Color Measurement Instrument Alignment via Virtual Master Profile

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing color measurement instruments struggle with inter-instrument agreement due to systematic differences, especially when not geographically co-located, requiring a master instrument and standard color tiles for profiling, which is impractical in many cases.

Innovation Solution

A software program aligns measurements of a fleet of color measurement instruments with a master instrument through generating initial and new profiles using color tiles, creating a virtual center for improved inter-instrument agreement without relying on a physical master instrument or standard tiles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If profile-based correction is used to align color measurement instruments, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to requiring master instruments and standard color tiles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinter-instrument agreementVSAvoidprofiling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual master instrument by computing average reflectance data from multiple fleet instruments, replacing the need for a physical master instrument. This virtual copy serves as the reference for profiling all other instruments, eliminating the requirement for expensive master instruments and standard color tiles at each location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a software-based intermediary system that computes virtual reflectance data from fleet instrument measurements and uses this as an intermediate reference for profiling. This software mediator replaces the traditional physical master instrument and standard tiles, enabling remote profiling without geographic co-location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a master instrument and standard color tiles are used for profiling, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates when instruments are not geographically co-located

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor measurement accuracyVSAvoidremote profiling capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual master instrument by computing average reflectance data from multiple fleet instruments, replacing the need for a physical master instrument. This virtual copy serves as the reference for profiling all other instruments, eliminating the requirement for expensive master instruments and standard color tiles at each location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The software system performs multiple functions: it acts as a virtual master instrument, computes virtual standard reflectance data, and provides profiling capabilities for multiple instruments simultaneously. This universal software solution replaces the traditional requirement for physical master instruments and standard tiles at each measurement location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If average reflectance data from the fleet is used for correction, then inter-instrument agreement is improved, but loss of substance occurs as the original set of color standards becomes unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinter-instrument agreementVSAvoidavailability of color standards

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual master instrument by computing average reflectance data from multiple fleet instruments, replacing the need for a physical master instrument. This virtual copy serves as the reference for profiling all other instruments, eliminating the requirement for expensive master instruments and standard color tiles at each location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary computation of virtual standard reflectance data from fleet instrument measurements before the original color standards become unavailable. This preliminary action creates a persistent virtual reference that can be used indefinitely without requiring the physical presence of original color standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9200963B2Method and apparatus for aligning the measurements of color measurement instruments

Publication Date: 2015.12.01 DATACOLOR AG EURO

AI summary

One embodiment of a method for aligning measurements taken by a plurality of color measurement instruments with measurements taken by an industry standard color measurement instrument includes receiving a first set of spectral data from the plurality of instruments, receiving a second set of spectral data from the industry standard instrument, generating initial profiles for the plurality of instruments (by producing, for each given instrument, a first correction that aligns the spectral data taken by the given instrument with the second set of spectral data), mathematically correcting the first set of spectral data using the initial profiles to produce a third set of spectral data, and generating new profiles for the plurality of instruments (by calculating a mean of the third set of spectral data, and producing, for each given instrument, a second correction that aligns the spectral data taken by the given instrument with the mean.