Handheld spectrophotometer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a handheld device (100) for a spectrophotometric colorimeter, the handheld device including: a) a housing (110) having an opening for a light beam from a surface to the handheld device (100), b) an apparatus (120) for determining a reflectance value of the light beam; and c) an interface (140) for a mobile device that provides a signal indicative of the reflectance value to a mobile device (200). Thus, a handheld device for spectrophotometric colorimeter is provided, wherein a mobile device is used as a user interface.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a handheld device for spectrophotometric colorimetry, a handheld spectrophotometer, a computer program product for spectrophotometric colorimetry, data storage for spectrophotometric colorimetry, and a system for providing color-specific coating materials based on spectrophotometric colorimetry. [Background technology]

[0002] Colors are used in virtually every industry for a variety of reasons: for example, colors are used for safety (e.g., safety yellow), for identification (e.g., blue-painted pipes indicate that gas is flowing), for branding (e.g., a company's color scheme), and for customer satisfaction (e.g., a particular color on a car body). Colors need to be mixed very precisely to avoid misleading or incorrect color schemes.

[0003] In automotive repair and maintenance shops, for example, a wide variety of colors are needed quickly and with high color accuracy. To provide these colors, workers hold a spectrophotometer in front of the appropriate surface, thereby determining the surface color, particularly the color of the coating to be applied. Then, the workers program the determined color into a color-matching machine, which then produces a coating material in the determined color. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, this is error-prone, time-consuming, and a significant cost driver. In particular, manual programming of a color matching machine is highly error-prone due to typographical errors. Furthermore, the format of the spectrophotometer's output may not be the same as the requirements input by the color matching machine, therefore requiring the operator to manually transcribe the colors, color codes, etc., which is also highly error-prone. Furthermore, typical spectrophotometers are cumbersome due to their size and expensive due to their user interface.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for improved systems for coating materials of specific colors. In particular, it would be advantageous to provide a more accurate and less expensive system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a handheld device for spectrophotometric colorimetry, the handheld device comprising: a housing having an opening for a light beam from a surface to the handheld device; equipment for determining a reflectance value of the light beam; and an interface for a mobile device that provides a signal indicative of the reflectance value to the mobile device.

[0007] Thus, a handheld device for spectrophotometric colorimetry is provided, and the mobile device is used as a user interface (abbreviated as UI).

[0008] Spectrophotometric colorimetry is a branch of electromagnetic spectroscopy that aims to quantitatively measure the reflectance or transmittance properties of materials as a function of wavelength. It uses a photometer known as a spectrophotometer to measure the intensity of light at various wavelengths, allowing the color of a surface to be determined.

[0009] Preferably, the handheld device comprises at least a housing having an opening, an apparatus for determining reflectance values, and an interface for a mobile device.

[0010] The housing may be a container, a protective exterior, a packaging structure, etc. Preferably, the housing is designed to allow easier handling, and / or to provide mounting points for internal mechanisms, and / or to maintain cleanliness of the contents by shielding from contamination such as dirt, dust, fluids, etc., and / or to protect the contents from structural stresses or physical, thermal, chemical, biological, or radiation damage from the surrounding environment, and / or otherwise. The housing may be made of plastic, synthetic material, metal, ceramic, etc.

[0011] Preferably, the housing has at least one opening for a light beam, which opening is used by the instrument to determine the reflectance value of a surface, in particular a coating material. The opening may have any shape, such as round, triangular, rectangular, etc. The opening may also consist of glass, a lens, etc., in particular to protect the inside of the housing.

[0012] Preferably, the housing may include additional features and / or contents, such as an exterior for the mobile device, a flap for a battery compartment, etc. Preferably, the housing is designed to protect the equipment for determining the reflectance value and / or other contents inside the housing, such as light sources, electrical circuitry, etc. Furthermore, the housing may be designed according to the Institute of Printed Circuits (IPC), etc. Also, preferably, the housing is designed for handling the handheld device, for example by having an ergonomic handle, etc. Preferably, the housing is dustproof and / or waterproof.

