U.S. patent application number 15/452282 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-22 for color measurement and calibration.
The applicant listed for this patent is Color Match, LLC. Invention is credited to Peter H. MUI.
Application Number | 20170180725 15/452282 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52625231 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170180725 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MUI; Peter H. |
June 22, 2017 |
COLOR MEASUREMENT AND CALIBRATION
Abstract
Embodiments described herein disclose a color measurement device
and method for use with cameras or other imaging devices. The color
measurement device may be configured to determine many different
colors via a commonly owned device. Embodiments utilize sinusoidal
grayscale rings to determine an exact color match of an unknown
color, even if there is perspective distortion of an obtained
image.
Inventors: |
MUI; Peter H.; (Warrenton,
VA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Color Match, LLC |
Warrenton |
VA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52625231 |
Appl. No.: |
15/452282 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14484241 |
Sep 11, 2014 |
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15452282 |
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61876737 |
Sep 11, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 1/6008 20130101;
H04N 17/002 20130101; G01J 3/463 20130101; G01J 3/462 20130101;
H04N 9/077 20130101; G01J 3/52 20130101; H04N 17/02 20130101; G06T
7/90 20170101; G06K 9/6202 20130101; H04N 1/6033 20130101; G06T
2207/10024 20130101; G01J 3/522 20130101; H04N 9/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04N 17/00 20060101
H04N017/00; H04N 17/02 20060101 H04N017/02; G01J 3/52 20060101
G01J003/52; G06T 7/90 20060101 G06T007/90; G06K 9/62 20060101
G06K009/62; H04N 1/60 20060101 H04N001/60; H04N 9/077 20060101
H04N009/077 |
Claims
1. A system for determining a true color of an unknown color
sample, the system comprising: a template including a cut-out and a
plurality of concentric rings around the cut-out, each of the
concentric rings having offset gray scales modulated as a function
of an angle of a polar coordinate, wherein there is a trigonometric
relationship between the gray scales of the plurality of concentric
rings.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a RGB color module
configured to determine, in an image of the template over the
unknown color sample, a first radial cross-section of one of the
concentric rings having an intensity that matches a determined
average red color value of the image of the unknown color sample
and to determine a true average red color value of the unknown
color sample based on an intensity profile of the one of the
concentric rings and a polar angle of the first radial
cross-section; and an angular module configured to determine the
polar angle of the first radial cross-section.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the angular module is configured
to determine the polar angle of the first radial cross-section by
comparing the intensity in the image of the first radial
cross-section with an intensity in the image of a radial
cross-section of another of the concentric rings along the same
radial segment and utilizing the trigonometric relationship between
the gray scales of the concentric rings.
4. The system of claim 2, wherein the RGB color module is further
configured to determine, in the image of the template over the
unknown color sample, a second radial cross-section of a second one
of the concentric rings having an intensity that matches a
determined average green color value of the image of the unknown
color sample and to determine a true average green color value of
the unknown color sample based on a ring intensity profile of the
second one of the concentric rings and a polar angle of the second
radial cross-section, and to determine, in the image of the
template over the unknown color sample, a third radial
cross-section of a third one of the concentric rings having an
intensity that matches a determined average blue color value of the
image of the unknown color sample and to determine a true average
blue color value of the unknown color sample based on a ring
intensity profile of the third one of the concentric rings and a
polar angle of the third radial cross-section, and wherein the
angular module is configured to determine the polar angle of the
second and third radial cross-sections.
5. The system of claim 4, further comprising an exact color module
configured to determine the true color of the unknown color sample
based on the true average red color value, the true average green
color value, and the true average blue color value.
6. The system of claim 2, wherein each concentric ring is phase
shifted a given angle from each other concentric ring.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of concentric rings
comprise three concentric rings, the second concentric ring being
phase shifted a first given angle from the first concentric ring
and the third concentric ring being phase shifted a second given
angle from the second concentric ring.
8. The system of claim 2, further comprising an image capturing
device configured to obtain an image of the template over the
unknown color sample.
9. The system of claim 2, wherein the template further comprises
distinctive markings at known locations and wherein the center of
the concentric rings can be determined from an image of the
template using geometric relationships between the distinctive
markings and the center.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the template is rectangular, the
distinctive markings comprise corner markings, and the center of
the concentric rings is at the center of the template, wherein the
center of the concentric rings in the image can be determined based
on an intersection of a first line from a first of the corner
markings diagonally to a third of the corner markings and a second
line from a second of the corner markings diagonally to a fourth of
the corner markings, wherein the center of the concentric rings is
then used to determine the radial segment on which a radial
cross-section lies.
11. The system of claim 2, wherein the RGB module is further
configured to determine, in the image of the template over the
unknown color sample, another radial cross-section of another of
the concentric rings having an intensity that matches the
determined average red color value of the image of the unknown
color sample and to determine a second true average red color value
of the unknown color sample based on an intensity profile of the
another of the concentric rings and a different polar angle of the
another radial cross-section, and to determine a final true average
red color value of the unknown color sample by calculating a
weighted average of the true average red color value and the second
true average red color value.
12. A method for determining a true color of an unknown color
sample, the method comprising: obtaining an image, wherein the
image includes the unknown color sample and a template comprising a
cut-out and a plurality of concentric rings around the cut-out,
each of the plurality of concentric rings having offset gray scales
modulated as a function of an angle of a polar coordinate and a
trigonometric relationship existing between the gray scales of the
plurality of concentric rings; determining a first radial
cross-section of one of the concentric rings that matches a
determined average red color value of the unknown color sample in
the image; determining a polar angle of the first radial
cross-section; and determining a true average red color value of
the unknown color sample based on an intensity profile of the one
of the concentric rings and the polar angle of the first radial
cross-section.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising positioning the
cut-out of the template over the unknown color sample, wherein
obtaining the image comprises actuating an image-capturing
device.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the polar angle of the first
radial cross-section is determined by comparing the intensity in
the image of the first radial cross-section with an intensity in
the image of a radial cross-section of another of the concentric
rings along the same radial segment as the first radial
cross-section and utilizing the trigonometric relationship between
the gray scales of the concentric rings.
