Colour formulation modification

Abstract

A method of determining a modified colour formulation for a coating composition, the method performed on a processor of a computing device and comprising: receiving an indication of a desired colour for the coating composition; obtaining a predefined colour formulation for the desired colour; obtaining a colour strength of a base coating composition to be used to produce the coating composition having the desired colour; in response to determining that the colour strength defines a deviation from a reference colour strength value, the method further comprising: modifying the predefined colour formulation based on the colour strength to obtain a modified colour formulation; and outputting the modified colour formulation.

Description

[0001] COLOUR FORMULATION MODIFICATION

[0002] BACKGROUND

[0003] It is known to use a tinting machine to add one or more colorants to a base coating composition to achieve a coating composition having a desired colour. This coating composition may then be ready to apply to a surface, or ready to be mixed with curing agents and / or other components. The coating composition may be a paint, varnish, or any other type of coating.

[0004] A colour pigment is a pigment that is added to a base coating composition to give colour. Base coating compositions may be of various colours, for example red, green, white or clear (unpigmented). In the case of a white base coating composition the white pigment may be TiC>2. A white base coating composition preferably comprises the white pigment (e.g. TiCh) as the only colour pigment. A base coating composition can comprise different amounts of TiCh to enable different shades and colours to be obtained. A base coating composition can also contain no TiCh to enable dark colours to be obtained.

[0005] During the production of a particular base coating composition the colour strength is measured and must be within a certain specification. If the batch of base coating composition is outside the specification it must be adjusted to ensure that the colour strength is within the specification. If the batch of base coating composition has a significant deviation outside the specification, it can be necessary for the base coating composition to occupy a dissolver tank until the colour strength has been corrected.

[0006] SUMMARY

[0007] The inventor has identified that the colour strength of a batch of base coating composition can often be outside the specification, and it can take several adjustments before the colour strength is within specification, which is a time consuming process at the point of manufacture of the batches of base coating composition.

[0008] Furthermore, the inventor has identified that the colour strength of batches of a particular base coating composition can vary between the batches made, thus the containers of coating compositions (produced using a base coating composition) must be labelled with an instruction to a user that the coating composition from different containers must be mixed together before use to avoid any inconsistencies in colour due to using containers of the final coating composition that have been produced using base coating compositions originating from different batches.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a method of determining a modified colour formulation for a coating composition, the method performed on a processor of a computing device and comprising: receiving an indication of a desired colour for the coating composition; obtaining a predefined colour formulation for the desired colour; obtaining a colour strength of a base coating composition to be used to produce the coating composition having the desired colour; in response to determining that the colour strength defines a deviation from a reference colour strength value, the method further comprising: modifying the predefined colour formulation based on the colour strength to obtain a modified colour formulation; and outputting the modified colour formulation.

[0010] Outputting the modified colour formulation may comprise outputting the modified colour formulation to a display of the computing device.

[0011] Outputting the modified colour formulation may comprise transmitting the modified colour formulation, via a communications interface of the computing device, to a tinting machine for production of the coating composition according to the modified colour formulation.

[0012] The method may comprise receiving the indication of the desired colour via an input device of the computing device.

[0013] The method may comprise receiving the indication of the desired colour via a communication interface of the computing device.

[0014] Obtaining the colour strength of the base coating composition may comprise receiving a data message from a reader of the computing device, the data message comprising the colour strength.

[0015] Obtaining the colour strength of the base coating composition may comprise: receiving a data message from a reader of the computing device, the data message comprising an identifier; transmitting a query message, via a communication interface of the computing device, to a remote data store, the query message comprising the identifier; and receiving a response message, via a communication interface of the computing device, from the remote data store, the response message comprising the colour strength.

[0016] Obtaining the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour may comprise retrieving the predefined colour formulation from a memory coupled to the processor.

[0017] Obtaining the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour may comprise: transmitting a query message, via a communication interface of the computing device, to a remote data store; and receiving a response message, via a communication interface of the computing device, from the remote data store, the response message comprising the predefined colour formulation.

[0018] Obtaining the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour may comprise receiving the predefined colour formulation via an input device of the computing device.

[0019] Obtaining the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour may comprise receiving the predefined colour formulation via a communication interface of the computing device.

[0020] The method may comprise adjusting the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour or the modified colour formulation based on a volume of the base coating composition in a container comprising the base coating composition.

[0021] The method may comprise detecting the volume of the base coating composition in a container comprising the base coating composition by: receiving the volume via an input device of the computing device; or via a communication interface of the computing device.

[0022] The predefined colour formulation may define, for each of the at least one colorant, a predefined quantity of the colorant; and modifying the predefined colour formulation may comprise modifying, for each of the at least one colorant, the predefined quantity of the colorant, based on the deviation. According to another aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a computer- readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor (e.g. of a computing device), cause the processor to carry out any of the methods described herein.

[0023] The instructions may be provided on a carrier such as a disk, CD- or DVD-ROM, programmed memory such as read-only memory (Firmware), or on a data carrier such as an optical or electrical signal carrier. Code (and / or data) to implement embodiments of the present disclosure may comprise source, object or executable code in a conventional programming language (interpreted or compiled) such as C, or assembly code, code for setting up or controlling an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or code for a hardware description language.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a computing device for determining a modified colour formulation for a coating composition, the computing device comprising: a processor configured to: receive an indication of a desired colour for the coating composition; obtain a predefined colour formulation for the desired colour; obtain a colour strength of a base coating composition to be used to produce the coating composition having the desired colour; in response to a determination that the colour strength defines a deviation from a reference colour strength value, the processor further configured to modify the predefined colour formulation based on the colour strength to obtain a modified colour formulation; and output the modified colour formulation.

[0025] According to one aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a method of controlling a tinting machine to produce a coating composition having a desired colour, the method performed on a processor of the tinting machine and comprising: receiving an indication of the desired colour; obtaining a predefined colour formulation for the desired colour; obtaining a colour strength of a base coating composition to be used to produce the coating composition having the desired colour; in response to determining that the colour strength defines a deviation from a reference colour strength value, the method further comprising: modifying the predefined colour formulation based on the colour strength to obtained a modified colour formulation; and controlling at least one colorant controller of the tinting machine to dispense at least one colorant into the base coating composition according to the modified colour formulation to produce the coating composition having the desired colour.

[0026] The method may comprise receiving the indication of the desired colour via an input device of the tinting machine.

[0027] The method may comprise comprising receiving the indication of the desired colour via a communication interface of the tinting machine.

[0028] Obtaining the colour strength of the base coating composition may comprise receiving a data message from a reader of the tinting machine, the data message comprising the colour strength.

[0029] Obtaining the colour strength of the base coating composition may comprise: receiving a data message from a reader of the tinting machine, the data message comprising an identifier; transmitting a query message, via a communication interface of the tinting machine, to a remote data store, the query message comprising the identifier; and receiving a response message, via a communication interface of the tinting machine, from the remote data store, the response message comprising the colour strength.

[0030] Obtaining the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour may comprise retrieving the predefined colour formulation from a memory coupled to the processor.

[0031] Obtaining the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour may comprise: transmitting a query message, via a communication interface of the tinting machine, to a remote data store; and receiving a response message, via a communication interface of the tinting machine, from the remote data store, the response message comprising the predefined colour formulation.

[0032] Obtaining the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour may comprise receiving the predefined colour formulation via an input device of the tinting machine.

[0033] Obtaining the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour may comprise receiving the predefined colour formulation via a communication interface of the tinting machine. The method may comprise adjusting the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour or the modified colour formulation based on a volume of the base coating composition in a container comprising the base coating composition.

