminating color distortion on the color producing device; and

a baffle between the color producing device and the color sensing device for substantially limiting light received by the color sensing device to be light emitted from the color producing device within a predetermined angle.

8. A method for measuring a color of light, the method comprising:

placing a color sensing device in a substantially parallel plane for operative relationship relative to a color producing device;

placing the color sensing device and a color distortion reduction device in a substantially perpendicular plane for operative relationship away from the color producing device, the color sensing device being secured to the color distortion reduction device, which substantially eliminates color distortion on the color producing device;

receiving light from the color producing device in the color sensing device; and

placing a baffle, for substantially limiting light received by the sensing device to be light emitted from the color producing device within a predetermined angle, between the color producing and color sensing devices.

9. A method for measuring a color of light, the method comprising:

placing a color sensing device in a substantially parallel plane for operative relationship relative to a color producing device;

placing the color sensing device and a color distortion reduction device in a substantially perpendicular plane for operative relationship away from the color producing device, the color sensing device being secured to the color distortion reduction device, which substantially eliminates color distortion on the color producing device;

receiving light from the color producing device in the color sensing device;

securing a suspension device to the color producing device;

securing the color sensing device to the suspension device for placing the color sensing device in the operative relationship relative to the color producing device; and

securing a counterweight to the suspension device for balancing the color sensing device.

10. A system for measuring a color of light, comprising:

a color sensing device;

a suspension means for suspending the color sensing device in a selectively operative relationship relative to a color producing device wherein the selectively operative relationship includes a selected horizontal position and a selected vertical position;

a housing for placing the color sensing device a selected distance away from the surface of the color producing device; and

means for reducing color distortion on the color producing device while the color sensing device is in the selectively operative relationship relative to the color producing device.

11. The system for measuring a color of light of claim 10 wherein the means for reducing color distortion comprises:

a substantially planar surface, the color distortion being reduced along the entire surface.

12. The system for measuring a color of light of claim 10 wherein the suspension means comprises:

a flexible material.

13. The system for measuring a color of light of claim 10 further comprising:

a counter weight configured to releasably secure to the suspension means to counterbalance the weight of the color sensing device.

14. The system for measuring a color of light of claim 10 wherein the means for reducing color distortion comprises:

a substantially planar surface for minimizing pressure on the color producing device; and

at least one aperture in the substantially planar surface configured to allow the passage of light.

15. The system for measuring a color of light of claim 14 wherein the surface area of the at least one aperture is less than one square inch.

16. The system for measuring a color of light of claim 14 wherein surface area of the substantially planer surface is greater than twice the surface area of the at least one aperture.

17. The system for measuring a color of light of claim 14 wherein the substantially planer surface includes a substantially circular portion.

18. The system for measuring a color of light of claim 14 wherein the substantially planer surface further includes a soft material for contacting the surface of the color producing device.

19. The system for measuring a color of light of claims 18 wherein the soft material comprises foam.

20. The system for measuring a color of light of claim 10 further comprising:

a baffle enclosed in the housing configured to limit the angle of light received by the color sensing device from the color producing device.

21. The system for measunng a color of light of claim 20 wherein the baffle comprises:

a plurality of passages configured to limit the angle of light received by the color sensing device.

22. The system for measuring a color of light of claim 20 wherein the plurality of passages are substantially cylindrical.

23. The system for measuring a color of light of claim 20 wherein the plurality of passages comprises:

at least three substantially cylindrical openings configured to limit the angle of light received by the color sensing device.

24. The system for measuring a color of light of claim 20 wherein the plurality of passages comprises:

a plurality of honeycomb openings configured to limit the angle of light received by the color sensing device.

25. The system for measuring a color of light of claim 20 wherein the plurality of passages comprises:

at least three honeycomb openings configured to limit the angle of light received by the color sensing device.

26. The system far measuring a color of light of claim 20 further comprising:

a filter configured to block light wavelengths of a predetermined frequency.

27. The system for measuring a color of light of claim 26 wherein the filter blocks wavelengths within the infrared frequency spectrum.

28. The system for measuring a color of light of claim 26 wherein the filter blocks wavelengths with a frequency greater than about 850 nanometers.

29. The system for measuring a color of light of claim 26 wherein the filter is positioned between the baffle and the color sensing device.

37. The system for measuring a color of light of claim 20 further comprising:

a filter configured to block light wavelengths of a predetermined frequency, wherein the baffle is integral with the color sensing device, and the filter is between the baffle and the color sensing device.

30. A colorimeter for measuring a color of light, comprising:

a color sensing device;

a hanging means for hanging the color sensing device in an operative relationship relative to a color producing device, wherein the hanging means includes a flexible material connected to the color sensing device;

means for reducing color distortion on the color producing device while the color sensing device is in the operative relationship relative to the color producing device; and

means for substantially limiting light received by the sensing device to be light emitted from the color producing device within a predetermined angle.

31. The calorimeter as set forth in claim 30, wherein the flexible material is plastic.

32. A colorimeter for measuring a color of light, comprising:

a color sensing device;

a counterweight; and

a flexible suspension means secured to the color sensing device and the counterweight;

wherein the counterweight is configured to at least partially counter the weight of the color sensing device when the color sensing device is in an operative position.

35. A colorimeter for measuring a color of light, comprising:

a color sensing device;

a hanging means for hanging the color sensing device in a selective horizontal and selective vertical relationship relative to a color producing device;

means for reducing color distortion on the color producing device while the color sensing device is in the selective relationship relative to the color producing device; and

means for substantially limiting light received by the sensing device to be light emitted from the color producing device within a predetermined angle.

36. A calorimeter for measuring a color of light, comprising:

a color sensing device;

a flexible hanging means for hanging the color sensing device in a selectively horizontal and a selectively vertical relationship relative to a color producing device;

means for reducing color distortion on the color producing device while the color sensing device is in the selective relationship relative to the color producing device; and

a counterweight secured to the hanging means, the counterweight at least partially balancing the color sensing device and the means for reducing color distortion.