Abstract: In the microscope, an optical path and optical path of an image forming system are set so as to be perpendicular to each other when viewed from the top. In other words, in this microscope, there exists an ocular optical system that guides light, which propagates the optical path to optical path of the image forming system, to a user. The optical path is formed in a direction perpendicular to a direction of the light from a sample emitted from the ocular optical system to the user.

Abstract: A system for object reconstruction includes an illuminating unit, comprising a light source and a generator of a non-periodic pattern. A diffractive optical element (DOE) is disposed in an optical path of illuminating light propagating from the illuminating unit toward an object, thereby projecting the non-periodic pattern onto an object. An imaging unit detects a light response of an illuminated region and generating image data indicative of the object within the projected pattern. A processor reconstructs a three-dimensional (3D) map of the object responsively to a shift of the pattern in the image data relative to a reference image of the pattern.

Abstract: A hyperspectral imaging system and method are presented for use in reconstruction of spectral data of an object. The system comprises: a pixel matrix of a detector; a tunable dispersive unit in front of the pixel matrix; and a control system. The control system comprises: a controller for tuning the dispersive unit during n image acquisition sessions to provide n different partially overlapping spectral transmission profiles of the dispersive unit; and a control unit which is in data communication with the detector and is configured and operable for processing n image data pieces generated by the pixel matrix in said n image acquisition sessions respectively, each being indicative of a spectral image detected by the pixel matrix and corresponding to the different spectral transmission profile of the dispersive unit, and determining the reconstructed spectral data of the object.

Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a color sensing ambient light sensor. The color sensing ambient light sensor may measure the color of ambient light. Control circuitry in the electronic device may use information from the color sensing ambient light sensor in adjusting a display in the electronic device or taking other action. The color sensing ambient light sensor may have light detectors with different spectral responses. A test system may be used to calibrate the color sensing light sensor. The test system may have a tunable light source with light-emitting diodes that are turned on in sequence while gathering measured responses from the detectors. Numerical optimization techniques may be used to produce final versions of the spectral responses for the light detectors from the measured responses and corresponding calibration data that is stored in the electronic device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for facial age simulation based on an age of each facial part and environmental factors, which includes: measuring an age of each facial part on the basis of an input face image; designating a personal environmental factor; transforming an age of each facial part by applying an age transformation model according to the age of each facial part and the environmental factor; reconstructing the image transformed for each facial part; and composing the reconstructed images to generate an age-transformed face. Accordingly, it is possible to transform a face realistically based on an age measured for each facial part and an environmental factor.

Abstract: The invention provides a spectroscopic instrument, which comprises a projecting optical system for projecting a projecting light emitted from a light source, a photodetecting optical system for receiving a reflection light from an object to be measured and for guiding to a photodetection member, and a spectroscope for detecting a condition of the object to be measured based on the reflection light as received by the photodetection member, wherein the projecting optical system and the photodetecting optical system have a projecting system chromatic aberration decreasing component and a photodetecting system chromatic aberration decreasing component which eliminate chromatic aberrations, respectively.

Abstract: The methods and systems disclosed herein include obtaining a first plurality of images of a sample, where each image in the first plurality of images corresponds to a different spectral band of illumination light incident on the sample or emission light from the sample, obtaining a second plurality of images of the sample, where each image in the second plurality of images corresponds to a different spectral band of illumination light incident on the sample or emission light from the sample, aligning the first and second pluralities of images based on information from a first image from the first plurality of images and a second image from the second plurality of images, where the first and second images correspond to a shared spectral band, and combining at least some members of the first plurality of images and at least some members of the second plurality of images to form an image stack.

Abstract: Application management based on data correlations is disclosed. One example is a system including a data processor, a data element generator, a matrix generator, a data analysis module, a performance module, and a load test manager. The data processor accesses test data based on an application under load testing. The data element generator generates a plurality of transactional data elements based on the test data, each data element comprising at least three data components. The matrix generator generates a covariance matrix based on the data components. The data analysis module determines an eigenvector associated with the covariance matrix, and identifies a correlation between a sub-plurality of the at least three data components based on coefficients of the eigenvector. The performance module determines, based on the correlation, performance metrics for the application under load testing. The load test manager manages, based on the performance metrics, the application under load testing.

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.

Abstract: Examples of methods and apparatus are described that permit an analyte concentration to be estimated from a measurement in the presence of compounds that interfere with the measurement. In one example, the method can reduce the error in the estimation of analyte concentration in the presence of interferents. The method can include the use of one or more calibration set to determine analyte concentration. From a sample measurement, each calibration set can be tested to determine if it is eligible to estimate the analyte concentration in the sample. An estimate of analyte concentration can then be produced, based at least in part on the eligible calibration sets and on the sample measurement. In some implementations, if no calibration sets are eligible, an action is taken such as not outputting an estimate, displaying an alarm or alert, or providing a notification.

Abstract: A spectrometer is provided. In one implementation, for example, a spectrometer comprises an excitation source, a focusing lens, a movable mirror, and an actuator assembly. The focusing lens is adapted to focus an incident beam from the excitation source. The actuator assembly is adapted to control the movable mirror to move a focused incident beam across a surface of the sample.

Abstract: Optical reference devices for calibrating or monitoring the performance of an optical measurement device, such as a fluorometer, are made from thermoplastics from the polyaryletherketone (PAEK) family of semi-crystalline thermoplastics, including polyether ether ketone (PEEK). The reference device may be made as a master reference device having a known emission output—as determined by a standard optical measurement device—that is used to calibrate other optical measurement devices against the standard. The reference device may be made in the shape of a receptacle vial so that the reference device can be placed in the receptacle holding structure of an instrument in which the optical measurement device is installed and used to calibrate or monitor the optical measurement device within the instrument. The reference device may be part of the probe of a pipettor or pick and place mechanism or it may be a cap that can be secured to the end of such a probe.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for generating three dimensional models, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure utilizes stereo, nadir, oblique and street view images of a structure to determine with high precision the location of one or more points on a structure. Using the determined location of such one or more points, multi-dimensional models of a structure may be generated. The models may be used and presented in one or more points to determine spatial, orientation and other characteristics of structures.

Abstract: A hybrid plasmonic-pyroelectric detector and laser detection system is disclosed. The hybrid plasmonic-pyroelectric detector includes a substrate and a refractory ground plane mounted on a surface of the substrate. A plasmonic array defines a plurality of apertures formed in the array. A highly-oriented pyroelectric layer is mounted on a surface of the ground plane and a surface of the plasmonic array. The plasmonic array is constructed and arranged to select particular wavelengths. Alternatively, a semiconductor or an avalanche material may be used. A pair of electrode contacts are coupled to each of the plasmonic array and the refractory ground plane. A laser detection system in accordance with the disclosure includes a mechanical chopper, a lens, a folding mirror, and a chip carrier for mounting the hybrid plasmonic-pyroelectric detector.

Abstract: A spectrometer includes a support having a bottom wall part in which a depression is provided and a side wall part, a light detection element supported by the side wall part while opposing the depression, a resin layer disposed at least on an inner surface of the depression, and a dispersive part provided in the resin layer on the inner surface of the depression. The resin layer is in contact with an inner surface of the side wall part. A thickness of the resin layer in a first direction in which the depression and the light detection element oppose each other is larger in a part in contact with the inner surface of the side wall part than in a part disposed on the inner surface of the depression.

Abstract: A spectrometer includes an input unit for receiving an optical signal, a diffraction grating disposed on the transmission path of the optical signal for dispersing the optical signal into a plurality of spectral rays, an image sensor disposed on the transmission path of at least a portion of the spectral rays, and a waveguide device. A waveguide space is formed between the first and second reflective surfaces of the waveguide device. The optical signal is transmitted from the input unit to the diffraction grating via the waveguide space. The portion of the spectral rays is transmitted to the image sensor via the waveguide space. At least one opening is formed on the waveguide device, and is substantially parallel to the first and/or second reflective surface. A portion of the spectral rays and/or the optical signal diffuses from the opening out of the waveguide space without reaching the image sensor.

Abstract: A spectrometer includes an interferometer having a first interference arm and a second interference arm to produce interference patterns from incident light. At least one of the interference arms includes a series of cascaded optical switches connected by two (or more) waveguides of different lengths. Each optical switch directs the incident light into one waveguide or another, thereby changing the optical path length difference between the first interference arm and the second interference arm. This approach can be extended to multi-mode incident light by placing parallel interferometers together, each of which performs spectroscopy of one single mode in the multi-mode incident light. To maintain the compactness of the spectrometer, adjacent interferometers can share one interference arm.

Abstract: An heterodyne apparatus and method for measuring performance parameters of a coherent optical receiver at RF frequencies is disclosed. Two coherent lights are launched into signal and LO ports of the receiver with an optical frequency offset f. One of the lights is modulated in amplitude at two phase-locked modulation frequencies F1 and F2. COR performance parameters are determined by comparing two frequency components of the COR output. The group delay variation (GDV) information is obtained by comparing phases of two time-domain traces corresponding to frequency components of the COR output signal at the two modulation frequencies shifted by the optical frequency offset f.

Abstract: An optical system comprises a pair of Risley prisms positioned along an optical axis to receive a light beam from a field of view, wherein at least one of the Risley prisms is rotatable, transverse to the optical axis, with respect to the other of the Risley prisms. At least one lens is positioned along the optical axis to receive the light beam from the pair of Risley prisms, with the at least one lens configured to focus the light beam. An optical detector array is positioned along the optical axis at an image plane, wherein the optical detector array receives the focused light beam on the image plane from the at least one lens. The optical system can be implemented as a light beam steering mechanism in a star tracker or celestial aided inertial navigation unit.

Abstract: An auto-focusing method for determining an in-focus position of a plurality of wells in at least a portion of a multi-well plate, the method including using a first objective lens having a first magnification to identify, in each of at least three wells of a selected subset of the plurality of wells, an in-focus position of each well with respect to the first objective lens, on the basis of at least three the in-focus positions, computing a plane along which the at least three wells will be in focus with respect to at least one objective lens having a second magnification that is not greater than the first magnification, and using the at least one objective lens to scan, along the plane, at least some of the plurality of wells in the portion of the plate.

Abstract: A Compact and Athermal VNIR/SWIR Spectrometer utilizes a slit, a Mangin lens, a pupil lens adjacent to the diffraction grating, corrector lenses, a beam splitter, field lenses and SWIR and VNIR FPAs. In examples, two corrector lenses are used. Some examples do not utilize field lenses and beam splitter, some examples utilize only the SWIR radiation spectrum. By balancing the powers of the optical elements and Abbe numbers of glasses as well as usage of aspheric surfaces combinations, a monochromatic and polychromatic aberrational correction is achieved; by balancing optical elements refractive indices change with temperature an athermalization is achieved. The overall length of the spectrometer does not exceed 4 inches, and in some examples it is 2.5 inches. A wide field of view and a low F number are obtained with an operating wavelength range from approximately 400 to 2350 nm. The spectrometer is particularly suited to airborne applications.

Abstract: A method is provided to obtain a full range intrinsic spectral signature for spectroscopy and spectral imaging. The method eliminates the irrelevant spectral components and is used to normalize the spectral intensities across the full wavelength ranges obtained from different instrumentation. The method determines the intrinsic instrument noise levels and the noise level across the spectral range is averaged for each spectrum. By determining the percent of the integrated instrument noise relative to the integrated illumination energy for each instrument, the instrument noise can be normalized to one common value and the intensity values of the intrinsic sample spectra can be normalized proportionately and combined into a continuous intrinsic spectrum across the wavelength ranges of the contributing instruments. The methodology is also implemented in spectral imaging and spectral data cubes.

Abstract: A system for object reconstruction includes an illuminating unit, comprising a light source and a generator of a non-periodic pattern. A diffractive optical element (DOE) is disposed in an optical path of illuminating light propagating from the illuminating unit toward an object, thereby projecting the non-periodic pattern onto an object. An imaging unit detects a light response of an illuminated region and generating image data indicative of the object within the projected pattern. A processor reconstructs a three-dimensional (3D) map of the object responsively to a shift of the pattern in the image data relative to a reference image of the pattern.

Abstract: A compact spectrometer includes an excitation light source configured to generate excitation light and arranged to illuminate a spot on a sample. A dispersive element includes at least one movable component and spatially separates output light emanating from the sample in response to the excitation light into a plurality of different wavelength bands. A moveable component of the dispersive element causes the plurality of different wavelength bands of the output light to be scanned across a detector. The detector includes at least one light sensor that senses the wavelength bands of the output light and generates an output electrical signal in response to the sensed output light.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for determining the presence of a target material in a sample. In general terms, the system and method disclosed herein provide collecting interacted photons from a sample having a target material. The interacted photons are passed through a tunable filter to a VIS-NIR detector where the VIS-NIR detector generates a VIS-NIR hyperspectral image representative of the filtered interacted photons. The hyperspectral image of the filtered interacted photons is analyzed by comparing the hyperspectral image of the filtered interacted photons to known hyperspectral images to identify the presence of a target material in a sample. The systems and methods disclosed herein provide easy identification of the presence of a target material in a sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to a retroreflector able to be placed in contact with an environment, comprising, by way of constituent material, a material enabling a parameter of said environment to be picked up, said material modifying the optical transmission properties of the retroreflector when said parameter is present, said retroreflector being able to receive an incident light beam via a first face and to reemit a light beam via said first face.

Abstract: Described herein is a diffraction grating (1) for use in an optical system. The diffraction grating includes a substrate (2) and an array of elongate diffracting elements (3) arranged in a grating profile across the substrate. The grating profile imparts a predefined phase change to optical beams to at least partially correct the beams for optical aberrations present in the optical system.

Abstract: A printer includes a spectrometer which is relatively movable between media having a front surface of the media and a rear surface of the media which is opposite to the first surface and a platen which holds the second surface of the media. The platen includes a plurality of light transmitting units transmitting light.

Abstract: A reflection characteristic measurement system includes: a hand-held reflection characteristic measurement apparatus including a light receiver that receives reflected light; and a guide member that supports the reflection characteristic measurement apparatus, wherein the guide member includes: a plate-shaped support part having a support surface to support the reflection characteristic measurement apparatus; and a white calibration plate applicable to white calibration of the reflection characteristic measurement apparatus, the support part includes: an elongated hole extending in one direction along the support surface; and a guide structure provided to guide the reflection characteristic measurement apparatus so as to enable the apparatus to move along the one direction, the light receiver is provided on the reflection characteristic measurement apparatus so as to move along a predetermined moving path, the moving path of the light receiver extends in the one direction, and the white calibration plate is p

Abstract: Provided is a blood measuring apparatus including: a spectroscope; an optical system configured to irradiate a living body with excitation light from a light source, and to guide, to the spectroscope, Raman scattered light from the living body; a control unit configured to adjust an irradiation position at which the living body is irradiated with the excitation light by the optical system; and a detector configured to detect a spectrum of the Raman scattered light using light of each wavelength dispersed by the spectroscope. A plurality of the spectra detected by the detector are integrated, and numerical value information regarding a substance included in blood of the living body is measured based on an integration result, and the control unit adjusts the irradiation position such that the plurality of spectra are detected at changed positions.

Abstract: Systems and methods evaluate the results produced by histogram segmenting techniques. Exemplary techniques assess boundary region decision or placement techniques according to histogram based metrics, population based metrics, or combinations or transformations thereof.

Abstract: The inventive phase measuring device includes a first A/D converter 2 that digitizes a first periodical input signal X at each predetermined sampling timing and outputs the resultant signal as a digital signal Xd, a first zero-crossing identification means operable to detect a sign of Xd, a counting processing unit 4 that counts a difference in the number of times of zero-crossing detection by the first zero-crossing identification means and calculates the difference at each sampling timing, and a fraction processing unit 5 that computes a fraction of the number of times of zero-crossing detection on the basis of Xd at sampling timings immediately before and immediately after determination of zero-crossing by the first zero-crossing identification means. An averaging processing unit 6 performs averaging by adding up and totalizing the outputs from the counting processing unit 4 and the fraction processing unit 5, thereby computing a phase.