15. The method of claim 12, further comprising determining, in the
image, a second radial cross-section of a second one of the
concentric rings having an intensity that matches a determined
average green color value of the image of the unknown color sample
and determining a true average green color value of the unknown
color sample based on an intensity profile of the second one of the
concentric rings and a polar angle of the second radial
cross-section, and determining, in the image, a third radial
cross-section of a third one of the concentric rings having an
intensity that matches a determined average blue color value of the
image of the unknown color sample and determining a true average
blue color value of the unknown color sample based on an intensity
profile of the third one of the concentric rings and a polar angle
of the third radial cross-section, and determining the polar angle
of the second and third radial cross-sections.
16. The method of claim 14, further comprising determining the true
color of the unknown color sample based on the true average red
color value, the true average green color value, and the true
average blue color value.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein the template further comprises
distinctive markings at known locations and further comprising
determining the center of the concentric rings from the image using
geometric relationships between the distinctive markings and the
center, and using the center of the concentric rings to determine
the radial segment on which a radial cross-section lies.
18. The method of claim 12, further comprising determining, in the
image, another radial cross-section of another of the concentric
rings having an intensity that matches the determined average red
color value of the image of the unknown color sample and
determining a second true average red color value of the unknown
color sample based on a ring intensity profile of the another of
the concentric rings and a polar angle of the another radial
cross-section, and determining a final true average red color value
of the unknown color sample by calculating a weighted average of
the true average red color value and the second true average red
color value.
19. A color identification system, comprising: a template
comprising one or more full gray scale continuums, wherein the true
intensity along each continuum is a function of geometric position
on the template; an image obtaining device configured to obtain an
image of an unknown color sample adjacent to the template; and
color identification modules configured to determine geometric
positions on the gray scale continuums in the image where their
intensities match determined red, green, and blue color values of
the image of the unknown color sample, and to use the determined
geometric positions to determine the true color intensity of the
gray scale continuum at each geometric position, and to use these
true intensities to determine the color of the unknown color
sample.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser.
No. 14/484,241 filed Sep. 11, 2014, which claims priority to U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/876,737, filed Sep. 11, 2013, which
are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for
color measurement and calibration. Specifically, this disclosure
relates to systems and methods for matching colors based on
measurements utilizing a template card.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Color matching systems identify colors, such that the colors
may be reproduced. Conventionally, a color matching system may
include a standardized set of colors. Various manufactures in
different locations may use the standard set of colors to match and
to reproduce a color. However, an individual may not be able to
determine a color within a standardized set that corresponds to an
existing object, or a retail store may no longer carry an item in
the color of the existing object. A very large standardized set of
colors may be required to adequately match any given color, and
even with a large standardized set of colors, the match may be
inexact, particularly if the paint has aged.
[0004] At times, individuals need to generate a color that matches
an existing color. For example, homeowners may need to generate
paint that matches an existing paint color of a wall. Yet, it is
economically impractical for an individual to purchase a
colorimeter only for implementing a color scan to determine the
paint color of the wall.
[0005] Furthermore, cameras alone cannot be used to determine true
color values. This is because gain varies from camera to camera,
and lighting associated with capturing a given image is subject to
infinite variation. In conventional systems, an individual may
utilize balance cards to calibrate the gain, the contrast, and the
brightness of an imaging system. However, when utilizing balance
cards to calibrate an imaging system for determining an image
color, at least three such cards must be imaged in about the same
setting and at about the same angle. This is a difficult task
requiring precise diligence. In addition, even using three cards,
accuracy is limited due to the fact that camera gain/response
curves are not perfectly linear, generally resulting in
unsatisfactory color matching.
[0006] Accordingly, needs exist for improved and efficient methods
and systems for determining color measurements of an existing
color.
SUMMARY
[0007] Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for
color measurement and recognition of an unknown color. In
embodiments, a template card with different samples may be utilized
to determine an existing color. The template card may be utilized
to determine a red, a green, and a blue color value of an unknown
color. Using the determined red, green, and blue color values, the
unknown color may be reproduced.
[0008] For true grays, red, blue, and green color intensities (or
color values) are equal. Thus, when the intensity of a gray scale
is discussed, it can be understood as a single value, which
indicates that the red, blue, and green values of that gray scale
are all that same value. For example, one (dark) gray has red,
green, and blue intensities that are each 50, and is referred to as
having an intensity of 50, while another (lighter) gray having an
intensity of 200 would have red, green and blue color values of 200
(examples provided are for 8-bit color having 256 possible values
for each color). Thus, finding the intensity of a gray color is
equivalent to finding the red color value, blue color value, or
green color value of the gray color.
[0009] In embodiments, the template card may include one or more
full gray scale continuums, where the intensity along each
continuum may be calculated based on geometric position. For
example, a gray scale continuum may be a straight line across the
template, with intensity as a function of linear position along the
line. Similarly, a gray scale continuum may be a ring or other
shape with intensity as a function of polar angle from the center
of the continuum. A full continuum increases accuracy by
eliminating the need for linear interpolation. Knowing the true
intensity at every point along the gray scale continuum allows the
effect of imaging system distortion to be eliminated. Since such
distortion affects the gray scales and the unknown color sample
equally, the true color value of an unknown sample may be
determined by matching a color value of the unknown color sample to
the determined intensity at a point on the gray scale continuum,
and then determining the true intensity at that point on the gray
scale continuum. In this way the true color value of the unknown
sample may be determined irrespective of the distortion
present.
[0010] Furthermore, the use of a black and white scale may lower
production costs. Geometric markers may be used on the template
card to correct for perspective distortion. It is critical to
determine the geometric location of the matching point on the gray
scale continuum so that the true intensity value can be determined
using a known intensity function. Determining the geometric
location may be difficult when an image is taken from an angle.
Distinctive features at specified points on the template card can
be used to correct for the perspective distortion. For example,
corner quadratic wheels may be implemented to pinpoint the center
of the template card as described below, regardless of the
perspective distortion. In other embodiments, the corner quadratic
wheels may be located at the midpoints of the side edges of a
rectangular template.
