Patents Assigned to X-Rite Switzerland GmbH
  • Patent number: 10386235
    Abstract: A device for radiometrically gauging the surface of a measurement object (O) includes: at least one measurement array featuring an illumination array and a pick-up array; and a processor (P) for controlling the illumination array and the pick-up array and for processing measurement signals produced by the pick-up array and for providing processed image data. The illumination array exposes a region of the measurement object (O) to illumination light at an illumination angle (?i) and an illumination aperture angle (?i), and the pick-up array captures measurement light, reflected by the measurement object (O), at a pick-up angle (?v) and a pick-up aperture angle (?v) and guides it onto an image sensor exhibiting a pixel structure. The measurement object (O) is gauged multispectrally in multiple wavelength ranges, wherein the image sensor produces multispectral image data. Angular and spatial conditions are indicated which optimize the measurement device (MD) with regard to characterizing sparkles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: X-Rite Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Ehbets, Guido Niederer
  • Patent number: 10332306
    Abstract: A system and method of determining data representing a mapping of optical signals described by image data of a reflecting surface of a structure to a three-dimensional surface geometry of the reflecting surface is provided. At least first, second and third light sources are provided, comprising a broadband point light source, a spectrally variable point light source and a movable linear broadband light source, respectively. First, second and third images are acquired, corresponding to each light source. Surface geometry data describing a three-dimensional surface geometry of the reflecting surface is acquired. Based on the image data and the surface geometry data, reflecting surface mapping data describing a mapping between the reflections described by the first image data, second image data and third image data, and the three-dimensional surface geometry of the reflecting surface is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: X-Rite Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: Adrian Kohlbrenner, Martin Rump, Beat Frick, Christopher Schwartz
  • Patent number: 10260950
    Abstract: A hand-held measurement device for appearance analyses includes a measurement array which comprises a number of illumination means for applying illumination light to a measurement field in at least three illumination directions and a number of pick-up means for capturing the measurement light in at least one observation direction. The illumination directions and the observation directions lie in a common system plane. At least one pick-up means is embodied to spectrally gauge the measurement light in a locally integral way, and at least one imaging pick-up means is embodied to gauge the measurement light in terms of color in a locally resolved way. The spectral pick-up means and the locally resolving pick-up means are arranged such that they receive the measurement light reflected by the measurement field under the same observation conditions and in particular from the same observation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: X-RITE SWITZERLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Ehbets, Beat Frick, Mark Wegmuller, Jorg Hunkemeier, Guido Niederer
  • Patent number: 10260943
    Abstract: A color measurement device includes a measurement array (MA) which includes: a plurality of illumination arrays (20, 30, 40) for exposing a measurement spot (MS) on a measurement object (MO) to illumination light in an actual illumination direction (2, 3, 4) in each case, and a pick-up array (50) for detecting the measurement light reflected by the measurement spot (MS) in an actual observation direction (5) and for converting it into preferably spectral reflection factors; and a controller for the illumination arrays and the pick-up array and for processing the electrical signals produced by the pick-up array. The controller is embodied to process the measured reflection factors on the basis of a correction model, such that distortions in the measurement values as compared to nominal illumination and/or observation directions, caused by angular errors in the illumination arrays and/or the pick-up array, are corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: X-Rite Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Ehbets, Matthias Scheller Lichtenauer
  • Patent number: 10255706
    Abstract: A visualization device is provided that includes an actual light box that includes an illumination array for illuminating an actual object (OR) placed in the actual light box; and a rear limiting wall which functions as a screen. The device also includes a computer programmed to spatially display a virtual light box on the screen, such that the virtual light box displayed on the screen appears to form a continuous rearward extension of the actual light box. In addition, a virtual object (OV) may be displayed on the screen, such that the virtual object (OV) is situated in the virtual light box. The combination of an actual light box and a virtual light box allows an observer to realistically assess appearance data rendered onto a virtual object, in a direct comparison with an actual object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: X-Rite Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: Francis Lamy, Martin Rump
  • Patent number: 10215641
    Abstract: A color measuring apparatus includes a measurement assembly which includes at least one illumination assembly for applying substantially parallel illumination light to a measurement spot of a measurement object and a pick-up assembly for capturing the measurement light radiated back from the measurement spot in an observation direction and for converting the same into corresponding electrical signals. The illumination assembly includes at least two illumination subassemblies which illuminate the measurement spot from different illumination sub-directions near a first preset nominal illumination direction, each with preferably parallel illumination light. By the illumination from different illumination sub-directions slightly deviating from the nominal illumination direction, angular errors of the illumination assembly can be compensated for in a simple manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: X-Rite Switzerland GmbH
    Inventor: Beat Frick
  • Patent number: 10126171
