Digital method for matching stains
US7953274B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 1, 2006 |
| Grant date | May 31, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 28, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01J3/463
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method for preparing a stain to match a target color of a selected substrate (e.g., wood species). The apparatus may include a computer and hardware and/or software to store a database of stain records, create or load spectral data (e.g., a digital image) of a target sample, and display images and/or process spectral data. The apparatus may facilitate stain selection, and may also dispense colorant agents and/or vehicles to create stains. The apparatus may be used in a “manual” mode (whereby a human compares database and target images and makes a selection); an “automatic” mode (whereby the computer suggests a match based on the selected substrate); or a “combination” mode (whereby the computer suggests a match and the user can then compare the suggested match with various images to achieve a final selection).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.