US 8,947,660 B2 · Method and device for carrying out an optical comparison between at least two samples, preferably by comparing sections that can be selected

Abstract

An improved method and an improved device for carrying out an optical comparison between at least two samples, preferably by comparing sections that can be selected, is characterized by the following characteristics: the sample (UR, LE, I) that is to be examined and is characterized by a non-uniformity in the structure and/or color is illuminated by diffused light; from the light reflected by the sample (UR, LE, I) to be examined, an interference spectrum is created by means of a spectrometer; the interference spectrum created by the spectrometer is depicted on a camera; the interference spectrum obtained in this way and/or values of the sample (I) to be examined derived therefrom are used as sample values which are compared to sample values of a reference sample (UR, LE) obtained accordingly.

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Drawings

Claims22

Dependent claims

A method for carrying out an optical comparison of first and second two dimensional samples, each of which is patterned such that the first and second samples are not evenly colored, comprising:

illuminating a portion of the first sample with scattered light, and guiding light reflected from the portion of the first sample through an optical wavelength separating device onto an imaging camera;
utilizing an output of the imaging camera to generate a first spectrum for the first sample that includes light amplitude values at a plurality of different wavelengths;
generating an image of the portion of the first sample with a position detection camera;
storing the image of the portion of the first sample with information regarding the first spectrum;
illuminating a corresponding portion of the second sample with scattered light, and guiding light reflected from the corresponding portion of the second sample through the optical wavelength separating device onto the imaging camera, wherein the portion of the first sample and the corresponding portion of the second sample have substantially identical patterns;
utilizing an output of the imaging camera to generate a second spectrum for the second sample that includes light amplitude values at a plurality of different wavelengths;
and
comparing the first and second spectrums, or values derived from the first and second spectrums, to determine a degree of similarity between the first and second samples.

5 more elements

A device for carrying out an optical comparison between at least two samples, each of which is patterned such that samples are not evenly colored, the device comprising:

a scattered light producing device that generates scattered light and that is configured to guide the scattered light onto a sample;
an optical wavelength separating device that separates light reflected from a sample into wavelength bands;
an imaging camera that is configured to receive light output from the optical wavelength separating device and to generate a spectrum for a sample that includes a plurality of amplitude values at a corresponding plurality of wavelength ranges;
a positioning device that is configured to cause the scattered light producing device, the optical wavelength separating device and the imaging camera to generate a first spectrum from a first portion of a first sample, and a second spectrum from a corresponding portion of a second sample, the first portion of the first sample and the corresponding portion of the second sample having substantially identical patterns;
an evaluation unit that is configured to determine a degree of similarity between the first and second samples based on the spectrums generated for the first portion of the first sample and the corresponding portion of the second sample, or values derived from the spectrums generated for the first and second samples;
and
a position detection camera that is configured to generate an image of a portion of a sample, wherein a generated image of a portion of a sample is stored along with a spectrum generated for the sample.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description5,434 words

Summary1,688 words

#The invention relates to a method and device for carrying out an optical comparison between at least two samples, preferably by comparing sections that can be selected, according to the preambles of claims 1 and 14 respectively.

#Various methods and devices have already been made known for comparing single-colour colour samples, for example by RAL identification.

#In addition, however, many applications are also in principle known in which the samples which are to be compared have an inconsistent structure or an inconsistent colour.

Brief description of the drawings5 figures

#In the following, the invention is explained further by way of drawings, in which, in detail:

#FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of three different samples of the same decor;

#FIG. 2 is a schematic axial cross-section through a colour spectrum measurement device;

Detailed description3,635 words

#FIG. 1 schematically reproduces three samples of the same decor, specifically the example of an original sample, a reference sample LE (this being what is known as the last-delivery sample) most recently printed based on the original sample, and a new current sample I which is currently being printed or is to be printed, which are intended to provide examples of three samples UR, LE and I, and for example the current sample I is to be compared for identity with the most recently printed sample LE or the original sample UR.

#The aforementioned UR, LE and I samples are for example positioned, fixed, glued etc. to a flat base. The samples can thus also be impregnated or lacquered and laminated on a base (a substrate).

#For each of the three samples, one, two or a plurality of decor sections A1, A2, A3 etc. can be established which are typical of a decor of this type, which is inconsistent in structure and colour.

Facts

Application

13/318,294Filed 29 Apr 2010

Priority

DE 10 2009 019 54530 Apr 2009

Published

US 2012/0105860 A13 May 2012

Granted

3 Feb 2015

Term ends

9 Oct 2031

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 528 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification9 codes

G01J 3/10
Details: arrangements of light sources specially adapted for spectrometry or colorimetry
G01J 1/04
Details: optical or mechanical part supplementary adjustable parts
G01J 3/0251
Optical elements not provided otherwise, e.g. optical manifolds, diffusers, windows: colorimeters making use of an integrating sphere
G01J 3/0254
Optical elements not provided otherwise, e.g. optical manifolds, diffusers, windows: spectrometers, other than colorimeters, making use of an…

Timeline

30 Apr 2009Priority claimedDE 10 2009 019 545
29 Apr 2010Application filedUS 13/318,294
27 Dec 2011Assigned to Schattdecor AGassignment of assignor's interest
3 May 2012PublishedUS 2012/0105860 A1
3 Feb 2015GrantedUS 8,947,660 B2
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
9 Oct 2031Term endsEstimated, includes 528 days of adjustment

Method and device for carrying out an optical comparison between at least two samples, preferably by comparing sections that can be selected

Life of this patent

Method and device for carrying out an optical comparison between at least two samples, preferably by comparing sections that can be selected

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims22

Description5,434 words

Drawings

Description5,434 words

Life of this patent

Classification9 codes