EP0383209B1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automated strip reader densitometer
Assignee: X-Rite Inc
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Filing: 1990-02-09
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Granted: 1993-09-29
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Expires: 2010-02-09
Abstract
Abstract A densitometer apparatus (410) is disclosed and is adapted to provide color density measurements of object samples. The densitometer apparatus (410) comprises a source light (580) for projecting light toward an object sample comprising a control strip (588, 620). A reflection optics assembly (576) is adapted to measure light density reflected from the object sample when the object sample is in the form of a paper control strip. A transmission optics assembly (618) is adapted to measure transmission density of light rays projected through the object sample when the object sample is in the form of a film control strip. A motor assembly (426) operating with a drive wheel assembly (434) and idler wheel assembly (440) automatically moves the object sample (588, 620) through the apparatus (410) adjacent the source light (580). A pair of guides (468, 470) are selectively adjustable by the operator to control movement of the object sample (588, 620) through the apparatus (410). In response to input from a key switch assembly (492) activatable by the operator, the apparatus (410) is adapted to perform various color density measurement and calibration functions, and display appropriate information to the operator through the use of a visual display (490).
Inventors
- 👤 Mark A. Cargill
- 👤 Bernard J. Berg
- 👤 Steven H. Peterson
- 👤 Timothy R. Friend
- 👤 Thomas J. Boes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 00:41
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/84; G01N21/86; G01J; G01J3/00; G01J3/02; G01J3/10; G01J3/46; G01J3/50; G01J3/51; G01J3/52; G01J3/524; G01J3/513; G01N21/01; G01N2021/0162; G01N21/17; G01N2021/1734; G01N21/47; G01N21/4738; G01N21/59; G01N21/8483; G01N2201/00; G01N2201/06; G01N2201/069; G01N2201/0694; G01N2201/12; G01N2201/126; G01N35/00; G01N35/00029
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
A densitometer system (410) adapted for measuring color characteristics of object samples (588) under test, said system comprising: light source means (578) for generating light rays and directing said light rays onto an object sample; filter means (594, 596, 598, 630, 632, 634) responsive to light rays reflected from said object sample so as to discriminate predetermined color shade sets of spectral responses of said reflected light rays; detection means (606, 608, 610, 642, 644, 646) responsive to said light rays transmitted through said filter means for generating signals representative of the intensity of said light rays transmitted through said filter means; processing means (654) connected to said detection means for processing said signals and for generating data representative of color characteristics of said object samples under test; and motive means (426, 742) connected to said processing means and adapted to automatically move said object samples under test through said densitometer system adjacent said light source means, so as to provide an automated measurement of a plurality of color patches associated with the object samples; characterized by guide means (468, 470) mounted to said densitometer system and adjustable by an operator of said system, so as to provide a guidance in at least one dimension of said object sample through said densitometer system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
A densitometer system (410) in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that said filter means comprises reflection filter means (594, 596, 598) positioned at a predetermined angle relative to the direction of object illumination by said light source means, and said reflection filter means is responsive to light rays reflected from said object samples so as to discriminate a predetermined color shade set of spectral responses of the reflected light rays.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
A densitometer system (410) in accordance with claim 1 or 2 characterized in that said filter means further comprises transmission filter means (630, 632, 634) positioned relative to the direction of object illumination by said light source means, with said transmission filter means being responsive to light rays transmitted through said object sample so as to discriminate a predetermined color shade set of spectral responses of the transmitted light rays.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
A densitometer system (410) in accordance in with claim 2 or 3 characterized in that said detection means comprises reflection detection means (606, 608, 610) responsive to said light rays transmitted through said reflection filter means for generating, on separate paths, signals representative of the intensity of the light rays transmitted through said reflection filter means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
A densitometer system (410) in accordance with claim 3 or 4 characterized in that said detection means further comprises transmission detection means (642, 644, 646) responsive to said light rays transmitted through said transmission filter means for generating, on separate paths, signals.representative of the intensity of said light rays transmitted through said transmission filter means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A densitometer system (410) in accordance with any one of the forgoing claims, characterized in that said system further comprises multiplexing means (722, 732) connected to said detection means for time multiplexing said signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A densitometer system (410) in accordance with any one of the forgoing claims, characterized in that said system further comprises input means (492) connected to said processing means for providing operator input to said densitometer system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A densitometer system (410) in accordance with any one of the forgoing claims, characterized in that said sytem further comprises display means ((490) connected to said processing means for providing visual displays to said operator, indicative of functions performed by said densitometer system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A densitometer system (410) in accordance with any one of the forgoing claims, characterized in that said motive means comprises an electric motor (426).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
A densitometer system (410) in accordance with any one of the forgoing claims, characterized in that said guide means comprises a film guide bar (550) having an elongated configuration, and further having nubs (462) adapted to be secured into slots located adjacent a forward edge of a bottom housing (414) of said densitometer system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
A densitometer system (410) in accordance with claim 10 characterized in that said guide means further comprises a pair of film guides (468, 470), including a left film guide and a right film guide for capturing an object sample under test for guidance in at least one dimension into said densitometer system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
A densitometer system (410) in accordance with claim 10 or 11, characterized in that said guide means further comprises a recessed portion (454) of a housing assembly of said densitometer system, with said recessed portion including indicia (548) for purposes of indicating the center of the path for color density measurements of said object samples under test.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
84 words
A densitometer system (410) in accordance with claim 10, 11 or 12, characterized in that said guide means further comprises numerical indicia (550) located on a forward edge of a bottom housing of said densitometer system, with said numerical indicia centered with respect to said indicia positioned on said recessed portion, and extending lengthwise across said forward edge, each of said film guides being manually adjustable by an operator for guiding and controlling guidance of an object sample under test into said densitometer system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
A densitometer system (410) in accordance with any one of claims 4 to 13, characterized in that said system further comprises reflection multiplexing means (722) connected to said reflection detection means for time multiplexing said reflection signals on said separate paths.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
A densitometer system in accordance with any one of claims 5 to 14, characterized in that said system further comprises transmission multiplexing means (732) connected to said transmission detection means for time multiplexing said transmission signals on said separate paths.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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