Methods for characterizing gems or precious stones using a probe having a plurality of light receivers
First Claim
1. A method for characterizing a gem or precious stone comprising the steps of:
- positioning a probe and the gem or precious stone to be in proximity with respect to each other, wherein the probe provides light to the gem or precious stone from one or more light sources, and receives light from the gem or precious stone through a plurality of light receivers, wherein the plurality of light receivers comprise one or more first light receivers and one or more second light receivers, wherein the one or more first light receivers have a first numerical aperture and the one or more second light receivers have a second numerical aperture different from the first numerical aperture;
determining the intensity of light received by more than one of the light receivers; and
measuring the optical characteristics of the gem or precious stone, wherein the measurement produces data indicative of the optical characteristics of the gem or precious stone.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Optical characteristic measuring systems and methods such as for determining the color or other optical characteristics of teeth are disclosed. Perimeter receiver fiber optics are spaced apart from a source fiber optic and receive light from the surface of the object/tooth 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/tooth 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 dental prostheses based on measured data also is disclosed. Measured data also may be stored and/or organized as part of a patient data base.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A method for characterizing a gem or precious stone comprising the steps of:
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positioning a probe and the gem or precious stone to be in proximity with respect to each other, wherein the probe provides light to the gem or precious stone from one or more light sources, and receives light from the gem or precious stone through a plurality of light receivers, wherein the plurality of light receivers comprise one or more first light receivers and one or more second light receivers, wherein the one or more first light receivers have a first numerical aperture and the one or more second light receivers have a second numerical aperture different from the first numerical aperture;
determining the intensity of light received by more than one of the light receivers; and
measuring the optical characteristics of the gem or precious stone, wherein the measurement produces data indicative of the optical characteristics of the gem or precious stone. - 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, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification