By Shade Or Color Patents (Class 356/402)
  • Patent number: 10178351
    Abstract: A computer implemented method. The method includes performing at least one of a visual evaluation and an instrument measurement of a target coating on a target sample to generate colorimetric information, and identifying, using a processor, a bulk toner that is present in the target coating by determining a color and a color intensity at different viewing angles relative to the target sample. The method also includes identifying, using the processor, at least one specific toner that is present in the target coating by detecting a presence and an orientation of colored and/or non-colored pigmentation effects that are present in the target coating, and outputting, using the processor, a formulation of the target coating that includes at least the at least one specific toner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Beymore, James Pereksta
  • Patent number: 10166340
    Abstract: Apparatus comprising: a sensor configured to generate sensor output dependent on an intensity of light incident on the sensor and having a field of view directed at an external surface in use; an illumination source configured to emit light onto the external surface in use; a window located such as to allow light to pass from the illumination source to the external surface and to allow light to pass to the sensor from the external surface in use; a shield coupled to or integral with the window, the shield being substantially opaque to substantially all wavelengths of light detectable by the sensor and defining an aperture which limits the field of view of the sensor; and a processor configured to use the sensor output to determine information associated with reflection characteristics of the external surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GMBH
    Inventors: Gertrud Blei, Gunter Heumann
  • Patent number: 10132490
    Abstract: Ecosystems and related devices, methods, and systems are provided. An ecosystem includes a sensing implement that has one or more sensing implement light sources, one or more remote accessories that has one or more accessory light sources, and control circuitry that communicably couples the sensing implement to the one or more remote accessories. The control circuitry in operation determines a color of an object based on one or more signals received indicative of the color of the object, and generates one or more signals to cause the one or more sensing implement light sources to illuminate the sensing implement in a color that substantially matches the color of the object. The control circuitry in operation can also generate one or more signals to cause the one or more accessory light sources to illuminate the one or more remote accessories in a color that substantially matches the color of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Fung Academy Limited
    Inventors: Giorgio Olivero, Carlos Conde Bande, Mathias Dahlstrom, Edward Lynn Tsai, Lisa Hopey
  • Patent number: 10132745
    Abstract: Implementations described herein comprise systems, apparatus and methods for calibration of imaging, radio frequency or spectroscopic instruments that can be used to validate, calibrate or confirm the calibration thereof. In one aspect, a calibration target is provided. The calibration target has a tissue interface and an instrument interface. The instrument interface has a first storage means having a first set of calibration data encoded therein and a second storage means having a second set of calibration data encoded therein. The first storage means and the second storage means are selected to comprise different storage modalities. Both the first and second set of calibration data are necessary to perform calibration of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Inventor: Mark A. Samuels
  • Patent number: 10078061
    Abstract: A differential calorimeter with flux measurement to measure a heat flux emitted by radioactive materials contained in a container, including: a measurement cell including measurement plates distributed around a container reception containment; and a reference cell including reference plates and a reference sample. The reference plates are placed behind the measurement plates from the container when the container is in the reception containment and the reference sample is under the reception containment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignees: Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives, KEP NUCLEAR
    Inventors: Guillaume Jossens, Christophe Mathonat, Jean-Charles Hubinois, Alain Godot, Franck Bachelet
  • Patent number: 10041834
    Abstract: A color measurement device includes a light source for illuminating an object with light; a dispersing portion for spectrally dispersing light emitted and reflected by the object; a light receptor for receiving the light dispersed by the dispersing portion; and a controller for effecting color measurement based on a result of light reception of the light receptor from the object which is an image formed on a recording material; wherein the emitted light has a first intensity of light in a first wavelength range and a second intensity lower than the first intensity in a second wavelength range, and wherein the controller deduces a value relating to color measurement for the second wavelength range on the basis of a result of light reception of the light receptor for the first wavelength range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoaki Nakai, Hitoshi Furukawa, Akihiko Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 10044986
