X-rite Gmbh

Gentex Corporation

Timothy R Friend

Jon Harold Bechtel

Steven Henry Peterson

Robert R Turnbull

G Bruce Poe

Douglas V Baker

Jeremy C Andrus

Bernard J Berg

Mark A Cargill

David R Bowden

David A Meekhof

Thomas J Boes

Gregory A Mart

A communications system for controlling equipment associated with a vehicle, includes a micro-controller () and a digital serial communication link () using a multiplexed timing signal and first data signal. A camera or image sensor () located in the vehicular component communicates with the micro-controller () via the digital serial communication link.

Vehicular communications system having improved serial communication

The present invention relates to various improvements to digital communications and various applications of the improved digital communications.

Device with improved serial communication

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a magnetometer includes at least one sensor for sensing a magnetic field component, a biasing circuit, and a processor. The sensor generates an output signal having a signal characteristic that varies in response to the sensed magnetic field component and in response to an applied bias. The biasing circuit dynamically biases the sensor in response to a bias setting signal. The processor is coupled to receive the output signal from the sensor and coupled to the biasing circuit. The processor is operable to generate the bias setting signal and thereby control the biasing circuit to dynamically bias the sensor such that the signal characteristic of the output signal is maintained in a target range. The processor determines the magnetic field component sensed by the sensor as a function of the bias setting applied to the sensor.

Magnetometer having a dynamically adjustable bias setting and electronic vehicle compass incorporating the same

A color measurement instrument wherein the communication protocol used by the instrument is determined by the cable attached to the instrument. The instrument includes a handheld unit having a control system capable of communicating in at least two different protocols through a common connector. This control system connector includes a set of pin-outs corresponding to each of the available protocols. The instrument also includes a cable having a connector mated with the control system connector. The pin-out of the cable connector corresponds to only one of the sets of pin-outs of the control system connector, so that the cable provides a communication pathway corresponding to only one of the available protocols.

Color measurement instrument with multiple protocol interface

The specification discloses a handheld color measurement instrument including a housing adapted to be held by a human hand. A plurality of support rollers support the housing for movement in a linear direction. A color measurement engine is contained within the housing and includes an aperture opening through the bottom of the housing. The housing includes a pair or pairs of elements defining a line parallel to the linear direction and aligned with the aperture to facilitate alignment of the instrument for scanning. The color measurement engine within the housing includes photodetectors on only one side of the aperture, enabling the aperture to be positioned adjacent the nose of the housing. The support rollers are proximate the perimeter of the housing, and an encoder wheel is inward of the support rollers and proximate the aperture. The instrument is capable of reading barcodes, for example for configuring the instrument, and of reading color samples.

Handheld color measurement instrument

A color measurement network message log structure is disclosed for use in controlling communications among systems such as a plurality of film processing laboratories and remotely located systems, including a remotely located host system. Each processing laboratory includes at least one film processing apparatus interconnected to a densitometer for obtaining data related to color quality during film processing procedures. Signals representative of color quality data are transmitted from the densitometer to the host system through conventional modem devices and telecommunication lines. The host system can comprise a conventional processor and interconnected printer device. The processor is responsive to signals received from the densitometer at each processing laboratory to process the color quality data represented thereby. Each of the densitometers is provided with a dual port structure for communications with the film processing apparatus and remotely located system. Signals representative of data from the film processing apparatus can be accepted by the densitometer, with the densitometer including a network message structure for queueing the data represented by the signals for purposes of subsequent transmission to the remotely located system. Signals representative of data can be received from the remotely located system and stored internally to the densitometer for purposes of subsequent transmission to a visual display or subsequent transmission to a peripheral device, such as a printer. Still further, the remotely located system is made capable of direct control of the film processing apparatus through the use of a pass-through mode associated with the dual port structure of the densitometer.

Apparatus for method for logging, storing, and redirection of process

A portable colorimeter housing has an upper portion which is mounted on a lower portion in a cantilever fashion and is adapted to receive sheets larger than the device for purposes of obtaining tri-stimulus color measurements. An adjustable paper guide determines the distance that a sheet is inserted between upper and lower plates. A sheet to be measured inserted in the opening will operate a micro switch which activates a motor operative to advance the sheet between a motor-driven drive wheel in the lower plate and an idler roller in the upper plate. Transmittance or reflectance measurements are taken by means of photodetector cells including colorimetric filters. A user programmable processor performs pattern recognition and control functions. An optical housing assembly mounted on the upper plate includes a substantially cylindrical body provided with a horizontally extending channel and a mounting bar disposed in the channel is insulated from the cylindrical housing by air space except in peripheral areas of the cylindrical portion, thereby conducting heat generated by the high intensity light source to an area away from heat sensitive filters.

Portable scanning colorimeter

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).

Automated strip reader densitometer

A densitometer apparatus (210) is disclosed and is adapted to provide color density measurements of object samples. The densitometer apparatus (210) comprises a source light (578) 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) automatically moves the object sample (588,620) through the apparatus (210) adjacent the source light (578). Pattern definition data is prestored in memory of the apparatus (210). When control strips (588, 620) to be analyzed are 'read' through the apparatus (210), a pattern recognition process is employed to compare strip color patches with the prestored data, so as to determine whether the control strip 'matches' the pattern definition. The pattern definition data is stored so as to define 'regions' where dimensional, positional and spectral color patch properties are within predetermined tolerances. An initial step of the pattern recognition process is to scan measured data representative of the control strip and assign regions. Comparisons of the pattern definition region data and measured control strip region data are then performed to determine whether an appropriate 'match' has been obtained.

Growing community of inventors

Grandville, MI, United States of America

Timothy R Friend