# US 11,906,359 B2 · System and method for tinting using low-resolution spectrophotometer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,906,359 B2 - Document ID: US11906359B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/052,401 - Filed: 2022-11-03 - Published: 2023-05-11 - Granted: 2024-02-20 - Earliest claimed: 2021-11-10 - Assignees: Swimc LLC - Applicants: Swimc LLC - Inventors: Stephen M. Revnew; Anthony T. Congin; James A. Leonard; William M. Wharry - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11906359B2 ## CPC - B01F 33/8442: {using a computer for controlling information and converting it in a formula and a set of operation instructions, e.g. on the point of sale} - G01J 3/463: {Colour matching} - G01J 3/0264: {Electrical interface; User interface} - G01J 3/0272: {Handheld} - G01J 3/462: {Computing operations in or between colour spaces; Colour management systems} - G01J 3/501: {Colorimeters using spectrally-selective light sources, e.g. LEDs} - B01F 33/84: Mixing plants with mixing receptacles receiving material dispensed from several component receptacles, e.g. paint tins - B01F 33/844: {with means for customizing the mixture on the point of sale, e.g. by sensing, receiving or analysing information about the characteristics of the mixture to be made} - B01F 2101/20: Mixing of ingredients for bone cement - G01J 3/465: {taking into account the colour perception of the eye; using tristimulus detection} - G01J 2003/466: {Coded colour; Recognition of predetermined colour; Determining proximity to predetermined colour} - G01J 2003/467: {Colour computing} - B01F: MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING (mixing paints B44D3/06) - G01J: MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY (light sources F21, H01J, H01K, H05B; investigating properties of materials by optical means G01N) ## Abstract A custom-tint paint production system that includes a color sensing device such as a low-resolution spectrophotometer to measure color of a preexisting surface color, a color data translation engine to convert the measured values to spectral curve values, and a tint formulation engine to determine a custom tint formulation based upon the spectral curve values, which is usable by a tinter to tint a base coating composition by adding one or more colorants in amounts based on color measurements from the color sensing device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for producing a custom-tinted coating formulation comprising: a color sensing device including a low resolution spectrophotometer capable of sensing color of a preexisting surface and generating low-resolution spectral data of the preexisting surface color, a color data translation engine, wherein the color data translation engine provides high-resolution spectral curve data derived from the low-resolution spectral data of the preexisting surface color, a tint formulation engine, and a tinter that includes an array of colorants and is capable of tinting a base coating composition by adding one or more colorants from an array of colorants in amounts dependent on color measurements from the color sensing device to match the color of the preexisting surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the color sensing device is a portable spectrophotometer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the color sensing device is controlled by a mobile software application. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the color sensing device is capable of providing low-resolution spectral data of a colored surface directly or indirectly to a color data translation engine via a mobile software application. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the color data translation engine includes a database of device attributes used to generate high resolution spectral data. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the color sensing device illuminates the preexisting surface using a light emitting diode. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the color sensing device generates low-resolution spectral data having no more than 14 bands. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the color sensing device illuminates the preexisting surface using a D65 illuminant. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the color sensing device produces low-resolution spectral data based on color measurements of the preexisting surface with a plurality of lighting sources. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the color sensing device produces low-resolution spectral data based on color measurements of the preexisting surface with a plurality of lighting intensities. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the high-resolution spectral curve data is a 31-point curve ranging from at least 450 nm to 650 nm. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system claim 1, wherein the tint formulation engine has stored base product attributes for each colorant in the array of colorants. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the tint formulation engine is capable of receiving base paint information. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the tint formulation engine includes information about existing palette colors. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the tint formulation engine generates a tint formula based at least on colorant attributes and base paint information and high-resolution spectral curve data. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the tint formulation engine generates a tint formula based on a closest match to an existing palette color. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the tinter is capable of receiving a tint formula from the tint formulation engine. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the array of colorants includes at least white, red, green, blue, and yellow, and black. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the base coating composition is a paint.