Apparatus and method for measuring optical characteristics of an object

• US 20060017929A1
• Filed: 09/26/2005
• Published: 01/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Alan R. Laudermilk, Russell W. Jung, Wayne D. Jung
• Inventors: Jung, Russell W., Jung, Wayne D., Laudermilk, Alan R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,110,096 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/419
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 13/0003 Making bridge-work, inlays, implants or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 13/0004 Computer-assisted sizing or machining of dental prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2003/1234 Continuously variable IF [CVIF]; Wedge type
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2003/1239 and separate detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0218 using optical fibers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0278 Control or determination of height or angle information for sensors or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0291 Housings; Spectrometer accessories; Spatial arrangement of elements, e.g. folded path arrangements
• 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: G01N 2021/6463 Optics
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/6484 Optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/251 Colorimeters; Construction thereof
• 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 21/645 Specially adapted constructive features of fluorimeters
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6486 Measuring fluorescence of biological material, e.g. DNA, RNA, cells G01N21/6428 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3825 with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4292 : the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 : relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture

Abstract

Color/optical characteristics measuring systems and methods are disclosed. Perimeter receiver fiber optics/elements are spaced apart from a central source fiber optic/element and received light reflected from the surface of the object is 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 color measurement may be made at a predetermined height and angle. Various color spectral photometer arrangements are disclosed. Translucency, fluorescence 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.

Claims

1. A method for determining optical characteristics of an object, comprising the steps of:

measuring the object by moving a probe in proximity to the object, wherein the probe provides light to the surface of the object from one or more light sources, and receives light reflected from the object through a plurality of light receivers;

determining the intensity of reflected light received by more than one of the light receivers with first sensors; and

measuring the optical characteristics of the object with second sensors based on light received by one or more of the light receivers in response to the intensity determinations made by the first sensors, wherein the measurement produces data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object.

2-39. -39. (canceled)