    Abstract: A computer implemented method. The method includes performing at least one of a visual evaluation and an instrument measurement of a target coating on a target sample to generate colorimetric information, and identifying, using a processor, a bulk toner that is present in the target coating by determining a color and a color intensity at different viewing angles relative to the target sample. The method also includes identifying, using the processor, at least one specific toner that is present in the target coating by detecting a presence and an orientation of colored and/or non-colored pigmentation effects that are present in the target coating, and outputting, using the processor, a formulation of the target coating that includes at least the at least one specific toner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Beymore, James Pereksta
  • Patent number: 10036668
    Abstract: A color measurement device obtains edge information based on an image of a color chart. The color measurement device statistically processes the edge information to obtain edge statistic information. Based on the edge information and the edge statistic information, the color measurement devices obtains the position of each patch of a number of patches of the color chart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshiroh Nagai
  • Patent number: 10031460
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet, and a measuring unit configured to measure reflected light from the sheet, a backup roller configured to convey the sheet while pressing the sheet toward the measuring unit, and a generating unit configured to control the backup roller to convey the sheet, control the measuring unit to measure the reflected light from the sheet, and generate profile data corresponding to measurement results of the reflected light from a plurality of positions in a direction in which the sheet is conveyed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masami Hano
  • Patent number: 10009605
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to determining characteristics of a display panel by using capturing images through multiple filters where the multiple filters include at least two filters that collectively enable replicating of a color matching function. At least two filters of the multiple filters have transmission profiles that correspond to the same color matching function (x color matching function) in different wavelength ranges. Image capturing devices capture the display panel through respective filters. The captured images are processed to the display characteristics of pixels or regions of the display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Oculus VR, LLC
    Inventors: Ye Yin, Simon Hallam, Evan M. Richards, Shizhe Shen
  • Patent number: 10008481
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing an illumination device, a color tone of each of a plurality of light emitting devices having different color tones is detected. In which region among a first region, a second region, a third region, a fourth region, a fifth region, and a sixth region on a chromaticity diagram the color tone of each of the plurality of light emitting devices is determined based on the detected color tone. The chromaticity diagram has a first color tone area and a second color tone area in which the first color tone area is provided. The second color tone area is divided into the first region through the sixth region. The plurality of light emitting devices are classified into the first region through the sixth region based on the determined color tone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: NICHIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeharu Yamauchi, Nobuyuki Furukawa
  • Patent number: 10002383
    Abstract: A method involves on-line viewing of a first article through a linking node for virtual merging on another structure. A particular application of the invention is directed to on-line apparel shopping involving a matching scheme using codes provided with images to be merged. For example, on-line viewing of one article, such as clothing, on another structure, includes creating an item from image-data corresponding to an article selected by an on-line viewer from an on-line viewer site with an image of a structure selected by the on-line viewer, and indicating whether the article and the structure satisfy a category-matching criterion. In certain embodiments, the articles are represented by (search) parameters that permit organizational advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: TAMIRAS PER PTE. LTD., LLC
    Inventors: Robert Giannini, Robert J. Crawford
  • Patent number: 9997888
    Abstract: A spectral feature of a pulsed light beam produced by an optical source is controlled by a method. The method includes producing a pulsed light beam at a pulse repetition rate; directing the pulsed light beam toward a substrate received in a lithography exposure apparatus to expose the substrate to the pulsed light beam; modifying a pulse repetition rate of the pulsed light beam as it is exposing the substrate. The method includes determining an amount of adjustment to a spectral feature of the pulsed light beam, the adjustment amount compensating for a variation in the spectral feature of the pulsed light beam that correlates to the modification of the pulse repetition rate of the pulsed light beam. The method includes changing the spectral feature of the pulsed light beam by the determined adjustment amount as the substrate is exposed to thereby compensate for the variation in the spectral feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Cymer, LLC
    Inventors: Willard Earl Conley, Eric Anders Mason, Joshua Jon Thornes
  • Patent number: 9990672
    Abstract: An e-commerce method involves on-line viewing of a first article through a linking node for virtual merging on another structure. A particular application of the invention is directed to on-line apparel shopping involving a color matching scheme using color codes provided with images to be merged. For example, on-line viewing of one article, such as clothing, on another structure, includes creating an item from image-data corresponding to a colored article selected by an on-line viewer from an on-line viewer site with an image of a colored structure selected by the on-line viewer, and indicating whether the colored article and the colored structure satisfy a color-matching criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: TAMIRAS PER PTE. LTD., LLC
