Abstract: A method for evaluating a color of a sample includes acquiring an image having a plurality of pixels from a sample and a plurality of pixels from known color calibration patches. The image is color calibrated using the known color patches to endow the pixels from the sample with the tristimulus values they would have under one or more known illuminants. The calibrated image is transmitted, together with metadata, to a remote location where further computations and an approval process are performed. The further computations include comparing all of the pixels in the image of a standard that are of a first color to all pixels of a second color in the similarly calibrated image of the sample, where the second color is a color in the image of the sample that is most similar to the first color from the image of the standard.

Abstract: One embodiment of a method for calibrating a test color measurement device in conjunction with an emissive display includes measuring initial spectral sensitivities of at least four channels of the test color measurement device, linearly regressing the spectral sensitivities to a least-square best fit to CIE color matching functions, measuring CIE tristimulus values of test colors on the display using a reference color measurement device, measuring the CIE tristimulus values on the display using the test color measurement device, transforming the CIE tristimulus values measured by the test color measurement device to CIE tristimulus values that would have been measured by the reference color measurement device, using a nonlinear function with variable fitting coefficients, and storing initial fitting coefficient values that provide a least-square best fit of the CIE tristimulus values measured by the test color measurement device and the CIE tristimulus values measured by the reference color measurement devic

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is a spectrophotometer with a modular 45/0 head. One embodiment of an apparatus for measuring a reflectance of a sample includes a plurality of light emitting diodes for emitting light, a reflective housing positioned above the plurality of light emitting diodes, where the reflective housing is a dome having a plurality of apertures formed around its perimeter, a sample channel for capturing a first portion of the light, where the first portion of the light interacts with the sample, and a reference channel for capturing a second portion of the light, where the second portion of the light is independent of the sample.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a method and apparatus for matching translucent coatings of absorbent substrates. In one embodiment, a method for matching a color of a sample includes generating a plurality of recipes, each of the recipes representing a mixture of one colorant and a clear vehicle and defining a concentration of the one colorant and a concentration of the clear vehicle, applying each of the recipes to one or more absorbent substrates, determining an absorption value and a scattering value for each of the recipes as applied to the absorbent substrates, storing the recipes in a database, where each of the recipes is stored with an associated absorption value and an associated scattering value, selecting a first recipe from among the recipes stored in the database, and evaluating a quality of the first recipe as a match to the color of the sample.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a beaker type dyeing machine. One embodiment of an apparatus for dyeing a material in a beaker includes a cylinder body having a first end and a second end, the first end being configured for coupling to the lid of the beaker, a check valve incorporated into the first end of the cylinder body, and a plug incorporated into the second end of the cylinder body, the plug being operable to control opening and closing of the check valve.

Abstract: A tristimulus colorimeter on a single semiconductor chip having at least three detectors, each detector being coated by colorant filters, each filter having at least one layer and at least one filter having a double layer is provided. The colorimeter determines CIE tristimulus values of an incident light from inputs to the filters and detectors. Colorimeters having integral dye filters may be constructed on a single silicon chip embodying all the detectors and electronics, coated over each detector by a deposited filter layer. Colorants may be directly deposited on the detectors, rather than using a plastic substrate for a filter.

Abstract: A method for determining the optimal colorant thicknesses and linear combinations for integral illuminant-weighted CIE color-matching filters is provided. A reflectance colorimeter for configuring printers may be designed using this method.

Abstract: A method and system for calibrating color rendering devices includes determining a model-specific Digital Target for a first reference color rendering device and a non-CIE color measuring device combination, and implementing the determined model-specific Digital Target for calibrating color rendering devices having substantially similar rendering characteristics as the first reference color rendering device.

