US5319437A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Handheld portable spectrophotometer
Assignee: GretagMacbeth LLC
•
Filing: 1993-06-09
•
Granted: 1994-06-07
•
Expires: 2013-06-09
Abstract
Abstract A handheld portable spectrophotometer is provided including keys for input of instructions by a user, an illuminator for illuminating a sample, and a spectral analyzer for separating light reflected from the sample into spectral components to produce a signal corresponding to the level of each spectral component. A processor is provided for executing the user instructions and for analyzing the signal. The results of the signal analysis are presented on a display. A power source is provided for providing power for operation of the handheld portable spectrophotometer.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold Van Aken
- 👤 Alan Kravetz
- 👤 Kenneth Garde
- 👤 William Weber
- 👤 Joseph Corrado
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:18
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J3/00; G01J3/46; G01J3/02; G01J3/0202; G01J3/0205; G01J3/0218; G01J3/0264; G01J3/0272; G01J3/0283; G01J3/0286; G01J3/10; G01J3/28; G01J3/463; G01J3/50; G01J3/502; G01J3/52; G01J3/524; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/25
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 66
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer, comprising: keys for input of instructions by a user; an illuminator for illuminating a sample; a spectral analyzer for separating light reflected from said sample into spectral components and producing a signal corresponding to the level of each spectral component; a processor for executing said instructions and performing color matching based on an analysis of said signal; a display for displaying the results of said color matching; and a power source for providing power for operation of the handheld portable spectrophotometer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer, comprising: keys for input of instructions by a user; an illuminator for illuminating a sample; a spectral analyzer for separating light reflected from said sample into spectral components and producing a signal corresponding to the level of each spectral component; a processor for executing said instructions and performing color matching based on an analysis of said signal; a display for displaying the results of said color matching; and a power source for providing power for operation of the handheld portable spectrophotometer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the illuminator is within a housing non-coextensive with a housing containing the processor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a replaceable memory.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 3, wherein said replaceable memory contains color standards data.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 1, further including an adapter to allow the portable spectrophotometer to communicate with external devices.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 1, wherein said processor applies user-selected color difference formulas in the analysis of said signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 1, wherein said processor provides a facility to compare the results of said analysis with color standards data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 1, wherein said processor includes a facility for the user to manipulate data stored in the handheld portable spectrophotometer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 1, wherein said display is a graphics display.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 1, wherein said spectral analyzer is adapted to compensate for thermal changes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 10, wherein optical components of said spectral analyzer are secured in place and a circuit board of said spectral analyzer is mounted to allow movement thereof to correct for thermal expansion of said circuit board.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 1, wherein said spectral analyzer is mechanically isolated against shock and vibration.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 12 wherein optical components of said spectral analyzer are secured in place and said spectral analyzer is mounted on a mechanically-isolating support.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
79 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer, comprising: means for input of instructions by a user; means for illuminating a sample; means for separating light reflected from said sample into spectral components and producing a signal corresponding to the level of each spectral component; means for executing said instructions and for performing color matching based on an analysis of said signal; means for displaying the results of said color matching; and means for providing power for operation of the handheld portable spectrophotometer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
79 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer, comprising: means for input of instructions by a user; means for illuminating a sample; means for separating light reflected from said sample into spectral components and producing a signal corresponding to the level of each spectral component; means for executing said instructions and for performing color matching based on an analysis of said signal; means for displaying the results of said color matching; and means for providing power for operation of the handheld portable spectrophotometer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 14, wherein the means for illuminating is within a housing non-coextensive with a housing containing the means for executing said instructions and for analyzing said signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 14, further comprising a replaceable means for data storage.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 16, wherein said replaceable means for data storage contains color standards data.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 14, further including means for facilitating communication of the handheld portable spectrophotometer with external devices.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 14, wherein said means for executing said instructions and for analyzing said signal further includes means for applying user-selected color difference formulas in the analysis of said signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 14, further comprising means for manipulating data stored in the handheld portable spectrophotometer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
A handheld, portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 14, further comprising means for graphically displaying the results of the analysis of said signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 14, further comprising means to compare the results of the analysis of said signal with color standards data.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
