Light-based protractor and use thereof for detection of color associated with physical coatings

{
  "publication_number": "US11747206B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Light-based protractor and use thereof for detection of color associated with physical coatings",
  "abstract": "A system for detection and coating analysis that comprises a digital camera and a light-based protractor positioned adjacent to or on a physical coating surface. The system identifyies a particular angular indication being displayed by the light-based protractor. The system then identifies a target color of the physical coating surface and identifies one or more target coating texture characteristics of the physical coating surface. Additionally, the system identifies a proposed coating that comprises a proposed color that matches the target color and proposed coating characteristics that match the one or more target coating texture characteristics. The system then displays, on a user interface, the proposed coating.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method for angle detection and coating analysis comprising: receiving with a digital camera a first image of a light-based protractor positioned adjacent to or on a physical coating surface; parsing, with a computer processor, the first image to identify the light-based protractor positioned adjacent to or on the physical coating surface; identifying a particular angular indication being displayed by the light-based protractor; mapping the particular angular indication to a particular viewing angle at which the digital camera captured the first image with respect to the light-based protractor; parsing, with a processor, the first image to identify a target color of the physical coating surface; parsing, with the computer processor, the first image to identify one or more target coating texture characteristics of the physical coating surface; accessing, within a coating database, one or more coatings associated the target color, wherein each of the one or more coatings is associated with data structures that indicate angle-specific proposed coating texture characteristics at the particular viewing angle; identifying, within the coating database, a proposed coating that comprises a proposed color that matches the target color and proposed coating characteristics that match the one or more target coating texture characteristics; and displaying, on a user interface, the proposed coating.",
    "2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein mapping the particular angular indication to the particular viewing angle further comprises: identifying a first angular indication displayed by the light-based protractor at a current viewing angle; and changing a viewing position relative to the physical coating surface until the light-based protractor displays the particular angular indication that is associated with the particular viewing angle.",
    "3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the light-based protractor comprises an optical element constructed of an optically interactive component, the optically interactive component comprising angle-dependent properties responsive to light.",
    "4. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the optically interactive component comprises a diffraction grating.",
    "5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the light-based protractor is configured to be handheld.",
    "6. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising: identifying a second desired viewing angle with respect to the physical coating surface; identifying a second angular indication displayed by the light-based protractor at the second desired viewing angle; receiving with the digital camera a second image of the light-based protractor adjacent to or on the physical coating surface; determining, with a computer processor, that the second angular indication is being displayed by the light-based protractor; and storing the second image of the light-based protractor adjacent to the physical coating surface within a database.",
    "7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein a first image of the light-based protractor adjacent to or on the physical coating surface is a first frame of a digital video and the second image of the light-based protractor adjacent to or on the physical coating surface is a second frame of the digital video.",
    "8. A computer system for angle detection and coating analysis comprising: one or more processors; and one or more computer-readable media having stored thereon executable instructions that when executed by the one or more processors configure the computer system to perform at least the following: receive with a digital camera a first image of a light-based protractor positioned adjacent to or on a physical coating surface; parse, with a computer processor, the first image to identify the light-based protractor positioned adjacent to or on the physical coating surface; identify a particular angular indication being displayed by the light-based protractor; map the particular angular indication to a particular viewing angle at which the digital camera captured the first image with respect to the light-based protractor; parse, with a processor, the first image to identify a target color of the physical coating surface; parse, with the computer processor, the first image to identify one or more target coating texture characteristics of the physical coating surface; access, within a coating database, one or more coatings associated the target color, wherein each of the one or more coatings is associated with data structures that indicate angle-specific proposed coating texture characteristics at the particular viewing angle; identify, within the coating database, a proposed coating that comprises a proposed color that matches the target color and proposed coating characteristics that match the one or more target coating texture characteristics; and display, on a user interface, the proposed coating.",
    "9. The computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein mapping the particular angular indication to the particular viewing angle further comprises: identifying a first angular indication displayed by the light-based protractor at a current viewing angle; and changing a viewing position relative to the physical coating surface until the light-based protractor displays the particular angular indication that is associated with the particular viewing angle.",
    "10. The computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein the light-based protractor comprises an optical element constructed of an optically interactive component, the optically interactive component comprising angle-dependent properties responsive to light.",
    "11. The computer system as recited in claim 10, wherein the optically interactive component comprises a diffraction grating.",
    "12. The computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein the light-based protractor is configured to be handheld.",
