Abstract: The apparatus is for use with a surface and includes a light source, a body and a light production apparatus. The light source includes a plurality of elements for generating light. The body: has a planar base for placement in use on the surface, the base being orientated perpendicular to the receiving axis; defines a sampling aperture communicating with the base and through which the receiving axis passes; encompasses the elements; and is adapted, in combination with the light source and when the sampling aperture is blocked to ambient light, to shield the sensor from ambient light. The light production apparatus is for converting the light of the elements through internal reflection, absorption and filtration into light collimated to impinge upon the base, at the intersection of the base and the receiving axis, at a predetermined angle to the receiving axis.

Abstract: A method for providing color measurement functionality to end users comprises: providing calibration substrates to said end users, each substrate bearing an indicator that is associated with the color of the substrate; and providing a spectrophotometry system to said end users. The system includes a spectrophotometer adapted to generate a spectrum associated with a measurement and an arrangement which is adapted to: receive spectrums from the spectrophotometer of an end user; receive the indicator of a calibration substrate; selectively conduct a comparison between a received spectrum and the spectrum of the color of the calibration substrate; and in response to the comparison, perform one of a predetermined group of actions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for use with a scanner and an object. The scanner being of the type that has a base having an aperture, the base, in use, being placed upon the surface of an item to be scanned, the aperture, in use, being in scanning range of the surface of the item to be scanned. The apparatus includes an element having a bore which is adapted to receive, and in use receives, the object, the element having a socket, the socket having an aperture which communicates with the bore, the socket being adapted to receive, and which in use receives, the base of the scanner in a manner which and aligns the aperture of the base with the aperture of the socket and presents the aperture of the scanner within scanning range of the object.

Abstract: An adaptor for use with a colour measuring device is provided where the colour measuring device has a cavity, a sensor positioned at a closed end of the cavity for measuring colour of a surface, and a rim surrounding an open end of the cavity. The adaptor includes a plate for contacting the surface and covering the rim of the colour measuring device, the plate having a portion for occluding the cavity that is transparent, referred to as the transparent portion, and a releasable coupling mechanism fixed to the plate for coupling the plate to the colour measuring device such that the transparent portion of the plate covers the sensor of the colour measuring device.

Abstract: The apparatus is for use with a surface and includes a light source, a body and a light production apparatus. The light source includes a plurality of elements for generating light. The body: has a planar base for placement in use on the surface, the base being orientated perpendicular to the receiving axis; defines a sampling aperture communicating with the base and through which the receiving axis passes; encompasses the elements; and is adapted, in combination with the light source and when the sampling aperture is blocked to ambient light, to shield the sensor from ambient light. The light production apparatus is for converting the light of the elements through internal reflection, absorption and filtration into light collimated to impinge upon the base, at the intersection of the base and the receiving axis, at a predetermined angle to the receiving axis.

Abstract: An adaptor for use with a colour measuring device is provided where the colour measuring device has a cavity, a sensor positioned at a closed end of the cavity for measuring colour of a surface, and a rim surrounding an open end of the cavity. The adaptor includes a plate for contacting the surface and covering the rim of the colour measuring device, the plate having a portion for occluding the cavity that is transparent, referred to as the transparent portion, and a releasable coupling mechanism fixed to the plate for coupling the plate to the colour measuring device such that the transparent portion of the plate covers the sensor of the colour measuring device.

Abstract: The present concept is a compact portable colour sensor for measuring colour of a substrate. The sensor includes a lower and upper housing, and a detector portion. The detector portion includes a printed circuit board connected to an interior of the housing. The circuit board includes at least one LED and one colour sensor mounted on a bottom side thereof. At least one transparent light transmitting light pipe and a transparent material are mounted interferingly between the bottom side of the printed circuit board and the interior of the lower housing. The compact portable colour sensor is configured such that light transmitted by the LED impinges upon the substrate through a light cavity, and is at least partially reflected back to the colour sensor to take a measurement. Preferably the lower housing has an inverted truncated conical shape.