Patents Assigned to GretagMacbeth
  • Patent number: 7342657
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a device, as well as a system and method associated therewith, for, among other things, providing: (i) up to five distinct measurement angles along with an illumination reference channel; (ii) a plurality of illumination sources that provide a focused beam of illumination at specific desired angles of incidence to a sample under target; (iii) a shutter mechanism incorporating a calibration transfer standard; (iv) an internal optical system that is operatively associated with a gimbaled structure suitable to allow vertical and angular conformity to a target sample; and (v) a handheld and operated enclosure incorporating a user interface with a visual display unit complete with interactive navigation means and an activation switch, and a number of surface detecting contact elements operatively associated with the optical system and shutter mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: GretagMacbeth, LLC
    Inventors: Robert H. Hart, David R. Battle, Michael R. Groh
  • Patent number: 7280118
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for producing a color palette including a multitude of color patterns for a predetermined coloring process with a multitude of defined base colors and for a predetermined substrate. The individual color patterns are systematically, especially equidistantly, defined in a mathematically defined color space by the way of color coordinates describing the color space. The spectrum of the color pattern is synthesized by calculation for each color pattern in the color space by way of a color mixing model representing the predetermined coloring process and the predetermined substrate, whereby that spectrum is selected having the highest color constancy. The spectra synthesized by calculation are stored in relation to the color coordinates of the underlying color patterns. Through use of a mathematical/physical basis (such as the CIE-system), it is possible to define a visually equidistant color space and assign a spectral curve to individual points having the best color constancy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: GretagMacbeth, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Senn, Harold R. Van Aken, Bruno Zimmermann, Peter Ehbets
  • Patent number: 7280196
    Abstract: A spectrophotometric system includes a zoom lens assembly that is mounted for axial translation relative to an integrating sphere. The zoom lens assembly includes first and second focusing lens mounted to an axially movable lens carrier. The lens carrier is positioned intermediate first and second sets of mirrors for reflecting/directing SCE and SCI beams toward fiber ports. A reference beam is also emitted from the integrating sphere and transmitted to a processor, thereby resulting in simultaneous tri-beam measurements. The disclosed spectrophotometric systems may also include an aperture plate detection assembly and/or a sample holder assembly that incorporates a dampening gas spring. The aperture plate detection system includes a detection disk that may include a plurality of pre-positioned sensors that interact with an activating ridge formed on the aperture plate for identification thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: GretagMacbeth LLC
    Inventors: Robert H. Hart, Montie W. Roland
  • Patent number: 7116336
    Abstract: Systems and methods for selectively manipulating and/or restandardizing color measurement or spectral data are provided. The color measurement or spectral data may be advantageously restandardized based on a selected color coordinate system using data transform(s) or delta profile(s). Users of the systems/methods are able to mix or employ color-measuring instrument types more easily and effectively by selectively causing a first instrument produced by a first color-measuring instrument manufacturer to provide color measurement data according to a color measurement standard of another color-measuring instrument manufacturer. Selective transformation of color measurement data gathered by the first manufacturer's color-measuring instrument is facilitated, so that the resultant color measurement data may be evaluated as though it was generated by the other manufacturer's color-measuring instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: GretagMacbeth, LLC
    Inventors: Harold R. Van Aken, Shreyance Rai, Mark A. Lindsay, Richard J. Knapp
  • Publication number: 20060192963
    Abstract: An illumination arrangement intended for use in a spectrophotometer is constructed as a linear array of light emitting diodes (11), whereby many individual light emitting diode chips are tightly packed along a small, narrowly defined straight or circular line and at least partially cast into a resin, in which at least regionally a converter material is included for the conversion of the light emitted by the light emitting diodes into other wavelength ranges. The light emitting diodes (11) have different spectral characteristics. UV light emitting regions and non-UV light emitting regions as well as regions covered with colour filters and/or polarization filters are provided. The illumination arrangement can include white emitting regions and narrow band emitting regions constructed especially for colour density measurement, whereby the narrow band regions can also be realized as narrow band converters. Ortho-silicate illuminants (BOSE) are preferably used as converter materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Applicant: GretagMacbeth AG
    Inventor: Beat Frick
  • Patent number: 7064831
    Abstract: A colorimeter that uses its flexible power/electronic cable as a mounting mechanism is disclosed. The colorimeter can be placed against a target screen, suspended by the cable, where the cable in turn drapes over the top of the display cabinet. A slidable weight can be coupled to the cable to hold a selected position. Alternatively, a slotted suction cup can be used to hold the selected position. A leaf spring can be installed to provide a slight bias force to the backside of the colorimeter, thereby ensuring the colorimeter lays flush to the target screen in the presence of disruptive conditions and anomalies. The colorimeter can further be configured with a low impact suction cup array mount. The colorimeter assembly can be configured with an FOV that corresponds to that of a human, and with self-aligning optical qualities that provide a colorimeter with high SNR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Gretagmacbeth, LLC
    Inventors: Carl D Lutz, Thomas A Lianza, Nicholas A Milley
  • Publication number: 20060114465
