Standard Plane Sample with Integrated Recording Medium for Optical Calibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current optical characteristic measurement systems face challenges in ensuring accurate calibration, particularly with standard color and gloss samples, due to miscombination issues and cumbersome maintenance, leading to potential measurement inaccuracies and missed calibration opportunities.

Innovation Solution

A standard plane sample with a recording medium storing identification and reference data, integrated with an optical characteristic measurement system that includes a communication portion for data transmission, a measuring device for object measurement, and components for data comparison and correction, ensuring accurate calibration and easy data reading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If calibration data is stored in a nonvolatile memory in the calorimeter, then the calibration data is not lost when the calorimeter is turned off, but the calibration data must be inputted again when the backup battery is exhausted or when recalibration is performed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibration data retentionVSAvoidcalibration data input operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the standard color sample and the calibration data into a single integrated unit. The standard color sample includes a sample portion and a recording medium (such as a memory card, IC card, or RFID tag) that stores the calibration data. This merging eliminates the need for separate data storage in the calorimeter and ensures that the calibration data travels with the standard color sample, preventing data loss and eliminating the need for re-inputting calibration data after battery exhaustion or recalibration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a plurality of calorimeters are provided, then measurement capability is increased, but it becomes uncertain which calorimeter and white plate constitute a set, leading to potential miscombination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement capabilityVSAvoidcalibration accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the standard color sample with the calibration data storage, creating an integrated calibration kit. Each standard color sample includes a recording medium that stores calibration data specifically matched to that sample. This ensures that when multiple calorimeters are used, the correct calibration data is always associated with the correct standard color sample, preventing miscombination and ensuring measurement reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The recording medium (memory card, IC card, or RFID tag) acts as an intermediary carrier that links the standard color sample with its corresponding calibration data. This intermediary ensures that even when multiple calorimeters are deployed, the correct pairing between sample and calibration data is maintained, preventing mismatches and ensuring accurate measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the white plate is provided separately from the calorimeter, then the calorimeter can be used with different standard color samples, but the user has to look for the storage medium storing the calibration data when calibration is necessary

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample compatibilityVSAvoidtime to find calibration data

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the standard color sample and calibration data into a single integrated unit. The recording medium is attached to or included with the standard color sample, so that when the user needs calibration, the calibration data is immediately available with the sample itself. This eliminates the time-consuming search for separate storage media and ensures that calibration data is always accessible when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If calibration data is not frequently inputted, then the nonvolatile memory retains the data, but the user cannot perform calibration when needed and may miss recalibration opportunities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata retentionVSAvoidcalibration availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the calibration data with the standard color sample, ensuring that the data is always available and accessible when calibration is needed. The recording medium is attached to the sample, making the calibration data immediately accessible to the user without requiring them to search for separate storage media. This integration maintains data retention while ensuring calibration availability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS7385701B2Standard plane sample and optical characteristic measurement system

Publication Date: 2008.06.10 KONICA MINOLTA SENSING INC

AI summary

A standard plane sample which supplies an optical characteristic measuring device with reference data. The standard plane sample including a sample portion that is measured by the optical characteristic measuring device to supply measurement data, and a recording medium that stores identification data for identifying a kind of the sample portion as well as reference data corresponding to the optical characteristic of the sample portion.