[0034] The method may comprise detecting the volume of the base coating composition in a container comprising the base coating composition by: receiving the volume via an input device of the tinting machine; or via a communication interface of the tinting machine.

[0035] The predefined colour formulation may define, for each of the at least one colorant, a predefined quantity of the colorant; and modifying the predefined colour formulation may comprise modifying, for each of the at least one colorant, the predefined quantity of the colorant, based on the deviation.

[0036] According to another aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a computer- readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor (e.g. of the tinting machine), cause the processor to carry out any of the methods described herein.

[0037] The instructions may be provided on a carrier such as a disk, CD- or DVD-ROM, programmed memory such as read-only memory (Firmware), or on a data carrier such as an optical or electrical signal carrier. Code (and / or data) to implement embodiments of the present disclosure may comprise source, object or executable code in a conventional programming language (interpreted or compiled) such as C, or assembly code, code for setting up or controlling an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or code for a hardware description language.

[0038] According to another aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a tinting machine for producing a coating composition having a desired colour, the tinting machine comprising: at least one colorant controller configured to dispense at least one colorant into a base coating composition; and a processor configured to: receive an indication of the desired colour; obtain a predefined colour formulation for the desired colour; obtain a colour strength of a base coating composition to be used to produce the coating composition having the desired colour; in response to a determination that the colour strength defines a deviation from a reference colour strength value, the processor further configured to: modify the predefined colour formulation based on the colour strength to obtained a modified colour formulation; and control the at least one colorant controller to dispense at least one colorant into the base coating composition according to the modified colour formulation to produce the coating composition having the desired colour.

[0039] According to another aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a system to produce a coating composition having a desired colour, the system comprising: a tinting machine comprising at least one colorant controller configured to dispense at least one colorant into a base coating composition; and a computing device comprising a processor configured to: receive an indication of a desired colour for the coating composition; obtain a predefined colour formulation for the desired colour; obtain a colour strength of a base coating composition to be used to produce the coating composition having the desired colour; and in response to a determination that the colour strength defines a deviation from a reference colour strength value, the processor further configured to: modify the predefined colour formulation based on the colour strength to obtain a modified colour formulation; wherein the tinting machine further comprises a processor configured to control the at least one colorant controller to dispense at least one colorant into the base coating composition according to the modified colour formulation to produce the coating composition having the desired colour.

[0040] The computing device (in particular the processor of the computing device) may perform any of the methods described herein.

[0041] According to another aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a method of producing a coating composition having a desired colour, the method comprising: a processor of a computing device determining a modified colour formulation for the coating composition according to any of the methods described herein; and a tinting machine dispensing at least one colorant into the base coating composition according to the modified colour formulation to produce the coating composition having the desired colour.

[0042] Embodiments of the present disclosure can adjust for variations in the colour strength of batches of a particular base coating composition, thereby reducing the production time for the base coating composition as the time consuming process of ensuring that the colour strength of a batch of base coating composition is within a certain specification is not required. That is, it is no longer necessary to spend time on adjusting the colour strength of a batch of a base coating composition. This ensures production of the base coating composition is quicker and more efficient whereby the base coating composition is produced, the colour strength is measured, and the base coating composition is transferred to containers (e.g. cans). Embodiments of the present disclosure can adjust for variations in the colour strength of batches of a particular base coating composition even when the batch of base coating composition has a significant deviation outside the specification. Thus, the time consuming process of retaining the base coating composition in a dissolver tank until the colour strength has been corrected is avoided thereby avoiding delays in production of the base coating composition.

[0043] Furthermore, embodiments of the present disclosure can ensure minimal batch-to-batch variation in the colour of the final coating composition. That is, the method minimises the variation in colour of the final coating composition created from different batches of base coating composition.

[0044] In the example of producing a coating composition using a white base coating composition, embodiments of the present disclosure enable using a white base coating composition with less white pigment (TiCh). Using known methods, this would produce a coating composition not be white enough and have low ability to cover a substrate (being slight transparent). However, in embodiments of the present disclosure the reduction in white pigment can be accounted for when modifying the predefined colour formulation i.e. the amount of colorants to be added can be adjusted to account for the weaker colour strength of the base coating composition. By allowing variations of color strength of the white base coating composition, it is possible to reduce consumption of TiC>2 which is environmentally beneficial due to the carbon footprint of the complex production process of TiO2.

[0045] These and other aspects will be apparent from the embodiments described in the following. The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited by this summary nor to implementations that necessarily solve any or all of the disadvantages noted. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] For a better understanding of the present disclosure and to show how embodiments may be put into effect, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0047] Figure 1 illustrates a tinting machine and a computing device;

[0048] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of the tinting machine;

[0049] Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram of the computing device;

[0050] Figure 4 illustrates a communication system;

[0051] Figure 5 illustrates a process performed by the computing device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0052] Figure 6 illustrates a process performed by the tinting machine in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0053] Figure 7a illustrates how a container may be filled with a first base coating composition up to a certain fill level and a volume of the container is allocated for the addition of colorants; and

[0054] Figure 7b illustrates how a container may be filled with a second base coating composition up to a certain fill level and a volume of the container is allocated for the addition of colorants.

[0055] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] Embodiments will now be described by way of example only.

[0057] Figure 1 illustrates a tinting machine 102. The tinting machine 102 is arranged to support a container 104 of base coating composition to which one or more colorants 106 can be added by the tinting machine 102. The base coating composition comprises a binder and a pigment (e.g. a white pigment such as TiCh). The base coating composition may additionally comprise one or more solvents and / or water if the base coating composition is an aqueous composition. The base coating composition may be a paint, varnish, or any other type of coating. One or more containers 106 of colorant can be loaded into the tinting machine 102 by a suitable mechanism in order for the tinting machine 102 to dispense quantities of the respective colorants into the container 104 of base coating composition. As used herein the term “colorant” refers to a pigment concentrate that is added to a base coating composition to provide a coating composition having a desired colour. Typically colorants are added after the general preparation of the base coating composition to provide a coloured coating composition. Typically colorants comprise colour pigments and optionally other ingredients such as binders, water, solvent and additives.

[0058] The tinting machine 102 shown in Figure 1 is configured to receive a first container 106a of a first colorant, a second container 106b of a second colorant, and a third container 106c of a third colorant. It will be appreciated that the tinting machine 102 being configured to receive three containers of colorant is merely an example and the tinting machine 102 may be configured to receive more or less than this example number of containers of colorant.

[0059] The tinting machine 102 comprises one or more colorant controllers 108 that are configured to control the amount of colorant that is dispensed from each of the colorant containers into the base coating composition. The tinting machine 102 shown in Figure 1 comprises a first colorant controller 108a that is configured to control the amount of colorant that is dispensed from the first colorant container 106a, a second colorant controller 108b that is configured to control the amount of colorant that is dispensed from the second colorant container 106b, a third colorant controller 108c that is configured to control the amount of colorant that is dispensed from the third colorant container 106c. It will be appreciated that this is merely an example, for example a single colorant controller may be implemented in the tinting machine 102 to control the amount of colorant that is dispensed from each of the colorant containers. A colorant controller may be any form of device that is able to receive data commands and control the amount of colorant that is supplied from a colorant container.

[0060] The tinting machine 102 may comprise one or more fluid dispensing members arranged to direct colorant into the base coating composition. The tinting machine 102 shown in Figure 1 comprises a first fluid dispensing member 110 for dispensing the first colorant into the base coating composition, a second fluid dispensing member 112 for dispensing the second colorant into the base coating composition, and a third fluid dispensing member 114 for dispensing the third colorant into the base coating composition. A fluid dispensing member may be a tube, hose, or any other channel or conduit that provides a passage of fluid to flow through it. A fluid dispensing member may have a rigid structure or be flexible. The tinting machine 102 may be arranged to shake the container 104, or otherwise mix the contents of the container 104, once the colorants have been added to the base coating composition.