[0013] The device for determining the reflectance value of a light beam is preferably housed in a housing. Preferably, the entire device for determining reflectance values ​​is enclosed by the housing. Here, reflectance preferably refers to reflection or backscattering of light by a material or surface. Thus, the device for determining reflectance values ​​utilizes the reflectance of a surface to determine its color. In particular, the device for determining reflectance values ​​is used to determine the reflectance value of the color of a coating, coating material, or the like. Preferably, the device for determining reflectance values ​​is a colorimeter or spectrocolorimeter or has the functionality of a colorimeter or spectrocolorimeter. Preferably, the device for determining reflectance values ​​does not have a user interface. Instead, the user interface for the device is provided by a mobile device, and the mobile device can be connected to the device for determining reflectance values ​​via the interface.

[0014] Preferably, the instrument for determining reflectance values ​​is a spectrophotometer. The spectrophotometer may be of any design, such as single beam, double beam, etc. The spectrophotometer may also have any configuration, such as single angle or multi-angle. Preferably, the light and / or camera of the spectrophotometer are adjustable, preferably between 0° and 90°, such as 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°, etc.

[0015] The interface of the mobile device may be any kind of interface, such as a hardware interface, a software interface, a hybrid interface, etc. For example, the interface is provided by a Universal Serial Bus (abbreviated as USB), such as USB 3.x. Preferably, the interface is designed to provide at least a connection between the device for determining reflectance values ​​and the mobile device. The interface may also be designed to transfer any data from the device for determining reflectance values ​​to the mobile device and / or to supply power from the mobile device to the device for determining reflectance values. It is therefore also proposed to supply power to the device for determining reflectance values ​​from the mobile device. However, in a preferred embodiment, the device for determining reflectance values ​​is powered by a power source of the handheld device, such as a battery in a power compartment of the handheld device.

[0016] Thus, a handheld device for spectrophotometric colorimetry is provided, which uses a mobile device as a user interface (abbreviated as UI). In particular, the handheld device does not have a user interface or a screen. However, the handheld device has at least one interface connectable to the mobile device, thereby enabling the mobile device to provide a user interface for the handheld device for spectrophotometric colorimetry, in particular for an instrument for determining reflectance values. Preferably, the mobile device includes the computer program product described herein, in particular for providing a correct color based on the reflectance values.

[0017] Preferably, the handheld device for spectrophotometric colorimetry, and in particular the housing and / or the instrument for determining reflectance and / or the interface, are designed to meet EX zone requirements. Alternatively and / or additionally, the handheld device for spectrophotometric colorimetry, and in particular the housing and / or the instrument for determining reflectance and / or the interface, are designed to meet ATEX zone classification and / or NFPA classification. In particular, EX zone requirements and / or ATEX zone classification and / or NFPA classification are for automotive repair and maintenance shops, etc. Such requirements can be met, for example, by using suitable housing materials and / or suitable insulation of electrical circuits and / or the like.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the housing comprises an exterior for holding the mobile device and / or a mechanism for coupling the mobile device to the housing.

[0019] Thus, the housing may include at least one feature for holding the mobile device in such a way that the handheld device and the mobile device together form a handheld spectrophotometer, as described below. To this end, the housing may be configured with a specific design, such as an exterior that renders a negative shape of the mobile device. Additionally or alternatively, the housing may include a mechanism for holding the mobile device. The mechanism may be mechanical, electrical, magnetic, or the like. For example, the mechanism may include a clamp, a notch, or the like, particularly to provide a click mechanism, by which the mobile device is secured in the handheld device.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the instrument for determining the reflectance values ​​is based on a multi-angle measurement system.

[0021] Therefore, the light angle of the device and / or the angle of the camera can be adjusted, in particular between 0° and 90°, and at least two measurements are taken at different angles to determine the reflectance value, thereby accurately determining the reflectance value.

[0022] By using a multi-angle measurement system, the equipment that determines reflectance values ​​is designed to accurately and precisely determine color, allowing metallic colors and other colors to be accurately matched, especially by determining an accurate color match.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the interface is on the exterior of the housing and / or on the same side as the mechanism that couples the mobile device to the housing.

[0024] Therefore, the handheld device has a linear buildup and / or design. In particular, the opening is at the front of the housing, and the interface, exterior, and / or mechanism is at the rear of the housing. This ensures a continuous, linear design, allowing for a compact handheld device. Preferably, the handheld device has a design similar to a camera, in particular a camera-like design.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the openings and interfaces are on opposite sides of the housing, particularly the front and back.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the housing provides a first handle and a second handle on opposite sides of the housing, particularly on the left and right sides of the housing.