[0011] In embodiments, a template card may include a center cut-out
and three concentric rings, each of the concentric rings having
256or more gray scales (each being a different shade or intensity
of gray), wherein the gray scales may be modulated sinusoidally as
a function of their angle in the polar coordinate. While other
shapes may be used, concentric rings may allow multiple gray scale
continuums to be placed in close proximity to a central unknown
color sample, which may allow for simpler color value calculations.
A central cut-out may allow for smaller color samples to be used
and for simple geometric calculations. However, in some embodiments
the cut-out may not be centrally located, or there may be no
cut-out and the unknown color sample may be arranged adjacent to
the template.
[0012] In embodiments, utilizing three concentric rings around a
circular central cut-out may allow for polar angles of radial
cross-sections of the concentric rings to be more easily determined
when the center of the circular cut-out and intensity slice
profiles of the three rings are known.
[0013] In embodiments, the inner and outer rings may be phase
shifted by +120.degree. and -120.degree. with respect to the middle
ring. This results in a known mathematical relationship between the
three rings. Other phase shifts may be utilized, but may result in
more complex mathematical relationships between the rings.
[0014] In embodiments, to determine the red, green, and blue color
values of an unknown sample color, the template card with the
center cut-out may be positioned over the unknown sample color. An
imaging device or equivalent, such as a camera, may obtain an image
of the template card superimposed on the unknown sample color. The
imaging device may determine a true red value of the unknown color
based on the intensity of the radial cross-section (known as a
function of its angular coordinates) of at least one of the
plurality of rings having an intensity in the image matching the
determined red color value of the unknown color sample image.
[0015] In embodiments, the imaging device may determine a true
green value of the unknown color based on the intensity of the
radial cross-section of any or a combination of the plurality of
rings which has in the image a determined green intensity matching
the determined green color value of the unknown color sample image.
The imaging device may determine a true blue value of the unknown
color based on the intensity of the radial cross-section of any or
a combination of the plurality of rings which has in the image a
determined blue intensity matching the determined blue color value
of the unknown color sample image.
[0016] In embodiments, a polar angle of a concentric ring radial
cross-section may be determined using the determined intensities of
the plurality of concentric rings and trigonometry. The polar angle
may be used to calculate a true intensity of the concentric ring at
that radial cross-section. Combining the determined red color
value, green color value, and blue color value, the true color of
the unknown color sample may be determined.
[0017] A new system for determining a true color of an unknown
color sample includes a template having a cut-out and a plurality
of concentric rings around the cut-out, each of the concentric
rings having offset gray scales modulated as a function of an angle
of a polar coordinate. A trigonometric relationship exists between
the gray scales of the plurality of concentric rings, for example
each concentric ring may be phase shifted with respect to the other
concentric rings. The template may be a card formed with paper
(such as cardboard), plastic, and/or various other materials. The
template in embodiments may take many shapes, although a thin
template may be desirable to avoid shadow from the template falling
on an unknown color sample behind or adjacent to the template. In
embodiments, the template may be an electronic display. For
example, the template may be a display on a mobile electronic
device screen.
[0018] In embodiments the system may include a RGB color module and
an angular module. The RGB color module may be configured to
determine, in an image of the template over the unknown color
sample, a first radial cross-section of one of the concentric rings
having an intensity that matches a determined average red color
value of the image of the unknown color sample and to determine a
true average red color value of the unknown color sample based on
an intensity profile of the one of the concentric rings and a polar
angle of the first radial cross-section. Any of the concentric
rings may be used for matching a color value of the unknown color
sample image. The angular module may be configured to determine the
polar angle of the first radial cross-section. In embodiments, the
polar angle of the first radial cross-section may be determined
indirectly, by determining the polar angle of another radial
cross-section of another of the concentric rings lying along the
same radial segment as the first radial cross-section, for example
if the polar angle is more easily calculated for that other
concentric ring. For example, for a template with three concentric
rings, the middle concentric ring may be used for polar angle
determinations where the inner and outer concentric rings are phase
shifted with respect to the middle concentric ring.
[0019] In embodiments the angular module may be configured to
determine the polar angle of the first radial cross-section by
comparing the intensity in the image of the first radial
cross-section with an intensity in the image of a radial
cross-section of another of the concentric rings along the same
radial segment and utilizing the trigonometric relationship between
the gray scales of the concentric rings. The comparison may be made
with just one other concentric ring and corresponding radial
cross-section or with two or more others. The radial segment may be
constructed by determining a centroid of the cut-out and drawing a
line from the centroid through the radial cross-section.
[0020] In embodiments the RGB color module may be further
configured to determine, in the image of the template over the
unknown color sample, a second radial cross-section of a second one
of the concentric rings having an intensity that matches a
determined average green color value of the image of the unknown
color sample and to determine a true average green color value of
the unknown color sample based on a ring intensity profile of the
second one of the concentric rings and a polar angle of the second
radial cross-section, and to determine, in the image of the
template over the unknown color sample, a third radial
cross-section of a third one of the concentric rings having an
intensity that matches a determined average blue color value of the
image of the unknown color sample and to determine a true average
blue color value of the unknown color sample based on a ring
intensity profile of the third one of the concentric rings and a
polar angle of the third radial cross-section. The angular module
may be configured to determine the polar angle of the second and
third radial cross-sections.
[0021] In embodiments the system may also include an exact color
module configured to determine the true color of the unknown color
sample based on the true average red color value of the unknown
color sample, the true average green color value of the unknown
color sample, and the true average blue color value of the unknown
color sample.
[0022] In embodiments each concentric ring may be phase shifted a
given angle from each other concentric ring. For example, in an
embodiment with three concentric rings, the second concentric ring
may be phase shifted a first given angle from the first concentric
ring and the third concentric ring may be phase shifted a second
given angle from the second concentric ring. Each of these given
angles may be for example 120.degree..
[0023] In embodiments the system may also include an image
capturing device configured to obtain an image of the template over
the unknown color sample.