    Inventors: Robert Giannini, Robert J. Crawford
  • Patent number: 9964445
    Abstract: Provided are a color-matching apparatus and a color-matching method for a repair paint capable of sufficiently supporting a color-matching operation that has been conventionally performed by experience and intuition, mainly at an automobile repair shop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: CAR CONVENI CLUB CO., LTD
    Inventor: Makoto Ueno
  • Patent number: 9849431
    Abstract: Systems and methods for producing, applying and evaluating coating compositions are disclosed. The amounts of components contained in the coating compositions may be monitored, along with processing parameters when the coating compositions are applied to various substrates. In certain embodiments, the characteristics of a produced sample coating are compared with the characteristics of a target or reference coating to determine if they are sufficiently matched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: PPG industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Lewis, Walter J. Robertson, Mary Kimbro, Nathan Goodnow
  • Patent number: 9820356
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lighting fixture (10) that illuminates a presentation object or surface. The lighting fixture includes a first member (18) that at least partially surrounds or encompasses the presentation object and has a plurality of LED-based light sources (12) which can create a variety of lighting effects based on one or more characteristics of the presentation object. The lighting fixture further has a sensor (34) that detects a characteristic of the presentation object, and a controller (26) connected to the sensor such that, as a result of the individual addressability of the LED-based light sources, create or modify a directional lighting effect based on the detected characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Bartel Marinus Van De Sluis, Philip Steven Newton, Tim Dekker, Bram Knaapen
  • Patent number: 9797874
    Abstract: An optical testing system includes: a testing probe, a collecting unit, and a processing unit, wherein the testing probe includes a plurality of spectrum photodiodes used for emitting and casting monochromatic light to a sample, wherein the wavelength of the light emitted by at least one spectrum photodiode is different from that of any other. The collecting unit collects multi-way signal light obtained after the emitted monochromatic light is reflected by the sample surface. The processing unit includes a photoelectric conversion module, an adding module and a testing module. The photoelectric conversion module converts the collected multi-way signal light respectively to multi-way electrical signals. The adding module performs an adding operation for the multi-way electrical signal to obtain an operation result. The testing module tests a quality parameter of the sample according to the operation result, and outputs a testing result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: China Agricultural University
    Inventors: Yankun Peng, Juan Zhao
  • Patent number: 9796120
    Abstract: An injection molding system for making a molded item freely fall in demolding process from a mold, the injection molding system comprising: a molded item photographing device, an image analysis device, and a molded item classification device, wherein the image analysis device is configured to perform analysis of appearance feature of the molded item, and make the item classification unit classify the molded item based on result of the analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuatsu Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 9759606
    Abstract: A method of determining a recipe for providing a desired color and a desired effect, for example, a pearlescent effect, comprises: i. Providing a group of different effect materials, which suitably includes no more than 20 members, for inclusion in the recipe; ii. Selecting an effect from said group which is closest to the desired effect; iii. Directing a match prediction system to use the selected effect material to determine a recipe, wherein the match prediction system determines a recipe based on the selected effect material and color information relating to the color to be matched. A method of preparing a liquid color/effect formulation for addition to plastics is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: COLORMATRIX HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventor: David Andrew Chisnall
  • Patent number: 9762752
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a forming unit configured to form a set of reference patches corresponding to different density regions through an image forming unit while making the reference patches correspond to screen types, an input unit configured to input a comparison result between each of the reference patches and criterial patches having densities as criteria at each of the screen types, and a generation unit configured to generate information for correcting a density of an image formed by the image forming unit at each of the screen types by using the comparison result input by the input unit, wherein the information generated by the generation unit for correcting an image in a highest density region from among the density regions is commonly generated according to the comparison result input with respect to each of the reference patches formed at each of the screen types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Sanae Ikeda
  • Patent number: 9671795