[0027] The handles may be part of the housing or may be attached to the housing. Preferably, the handles are an integral part of the housing. Preferably, the handles have an ergonomic shape, particularly a shape that is suited to the human hand. Preferably, the handles are on the right and left sides of the housing, the opening is on the front side, and the exterior of the mobile device is on the rear side. Thus, the handheld device has a structure similar to that of a handheld camera.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the handheld device also comprises a battery compartment and / or a light source and / or a camera and / or a measurement data transfer unit.

[0029] Preferably, the battery compartment is located inside the housing. The battery compartment may be designed for one or more batteries and / or rechargeable batteries. The battery compartment may also have a flap on the outside of the housing, in particular for tool-free battery replacement.

[0030] Preferably, the light source provides sufficient light for the instrument to determine reflectance values, particularly reflectance values. Thus, the light source provides sufficient light for an accurate reading of color.

[0031] Preferably, the unit for measurement data transfer is used to provide measurement data from the device for determining reflectance values ​​to a mobile phone and / or the cloud and / or a color database as described herein.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the housing also includes a pin, in particular a pivotable pin, for holding and / or securing the mobile device.

[0033] The pin may be part of the housing and / or made from the same material as the housing. Preferably, the pin is pivotally mounted to the housing and is provided with an interface. Preferably, the pin is on the rear surface of the housing.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the interface is designed to connect the reflectance value determining device with a mobile device and / or to transfer data between the reflectance value determining device and a mobile device.

[0035] Preferably, the interface is a wired interface and / or a hardware interface. Accordingly, the interface comprises an electrical circuit. Preferably, the electrical circuit of the interface is connected to an instrument for determining the reflectance value. The electrical circuit may also include an electrical connector, particularly for a mobile device. Preferably, the electrical connector of the handheld device described herein is compatible with the electrical connector of a mobile device, such as USB 3.x. In a more preferred embodiment, the interface is in a pin, particularly a pivotable pin. Thus, the pin and / or electrical connector are adjustable and / or allow for the connection of different types of devices. Preferably, the pin and / or connector are extendable to allow for various distances, particularly for suitable attachment of a mobile device.

[0036] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a handheld spectrophotometer comprising a handheld device, particularly as described herein, and a mobile device connected to the handheld device via a mobile device interface, particularly the handheld device and the mobile device together forming the spectrophotometer.

[0037] In this way, a mobile device is used as a user interface for a handheld spectrophotometer. In particular, a mobile device has a more stable and robust interface. Furthermore, since most mobile devices are much cheaper than typical user interfaces for spectrophotometers, the handheld spectrophotometer proposed herein is also much cheaper than typical spectrophotometers.

[0038] The mobile device may be any type of computer, particularly one small enough to be held and operated in a user's hand. Preferably, the mobile device comprises a screen. The screen may be any type of screen, such as an LCD, an OLED flat screen, etc. Preferably, the screen has a size between 3 inches and 20 inches, preferably between 4.5 inches and 10 inches. Preferably, the screen comprises a touchscreen interface with digital buttons and / or a keyboard. The mobile device may also comprise physical buttons and / or a physical keyboard. Preferably, the mobile device is connectable to the Internet and / or interconnectable with other devices, such as the cloud and / or data storage described herein. The mobile device may be a mobile computer, a tablet computer, a handheld PC, a mobile phone, a camera phone, a smartphone, a phablet, etc. Preferably, the mobile device is a smartphone. Preferably, the mobile is designed to execute the computer program product described herein.

[0039] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a spectrophotometric data storage comprising a color database having a plurality of data relating to various colors, the color database being designed to communicate with a handheld spectrophotometer as described herein and / or particularly with an apparatus for providing a coating material as described herein.

[0040] The data storage may be file system-based or hosted on a computer cluster or cloud storage. Preferably, the data storage is cloud or cloud-based. Preferably, the data storage is designed to determine a color code or color value based on the reflectance value. For example, a handheld spectrophotometer determines the reflectance value for a certain coating. The reflectance value is then transferred to a mobile device and sent to the data storage. The data storage may comprise a lookup table and an algorithm that determines the color code and / or color value that most closely matches the reflectance value. The color code and / or color value is then sent to a color matching machine and / or a mobile device, etc. If the color code is sent to a mobile device, the mobile device can display the color code to the user.

