Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for obtaining appearance characteristics of a target coating containing effect pigments. The present invention is also directed to a method for comparing appearances of two or more coatings by comparing the appearance characteristics. The present invention is further directed to a system for obtaining appearance characteristics of one or more coatings and comparing said coating appearances.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for displaying on a color display device a realistic color of a paint coating comprising the following steps: (A) identify L*, a* b* color values at least three different angles for a paint coating from a data base; (B) convert the at least three angle L*, a* b* color values to tristimulus X, Y, Z values; (C) develop continuous function equation for each tristimulus X, Y, Z values vs. aspecular angle via computer implementation and calculate the range of angles to be displayed; (D) calculate a range of aspecular angles required to display the object; (E) calculate R,G,B values from tristimulus values over the range of aspecular angles and determine maximum saturation of R,G,B values and bring into range allowed by color display device; (F) determine statistical texture function of paint coating to be simulated; and (G) apply statistical texture function to the R,G,B values of step (E) and display color pixels on color display device to show realistic color of paint coating.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for identifying one or more matching formulas for matching color and appearance of a target coating containing effect pigments. The present invention is also directed to a system for identifying one or more matching formulas for matching color and appearance of a target coating containing effect pigments.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and device that use spectral measurements of the color of a target coating on a substrate, such as auto body being matched. The method utilizes pigment mixture models to produce a matched coating composition that when applied as a coating matches in appearance with that of the target coating, while also providing other desired coating properties, such as durability, gloss and adhesion. The method of the present invention is well suited for producing automotive refinish paints used in automotive refinish applications wherein the undamaged portion of the autobody is color matched to produce a matched refinish paint that can be then applied over a repaired portion of autobody.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for digital displaying images of various colors and appearances of an article and the use thereof. The invention is particularly directed to a system for displaying images for selecting one or more matching formulas to match color and appearance of an article. The invention is even further directed to a system for displaying images for selecting one or more matching formulas to match color and appearance of a target coating of a vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for digital displaying images of various colors and appearances of an article and the use thereof. The invention is particularly directed to a method for displaying one or more images to select one or more matching formulas to match color and appearance of an article. The invention is even further directed to a method for displaying one or more images to select one or more matching formulas to match color and appearance of a target coating of a vehicle.

Abstract: A process for refinishing or repainting a damaged paint area of a vehicle or part thereof using a computer-implemented method to determine a refinish paint formula that can form a refinish matching paint to match the color of the original paint; in this process: a) a color code which contains color data values of the original paint is acquired; c) the color code is entered into a computer containing a color cluster database and color clusters and each color cluster has a centroid and refinish paint formula associated therewith; c) the color clusters associated with the color code of the original paint are identified; d) color chips that correspond to each of the color clusters identified in step c) using the refinish paint formula associated with the centroid of each of the color clusters are prepared or alternatively color chips provided by a manufacturer of the refinish paint can be used; e) a matching chip having the closest color match to the original paint is determined visually; f) the refinish paint a

Abstract: The present invention is directed a computer-implemented method for determining a color matched repair paint formula, wherein color characteristics of a target color to be matched are identified, inputted, and processed in such way as to enable a visual display of the target color, then alternate color(s) is/are selected from a color database based upon color characteristics of the target color to be matched, then subsequently processed and visually displayed thus enabling comparison of the alternate color(s) with the target color; and finally, a desired alternate color is selected and a formulation determined thereof. Further, the target color may be superimposed over an image of a vehicle to be repaired, and alternate candidate may even be superimposed over the target color in the area of the vehicle to be repaired, in order to assist the user with selecting the best match.

Abstract: The method of present invention and the device used therein is directed for characterizing unknown metallic flakes present in an existing coating on a substrate such that a matching metallic paint composition can be formulated and applied over the substrate to produce a metallic coating having characteristics, such as flop, that match the existing coating.

Abstract: An improved process for making pigment dispersions containing a single pigment that match the tinting strength of a standard dispersion. The process employs a faster and more accurate wet measurement technique for analyzing and matching the dispersions to a standard that utilizes the spectral transmittance of the wet dispersions over the visible spectrum.

Abstract: The method of present invention and the device used therein is directed for characterizing unknown metallic flakes present in an existing coating on a substrate such that a matching metallic paint composition can be formulated and applied over the substrate to produce a metallic coating having characteristics, such as flop, that match the existing coating.

Abstract: A rapid process for making transparent tints that match the color and tinting strength of a standard tint. The process involves the use of a faster and more accurate shading technique that utilizes the light transmittance properties of the tints in the wet over the visible spectrum and calculates therefrom the amount of components required to bring the tint within an acceptable match to the standard.

Abstract: A rapid process for making transparent tints that match the color and tinting strength of a standard tint. The process involves the use of a faster and more accurate shading technique that utilizes the light transmittance properties of the tints in the wet over the visible spectrum and calculates therefrom the amount of components required to bring the tint within an acceptable match to the standard.

Abstract: An improved process for making pigment dispersions containing a single pigment that match the tinting strength of a standard dispersion. The process employs a faster and more accurate wet measurement technique for analyzing and matching the dispersions to a standard that utilizes the spectral transmittance of the wet dispersions over the visible spectrum.

Abstract: A cemetery headstone/monument intended to be anchored upright in or on a foundation includes a carved or hollowed-out portion which functions as a display area. The hollowed portion may extend through the width of the headstone from the front face to the rear face thus creating a display window. The removed front and rear faces of the headstone may be replaced by a flat rigid material, preferably transparent in nature, so as to create a protective enclosure for the display area. A locking mechanism may be provided so as to secure the contents placed within the display area. A second embodiment of the invention provides for a headstone/monument suitably adapted to permit the non-permanent attachment of display devices To the top and side surfaces of the headstone. The display devices are detachably mounted to the headstone through the use of appropriate bolting means anchored into the headstone and by aligning complimentary holes located in the display device with the pre-drilled holes in the headstone.

Abstract: A method for applying multiple layers of coating compositions on a previously painted substrate by first applying a primer coating and then applying over the primer coating a top coating that matches the color of the painted substrate at less than complete hiding to achieve a color match of the top coating and the previously painted substrate; the improvement used is to apply a gray or white primer coating at complete hiding having a reflectance in its dried state essentially the same as the top coating measured at the wave length of minimum absorption of the top coating.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed herein relates to a display case for use in conjunction with headstones/monuments situated in a cemetery or other place of commemoration and an assembly for detachably mounting the display case to the upper portion of the headstone or monument. The display case extends above the top of the headstone and includes a front and back panel, two opposite side panels, a bottom panel and a sloped roof the joinder of which defines the display area. The interior of the case may contain one or more removable rigid shelves for display of the contents. The rear panel is hinged so as to operate as an access panel to the interior chamber and may contain a locking mechanism to protect the contents therein. The mounting assembly includes a series of front and rear face plates detachably mounted to the top portion of the headstone/monument by swivel bolts and firmly attached to the display case by threaded bolts.