92 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer, comprising: keys for input of instructions by a user; an illuminator for illuminating a sample; a spectral analyzer for separating light reflected from said sample into spectral components and producing a signal corresponding to the level of each spectral component; a processor for executing said instructions and analyzing said signal; a display for displaying the results of said signal analysis; and a power source for providing power for operation of the handheld portable spectrophotometer. wherein the illuminator is within a housing non-coextensive with a housing containing the processor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
92 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer, comprising: keys for input of instructions by a user; an illuminator for illuminating a sample; a spectral analyzer for separating light reflected from said sample into spectral components and producing a signal corresponding to the level of each spectral component; a processor for executing said instructions and analyzing said signal; a display for displaying the results of said signal analysis; and a power source for providing power for operation of the handheld portable spectrophotometer. wherein the illuminator is within a housing non-coextensive with a housing containing the processor.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 23, further comprising a user-replaceable memory.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 24, wherein said user-replaceable memory contains color standards data.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 24, wherein said user-replaceable memory contains application program instructions.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 23, further including an adapter to allow the portable spectrophotometer to communicate with external devices.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 23, wherein said processor applies user-selected color difference formulas in the analysis of said signal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 23, wherein said processor provides a facility to compare the results of said analysis with color standards data.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 23, wherein said processor includes a facility for the user to manipulate data stored in the handheld portable spectrophotometer.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 23, wherein said spectral analyzer is adapted to compensate for thermal changes.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
42 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 31, wherein optical components of said spectral analyzer are secured in place and a circuit board of said spectral analyzer is mounted to allow movement thereof correct for thermal expansion of said circuit board.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 23, wherein said spectral analyzer is mechanically isolated against shock and vibration.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
30 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 33, wherein optical components of said spectral analyzer are secured in place and said spectral analyzer is mounted on a mechanically-isolating support.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
92 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer, comprising: keys for input of instructions by a user; an illuminator for illuminating a sample; a spectral analyzer for separating light reflected from said sample into spectral components and producing a signal corresponding to the level of each spectral component; a processor for executing said instructions and analyzing said signal; a user-replaceable memory containing information for use by said processor in said signal analysis; a display for displaying the results of said signal analysis; and a power source for providing power for operation of the handheld portable spectrophotometer.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
92 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer, comprising: keys for input of instructions by a user; an illuminator for illuminating a sample; a spectral analyzer for separating light reflected from said sample into spectral components and producing a signal corresponding to the level of each spectral component; a processor for executing said instructions and analyzing said signal; a user-replaceable memory containing information for use by said processor in said signal analysis; a display for displaying the results of said signal analysis; and a power source for providing power for operation of the handheld portable spectrophotometer.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 35, wherein the illuminator is within a housing non-coextensive with a housing containing the processor.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
20 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 35, wherein the information in said user-replaceable memory is color standards data.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
20 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 35, wherein the information in said user-replaceable memory is application program instructions.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
23 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 35, further including an adapter to allow the portable spectrophotometer to communicate with external devices.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
23 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 35, wherein said processor applies user-selected color difference formulas in the analysis of said signal.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
26 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 35, wherein said processor provides a facility to compare the results of said analysis with color standards data.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
27 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 35, wherein said processor includes a facility for the use to manipulate data stored in the handheld portable spectrophotometer.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
20 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 35, wherein said spectral analyzer is adapted to compensate for thermal changes.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
42 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim wherein optical components of said spectral analyzer are secured in place and a circuit board of said spectral analyzer is mounted to allow movement thereof to correct for thermal expansion of said circuit board.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
19 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 35, wherein said spectral analyzer is mechanically isolated against shock vibration.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
30 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometer in accordance with claim 45, wherein optical components of said spectral analyzer are secured in place and said spectral analyzer is mounted on a mechanically-isolating support.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
100 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometric, radiometric and transmissive measurement apparatus comprising: keys for input of instructions by a user; an illuminator for illuminating a sample; means for enabling and disabling operation of said illuminator in response to said instructions; a spectral analyzer for separating light reflected and emanated from said sample into spectral components and producing a signal corresponding to the level of each spectral component; a processor for executing said instructions and and analyzing said signal; a display for displaying the results of said signal analysis; and a power source for providing power for operation of the handheld portable spectrophotometer.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
