Auto-tracking spectrophotometer
AssigneeX-Rite, Incorporated
InventorsGary T. Kalinka, Timothy L. Walker, Frederick G. Robinson, Bernard J. Berg, Douglas V. Baker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An auto-tracking spectrophotometer has a moveable look-ahead sensor for scanning at least a portion of a color matrix. The look-ahead sensor finds a portion of the color matrix for measurement by an optical system. The optical system for measuring the color matrix is then guided using the information provided by the look-ahead sensor.
Claims25
A measurement head for facilitating detection of a visual characteristic of a target on a substrate, the measurement head comprising:
- a. a look-ahead sensor associated with a target tracking system;
- and
- b. a data acquisition unit;
- wherein the measurement head is movable relative to a substrate, thereby defining a measurement path for the measurement head, the look-ahead sensor preceding the data acquisition unit along the measurement path such that the look-ahead sensor anticipates a scan path for a component of the data acquisition unit relative to the substrate;
- wherein the look-ahead sensor and the target tracking system are adapted to determine a spatial characteristic of a target on the substrate when the target is at least partially within a field of view of the look-ahead sensor;
- wherein at least one of:
- (i) the scan path for the component of the data acquisition unit, and (ii) the orientation of the component of the data acquisition unit is adjusted, relative to the substrate, based on the determined spatial characteristic of the target, such that, as the measurement head advances along the measurement path, the data acquisition unit is better configured to detect a visual characteristic of the target.
A method for facilitating detection of a visual characteristic of a target on a substrate, the method comprising:
- a. providing a measurement head including a look-ahead sensor associated with a target tracking system and a data acquisition unit;
- b. moving the measurement head relative to a substrate, thereby defining a measurement path for the measurement head, the look-ahead sensor preceding the data acquisition unit along the measurement path such that the look-ahead sensor anticipates a scan path for a component of the data acquisition unit relative to the substrate;
- c. using the look-ahead sensor and the target tracking system to determine a spatial characteristic of a target on the substrate when the target is at least partially within a field of view of the look-ahead sensor;
- d. adjusting, relative to the substrate, at least one of:
- (i) the scan path for the component of the data acquisition unit, and (ii) the orientation of the component of the data acquisition unit based on the determined spatial characteristic of the target, such that, as the measurement head advances along the measurement path, the data acquisition unit is better configured to detect a visual characteristic of the target.
An auto-tracking spectrophotometer for facilitating detection of a visual characteristic of a target on a substrate, the spectrophotometer comprising:
- a. a measurement head including a look-ahead sensor and a data acquisition unit;
- b. an external positioning system for the measurement head, whereby the measurement head is movable relative to a substrate, thereby defining a measurement path for the measurement head, the look-ahead sensor preceding the data acquisition unit along the measurement path such that the look-ahead sensor anticipates a scan path for a component of the data acquisition unit relative to the substrate;
- c. a target tracking system associated with the look-ahead sensor, wherein the look-ahead sensor and the target tracking system are adapted to determine a spatial characteristic of a target on the substrate when the target is at least partially within a field of view of the look-ahead sensor;
- wherein at least one of:
- (i) the scan path for the component of the data acquisition unit, and (ii) the orientation of the component of the data acquisition unit is adjusted, relative to the substrate, based on the determined spatial characteristic of the target, such that, as the measurement head advances along the measurement path, the data acquisition unit is better configured to detect a visual characteristic of the target.
A measurement head for facilitating detection of a visual characteristic of a target on a substrate, the measurement head being movable relative to the substrate so as to define a measurement path thereof, the measurement head comprising:
- a. a look-ahead sensor, configured to monitor the measurement path of the measurement head, wherein the look-ahead sensor is associated with a positional tracking system adapted to determine a positional characteristic of the target when the target is at least partially within a field of view of the look-ahead sensor, and
- b. a data acquisition unit configured to detect a visual characteristic of the target, wherein positions of one or more components of the data acquisition unit relative to the substrate are adjusted based on the determined positional characteristic of the target, such that the target is better located within a field of view of the data acquisition unit as the measuring head advances along the measurement path.
A measurement head for facilitating detection of a visual characteristic of a target on a substrate, the measurement head being movable relative to the substrate so as to define a measurement path thereof, the measurement head comprising:
- a. a look-ahead sensor, configured to monitor the measurement path of the measurement head, wherein the look-ahead sensor is associated with an angular tracking system adapted to determine an angular characteristic of the target when the target is within a field of view of the look-ahead sensor, and
- b. a data acquisition unit configured to detect a visual characteristic of the target, wherein orientations of one or more components of the data acquisition unit relative to the substrate are adjusted based on the determined angular characteristic of the target, such that the target is better aligned within a field of view of the data acquisition unit as the measuring head advances along the measurement path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.