    Abstract: A hand-held measurement device for appearance analyzes includes a measurement array which comprises a number of illumination means for applying illumination light to a measurement field in at least three illumination directions and a number of pick-up means for capturing the measurement light in at least one observation direction. The illumination directions and the observation directions lie in a common system plane. At least one pick-up means is embodied to spectrally gauge the measurement light in a locally integral way, and at least one imaging pick-up means is embodied to gauge the measurement light in terms of color in a locally resolved way. The spectral pick-up means and the locally resolving pick-up means are arranged such that they receive the measurement light reflected by the measurement field under the same observation conditions and in particular from the same observation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: X-RITE SWITZERLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Ehbets, Beat Frick, Mark Wegmüller, Jörg Hünkemeier, Guido Niederer
  • Patent number: 10049294
    Abstract: The present disclosure advantageously provides apparatus, systems and methods which facilitate estimating and accounting for illumination conditions, viewing conditions and reflectance characteristics for imaged surfaces when performing color measurement, correction and/or transformation in an imaging process, such as photography. Advantageously, the disclosed apparatus, systems and methods may utilize a set of one or more illumination target elements for extrapolating illumination conditions from an imaged scene. The disclosure may be used to improve determination of color correction/transformation parameters and/or to facilitate determining a reflectance model for a target surface of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: X-Rite Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: James William Vogh, Jr., Olivier Calas, Beat Frick
  • Patent number: 10026215
    Abstract: A system and method of determining data representing a mapping of optical signals described by image data of a reflecting surface of a structure to a three-dimensional surface geometry of the reflecting surface is provided. At least first, second and third light sources are provided, comprising a broadband point light source, a spectrally variable point light source and a movable linear broadband light source, respectively. First, second and third images are acquired, corresponding to each light source. Surface geometry data describing a three-dimensional surface geometry of the reflecting surface is acquired. Based on the image data and the surface geometry data, reflecting surface mapping data describing a mapping between the reflections described by the first image data, second image data and third image data, and the three-dimensional surface geometry of the reflecting surface is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: X-Rite Switzerland GMBH
    Inventors: Adrian Kohlbrenner, Martin Rump, Beat Frick, Christopher Schwartz
  • Patent number: 10001411
    Abstract: A device for radiometrically gauging the surface of a measurement object (O) includes: at least one measurement array featuring an illumination array and a pick-up array; and a processor (P) for controlling the illumination array and the pick-up array and for processing measurement signals produced by the pick-up array and for providing processed image data. The illumination array exposes a region of the measurement object (O) to illumination light at an illumination angle (?i) and an illumination aperture angle (?i), and the pick-up array captures measurement light, reflected by the measurement object (O), at a pick-up angle (?v) and a pick-up aperture angle (?v) and guides it onto an image sensor exhibiting a pixel structure. The measurement object (O) is gauged multispectrally in multiple wavelength ranges, wherein the image sensor produces multispectral image data. Angular and spatial conditions are indicated which optimise the measurement device (MD) with regard to characterising sparkles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: X-Rite Switzerland GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Ehbets, Guido Niederer
  • Patent number: 9823131
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are related to a color target and methods and systems for estimating a spectral reflectance of the color target based on an image of the color target. The color target can include a substrate having a target surface, a sample window formed in the substrate and defining perimeter within which a sample surface is disposed, and one or more filters disposed the sample surface. The one or more filters are configured to cover a first portion of the sample surface, while leaving a second portion of the sample surface uncovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: X-Rite Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: James William Vogh, Jr., Jeremiah Snader, Olivier Calas, Jr., Niti Yadav, Leonel Fernando Mora
  • Patent number: 9772230
    Abstract: A hand-held measurement device for appearance analyses includes a measurement array which comprises a number of illumination means for applying illumination light to a measurement field in at least three illumination directions and a number of pick-up means for capturing the measurement light in at least one observation direction. The illumination directions and the observation directions lie in a common system plane. At least one pick-up means is embodied to spectrally gauge the measurement light in a locally integral way, and at least one imaging pick-up means is embodied to gauge the measurement light in terms of color in a locally resolved way. The spectral pick-up means and the locally resolving pick-up means are arranged such that they receive the measurement light reflected by the measurement field under the same observation conditions and in particular from the same observation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: X-Rite Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Ehbets, Beat Frick, Mark Wegmuller, Jorg Hunkemeier, Guido Niederer
  • Patent number: 9704278
    Abstract: A visualization device is provided that includes an actual light box that includes an illumination array for illuminating an actual object (OR) placed in the actual light box; and a rear limiting wall which functions as a screen. The device also includes a computer programmed to spatially display a virtual light box on the screen, such that the virtual light box displayed on the screen appears to form a continuous rearward extension of the actual light box. In addition, a virtual object (OV) may be displayed on the screen, such that the virtual object (OV) is situated in the virtual light box. The combination of an actual light box and a virtual light box allows an observer to realistically assess appearance data rendered onto a virtual object, in a direct comparison with an actual object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: X-Rite Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: Francis Lamy, Martin Rump