Abstract: A tristimulus colorimeter for measuring reflective or transmissive materials is provided. The colorimeter measures a sample under a calibrated light source, receives inputs to detectors, and determines CIE tristimulus values of the same sample as they would occur under a reference light source. The colorimeter includes a calibrated light source and a single silicon chip that includes three or more detectors. Each detector is permanently coated by a different mix of dyes or other colorants that form a wavelength-selective filter. A single silicon chip embodies all the detectors and electronics, with each detector coated over by deposited filter layers.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is spectrophotometer with a light emitting diode illuminator. In one embodiment, a spectrophotometer for characterizing a reflectance spectrum of a specimen includes an optical assembly for illuminating the specimen, where the optical assembly includes at least one light emitting diode. A measurement head is coupled to the optical assembly for collecting light reflected by the specimen, and a spectrum analyzer is coupled to the measurement head for performing spectral analysis of the collected light into a plurality of spectral bands. A reference channel provides illumination from the optical assembly to the spectrum analyzer, while a test channel provides the collected light from the measurement head to the spectrum analyzer.

Abstract: An example method uses a spectrophotometer to collect reflectance curve data from a physical sample colored to a desired color. The reflectance curve data is employed to produce computer display outputs of substrates as they would be appear if colored with the desired color. The method includes using a colorimeter to collect calorimetric data from the outputs on the display. The sets of colorimetric data are compared and data that facilitate manipulating the reflectance curve data associated with the desired color is produced. The synthetic reflectance curve data facilitates producing matches for the various substrates as colored and displayed on the computer display. The synthetic reflectance curve data may also be used to manipulate colorant formulae.

Abstract: A method for determining the optimal colorant thicknesses for integral CIE color-matching filters is provided. According to a computational study, a four band filter of the present invention provides a best approximation to the CIE XYZ color-matching functions with the least cost.

Abstract: A calorimeter for measuring a color of light includes a color sensing device, a suspension means and a counterweight. The suspension means suspends the color sensing device in an operative relationship relative to a color producing device, while the counterweight is secured to the suspension means and balances the color sensing device in the operative relationship relative to the color producing device.

Abstract: A measuring head of the present invention conveys light from an external source through at least one optical fiber to at least one respective plane mirror inside the measuring head, where the light reflects through and is collimated by at least one collimating lens so as to be incident on a sample, in one embodiment, at an angle of substantially 45 degrees. The resulting optical path is folded once and thereby allows enough virtual space to redirect the light without excessive bending of the fibers. Light diffused from the sample is, in one embodiment, perpendicularly collected by a focusing lens, focused on the end of another optical fiber and directed outside of the measuring head to be used, for example, by a measuring instrument for the spectral analysis of the collected light.

Abstract: Systems, methodologies, media, and other embodiments associated with color measuring are described. One exemplary system embodiment includes a spectrophotometer, one or more light sources for illuminating an interior of the spectrophotometer, and a digital camera configured at a port of the spectrophotometer and being configured to measure light components from a sample. In the present invention, segmentation logic is provided for the spectrophotometer that is configured to employ computational image segmentation to characterize specular reflection from a sample and to characterize a selected patch or portion from the test sample, such as a selected color in a multicolor pattern. In accordance with the present invention, the spectrophotometer and the included digital camera may be color-characterized in situ.

Abstract: A colorimeter for measuring a color of light includes a color sensing device, a hanging means, and a means for reducing color distortion. The hanging means hangs the color sensing device in an operative relationship relative to a color producing device. The means for reducing color distortion reduces color distortion on the color producing device While the color sensing device is in the operative relationship relative to the color producing device.

Abstract: A symmetric monitor calibrator for mounting on a cathode ray tube or monitor with a surface. The calibrator has a case that holds electronic and optic components. Suction cups hold the calibrator to the surface, in which the suction cups are attached to the end of supporting elements that surround the case. At least three supporting elements with a common connecting point to form one support structure are connected to the top of the case. The supporting elements extend out creating a greater diameter than the case. The supporting elements and therefore suction cups uniformly surround the center point of the case to prevent rotation caused by the effects of gravity.