Patents by Inventor Alison M. Norris

Alison M. Norris has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240135588
    Abstract: A computer system for comparing complex coating mixtures with sparkle color can receive at least one image of a target coating. The computer system calculates a sparkle color distribution of the at least one image of the target coating, wherein the sparkle color distribution represents a relative number of sparkle points of one color compared to a number of sparkle points of one or more other colors in a measured area. Further, the computer system searches a database for a plurality of reference coatings with sparkle color distributions that match the sparkle color distribution of the target coating, wherein each reference coating in the plurality has a different sparkle color distribution. The computer system calculates a degree to which the plurality of reference coatings matches the target coating based on sparkle color distribution. Finally, the computer system identifies a closest matching reference coating from the plurality of reference coatings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: A'Lisa M. Krawciw, Anthony J. Foderaro, Alison M. Norris
  • Publication number: 20240046444
    Abstract: A computer system for mapping coatings to a spatial appearance space may receive coating spatial appearance variables of a target coating from a coating-measurement instrument. The computer system may generate spatial appearance space coordinates for the target coating by mapping each of the coating spatial appearance variables to an individual axis of a multidimensional coordinate system. The computer system may identify particular spatial appearance space coordinates from the identified spatial appearance space coordinates associated with the potentially matching reference coatings that are associated with a smallest spatial-appearance-space distance from the spatial appearance space coordinates of the target coating. Further, the computer system may display a visual interface element indicating a particular reference coating that is associated with the particular spatial appearance space coordinates as a proposed spatial appearance match to the target coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Applicant: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Foderaro, Alison M. Norris
  • Patent number: 11874220
    Abstract: A computer system for seeding a formulation engine receives spectrometric data from a target coating. The computer system processes the spectrometric data through a probabilistic colorant analysis. The probabilistic colorant analysis generates a set of colorants. Each colorant within the set of colorants is associated with a calculated probability that the associated colorant is present within the target coating. Additionally, the computer system adds at least a portion of the colorants within the set of colorants to a formulation engine. The portion of the colorants is added to the formulation engine in order of decreasing probability. Further, the computer system generates, from an output of the formulation engine, a coating formulation that is calculated to match the target coating within a predetermined qualitative threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Alison M. Norris, Paul Beymore
  • Publication number: 20240005558
    Abstract: A computer system for identifying coating colors using a digital image comprises one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media having store thereon executable instructions that when executed by the one or more processors configure the computer system to perform various actions. For example, the computer system can receive, through the network connection, a user-provided digital image of a vehicle. The computer system can also identify, with an image processing module, one or more vehicle characteristics within the user-provided digital image. Further, the computer system can identify at least one coating color based on the one or more vehicle characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Applicant: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Alison M. Norris, Nicholas Tullett, Matthew K. Lynch
  • Publication number: 20230358613
    Abstract: A system for detection and coating analysis that comprises a digital camera and a light-based protractor positioned adjacent to or on a physical coating surface. The system identifies a particular angular indication being displayed by the light-based protractor. The system then identifies a target color of the physical coating surface and identifies one or more target coating texture characteristics of the physical coating surface. Additionally, the system identifies a proposed coating that comprises a proposed color that matches the target color and proposed coating characteristics that match the one or more target coating texture characteristics. The system then displays, on a user interface, the proposed coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Antonio Paredes, Alison M. Norris, Richard Knight, William E. Eibon
  • Patent number: 11747206
    Abstract: A system for detection and coating analysis that comprises a digital camera and a light-based protractor positioned adjacent to or on a physical coating surface. The system identifyies a particular angular indication being displayed by the light-based protractor. The system then identifies a target color of the physical coating surface and identifies one or more target coating texture characteristics of the physical coating surface. Additionally, the system identifies a proposed coating that comprises a proposed color that matches the target color and proposed coating characteristics that match the one or more target coating texture characteristics. The system then displays, on a user interface, the proposed coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: PPG INDUSTRIES OHIO, INC.
