Reflectometer
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A reflectometer, comprising:
- a light source for emitting light to illuminate a target surface which possesses a certain color and shade of color;
an optical detector circuit for detecting light that is reflected form the target surface and generating a substantially steady DC output voltage that is indicative of the color or shade of color at the target surface;
a stored look-up table or mathematical formula correlating steady DC voltage values to corresponding quantity or quality measurements for each one of a plurality of different tests; and
a processor for consulting the stored look-up table or mathematical formula for a certain test being performed, and converting the steady DC voltage indicative of the color or shade of color at the target surface into a corresponding quantity or quality measurement in accordance with that certain test.
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Abstract
The present invention comprises reflectometer for detecting and measuring subtle changes in color and shade of color. In general, a pulsating light source illuminates a target surface which possesses a certain color and shade of color. An optical detection circuit synchronously detects light that is reflected from the target surface and generates an output signal whose voltage is indicative of the color and shade of the target surface. This voltage is then processed to make an evaluation and identification of any measurable quantity or quality that is represented by the detected color or shade of color.
34 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A reflectometer, comprising:
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a light source for emitting light to illuminate a target surface which possesses a certain color and shade of color;
an optical detector circuit for detecting light that is reflected form the target surface and generating a substantially steady DC output voltage that is indicative of the color or shade of color at the target surface;
a stored look-up table or mathematical formula correlating steady DC voltage values to corresponding quantity or quality measurements for each one of a plurality of different tests; and
a processor for consulting the stored look-up table or mathematical formula for a certain test being performed, and converting the steady DC voltage indicative of the color or shade of color at the target surface into a corresponding quantity or quality measurement in accordance with that certain test. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A reflectometer, comprising:
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a light source for emitting light to illuminate a target surface which possesses a certain color and shade of color;
an optical detector circuit for detecting light that is reflected from the target surface and generating a substantially steady DC output voltage that is indicative of the color or shade of color at the target surface;
a stored look-up table or mathematical formula correlating steady DC voltage values to corresponding quantity or quality measurements;
means for calibrating the reflectometer to determine an offset for application to read DC output voltages corresponding to a certain color or shade of color; and
a processor for the determined offset to adjust the steady DC voltage indicative of the color or shade of color table or mathematical formula and converting the adjusted steady DC voltage into a corresponding quantity or quality measurement. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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Specification