[0024] In embodiments the template may include distinctive markings
at known locations such that the center of the concentric rings can
be determined from an image of the template using geometric
relationships between the distinctive markings and the center of
the concentric rings. For example, the template may be rectangular,
the distinctive markings may be corner markings, and the center of
the concentric rings may be at the center of the template, such
that the center of the concentric rings in the image can be
determined based on an intersection of a first line from a first of
the corner markings diagonally to a third of the corner markings
and a second line from a second of the corner markings diagonally
to a fourth of the corner markings. Similarly, the template could
be circular and the markings at 90 degree angles around the
circumference. The center of the concentric rings may be used to
determine the radial segment on which a radial cross-section lies
(as the radial segment extends from the center and through the
radial cross-section).
[0025] In embodiments the RGB module may also be configured to
determine, in the image of the template over the unknown color
sample, another radial cross-section of another of the concentric
rings having an intensity that matches the determined average red
color value of the image of the unknown color sample and to
determine a second true average red color value of the unknown
color sample based on a ring intensity profile of the another of
the concentric rings and a polar angle of the another radial
cross-section, and to determine a final true average red color
value of the unknown color sample by calculating a weighted average
of the true average red color value and the second true average red
color value. For example, the first radial cross-section could be
of the middle ring and the another radial cross-section of the
inner or outer ring. Any ring may be used to determine the true
average red (or other) color value of the unknown color sample, and
by making the determination multiple times and averaging the
results, certain sources of error may be reduced.
[0026] A new method for determining a true color of an unknown
color sample includes obtaining an image, where the image includes
the unknown color sample and a template having a cut-out and a
plurality of concentric rings around the cut-out, each of the
plurality of concentric rings having offset gray scales modulated
as a function of an angle of a polar coordinate, where a
trigonometric relationship exists between the gray scales of the
plurality of concentric rings, determining a first radial
cross-section of one of the concentric rings that matches a
determined average red color value of the unknown color sample in
the image, determining a polar angle of the first radial
cross-section, and determining a true average red color value of
the unknown color sample based on an intensity profile of the one
of the concentric rings and the polar angle of the first radial
cross-section.
[0027] The image need not necessarily contain the entire template,
as long as it contains at least one concentric ring in addition to
the unknown color sample. Additional concentric rings and/or
markings for determining the center of the concentric ring(s) may
also be desirable to have in the image. In embodiments, the image
may be uploaded by a user over a computer network (e.g. the
Internet) via a website, software application, or similar. An image
acquisition module may be used to receive the image from the user
and/or to analyze the image, for example to notify the user if the
image lacks the template entirely or lacks any feature of the
template (e.g. concentric rings or other grayscale continuums,
markings for center-finding, etc.). This may be done for example by
comparing the obtained image with images of one or more templates
stored in a database or other computer storage medium, using known
image analysis methods.
[0028] In embodiments the method may also include positioning the
cut-out of the template over the unknown color sample, and
obtaining the image may include actuating an image-capturing
device. For example, a camera may be used to take a picture of the
template after placing it over the unknown color sample. The camera
may be on a mobile electronic device. An app on a mobile electronic
device or a website accessed via a browser on a mobile electronic
device may prompt a user to take the picture, and may automatically
process the image according to the methods steps described, or
transmit it e.g. over a computer network to another location for
processing.
[0029] In embodiments the polar angle of the first radial
cross-section may be determined by comparing the intensity in the
image of the first radial cross-section with an intensity in the
image of a radial cross-section of another of the concentric rings
along the same radial segment as the first radial cross-section and
utilizing the trigonometric relationship between the gray scales of
the concentric rings. Although the intensities in the image may not
be the true intensities of the imaged colors, the sources of errors
inherent in the image-taking process may apply relatively equally
to different parts of the image (e.g. the unknown color sample and
the gray scale continuums), leaving the relationship between the
color values of the concentric rings/gray scale continuums
intact.
[0030] In embodiments the method may include determining, in the
image, a second radial cross-section of a second one of the
concentric rings having an intensity that matches a determined
average green color value of the image of the unknown color sample
and determining a true average green color value of the unknown
color sample based on a ring intensity profile of the second one of
the concentric rings and a polar angle of the second radial
cross-section, and determining, in the image, a third radial
cross-section of a third one of the concentric rings having an
intensity that matches a determined average blue color value of the
image of the unknown color sample and determining a true average
blue color value of the unknown color sample based on a ring
intensity profile of the third one of the concentric rings and a
polar angle of the third radial cross-section, and determining the
polar angle of the second and third radial cross-sections.
[0031] In embodiments the true color of the unknown color sample
may be determined based on the true average red color value of the
unknown color sample, the true average green color value of the
unknown color sample, and the true average blue color value of the
unknown color sample.
[0032] In embodiments the template may also have distinctive
markings at known locations and the center of the concentric rings
may be determined from the image using geometric relationships
between the distinctive markings and the center, and the center of
the concentric rings may be used to determine the radial segment on
which a radial cross-section lies.
[0033] In embodiments the method may include determining, in the
image, another radial cross-section of another of the concentric
rings having an intensity that matches the determined average red
color value of the image of the unknown color sample and
determining a second true average red color value of the unknown
color sample based on a ring intensity profile of the another of
the concentric rings and a polar angle of the another radial
cross-section, and determining a final true average red color value
of the unknown color sample by calculating a weighted average of
the true average red color value and the second true average red
color value. This step may be repeated with any number of
additional gray scale continuums (e.g. concentric rings of gray
scales). Such processes may reduce the effect of image-capturing
errors that apply unequally to different imaged areas.
[0034] A new color identification system may include a template
comprising one or more full gray scale continuums, where the true
intensity along each continuum is a function of geometric position
on the template, an image obtaining device configured to obtain an
image of an unknown color sample adjacent to the template, and
color identification modules configured to determine geometric
positions on the gray scale continuums in the image where their
intensity matches determined red, green, and blue color values of
the image of the unknown color sample, and to use the determined
geometric positions to determine the true intensity of the gray
scale continuum at each geometric position, and to use these true
intensities to determine the color of the unknown color sample.
[0035] A new color identification method includes obtaining an
image of an unknown color sample adjacent to a template comprising
one or more full gray scale continuums, where the true intensity
along each continuum is a function of geometric position on the
template, determining geometric positions on the gray scale
continuums in the image where intensity matches determined red,
green, and blue color values of the image of the unknown color
sample, determining true intensities of the gray scale continuums
at the geometric positions based on the determined geometric
positions and the relationship between geometric position and true
intensity, and determining the color of the unknown color sample
based on these true intensities.