  • Publication number: 20170176254
    Abstract: A device for radiometrically gauging the surface of a measurement object (O) includes: at least one measurement array featuring an illumination array and a pick-up array; and a processor (P) for controlling the illumination array and the pick-up array and for processing measurement signals produced by the pick-up array and for providing processed image data. The illumination array exposes a region of the measurement object (O) to illumination light at an illumination angle (?i) and an illumination aperture angle (?i), and the pick-up array captures measurement light, reflected by the measurement object (O), at a pick-up angle (?v) and a pick-up aperture angle (?v) and guides it onto an image sensor exhibiting a pixel structure. The measurement object (O) is gauged multispectrally in multiple wavelength ranges, wherein the image sensor produces multispectral image data. Angular and spatial conditions are indicated which optimise the measurement device (MD) with regard to characterising sparkles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: X-Rite Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Ehbets, Guido Niederer
  • Publication number: 20170124743
    Abstract: A visualization device is provided that includes an actual light box that includes an illumination array for illuminating an actual object (OR) placed in the actual light box; and a rear limiting wall which functions as a screen. The device also includes a computer programmed to spatially display a virtual light box on the screen, such that the virtual light box displayed on the screen appears to form a continuous rearward extension of the actual light box. In addition, a virtual object (OV) may be displayed on the screen, such that the virtual object (OV) is situated in the virtual light box. The combination of an actual light box and a virtual light box allows an observer to realistically assess appearance data rendered onto a virtual object, in a direct comparison with an actual object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: X-Rite Switzerland GmbH
    Inventor: Francis Lamy
  • Publication number: 20160356651
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are related to a color target and methods and systems for estimating a spectral reflectance of the color target based on an image of the color target. The color target can include a substrate having a target surface, a sample window formed in the substrate and defining perimeter within which a sample surface is disposed, and one or more filters disposed the sample surface. The one or more filters are configured to cover a first portion of the sample surface, while leaving a second portion of the sample surface uncovered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Applicant: X-Rite Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: James William Vogh, JR., Jeremiah Snader, Olivier Calas, JR., Niti Yadav, Leonel Fernando Mora
  • Publication number: 20160327431
    Abstract: A colour measurement device includes a measurement array (MA) which includes: a plurality of illumination arrays (20, 30, 40) for exposing a measurement spot (MS) on a measurement object (MO) to illumination light in an actual illumination direction (2, 3, 4) in each case, and a pick-up array (50) for detecting the measurement light reflected by the measurement spot (MS) in an actual observation direction (5) and for converting it into preferably spectral reflection factors; and a controller for the illumination arrays and the pick-up array and for processing the electrical signals produced by the pick-up array. The controller is embodied to process the measured reflection factors on the basis of a correction model, such that distortions in the measurement values as compared to nominal illumination and/or observation directions, caused by angular errors in the illumination arrays and/or the pick-up array, are corrected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: X-Rite Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Ehbets, Matthias Scheller Lichtenauer
  • Publication number: 20160224861
    Abstract: The present disclosure advantageously provides apparatus, systems and methods which facilitate estimating and accounting for illumination conditions, viewing conditions and reflectance characteristics for imaged surfaces when performing color measurement, correction and/or transformation in an imaging process, such as photography. Advantageously, the disclosed apparatus, systems and methods may utilize a set of one or more illumination target elements for extrapolating illumination conditions from an imaged scene. The disclosure may be used to improve determination of color correction/transformation parameters and/or to facilitate determining a reflectance model for a target surface of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: X-RITE SWITZERLAND GMBH
    Inventors: James William Vogh, JR., Olivier Calas, JR., Beat Frick
  • Publication number: 20160171748
    Abstract: A digital data processing method of determining data representing a mapping of optical signals described by image data of a reflecting surface of a structure to a three-dimensional surface geometry of the reflecting surface is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: X-Rite Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: Adrian Kohlbrenner, Martin Rump, Beat Frick, Christopher Schwartz
  • Patent number: 9358777
    Abstract: A system for measuring the viscosity of printing ink during a printing and ink correction process includes a printing press having an ink supply system, and an optical measuring device for measuring actual optical values of light that has interacted with at least parts of the printing picture. The printing press has an ink mass determination device to determine the weight of at least parts of the ink located in the ink supply system, and a control and evaluation device to receive measured values from the optical measuring device and from the ink mass determination device. The control and evaluation device determines an optical deviation, and, based on the optical deviation and the values from the weighing devices, an amount of corrective ink that is to be fed to the printing press in order to approximate the actual optical values to optical reference values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignees: WINDMOELLER & HOELSCHER KG, X-RITE SWITZERLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Ihme, Frank Twiehaus, Martin Flaspoehler, Hendrik Tepe, Frank Dirksmeier