Measurement guide, colorimeter

Abstract

This suppresses misalignment of the colorimeter relative to the measurement location. [Solution] The measuring guide is an opening provided at the bottom of the main body of the device, which is an opening for taking in light arriving from the object to be measured into the main body of the device, and an incident light processing unit for processing the light incident through the opening, and is a measuring guide for aligning the opening of the colorimeter equipped with the colorimeter with the measurement part of the object to be measured, and comprises a frame that forms the outer circumference of a recess into which the bottom fits, and a sheet material that is transparent and forms the bottom surface of the recess, wherein the sheet material has a window portion that is in position with the opening when the bottom is fitted into the recess.

Description

Technical Field

[0002] , , , , , , ,

[0004] , , , , , , ,

[0005] , , , , ,

[0003] , , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a measurement guide for aligning a color measuring device with a measurement position. The present invention also relates to a color measurement system including the measurement guide and the color measuring device.

Background Art

[10] ]<00000]]8 Patent Document 1 describes a measurement position presentation guide. The measurement position presentation guide is obtained by cutting out portions corresponding to a measurement area and an alignment area, respectively, from a recording medium on which an image identical to the image printed on a printed matter is printed based on print image data, and is used for color measurement of the printed matter. When the measurement position presentation guide is placed on the printing unit, the image printed on the printed matter is exposed within the opening of the alignment area. Then, by manual operation of an operator, the color measuring device is brought into contact with each measurement area of the printed matter through the opening of the measurement position presentation guide, and color measurement is performed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By using the measurement position presentation guide described in Patent Document, the position to be measured in the printed matter is presented, but no means for aligning the color measuring device with respect to the opening is presented. For this reason, there is a risk that the color measuring device is misaligned with respect to the opening, and in this case, an appropriate color measurement result cannot be obtained.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a measuring guide for aligning the opening of a colorimeter equipped with an opening provided at the bottom of the main body of the device, the opening for taking in light arriving from the object to be measured into the main body of the device, and an incident light processing unit for processing the light incident through the opening, with the opening of the colorimeter equipped with a colorimeter, the measuring guide comprising a frame that forms the outer circumference of a recess into which the bottom fits, and a sheet material that forms the bottom surface of the recess and is transparent, wherein the sheet material has a window portion that aligns with the opening when the bottom is fitted into the recess.

[0006] Furthermore, the colorimetric system of the present invention is characterized by comprising a colorimetric device having an opening provided at the bottom of the device body for taking in light arriving from the object to be measured into the device body, and an incident light processing unit for processing the light incident through the opening, and the above-mentioned measurement guide for aligning the opening with the measurement area of ​​the object to be measured. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A perspective view of the colorimeter from above. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the colorimeter from below, where (A) shows the shutter in the closed position and (B) shows the shutter in the open position. [Figure 3] A perspective view of the measuring guide from above. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the colorimetric system from above, showing the colorimetric device fitted into the measurement guide. [Figure 5] This is a side view of a part of a colorimetric system, showing the colorimetric device fitted into the measurement guide. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view of the measuring guide cut along the XZ plane, shown as cross-sectional view AA in Figure 7. [Figure 7] Plan view of the measuring guide. [Figure 8] A cross-sectional view of a measuring guide according to another embodiment, cut along the YZ plane. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The present invention will be described in general terms below. A measurement guide according to the first embodiment is a measurement guide for aligning the opening of a colorimeter equipped with an opening provided at the bottom of the main body of the device, the opening for taking in light arriving from the object to be measured into the main body of the device, and an incident light processing unit for processing the light incident through the opening, with the opening of the colorimeter equipped with a colorimeter, the measurement guide comprising a frame that forms the outer circumference of a recess into which the bottom fits, and a sheet material that is transparent and forms the bottom surface of the recess, wherein the sheet material has a window portion that is in position with the opening when the bottom is fitted into the recess.

[0009] According to this embodiment, the measuring guide has the recess, and the bottom of the colorimeter is configured to fit into the recess. The bottom surface of the recess is made of a transparent sheet material, and the sheet material has a window portion that aligns with the opening when the bottom is fitted into the recess. Therefore, when performing color measurement, the window portion of the measuring guide is first aligned with the measurement area of ​​the object to be measured. At that time, since the sheet material is transparent, the window portion can be easily aligned with the measurement area. When the bottom of the colorimeter is fitted into the recess in that state, the window portion aligns with the opening, so the colorimeter can be accurately and easily positioned relative to the measurement area, and an appropriate color measurement result can be obtained.

[0010] The second embodiment is characterized in that, in the first embodiment, the bottom of the colorimeter has a rectangular shape in plan view, and the frame has a rectangular shape that follows the outer circumference of the bottom and is symmetrical in the longitudinal and transverse directions. According to this embodiment, the frame has a rectangular shape that follows the outer circumference of the bottom and is symmetrical in the longitudinal and transverse directions, so that the user can handle the measuring guide in the same way whether they use their right or left hand.

[0011] A third embodiment is characterized in that, in the second embodiment, the opening of the colorimeter is located at a position biased in a predetermined direction in the longitudinal direction of the bottom, and a plurality of windows are formed so as to be in a symmetrical positional relationship in the longitudinal direction of the bottom.

[0012] According to this embodiment, the opening of the colorimeter is located at a position biased in a predetermined direction in the longitudinal direction of the bottom, and the window portion is formed in a plurality of positions that are symmetrical in the longitudinal direction of the bottom. As a result, the user can use the measurement guide without having to worry about the orientation of the measurement guide, improving user convenience.

[0013] A fourth aspect is characterized in that, in the first aspect, an anti-slip portion is formed on the upper surface of the frame. According to this embodiment, since an anti-slip portion is formed on the upper surface of the frame, operability is improved when sliding the measuring guide against the object to be measured. Furthermore, this embodiment is not limited to the first embodiment described above, but may also be applied to the second or third embodiment described above.

[0014] A fifth aspect is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the sheet material is attached to the bottom surface of the frame, and the surface of the sheet material facing the object to be measured is coated. According to this embodiment, the sheet material is attached to the bottom surface of the frame, and the surface of the sheet material facing the object to be measured is coated, thereby improving the wear resistance of the sheet material. Furthermore, this embodiment is not limited to the first embodiment described above, but may also be applied to any of the second to fourth embodiments described above.

[0015] The sixth aspect is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the outer circumference of the bottom surface of the frame is chamfered. According to this aspect, since the outer periphery of the bottom surface of the frame is chamfered, when lifting the measurement guide with a fingertip, the fingertip is likely to get caught, improving the handling property. Note that this aspect is not limited to the above first aspect, and may be applied to any of the second to fifth aspects.

[0016] A seventh aspect is that in the first aspect, at a position on the side surface of the colorimeter facing the bottom portion, a position mark indicating the center position of the opening is formed, and the recess is formed to a depth at which the position mark is not hidden when the bottom portion of the colorimeter is fitted.

[0017] According to this aspect, at a position on the side surface of the colorimeter facing the bottom portion, a position mark indicating the center position of the opening is formed, and the recess is formed to a depth at which the position mark is not hidden when the bottom portion of the colorimeter is fitted. Therefore, even in a state where the bottom portion of the colorimeter is fitted into the recess, the position mark can be visually recognized. As a result, even in a state where the colorimeter is fitted to the measurement guide, the position of the opening can be grasped, improving the convenience for the user. Note that this aspect is not limited to the above first aspect, and may be applied to any of the second to sixth aspects.

[0018] A color measurement system according to an eighth aspect includes an opening provided at the bottom of a device main body for taking light reaching from a measurement object into the inside of the device main body, and a colorimeter provided with an incident light processing unit for processing the light incident through the opening, and a measurement guide for aligning the opening with a measurement site of the measurement object, the measurement guide being according to any of the first to seventh aspects. According to this aspect, in the color measurement system, any of the operational effects of the first to seventh aspects described above can be obtained.