[0061] The terms “coating composition”, “coloured coating composition” and “final coating composition” refer to a coating composition produced by adding colorants to a base coating composition according to a modified colour formulation. This coating composition may be ready to be applied to a surface (e.g. a 1 K product) or may be ready to be mixed with curing agents and / or other components (e.g. to form 2K or 3K products).

[0062] As shown in Figure 1 , the tinting machine 102 may be in communication with a computing device 300. That is, the tinting machine 102 may be configured to transmit data to, and / or receive data from, the computing device 300. The communication channel between the tinting machine 102 may be a wired and / or wireless communication channel.

[0063] The tinting machine 102 is described in more detail with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of the tinting machine 102.

[0064] Figure 2 illustrates a simplified view of the tinting machine 102. As shown in Figure 2, the tinting machine 102 comprises a central processing unit (“CPU”) 202, to which is connected a memory 204. The functionality of the CPU 202 described herein may be implemented in code (software) stored on a memory (e.g. memory 204) comprising one or more storage media, and arranged for execution on a processor comprising on or more processing units. The storage media may be integrated into and / or separate from the CPU 202. The code is configured so as when fetched from the memory and executed on the processor to perform operations in line with embodiments discussed herein. Alternatively, it is not excluded that some or all of the functionality of the CPU 202 is implemented in dedicated hardware circuitry (e.g. ASIC(s), simple circuits, gates, logic, and / or configurable hardware circuitry like an FPGA.

[0065] As shown in Figure 2, the CPU 202 is coupled to the one or more colorant controllers 108. The CPU 202 is configured to transmit data commands to the colorant controllers 108 to control the amount of colorant that is supplied from a colorant container 106 The tinting machine 102 may comprise an input device 208 coupled to the CPU 202. The input device 208 allows a user of the tinting machine 102 to provide inputs and control the operation of the tinting machine. The input device 208 may be keypad, keyboard, a touch-screen display, and / or a microphone.

[0066] The tinting machine 102 may comprise an output device 210 coupled to the CPU 202. The output device 210 allows the tinting machine 102 to provide outputs to a user operating the tinting machine. The output device 210 may be a display (for example the touch-screen display referred to above) and / or a speaker.

[0067] The tinting machine 102 may comprise a reader 206. The reader 206 is configured to read an identifier tag of a container (e.g. paint can) that may be printed or otherwise affixed to the container. The reader 206 may be configured to read a barcode, QR code, RFID tag, NFC tag or any other form of identifier tag used to identify the contents of a container using known technology.

[0068] The input device 208, output device 210 and reader 206 may be integrated into the tinting machine 102 as shown in Figure 2. In other embodiments, one or more of the input device 208, output device 210 and reader 206 may not be integrated into the tinting machine 102 and may be connected to the tinting machine 102 (and thereby the CPU 202) via respective interfaces. Such interfaces may be wired (e.g. a USB interface) or wireless.

[0069] The tinting machine 102 may comprise a communication interface 212 coupled to the CPU 202. The communication interface 212 allows the tinting machine 102 to transmit data, and / or receive data. The communication interface 212 may be a wireless communication interface and / or a wired communication interface.

[0070] The computing device 300 is described in more detail with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram of the computing device 300. The computing device 300 may be, for example, a mobile phone, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet, or any other computing device.

[0071] Figure 3 illustrates a simplified view of the computing device 300. A shown in Figure 3, the computing device 300 comprises a central processing unit (“CPU”) 302, to which is connected a memory 304. The functionality of the CPU 302 described herein may be implemented in code (software) stored on a memory (e.g. memory 304) comprising one or more storage media, and arranged for execution on a processor comprising on or more processing units. The storage media may be integrated into and / or separate from the CPU 302. The code is configured so as when fetched from the memory and executed on the processor to perform operations in line with embodiments discussed herein. Alternatively, it is not excluded that some or all of the functionality of the CPU 302 is implemented in dedicated hardware circuitry (e.g. ASIC(s), simple circuits, gates, logic, and / or configurable hardware circuitry like an FPGA.

[0072] The computing device 300 may comprise an input device 308 coupled to the CPU 302. The input device 308 allows a user of the computing device 300 to provide inputs and control the operation of the computing device 300. The input device 308 may be keypad, keyboard, a touch-screen display, and / or a microphone.

[0073] The computing device 300 may comprise an output device 310 coupled to the CPU 302. The output device 310 allows the computing device 300 to provide outputs to a user operating the computing device 300. The output device 310 may comprise a display (for example the touch-screen display referred to above) and / or a speaker.

[0074] The computing device 300 may comprise a reader 306. The reader 306 is configured to read an identifier tag of a container (e.g. paint can) that may be printed or otherwise affixed to the container. The reader 306 may be configured to read a barcode, QR code, RFID tag, NFC tag or any other form of identifier tag used to identify the contents of a container using known technology.

[0075] The input device 308, output device 310 and reader 306 may be integrated into the computing device 300 as shown in Figure 3. In other embodiments, one or more of the input device 308, output device 310 and reader 306 may not be integrated into the computing device 300 and may be connected to the computing device 300 (and thereby the CPU 302) via respective interfaces. Such interfaces may be wired (e.g. a USB interface) or wireless. The computing device 300 may comprise a communication interface 312 coupled to the CPU 302. The communication interface 312 allows the computing device 300 to transmit data, and / or receive data. The communication interface 312 may be a wireless communication interface and / or a wired communication interface.

[0076] Figure 4 illustrates a communication system 400. The communication system 400 comprises a communication network 402 and a data store 404 (e.g. a database) connected to the communication network 402. The data store 404 is typically remote from the tinting machine 102 and the computing device 300.

[0077] The tinting machine 102 may be connected to the communication network 402 and be configured to transmit a query message via its communication interface 212 to the data store 404, and receive a response message via the communication interface 212 from the data store 404. In a similar manner, the computing device 300 may be connected to the communication network 402 and be configured to transmit a query message via its communication interface 312 to the data store 404, and receive a response message via the communication interface 312 from the data store 404.

[0078] The communication network 402 may comprise any suitable network which has the ability to provide a communication channel between the tinting machine 102 and / or the computing device 300, and the data store 404. For example, the communication network 402 may comprise the Internet and / or another type of network such as a mobile communications network, such as a 3rdgeneration (“3G”) mobile network, 4thgeneration (“4G”) mobile network, or 5thgeneration (“5G”) mobile network.

[0079] The data store 404 may be configured to stored predefined colour formulations for desired colours. Each predefined colour formulation is defined in terms of a base coating composition, the colorants to be added to the base coating composition, and the amount of each colorant to be added to the base coating composition. The predefined colour formulation may be based on a 1 litre container that is 90% full of the base coating composition. This is to allow some space for adding colorants and for mixing the contents by shaking.

[0080] The amount of each colorant may be specified in terms of “shots” where a shot is a fraction of a US fluid ounce. A shot may be defined for example as a 1 / 96 of a fl.oz, 1 / 48 of a fl.oz, or 1 / 32 of a fl.oz. As an alternative to specifying the amount of each colorant using a unit of volume, it is also possible to specify the amount of each colorant using a unit of mass.

[0081] An example predefined colour formulation to achieve a first colour may be defined as:

[0082] Base_coating_composition_1 + 28 shots of colorant A + 1 shot of colorant B + 21 .5 shots of colorant C.

[0083] Which may correspond to:

[0084] Base_coating_composition_1 + 28 / 96 fl.oz of colorant A + 1 / 96 fl.oz of colorant B + 21.5 / 96 fl.oz of colorant C.

[0085] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a predefined colour formulation (sometimes referred to as a colour recipe) may be obtained by transmitting a query message to the data store 404 and receiving a response message comprising the predefined colour formulation.

[0086] A colour strength (sometimes referred to as a relative tinting strength or relative colour strength) Kr (A) of a base coating composition is referred to herein as the ratio of the absorbance index of the base coating composition Kpi(A) to that of a reference composition KP2 (A), expressed as a percentage:

[0087] It will be appreciated that the nature of at least the binder in different base coating compositions may vary (e.g. acrylic, alkyd, epoxy, polyurethane etc.). Additional components of the different base coating compositions may also vary between each other. The colour strength of various base coating compositions may be measured relative to the reference composition regardless of the product type or coating technology of the particular base coating composition.

[0088] The wavelength A may correspond to a wavelength with maximum absorption (lowest reflectance). The reference composition comprises a binder and a pigment (e.g. TiCh). The reference composition may additionally comprise one or more solvents and / or water if the reference composition is an aqueous composition. The reference composition may be used by a particular coatings manufacturer. Each coatings manufacturer may use their own reference composition.

[0089] A contrast pigment is added to both the base coating composition and the reference composition. For white base coating compositions, the contrast pigment is typically black. For the white base coating compositions, a wavelength A of 540 nm may be used and the highest absorption may be seen at 540 nm. For other (non-white) base coating compositions e.g. a red base coating composition, a white (or other colour) contrast pigment may be used and the wavelength A used may be different to that used for white base coating compositions. A single wavelength A may be used to determine the colour strength e.g. the wavelength of maximum absorption (lowest reflectance). Alternatively, the colour strength may be determined using multiple wavelengths within a wavelength range e.g. 400-700 nm, such that a whole reflection curve is considered. That is, the colour strength may be determined using measurements performed at discrete wavelengths (e.g. every 10 nm) within the wavelength range.

[0090] The absorbance index of the base coating composition Kpi(A) can be expressed as the spectral absorption coefficient of the base coating composition (A) divided by the contrast pigment concentration Cmiof the base coating composition:

[0091] The absorbance index of the reference composition KP2 (A) can be expressed as the spectral absorption coefficient of the reference composition K2(A) divided by the contrast pigment concentration Cm2 of the reference composition:

[0092] K2(X) (3)

[0093] Kp2(A) =

[0094] •m2

[0095] The contrast pigment concentration Cmimay be expressed as the ratio by mass of the contrast pigment to binder in the base coating composition. The contrast pigment concentration Cm2 may be expressed as the ratio by mass of the contrast pigment to binder in the reference composition.

[0096] The spectral absorption coefficient K(A) referred to herein may be the fraction of the diffusely incident spectral radiant flux of wavelength A that is absorbed in an elementary layer within a material, divided by the thickness of the layer (Kubelka-Munk analysis).

[0097] Thus, based on equation (1) a reference colour strength value of 100% is the “correct” colour strength for a base coating composition. If the colour strength of a base coating composition is greater than 100%, the base coating composition is termed "weak". A weak base coating composition is weaker than the reference composition in terms of lightness or ability to resist colour change i.e. it has too little white pigment or that the utilization of the white pigment is poor. If the colour strength of a base coating composition is less than 100%, the base coating composition is termed "strong”. A strong base coating composition is stronger than the reference composition in terms of lightness or ability to resist colour change i.e. it is too light.

[0098] Equation (1) above can also be expressed as: (v4) ' 100

[0099] Where -sample corresponds to the absorbance index of the base coating composition Kpi(A), and - reference corresponds to the absorbance index of the reference composition KP2 (A).

[0100] The ratio of the spectral absorption coefficient K to the spectral scattering coefficient S each of the the base coating composition (-sample) and the reference composition can be expressed as:

[0101] (5) Where the reflection grade Rm(referred to as a reflectance factor in ISO787-24:1995) can be expressed as:

[0102] 0.96 - 0.6(0.96 - poo ) is a reflection value (referred to as reflectivity in ISO787-24:1995).

[0103] In order to determine - sample a spectrophotometer may be used to measure p~ (reflection value) which is then used to calculate the R~ (reflection grade) value.

[0104] In order to determine - reference a spectrophotometer may be used in a similar manner to measure p~ (reflection value) which is then used to calculate the R~ (reflection grade) value. The p~ value of the reference composition is typically determined once, and the value is kept for future reference. This value is then used to calculate - reference or to

[0105] I obtain - reference from the Annex B of ISO 787-24:1995.

[0106] Methods to determine a colour strength of a base coating composition are known and are therefore not further described herein. Methods to determine a colour strength of a base coating composition may be based on procedures outlined in ISO 787-24:1995.

[0107] A quality control specification may allow the colour strength of a base coating composition to deviate from the reference colour strength value within a certain range e.g. + / - 4%. In known methods, a tinting machine will use a fixed predefined colour formulation to determine the colorants to be added to the base coating composition, and the amount of each colorant to be added to the base coating composition, in order to provide a coating composition having a colour corresponding to the predefined colour formulation. Due to the permitted colour strength deviation of the base coating composition, different cans of the coating composition (e.g. paint) produced from different cans of base coating composition (e.g. from different batches of base coating composition) may be different in colour. This may lead to a scenario whereby a person is painting a wall (or other surface), and run out of paint in the middle of the painting process, and then continue the paint job with a new can of paint labelled as the same colour that has been produced using a base coating composition from a different batch (having a different colour strength to that used to produce the paint that was used to start the paint job). This may cause a visible difference in colour when the paint has dried. It is therefore necessary for customers to mix paint from different cans (at least if they are produced from base coating compositions of different batches) before they start painting.

[0108] Embodiments of the invention ensure that a paint (or other type of coating composition) can be produced with the correct colour regardless of the colour strength of the base coating composition. In particular, when a user has a weak or strong base coating composition, modification of a colour formulation for the desired colour can be computed to correct for this.

[0109] Figure 5 illustrates a process 500 performed by the computing device 300 in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The process 500 may be performed by the CPU 302.

[0110] At step S502, the CPU 302 receives an indication of a desired colour for a coating composition that a user wants the tinting machine 102 to produce. The indication of the desired colour may be a colour name e.g. “winter blue”, or any other form of unique identifier associated with the desired colour e.g. a product code. The user of the computing device 300 may supply the indication of the desired colour using the input device 308. In another example, the indication of the desired colour may be received via the communication interface 312. That is, a remote device (not shown in the Figures) may transmit the indication of the desired colour to the computing device 300, whereby the communication interface 312 enables the indication of the desired colour to be received and supplied to the CPU 302.

[0111] At step S504, the CPU 302 obtains a predefined colour formulation for the desired colour. Step S504 may be achieved in a number of different ways.

[0112] In one example, the memory 304 may store one or more predefined colour formulations each associated with a particular colour. In this example, the CPU 302 may retrieve the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour from the memory 304. That is the CPU 302 may query memory 304 using the indication of the desired colour to retrieve the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour. In another example, a memory that is accessible to the CPU 302 (e.g. on a device external to the computing device 300) may store one or more predefined colour formulations each associated with a particular colour. For example, the data store 404 may store the one or more predefined colour formulations each associated with a particular colour. In this example, the CPU 302 may be configured to transmit a query message, via the communication interface 312, to the data store 404. The query message may comprise the unique identifier associated with the desired colour. In response, the CPU 302 may be configured to receive a response message, via the communication interface 312, from the data store 404, the response message comprising the predefined colour formulation.