    Inventors: Antonio Paredes, Alison M. Norris, Richard Knight, William E. Eibon
  • Publication number: 20220113193
    Abstract: A system for detection and coating analysis that comprises a digital camera and a light-based protractor positioned adjacent to or on a physical coating surface. The system identifyies a particular angular indication being displayed by the light-based protractor. The system then identifies a target color of the physical coating surface and identifies one or more target coating texture characteristics of the physical coating surface. Additionally, the system identifies a proposed coating that comprises a proposed color that matches the target color and proposed coating characteristics that match the one or more target coating texture characteristics. The system then displays, on a user interface, the proposed coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Applicant: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Antonio Paredes, Alison M. Norris, Richard Knight, William E. Eibon
  • Patent number: 11119035
    Abstract: A computer system for identifying coating texture effects initiates a set of colorant decision points. The colorant decision points identify a probability that an effect pigment type is present within a target coating. The computer system calculates in parallel each colorant decision point within the set of colorant decision points. Each colorant decision point provides a probability that a different effect pigment type is present within the target coating. The computer system then calculates a set of final colorant probabilities. Each final colorant probability within the set of final colorant probabilities is calculated by combining a unique subset of probabilities calculated by the first set of colorant decision points. Additionally, each final colorant probability indicates a probability that an associated colorant is present within the target coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Alison M. Norris, Paul Beymore
  • Publication number: 20210181091
    Abstract: A computer system for seeding a formulation engine receives spectrometric data from a target coating. The computer system processes the spectrometric data through a probabilistic colorant analysis. The probabilistic colorant analysis generates a set of colorants. Each colorant within the set of colorants is associated with a calculated probability that the associated colorant is present within the target coating. Additionally, the computer system adds at least a portion of the colorants within the set of colorants to a formulation engine. The portion of the colorants is added to the formulation engine in order of decreasing probability. Further, the computer system generates, from an output of the formulation engine, a coating formulation that is calculated to match the target coating within a predetermined qualitative threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Alison M. Norris, Paul Beymore
  • Patent number: 10970879
    Abstract: A computer system for seeding a formulation engine receives spectrometric data from a target coating. The computer system processes the spectrometric data through a probabilistic colorant analysis. The probabilistic colorant analysis generates a set of colorants. Each colorant within the set of colorants is associated with a calculated probability that the associated colorant is present within the target coating. Additionally, the computer system adds at least a portion of the colorants within the set of colorants to a formulation engine. The portion of the colorants is added to the formulation engine in order of decreasing probability. Further, the computer system generates, from an output of the formulation engine, a coating formulation that is calculated to match the target coating within a predetermined qualitative threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Alison M. Norris, Paul Beymore
  • Patent number: 10871888
    Abstract: A computer system for optimizing a coating formulation through a user interface processes spectrometric data through a probabilistic colorant analysis. The probabilistic colorant analysis generates a set of colorants that are each associated with a calculated probability that the associated colorant is present within a target coating. The system identifies a proposed group of colorants from within the set of colorants that are associated with the highest calculated probabilities of being present within the target coating. The system displays on a graphical user interface an indication of each colorant within the proposed group of colorants. The system receives input through one or more selectable interface elements that define a user-defined group of colorants selected from the proposed group of colorants. The system generates a coating formulation, wherein the coating formulation is generated from the user-defined group of colorants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Alison M. Norris, Paul Beymore
  • Patent number: 10545130
    Abstract: A method that includes obtaining, using a processor, reflectance data from a target coating and calculating, using the processor, electrostatics data from the reflectance data. The method also includes generating, using the processor, a coating formulation that is the same or substantially similar in appearance to the target coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventor: Alison M. Norris
  • Patent number: 10481081
    Abstract: A method that includes obtaining, using a processor, reflectance data from a target coating and calculating, using the processor, pivot-normalized reflectance data. The method also includes generating, using the processor, a coating formulation that is the same or substantially similar in appearance to the target coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventor: Alison M. Norris
  • Publication number: 20190331591
    Abstract: A computer system for identifying coating texture effects initiates a set of colorant decision points. The colorant decision points identifying a probability that an effect pigment type is present within a target coating. The computer system calculates in parallel each colorant decision point within the set of colorant decision points. Each colorant decision point provides a probability that a different effect pigment type is present within the target coating. The computer system then calculates a set of final colorant probabilities. Each final colorant probability within the set of final colorant probabilities is calculated by combining a unique subset of probabilities calculated by the first set of colorant decision points. Additionally, each final colorant probability indicates a probability that an associated colorant is present within the target coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Applicant: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Alison M. Norris, Paul Beymore
  • Publication number: 20190333246
    Abstract: A computer system for seeding a formulation engine receives spectrometric data from a target coating. The computer system processes the spectrometric data through a probabilistic colorant analysis. The probabilistic colorant analysis generates a set of colorants. Each colorant within the set of colorants is associated with a calculated probability that the associated colorant is present within the target coating. Additionally, the computer system adds at least a portion of the colorants within the set of colorants to a formulation engine. The portion of the colorants is added to the formulation engine in order of decreasing probability. Further, the computer system generates, from an output of the formulation engine, a coating formulation that is calculated to match the target coating within a predetermined qualitative threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Applicant: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Alison M. Norris, Paul Beymore
  • Publication number: 20190332254
    Abstract: A computer system for optimizing a coating formulation through a user interface processes spectrometric data through a probabilistic colorant analysis. The probabilistic colorant analysis generates a set of colorants that are each associated with a calculated probability that the associated colorant is present within a target coating. The system identifies a proposed group of colorants from within the set of colorants that are associated with the highest calculated probabilities of being present within the target coating. The system displays on a graphical user interface an indication of each colorant within the proposed group of colorants. The system receives input through one or more selectable interface elements that define a user-defined group of colorants selected from the proposed group of colorants. The system generates a coating formulation, wherein the coating formulation is generated from the user-defined group of colorants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Applicant: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Alison M. Norris, Paul Beymore
  • Patent number: 10031071
    Abstract: A method that includes obtaining, using a processor, reflectance data from a target coating and calculating, using the processor, virtual color response data using one of at least one Kepler's laws of planetary motion equation and at least one derivation of at least one Kepler's laws of planetary motion equation. The method also includes generating, using the processor, a coating formulation that is the same or substantially similar in appearance to the target coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventor: Alison M. Norris
  • Patent number: 9830429
    Abstract: A computer implemented method. The method includes generating, using a processor, a set of calibration data relating to a plurality of pigments that are present in a collection of coatings. Generating includes calculating an absorption/reflectance relationship of a plurality of samples coated with a plurality of the pigments, wherein calculating includes using a color matching calculation, and calculating a plurality of concentrations of a non-standard pigment. Generating also includes plotting a relationship between the concentrations and the absorption/reflectance relationships, and determining a correlation of the concentrations for a plurality of Fresnel coefficients relating to the samples. The method further includes determining, using the processor, a coating formulation of a target coating based on the correlation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventor: Alison M. Norris
  • Patent number: 9816862
    Abstract: A computer implemented method. The method includes generating, using a processor, a multi-dimensional object from a plurality of data obtained from a spectrophotometric measurement of a target coating. The method also includes calculating, using the processor, at least one geometric property of the multi-dimensional object. The method further includes correlating, using the processor, the at least one value with a plurality of known values to identify at least one pigment effect in the target coating, and outputting, using the processor, the at least one pigment effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventor: Alison M. Norris
  • Patent number: 9606055
    Abstract: A computer implemented method. The method includes obtaining, using a processor, spectral reflectance data from a coated surface having a target coating theron; and determining, using the processor, whether the data includes any outlier data points. The method also includes removing, using the processor, at least one of the outlier data points to produce final spectral reflectance data; and calculating, using the processor, a characteristic of the target coating based at least in part on the final spectral reflectance data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventor: Alison M. Norris