    Abstract: A colorimeter, webcam, camera, spectrophotometer, scanner or other instrument measures the color composition and conditions and texture of a person's body part or presented beauty product and an individual custom formulation is produced. A presented beauty product may include foundation, concealer, tinted moisturizer, primer, skin care products, blush, nail polish, hair dye, lipstick, lip gloss, mascara, eye liner and eye shadow. The produced custom formulation may comprise foundation, concealer, tinted moisturizer, primer, skin care products, blush, nail polish, hair dye, lipstick, lip gloss, mascara, eye liner, eye shadow or other consumer products. A computer system 301 includes a processor 501 and a non-transitory, computer readable medium 500 containing machine readable instructions that accept data from a colorimeter 300 or like instrument and uses a main executable program 502 and a subroutine 504 for color analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Larry Y. Igarashi
  • Patent number: 9638579
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and the corresponding system for checking the color quality of preforms (2) intended for the manufacture of containers, in particular beverage bottles, the preforms (2) being transported to a collection vessel (4) by a transport device (3), and an image of the preforms (2) being made by means of an imaging device (6) and being transmitted to a processing device for checking, in which the preforms (2) are led unsorted into the collection vessel (4) upon leaving the transport device (3), the image being made between the leaving of the transport device (3) and the collection vessel (4), and in which the image is processed by the processing device in such a way that the color quality of the preforms (2) and/or defective preforms (2) are discovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: FINATEC HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Matthias Hermle, Fridolin Maibach, Beat Schlup
  • Patent number: 9623225
    Abstract: This invention describes an electronic skin care device including therein a specimen dispenser. Specimens are dispensed from the device after the specimen information stored in the storage component located in the dispenser is processed by the device. The user skin information stored in another storage component located in the device may also be utilized so that dispensed specimens have desired properties for the user's skin care need.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: La Pierres, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuchen Zhou, Hieu Tieu, Chao Uei Wahng, David Hu
  • Patent number: 9615037
    Abstract: A method of operating a video camera includes capturing a scene of imaging data using the video camera, wherein the imaging data is characterized by a first bit depth and processing the imaging data to provide display data characterized by a second bit depth less than the first bit depth. The method also includes framing the imaging data and the display data and outputting the framed imaging and display data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: DRS Network & Imaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Christison, Chris Reed, Bracey J. Blackburn
  • Patent number: 9519927
    Abstract: A system allows people to more easily find products matching their skin tone. A kiosk at a retail store or other location can assist customers in determining what products are right for them and then purchase them from the retailer. The kiosk can include a scanning device is used to scan one or more spots of a person's skin. For example, three different spots can be scanned. The scan determines a skin-tone identifier for the person's skin. This skin-tone identifier is used by a software program (e.g., executing on a tablet computer) to determine and output a listing of products that are appropriate for the person's skin tone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Sephora USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Lucie Tuan, Savio Thattil, Erin Grody, Rauvan Dulay, Julie Bornstein, Margarita Arriagada
  • Patent number: 9500525
    Abstract: In a multi-angle colorimeter, a light detecting portion 40 includes a main light receiving window disposed in a predetermined position on a main geometry plane, and first and second auxiliary light receiving windows disposed on a secondary geometry plane, and a main photoelectric conversion element for converting a main component light received by the main light receiving window in a light reflected from a measurement point into an electrical main signal and first and second auxiliary photoelectric conversion elements for converting first and second auxiliary component lights received by the first and second auxiliary light receiving windows in the reflected light respectively into first and second electrical auxiliary signals. A calculating portion corrects the electrical main signal based on the first and second electrical auxiliary signals to obtain color information about the measurement point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Teraoka, Katsutoshi Tsurutani, Yuta Yamanoi
  • Patent number: 9491331
    Abstract: The present invention is a spectral image processing method including the steps of selecting observed spectral information from a multispectral image of a scene, generating a constraint on a spectral distribution of an illumination and a constraint on a surface reflectance of an object using a basis vector of the illumination and a basis vector of the surface reflectance, generating an observation equation that takes as parameters a weight coefficient of the basis vector of the illumination and a weight coefficient of the basis vector of the surface reflectance using the observed spectral information, the constraint on the spectral distribution of the illumination, and the constraint on the surface reflectance of the object, and calculating the spectral distribution of the illumination and the surface reflectance of the object of the scene from the observation equation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Kaneko, Masato Tsukada, Gaku Nakano
  • Patent number: 9488468