    "13. The computer system as recited in claim 8, wherein the executable instructions include instructions that are executable to configure the computer system to: identify a second desired viewing angle with respect to the physical coating surface; identify a second angular indication displayed by the light-based protractor at the second desired viewing angle; receive with the digital camera a second image of the light-based protractor adjacent to or on the physical coating surface; determine, with a computer processor, that the second angular indication is being displayed by the light-based protractor; and store the second image of the light-based protractor adjacent to the physical coating surface within a database.",
    "14. The computer system as recited in claim 13, wherein a first image of the light-based protractor adjacent to or on the physical coating surface is a first frame of a digital video and the second image of the light-based protractor adjacent to or on the physical coating surface is a second frame of the digital video.",
    "15. A computer program product for use at a computer system, the computer program product for implementing a method for angle detection and coating analysis, the computer program product comprising one or more computer storage media having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed at a processor, cause the computer system to perform the method, including the following: receiving with a digital camera a first image of a light-based protractor positioned adjacent to or on a physical coating surface; parsing, with a computer processor, the first image to identify the light-based protractor positioned adjacent to or on the physical coating surface; identifying a particular angular indication being displayed by the light-based protractor; mapping the particular angular indication to a particular viewing angle at which the digital camera captured the first image with respect to the light-based protractor; parsing, with a processor, the first image to identify a target color of the physical coating surface; parsing, with the computer processor, the first image to identify one or more target coating texture characteristics of the physical coating surface; accessing, within a coating database, one or more coatings associated the target color, wherein each of the one or more coatings is associated with data structures that indicate angle-specific proposed coating texture characteristics at the particular viewing angle; identifying, within the coating database, a proposed coating that comprises a proposed color that matches the target color and proposed coating characteristics that match the one or more target coating texture characteristics; and displaying, on a user interface, the proposed coating.",
    "16. The computer program product as recited in claim 15, wherein mapping the particular angular indication to the particular viewing angle further comprises: identifying a first angular indication displayed by the light-based protractor at a current viewing angle; and changing a viewing position relative to the physical coating surface until the light-based protractor displays the particular angular indication that is associated with the particular viewing angle.",
    "17. The computer program product as recited in claim 15, wherein the light-based protractor comprises an optical element constructed of an optically interactive component, the optically interactive component comprising angle-dependent properties responsive to light.",
    "18. The computer program product as recited in claim 17, wherein the optically interactive component comprises a diffraction grating.",
    "19. The computer program product as recited in claim 15, wherein the light-based protractor is configured to be handheld.",
    "20. The computer program product as recited in claim 15, further comprising: identifying a second desired viewing angle with respect to the physical coating surface; identifying a second angular indication displayed by the light-based protractor at the second desired viewing angle; receiving with the digital camera a second image of the light-based protractor adjacent to or on the physical coating surface; determining, with a computer processor, that the second angular indication is being displayed by the light-based protractor; and storing the second image of the light-based protractor adjacent to the physical coating surface within a database."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and devices for detection of a color associated with a physical coating.\n\nModern coatings provide several important functions in industry and society. Coatings can protect a coated material from corrosion, such as rust. Coatings can also provide an aesthetic function by providing a particular color and/or texture to an object. For example, most automobiles are coated using paints and various other coatings in order to protect the metal body of the automobile from the elements and also to provide aesthetic visual effects.\n\nIn view of the wide-ranging uses for different coatings, it is often necessary to analyze a coating for color matching purposes or for conformity with a predetermined standard. For instance, it might be necessary to identify whether a coating on an automobile body matches the coating on the automobile bumper. If the coatings do not match, it may result in an unpleasant appearance.\n\nThere are many opportunities for new methods and systems that improve the analysis of coatings.\n\nThe present invention can comprise systems, methods, and apparatus configured for detection and coating analysis. The method may comprise receiving with a digital camera a first image of a light-based protractor positioned adjacent to or on a physical coating surface. The method also comprises parsing, with a computer processor, the first image to identify the light-based protractor positioned adjacent to or on the physical coating surface. Additionally, the method comprises identifying a particular angular indication being displayed by the light-based protractor.",
  "cpc": [
    "G01J 3/463",
    "G01B 11/26",
    "G01J 3/0264",
    "G01J 3/0272",
    "G01J 3/2803",
    "G01J 3/504",
    "G01N 2021/8427",
    "G01N 21/255",
    "G01N 21/57",
    "G01N 21/8422",
    "G01N 2201/0221",
    "G06T 7/90"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "G01B 11/26",
    "G01J 3/02",
    "G01J 3/46",
    "G01N 21/25"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "PPG Industries Ohio Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Antonio Paredes",
    "Alison M. Norris",
    "Richard Knight",
    "William E. Eibon"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2020-01-29",
  "publication_date": "2023-09-05",
  "grant_date": "2023-09-05",
  "priority_date": "2019-02-05",
  "application_number": "US-202017426843-A",
  "family_id": "69771053",
  "cited_by_count": 4,
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  ]
}