Abstract: A spatially-resolved spectrometer is used to measure streaking in molded sample plastic parts produced using a molding tool with various mold inserts which produce certain desired topological surface features upon these sample plastic parts. The measurements from one or more of these sample plastic parts are then provided to a computerized device which appropriately filters the data and calculates overall data shape, average peak and valley shift, and a quality number indicative of data slopes. These calculations are then used to determine an optimum set of ingredients and processing conditions to be used for the full-scale plastic part production.

Abstract: A spectrophotometer including an optical measurement head, a spectrometer and a control electronic. The measurement head is equipped with a multi-channel illumination arrangement having exclusively light emitting diodes as spectrally continuous light source. Each illumination channel includes a light emitting diode, whereby each light emitting diode is separately controllable. In combination with the control electronic, an illumination with electronically adjustable spectral characteristics is hereby realized.

Abstract: A method of determining one or more color characteristics of a colored microsphere comprising: providing a microarray of microspheres, at least one of which has a color characteristic; capturing the microarray with an electronic color image sensor assembly having a matrix of pixels to produce an electronic microarray image; detecting the location of a microsphere within the captured microarray image; and identifying a color characteristic of the detected microsphere.

Abstract: A calorimeter measured value control system for controlling the measured values of plural calorimeters, including: a plurality of terminal apparatuses, each arranged for each base, having transmission section for transmitting the measured values of a color sample measured by each calorimeter; and a control server having: a storage section for storing measured values of the color sample measured by a standard calorimeter as standard values; a reception section for receiving the measured values; a determining section for determining the correction formula for approximating the measured values to the standard values stored; and a registration section for registering the correction formula, as the correction formula for correcting the error of the measured values of the calorimeter.

Abstract: A handheld, portable color measuring device for measuring the primary colors of red, green and blue in a color target to be analyzed and connected to a built-in LCD display or connected to a separate personal computer. The color measuring device includes an elongated color measuring probe housing. A hollow cone shaped probe tip is attached to one end of the probe housing. A target contact end of the probe tip is placed against a color target to be measured. Inside the probe housing is a battery powered white LED light source connected to a color measurement switch. When the measurement switch is actuated, the white light source illuminates the color target surrounded by the target contact end of the probe tip. A light pipe is centered inside the probe housing and inside a portion of the probe tip. The light pipe captures the reflected light off the color target and projects the captured light onto a 3 color (RGB) sensor.

Abstract: An optical detection device for use in a color sorting apparatus for granular objects includes a CCD linear sensor. The CCD linear sensor comprises a plurality of light receiving elements arranged in one row each of which is capable of detecting red, green and blue wavelengths. The CCD linear sensor receives light from a granular object and a background which are irradiated by a red light source, a green light source and a blue light source. The red, green and blue light sources are switched over while the granular object is passing within an optical detection area. The CCD linear sensor receives light from the granular object in synchronization with the above switching operation of the light sources.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for measuring the color of a light signal. The apparatus includes a plurality of color sensing elements, an optical system for illuminating each of the color sensing elements with light from the light source, and a controller for determining the intensity and wavelength of the light signal from the signals generated by said color sensing elements. Each color sensing element generates an electrical signal that depends on the wavelength and intensity of light incident on the color sensing element. Each of the color sensing elements is characterized by a gain function that relates the electrical signal generated thereby to the wavelength and intensity of light incident thereon. Each of the gain functions is different from the others of the gain functions.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to realize to excellently perform a color matching process among media having different white points. To achieve the above object, a colorimetry value of a sample is corrected on a human's color perception space on the basis of a media white point in case of creating transformation data used in transformation performed between data on a color space depending on a device and data on a color space not depending on a device, and the transformation data is created on the basis of the corrected colorimetry value.

Abstract: The discriminating method utilizes first to third sensors respectively having spectral sensitivities corresponding to three primary colors and a fourth sensor having a spectral sensitivity that does not overlap the spectral sensitivities corresponding to the three primary colors as sensors constituting an image pickup system, and discriminates a light source type of a photographic light source by using information obtained by the first to fourth sensors. The image forming method corrects image data of an input image using the light source type discriminated by the above light source type discriminating method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a device for detecting or recognizing an object by means of color recognition or brightness evaluation, whereby radiation emitted by a radiation source on the object and radiation reflected from the object is recorded by a photosensitive element such as a color-recognizing sensor. In order to be able to detect objects with a higher measuring exactitude, whereby changes in distance between object and light-sensitive element should not basically lead to a measurement falsification, it is suggested that reflected radiation be guided to the photosensitive element by means of a light-guiding element tapering in the direction of the photosensitive element.

