Remote Color Measurement With Collimated Broad-Spectrum Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing color measurement systems are complex, expensive, and require special conditions or contact with the sample, making them unsuitable for high-speed, cost-effective, and accurate color measurement of objects from a distance, especially in production line environments.
Innovation Solution
A system using a spatially coherent light source with a broad spectrum that emits a collimated beam to illuminate a sample from a distance, combined with an optical arrangement that scans and collects scattered light without spectral modulation, allowing for non-invasive, real-time color measurement with a compact and robust design suitable for integration into robotic systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex and expensive equipment is used to achieve accurate and fast color measurement, then measurement precision and productivity are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical spectrometers with a simplified optical system using a supercontinuum light source and fixed optical elements. The spectral modulation is achieved through a stationary diffraction grating and fixed mirrors rather than moving mechanical components, eliminating the need for complex mechanical scanning systems while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional system where a single optical setup performs both spectral measurement and spatial scanning. The same optical path is used for illumination and collection, and the system can measure both spectral characteristics and spatial distribution of color properties, reducing the need for separate specialized devices.
2Measurement precision
If FTIR interferometer is used for spectral modulation, then spectral analysis capability is improved, but device complexity, size, and vulnerability to vibrations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical FTIR interferometer with a stationary spectral modulation system using a diffraction grating. The spectral separation is achieved through fixed optical elements rather than moving mirrors, eliminating mechanical complexity and making the system immune to vibrations while maintaining full spectral analysis capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a supercontinuum light source that provides broad spectral coverage without requiring the complex and expensive FTIR interferometer setup. This approach uses simpler, more robust optical components that are less vulnerable to environmental disturbances and easier to maintain.
3Measurement precision
If beam sampler is used to direct light to reference detector, then reference measurement is improved, but light intensity reaching sample is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the beam sampler and reference detector setup by using a different measurement approach. The system measures the sample directly with full light intensity, and reference measurements are performed separately or through computational methods, avoiding the loss of light intensity that would occur with beam sampling.
4Reliability
If multi-angle measurements are performed from distance under strong lighting, then measurement robustness is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a collimated beam from a supercontinuum light source that provides controlled, directional illumination. The optical system collects light at specific angles using fixed optical elements, achieving both distance measurement capability and angle-resolved spectral measurement without the precision loss that would occur with uncontrolled environmental lighting.
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
Enables accurate, high-resolution color measurement of various materials at different distances and shapes, immune to environmental lighting, with a scalable and portable system that maintains sample integrity and reduces operational complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
A system using a spatially coherent light source with a broad spectrum that emits a collimated beam to illuminate a sample from a distance
Implementation Method 2
an optical arrangement that scans and collects scattered light without spectral modulation
Data Source
AI summary
A system, robot and method to measure the color of an area of a sample. The system includes a light source to emit spatially coherent light that includes a broad spectrum of wavelengths; an optical arrangement to scan an area of the sample, part-by-part, with a collimated beam of said light; an optical spectrometer to receive scattered light and measure an optical spectrum for each part; and a computing device. The optical arrangement includes a collimator and/or is configured to preserve collimated said spatially coherent light. The system is configured for synchronizing the scanning of the area with the recording of the optical spectra for the area's parts, the recording of the optical spectrum of each part lasting an optical spectrum integration time equal to the duration of the scan of said part. The computing device determines color coordinates, computes and analyzes an overall optical spectrum, calculates XYZ Tristimulus values.