Abstract: Color measuring systems and methods are disclosed. Perimeter receiver fiber optics are spaced apart from a central source fiber optic and receive light reflected 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 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.

Abstract: Systems for applying pigment to a substrate has a spectrophotometer integral to the system and supplies light to the substrate and receives light from the substrate. One or more pigment dischargers integral to the system apply one or more pigments to the substrate. A spectrometer spectrally analyzes the one or more pigments applied to the substrate. The spectrometer includes an optical sensing circuit having plurality of optical sensors and one or more processing elements and a plurality of filter elements fixedly positioned with respect to at least a first group of the optical sensors. An optical implement is fixedly positioned with respect to the plurality of filter elements and has a plurality of outputs and at least one entrance. The spectrometer is fabricated in a unitary manner.

Abstract: An apparatus measuring optical characteristics including position detection is disclosed. A processor is coupled to a display. A first optical sensor makes a first measurement and a second optical sensor makes a second measurement. A source of illumination provides illumination in the IR range it and the first optical sensor determine a minimal distance between the apparatus and an external object such that illumination emitted by the source is not received by the first optical sensor when the apparatus is less than the minimal distance from the external object. A position of the apparatus with respect to an object and an optical property of light received by the apparatus are determined. A transparent member having a thickness less than the minimal distance may be provided through which the source provides illumination and receives illumination external to the apparatus.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electronic device is disclosed. A design description of the electronic device is generated using one or more computer aided design tools. Physical device data are generated that represent a physical description of the electronic device, which includes data determining connection points for connecting the electronic device to one or more external circuits. A physical embodiment of the electronic device is produced in accordance with the physical device data. Physical test member data is determined that represents conductors and contact points of a test member for testing the electronic device. The test member is produced in accordance with the test member data. The electronic device is tested with the test member.

Abstract: System and method for selling, configuring, installing, reconfiguring and servicing integrated voice/data communications systems are disclosed. An Internet/web based portal is provided to enable a high level of data to be easily collected. The portal guides the customer or sales persons in the collection of user requirements data indicative of the particular customer's hardware, telephony and network service requirements. Test of the data is performed, ensuring that all required data has been entered. The user requirements data is translated into configuration data in order to configure the system in a manner to satisfy the user requirements data. Configuration data resulting from a user requirements data entry and translation process is coupled with a hardware manufacturing process to produce an integrated system configured for the particular customer.

Abstract: Methods for generating music are disclosed. A music data file is generated at a first node. The music data file is transmitted from the first node and received at a second node. Musical definition data that provides information regarding a data structure and data for musical parameters is extracted from the music data file at the second node. The musical definition data is processed and music is generated at the second node for playback in accordance with the data structure and the musical parameters. A modified music data file is generated at the second node and transmitted to the first node. Modified music is generated at the first node based on the modified music data file.

Abstract: A method including the determination of color information of an object is disclosed. Data is generated of the object with an image generation device having a field of view. The object and a reference implement having one or more regions of predetermined optical properties are positioned in the field of view of the image generation device. Data is generated of the reference implement, which includes a positional location attribute. Based on the positional location attribute a position of the one or more regions of predetermined optical properties of the reference implement in the field of view of the image generation device is determined by a processing system without operator identification of the position of the reference implement in the field of view of the image generation device. Color information of the object is generated by adjusting the data generated of the object based on the data generated of the reference implement.

Abstract: An apparatus measuring optical characteristics including position detection is disclosed. A processor is coupled to a display. A first optical sensor makes a first measurement, and a second optical sensor makes a second measurement. A source of illumination and the first optical sensor determine a minimal distance between the apparatus and an external object such that illumination emitted by the source is not received by the first optical sensor when the apparatus is less than the minimal distance from the external object. A position of the apparatus with respect to an object and an optical property of light received by the apparatus are determined. A transparent member with a thickness less than the minimal distance may provide illumination external to the apparatus and receive light from external to the apparatus.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods using a border guide and/or border guide easel that enables art instruction in a relatively low cost and simple to use manner suitable for group or individual instruction of a relatively sophisticated nature. A scaled border guide preferably labeled with numbers and letters provides a virtual coordinate or reference system that enables artists to locate multiple random points on the surface to be painted. A physical grid or stencil or the like are not used on the artist's surface. The scaled border lines are used to define a virtual grid on the artist's working surface that may be used to indicate reference, points, positions, sizes and shapes for drawing or painting. Art instruction methods allow the teaching of drawing and painting in a more classical and relatively sophisticated style as compared to paint-by-numbers or grid art.

