Lacquered Surface Inspection Using Software-Based Color Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for inspecting lacquered surfaces with absorption and effect pigments face challenges due to differences in camera and light source characteristics, leading to inconsistent measurements and difficulties in distinguishing between color effects caused by absorption and effect pigments.
Innovation Solution
A method involving section-by-section and pixel-by-pixel evaluation of images, using a software filter device to account for wavelength-dependent sensitivities of the image recording device and illumination, and separate evaluation of absorption and effect pigments to produce accurate, colorimetrically correct measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional optical filter devices are used to compensate for camera and light source differences, then color measurement consistency is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to high dispersion of filter characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical optical filter devices with a software-based evaluation method. Instead of using hardware filters that introduce dispersion and inconsistency, the invention uses computational algorithms to account for camera and light source characteristics, thereby eliminating the harmful effects of optical filter variability while maintaining color measurement consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from physical parameter adjustment (optical filters) to digital parameter processing. By modifying the evaluation software to incorporate camera sensitivity and light source spectral characteristics, the system achieves consistent color measurements without relying on physical filters that suffer from manufacturing tolerances and dispersion.
2Device complexity
If standard light sources and generic filters are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to account for specific camera and light source characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the evaluation system to automatically characterize and adapt to specific cameras and light sources through software-based measurement of their actual performance. The system performs self-calibration by evaluating known reference samples and deriving correction factors, eliminating the need for complex hardware configurations while achieving high adaptability to different device combinations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary characterization of camera and light source properties before actual color measurements. By pre-measuring and storing the spectral sensitivity of the camera and the emission spectrum of the light source, the system prepares correction data in advance, enabling accurate color evaluation without requiring complex real-time adjustments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If effect pigments are present in the lacquer, then color variety is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to interference with absorption pigment evaluation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the color evaluation process into separate analytical components. By using the characterized camera and light source data to decompose the total reflected light into contributions from absorption pigments and effect pigments, the system can independently evaluate each component's color characteristics, preventing mutual interference and maintaining measurement accuracy for absorption pigments even in the presence of effect pigments.
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
This approach ensures consistent and accurate measurements by adapting to specific radiation and camera characteristics, reducing errors from effect pigments and providing realistic image recording aligned with human perception.
Implementation Method 1
a color image recording device records a spatially resolved image of the surface irradiated and/or illuminated by the direction of incidence at a first angle of observation
Data Source
AI summary
A method for inspecting lacquered surfaces is provided, wherein radiation being irradiated by a first radiation device onto a surface to be inspected at a first predetermined irradiation angle, and a color image recording device recording a spatially resolved image of the surface irradiated by the irradiation direction at a first observation angle, this image recording device having a first predetermined sensitivity dependent on a wavelength of the radiation impinging on the image recording device, wherein an image evaluation device carries out a section-by-section and desirably pixel-by-pixel evaluation of the image recorded by the image recording device.