Abstract: A method for measuring a flexible colored material during a manufacturing process. The method includes automatically diverting the flexible material from a process path, placing the flexible material in contact with a rotatable drum, and measuring spectral data of the flexible material as the drum rotates. Measuring the spectral data includes scanning the flexible material with a line scanning detector having an array of detectors. The method also includes processing scan information to form a single image of the flexible material.

Abstract: Imaging that uses glare to confirm proper measurement of a sample. An imaging device illuminates an object and generates glare (i.e., specular reflection, diffuse reflection or a combination of the two) off the object's surface, which is displayed on a display as a glare artifact. The location of the glare artifact is compared to a predetermined location to establish adjustment to obtain a desired angular orientation. The imaging device optionally highlights the glare artifact and steers a user to obtain the desired presentation angle. In two other embodiments, the spatial relationship between the imaging device and the object is time-varied. In one, the imaging device monitors changing glare and acquires a measurement when a desired glare is detected. In the other, the imaging device captures multiple images including varying glare artifacts and analyzes the images to select a preferred image having a glare artifact indicative of a desired angular orientation.

Abstract: A color measurement instrument includes a housing and illuminators, a two-dimensional photodetector array, and an optics system within the housing. A UV filter wheel closes the housing to prevent contaminants from entering the housing. The filter wheel supports UV filters and non-UV glass that can be selectively aligned with the illuminators. The photodetectors can be read in parallel, and each photodetector includes a unique spectral filter. The optics system delivers light from the sample target area equally to each of the photodetectors.

Abstract: A color measurement instrument includes a housing and illuminators, a two-dimensional photodetector array, and an optics system within the housing. A UV filter wheel closes the housing to prevent contaminants from entering the housing. The filter wheel supports UV filters and non-UV glass that can be selectively aligned with the illuminators. The photodetectors can be read in parallel, and each photodetector includes a unique spectral filter. The optics system delivers light from the sample target area equally to each of the photodetectors.

Abstract: An instrument and related process for measuring color, shade, gloss, shape and/or translucence of a tooth. First, the instrument uses searchlight illumination to illuminate a tooth with constant irradiance. Second, the instrument uses calorimetric imaging to collect time-separated frames of different wavelengths of light reflected from a tooth and to combine those frames into a color image. Third, the instrument includes a sanitary shield to establish a reference color and a predetermined distance to a target tooth. Fourth, the instrument provides line-of-sight viewing so an operator may simultaneously view a display of the image on the instrument and the object being measured. Fifth, the instrument is impervious to pollutants because it incorporates a sealed measurement window. Sixth, optical measurements of a tooth taken by a dentist are compared to optical measurements of a prosthetic restoration for that tooth to confirm satisfactory matching of optical characteristics of the tooth and restoration.

Abstract: An instrument and related process for measuring color, shade, gloss, shape and/or translucence of a tooth. First, the instrument uses searchlight illumination to illuminate a tooth with constant irradiance. Second, the instrument uses colorimetric imaging to collect time-separated frames of different wavelengths of light reflected from a tooth and to combine those frames into a color image. Third, the instrument includes a sanitary shield to establish a reference color and a predetermined distance to a target tooth. Fourth, the instrument provides line-of-sight viewing so an operator may simultaneously view a display of the image on the instrument and the object being measured. Fifth, the instrument is impervious to pollutants because it incorporates a sealed measurement window. Sixth, optical measurements of a tooth taken by a dentist are compared to optical measurements of a prosthetic restoration for that tooth to confirm satisfactory matching of optical characteristics of the tooth and restoration.

Abstract: Imaging that uses glare to confirm proper measurement of a sample. An imaging device illuminates an object and generates glare (i.e., specular reflection, diffuse reflection or a combination of the two) off the object's surface, which is displayed on a display as a glare artifact. The location of the glare artifact is compared to a predetermined location to establish adjustment to obtain a desired angular orientation. The imaging device optionally highlights the glare artifact and steers a user to obtain the desired presentation angle. In two other embodiments, the spatial relationship between the imaging device and the object is time-varied. In one, the imaging device monitors changing glare and acquires a measurement when a desired glare is detected. In the other, the imaging device captures multiple images including varying glare artifacts and analyzes the images to select a preferred image having a glare artifact indicative of a desired angular orientation.

Abstract: An instrument and related process for measuring color, shade, gloss, shape and/or translucence of a tooth. First, the instrument uses searchlight illumination to illuminate a tooth with constant irradiance. Second, the instrument uses colorimetric imaging to collect time-separated frames of different wavelengths of light reflected from a tooth and to combine those frames into a color image. Third, the instrument includes a sanitary shield to establish a reference color and a predetermined distance to a target tooth. Fourth, the instrument provides line-of-sight viewing so an operator may simultaneously view a display of the image on the instrument and the object being measured. Fifth, the instrument is impervious to pollutants because it incorporates a sealed measurement window. Sixth, optical measurements of a tooth taken by a dentist are compared to optical measurements of a prosthetic restoration for that tooth to confirm satisfactory matching of optical characteristics of the tooth and restoration.