Abstract: A neutral paint colorant has a composition comprising approximately 7.0% Color Index Pigment Yellow 42, 2.4% Color Index Pigment Red 101, and 4.0% Color Index Pigment Black 7. A pre-blended mixture of the neutral colorant and a paint base can be blended with a first paint to form a second paint having substantially the same hue and value (lightness) as the first paint, but a lower chroma (brightness).

Abstract: White light emitting LED luminaire incorporates an array of red, green and blue emitting LEDs and a feedback arrangement to maintain a desired color balance. The feedback arrangement includes photodiodes positioned and enabled to separately measure the light output of each RGB color component. In one embodiment, a single photodiode or array of photodiodes is positioned to intercept reflected light from a partially reflecting element placed in the path of the combined output of the LED array. Individual colors are measured sequentially by pulsing the LEDs and photodiodes or by the use of color filters. In an alternate embodiment, each LED has an associated photodiode, either incorporated into the LED package or in a separate package.

Abstract: A device (strip reader) for an automatic photoelectric measurement of measuring fields contained on a sheet or strip-shaped, opaque or transparent original comprising a housing, transport members for automatically pulling the original into the housing and for transporting the original along a transport path, and a spectrophotometric measurement arrangement as well as a controller in co-operation with the transport members and the measurement arrangement. The measurement arrangement is adjustable in a direction transverse to the transport direction and illuminates the measuring fields provided on the original with light of a defined quality, and receives the light remitted or transmitted from the measuring fields in dependence upon the original and converts this measuring light into electrical signals representing the spectra of the measuring fields.

Abstract: A grating optical sensor includes: a lens imaging an object space; a diffractive hexagonal 3D grating optical modulator in the image plane of the lens to form at least one trichromatic RGB diffraction pattern; a photoelectric receiver arrangement arranged in the near field downstream of the modulator, having individual receivers configured to generate electric signals in accordance with centrosymmetrically trichromatic RGB diffraction orders of the diffraction pattern; an evaluation device for the electric signals generated by the individual receivers; and at least one light-diffusion plate arranged in either a pupillary plane of the lens or a papillary plane conjugate to the lens or both.

Abstract: A handheld, pen-like colorimeter for measuring the color of an object is provided. The invention includes three light sensors, each of which detects a separate primary color. A microprocessor in the colorimeter calculates a single composite color value from the three separate color measurements from the light sensors and then compares the composite color value with a list of color values, wherein each value corresponds to a unique color name. The colorimeter selects the color name that matches the composite color value of the object presents the color name to a user, using a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an audio speaker. Another embodiment of the present invention uses lasers emitting primary colors, rather than passive light sensors. The lasers shine on an object one at a time, and the reflected laser light from the three lasers is detected by a special light sensor. The three color measurements are then combined to produce a composite value, similar to the first embodiment.

Abstract: A spectrophotometer for measuring light received from a sample is disclosed. The spectrophotometer includes a measurement head housing a sample and an illumination arrangement having a light source essentially continuous in the visible spectral range, formed by light-emitting diodes. The measurement head includes an illumination channel for each light emitting diode directing the light from each diode at a defined angle of incidence onto a measurement spot on the sample and a collecting arrangement capturing the light originating from the measurement spot. A spectrometer is optically connected to the collecting arrangement for splitting the captured light into its spectral components and for generating corresponding electrical signals. An electronic circuit, constructed for selectively controlling the light emitting diodes, controls the illumination arrangement and the spectrometer and processes the electrical measurement signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the colorimetric measurement of a defined region on an image representing a surface, characterized in that the said image of the said surface is taken using a color camera, in that the analogue information measured on the said surface is transformed and converted into digital form, in that the said defined region on the said image is delimited and in that the measurement of the chromatic values R, G, B is carried out for this region.