[0036] For example, in an embodiment a linear gray scale continuum
(where the intensity of the gray scale is a function of linear
distance along this continuum) on a template is imaged next to an
unknown color sample. A first geometric position on the image of
the linear gray scale continuum having an intensity matching the
average red color value of the image of the unknown color sample, a
second geometric position on the image of the linear gray scale
continuum having an intensity matching the average green color
value of the image of the unknown color sample, and a third
geometric position on the image of the linear gray scale continuum
having an intensity matching the average blue color value of the
image of the unknown color sample are determined using known image
analysis techniques. The first, second and third geometric
positions on the image are translated into first, second, and third
linear distances along the gray scale continuum using e.g. known
image analysis techniques, distinctive markings, etc. Then the
first, second and third linear distances and the function of the
true intensity of the gray scale continuum with respect to linear
distance along the continuum are used to determine the true
intensity of the gray scale continuum at each geometric position,
corresponding to the true red color value, true green color value,
and true blue color value, respectively, of the unknown color
sample. Together, these true color values are used to determine the
true color of the unknown color sample.
[0037] These, and other, aspects of the invention will be better
appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the
following description and the accompanying drawings. The following
description, while indicating various embodiments of the invention
and numerous specific details thereof, is given by way of
illustration and not of limitation. Many substitutions,
modifications, additions or rearrangements may be made within the
scope of the invention, and the invention includes all such
substitutions, modifications, additions, or rearrangements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present
disclosure are described with reference to the following figures,
wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the
various views unless otherwise specified.
[0039] FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a template card and a color
measurement device.
[0040] FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of a template card.
[0041] FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of a template card.
[0042] FIG. 4 depicts a screenshot of a color matching web
application.
[0043] FIG. 5 depicts a screenshot of a color matching
software.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0044] The invention and the various features and advantageous
details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the
nonlimiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of
well-known starting materials, processing techniques, components
and equipment are omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the
invention in detail. It should be understood, however, that the
detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating
preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of
illustration only and not by way of limitation. Various
substitutions, modifications, additions and/or rearrangements
within the spirit and/or scope of the underlying inventive concept
will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this
disclosure. Embodiments discussed herein can be implemented in
suitable computer-executable instructions that may reside on a
computer readable medium (e.g., a hard disk (HD)), hardware
circuitry or the like, or any combination.
[0045] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising,"
"includes," "including," "has," "having" or any other variation
thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For
example, a process, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of
elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may
include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such
process, article, or apparatus. Furthermore, unless expressly
stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive or and not to
an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by
any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or
not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or
present), and both A and B are true (or present).
[0046] Additionally, any examples or illustrations given herein are
not to be regarded in any way as restrictions on, limits to, or
express definitions of, any term or terms with which they are
utilized. Instead, these examples or illustrations are to be
regarded as being described with respect to one particular
embodiment and as illustrative only. Those of ordinary skill in the
art will appreciate that any term or terms with which these
examples or illustrations are utilized will encompass other
embodiments which may or may not be given therewith or elsewhere in
the specification and all such embodiments are intended to be
included within the scope of that term or terms. Language
designating such nonlimiting examples and illustrations includes,
but is not limited to: "for example," "for instance," "e.g.," "in
one embodiment."
[0047] Embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in a
computer, desktop, laptop, netbook, tablet, smartphone, or the
like, communicatively coupled to a network (for example, the
Internet, an intranet, an internet, a WAN, a LAN, a SAN, etc.),
another computer, or in a standalone computer. As is known to those
skilled in the art, the computer can include a central processing
unit ("CPU") or processor, at least one read-only memory ("ROM"),
at least one random access memory ("RAM"), at least one hard drive
("HD"), and one or more input/output ("I/O") device(s). The I/O
devices can include a keyboard, monitor, printer, electronic
pointing device (for example, mouse, trackball, stylist, etc.), or
the like. In embodiments of the invention, the computer has access
to at least one database locally or over the network.
[0048] ROM, RAM, and HD are computer memories for storing
computer-executable instructions executable by the CPU or capable
of being complied or interpreted to be executable by the CPU.
Within this disclosure, the term "computer readable medium" is not
limited to ROM, RAM, and HD and can include any type of data
storage medium that can be read by a processor. For example, a
computer-readable medium may refer to a data cartridge, a data
backup magnetic tape, a floppy diskette, a flash memory drive, an
optical data storage drive, a CD-ROM, ROM, RAM, HD, or the like.
The processes described herein may be implemented in suitable
computer-executable instructions that may reside on a computer
readable medium (for example, a disk, CD-ROM, a memory, etc.).
Alternatively, the computer-executable instructions may be stored
as software code components on a DASD array, magnetic tape, floppy
diskette, optical storage device, or other appropriate
computer-readable medium or storage device.
[0049] In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the
computer-executable instructions may be lines of C++, Java,
JavaScript, HTML, or any other programming or scripting code. Other
software/hardware/network architectures may be used. For example,
the functions of the present invention may be implemented on one
computer or shared among two or more computers. In one embodiment,
the functions of the present invention may be distributed in the
network. Communications between computers implementing embodiments
of the invention can be accomplished using any electronic, optical,
radio frequency signals, or other suitable methods and tools of
communication in compliance with known network protocols.
[0050] It will be understood for purposes of this disclosure that a
module is one or more computer processes, computing devices or
both, configured to perform one or more functions. A module may
present one or more interfaces which can be utilized to access
these functions. Such interfaces include APIs, web services
interfaces presented for a web services, remote procedure calls,
remote method invocation, etc.
[0051] Embodiments described herein disclose a color measurement
device and method for use with cameras or any imaging device. The
color measurement device may be configured to determine many
different colors via a commonly owned device. Embodiments utilize
sinusoidal grayscale rings to determine an exact color match of an
unknown color, even if there is perspective distortion in the
obtained image.
[0052] FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment template card 110 and a color
measurement device 130 for determining an exact color match of an
unknown color.
[0053] Template card 110 may include a center cut-out 112, a
plurality of concentric rings 113, and corner quadratic wheels
120A-D. In embodiments, a single template card 110 may include a
plurality of different continuous gray scale samples 114, 116, 118.