Abstract: An instrument and related process for measuring color, shade, gloss, shape and/or translucence of a tooth. First, the instrument uses searchlight illumination to illuminate a tooth with constant irradiance. Second, the instrument uses colorimetric imaging to collect time-separated frames of different wavelengths of light reflected from a tooth and to combine those frames into a color image. Third, the instrument includes a sanitary shield to establish a reference color and a predetermined distance to a target tooth. Fourth, the instrument provides line-of-sight viewing so an operator may simultaneously view a display of the image on the instrument and the object being measured. Fifth, the instrument is impervious to pollutants because it incorporates a sealed measurement window. Sixth, optical measurements of a tooth taken by a dentist are compared to optical measurements of a prosthetic restoration for that tooth to confirm satisfactory matching of optical characteristics of the tooth and restoration.

Abstract: An instrument and related process for measuring color, shade, gloss, shape and/or translucence of a tooth. First, the instrument uses searchlight illumination to illuminate a tooth with constant irradiance. Second, the instrument uses calorimetric imaging to collect time-separated frames of different wavelengths of light reflected from a tooth and to combine those frames into a color image. Third, the instrument includes a sanitary shield to establish a reference color and a predetermined distance to a target tooth. Fourth, the instrument provides line-of-sight viewing so an operator may simultaneously view a display of the image on the instrument and the object being measured. Fifth, the instrument is impervious to pollutants because it incorporates a sealed measurement window. Sixth, optical measurements of a tooth taken by a dentist are compared to optical measurements of a prosthetic restoration for that tooth to confirm satisfactory matching of optical characteristics of the tooth and restoration.

Abstract: An instrument and related process for measuring color, shade, gloss, shape and/or translucence of a tooth. First, the instrument uses searchlight illumination to illuminate a tooth with constant irradiance. Second, the instrument uses colorimetric imaging to collect time-separated frames of different wavelengths of light reflected from a tooth and to combine those frames into a color image. Third, the instrument includes a sanitary shield to establish a reference color and a predetermined distance to a target tooth. Fourth, the instrument provides line-of-sight viewing so an operator may simultaneously view a display of the image on the instrument and the object being measured. Fifth, the instrument is impervious to pollutants because it incorporates a sealed measurement window. Sixth, optical measurements of a tooth taken by a dentist are compared to optical measurements of a prosthetic restoration for that tooth to confirm satisfactory matching of optical characteristics of the tooth and restoration.

Abstract: An instrument and related process for measuring color, shade, gloss, shape and/or translucence of a tooth. First, the instrument uses searchlight illumination to illuminate a tooth with constant irradiance. Second, the instrument uses colorimetric imaging to collect time-separated frames of different wavelengths of light reflected from a tooth and to combine those frames into a color image. Third, the instrument includes a sanitary shield to establish a reference color and a predetermined distance to a target tooth. Fourth, the instrument provides line-of-sight viewing so an operator may simultaneously view a display of the image on the instrument and the object being measured. Fifth, the instrument is impervious to pollutants because it incorporates a sealed measurement window. Sixth, optical measurements of a tooth taken by a dentist are compared to optical measurements of a prosthetic restoration for that tooth to confirm satisfactory matching of optical characteristics of the tooth and restoration.

Abstract: Imaging that uses glare to confirm proper measurement of a sample. An imaging device illuminates an object and generates glare (i.e., specular reflection, diffuse reflection or a combination of the two) off the object's surface, which is displayed on a display as a glare artifact. The location of the glare artifact is compared to a predetermined location to establish adjustment to obtain a desired angular orientation. The imaging device optionally highlights the glare artifact and steers a user to obtain the desired presentation angle. In two other embodiments, the spatial relationship between the imaging device and the object is time-varied. In one, the imaging device monitors changing glare and acquires a measurement when a desired glare is detected. In the other, the imaging device captures multiple images including varying glare artifacts and analyzes the images to select a preferred image having a glare artifact indicative of a desired angular orientation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning individual sections of pipe includes directing a beam of collimated light in the general direction of the pipeline and scanning the beam laterally. A target, having a retro reflective portion, is positioned in a location that will be traversed by the scanning beam. A reflection of the beam produced by the reflective portion is received and processed. The scanning is discontinued when the reflective portion is located and the beam is aimed in a direction related to the position of the retro reflective target.