Abstract: A color detecting sensor includes a light emitting element for emitting red light, a light emitting element for emitting green light, a light emitting element for emitting blue light, a light receiving element for receiving light emitted from each of the light emitting elements through an ink ribbon, and detecting device for detecting a color of the ink ribbon forming at least a colorless and transparent portion and the colorless and transparent portion based on an output signal of the light receiving element, the detecting device including a storage section for storing, as color reference data, the output signal of the light receiving element when the light emitting elements emit light through the colorless and transparent portion of the ink ribbon respectively, and a color deciding section for comparing, with the color reference data, the output signal of the light receiving element when the light emitting elements emit light through the color formed on the ink ribbon respectively, thereby deciding the colo

Abstract: The invention is a cable identifier apparatus and a method for fast identification of multi-wire or multi fiber cable. The method is based on illumination of colored buffer of the wire or fiber, registration the reflected light and comparison the measuring data with reference data stored in the memory. The reference data is loaded by measuring the color parameters of the buffer of known identification. The cable identifier apparatus comprises a portable hand-held device with a probe for fixing the buffer in a holder, illuminating the buffer, controlling the incident light and detecting the reflected light with photodetectors. The data is proceed by a microcontroller and an identification symbol of the buffer is displayed in LCD. The variation of the ambient light is compensated by separate measurement of dark and light signals from photodetectors.

Abstract: A handheld, pen-like colorimeter for measuring the color of an object is provided. The colorimeter includes several light emitters, each with distinct color spectra, wherein the emission of each color is modulated at a specific frequency. These light emitters may be Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and/or lasers. The colorimeter also contains at least one light sensor which samples light reflected from an object illuminated by the light emitters. The rate of sampling is at least twice the modulation frequency of the emitted light. A microprocessor computes the fourier transform of the intensity of the reflected light over time, wherein the fourier transform provides the light intensity at each possible modulation frequency and determines the relative contribution of the reflected light from each light emitter, as well as the contribution of ambient light. A color value is calculated and a color name is selected and presented to the user.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer-readable medium allows users to measure a lighting condition of an object. In one embodiment, at least one user visually compares colored materials against a displayed color sample. Users may adjust the color of the displayed color sample by changing corresponding attribute values until the displayed color sample appears to substantially match the colored material. Once users indicate that they have established a color match between a displayed color sample and a colored material, the spectral irradiance value of the substantially matched color sample is calculated. The spectral irradiance value represents a measurement of the lighting condition in a particular room.

Abstract: An optical detection device for use in a color sorting apparatus for granular objects includes a CCD linear sensor. The CCD linear sensor comprises a plurality of light receiving elements arranged in one row each of which is capable of detecting red, green and blue wavelengths. The CCD linear sensor receives light from a granular object and a background which are irradiated by a red light source, a green light source and a blue light source. The red, green and blue light sources are switched over while the granular object is passing within an optical detection area. The CCD linear sensor receives light from the granular object in synchronization with the above switching operation of the light sources.

Abstract: A low cost yet higher speed color spectrophotometer, especially suitable for on-line color printer color control systems, wherein multiple test patches of different colors may be simultaneously illuminated and substantially simultaneously discretely color analyzed. Reduced numbers of test print sheets, with multiple sets of multiple small adjacent different color test patches, may be used. Reflected images of the multiple different color test patches may be simultaneously focused on different areas of a photodetector chip to expose differently color responsive sets of multiple photo-sites to provide plural discrete color signals for each different color test patch image.

Abstract: A portable color measuring device for determining a color of an object, is disclosed. The color measuring device is useful for measuring and analyzing an object's color in the visible light range. The devices also allow users with little training in color analysis to quickly and consistently perform accurate color measurements.