Abstract: A miniaturized spectrometer/spectrophotometer system and methods are disclosed. A probe tip including one or more light sources and a plurality of light receivers is provided. A first spectrometer system receives light from a first set of the plurality of light receivers. A second spectrometer system receives light from a second set of the plurality of light receivers. A processor, wherein the processor receives data generated by the first spectrometer system and the second spectrometer system, wherein an optical measurement of a sample under test is produced based on the data generated by the first and second spectrometer systems.

Abstract: An apparatus measuring optical characteristics including position detection is disclosed. A processor is coupled to a display. A first optical sensor makes a first measurement, and a second optical sensor makes a second measurement. A source of illumination and the first optical sensor determine a minimal distance between the apparatus and an external object such that illumination emitted by the source is not received by the first optical sensor when the apparatus is less than the minimal distance from the external object. A position of the apparatus with respect to an object and an optical property of light received by the apparatus are determined. A transparent member with a thickness less than the minimal distance may provide illumination external to the apparatus and receive light from external to the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus measuring optical characteristics including position detection is disclosed. A processor is coupled to a display. A first optical sensor makes a first measurement and a second optical sensor makes a second measurement. A source of illumination provides illumination in the IR range it and the first optical sensor determine a minimal distance between the apparatus and an external object such that illumination emitted by the source is not received by the first optical sensor when the apparatus is less than the minimal distance from the external object. A position of the apparatus with respect to an object and an optical property of light received by the apparatus are determined. A transparent member having a thickness less than the minimal distance may be provided through which the source provides illumination and receives illumination external to the apparatus.

Abstract: Color measuring systems and methods are disclosed. Perimeter receiver fiber optics are spaced apart from a central source fiber optic and receive light reflected 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 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.

Abstract: A miniaturized spectrometer/spectrophotometer system and methods are disclosed. A probe tip including one or more light sources and a plurality of light receivers is provided. A first spectrometer system receives light from a first set of the plurality of light receivers. A second spectrometer system receives light from a second set of the plurality of light receivers. A processor, wherein the processor receives data generated by the first spectrometer system and the second spectrometer system, wherein an optical measurement of a sample under test is produced based on the data generated by the first and second spectrometer systems.

Abstract: Methods for generating music are disclosed. A music data file is generated at a first node. The music data file is transmitted from the first node and received at a second node. Musical definition data that provides information regarding a data structure and data for musical parameters is extracted from the music data file at the second node. The musical definition data is processed and music is generated at the second node for playback in accordance with the data structure and the musical parameters. A modified music data file is generated at the second node and transmitted to the first node. Modified music is generated at the first node based on the modified music data file.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electronic device is disclosed. A design description of the electronic device is generated using one or more computer aided design tools. Physical device data are generated that represent a physical description of the electronic device, which includes data determining connection points for connecting the electronic device to one or more external circuits. A physical embodiment of the electronic device is produced in accordance with the physical device data. Physical test member data is determined that represents conductors and contact points of a test member for testing the electronic device. The test member is produced in accordance with the test member data. The electronic device is tested with the test member.

Abstract: A miniaturized spectrometer/spectrophotometer system and methods are disclosed. A probe tip including one or more light sources and a plurality of light receivers is provided. A first spectrometer system receives light from a first set of the plurality of light receivers. A second spectrometer system receives light from a second set of the plurality of light receivers. A processor, wherein the processor receives data generated by the first spectrometer system and the second spectrometer system, wherein an optical measurement of a sample under test is produced based on the data generated by the first and second spectrometer systems.

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.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for producing dental restorations and ceramic materials for such restorations are disclosed. Optical properties, preferably including color and translucence characteristics, of a tooth or teeth of a patient are measured with a shade measuring instrument. The tooth to be restored is prepared, and a physical or virtual dental impression is created. A prescription for the restoration, which typically includes color, translucence and thickness information, is sent to the restoration fabrication facility either electronically or physically. A recipe and/or a mixture of ceramics are generated for the restoration, with multiple layers being specified, based on the measured optical properties. The recipe algorithm may adapt, or process checks may be performed, based on measurements of fabricated layers. Preferably, dental ceramics are specified to bracket the region of color space relevant to human teeth, and a reduced set of ceramic materials are manufactured and distributed.

Abstract: A miniaturized spectrometer/spectrophotometer system and methods are disclosed. A probe tip including one or more light sources and a plurality of light receivers is provided. A first spectrometer system receives light from a first set of the plurality of light receivers. A second spectrometer system receives light from a second set of the plurality of light receivers. A processor, wherein the processor receives data generated by the first spectrometer system and the second spectrometer system, wherein an optical measurement of a sample under test is produced based on the data generated by the first and second spectrometer systems.