Bintech Lllp

Color-Spec Technologies, Inc.

Pocketspec Technologies Inc.

Colorimeter, LLC

Gary Emerson

Gregg A Wagner

Dean A Paschen

Vincent A Hirsch

Timothy O'Connor

Paul Hendershott

Guy Fromme

Charles Bradford

Leon C Webb

S Brett Delawter

Brian Franklin

David A Gutow

Paul I Kolesnikoff, Ii

Bulk material measurement packages are described including the preferred embodiment of an automated instrument package (AIP) suited to mount on the inside ceiling of a large silo. The gimbaled AIP vertical mounting bracket rotates in an approximate 360&#xb0; azimuth. An instrument housing is mounted to the vertical mounting bracket, and it rotates approximately 190&#xb0; in a vertical plane. The instrument housing has at least one range finding sensor such as a scanning laser to measure the top surface contours of the bulk material. The instrument housing can also contains other sensors such as air and quality instruments including temperature, humidity, spectral recognition sensor to detect grain/material type and/or flow rate, gas detectors for sniffing off-odors/spoilage/or safety problems, and live video. Optionally grain penetrating radar (GPR), time domain reflectometry (TDR), ultrasonics, and portable sensors are taught as well as alternate packaging.

Bulk materials management apparatus and method

A handheld, portable color measuring device for measuring the primary colors of red, green and blue in a color target to be analyzed and connected to a built-in LCD display or connected to a separate personal computer. The color measuring device includes an elongated color measuring probe housing. A hollow cone shaped probe tip is attached to one end of the probe housing. A target contact end of the probe tip is placed against a color target to be measured. Inside the probe housing is a battery powered white LED light source connected to a color measurement switch. When the measurement switch is actuated, the white light source illuminates the color target surrounded by the target contact end of the probe tip. A light pipe is centered inside the probe housing and inside a portion of the probe tip. The light pipe captures the reflected light off the color target and projects the captured light onto a 3 color (RGB) sensor. The sensor collects an analog light signal which is made up of percentages of red, green and blue. The light signal is amplified and converter to a digital signal using an A/D converter. The A/D converter is part of a microprocessor mounted on a printed circuit board inside the probe housing. The digital signal is processed by the microprocessor and the percentages of red, green and blue are displayed on the LDC display or on the screen of the computer.

Handheld, portable color measuring device with display

The invention is a colorimeter for dental applications comprising a hand-held probe, similar in size to a dental drill, attached by an electrical cable to a small self-contained display module. The calorimeter provides the capability for measuring the colors of a number points along a line on the surface of an object such as a tooth. A measurement is made while placing the tip of the probe against, or in close proximity to, the surface of the object. The display module to which probe attaches contains a microprocessor and provides a control, display and data interface to the operator. The display module can be adapted for fastening to the wrist of the operator thereby leaving both hands free to manipulate the probe and other tools. The calorimeter is particularly well suited for measuring the color of teeth in a dentist's office in preparation for making dental prostheses which accurately match the color of natural teeth. The colorimeter generates from a single measurement an array of color data points measured along a line on the surface of an object. From those data points, the processor can perform statistical analysis yielding a single color value, generate and display a color profile along a surface, compare measured values with a preloaded table of values, or upload color data to a remote location for laboratory or manufacturing purposes. The colorimeter can also use variations in the color values measured along a line to identify boundaries of areas on a surface. For example, the color profile can be used to identify the gum line on a tooth. The probe comprises multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) for successively emitting light of different colors toward a surface, a linear photosensor array for receiving light reflected from the surface, and a lens for directing light from the target to the array, all contained within the probe itself. The calorimeter may also comprise a cradle for storing the probe and display module when not in use. The cradle may provide a battery charger, calibration references, and data links for uploading or downloading data from a remote location.

Colorimeter for dental applications

The invention is a colorimeter for measurement of the color of an object. The colorimeter comprises a hand-held probe which is similar in size and shape to a large writing pen and provides the capability of measuring the color of a spot or target on, or within, the surface of an object. A measurement is made while placing the tip of the probe against, or in close proximity to, the surface of the object. The calorimeter generates from a single measurement three color data points representing the reflectance of the spot measured at the wavelengths of three primary colors. From those data points, a microprocessor can perform analyses yielding a single color value represented in various standard formats, or it can compare the measured values with a preloaded table of values. The colorimeter can then present the results on a liquid crystal display. The colorimeter contains multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) for successively emitting light of different colors toward a target, a light sensor for receiving light reflected from the target, and a light pipe for directing light from the LEDs to the target. The display may be an integral part of the probe or contained in a separate display module connected to the probe by an electrical cable.

Miniature colorimeter

Growing community of inventors

Golden, CO, United States of America

Gary Emerson