[0019] Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described. Note that the XYZ coordinate system shown in each figure is a Cartesian coordinate system, where the XY plane is the horizontal plane and the XZ and YZ planes are the vertical planes. Furthermore, the Z-axis direction is vertical, with the +Z direction being vertically upward and the -Z direction being vertically downward. Also, the Z-axis direction is parallel to the optical axis CL, which will be described later. Furthermore, the Y-axis direction is the longitudinal direction of the colorimeter 1 when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The X-axis direction is perpendicular to the Y-axis direction and is the short-axis direction of the colorimeter 1 when viewed from the Z-axis direction. In this specification, the configuration of the colorimeter 1 and the measuring guide 20 is described assuming that the device is placed on a mounting surface parallel to the horizontal plane, and that the longitudinal direction of the colorimeter 1 is aligned with the Y-axis direction.

[0020] In Figures 1 and 2, the colorimeter 1 measures the color of the measurement area Ga (see Figure 7) of the object to be measured G (see Figure 7), and displays the color measurement result on the display unit 8 or transmits it to a computer (not shown). The colorimeter 1 according to this embodiment is a handheld type that can be held and handled by the user with one hand. Inside the main body 2 of the colorimeter 1 is a battery (not shown) which is the power source of the device, an incident light processing unit 4 that processes incident light, and a light-emitting unit (not shown) that emits light toward the object to be measured G. A detailed explanation of the incident light processing unit 4 is omitted, but in this embodiment the incident light processing unit 4 is equipped with an optical filter (not shown).

[0021] This optical filter selectively transmits arbitrary wavelength components from light incident inside the device. The light transmitted through this optical filter is incident on a photodetector (not shown), specifically a photodiode. The intensity of the incident light is then converted into a voltage value and output to a control unit (not shown). The colorimeter 1 measures the spectrum of the object to be measured by repeatedly performing wavelength selection using the optical filter and acquiring the received light intensity. In this embodiment, the optical filter is a tunable Fabry-Perot etalon, a wavelength filter that utilizes multiple interference between two opposing reflective surfaces. Of course, the incident light processing unit 4 is not limited to a configuration that includes such an optical filter. The tunable Fabry-Perot etalon is configured to select wavelengths by controlling the distance in the optical axis direction between a pair of mirrors (not shown) that are positioned opposite each other with a gap in the optical axis direction.

[0022] The outer shell of the device body 2 is composed of a housing 3. An opening 2b is formed in the bottom 2a of the device body 2, and incident light from the colorimetric target G toward the incident light processing unit 4 is taken into the device through the opening 2b. The opening 2b is a circular opening centered on the optical axis CL. The optical axis CL is the optical axis of the incident light from the colorimetric target toward the incident light processing unit 4. A light-emitting unit (not shown) is provided inside the opening 2b, and the light emitted from this unit is directed outwards through the opening 2b to the outside of the device, illuminating the measurement area opposite the opening 2b. The opening 2b can be covered by the shutter 11, as shown in Figure 2(A). The shutter 11 switches between a closed state that covers the opening 2b, as shown in Figure 2(A), and an open state that leaves the opening 2b open, as shown in Figure 2(B), by sliding it in the Y-axis direction. The shutter 11 is opened and closed by the user by placing their finger on the shutter 11 and sliding it.

[0023] The upper surface 2c of the main body 2 of the device is provided with an operating section 7 for performing various operations and a display section 8 for displaying various information. The user holds the colorimeter 1 with one hand while the display unit 8 is facing them. In this position, the control unit 7 is within reach of the user's fingers. The control unit 7 has a confirmation button 7a in the center, and pressing this button 7a allows the user to confirm various settings or perform color measurement. The control unit 7 also has a directional pad 7b, which can be used to select various items or change settings.

[0024] The select button 7a is located in the center of the directional pad 7b, which has a shape that extends up, down, left, and right from the center. The left and right keys of the directional pad 7b are marked with horizontal marks 7c that extend in the left and right directions, and the up and down keys are marked with vertical marks 7d that extend in the up and down directions. The confirmation button 7a has a perfect circle shape in plan view, and its center coincides with the position of the optical axis CL. Furthermore, the position where the imaginary line (not shown) extending the horizontal mark 7c intersects with the imaginary line (not shown) extending the vertical mark 7d corresponds to the position of the optical axis CL. This configuration makes it easy to align the color measurement position when viewing the colorimeter 1 from a planar perspective.