[0113] If a user is aware of the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour (e.g. it is printed in a brochure, or listed on a website etc.) in another example, the user of the computing device 300 may supply the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour using the input device 308.

[0114] In yet another example, the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour may be received via the communication interface 312. That is, a remote device (not shown in the Figures) may transmit the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour to the computing device 300, whereby the communication interface 312 enables the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour to be received and supplied to the CPU 302.

[0115] The CPU 302 may output the predefined colour formulation via the output device 310. For example, the CPU 302 may visually output the predefined colour formulation on a display. As explained above, the predefined colour formulation will identify a base coating composition, the colorants to be added to the base coating composition, and the amount of each colorant to be added to the base coating composition.

[0116] At step S506, the CPU 302 obtains a colour strength of a base coating composition that the user wishes to use to produce a coating composition having the desired colour. Step S506 may be achieved in a number of different ways.

[0117] A user may use the reader 306 to read an identifier tag of a container which contains the base coating composition that may be printed or otherwise affixed to the container. The identifier tag may be a barcode, QR code, RFID tag, NFC tag or any other form of identifier tag used to identify the contents of the container.

[0118] In some examples the identifier tag may store the colour strength of the base coating composition. In these examples, in response to scanning the identifier tag with the reader 306, the CPU 302 is configured to receive a data message from the reader 306 the data message comprising the colour strength.

[0119] In other examples the identifier tag may store a unique identifier of the base coating composition (e.g. a product code and / or a batch number). In these examples, in response to scanning the identifier tag with the reader 306, the CPU 302 is configured to receive a data message from the reader 306 the data message comprising the unique identifier of the base coating composition.

[0120] The memory 304 may store colour strength values each associated with a unique identifier of a base coating composition. In this example, the CPU 302 may retrieve the colour strength of the base coating composition from the memory 304. That is the CPU 302 may query memory 304 using the received unique identifier of the base coating composition to retrieve the colour strength of the base coating composition that will be used to produce a coating composition having the desired colour.

[0121] Alternatively, a memory that is accessible to the CPU 302 (e.g. on a device external to the computing device 300) may store colour strength values each associated with a unique identifier of a base coating composition. For example, the data store 404 may store the colour strength values each associated with a unique identifier of a base coating composition. In this example, the CPU 302 may be configured to transmit a query message comprising the received unique identifier of the base coating composition, via the communication interface 312, to the data store 404. In response, the CPU 302 may be configured to receive a response message, via the communication interface 312, from the data store 404, the response message comprising the colour strength of the base coating composition that will be used to produce a coating composition having the desired colour.

[0122] It is not necessary for the reader 306 to be used at step S506. If a user is aware of the colour strength of the base coating composition that the user wishes to use to produce the coating composition having the desired colour (e.g. it is printed in a brochure, or listed on a website etc.) in another example, the user of the computing device 300 may supply the colour strength of the base coating composition using the input device 308.

[0123] In yet another example, the colour strength of the base coating composition may be received via the communication interface 312. That is, a remote device (not shown in the Figures) may transmit the colour strength of the base coating composition to the computing device 300, whereby the communication interface 312 enables the colour strength of the base coating composition to be received and supplied to the CPU 302.

[0124] At step S508, the CPU 302 determines whether the colour strength of the base coating composition is equal to a reference colour strength value, or whether the colour strength of the base coating composition deviates from the reference colour strength value (i.e. the colour strength of the base coating composition is not equal to the reference colour strength value).

[0125] The reference colour strength value (e.g. 100%) is a value which defines when the absorbance index of the base coating composition Kpi(A) exactly matches that of the reference composition KP2 (A).

[0126] In response to determining that the colour strength of the base coating composition deviates from the reference colour strength value, the process proceeds to step S512.

[0127] At step S512 the CPU 302 is configured to modify the predefined colour formulation based on the colour strength of the base coating composition to obtain a modified colour formulation. That is, the CPU 302 modifies the predefined quantity of each colorant included in the predefined colour formulation based on the deviation of colour strength of the base coating composition from the reference colour strength value.

[0128] Referring back to the example whereby the predefined colour formulation to achieve a first colour may be defined as:

[0129] Base_coating_composition_1 + 28 shots of colorant A + 1 shot of colorant B + 21 .5 shots of colorant C. In the event that the colour strength of the base coating composition is 106% (i.e. deviates from the reference colour strength value by +6%) the base coating composition is weak (6% weak). In this scenario, the weakness of the base coating composition can be corrected by modifying the predefined colour formulation, and the CPU 302 reduces the predefined quantity of each colorant by 6% to obtain a modified colour formulation of:

[0130] Base_coating_composition_1 + 26.32 shots of colorant A + 0.94 shot of colorant B + 20.21 shots of colorant C.

[0131] In the event that the colour strength of the base coating composition is 94% (i.e. deviates from the reference colour strength value by -6%) the base coating composition is strong (6% strong). In this scenario, the strength of the base coating composition can be corrected by modifying the predefined colour formulation, and the CPU 302 increases the predefined quantity of each colorant by 6% to obtain a modified colour formulation of:

[0132] Base_coating_composition_1 + 29.68 shots of colorant A + 1.06 shot of colorant B + 22.79 shots of colorant C.

[0133] At step S514 the CPU 302 is configured to output the modified colour formulation.

[0134] At step S514, the CPU 302 may output the modified colour formulation to the output device 310 for output to a user. For example, the CPU 302 may control a display to visually display the modified colour formulation to the user. The user is then able to input the modified colour formulation into the tinting machine 102 using the input device 208, and the CPU 202 is configured to receive the modified colour formulation.

[0135] At step S514, the CPU 302 may transmit the modified colour formulation, via the communication interface 312 to the tinting machine 102, and the CPU 202 is configured to receive the modified colour formulation via the communication interface 212.

[0136] Upon receiving the modified colour formulation (via either method) the CPU 202 may be configured to control the at least one colorant controller 108 of the tinting machine to dispense at least one colorant into the base coating composition according to the modified colour formulation to produce the coating composition having the desired colour. That is, the CPU 202 may transmit one or more commands to the at least one colorant controller 108 to dispense at least one colorant into the base coating composition according to the modified colour formulation.

[0137] Referring back to step S508, in response to determining that the colour strength of the base coating composition does not deviate from the reference colour strength value (i.e. the colour strength of the base coating composition is equal to the reference colour strength value), the process proceeds to step S510.

[0138] At step S510 the CPU 302 is configured to output the predefined colour formulation (unmodified). Step S510 may be performed in a similar manner to that described with reference to step S514 described above, where it is the predefined colour formulation that is output instead of the modified colour formulation.

[0139] Thus embodiments of the present disclosure extend to a system to produce a coating composition having a desired colour, the system comprising (i) the computing device 300 comprising a processor that performs the process 500; and (ii) the tinting machine 102, whereby the tinting machine 102 produces the coating composition having the desired colour according to the modified colour formulation.

[0140] Further embodiments of the present disclosure further extend to a method of producing a coating composition having a desired colour, the method comprising: (i) a processor of a computing device determining the modified colour formulation for the coating composition by performing the process 500; and (ii) a tinting machine dispensing at least one colorant into the base coating composition according to the modified colour formulation to produce the coating composition having the desired colour.

[0141] Whilst the computation of the modified colour formulation has been described as being performed on the computing device 300, in other embodiments these steps are performed on the tinting machine 102.