[0041] Preferably, the data storage and / or color database may be a centralized database or a distributed database, etc. A centralized database is a database that is located, stored, and maintained in a single location, e.g., a computer or server. A distributed database divides the workload across multiple machines and uses sophisticated algorithms to balance I / O requests to obtain the best response time, e.g., for cloud running on multiple servers. Preferably, the data storage and / or color database is in the cloud and / or cloud-based. Preferably, the color database is in the data storage cloud. Preferably, the color database includes a plurality of color codes and / or color values. The color codes and / or color values ​​may be standardized or unique.

[0042] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to provide a visualization of at least one of: reflectance values ​​provided by a handheld device for spectroscopic colorimetry, particularly as described herein; and / or points of origin of light rays irradiated onto a handheld device for spectroscopic colorimetry, particularly as described herein.

[0043] Preferably, the computer program product is in the form of an app. Preferably, the computer program product is designed for mobile devices. Preferably, the computer program product connects the spectrophotometer with a data storage and in particular determines a color code, preferably a color code of a coating.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the computer program product includes instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to determine color values ​​based on the reflectance values, particularly based on a color database / color base, and / or provide the reflectance values ​​or color values ​​directly to a color machine.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the computer program product includes instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to communicate with a color database for spectrophotometric colorimetry, particularly as described herein, to identify a particular color, and / or to provide data regarding a particular color, particularly as described herein, to a color machine, particularly.

[0046] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a system, particularly for use in an automotive repair or maintenance workshop, comprising a handheld spectrophotometer as described herein, and / or a data storage device as described herein, and / or a machine for applying a coating material of a particular color based on the spectrophotometer.

[0047] The equipment for dispensing the coating material may be any type of mixer. Preferably, the equipment is designed to dispense coating material from a variety of colors. Preferably, the equipment is a color mixer. Preferably, the color mixer provides colors and / or coating materials for automobiles, particularly automobile bodies.

[0048] The coating material may be any coating material, such as pure metals, metals, alloys, ceramics, ceramic oxides, cermets, pseudoalloys, paints, lacquers, plastics, hybrid dispersions, resins, acrylics, automotive coats, primers, base coats, clear coats, etc. Additionally, the coating material may be comprised of one coating technology or multiple different coating technologies, such as solvent-borne and / or water-borne polyurethanes and / or monocoat systems.

[0049] Preferably, the device comprises at least a user interface (abbreviated UI) and / or a data store as described herein and / or an interface for a computer program product as described herein. The device may also include a control unit.

[0050] It is to be understood that the methods and systems as described above and the computer program products as described above have similar and / or identical preferred embodiments, in particular as defined in the respective dependent claims.

[0051] It should also be understood that a preferred embodiment of the invention can also be any combination of the dependent claims or the above embodiments with the respective independent claim.

[0052] Also, any connection of units or systems herein should be understood as, for example, a data connection or data communication system that transfers, e.g., transmits and receives, data between the units and / or systems, e.g., by wires, buses, circuits, etc. However, data communication may also be wireless.

[0053] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0054] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A is a schematic, exemplary side view of a handheld device for a spectrophotometer. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a schematic side view of a handheld spectrophotometer. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic, exemplary diagram of a system for providing a coating material of a particular color based on spectrophotometric colorimetry. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0055] 1A shows a schematic and exemplary side view of a handheld device for spectrophotometric colorimetry 100. The handheld device 100 comprises a housing 110, an instrument 120, an interface 130, a utility interface 140, and a battery compartment 150.

[0056] The housing 110 may be made of plastic, synthetic material, metal, ceramic, etc. Preferably, the housing 110 encloses the entire device 120 for determining reflectance values. The housing 110 has at least one opening 112 for light rays, particularly light rays forming the surface of a coating material. The opening 112 is designed to allow the light rays to reach the device 120 inside the handheld device 100. The housing also has an exterior 114 for holding a mobile device. Preferably, the exterior 114 is designed so that the mobile device can be clicked or clamped to the exterior 114. The housing may also have another exterior 116 for an optical system, such as a lens. Furthermore, the housing may include a mechanism for locking the mobile device to the housing 110 or any other part of the handheld device 100, thereby locking the mobile device to the handheld device 100.

[0057] Preferably, the device 120 is enclosed by the housing 110. In particular, the device 120 is designed to measure a reflection value of a light beam, which reflection value is preferably provided via the interface 130 to the mobile device, in particular to a mobile device within an enclosure.