Abstract: There is provided an optical characteristic measurement system that can be set up in a relatively short time and can increase a detection sensitivity. The optical characteristic measurement system includes a first measurement apparatus. The first measurement apparatus includes: a first detection element arranged in a housing; a first cooling unit at least partially joined to the first detection element that cools the detection element; and a suppression mechanism that suppresses temperature variations occurring around the detection element in the housing.

Abstract: An optical module includes a circuit substrate that has a concave portion and a flat surface, an optical sensor that is disposed inside a space, and an optical filter device that has a base which accommodates a variable wavelength interference filter and has a light-through hole through which light emitted from the variable wavelength interference filter passes and a first glass member which is disposed in the light-through hole. The first glass member is positioned inside the space. The base is bonded to the flat surface. The distance between the first glass member and the optical sensor is set to a distance at which light emitted from the variable wavelength interference filter does not interfere between the first glass member and the optical sensor.

Abstract: An optical filter is disclosed including two laterally variable bandpass filters stacked at a fixed distance from each other, so that the upstream filter functions as a spatial filter for the downstream filter. This happens because an oblique beam transmitted by the upstream filter is displaced laterally when impinging on the downstream filter. The lateral displacement causes a suppression of the oblique beam when transmission passbands at impinging locations of the oblique beam onto the upstream and downstream filters do not overlap.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for obtaining a plurality of spectral images of a source object in a snapshot using comprising two-dimensional compressed sensing data cube reconstruction (2D CS-SCR) applied to a dispersed-diffused snapshot image. In some embodiments, the snapshot image is obtained through a RIP diffuser. In some embodiments, a randomizer is used to further randomized the dispersed-diffused snapshot image. The 2D CS-SCR includes applying a 2D framelet transform separately to arrays representing different wavebands of spectral cube data derived from the snapshot image. The application of the 2D framelet transform separately to the arrays representing the different wavebands includes application of direct and inverse 2D framelet transforms to the arrays. In some embodiments, the direct and inverse framelet transforms are included in a split Bregman iteration.

Abstract: Optical detectors and methods of optical detection for unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) are disclosed. The disclosed optical detectors and may be used to dynamically position UUVs in both static-dynamic systems (e.g., a fixed light source as a guiding beacon and a UUV) and dynamic-dynamic systems (e.g., a moving light source mounted on the crest of a leader UUV and a follower UUV).

Abstract: An aerosol distribution determining system and method are provided. The system includes a set of light emitters for emitting electromagnetic radiation. The system additionally includes a set of black disks for absorbing a portion of the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the set of light emitters. The system further includes a hyperspectral imaging camera for capturing hyperspectral images of the electromagnetic radiation in an absence of and in a presence of an aerosol distribution. The system also includes a data processing system for determining at least one of a size, a vertical density distribution, and a shape of particles in the aerosol distribution based information derived using the hyperspectral images.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for performing security checks at a self-checkout kiosk in a retail store. The customers can create lists of items for purchase as they shop. When a customer is ready to pay, his list can be divided into sub-lists. Each sub-list can include items that require the same type of security check. The customer can then be provided with the sub-lists and an instruction for each sub-list that explains how the customer should arrange the items on the sub-list for a security check. After the customer has properly arranged the items on a sub-list, the relevant security check can be performed.

Abstract: A biometric sensor that measures biometric information and a biometric analysis system including the biometric sensor are provided. The biometric sensor may include: a light source configured to emit light toward a region of interest of an object under examination, the light being diffused at the region of interest; a collimator that includes a though-hole and is configured to collimate the diffused light received from the region of interest; and a spectrometer configure to analyze the diffused light transmitted by the collimator.

Abstract: This document describes methods, systems and computer program products directed to imaging blood cells. The subject matter described in this document can be embodied in a method of classifying white blood cells (WBCs) in a biological sample on a substrate. The method includes acquiring, by an image acquisition device, a plurality of images of a first location on the substrate, and classifying, by a processor, objects in the plurality of images into WBC classification groups. The method also includes identifying, by a processor, objects from at least some classification groups, as unclassified objects, and displaying, on a user interface, the unclassified objects and at least some of the classified objects.

Abstract: A system for detecting an analyte with a reagentless dry test strip includes a collector for collecting a blood sample from a user. The system additionally includes a mixer for receiving the collector and mixing the blood sample. The system additionally includes reagents, located in the mixer, for mixing with the blood sample. The system additionally includes a dry test strip for receiving the blood sample mixed with the reagents.