Abstract: A color reproduction system includes a color conversion unit for displaying a color image on a multi-primary-color display. The color conversion unit includes a maximum brightness signal calculating unit for calculating signals corresponding to three color reproduction area corners as the corners of a plane that constitute a color reproduction area surface of the display. The three color reproduction area corners surround the vectors of input tristimulus values. The maximum brightness signal calculating unit also calculates a weighting factor obtained when the input tristimulus values are expressed as a linear sum of the tristimulus values of the color reproduction area corner vectors. The color conversion unit further includes a color image signal calculating unit for calculating a color image signal used to display the input tristimulus values, on the basis of the signals corresponding to the color reproduction area corners and the weighting factor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a grating optical sensor comprised of a lens (1) that reproduces an object space, of a diffractive hexagonal 3D grating optical modulator (4) in the image plane (5) of the lens (1), of a photoelectric receiver device (8), which is arranged in the near field behind the modulator (4) in accordance with the centrosymmetrically trichromatic diffraction orders (R, G, B), and of an evaluation device for the electrical signals generated by the individual receivers (8). The invention is characterized in that at least one light diffusion glass (9) is arranged in the pupillary plane of the lens (1) or in a pupillary plane conjugate thereto. The inventive sensor is used for conducting chromatometries with a color constancy performance via a thermal radiation source (17), which modifies the grating constants of the 3D grating (4) for a new white standard value.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a range of colors includes the following steps:

Abstract: Difficulty recognizing colors which a sight-impaired person has is solved by a color identifying device of the invention comprising a means for identifying a color by comparing data measured by color sensor 4a and stored reference data and a means for externally outputting the color identified by the color identifying means by a voice, wherein a measurement aperture portion is pressed against the surface of an object the color name of which a sight-impaired person desires to know, light (of three RGB types) reflected from the object is measured by the measurement portion 4, the measured data is transmitted to the color identifying means, the program within the color identifying means calculates the measured data and compares the calculated data with the reference data (table data) which is systematically classified, the color name of the measured data is selected, and the color name (the basic color name, lightness, chroma and hue) of the object is outputted from speaker 28 by a voice.

Abstract: The invention is a colorimeter for dental applications comprising a hand-held probe, similar in size to a dental drill, attached by an electrical cable to a small self-contained display module. The calorimeter provides the capability for measuring the colors of a number points along a line on the surface of an object such as a tooth. A measurement is made while placing the tip of the probe against, or in close proximity to, the surface of the object. The display module to which probe attaches contains a microprocessor and provides a control, display and data interface to the operator. The display module can be adapted for fastening to the wrist of the operator thereby leaving both hands free to manipulate the probe and other tools. The calorimeter is particularly well suited for measuring the color of teeth in a dentist's office in preparation for making dental prostheses which accurately match the color of natural teeth.

Abstract: White light emitting LED luminaire incorporates an array of red, green and blue emitting LEDs and a feedback arrangement to maintain a desired color balance. The feedback arrangement includes photodiodes positioned and enabled to separately measure the light output of each RGB color component. In one embodiment, a single photodiode or array of photodiodes is positioned to intercept reflected light from a partially reflecting element placed in the path of the combined output of the LED array. Individual colors are measured sequentially by pulsing the LEDs and photodiodes or by the use of color filters. In an alternate embodiment, each LED has an associated photodiode, either incorporated into the LED package or in a separate package.

Abstract: A low cost yet higher speed color spectrophotometer, especially suitable for on-line color printer color control systems, wherein multiple test patches of different colors may be simultaneously illuminated and substantially simultaneously discretely color analyzed. Reduced numbers of test print sheets, with multiple sets of multiple small adjacent different color test patches, may be used. Reflected images of the multiple different color test patches may be simultaneously focused on different areas of a photodetector chip to expose differently color responsive sets of multiple photo-sites to provide plural discrete color signals for each different color test patch image.

Abstract: An improved and lower cost color spectrophotometer, especially suitable for an on-line color printer color control system, in which plural different spectra LEDs sequentially perpendicularly illuminate a common and substantially circularly illuminated color test area, which may be variably spaced and variably oriented relative to the spectrophotometer, through a common central lens system, and also the reflected illumination therefrom may be measured at 45 degrees thereto by averaging the outputs of photodetectors spaced around that circularly illuminated color test area, to provide reduced sensitivity to the variable angular or azimuthal orientation of the color test area relative to the spectrophotometer, and which photodetectors may be so illuminated by 1:1 optics for spatial insensitivity.