[0058] Preferably, the interface 130 is a hardware interface. In particular, the interface is designed to transfer data, in particular reflection values, between the device 120 and a mobile device, in particular a mobile device in a housing. Preferably, the interface 130 is in a rotatable or pivotable pin or the like. To connect the mobile device to the device, the pin can be folded. The mobile device can then be inserted into the pin. The mobile device is then rotated or turned into the housing 114 using the pivotable pin. In this way, the pin 132 has two functions: to electrically connect the mobile device to the device and to guide the mobile device into the housing 110's housing 114.

[0059] The mobile device may also include a computer program product, preferably an application program (abbreviated as "app") as described herein, and thus may be used as a user interface (abbreviated as "UI") for the handheld device 100, in particular for the appliance 120. The handheld device 100, together with the mobile device, forms a handheld spectrophotometer as described herein or shown in FIG. 1B.

[0060] The handheld device 100 may include a utility interface 140, such as a data storage interface, etc. The additional interface 140 may be a hardware interface, a software interface, etc. The additional interface 140 may be wired or wireless. Preferably, the additional interface 140 may be for data storage or any type of cloud service as described herein. The utility interface 140 may also be used to communicate with a mobile device or to provide a signal indicative of the reflectance value to the mobile device.

[0061] The handheld device 100 may include a battery compartment 150, which provides power to the device 120, particularly via wire 151. In another embodiment, the device 120 may be powered by a mobile device, particularly a battery of the mobile device, preferably via pin 132 or another connection, such as another pin or a wireless connection.

[0062] The handheld device 100 may also include a light source 160, such as an LED, designed to emit a specific light for illuminating the surface S and / or coating material C, thereby forming a light beam L for the equipment 120.

[0063] 1B is a side view of a handheld spectrophotometer 1000. The handheld spectrophotometer 1000 includes a handheld device 100 and a mobile device 200, as shown in FIG. 1A. The mobile device 200 is inserted into the handheld device 100 via a pin 132. The pin 132 is rotatable so that the mobile device can be rotated and folded into the outer shell 114 of the handheld device 100.

[0064] The housing 110 also has an opening 112 on the front, an exterior 144 on the back, and handles 118', 118" on the sides. Preferably, the pin 132 is on the same side of the housing 110 as the exterior 114, particularly the back. Thus, the opening 112 and the pin 132 are on opposite sides of the housing 110. Furthermore, there are handles 118', 118", one on each side of the housing 110. Thus, there is a first handle 118' on one side of the housing 110 and a second handle 118" on the other side of the housing 110. In this way, the housing 110 provides the general shape of a camera.

[0065] The mobile device 200 comprises a computer program product as described herein, for example an app for determining color codes or color values ​​of coating materials, the functionality of which is described in more detail below with reference to FIG.

[0066] FIG. 2 shows, in a schematic and exemplary manner, systems 1000, 2000, 3000 for providing a coating material 3100 of a particular color based on spectrophotometric colorimetry.

[0067] Systems 1000, 2000, 3000 include a handheld spectrophotometer 1000, data storage 2000, and device 3000. Device 3000 is designed to provide a coating material 3100 of a specific color. Thus, the device is a color matcher.

[0068] For example, the body of an automobile may be repaired, requiring a coating material 3100 of a particular color. In this case, the handheld spectrophotometer 1000 is guided over the surface S of the body, and the reflectance value r of the body coating material C is determined via the instrument 120 of the handheld spectrophotometer 1000. The reflectance value r is provided to the mobile device 200, and in particular to a software application on the mobile device 200.

[0069] In one embodiment, the reflectance value is transmitted by the mobile device 200 to a cloud-based color database 2000. The cloud-based color database 2000 determines the closest color match to the reflectance value r and transmits the respective color code cc to the device 3000. Based on the color code cc, the control unit 3100 of the device 3000 determines a specific recipe rp. The recipe rp is provided to the mixing unit 3200, which produces a coating material according to the recipe rp, thereby providing a coating material 3100 of a specific color, particularly a color that matches the color of a coating material already on the body. To fulfill the recipe, the mixing unit 3200 can use materials 3300′, 3300″, 3300′″ of various types and / or colors, depending on the coating material 3100 provided.

[0070] In another embodiment, the reflectance value r and / or corresponding value i(r) are communicated between mobile device 200 and cloud-based color database 2000. For example, mobile device 200 sends reflectance value r to cloud-based color database 2000, which then replies with a corresponding color code cc, etc. Mobile device 200 then displays the color corresponding to color code cc. A user of mobile device 200 can then decide whether to proceed further by sending order o(cc) including color code cc to device 3000.

[0071] In this way, a cloud-based system is provided that can be easily installed or introduced into existing workplaces such as car repair and maintenance shops, etc. Almost any existing workspace with a color matching machine could potentially be upgraded in this way.

[0072] In the above embodiments, reference has been made to handheld devices in automotive repair and maintenance shops, but it will be appreciated that the method and / or system may also be used for other purposes, such as paint shops, varnishing shops, etc.

[0073] In the above embodiments, even if some functions are described only with respect to a particular unit, the same functions may be applied to other units or multiple units.

[0074] Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

[0075] For the processes and methods disclosed herein, the operations performed in the processes and methods may be performed in different orders. Furthermore, the outlined operations are provided by way of example only, and some of the operations may be optional, combined into fewer steps and operations, supplemented with additional operations, or expanded into additional operations without detracting from the essence of the disclosed embodiments.

[0076] In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

[0077] A single unit or device may fulfill the functions of several items or means recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0078] The steps performed by one or more units or devices, such as determining color values, providing color codes, etc., can be performed by any number of other units or devices, and these steps can be implemented as program code means of a computer program and / or as dedicated hardware.

[0079] The computer program product may be stored / distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium, supplied together with or as part of other hardware, or may be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunications systems.

[0080] Any of the units described herein may be processing units that are part of a classical computing system. The preprocessing unit, processing unit, or generation unit may include a general-purpose processor, and may also include a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any other specialized circuit. Any memory or database may be a physical system memory or a physical system database, and may be volatile, nonvolatile, or a combination thereof. The terms "memory" or "database" may also include any computer-readable storage medium, such as a non-volatile mass storage device. If the computing system is distributed, the processing and / or memory capabilities may also be distributed. A computing system may include multiple structures as "executable components." The term "executable component" is a structure well understood in the computing arts as a structure that may be software, hardware, or a combination thereof. For example, when implemented in software, those skilled in the art will understand that the structure of an executable component may include software objects, routines, methods, etc. that can be executed on the computing system. This may include both executable components in the computing system heap or executable components on a computer-readable storage medium. The structure of the executable components may reside on a computer-readable medium such that, when interpreted by one or more processors, e.g., processor threads, of a computing system, causes the computing system to perform functions. Such structure may be directly computer-readable by the processor, e.g., where the executable components are binary, or may be structured to be interpretable and / or compilable, e.g., in a single stage or multiple stages, to generate such binaries that are directly interpretable by the processor.In other examples, the structure may be hard-coded or hard-wired logic gates that are specifically or nearly specifically implemented in hardware, such as in a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any other specialized circuit. Accordingly, the term "executable component" refers to a structure well understood by those skilled in the art of computing, whether implemented in software, hardware, or a combination thereof. Any embodiment herein is described with reference to acts performed by one or more preprocessing and / or processing units of a computing system. When such acts are implemented in software, one or more processors direct the operation of the computing system in response to executing the computer-executable instructions that make up the executable component. A computing system may also include communication channels that enable the computing system to communicate with other computing systems, e.g., over a network. The term "network" is defined as one or more data links that enable the transmission of electronic data between computing systems and / or modules and / or other electronic devices. When information is transferred or provided to a computing system over a network or other communications connection (e.g., either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless), the computing system properly views the connection as a transmission medium. A transmission medium may be used to transmit desired program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures and may include networks and / or data links that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computing system or combination thereof. While not all computing systems require a user interface, in some embodiments a computing system includes a user interface system for use in interfacing with a user.The user interface acts as an input / output mechanism for the user, for example, via a display.

[0081] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that at least a portion of the present invention can be implemented in a networked computing environment having many types of computing system configurations, including personal computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, message processors, handheld devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, cellular phones, PDAs, pagers, routers, switches, data centers, wearables such as eyeglasses, etc. The present invention can also be implemented in a distributed system environment where tasks are performed by local and remote computing systems linked, for example, by hardwired data links, wireless data links, or a combination of hardwired and wireless data links over a network. In a distributed system environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices. The method may also be implemented within an enterprise resource planning environment.