100 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometric, radiometric and transmissive measurement apparatus comprising: keys for input of instructions by a user; an illuminator for illuminating a sample; means for enabling and disabling operation of said illuminator in response to said instructions; a spectral analyzer for separating light reflected and emanated from said sample into spectral components and producing a signal corresponding to the level of each spectral component; a processor for executing said instructions and and analyzing said signal; a display for displaying the results of said signal analysis; and a power source for providing power for operation of the handheld portable spectrophotometer.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
28 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometric, radiometric and transmissive measurement apparatus in accordance with claim 47, further including an adapter to allow the measurement apparatus to communicate with external devices.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
28 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometric, radiometric and transmissive measurement apparatus in accordance with claim 47, wherein said processor applies user-selected color difference formulas in the analysis of said signal.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
31 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometric, radiometric and transmissive measurement apparatus in accordance with claim 47, wherein said processor provides a facility to compare the results of said analysis with color standards data.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
31 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometric, radiometric and transmissive measurement apparatus in accordance with claim 47, wherein said processor includes a facility for the user to manipulate data stored in the measurement apparatus.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
25 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometric, radiometric and transmissive measurement apparatus in accordance with claim 47, wherein said spectral analyzer is adapted to compensate for thermal changes.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
48 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometric, radiometric and transmissive measurement apparatus in accordance with claim 52, wherein optical components of said spectral analyzer are secured in place and a circuit board in said spectral analyzer is mounted to allow movement thereof to correct for thermal expansion of said circuit board.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
25 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometric, radiometric and transmissive measurement apparatus in accordance with claim 47, wherein said spectral analyzer is mechanically isolated against shock and vibration.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
35 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometric, radiometric and transmissive measurement apparatus in accordance with claim 54, wherein optical components of said spectral analyzer are secured in place and said spectral analyzer is mounted on a mechanically-isolating support.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
100 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometric, radiometric and transmissive measurement apparatus comprising: keys for input of instructions by a user; an illuminator for illuminating a sample; a spectral analyzer for separating light reflected or emanated from said sample into spectral components and producing a signal corresponding to the level of each spectral component; a processor for executing said instructions and and analyzing said signal; a display for displaying the results of said signal analysis; a power source for providing power for operation of the handheld portable spectrophotometer; and wherein the illuminator is within a housing non-coextensive with a housing containing the processor.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
100 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometric, radiometric and transmissive measurement apparatus comprising: keys for input of instructions by a user; an illuminator for illuminating a sample; a spectral analyzer for separating light reflected or emanated from said sample into spectral components and producing a signal corresponding to the level of each spectral component; a processor for executing said instructions and and analyzing said signal; a display for displaying the results of said signal analysis; a power source for providing power for operation of the handheld portable spectrophotometer; and wherein the illuminator is within a housing non-coextensive with a housing containing the processor.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
88 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometric, radiometric and transmissive measurement apparatus comprising: keys for input of instructions by a user; an illuminator for illuminating a sample; a spectral analyzer for separating light reflected or emanated from said sample into spectral components and producing a signal corresponding to the level of each spectral component; a processor for executing said instructions and and analyzing said signal; a display for displaying the results of said signal analysis; a power source for providing power for operation of the handheld portable spectrophotometer. a replaceable memory.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
88 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometric, radiometric and transmissive measurement apparatus comprising: keys for input of instructions by a user; an illuminator for illuminating a sample; a spectral analyzer for separating light reflected or emanated from said sample into spectral components and producing a signal corresponding to the level of each spectral component; a processor for executing said instructions and and analyzing said signal; a display for displaying the results of said signal analysis; a power source for providing power for operation of the handheld portable spectrophotometer. a replaceable memory.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
22 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometric, radiometric and transmissive measurement apparatus in accordance with claim 57, wherein said replaceable memory contains color standards data.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
22 words
A handheld portable spectrophotometric, radiometric and transmissive measurement apparatus in accordance with claim 57, wherein said replaceable memory contains application program instructions.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-06-06 | 1997-12-06 | 1998-06-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-06-06 | 2001-12-06 | 2002-06-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-06-06 | 2005-12-06 | 2006-06-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |