Patent US4259020A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4259020A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Automatic calibration control for color grading apparatus
Assignee: AGTRON INCORPORATED A CORP OF
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Filing: 1978-10-30
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Granted: 1981-03-31
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Expires: 1998-10-30
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for color grading of products such as fruits, vegetables, et cetera, employing a light source for illuminating the product and means for detecting and comparing the reflectance to measure certain product properties. For calibration, a target of known color is moved in front of the light source and the resulting signal is compared with a reference signal to generate a modifying signal. For automatic calibration of the apparatus this modifying signal is stored and thereafter used to adjust all subsequent readout signals.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond E. Babb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:37
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/34; B07C5/342; G; G01; G01J; G01J3/00; G01J3/46; G01J3/50; G01J3/52; G01J3/524; G01J3/51; G01J3/513
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
Apparatus for continuously measuring the color of a product, comprising in combination: a color detecting head for detecting light reflecting from the product and for generating a color signal responsive to the color of said product; means to store said color signal for supplying a continuous color signal from the apparatus; a target of known color; means to detect the color of said target by said head and to generate a first color signal responsive thereto; means to generate a predetermined signal corresponding to the color of said target; means to compare the predetermined signal and the color signal responsive to the target to generate a modifier signal responsive to the difference therebetween; and means to modify all subsequent color signals by said modifier signal thereby to calibrate said apparatus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
Apparatus for continuously measuring the color of a product, comprising in combination: a color detecting head for detecting light reflecting from the product and for generating a color signal responsive to the color of said product; means to store said color signal for supplying a continuous color signal from the apparatus; a target of known color; means to detect the color of said target by said head and to generate a first color signal responsive thereto; means to generate a predetermined signal corresponding to the color of said target; means to compare the predetermined signal and the color signal responsive to the target to generate a modifier signal responsive to the difference therebetween; and means to modify all subsequent color signals by said modifier signal thereby to calibrate said apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said color detecting head includes a light source for directing light of a preselected wavelength onto said product.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2 including means for moving said target between the color detecting head and the product for the generation of said modifier signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
173 words
Apparatus for monitoring the color of a product, comprising in combination: a color detecting head for focusing light of preselected wavelengths on the product and for detecting and generating a color signal responsive to the wavelength of the reflected light; a readout device for indicating the color signal; a target of known color and means for focusing the light from the head thereon to generate a second color signal; and means adjusting the value of said second color signal to a predetermined value comprising: circuit means for receiving the second color signal resulting from the light being focused on the target; means to generate a predetermined signal which corresponds in value to a normal signal indicating the color of the known target; means to compare the second color signal to the predetermined signal to generate a modifier signal changing the second color signal to the value of the predetermined signal; and means to store said modifier signal and to correct all subsequent color signals with the modifier signal thereby to calibrate said apparatus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
173 words
Apparatus for monitoring the color of a product, comprising in combination: a color detecting head for focusing light of preselected wavelengths on the product and for detecting and generating a color signal responsive to the wavelength of the reflected light; a readout device for indicating the color signal; a target of known color and means for focusing the light from the head thereon to generate a second color signal; and means adjusting the value of said second color signal to a predetermined value comprising: circuit means for receiving the second color signal resulting from the light being focused on the target; means to generate a predetermined signal which corresponds in value to a normal signal indicating the color of the known target; means to compare the second color signal to the predetermined signal to generate a modifier signal changing the second color signal to the value of the predetermined signal; and means to store said modifier signal and to correct all subsequent color signals with the modifier signal thereby to calibrate said apparatus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said color detecting head includes a light source for directing light of a preselected wavelength onto said product.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said readout device is disabled while said second color signal is being generated; and means are provided to store said color signal so that a continuous color signal is supplied by said apparatus while said modifier signal is being generated.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
94 words
The method of calibrating a color measuring apparatus having a color detecting head for generating a color signal responsive to the color of a product on which the head is focused, comprising the steps of: focusing the head on a target of predetermined color to generate a first color signal; generating a predetermined color signal responsive to the actual color of the target; comparing the first color signal and said predetermined color signal to generate a modifier signal; and modifying all subsequent color signals with said modifier signal to calibrate said color measuring apparatus.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
94 words
The method of calibrating a color measuring apparatus having a color detecting head for generating a color signal responsive to the color of a product on which the head is focused, comprising the steps of: focusing the head on a target of predetermined color to generate a first color signal; generating a predetermined color signal responsive to the actual color of the target; comparing the first color signal and said predetermined color signal to generate a modifier signal; and modifying all subsequent color signals with said modifier signal to calibrate said color measuring apparatus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method as defined in claim 7 including the step of storing a color signal responsive to the color of said product and supplying a continuous color signal from the apparatus while the predetermined color signal is being generated and compared to the first color signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-03-30 | 1984-09-29 | 1985-03-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-30 | 1988-09-29 | 1989-03-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-30 | 1992-09-29 | 1993-03-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |