Apparatus and method for measuring optical characteristics of an object

• US 20020097400A1
• Filed: 01/04/2002
• Published: 07/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Alan R. Loudermilk, Russell W. Jung, Wayne D. Jung
• Inventors: Jung, Russell W., Loudermilk, Alan R., Jung, Wayne D.
• Granted Patent: US 6,915,955 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/419
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0233 Optical standards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0075 by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy A61B5/0071 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0088 for oral or dental tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1034 by means of colour cards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4547 Evaluating teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 19/10 Supports for artificial teeth for transport or for comparison of the colour
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2003/1213 Filters in general, e.g. dichroic, band
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2003/2869 Background correcting
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0205 Optical elements not provided otherwise, e.g. optical manifolds, diffusers, windows
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0218 using optical fibers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0229 using masks, aperture plates, spatial light modulators or spatial filters, e.g. reflective filters
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0251 Colorimeters making use of an integrating sphere
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0262 Constructional arrangements for removing stray light
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0264 Electrical interface; User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/04 Slit arrangements slit adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/10 Arrangements of light sources specially adapted for spectrometry or colorimetry
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/2803 using photoelectric array detector
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/508 : measuring the colour of teeth
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/51 : using colour filters
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/513 : having fixed filter-detector pairs
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/524 : Calibration of colorimeters
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/6484 : Optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/255 : Details, e.g. use of specially adapted sources, lighting or optical systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/474 : Details of optical heads therefor, e.g. using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/57 : Measuring gloss
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6486 : Measuring fluorescence of biological material, e.g. DNA, RNA, cells G01N21/6428 takes precedence

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 preferably 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. Such methods and implements may be desirably utilized for purposes of detecting and preventing counterfeiting or the like. Low cost and small form factor spectrometers, and methods for manufacturing the same, also are disclosed. Spectrometers and spectrophotometers embedded in printing and scanning and other type devices, as well as computer companion devices, scope-type devices and the like, also are disclosed. Data encoding based on such devices also may be implemented.

Claims

1. A system for applying pigment to a substrate, comprising:

a spectrophotometer integral to the system supplying light to the substrate and receiving light from the substrate, wherein the light received from the substrate is spectrally analyzed by a spectrometer;

one or more pigment dischargers integral to the system, wherein the one or more pigment dischargers apply one or more pigments to the substrate;

wherein, the spectrometer spectrally analyzes the or more pigments applied to the substrate.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the spectrometer comprises:

an optical sensing circuit having thereon a plurality of optical sensors and one or more processing elements;

a plurality of filters fixedly positioned over at least a first group of the optical sensors fixedly and fixedly positioned with respect to the substrate, wherein the plurality of filters have spectral transmission characteristics over a predetermined spectrum;

an optical manifold fixedly positioned over at least certain of the plurality of filters and fixedly positioned with respect to the substrate, wherein the optical manifold has a plurality of exit windows and at least one entrance port, wherein light entering the entrance port is transmitted to an interior portion of the optical manifold, wherein at least a portion of the light is transmitted from the exit ports through at least certain of the filters for sensors by at least certain of the optical sensors;

wherein light may be coupled to the entrance port, wherein at least first spectral data corresponding to the light is generated by the one or more processing elements, wherein the spectrometer assembly is fabricate in a unitary manner on the substrate.