    Abstract: A displacement sensor includes a light source unit configured to apply light with different plural wavelengths in a direction oblique to a measurement region of a planar measured object, a spectroscope configured to measure spectral distribution of light reflected by the measurement region, a feature amount extracting module configured to extract a feature amount of the spectral distribution, and a displacement calculating module configured to calculate displacement of the measurement region based on the extracted feature amount and a relation between displacement and a feature amount acquired previously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Tsujii, Naomichi Chida, Kazufumi Nishida
  • Patent number: 9481694
    Abstract: The problem addressed by the present invention is to provide; solid solution pigment nanoparticles having a homogeneous solid solution ratio; a method for producing solid solution pigment nanoparticles having a homogeneous solid solution ratio in each primary particle; and a method for controlling the solid solution ratio of solid solution pigment nanoparticles. The solid solution pigment nanoparticles are prepared by precipitating at least two types of pigment by mixing a pigment precipitation solvent and; at least one type of pigment solution wherein at least two types of pigment are dissolved in a solvent: or at least two types of pigment solution wherein at least one type of pigment is dissolved in a solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: M. TECHNIQUE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki Maekawa, Kaeko Araki, Hideyuki Oka, Daisuke Honda, Masakazu Enomura
  • Patent number: 9478043
    Abstract: A method and system are presented for measuring the whiteness of teeth. This is accomplished by analyzing an average pixel value of teeth taken from a digital image. The pixel value is mathematically standardized to create an indicator that quantifies teeth whiteness. This eliminates subjectivity in measuring teeth whiteness and permits precise communication of the level of teeth whiteness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: Abdullaibrahim Abdulwaheed
  • Patent number: 9462162
    Abstract: In a method to control a color printer or color copier, a color separation of a first color and a color separation of a second color are applied to a printing substrate to generate a print image. Also, with aid of a printing unit, at least a first control field is printed on the printing substrate. The first control field has a predetermined pattern that includes at least the first color and the second color and is designed such that a color value of the first control field changes depending on a registration error between the first and the second color separations. A reference field is also printed on the printing substrate, a pattern of the reference field being predetermined such that it has a same color value independent of the registration error. The color value of the first control field is measured with a color value sensor. The color value of the reference field is also measured with the color value sensor and a desired color value is determined depending on the color value of the reference field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Océ Printing Systems GmbH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Andreas Paul
  • Patent number: 9454339
    Abstract: A display apparatus is disclosed. The display apparatus includes a display panel, a photonic crystal array which is arranged on at least one side of the display panel and displays an image based on an applied voltage, an electrode which applies voltage to the photonic crystal array, and a controller which controls so that voltage is applied to the photonic crystal array based on image information displayed on the display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young-ran Han, Ju-yong Kim, Hee-won Lee, Kyoung-oh Choi, Hyun-mook Choi
  • Patent number: 9442494
    Abstract: A colorimeter, webcam, camera, spectrophotometer, scanner or other instrument measures the color composition and conditions and texture of a person's body part or presented beauty product and an individual custom formulation is produced. A presented beauty product may include foundation, concealer, tinted moisturizer, primer, skin care products, blush, nail polish, hair dye, lipstick, lip gloss, mascara, eye liner and eye shadow. The produced custom formulation may comprise foundation, concealer, tinted moisturizer, primer, skin care products, blush, nail polish, hair dye, lipstick, lip gloss, mascara, eye liner, eye shadow or other consumer products. A computer system 301 includes a processor 501 and a non-transitory, computer readable medium 500 containing machine readable instructions that accept data from a colorimeter 300 or like instrument and uses a main executable program 502 and a subroutine 504 for color analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Larry Y. Igarashi
  • Patent number: 9435747
    Abstract: A reflectance spectroscopy measuring and sampling system for gemstone testing is disclosed. The system includes a first light source (1), a second light source (2), a light filtering element, an integrating sphere (S), an optical fiber (9), a spectroscopic detection module (10), an analog-digital conversion module (11) and a data processing terminal (12), wherein the integrating sphere (S) is provided with an entrance port, a sampling opening (6) and a reflected light exit port (7). A reflectance spectroscopy measuring and sampling method for gemstone testing is also disclosed. The system and the method have an excellent performance and can be widely used in the gemstone identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Biaoqi Electronics Technology, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Guangjun Song, Xiangli Zheng, Jianfeng Wu, Ling Gao
  • Patent number: 9389122
