Color measurement instrument
AssigneeX-Rite, Incorporated
InventorsJames L. Overbeck, Weston L. Harness
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A color measurement instrument and color measurement method for measuring a color of a surface are provided. The instrument includes a plurality of independently switchable light sources characterized by differing spectral ranges, and a plurality of light guides configured to receive light from the light sources and to direct the received light to a light emitting portion of the instrument for illuminating the surface. The instrument further includes a first light detector configured to receive a portion of the light reflected from the surface. The first light detector is a wideband light detector.
Claims30
A color measurement instrument for measuring a color of a surface, the color measurement instrument comprising:
- a plurality of independently switchable light sources, the light sources characterized by differing spectral ranges;
- a plurality of light guides configured to receive light from the light sources and to direct the received light to a light-emitting portion of the instrument, the light-emitting portion being configured to illuminate the surface;
- and
- a first light detector configured to receive a portion of the light that is reflected from the surface, wherein the first light detector is a wideband light detector.
A color measurement instrument for measuring a color of a tooth, the color measurement instrument comprising:
- a plurality of independently switchable light sources, the light sources characterized by differing spectral ranges;
- a plurality of light guides configured to receive light from the light sources and to direct the received light to a light-emitting portion of the instrument, the light-emitting portion being configured to illuminate a surface of the tooth;
- and
- a first light detector configured to receive a portion of the light that is reflected from the surface, wherein the first light detector is a wideband light detector.
A method for measuring a color of a surface, the method comprising:
- sequentially generating light characterized by differing spectral ranges in a plurality of light sources;
- guiding the light onto the surface via a plurality of light guides;
- monitoring light reflected from the surface by a first light detector, wherein the first light detector is a wideband light detector;
- and
- processing signals from the first light detector to provide color information for the surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.