[0082] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that at least a portion of the present invention can be implemented in a cloud computing environment. A cloud computing environment may be distributed, but this is not required. If distributed, a cloud computing environment may be distributed internationally within an organization and / or have components owned across multiple organizations. For purposes of this specification and the claims that follow, "cloud computing" is defined as a model that enables on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services). The definition of "cloud computing" is not limited to any of the many other advantages that are obtained when such a model is deployed. The computing system in the figures includes various components or functional blocks that may implement various disclosed embodiments as described herein. The various components or functional blocks may be implemented on a local computing system or on a distributed computing system that includes elements that reside in the cloud or that implement aspects of cloud computing. The various components or functional blocks may be implemented as software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The computing system depicted in the figure may have more or fewer components than those depicted, and may combine some of the components as appropriate.

[0083] Any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 100 handheld device 110 housing 110 120 device 130 interface 140 utility interface 150 battery compartment 112 opening 114 exterior 150 battery compartment 1000 handheld spectrophotometer 200 mobile device 3000 device 3100 coating material

Claims

1. 1. A handheld device for a spectrophotometer, comprising: a housing (110) with an opening for the light beam from the surface to the handheld device (100); - an instrument (120) for determining the reflectance value of a light ray; and an interface (140) for the mobile device (200) that provides the mobile device (200) with a signal indicative of the reflectance value; 1. A handheld device comprising:

2. The housing (110) comprises: a housing for holding the mobile device (200); and / or a mechanism for coupling the mobile device (200) to the housing (110); The handheld device of claim 1 , comprising at least one of:

3. 3. The handheld device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the instrument (120) for determining reflectance values ​​is based on a multi-angle measurement system.

4. 3. The handheld device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the interface (140) is on the same side as an exterior housing (110) and / or a locking mechanism for coupling the mobile device (200) to the housing (110).

5. 3. The handheld device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening and the interface (140) are on opposite sides of the housing (110).

6. 3. The handheld device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing (110) comprises a first handle and a second handle on opposite sides of the housing (110).

7. The device (120) comprises: - battery compartment; - light source; - camera; - a measurement data transfer unit; 3. The handheld device of claim 1, further comprising at least one of:

8. 3. Handheld device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing (110) comprises a pin, in particular a pivotable pin, for holding the mobile device (200).

9. The interface (140) includes: - connecting an instrument (120) for determining reflectance values ​​to said mobile device (200), and / or - transferring data between the device (120) for determining reflectance values ​​and the mobile device (200); 3. The handheld device according to claim 1, wherein the handheld device is designed for at least one of the following:

10. the below described: - a handheld device (100) according to claim 1; and a mobile device (200) connected to the handheld device (100) via an interface (140) for the mobile device (200); Includes a handheld spectrophotometer.

11. a color database having a plurality of data relating to various colors, the color database being designed to communicate with the handheld spectrophotometer of claim 10 and, optionally, with an apparatus for providing a coating material; Data storage for spectrophotometers.

12. When the program is executed by a computer, the computer: - reflectance values ​​provided by a handheld device (100) for spectrophotometric colorimetry, in particular according to claim 1 or 2; and / or - the origin of the light beam projected onto the handheld device (100) for spectrophotometric colorimetry, in particular as claimed in claim 1 or 2, 10. A computer program product comprising instructions for causing a computer to perform the steps of: providing at least one visualization of a

13. When the program is executed by a computer, the computer: determining color values ​​based on the reflectance values, in particular based on a color database, and / or - Providing reflectance or color values ​​directly to a color machine; 13. The computer program product of claim 12, further comprising instructions to cause the execution of:

14. When the program is executed by a computer, the computer: - communicating with a color database for spectrophotometric colorimetry, in particular as described in claim 11, to identify specific colors; and / or - Providing data relating to specific colors, especially to color machines; 13. The computer program product of claim 12, further comprising instructions for causing a computer to execute:

15. the below described: a spectrophotometer (1000) according to claim 10; and / or - a spectrophotometric colorimetry data storage (2000) according to claim 11, and / or Optionally: an apparatus (3000) for providing a coating material (3100) of a specific color based on a spectrophotometer; A system (1000, 2000, 3000) including:

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