[0025] Position marks 9A and 9B are provided on the side of the main body 2 of the device, facing the bottom 2a. Position mark 9B is located on a virtual line (not shown) extending the horizontal mark 7c in a plan view. Position mark 9B indicates the center position of the opening 2b in the Y-axis direction. Position mark 9A is located on a virtual line (not shown) extending the vertical mark 7d in a plan view. Position mark 9A indicates the center position of the opening 2b in the X-axis direction. These position marks 9A and 9B also facilitate alignment of the colorimetric position.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, a strap hole 10 is formed on the side of the device body 2 in the -Y direction, and the portability of the colorimeter 1 can be improved by passing a strap (not shown) through the strap hole 10. It is also preferable to form a strap hole in the measurement guide 20, which will be described later, and connect the colorimeter 1 and the measurement guide 20 with a strap.

[0027] Next, the measurement guide 20 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and onward. The measurement guide 20 is a guide for aligning the opening 2b of the colorimeter 1 with the measurement area Ga (see Figure 7) of the measurement target G (see Figure 7), and is configured so that the bottom t of the colorimeter 1 can be fitted into the recess 20a. The outer circumference of the recess 20a is formed by a frame 21, and the bottom surface of the recess 20a is formed by a sheet material, specifically a transparent sheet material 22. The sheet material 22 has a window portion 22a that aligns with the opening 2b of the colorimeter 1 when the bottom 2a is fitted into the recess 20a. The window portion 22a is formed by cutting out a circular part of the sheet material 22, and has a perfect circle shape in plan view.

[0028] The frame 21 has a notch 21a that forms a roughly rectangular shape in plan view. The frame 21 can be made of a resin material, for example. The frame 21 may or may not be flexible, but having a certain degree of flexibility provides a breakage prevention effect.

[0029] The sheet material 22 is a permeable resin sheet, and for example, a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) sheet can be used. The sheet material 22 is attached to the lower surface of the frame 21 with double-sided tape (not shown), and when the measurement guide 20 is placed on the object to be measured G, the sheet material 22 comes into contact with the object to be measured G, while the frame 21 does not come into contact with the object to be measured G. The lower surface of the sheet material 22, that is, the surface that comes into contact with the object to be measured G, is treated with a hard coat as an example of a coating treatment. The overall thickness of the sheet material 22 is approximately 0.1 mm. If the thickness of the sheet material 22 increases, the distance between the object to be measured G and the colorimeter 1 increases, which negatively affects the colorimetric value, so it is preferable that it be as thin as possible.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4, the bottom 2a of the colorimeter 1 can be fitted into the recess 20a of the measuring guide 20. Therefore, as shown in Figure 7, the outer circumference of the recess 20a, that is, the inner circumference of the notch 21a of the frame 21, is shaped to follow the outer circumference of the bottom 2a of the colorimeter 1. In other words, the recess 20a is formed such that the gap between the side surface near the bottom of the device body 2 and the inner circumference of the recess 20a is uniform along the outer circumference of the bottom 2a, and this gap is set to 0.5 mm as an example. Preferably, the gap is at least 1.0 mm or less, and is large enough to ensure that the bottom 2a of the colorimeter 1 fits securely into the recess 20a.

[0031] The depth h1 of the recess 20a (see Figure 6) is set to approximately 2 mm as an example. The depth h1 of the recess 20a can be set as appropriate, but it is preferable that the depth be such that the colorimeter 1 and the measurement guide 20 do not easily move relative to each other in the XY plane when the bottom 2a of the colorimeter 1 is fitted into it. Furthermore, the depth h1 of the recess 20a is set to a depth that does not obscure the position marks 9A and 9B, as shown in Figure 5. In other words, the length of the position marks 9A and 9B in the Z-axis direction is set to be longer than the depth h1 of the recess 20a.