To determine an unknown color, it may be unnecessary or inefficient
to include samples of different colors, other than gray scales, on
template card 110 because a gray scale sample includes red, green,
and blue responsive curves.
[0054] Center cut-out 112 may be an orifice disposed at the center
of template card 110. Center cut-out 112 may be configured to be
disposed over an unknown color sample, such that template card 110
may be superimposed on the unknown color and color measurement
device 130 may be configured to obtain an image of the unknown
color through center cut-out 112.
[0055] The plurality of concentric rings 113 may include an inner
ring 114, a middle ring 116, and an outer ring 118. Each of the
plurality of concentric rings 113 may have two hundred and
fifty-six gray scales that are modulated sinusoidally as a function
of their angle in the polar coordinate (256 gray scales
corresponding to 8-bit color). One skilled in the art will
appreciate that in other embodiments, a different number of gray
scales per each of the plurality of concentric rings 113 may be
used. For example, 65,535 gray scales could in theory be used for
16-bit color. In one embodiment, inner ring 114 may be phase
shifted by +120.degree. with respect to middle ring 116, and outer
ring 118 may be phase shifted by -120.degree. with respect to
middle ring 116. Because the plurality of concentric rings 113 are
phase shifted and have two hundred and fifty six gray scales,
middle ring 116 may have an intensity profile of Im=A*cos(t)+B,
inner ring 114 may have an intensity profile of
Ii=A*cos(t+120.degree.)+B, and outer ring 118 may have an intensity
profile of) Io=A*cos(t-120.degree.)+B. In embodiments, A and B may
be chosen to maximize the template printer dynamic range of the
gray scales, where A may be a white scaling and B may be a black
offset, and t may be a polar angle of a radial cross section of the
plurality of concentric rings 113.
[0056] Corner quadratic wheels 120A-D may each be disposed at a
corner of template card 110, and may each be divided into four
equal subsections. Because corner quadratic wheels 120A-D are
distinct, known image processing techniques, such as cross, corner,
or symmetry detectors may be used to identify the centers of each
corner quadratic wheel 120A-D. The intersection point of a first
diagonal line from the center of corner quadratic wheel 120A to
corner quadratic wheel 120C and a second diagonal line from the
center of corner quadratic wheel 120B to corner quadratic wheel
120D may be configured to determine the centroid of center cut-out
112. Since lines remain lines, even at different viewing
perspectives, this technique is robust against any camera tilt. Any
segment emanating from the center of center cut-out 112 may, in
this embodiment, be a true radius of the plurality of concentric
rings 113.
[0057] Color measurement device 130 may be a device configured to
obtain an image of an unknown color sample, determine polar angles
(t) of radial cross-sections of the concentric rings 113 where the
determined intensity matches the determined red, green, and blue
values for the color sample image, and determine a color match of
the unknown color based on a true red color value, a true green
color value, and a true blue color value of the color sample
responsive to functions of the polar angles (t). In embodiments, an
unknown camera gain and lighting effects may not affect the
determined true red, green, and blue color values because the
camera gain and lighting effects affect template card 110 in the
same manner as they affect a sample of the unknown color.
[0058] Inevitably, there may be some difference in camera gain
and/or lighting gain between different regions of the template card
110 (e.g. the color sample and the surrounding rings) but the
difference may be negligible. To achieve a given RGB measurement
error, the residual nonuniformity of camera gain and lighting
effects between the unknown color sample and the rings may be less
than three times the desired RGB measurement error. In other words,
to achieve RGB values with 98% accuracy, nonuniformity may be up to
6%. Nonuniformity of less than three times desired RGB measurement
error may be considered equality of camera gain and lighting
effects between the unknown color sample and the concentric rings
113.
[0059] In embodiments where the background color of the card (e.g.
outside the concentric rings, excluding any distinctive markings
such as corner quadratic wheels) is uniform and known, one can
utilize this fact to compute and subtract out of any smooth
nonuniformity, resulting in a residual nonuniformity several times
smaller than the actual. This may be done by sampling a number of
points in the image of the template background, which are known to
be the same color, and determining the variance in the image from
the known color based on the location of the point to find and
remove smooth nonuniformity. For example, the points may be fitted
to a parabolic curve, with everything up to the 2.sup.nd order
removed. Some allowance may be made for potential discoloration of
the background due to long or heavy use, soiling, etc., which may
for example result in data points that are discarded as too far off
the known background color, or in a notification regarding this
possible problem, which may prompt the user to decide whether to
drop the data point, or to abandon the smooth nonuniformity removal
process.
[0060] Using the embodiments depicted in the FIGURES, equality of
camera gain and lighting effects may be achieved in all but the
most extreme lighting conditions (e.g. a sharp and dark shadow
directly across one side of the rings).
[0061] In embodiments, color measurement device 130 may include a
camera 132, an RGB color module 134, an angular module 140, and an
exact color module 142.
[0062] The measurement device 130 may be configured to execute
modules 134, 140, and 142 by software; hardware; firmware; some
combination of software, hardware, and/or firmware; and/or other
mechanisms for configuring processing capabilities on measurement
device 130. As used herein, the term "module" may refer to any
component or set of components that perform the functionality
attributed to the module. This may include one or more physical
processors during execution of processor readable instructions, the
processor readable instructions, circuitry, hardware, storage
media, or any other components.
[0063] It should be appreciated that although modules 134, 140, and
142 are illustrated in FIG. 1 as being implemented within a single
measurement device, in implementations one or more of modules 134,
140, 142 may be implemented remotely from the other modules. The
description of the functionality provided by the different modules
134, 140, and 142 described below is for illustrative purposes, and
is not intended to be limiting, as any of modules 134, 140, and 142
may provide more or less functionality than is described. For
example, one or more of modules 134, 140, and 142 may be
eliminated, and some or all of its functionality may be provided by
other ones of modules 134, 140, and 142. As another example,
measurement device 130 may be configured to execute one or more
additional modules that may perform some or all of the
functionality attributed below to one of modules 134, 140, and
142.