Abstract: A modular device includes base and color sensing portions. The color sensing portion has a face, a controlled light source offset from the face to define an interior, the face configured to engage a target surface about a perimeter of the device housing wherein ambient light is restricted from entering the interior. A color sensor receives light reflected from the target surface and generates output signals representative of a surface color. The base portion communicates with the color sensor and a user device having a hosted program which generates a user interface enabling users to provide control input for the color sensor. The program further receives the output signals from the color sensing device and displays a first image of the detected color, and displays a second image of a user-selected color beside the first image. Color data values are further displayed corresponding to the difference between displayed colors.

Abstract: An illumination system includes a light source device configured by an excitation light source, a light guiding member and a wavelength converter that are connected in order, and an operation check device. The system further includes: a connector configured to directly and physically connect the operation check device to a light signal emitting end which includes the wavelength converter; a detector configured to detect a light signal emitted from the light signal emitting end when the light signal emitting end and the operation check device are connected by the connector; and an operation determiner configured to determine the operations of the excitation light source, the light guiding member, and the wavelength converter by a detection result in the detector.

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.

Abstract: A method for determining an analyte of a liquid sample in a cuvette includes providing a cuvette, a reagent, a barcode, an icon on the cuvette and a liquid analysis device comprising a photometer, a rotation device, a camera, a calibration data memory storing first calibration data, and an input device which manually inputs second calibration data. The cuvette is inserted into the liquid analysis device and is rotated to align the icon with the camera. The icon is read with the camera and the icon read compared with an icon model stored in the liquid analysis device to determine whether it corresponds thereto. The liquid sample is subjected to photometry based on the first calibration data if the icon read corresponds to the icon model. If not, the input apparatus is activated and the liquid sample is subjected to photometry on the basis of the second calibration data.

Abstract: In a system for analyzing optical properties of an object (350) a point source of light (100) composed of multiple spectral bands each having a respective amplitude, phase and polarization is converted by first optics (120, 150) into a line light source to illuminate an object line on the object. A beam splitter (200) splits the light exiting the first optics and directs a first portion of light on to the object (350) as an illuminated line and a second portion of the light on to a reference mirror (450). Second optics (500) collects respective first and second lines of light reflected by the object and mirror of and collinearly images the reflected lines of light as an image line on to an imaging spectrometer (550) wherein mutual interference allows determination of the optical properties of the object at each point along the object line.

Abstract: Optical computing devices including an electromagnetic radiation source to emit electromagnetic radiation into an optical train; an integrated computational element (ICE) located in the optical train before or after a sample located in the optical train to generate modified electromagnetic radiation in the optical train; a broadband angle-selective filter (BASF) located in the optical train to transmit the electromagnetic radiation and/or the modified electromagnetic radiation in the optical train at a target incident angle, thereby generating angle selected-modified electromagnetic radiation (ASMR), and to reflect one or more stray radiation reflections at angles that are not coincident with the target incident angle; and a detector to receive the ASMR and to generate an output signal corresponding to a characteristic of the sample.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing foci array scanning using at least one adjustable or tilting medium is disclosed. The medium can be controllably tilted in order to translate a beam of electromagnetic radiation perpendicularly to its propagation, and upon exiting the medium, will propagate in the original, incoming direction. This allows the apparatus that emits the radiation, such as a laser, to remain stationary and still scan a 2D array. Additionally, the reflected fluorescence light undergoes the opposite shift to “reverse” the scanning shift and bring the beamlets back in line with a lenselet array. So the collection fibers can remain static and collect light from different spots on the sample from during the scan.

Abstract: The method and system may be used to provide an indication of a color value for a particular siding sample and to color match a specific siding product to the color value of the siding sample. The system receives a digital image of a siding sample and a desired color value to be matched. A color query module plots this desired color value as a desired color point in a multidimensional color space together with a plurality of color reference points. Each color reference point represents the color value of an existing siding product. The system determines a “distance” between the desired color point and each plotted color reference point within the color space and identifies the siding product associated with the color reference point that is located the shortest distance to the desired color point within the color space.