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a device, as well as a system and method associated therewith, for, among other things, providing: (i) up to five distinct measurement angles along with an illumination reference channel; (ii) a plurality of illumination sources that provide a focused beam of illumination at specific desired angles of incidence to a sample under target; (iii) a shutter mechanism incorporating a calibration transfer standard; (iv) an internal optical system that is operatively associated with a gimbaled structure suitable to allow vertical and angular conformity to a target sample; and (v) a handheld and operated enclosure incorporating a user interface with a visual display unit complete with interactive navigation means and an activation switch, and a number of surface detecting contact elements operatively associated with the optical system and shutter mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Applicant: GretagMacbeth, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Hart, David Battle, Michael Groh
  • Patent number: 7030987
    Abstract: A colorimeter device and fabrication techniques are disclosed. The assembly and configuration of the device operates to maximize signal-to-noise ratio, as well as to provide an optimal field of view (e.g., such as an FOV that simulates that of the human eye). Geometric elements and features of the design, in conjunction with the assembly procedure, assure precise alignment of optical elements including sensors, filters, and other elements within the enclosure and optical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Gretagmacbeth, LLC
    Inventors: Carl David Lutz, Thomas A. Lianza
  • Patent number: 6880790
    Abstract: A sensor mounting system having a suction cup array is disclosed. In one application, the system eases the initial positioning of the calorimeter on the screen to be measured, minimizes the force applied to the screen upon which it is mounted, and minimizes the distortion in the mounted area of the screen surface. In addition, the mounting system can be configured so that the distance from the colorimeter sensor to the screen will not significantly change over time. Such positional stability operates to improve SNR. The mounting system is further adapted for ease of removal from the screen upon which it is mounted. Applications not only include a mount for low to high accuracy calorimeters, but also for other measurement devices that can benefit from advantages of the present invention. Injection molding manufacturing techniques can be employed in fabrication of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Gretagmacbeth, LLC
    Inventor: Carl David Lutz
  • Patent number: 6559944
    Abstract: A method for maintaining substantial reliability of color measurements obtained by a number of color measuring instruments includes by measuring color values of a set of master color standards on a master color measuring instrument at a master color lab, and measuring color values of sets of working color standards on the same instrument to determine calibration values. The working sets are provided to remote locations for use on remote color measuring instruments and the working sets are measured on the remote color measuring instruments to obtain color value measurements which are transmitted to the master color lab. The measurements from the remote instruments are compared with the calibration values obtained from measurements on the master instrument to generate profiles which are provided to the remote color labs. The profiles are applied to measured color values for the set of working color standards to obtain corrected color values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: GretagMacbeth, LLC
    Inventors: Harold R. Van Aken, Ronald G. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6439722
    Abstract: A system for color characterization of an self-illuminating imaging display device and synchronization of the appearance of color images displayed on a self-illuminating imaging device is disclosed which is configured to embed a color characterization program in a response to an initial browser based request for a color image to facilitate the color characterization of a self-illuminating imaging device associated with the browser, forward the embedded response to a web browser, and generate a profile characterizing the self-illuminating imaging device using the color characterization program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: GretagMacbeth
    Inventors: Björn Seegers, Thorsten Braun, Francis A. Lamy
  • Patent number: 6424413
    Abstract: An integrating sphere, and an integrating sphere-based reflectance colorimeter/spectrophotometer for the measurement of color and appearance, having multiple receivers capable of concurrently receiving optical radiation scattered/reflected from a diffusely illuminated sample surface, with the capability of multiple measurement modes (e.g., multiple specular component excluded (SCE), SCE and specular component included (SCI), multiple SCI), multiple areas-of-view for a given measurement mode, multiple viewing angles per measurement mode, and combinations thereof. An embodiment of the invention includes two SCI receivers and two SCE receivers, each disposed at an equal viewing angle relative to the sample surface. For each viewing mode, two sample areas-of-view are provided. The SCE receivers are opposite each other, such that the specular component of each SCE receiver is excluded by the port of the other SCE receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: GretagMacbeth LLC
    Inventors: William L. Weber, Harold R. Van Aken, Perry A. Palumbo, Joseph Corrado
  • Patent number: 6226085
    Abstract: A method and system to measure surface characteristics of a specimen. One implementation involves receiving at a receiver optical radiation reflected or scattered from a specimen, the optical radiation including specular components that are spatially encoded by wavelength according to chromatic aberration of the receiver. A measure of surface characteristics is then provided by processing a signal representing the received optical radiation which includes the specular components that are spatially encoded by wavelength according to chromatic aberration. The invention may be implemented with an integrating sphere, in either SCE or SCI mode, and both color and surface effects of a specimen can be measured simultaneously using a single spectrophotometric instrument. In an alternative embodiment, the size of a port opposite a receiver is varied, and for each of a plurality of port sizes, the receiver receives a corresponding optical radiation signal representing optical radiation reflected by the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: GretagMacbeth LLC
    Inventor: William L. Weber