Abstract: A handheld, pen-like colorimeter for measuring the color of an object is provided. The invention comprising three light sensors, each of which detects a separate primary color. A microprocessor in the colorimeter calculates a single composite color value from the three separate color measurements from the light sensors and then compares the composite color value with a list of color values, wherein each value corresponds to a unique color name. The colorimeter selects the color name that matches the composite color value of the object presents the color name to a user, by means of a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an audio speaker. Another embodiment of the present invention uses lasers emitting primary colors, rather than passive light sensors. The lasers shine on an object one at a time, and the reflected laser light from the three lasers is detected by a special light sensor. The three color measurements are then combined to produce a composite value, similar to the first embodiment.

Abstract: A handheld, pen-like colorimeter for measuring the color of an object is provided. The calorimeter comprises several light emitters, each with distinct color spectra, wherein the emission of each color is modulated at a specific frequency. These light emitters may be Ligh Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and/or lasers. The calorimeter also contains at least one light sensor which samples light reflected from an object illuminated by the light emitters. The rate of sampling is at least twice the modulation frequency of the emitted light. A microprocessor computes the fourier transform of the intensity of the reflected light over time, wherein the fourier transform provides the light intensity at each possible modulation frequency and determines the relative contribution of the reflected light from each light emitter, as well as the contribution of ambient light. The modulation frequency of the light emitters is adjusted to account for the modulation frequency of artificial, ambient light.

Abstract: In a light measuring apparatus, pulse-like measuring light is received by n photoelectric converting means and electric signals responsive to received light intensities are outputted therefrom. Time constant converting circuits elongate each of the electric signals in the direction of a time axis and outputs elongated electric signals. The respective levels of the elongated electric signals are detected at times different in width in the direction of the time axis. At this time, the timings with which the levels of n elongated electric signals are detected are shifted from each other. By using the result of detection, the respective integral values of the n elongated electric signals can be calculated without using integrating circuits. This reduces the number of components and the size and cost of a device.

Abstract: An optical sensor system is provided which provides portions of the intensity spectrum of various types of natural and artificial light and combinations thereof. The illumination passes through a series of band pass filters or through a diffraction grating to be sensed by a plurality of photosensors sensing different portions of the spectrum. The photosensors are connected to a processing system which can determine the nature of the illuminants from characteristic areas of the intensity spectrum falling on the photosensors.

Abstract: An image-splitting color meter. The image-splitting color meter is added at an entrance pupil of a light coming from an observing object to obtain a high uniformity and a high efficiency. The image-splitting device can split the entrance pupil into several partitions for light splitting and color filtering. The split light beams are then converged and focused onto a photodetective plane.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to realize to excellently perform a color matching process among media having different white points. To achieve the above object, a colorimetry value of a sample is corrected on a human's color perception space on the basis of a media white point in case of creating transformation data used in transformation performed between data on a color space depending on a device and data on a color space not depending on a device, and the transformation data is created on the basis of the corrected colorimetry value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reliably and accurately matching tooth color, in which a light source is provided with an illumination lens and a relay lens to direct light to illuminate a measurement point in a chosen zone of a tooth selected in a patient's mouth. Light reflected from the tooth is passed through a third lens which focuses the reflected light simultaneously on three detectors. Each detector is provided with a color filter positioned in front of it to allow for only one of the basic red, green and blue (R,G,B) colors to reach the detector. The three detectors produce an output signal representing the R,G,B color coordinate related to the measurement point. These signals are converted to digital data suitable to be further processed by a data processing and control unit, which maps the R,G, B values into values of Hue, Saturation and Intensity (H, S, I) which are normalized to represent a tooth color vector.

Abstract: A handheld, portable color measuring device for measuring the primary colors of red, green and blue in a color target to be analyzed and connected to a built-in LCD display or connected to a separate personal computer. The color measuring device includes an elongated color measuring probe housing. A hollow cone shaped probe tip is attached to one end of the probe housing. A target contact end of the probe tip is placed against a color target to be measured. Inside the probe housing is a battery powered white LED light source connected to a color measurement switch. When the measurement switch is actuated, the white light source illuminates the color target surrounded by the target contact end of the probe tip. A light pipe is centered inside the probe housing and inside a portion of the probe tip. The light pipe captures the reflected light off the color target and projects the captured light onto a 3 color (RGB) sensor.

