Portable colorimeter

A handheld colorimeter for measuring the color of an object, comprising:

• a plurality of lasers, wherein each laser emits a different color from the other two lasers;
• a light sensor which detects laser light reflected off an object, wherein the lasers shine on the object one at a time;
• a microprocessor which calculates a single composite color value from the three separate color measurements taken from the reflected laser light;
• a mapping component which maps the color value to a list of color values and selects a color name from the list that matches the composite color value;
• and
• a presenting component which presents the color name to a user.

A handheld colorimeter for measuring the color of an object, comprising:

• a plurality of light sensors, wherein each sensor detects a distinct color spectra measurement;
• a plurality of lasers, wherein each laser emits a different color from the other two lasers;
• a laser-light sensor which detects laser light reflected off an object, wherein the lasers shine on the object one at a time;
• a microprocessor which calculates a single composite color value from separate color measurements;
• a mapping component which maps the color value to a list of color values and selects a color name from the list that matches the composite color value;
• and
• a presenting component which presents the color name to a user.

A method for measuring the color of an object, comprising:

• detecting reflected light by means of three light sensors, wherein each light sensor detects only one primary color, wherein each light sensor detects a different color from the other two light sensors;
• calculating a single composite color value from the three separate color measurements from the light sensors;
• mapping the color value to a list of color values and selecting a color name from the list that matches the composite color value;
• and
• presenting the color name to a user;
• wherein all steps are performed by a handheld colorimeter.

A method for measuring the color of an object, comprising:

• shining three lasers on an object, wherein the lasers emit primary colors, wherein each laser emits a different color from the other two lasers;
• detects the laser light reflected off an object, wherein the lasers shine on the object one at a time;
• calculating a single composite color value from the three separate color measurements taken from the reflected laser light;
• mapping the color value to a list of color values and selecting a color name from the list that matches the composite color value;
• and
• presenting the color name to a user;
• wherein all steps are performed by a handheld colorimeter.