    Abstract: A set of images of an object are captured from a set of lenses positioned at different angles. A common point is determined, which has a color value that differs among the images. Color at the point is mathematically expressed as a set of equations. The equations comprise a recorded color value for the point, an ambient contribution, a diffuse contribution, and a specular contribution. The ambient and diffuse contributions are set as equal across the equations. The specular contribution is determined, such as by quantifying the light sources and solving for the specular contribution using a Phong lighting model equation. True color for the point, which is based on the ambient and diffuse contribution, is determined by solving a set of simultaneous equations once the specular contribution is known. An image is created where the point has the true color as determined above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Inventors: Dmitry Kozko, Ivan G Onuchin, Nikolay Shturkin
  • Patent number: 9384542
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMONILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Maurer, Nicholas U. Christopulos, Lee C. Drinan
  • Patent number: 9367013
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: a housing having an opening in a surface thereof facing a subject; a light source that irradiates the subject with light; a two-dimensional image sensor that captures, from inside of the housing through the opening; an image of the subject illuminated by the light source; an optical member that is disposed between the two-dimensional image sensor and the opening and that transmits light reflected off the subject; and a contamination inspection member that is disposed between the opening and the optical member and that causes inspection light for inspecting contamination on the optical member to be incident upon the two-dimensional image sensor via the optical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Morita, Nobuyuki Satoh, Mamoru Yorimoto, Masayuki Fujii, Daisaku Horikawa, Suguru Yokozawa, Masahiro Hiranuma, Masaya Kawarada
  • Patent number: 9347877
    Abstract: A laser gas analyzer includes a wavelength-variable laser having a wide wavelength-variable width, a light-split module configured to split an output light of the wavelength-variable laser into a measurement light and a reference light, a first gas cell into which gases to be measured are introduced, and the measurement light is made to be incident, and a data processor configured to obtain an absorption spectrum of each of the gases to be measured based on a reference signal related to the reference light and an absorption signal related to an output light of the first gas cell, and to obtain concentrations of the respective gases to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takaaki Hirata, Yasuhiko Mitsumoto, Masaya Ooyama, Nobuhiko Kanbara, Naoyuki Fujimura, Minoru Maeda, Tadashi Sugiyama, Alan Cowie, Jie Zhu
  • Patent number: 9335216
    Abstract: A system for on-line optical monitoring of a gas turbine engine includes a viewport into a combustor of the gas turbine engine and an optical filter optically coupled to the viewport. The optical filter is configured to receive broad wavelength band thermal radiation from an interior surface of the combustor while the gas turbine engine is in operation, to substantially block wavelengths of the broad wavelength band thermal radiation emitted and/or absorbed by a flame and/or by exhaust gas within the combustor, and to output narrow wavelength band thermal radiation from the interior surface of the combustor. The system also includes a detector array in optical communication with the optical filter. The detector array is configured to receive the narrow wavelength band thermal radiation and to output signals indicative of a two-dimensional intensity map of the narrow wavelength band thermal radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Guanghua Wang, Wontae Hwang, Jeremy Vanderover
  • Patent number: 9322644
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for examining an object, particularly in terms of the surface morphology thereof. Said apparatus comprises a transportable housing which can be placed, especially by hand, above the surface segment of the object that is to be examined, and at least three light sources, the optical beam axes of which extend at a slanted angle of incidence relative to the surface segment that is to be examined. The light sources are disposed inside the housing and can illuminate the surface segment that is to be examined through an illumination aperture in the housing. The apparatus further comprises at least one light sensor for detecting the light reflected on the surface segment that is to be examined and a control and evaluation unit which is connected to the light sources and the light sensor. The light sources are arranged such that the optical beam axes thereof extend on different, non-parallel reference planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Inventor: Wolfgang Weinhold
  • Patent number: 9285213
    Abstract: An apparatus for acquiring a profile of a food product for use in subsequent processing of the food product includes a scanning area and one or more product drives for driving a product through the scanning area in a longitudinal direction. First line lasers project one first transverse laser line transversely to the longitudinal direction on the first surface and two first cameras arranged to capture different, overlapping first transverse image portions of the first transverse laser line. A reference laser projects a beam on the first surface that indicates a transverse reference position, and the two first cameras also capture the reference position. A control system uses the transverse reference position to combine the different first transverse image portions captured by the two first cameras to calculate a first profile of the first surface at multiple positions along a length of the first surface as the product is driven through the scanning area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: FORMAX, INC.
    Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, Thomas C. Wolcott, Salvatore Lamartino, Gage Fox
  • Patent number: 9256721
    Abstract: A mobile, wireless biometric identification system includes a biometric capture device, associated software and processes which enable a commercially available wireless communication device, such as a smartphone, using a commercially established wireless communication networks, to capture a digital image of a human biometric (iris, fingerprint, etc.) for transmission via a secure connection to a central server. The capture device is designed to focus on the difficult task of capturing the highest possible quality image for encoding and comparison, while the overall system is designed to leverage the existing cellular communication network. At the server level, the server system receives the image, encodes the image to a biometric template, and compares the encoded template to a plurality of reference templates stored in a database to identify the individual. Identification data is then transmitted back to the smartphone device and displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: B12 TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Sean Mullin
  • Patent number: 9253370
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a technique for calculating the psychophysical value of a color corresponding to an arbitrarily defined tone by modeling a tone concept defined in the PCCS (Practical Color Co-ordinate System).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignees: JAPAN COLOR RESEARCH INSTITUTE, NAKAGAWA CHEMICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Komatsubara, Shinji Kobayashi, Koichi Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 9222835
    Abstract: A multi-angle colorimeter employs a multi-angle mode and a symmetrical arrangement mode in an optical arrangement. Light detection on both sides of the symmetrical arrangement is performed by a single photodetector unit. The photodetector unit is used on both sides, and thus, the device becomes simpler, without any impact on individual difference in characteristics of multiple photodetector units. Conversely, elements for illumination can be used on both sides. Also in a case where multiple photodetector units are used, the size and cost of the device can be reduced with the use of a photodetector unit having a relatively low wavelength resolution as a photodetector unit to be used on one side. This enables to reduce an attitude error due to relative tilting of a measurement surface while reducing the size and cost of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Teraoka, Katsutoshi Tsurutani, Yuta Yamanoi
  • Patent number: 9217704
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device for characterizing a chromatic property of foodstuff. The device includes a light source arranged to emit light having at least two wavelengths or wavelength ranges. The light source is further arranged to direct the light to a surface of at least the foodstuff. The device also includes a detector positioned to detect at least a portion of reflected light and arranged to generate an output that is indicative of an intensity of detected reflected light. The device is arranged such that respective outputs are generated for the at least two wavelengths or wavelength ranges. A relation between the output for one of the at least two wavelengths or wavelength ranges and the output for the other or another one of the at least two wavelengths or wavelength ranges is indicative of the chromatic property of the surface of the foodstuff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: SensAbility Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Andrew Callum Richardson, Sean Manning, Kristopher John Rowland
  • Patent number: 9179044
    Abstract: Among various embodiments of the present disclosure, color calibration can be performed on a printing apparatus by using a preconfigured color map coded to reduce a color difference of a selected reference color sample relative to a color standard, where the selected reference color sample substantially matches a first test color sample printed by the printing apparatus. Installing the preconfigured color map can enable recalibrating the printing apparatus to use the preconfigured color map in adjusting an amount of a number of colorants utilized in printing a second test color sample to reduce the number of color differences of the second test color sample relative to the color standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventor: Huanzhao Zeng
  • Patent number: 9125504
    Abstract: A method for controlling a color adjustable light source (101) configured to illuminate an object (110) is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of setting (301) a color temperature of a reference white point (cpref) at the black body curve (202), acquiring (302) information as to a color of the object (cpobj), receiving (303) a desired saturation level, and controlling (304) the light source (101) to illuminate the object (110) with light corresponding to the color temperature of the reference white point and comprising a saturated component corresponding to the color of the object. A corresponding system (100) for performing the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Petrus Wilhelmus Baaijens, Petrus Johannes Mathijs Van Der Burgt, Simone Helena Maria Poort, Christopher Paul Schutte
  • Patent number: 9126444
    Abstract: A reading apparatus includes a reading unit including a presser configured to press a sheet, a carriage configured to hold a sensor unit and to move on the presser, and a housing configured to store the sensor unit and the carriage and to hold the presser in a displaceable way. The reading apparatus further includes a movement mechanism configured to move the reading unit to a first position in which the presser presses a supporting surface and to a second position in which the pressing is released. The movement mechanism sets the reading unit to the first position during reading by the sensor unit and to the second position during movement of the sheet on the supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoki Wakayama
  • Patent number: 9091660
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring at least one parameter of an arterial blood sample, including a flow sensor having standardized connecting elements which are connected to the inlet and the outlet side of a measuring cell of the flow sensor, the measuring cell having at least one optochemical sensor element which can be brought in contact with the blood sample. A connector is removably placed on the flow sensor and includes at least one light source for exciting the optochemical sensor element and at least one photodetector for receiving the measurement radiation of the optochemical sensor element. An electronic module has an electric connecting line to the connector and contacts the at least one light source and the at least one photodetector, the flow sensor being connectible to the standardized connection of an arterial catheter via the connecting element on the inlet side and to the standardized connection of an arterial infusion set via the connection on the outlet side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: SMART MEDICAL SOLUTIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Hans Koehler