Abstract: A system for automatically re-calibrating a spectrophotometer which is mounted at one side of the printed sheets output path of a color printer for measuring the colors printed on colored test patches on printed test sheets moving thereby as the test patches are sequentially illuminated with multiple different color illumination sources, which illumination colors are reflected from the test patches and detected by a photosensor providing electrical output signals. Re-calibration is provided by illuminating, with the same sequenced illumination sources, during a time coinciding with an adjacent gap between the printed sheets moving in the output path, a stationary calibration test patch which is mounted on the opposite side of the output path from the spectrophotometer, to provide respective calibration signals from respective electrical output signals of the photosensor during a time interval when a printed color sheet is not in said output path in between the spectrophotometer and the calibration test patch.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring with a Color Measurement System of predetermined specification and evaluating the color of skin, teeth, hair and material substances with a Color Index. The principles of this invention also relate to techniques for using such a Color Measurement System with the Color Index in medical applications such as the detection of chromogenic disease including bilirubin infant jaundice, cosmetics applications and in the evaluation of the color of hair or teeth, and other applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a device for detecting or recognizing an object by means of color recognition or brightness evaluation, whereby radiation emitted by a radiation source on the object and radiation reflected from the object is recorded by a photosensitive element such as a color-recognizing sensor. In order to be able to detect objects with a higher measuring exactitude, whereby changes in distance between object and light-sensitive element should not basically lead to a measurement falsification, it is suggested that reflected radiation be guided to the photosensitive element by means of a light-guiding element tapering in the direction of the photosensitive element.

Abstract: An input data group is converted into an output data group in accordance with coefficients. For each coefficient, a current coefficient value, a coefficient value greater than the current coefficient value and a coefficient value smaller than the current coefficient value may be computed. One of the current, greater and smaller coefficient values is selected on the basis of errors between the output data computed with the current, greater and smaller coefficient values and an ideal output data group corresponding to the input data group.

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.

Abstract: The specification discloses a handheld color measurement instrument including a housing adapted to be held by a human hand. A plurality of support rollers support the housing for movement in a linear direction. A color measurement engine is contained within the housing and includes an aperture opening through the bottom of the housing. The housing includes a pair or pairs of elements defining a line parallel to the linear direction and aligned with the aperture to facilitate alignment of the instrument for scanning. The color measurement engine within the housing includes photodetectors on only one side of the aperture, enabling the aperture to be positioned adjacent the nose of the housing. The support rollers are proximate the perimeter of the housing, and an encoder wheel is inward of the support rollers and proximate the aperture. The instrument is capable of reading barcodes, for example for configuring the instrument, and of reading color samples.

Abstract: The invention discloses an apparatus for compensation for spectral fluctuation of a light source. Additionally the invention discloses a scanner incorporating the apparatus for compensation. A lamp generates light, which is sent into a light directing device. From the light directing device a sensor means and a spectral monitor means for determining the spectral content of the light from said lamp receive the light. A signal processing means receives the output from said spectral monitor means and said sensor means for producing a signal compensated for spectral fluctuations. A scanner, incorporating the inventive apparatus, additionally comprises a medium for scanning which is positioned between said sensor means and said light directing device and a lens is positioned between said medium for scanning and said sensor means, for imaging said medium onto said sensor means.

Abstract: An optical system is disclosed for use in sorting apparatus to monitor light at a viewing station thereof to generate signals indicative of the optical properties of selected items in the product stream being sorted. In the system light received from a single line at the viewing station is split into discrete beams, which are filtered into different wavelength ranges to determine the category of the respective product items. The beams are directed onto a slit through which the light beams must pass on their way to respective lines of light sensors.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring with a Color Measurement System of predetermined specification and evaluating the color of skin, teeth, hair and material substances with a Color Index. The principles of this invention also relate to techniques for using such a Color Measurement System with the Color Index in medical applications such as the detection of chromogenic disease including bilirubin infant jaundice, cosmetics applications and in the evaluation of the color of hair or teeth, and other applications. The Color Index is measured and calculated from the reflectance spectrum of any skin (or teeth, hair or material substance) by a two step process. The first step is the weighting of the visible spectra with a unique set of weighting factors which calculate a sample's reflectance spectrum's contribution to the appearance of four color components independent of the illuminating condition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for discriminating the color of a surface, comprising the steps of acquiring at least a colored acquisition surface, comparing the color of a detecting surface with said at least one color previously acquired so that said color can be recognized.