Apparatus and method for measuring optical characteristics of an object
First Claim
1. A method for determining color information from light received by a sensing element, comprising the steps of:
- coupling the light to the sensing element, wherein the sensing element comprises a plurality of photodiodes, wherein a first set of photodiodes receive light that passed through a first filter that passes light of a first band of wavelengths, wherein a second set of photodiodes receive light that passed through a second filter that passes light of a second ban of wavelengths, wherein a third set of photodiodes receive light that passed through a third filter that passes light of a third band of wavelengths, wherein the sets of photodiodes are coupled to an integrator and output a plurality of signals that each have a frequency proportional to the intensity of light received by the respective set of photodiodes;
coupling the plurality of signals to a processing element;
determining color information with the processing element, wherein the processing element determines the color information based on the plurality of signals; and
controlling the sensing element with control signals from the processing element, wherein a scale and sensitivity of the sensing element for the sets of photodiodes are controlled based on a range of light intensity values received by the sets of photodiodes.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Optical characteristic measuring systems and methods such as for determining the color or other optical characteristics of an object are disclosed. Perimeter receiver fiber optics are spaced apart from a source fiber optic and receive light from the surface of the object being measured. Light from the perimeter fiber optics pass to a variety of filters. The system utilizes the perimeter receiver fiber optics to determine information regarding the height and angle of the probe with respect to the object being measured. Under processor control, the optical characteristics measurement may be made at a predetermined height and angle. Various color spectral photometer arrangements are disclosed. Translucency, fluorescence, gloss and/or surface texture data also may be obtained. Audio feedback may be provided to guide operator use of the system. The probe may have a removable or shielded tip for contamination prevention. A method of producing prostheses based on measured data also is disclosed. Measured data also may be stored and/or organized as part of a data base.
187 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for determining color information from light received by a sensing element, comprising the steps of:
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coupling the light to the sensing element, wherein the sensing element comprises a plurality of photodiodes, wherein a first set of photodiodes receive light that passed through a first filter that passes light of a first band of wavelengths, wherein a second set of photodiodes receive light that passed through a second filter that passes light of a second ban of wavelengths, wherein a third set of photodiodes receive light that passed through a third filter that passes light of a third band of wavelengths, wherein the sets of photodiodes are coupled to an integrator and output a plurality of signals that each have a frequency proportional to the intensity of light received by the respective set of photodiodes;
coupling the plurality of signals to a processing element;
determining color information with the processing element, wherein the processing element determines the color information based on the plurality of signals; and
controlling the sensing element with control signals from the processing element, wherein a scale and sensitivity of the sensing element for the sets of photodiodes are controlled based on a range of light intensity values received by the sets of photodiodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for determining color information from light received by a sensing element, comprising the steps of:
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coupling the light to the sensing element, wherein the sensing element comprises a plurality of photodiodes, wherein a first set of photodiodes receive light that passed through a first filter that passes light of a first band of wavelengths, wherein a second set of photodiodes receive light that passed through a second filter that passes light of a second ban of wavelengths, wherein a third set of photodiodes receive light that passed through a third filter that passes light of a third band of wavelengths, wherein the sets of photodiodes are coupled to an integrator and output a plurality of signals that each have a frequency proportional to the intensity of light received by the respective set of photodiodes;
coupling the plurality of signals to a processing element; and
determining color information with the processing element, wherein the processing element determines the color information based on the plurality of signals;
wherein the intensity of light is determined in each of the first, second an third bands of wavelengths with a precision that is substantially independent of light input intensity value. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification