Remote color measurement device

A probe, for use with a spectrophotometer, for sensing the reflectance of a sample remote from the spectrophotometer, comprising:

• a probe housing having a probe portion positionable proximate the sample;
• an integrating chamber for diffusing radiation disposed within said probe housing and having a radiation input port for providing radiation to said chamber, a sample port for passing diffused radiation to the sample and returning reflected radiation from the sample, a reference port for receiving diffused radiation directly from said chamber, and an exit port to receive radiation reflected from the sample through said sample port;
• an output port for receiving reflected radiation from said sample and diffused radiation from the chamber and for transmitting the received radiation to the remote spectrophotometer;
• a guide for directing radiation to said radiation input port from a radiation source;
• and
• means for selectively conveying reflected radiation from the sample and from a wall of the integrating chamber in the probe to the remote spectrophotometer through a reflected-radiation guide, said means for selectively conveying including mirror means and means for realigning said mirror means relative to said exit portion and said reference port to selectively provide reflected radiation from the sample and the wall to said reflected-radiation guide.

A probe for use with a spectrophotometer for sensing the reflectance of a sample remote from the spectrophotometer, said probe comprising:

• a probe housing having a probe portion positionable proximate the sample;
• a source of input radiation;
• an integration chamber disposed within said probe housing for receiving and diffusing said input radiation;
• a sample port for delivering diffused input radiation to said sample;
• an output port;
• and
• means for selectively directing to said output port said diffused input radiation reflected from said sample and the diffused input radiation reflected directly from said integration chamber.