White Transfer Camera Check for Single-Step Spectral and Focus Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spectrophotometers require separate calibration steps for the spectral engine and camera focus verification, which can be challenging due to differing fields of view and focus issues, leading to inefficient and inaccurate color measurements.
Innovation Solution
A combined calibration plaque with a spectral target ROI and focus target outside the ROI, allowing simultaneous calibration of the spectral engine and camera focus using blur detection values calculated by comparing reference and current measurements, and adjusting focus if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate calibration tiles are used for spectral engine calibration and camera focus verification, then each component can be calibrated with dedicated targets, but the calibration process requires multiple steps and separate tiles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the spectral target ROI and camera focus target into a single integrated calibration plaque. The spectral engine measures the spectral target within the ROI to obtain reflectance data, while the camera captures the entire plaque including the focus target for focus verification. This merging eliminates the need for separate calibration tiles and steps, reducing procedural complexity while maintaining calibration precision for both components.
2Measurement precision
If the camera ROI is smaller than the full field of view, then the spectral engine measurement area is optimized, but the camera focus verification becomes difficult when the focus target is outside the ROI
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the calibration plaque beyond the camera ROI into the out-of-focus region. The focus target is deliberately placed outside the ROI where it appears blurred, allowing the camera to capture focus verification information in a spatial dimension beyond the standard focused measurement area. This enables focus verification without interfering with the spectral engine's optimized ROI measurements.
3Productivity
If a single calibration plaque is used for both spectral and camera calibration, then the calibration process is simplified, but the plaque must accommodate different field of view requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration plaque is designed as a universal multi-functional standard containing both spectral target and camera focus target. The spectral target ROI provides precise reflectance characteristics for spectral engine calibration, while the camera focus target provides contrast patterns for focus verification. This single plaque serves multiple calibration functions simultaneously, improving productivity while adapting to both spectral and camera field of view requirements through its dual-target design.
Data Source
AI summary
A color measurement instrument for use with a single calibration plaque having a Region of Interest (ROI) and a focus target outside of the ROI, comprising a spectral engine, a camera, a processor, operatively connected to the spectral engine and the camera, and a non-volatile memory operatively connected to the processor, the non-volatile memory having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: activate the spectral engine to obtain a measurement within the ROI; calibrate the spectral engine with the obtained measurement; activate the camera to obtain an image of the calibration plaque including the focus target; calculate a current blur detection value for the focus target by comparing reference calibration measurements and the current measurement; retrieve a predetermined calibration blur detection value from the memory; and determine whether the current blur detection value is within a threshold tolerance of the calibration blur detection value.