Compact Color Sensor with Integrated LED and Light Pipe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing color measurement devices lack accuracy, reproducibility, portability, and the ability to convert readings into standard color spaces used by different industries, making them inadequate for quick and precise color analysis on various surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A compact portable color sensor with a simplified design comprising a printed circuit board, LEDs, and light pipes, which interfaces with smartphones via Bluetooth, allowing for accurate color measurement and conversion into multiple color models, including RGB, HSL, HSV, LAB, XYZ, HTML, and Pantone units, using integrated circuitry and a minimal number of components for stability and consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If prior art color measurement devices are used, then color measurement capability is provided, but accuracy and reproducibility are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the LED light source and color sensor into a single integrated detector portion mounted on one printed circuit board. This merging ensures fixed geometric relationships between the light source and sensor, eliminating alignment variations that cause measurement inconsistencies and improving both accuracy and reproducibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated detector portion serves multiple functions: it provides structured light illumination through LEDs and simultaneously captures reflected light for color measurement through the sensor. This multi-functionality in a single component reduces variability and improves measurement reliability.
2Measurement precision
If complex color measurement devices are used, then measurement capability is provided, but portability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the light source, sensor, and processing circuitry into a single compact detector portion, the patent eliminates the need for separate components and complex mechanical assemblies. This integration dramatically reduces device size and weight while maintaining full color measurement capability, enabling portable handheld operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector portion is nested within a compact housing that can be held in one hand. The printed circuit board with mounted components is nested within the housing structure, creating a compact form factor that maintains measurement precision while achieving portability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple color spaces conversion capability is added, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex hardware-based color space conversion systems with software-based processing. The detector portion captures raw color data, and a processing module (software/firmware) performs mathematical transformations to convert readings into multiple color spaces including RGB, HSL, HSV, LAB, XYZ, HTML, and Pantone. This software approach provides versatile conversion capability without adding physical complexity to the device structure.
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
The solution provides a cost-effective, portable, and highly reproducible color measurement device that can accurately convert readings into various color spaces, ensuring consistency and ease of use across different industries without the need for complex assembly or calibration.
Implementation Method 1
wherein the printed circuit board includes at least one LED and one colour sensor mounted on a bottom side of the printed circuit board
Implementation Method 2
at least one transparent light transmitting light pipe and a transparent material mounted which is mounted interferingly between the bottom side of the printed circuit board and the interior of the lower housing
Implementation Method 3
light transmitted by the LED impinges upon the substrate and is at least partially reflected back to the colour sensor to take a measurement
Data Source
AI summary
The present concept is a compact portable colour sensor for measuring colour of a substrate. The sensor includes a lower and upper housing, and a detector portion. The detector portion includes a printed circuit board connected to an interior of the housing. The circuit board includes at least one LED and one colour sensor mounted on a bottom side thereof. At least one transparent light transmitting light pipe and a transparent material are mounted interferingly between the bottom side of the printed circuit board and the interior of the lower housing. The compact portable colour sensor is configured such that light transmitted by the LED impinges upon the substrate through a light cavity, and is at least partially reflected back to the colour sensor to take a measurement. Preferably the lower housing has an inverted truncated conical shape.