[0064] Camera 132 may be a device configured to record images,
which may be still images or videos. In embodiments, camera 132 may
be configured to record an image or a frame of a video of an
unknown color through center cut-out 112 of template card 110. In
embodiments, camera 132 may be included in a mobile phone, DSLR
camera, point and shoot camera, webcam, any consumer image device,
or any other device configured to obtain an image.
[0065] RGB color module 134 may be configured to determine a red
color value of the unknown color based on an average red color
reading of the unknown color and determined intensity and intensity
profile of inner ring 114 (and/or middle ring 116 and outer ring
118). In embodiments, the radial cross section of inner ring 114
may be chosen to determine the red color value of the unknown
sample because inner ring 114 may be the most proximate of the
plurality of concentric rings 113 to the sample of the unknown
color. Therefore, inner ring 114 may be the least sensitive of the
plurality of concentric rings 113 to any non-uniformity of color
measurement device 130.
[0066] First, the radial cross-section of the inner ring 114 where
the measured intensity of the inner ring 114 matches the measured
average red color reading of the unknown color is determined.
Second, the true polar angle (t_red) of this radial cross-section
is determined using angular module 140 (as discussed in detail
below). Third, the true average red color value of the unknown
color is determined as the inner ring intensity at the calculated
polar angle (t) using the inner ring intensity profile
Ii=A*cos(t_red+120)+B and the known polar angle (t_red) and A and B
values. This procedure is then repeated for the green color
determination and the blue color determination, with the true polar
angles for green and blue, t_green and t_blue, used instead of
t_red.
[0067] Each gray-scaling ring 112, 114, 116 includes all three
color modulations, red, green, and blue, making embodiments
compact, universal, and inexpensive to print. Although the
proximity advantage of the inner ring 114 may be lost, other
implementations may utilize the middle ring 116 or the outer ring
118 or even a combination of all three for determining the red,
green and/or blue color values of the unknown color sample. A
combination of rings 112, 114, 116 might be used, for example, by
finding the true average color values using two or all three of the
rings 112, 114, 116 independently, and then averaging the
determined values or using a weighted average, which may account
for lessened accuracy as the determinations move away from the
center of the template card 110. For example, the inner ring value
may be given a 50% (1/2) weight, the middle ring value may be given
a 33% (1/3) weight, and the outer ring value may be given a 17%
(1/6) weight. Using a combination may help to compensate for uneven
shadow and/or eliminate noise.
[0068] Angular module 140 may be configured to determine the polar
angle (t) of the radial cross-section of each of the plurality of
concentric rings 113 where the intensity matches the measured
average color value of the unknown color. In embodiments, if camera
132 obtains an image of template card 110 superimposed over the
unknown color from a tilted or off-center perspective, the observed
concentric ring 113 patterns of the obtained image may change. For
example, if an image of template card 110 is obtained from a tilted
perspective, the plurality of concentric rings 113 may appear to be
elliptical instead of circular. However, the radial cross-sections
of the plurality of the concentric rings 113 remain the same, since
a line remains a line irrespective of the view angle. The polar
angles (t) of the radial cross-sections may be determined from the
sampled intensities of each concentric ring 113, as discussed
below. So, once determined, the polar angles (t) of the plurality
of concentric rings 113 may then be utilized to look up the true
red, green, and blue color values.
[0069] Thus, first a radial section from the center of the template
cut-out 112 through the radial concentric rings 113 is found which
best matches the sample intensity to the intensity of the radial
cross-section of one of the concentric rings 113 through which the
radial segment extends. That is done simply by matching the
intensity of the sample to the intensity of a cross section of one
of the concentric rings 113 and extending a segment from that
radial cross-section through the center of the template card 110
and through the circumference of the outer ring 118. Once that is
accomplished, one can use the intensities of the concentric rings
113 cross-sections to determine the polar angle (t) using
determined intensity values of the cross-sections and the known
(and designed) trigonometric relationship between the intensity
profiles of the concentric rings 113. Once the best estimated polar
angle is known, it can be used to infer the color intensity of the
unknown sample. Angular module 140 may be configured to determine
the polar angle (t) utilizing the intensity profiles of each of the
plurality of concentric rings 113 (completely independent of the
camera gain and lighting conditions) and trigonometric
manipulations of the intensity profiles of the plurality of the
concentric rings 113 as intersected by the radial segment.
[0070] In embodiments, the total camera and lighting scaling gain
(k) affects template card 110 in the same manner as it affects the
unknown color. The intensity profile of middle ring 116 may have a
gain intensity profile equal to Pm=k*A*cos(t)+k*B, the intensity
profile of inner ring 114 may have a gain intensity profile equal
to Pi=k*A*cos(t+120)+k*B, and the intensity profile of outer ring
118 may have a gain intensity profile equal to
Po=k*A*cos(t-120)+k*B. Utilizing trigonometry properties, angular
module 140 may determine the polar angle (t) of a given radial
cross-section using the equation t=a tan 2[Po-Pi*sqrt(3),
2*Pm-(Pi+Po)], where the intensities of the concentric rings at the
given radial cross-section can be measured directly and substituted
into the equation to solve for t. Note that the variables
associated with gain and lighting conditions drop out of the
equation. Even though the measured intensities may not match the
actual intensities, as all the concentric rings 113 will be subject
to the same error sources, the trigonometric relationship between
the measured intensities of the concentric rings will hold,
allowing the true polar angle to be determined.
[0071] Exact color module 142 may be configured to determine the
true color of the unknown sample. Exact color module 142 may
determine the true color of the unknown sample based on the average
red, green, and blue (RGB) color values of the unknown sample as
determined by RGB color module 134. Accordingly, color measurement
device 130 may be configured to determine the angular coordinates
of radial cross-sections of each of the plurality of concentric
rings 113 on template card 110 even if an obtained image of
template card 110 includes perspective distortion. Furthermore,
color measurement device 130 may be configured to determine the
color of an unknown color sample based on the behaviors of three
different intensity profiles of the plurality of concentric
rings.
[0072] FIG. 2 depicts an example embodiment of template card 110.
Template card 110 may include a center cut-out 112, a plurality of
concentric rings 113, and corner quadratic wheels 120A-D.