[0032] The bottom 2a of the colorimeter 1 has a roughly rectangular shape when viewed from the -Z direction, and is symmetrical in the X and Y directions. Similarly, the recess 20a also has a roughly rectangular shape, and is symmetrical in the X and Y directions. Furthermore, the frame 21 also has a roughly rectangular shape, and is symmetrical in the X and Y directions. Therefore, the colorimeter 1 can be fitted into the recess 20a in any orientation. In addition, two window portions 22a are formed so that the colorimeter 1 can be fitted into the recess 20a in any orientation.

[0033] Furthermore, anti-slip portions 21c are formed on the upper surface of the frame 21 at the +Y direction end and the -Y direction end. The anti-slip portions 21c are formed in a finely uneven manner by forming multiple ribs extending in the X direction in the Y direction. Furthermore, a chamfered portion 21b is formed on the lower surface of the frame 21 along its entire circumference (see Figures 5 and 6). The colorimeter 1 and measurement guide 20 described above constitute the colorimeter system 100.

[0034] When measuring the target object G using the colorimeter 1 and measurement guide 20 described above, first, as shown in Figure 7, align the window portion 22a of the measurement guide 20 with the measurement area Ga of the target object G. In this state, fit the bottom portion 2a of the colorimeter 1 into the recess portion 20a of the measurement guide 20. This aligns the opening 2b of the colorimeter 1 with the window portion 22a, allowing the measurement area Ga to be measured without any misalignment. The outer diameter of the window portion 22a is larger than the outer diameter of the opening 2b, and is sized so that even if the colorimeter 1 moves to some extent due to the gap between the recess 20a and the colorimeter 1, the opening 2b will remain inside the window portion 22a.

[0035] As described above, the measurement guide 20 has a recess 20a, and the bottom 2a of the colorimeter 1 is configured to fit into the recess 20a. The bottom surface of the recess 20a is formed of a transparent sheet material 22, and the sheet material 22 has a window portion 22a that aligns with the opening 2b of the colorimeter 1 when the bottom 2a of the colorimeter 1 is fitted into the recess 20a. Because the sheet material 22 is transparent, the window portion 22a can be easily aligned with the measurement area Ga. When the bottom 2a of the colorimeter 1 is fitted into the recess 20a in this state, the window portion 22a aligns with the opening 2b, so the colorimeter 1 can be accurately and easily positioned relative to the measurement area Ga, and appropriate color measurement results can be obtained. Furthermore, the statement that the sheet material 22 is transparent does not mean that the sheet material 22 is completely transparent, but rather that even if it is semi-transparent or colored, the object to be measured G can be visually observed and the window portion 22a can be aligned with the measurement area Ga.

[0036] In this embodiment, the frame 21, or measuring guide 20, has a rectangular shape that follows the outer circumference of the bottom 2a of the colorimeter 1, and is symmetrical in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) and the transverse direction (X-axis direction). This allows the user to handle the measuring guide 20 in the same way whether using their right or left hand.

[0037] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the opening 2b of the colorimeter 1 is positioned offset in the +Y direction in the Y-axis direction, that is, offset in the +Y direction in the longitudinal direction of the bottom portion 2a. The window portion 22a is formed in multiple (two) positions that are symmetrical in the Y-axis direction, i.e., the longitudinal direction. As a result, the user can use the measuring guide 20 without worrying about its orientation, improving user convenience.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since an anti-slip portion 21c is formed on the upper surface of the frame 21, operability is improved when sliding the measuring guide 20 relative to the object to be measured G. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the sheet material 22 is coated on the surface facing the object G to be measured, the wear resistance of the sheet material 22 can be improved. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the outer circumference of the bottom 2a of the frame 21 is chamfered, it becomes easier to grip the measuring guide 20 with your fingertips when lifting it, improving handling. The chamfer on the outer circumference of the bottom 2a may be either a rounded (R) or rounded (C) surface.

[0039] In this embodiment, position marks 9A and 9B indicating the center position of the opening 2b are formed on the side of the colorimeter 1 facing the bottom 2a, and the recess 20a is formed to a depth such that the position marks 9A and 9B are not hidden when the bottom 2a of the colorimeter 1 is fitted into it. As a result, even when the bottom 2a of the colorimeter 1 is fitted into the recess 20a, the position marks 9A and 9B can be seen and the position of the opening 2b can be determined, improving user convenience.

[0040] Furthermore, it is preferable that the measuring guide 20 be foldable. Figure 8 shows a foldable measuring guide 20A, and the same reference numerals are used for components identical to those described above. The measuring guide 20A has a structure in which the measuring guide 20 described above is divided into two in the longitudinal direction and connected to each other so that they can rotate. A sheet material 22A is attached to the frame 21A, and the two frames 21A are connected by a connecting sheet 25. The connecting sheet 25 is a flexible sheet material, but the two frames 21A may be connected by hinges or the like instead of such a sheet material. Figure 8(A) shows the measurement guide 20A in use, and Figure 8(B) shows the measurement guide 20A in a folded state. When folded, the Y-axis length of the measurement guide 20A is shorter than the Y-axis length of the colorimeter 1, thereby improving the storage capacity of the measurement guide 20A. For example, both the colorimeter 1 and the measurement guide 20A can be stored in a storage case (not shown) capable of housing the colorimeter 1.

[0041] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention as described in the claims, and these modifications are also included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0042] 1…Colorimeter, 2…Device body, 2a…Bottom, 2b…Opening, 2c…Top, 4…Incident light processing unit, 7…Operation unit, 7a…Selection button, 7b…Cross key, 7c…Horizontal mark, 7d…Vertical mark, 8…Display unit, 9A, 9B…Position marks, 10…Strap hole, 11…Shutter, 20…Measurement guide, 20a…Recess, 21…Frame, 21a…Notch, 21b…Chamfered part, 21c…Anti-slip part, 22…Sheet material, 22a…Window, 100…Colorimeter system, G…Measurement target, Ga…Measurement area

Claims

1. An opening provided at the bottom of the main body of the device, which is an opening for taking in light arriving from the object to be measured into the main body of the device, An incident light processing unit that processes light incident through the opening, and a measuring guide that aligns the opening of the colorimeter with the measurement area of ​​the object to be measured, A frame that forms the outer circumference of the recess into which the bottom portion fits, The recess comprises a sheet material that forms the bottom surface and is permeable to the sheet material, The sheet material has a window portion formed therein that aligns with the opening when the bottom portion is fitted into the recess. A measuring guide characterized by the following.

2. In the measuring guide according to claim 1, the bottom of the colorimeter has a rectangular shape in plan view, The frame has a rectangular shape that follows the outer circumference of the bottom and is symmetrical in the longitudinal and transverse directions. A measuring guide characterized by the following features.

3. In the measuring guide according to claim 2, the opening of the colorimeter is located in a position that is biased in a predetermined direction in the longitudinal direction of the bottom, Multiple window sections are formed so as to be symmetrical in the longitudinal direction of the bottom section. A measuring guide characterized by the following features.

4. In the measuring guide according to claim 1, an anti-slip portion is formed on the upper surface of the frame. A measuring guide characterized by the following features.

5. In the measuring guide according to claim 1, the sheet material is attached to the bottom surface of the frame, A measuring guide characterized in that the sheet material has a coating applied to the surface facing the object to be measured.

6. In the measuring guide according to claim 1, the outer circumference of the bottom surface of the frame is chamfered. A measuring guide characterized by the following features.

7. In the measuring guide according to claim 1, a position mark indicating the center position of the opening is formed on the side of the colorimeter facing the bottom, The recess is formed to a depth such that the position mark is not obscured when the bottom of the colorimeter is fitted into place. A measuring guide characterized by the following features.

8. A colorimeter comprising an opening provided at the bottom of the main body of the device for taking in light arriving from the object to be measured into the main body of the device, and an incident light processing unit for processing the light incident through the opening, A measuring guide for aligning the opening with the measurement area of ​​the object to be measured, comprising the measuring guide according to any one of claims 1 to 7, A colorimetric system equipped with [specific features / features].

Images