[0142] Figure 6 illustrates a process 600 performed by the tinting machine 102 in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The process 600 may be performed by the CPU 202. At step S602, the CPU 202 receives an indication of a desired colour for a coating composition that a user wants the tinting machine 102 to produce. The indication of the desired colour may be a colour name e.g. “winter blue”, or any other form of unique identifier associated with the desired colour e.g. a product code. The user of the tinting machine 102 may supply the indication of the desired colour using the input device 208. In another example, the indication of the desired colour may be received via the communication interface 212. That is, a remote device (not shown in the Figures) may transmit the indication of the desired colour to the tinting machine 102, whereby the communication interface 212 enables the indication of the desired colour to be received and supplied to the CPU 202.

[0143] At step S604, the CPU 202 obtains a predefined colour formulation for the desired colour. Step S604 may be achieved in a number of different ways.

[0144] In one example, the memory 204 may store one or more predefined colour formulations each associated with a particular colour. In this example, the CPU 202 may retrieve the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour from the memory 204. That is the CPU 202 may query memory 204 using the indication of the desired colour to retrieve the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour.

[0145] In another example, a memory that is accessible to the CPU 202 (e.g. on a device external to the tinting machine 102) may store one or more predefined colour formulations each associated with a particular colour. For example, the data store 404 may store the one or more predefined colour formulations each associated with a particular colour. In this example, the CPU 202 may be configured to transmit a query message, via the communication interface 212, to the data store 404. The query message may comprise the unique identifier associated with the desired colour. In response, the CPU 202 may be configured to receive a response message, via the communication interface 212, from the data store 404, the response message comprising the predefined colour formulation.

[0146] If a user is aware of the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour (e.g. it is printed in a brochure, or listed on a website etc.) in another example, the user of the tinting machine 102 may supply the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour using the input device 208. In yet another example, the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour may be received via the communication interface 212. That is, a remote device (not shown in the Figures) may transmit the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour to the tinting machine 102, whereby the communication interface 212 enables the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour to be received and supplied to the CPU 202.

[0147] The CPU 202 may output the predefined colour formulation via the output device 210. For example, the CPU 202 may visually output the predefined colour formulation on a display. As explained above, the predefined colour formulation will identify a base coating composition, the colorants to be added to the base coating composition, and the amount of each colorant to be added to the base coating composition.

[0148] At step S606, the CPU 202 obtains a colour strength of a base coating composition that the user wishes to use to produce a coating composition having the desired colour. Step S606 may be achieved in a number of different ways.

[0149] A user may use the reader 206 to read an identifier tag of a container which contains the base coating composition that may be printed or otherwise affixed to the container. The identifier tag may be a barcode, QR code, RFID tag, NFC tag or any other form of identifier tag used to identify the contents of the container.

[0150] In some examples the identifier tag may store the colour strength of the base coating composition. In these examples, in response to scanning the identifier tag with the reader 206, the CPU 202 is configured to receive a data message from the reader 206 the data message comprising the colour strength.

[0151] In other examples the identifier tag may store a unique identifier of the base coating composition (e.g. a product code and / or a batch number). In these examples, in response to scanning the identifier tag with the reader 206, the CPU 202 is configured to receive a data message from the reader 206 the data message comprising the unique identifier of the base coating composition.

[0152] The memory 204 may store colour strength values each associated with a unique identifier of a base coating composition. In this example, the CPU 202 may retrieve the colour strength of the base coating composition from the memory 204. That is the CPU 202 may query memory 204 using the received unique identifier of the base coating composition to retrieve the colour strength of the base coating composition that will be used to produce a coating composition having the desired colour.

[0153] Alternatively, a memory that is accessible to the CPU 202 (e.g. on a device external to the tinting machine 102) may store colour strength values each associated with a unique identifier of a base coating composition. For example, the data store 404 may store the colour strength values each associated with a unique identifier of a base coating composition. In this example, the CPU 202 may be configured to transmit a query message comprising the received unique identifier of the base coating composition, via the communication interface 212, to the data store 404. In response, the CPU 202 may be configured to receive a response message, via the communication interface 212, from the data store 404, the response message comprising the colour strength of the base coating composition that will be used to produce a coating composition having the desired colour.

[0154] It is not necessary for the reader 206 to be used at step S606.

[0155] If a user is aware of the colour strength of the base coating composition that the user wishes to use to produce the coating composition having the desired colour (e.g. it is printed in a brochure, or listed on a website etc.) in another example, the user of the tinting machine 102 may supply the colour strength of the base coating composition using the input device 208.

[0156] In yet another example, the colour strength of the base coating composition may be received via the communication interface 212. That is, a remote device (not shown in the Figures) may transmit the colour strength of the base coating composition to the tinting machine 102, whereby the communication interface 212 enables the colour strength of the base coating composition to be received and supplied to the CPU 202.

[0157] At step S608, the CPU 202 determines whether the colour strength of the base coating composition is equal to a reference colour strength value, or whether the colour strength of the base coating composition deviates from the reference colour strength value (i.e. the colour strength of the base coating composition is not equal to the reference colour strength value). In response to determining that the colour strength of the base coating composition deviates from the reference colour strength value, the process proceeds to step S612.

[0158] At step S612 the CPU 202 is configured to modify the predefined colour formulation based on the colour strength of the base coating composition to obtain a modified colour formulation. That is, the CPU 202 modifies the predefined quantity of each colorant included in the predefined colour formulation based on the deviation of colour strength of the base coating composition from the reference colour strength value (i.e. the predefined quantity of each colorant is modified by the same amount).

[0159] Referring back to the example whereby the predefined colour formulation to achieve a first colour may be defined as:

[0160] Base_coating_composition_1 + 28 shots of colorant A + 1 shot of colorant B + 21 .5 shots of colorant C.

[0161] In the event that the colour strength of the base coating composition is 106% (i.e. deviates from the reference colour strength value by +6%) the base coating composition is weak (6% weak). In this scenario, the weakness of the base coating composition can be corrected by modifying the predefined colour formulation, and the CPU 202 reduces the predefined quantity of each colorant by 6% to obtain a modified colour formulation of:

[0162] Base_coating_composition_1 + 26.32 shots of colorant A + 0.94 shot of colorant B + 20.21 shots of colorant C.

[0163] In the event that the colour strength of the base coating composition is 94% (i.e. deviates from the reference colour strength value by -6%) the base coating composition is strong (6% strong). In this scenario, the strength of the base coating composition can be corrected by modifying the predefined colour formulation, and the CPU 202 increases the predefined quantity of each colorant by 6% to obtain a modified colour formulation of:

[0164] Base_coating_composition_1 + 29.68 shots of colorant A + 1.06 shot of colorant B +

[0165] 22.79 shots of colorant C. At step S614 the CPU 202 is configured to control the at least one colorant controller 108 of the tinting machine to dispense at least one colorant into the base coating composition according to the modified colour formulation to produce the coating composition having the desired colour. That is, the CPU 202 may transmit one or more commands to the at least one colorant controller 108 to dispense at least one colorant into the base coating composition according to the modified colour formulation.

[0166] Referring back to step S608, in response to determining that the colour strength of the base coating composition does not deviate from the reference colour strength value (i.e. the colour strength of the base coating composition is equal to the reference colour strength value) the process proceeds to step S610.

[0167] At step S610 the CPU 202 is configured to control the at least one colorant controller 108 of the tinting machine to dispense at least one colorant into the base coating composition according to the (unmodified) predefined colour formulation to produce the coating composition having the desired colour. That is, the CPU 202 may transmit one or more commands to the at least one colorant controller 108 to dispense at least one colorant into the base coating composition according to the (unmodified) predefined colour formulation.

[0168] As noted above, a predefined colour formulation may be based on a predefined size container which is filled with the base coating composition up to a predefined percentage of the container’s capacity, e.g. a 1 litre container that is 90% full of the base coating composition.

[0169] The embodiments described above are not limited for use with particular size containers of the base coating composition, or a container being a particular percentage full.

[0170] In the embodiments described above, the CPU may be configured to detect the volume of the base coating composition in a container comprising the base coating composition, and adjust (if necessary) either the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour or the modified colour formulation based on the volume of the base coating composition.

[0171] Referring back to the example whereby the predefined colour formulation to achieve a first colour (for a 1 litre container that is 90% full of the base coating composition) may be defined as: Base_coating_composition_1 + 28 shots of colorant A + 1 shot of colorant B + 21 .5 shots of colorant C.

[0172] In the event that the container comprising the base coating composition is actually a 3L container that is 90% full of the base coating composition, at step S504 / S604 the CPU may adjust the predefined colour formulation to be:

[0173] Base_coating_composition_1 + 84 shots of colorant A + 3 shots of colorant B + 64.5 shots of colorant C.

[0174] The adjustment based on the volume of the base coating composition may alternatively be performed after modification of the predefined colour formulation at step S512 / S612.

[0175] Referring back to the example whereby the modified colour formulation is:

[0176] Base_coating_composition_1 + 26.32 shots of colorant A + 0.94 shot of colorant B + 20.21 shots of colorant C.

[0177] In the event that the container comprising the base coating composition is actually a 3L container that is 90% full of the base coating composition, at step S512 / S612 the CPU may adjust the modified predefined colour formulation to be:

[0178] Base_coating_composition_1 + 78.96 shots of colorant A + 2.82 shot of colorant B + 60.63 shots of colorant C.

[0179] Similar adjustments can be made for different size containers and / or different fill levels of the base coating composition. For example, a similar adjustment can be made for a 1 litre container that is 50% full of the base coating composition, or a 10 litre container that is 90% full of the base coating composition.

[0180] The CPU 202 may be configured to detect the volume of the base coating composition in a container comprising the base coating composition based on the volume being inputted by a user via the input device 208, or receiving a message via the communication interface 212 the message comprising an indication of the volume. The CPU 302 may be configured to detect the volume of the base coating composition in a container comprising the base coating composition based on the volume being inputted by a user via the input device 308, or receiving a message via the communication interface 312 the message comprising an indication of the volume.

[0181] Figure 7a illustrates a container 700 that is filled with a first base coating composition 701 up to a certain fill level. For example the container 700 may be 90% full of the first base coating composition 701. A predefined maximum volume 704 (e.g. 8.87%) may be allocated to allow for colorants to be added to the first base coating composition 701 by the tinting machine 102, and an air-filled headspace 706 may be allocated to allow for good mixing of the contents of the container when shaking the container (e.g. by the tinting machine or manually by the user) or mixing the mixture of base coating composition and colorants using a stirrer.

[0182] Figure 7b illustrates a container 750 that is filled with a second base coating composition 708 up to a certain fill level. A predefined maximum volume 704 (e.g. 8.87%) may be allocated to allow for colorants to be added to the second base coating composition 708by the tinting machine 102, and an air-filled headspace 706 may be allocated to allow for good mixing of the contents of the container. After the colorants have been added to the second base coating composition 708 by the tinting machine 102, a curing agent 710 may be added (e.g. by a user) to the second base coating composition 708 to form a two-component (2K) product.

[0183] In the embodiments described above, it has been described that the CPU modifies the predefined quantity of each colorant included in the predefined colour formulation based on the deviation of colour strength of the base coating composition from the reference colour strength value (i.e. the predefined quantity of each colorant is modified by the same amount). Embodiments extend to implementations whereby the CPU modifies the predefined quantity of each colorant individually. For example if the color strength of one or more of the colorants varied from the remaining colorants and this color strength variation is known, the CPU could adjust the quantity of the one or more of the colorants without performing the same adjustment to the remaining colorants. Taking a simple example whereby colorants A, B, and C are to be added to a base coating composition, if the colour strength of colorant A is 3% less than the colour strength of colorants B and C, the CPU may increase the quantity of colorant A by 3% to account for the color strength variation.

[0184] Whilst embodiments have been described with reference to the coating composition having the desired colour being a paint, it will be appreciated that the coating composition having the desired colour may be a varnish, or any other type of coating.

[0185] Other aspects of the present disclosure can be defined by the following clauses.

[0186] A1. A method of controlling a tinting machine to produce a coating composition having a desired colour, the method performed on a processor of the tinting machine and comprising: receiving an indication of the desired colour; obtaining a predefined colour formulation for the desired colour; obtaining a colour strength of a base coating composition to be used to produce the coating composition having the desired colour; in response to determining that the colour strength defines a deviation from a reference colour strength value, the method further comprising: modifying the predefined colour formulation based on the colour strength to obtained a modified colour formulation; and controlling at least one colorant controller of the tinting machine to dispense at least one colorant into the base coating composition according to the modified colour formulation to produce the coating composition having the desired colour.

[0187] A2. The method according to clause A1 , comprising receiving the indication of the desired colour via an input device of the tinting machine.

[0188] A3. The method according to clause A1 , comprising receiving the indication of the desired colour via a communication interface of the tinting machine.

[0189] A4. The method according to any preceding clause, wherein obtaining the colour strength of the base coating composition comprises receiving a data message from a reader of the tinting machine, the data message comprising the colour strength. A5. The method according to any of clauses A1 to A3, wherein obtaining the colour strength of the base coating composition comprises: receiving a data message from a reader of the tinting machine, the data message comprising an identifier; transmitting a query message, via a communication interface of the tinting machine, to a remote data store, the query message comprising the identifier; and receiving a response message, via a communication interface of the tinting machine, from the remote data store, the response message comprising the colour strength.

[0190] A6. The method according to any preceding clause, wherein obtaining the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour comprises retrieving the predefined colour formulation from a memory coupled to the processor.

[0191] A7. The method according to any of clauses A1 to A5, wherein obtaining the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour comprises: transmitting a query message, via a communication interface of the tinting machine, to a remote data store; and receiving a response message, via a communication interface of the tinting machine, from the remote data store, the response message comprising the predefined colour formulation.

[0192] A8. The method according to any of clauses A1 to A5, wherein obtaining the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour comprises receiving the predefined colour formulation via an input device of the tinting machine.

[0193] A9. The method according to any of clauses A1 to A5, wherein obtaining the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour comprises receiving the predefined colour formulation via a communication interface of the tinting machine.

[0194] A10. The method according to any preceding clause, the method comprising adjusting the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour or the modified colour formulation based on a volume of the base coating composition in a container comprising the base coating composition. A11. The method according to clause A10, the method comprising detecting the volume of the base coating composition in a container comprising the base coating composition by: receiving the volume via an input device of the tinting machine; or via a communication interface of the tinting machine.

[0195] A12. The method according to any preceding clause, wherein the predefined colour formulation defines, for each of the at least one colorant, a predefined quantity of the colorant; and modifying the predefined colour formulation comprises modifying, for each of the at least one colorant, the predefined quantity of the colorant, based on the deviation.

[0196] A13. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to carry out the method of any preceding clause.

[0197] A14. A tinting machine for producing a coating composition having a desired colour, the tinting machine comprising: at least one colorant controller configured to dispense at least one colorant into a base coating composition; and a processor configured to: receive an indication of the desired colour; obtain a predefined colour formulation for the desired colour; obtain a colour strength of a base coating composition to be used to produce the coating composition having the desired colour; in response to a determination that the colour strength defines a deviation from a reference colour strength value, the processor further configured to: modify the predefined colour formulation based on the colour strength to obtained a modified colour formulation; and control the at least one colorant controller to dispense at least one colorant into the base coating composition according to the modified colour formulation to produce the coating composition having the desired colour.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A method of determining a modified colour formulation for a coating composition, the method performed on a processor of a computing device and comprising: receiving an indication of a desired colour for the coating composition; obtaining a predefined colour formulation for the desired colour; obtaining a colour strength of a base coating composition to be used to produce the coating composition having the desired colour; in response to determining that the colour strength defines a deviation from a reference colour strength value, the method further comprising: modifying the predefined colour formulation based on the colour strength to obtain a modified colour formulation; and outputting the modified colour formulation.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein outputting the modified colour formulation comprises outputting the modified colour formulation to a display of the computing device.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein outputting the modified colour formulation comprises transmitting the modified colour formulation, via a communications interface of the computing device, to a tinting machine for production of the coating composition according to the modified colour formulation.

4. The method according to any of claims 1 to 3, comprising receiving the indication of the desired colour via an input device of the computing device.

5. The method according to any of claims 1 to 3, comprising receiving the indication of the desired colour via a communication interface of the computing device.

6. The method according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein obtaining the colour strength of the base coating composition comprises receiving a data message from a reader of the computing device, the data message comprising the colour strength.

7. The method according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein obtaining the colour strength of the base coating composition comprises:receiving a data message from a reader of the computing device, the data message comprising an identifier; transmitting a query message, via a communication interface of the computing device, to a remote data store, the query message comprising the identifier; and receiving a response message, via a communication interface of the computing device, from the remote data store, the response message comprising the colour strength.

8. The method according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein obtaining the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour comprises retrieving the predefined colour formulation from a memory coupled to the processor.

9. The method according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein obtaining the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour comprises: transmitting a query message, via a communication interface of the computing device, to a remote data store; and receiving a response message, via a communication interface of the computing device, from the remote data store, the response message comprising the predefined colour formulation.

10. The method according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein obtaining the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour comprises receiving the predefined colour formulation via an input device of the computing device.11 . The method according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein obtaining the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour comprises receiving the predefined colour formulation via a communication interface of the computing device.

12. The method according to any preceding claim, the method comprising adjusting the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour or the modified colour formulation based on a volume of the base coating composition in a container comprising the base coating composition.

13. The method according to claim 12, the method comprising detecting the volume of the base coating composition in a container comprising the base coating composition by: receiving the volume via an input device of the computing device; or via a communication interface of the computing device.

14. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the predefined colour formulation defines, for each of the at least one colorant, a predefined quantity of the colorant; and modifying the predefined colour formulation comprises modifying, for each of the at least one colorant, the predefined quantity of the colorant, based on the deviation.

15. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to carry out the method of any preceding claim.

16. A computing device for determining a modified colour formulation for a coating composition, the computing device comprising: a processor configured to: receive an indication of a desired colour for the coating composition; obtain a predefined colour formulation for the desired colour; obtain a colour strength of a base coating composition to be used to produce the coating composition having the desired colour; in response to a determination that the colour strength defines a deviation from a reference colour strength value, the processor further configured to modify the predefined colour formulation based on the colour strength to obtain a modified colour formulation; and output the modified colour formulation.

17. A system to produce a coating composition having a desired colour, the system comprising: a tinting machine comprising at least one colorant controller configured to dispense at least one colorant into a base coating composition; and a computing device comprising a processor configured to: receive an indication of a desired colour for the coating composition;obtain a predefined colour formulation for the desired colour; obtain a colour strength of a base coating composition to be used to produce the coating composition having the desired colour; and in response to a determination that the colour strength defines a deviation from a reference colour strength value, the processor further configured to: modify the predefined colour formulation based on the colour strength to obtain a modified colour formulation; wherein the tinting machine further comprises a processor configured to control the at least one colorant controller to dispense at least one colorant into the base coating composition according to the modified colour formulation to produce the coating composition having the desired colour.

18. A method of producing a coating composition having a desired colour, the method comprising: a processor of a computing device determining a modified colour formulation for the coating composition according to the method of any of claims 1 to 14; and a tinting machine dispensing at least one colorant into the base coating composition according to the modified colour formulation to produce the coating composition having the desired colour.

19. A method of controlling a tinting machine to produce a coating composition having a desired colour, the method performed on a processor of the tinting machine and comprising: receiving an indication of the desired colour; obtaining a predefined colour formulation for the desired colour; obtaining a colour strength of a base coating composition to be used to produce the coating composition having the desired colour; in response to determining that the colour strength defines a deviation from a reference colour strength value, the method further comprising: modifying the predefined colour formulation based on the colour strength to obtained a modified colour formulation; and controlling at least one colorant controller of the tinting machine to dispense at least one colorant into the base coating composition according to the modified colour formulation to produce the coating composition having the desired colour.

20. The method according to claim 19, comprising receiving the indication of the desired colour via an input device of the tinting machine.

21. The method according to claim 19, comprising receiving the indication of the desired colour via a communication interface of the tinting machine.

22. The method according to any of claims 19 to 21 , wherein obtaining the colour strength of the base coating composition comprises receiving a data message from a reader of the tinting machine, the data message comprising the colour strength.

23. The method according to any of claims 19 to 21 , wherein obtaining the colour strength of the base coating composition comprises: receiving a data message from a reader of the tinting machine, the data message comprising an identifier; transmitting a query message, via a communication interface of the tinting machine, to a remote data store, the query message comprising the identifier; and receiving a response message, via a communication interface of the tinting machine, from the remote data store, the response message comprising the colour strength.

24. The method according to any of claims 19 to 23, wherein obtaining the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour comprises retrieving the predefined colour formulation from a memory coupled to the processor.

25. The method according to any of claims 19 to 23, wherein obtaining the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour comprises: transmitting a query message, via a communication interface of the tinting machine, to a remote data store; and receiving a response message, via a communication interface of the tinting machine, from the remote data store, the response message comprising the predefined colour formulation.

26. The method according to any of claims 19 to 23, wherein obtaining the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour comprises receiving the predefined colour formulation via an input device of the tinting machine.

27. The method according to any of claims 19 to 23, wherein obtaining the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour comprises receiving the predefined colour formulation via a communication interface of the tinting machine.

28. The method according to any of claims 19 to 27, the method comprising adjusting the predefined colour formulation for the desired colour or the modified colour formulation based on a volume of the base coating composition in a container comprising the base coating composition.

29. The method according to claim 28, the method comprising detecting the volume of the base coating composition in a container comprising the base coating composition by: receiving the volume via an input device of the tinting machine; or via a communication interface of the tinting machine.

30. The method according to any of claims 19 to 29, wherein the predefined colour formulation defines, for each of the at least one colorant, a predefined quantity of the colorant; and modifying the predefined colour formulation comprises modifying, for each of the at least one colorant, the predefined quantity of the colorant, based on the deviation.

31. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to carry out the method of any of claims 19 to 30.

32. A tinting machine for producing a coating composition having a desired colour, the tinting machine comprising: at least one colorant controller configured to dispense at least one colorant into a base coating composition; and a processor configured to: receive an indication of the desired colour; obtain a predefined colour formulation for the desired colour; obtain a colour strength of a base coating composition to be used to produce the coating composition having the desired colour;in response to a determination that the colour strength defines a deviation from a reference colour strength value, the processor further configured to: modify the predefined colour formulation based on the colour strength to obtained a modified colour formulation; and control the at least one colorant controller to dispense at least one colorant into the base coating composition according to the modified colour formulation to produce the coating composition having the desired colour.

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