Digital Coating Color Matching via Additive Formulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for matching vehicle coatings are challenging due to variations in color and appearance over time, especially when effect pigments are involved, and lack of precise matching tools in repair facilities, leading to difficulties in achieving an exact match using fan decks or without specialized equipment.
Innovation Solution
A computer-based system that allows users to input a starting coating and modify its color additive formulation, generating and displaying a modified coating image to facilitate precise color matching without the need for trial coatings, utilizing a computer with input and output devices, and a program that calculates and displays the modified coating image based on the entered formulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a fan deck is used to match coatings, then the process is simple and requires no specialized equipment, but the matching precision is insufficient due to color variations over time and batch differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of the target coating's appearance by capturing an image with a camera and processing it through computer software. This digital replica allows for precise analysis and comparison without requiring physical fan deck samples, thereby improving matching precision while maintaining ease of operation through common computing devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system analyzes multiple parameters of the target coating including color values (RGB, HSV), texture characteristics, and lighting conditions. By examining these multiple parameters simultaneously and adjusting them iteratively, the system achieves precise color matching that surpasses single-parameter fan deck comparison while using accessible equipment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If effect pigments are added to provide specialized effects, then the coating appearance is enhanced, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring the exact appearance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the analysis of effect pigments by examining their behavior under different lighting conditions and viewing angles. The system captures multiple images under varying conditions and analyzes them separately, then integrates the results to achieve accurate matching of complex effect pigment appearances that would be difficult to assess in a single view.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts analysis parameters based on the detected coating characteristics. When effect pigments are detected, the software automatically modifies its analysis approach to account for angle-dependent and lighting-dependent effects, making the measurement process adaptive to the specific coating type rather than using a fixed methodology.
3Measurement precision
If trial coatings are prepared and applied for color matching, then the exact match can be achieved, but the time consumption and material waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary digital analysis and simulation before any physical coating is applied. By capturing the target coating image, processing it through color space conversions, and generating a predicted match formulation in advance, the system eliminates the need for multiple trial coatings, significantly reducing both time consumption and material waste while maintaining high matching precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of preparing and applying physical trial coatings with a computational system that uses image processing and color theory algorithms. This substitution of mechanical trial-and-error with digital calculation achieves the same matching precision much faster and without material waste.
4Measurement precision
If measurement devices and automated color matching equipment are used, then the color matching precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the color matching system universal by using common multi-functional devices such as digital cameras, smartphones, and standard computer processors that are already widely available. These devices perform multiple functions including image capture, color analysis, and formulation calculation, eliminating the need for specialized single-purpose measurement equipment while maintaining improved precision over fan decks.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for displaying a modified coating image are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a method of displaying a coating includes a person entering a starting coating into a computer with an input device, where the computer includes the input device, a memory, a processor, and an output device. The computer provides a starting color additive formulation for the starting coating, where the starting color additive formulation includes a starting color additive and a starting color additive quantity. The person enters a modified color additive formulation into the computer, where the modified color additive formulation is different than the starting color additive formulation. The computer generates a modified coating image based on the modified color additive formulation, and displays the modified coating image on the output device.