Color Measurement Instrument With Live View for Fast Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handheld spectrophotometers require time-consuming precise alignment and are prone to misalignment during measurements, especially in continuous scanning modes, obscuring the target and increasing measurement time.
Innovation Solution
A color measurement instrument with a spectral engine and a wider field of view camera, coupled with a processor that enables live video targeting, automatic alignment, and simultaneous image capture, allowing for real-time color measurement and preview of areas of interest.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a handheld spectrophotometer uses a narrow field of view optical system for precise measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but the time required for alignment and repositioning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement system into two independent components: a spectral engine for precise color measurement and a separate camera for visual targeting. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its field of view independently - the spectral engine maintains narrow FOV for precision while the camera provides wide FOV for easy targeting, resolving the time-loss contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera acts as an intermediary between the user and the spectral engine. It provides visual feedback showing the target area and measurement zone, enabling the user to quickly and accurately position the spectral engine without time-consuming manual alignment, thus reducing alignment time while maintaining measurement precision.
2Reliability
If a targeting window with aperture is used to reduce misalignment, then measurement reliability is improved, but the target area becomes obscured from user view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the targeting function (camera with wide field of view) from the measurement function (spectral engine with narrow field of view). This allows the user to view the entire target area through the camera display while the spectral engine independently performs precise measurements, eliminating the obstruction problem while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a physical aperture window that blocks the view, the patent creates a visual copy of the target area through the camera. The camera captures and displays an image of the target, providing complete visual information without physically obstructing the user's view, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining measurement reliability.
3Measurement precision
If manual positioning and alignment is performed for each measurement, then measurement precision is maintained, but productivity decreases due to repeated repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The camera provides real-time visual feedback showing the target area and measurement zone as the spectral engine moves across the sample. This feedback enables the user to maintain precise alignment continuously without repeated stopping and repositioning, thereby increasing productivity while maintaining measurement precision through consistent visual guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous scanning mode where the spectral engine can move continuously across the target area while the camera continuously captures images for alignment guidance. This eliminates the interrupt-driven manual positioning process, allowing uninterrupted measurement and significantly improving productivity without sacrificing precision.
4Productivity
If the spectral engine field of view is enlarged to capture more area, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the functional requirements into two separate components with different field of view characteristics. The spectral engine maintains a narrow field of view to ensure high measurement precision, while the camera provides a wide field of view for comprehensive visual coverage and rapid targeting, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera serves multiple functions: visual targeting, alignment guidance, and documentation of the measurement area. This multi-functionality allows the spectral engine to focus solely on precise measurement with a narrow field of view, while the camera handles the broader operational requirements, enabling both high productivity and precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates efficient, accurate, and time-saving color measurements by providing real-time visual feedback and automatic detection of areas of interest, reducing misalignment issues and enabling continuous scanning without manual repositioning.
Implementation Method 1
a spectral engine (18) having a first field of view
Implementation Method 2
a camera (20) having a second field of view, the second field of view being larger than the first field of view and encompassing the first field of view
Data Source
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AI summary
A color measurement instrument for measuring colors of areas of interest of a target object, according to one aspect of the present invention, includes a spectral engine, a color camera, a display, and a processor. The spectral engine has a first field of view. The camera has a second field of view, the second field of view being larger than the first field of view and encompassing the first field of view. The processor is coupled to the spectral engine, camera and display. The processor to causes the spectral engine to make a color measurement of an area of interest within the first field of view and obtains from the camera a measurement image comprising a portion of the second field of view including the first field of view. The processor further causes the display of color values from a measurement made by the spectral engine along with a portion of the measurement image.