[0073] Center cut-out 112 may be configured to be disposed over an
unknown color, such that the measured color values of the unknown
color 205 may be compared with the radial segment cross-sections
210 of each of the plurality of concentric rings 113, including
inner ring 114, middle ring 116, and an outer ring 118. Each of the
plurality of concentric rings 113 may be associated with any or all
of the different red, green, and blue color values of the unknown
color. Therefore, based on the unknown color values, there will be
different polar angles (t) 215, at which any or combination of
radial segment cross-sections at the color values correspondingly
best match the unknown color values.
[0074] Corner quadratic wheels 120A-D may be each disposed at a
corner of template card 110, and may each be divided into four
equal subsections. The intersection of a first diagonal line from
the center of corner quadratic wheel 120A to corner quadratic wheel
120C and a second diagonal line from the center of corner quadratic
wheel 120B to corner quadratic wheel 120D may determine the center
of center cut-out 112.
[0075] Responsive to determining the center of center cut-out 112,
the polar angles (t) 215 of radial segment cross-sections 210 of
concentric rings 113 on template card 110 corresponding to the
color values of the unknown color 205 may be determined with
measured intensities. Based on the polar angles (t) 215 and the
known intensity profiles of each of the plurality of concentric
rings 113, the true color values of the unknown color may then be
determined.
[0076] FIG. 3 depicts another example embodiment of template card
300. Template card 300 may include a plurality of different gray
scale samples 310 and center cut-out 320. Measured red, green, and
blue color values of an image obtained of an unknown color through
center cut-out 320 may be compared with samples 310 to find
matches, with linear interpolation used to resolve color values
between the intensities of the samples 310. By incorporating a
plurality of samples, a color measurement device such as color
measurement device 130 depicted in FIG. 1 can determine an
approximate true color of the unknown color while mitigating
nonlinearity of an obtained image.
[0077] FIG. 4 depicts a screenshot 400 of a color matching web
application. In embodiments, a photograph 410 including a template
and unknown color sample may be uploaded, and the web application
may be configured to determine a color 420 for the color sample
utilizing embodiments as discussed above. The web application may
be configured to utilize the configuration of the template card and
the specifications of the camera used to take the photograph with
the unknown sample color. In the embodiment shown, a user can
select an Upload Photo button 430 to upload the photo 410 from the
user's computer or device to a web server, where it is displayed to
the user as shown. After the upload, corner quadratic wheels 440
become active, and the user drags each of the corner quadratic
wheels 440 to the location of a corner quadratic wheel in the
uploaded image 410. In other embodiments, identification of the
corner quadratic wheels (or other distinctive markings) in the
uploaded image may be performed wholly automatically, but this
manual input may improve accuracy and/or simplify image processing.
Selection of the Match Color button 450 triggers results 420 to be
displayed, while Reset button 460 starts the process over.
[0078] FIG. 5 depicts a screenshot 500 of a color matching
software. In screenshot 500, an uploaded photograph 510 is
depicted. On the photograph, the radial cross-sections 520 of the
three rings that match (one of) the RGB color values of the color
sample are shown, as well as the center of the color sample 530.
Below the photograph, the calculated RGB measurements 540 are
depicted with potential color matches 550 and their maximum error
from the measured RGB values 560. These color matches may be
selected from a database of colors, for example available paint
colors from a paint manufacturer.
[0079] In the foregoing specification, embodiments have been
described with reference to specific embodiments. However, one of
ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications
and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the
invention. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be
regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and
all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope
of invention.
[0080] Although the invention has been described with respect to
specific embodiments thereof, these embodiments are merely
illustrative, and not restrictive of the invention. The description
herein of illustrated embodiments of the invention is not intended
to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms
disclosed herein (and in particular, the inclusion of any
particular embodiment, feature or function is not intended to limit
the scope of the invention to such embodiment, feature or
function). Rather, the description is intended to describe
illustrative embodiments, features and functions in order to
provide a person of ordinary skill in the art context to understand
the invention without limiting the invention to any particularly
described embodiment, feature or function. While specific
embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described
herein for illustrative purposes only, various equivalent
modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the
invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and
appreciate. As indicated, these modifications may be made to the
invention in light of the foregoing description of illustrated
embodiments of the invention and are to be included within the
spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, while the invention has
been described herein with reference to particular embodiments
thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and
substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, and it
will be appreciated that, in some instances, some features of
embodiments of the invention will be employed without a
corresponding use of other features without departing from the
scope and spirit of the invention as set forth. Therefore, many
modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or
material to the essential scope and spirit of the invention.
[0081] In the description herein, numerous specific details are
provided, such as examples of components and/or methods, to provide
a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One
skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an
embodiment may be able to be practiced without one or more of the
specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies,
methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. In other
instances, well-known structures, components, systems, materials,
or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to
avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments of the invention. While the
invention may be illustrated by using a particular embodiment, this
is not and does not limit the invention to any particular
embodiment, and a person of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize that additional embodiments are readily understandable
and are a part of this invention.
[0082] It is also within the spirit and scope of the invention to
implement in software programming or coding the steps, operations,
methods, routines or portions thereof described herein, where such
software programming or code can be stored in a computer-readable
medium and can be operated on by a processor to permit a computer
to perform any of the steps, operations, methods, routines or
portions thereof described herein. The invention may be implemented
by using software programming or code in one or more general
purpose digital computers, by using application specific integrated
circuits, where programmable logic devices, field programmable gate
arrays, and optical, chemical, biological, quantum, or
nanoengineered systems, components, and mechanisms may be used. In
general, the functions of the invention can be achieved by any
means as is known in the art. For example, distributed or networked
systems, components and circuits can be used. In another example,
communication or transfer (or otherwise moving from one place to
another) of data may be wired, wireless, or by any other means.
[0083] It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements
depicted in the drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more
separated or integrated manner, or even removed or rendered as
inoperable in certain cases, as is useful in accordance with a
particular application. Additionally, any signal arrows in the
drawings/figures should be considered only as exemplary, and not
limiting, unless otherwise specifically noted.
[0084] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have
been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However,
the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any
component(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to
occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a
critical, required, or essential feature or component.
* * * * *