Apparatus and method for measuring optical characteristics of an object

1. A method for determining spectral characteristics of an object comprising the steps of:

positioning a probe and/or the object such that the probe is in proximity relative to the object, wherein the probe provides light to a surface of the object and receives light from the object, wherein light is provided from the probe by at least first and second light sources and light is received by at least a central light receiver, wherein the first light source is positioned a first distance from the central light receiver and the second light source is positioned a second distance from the central light receiver, and wherein the first light source and the central light receiver define a first critical height from the surface below which no specularly reflected light from the first light source is received and propagated by the central light receiver and the second light source and the central light receiver define a second critical height from the surface below which no specularly reflected light from the second light source is received and propagated by the central light receiver, wherein the first critical height is different from the second critical height;

prior to positioning the probe and/or the object such that the probe is in proximity relative to the object, taking a plurality of position-sensitive calibration/normalization measurements, wherein the probe is controllably moved relative to a calibration/normalization reference, wherein a plurality of calibration/normalization measurements are taken with the probe at a plurality of predetermined positions with respect to the calibration/normalization reference;

when the probe is positioned in proximity relative to the object determining the intensity of light received by the central light receiver in a plurality of spectral bands with a first measurement when the first light source is on and with a second measurement when the second light source is on;

determining the spectral characteristics of the object based on the first and second measurements and based on data taken from one or more of the calibration/normalization measurements.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the controllable movement of the probe relative to the calibration/normalization reference is controlled by a servo motor.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein one or more position sensors detect the position of the probe relative to the plurality of predetermined positions.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein a computer remote from the probe controls the taking of the plurality of calibration/normalization measurements.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the computer receives data from the plurality of calibration/normalization measurements via the internet.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the computer receives data from a plurality of probes in a plurality of geographically remote locations.

7. A method for determining spectral characteristics of an object comprising the steps of:

positioning a probe and/or the object such that the probe is in proximity relative to the object, wherein the probe provides light to a surface of the object via one or more light sources and receives light from the object via one or more light receivers, wherein the one or more light sources and the one or more light receivers define a plurality of light source/light receiver pairs, wherein a first light source/light receiver pair defines a first critical height from the surface below which no specularly reflected light from the light source of the first light source/light receiver pair is received and propagated by the light receiver of the first light source/light receiver pair, and a second light source/light receiver pair defines a second critical height from the surface below which no specularly reflected light from the light source of the second light source/light receiver pair is received and propagated by the light receiver of the second light source/light receiver pair, wherein the first critical height is different from the second critical height;

prior to positioning the probe and/or the object such that the probe is in proximity relative to the object, taking a plurality of position-sensitive calibration/normalization measurements, wherein the probe is controllably moved relative to a calibration/normalization reference, wherein a plurality of calibration/normalization measurements are taken with the probe at a plurality of predetermined positions with respect to the calibration/normalization reference;

when the probe is positioned in proximity relative to the object determining the intensity of light received by the one or more light receivers in a plurality of spectral bands with one or more measurements;

determining the spectral characteristics of the object based on the one or more measurements and based on data taken from one or more of the calibration/normalization measurements.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the controllable movement of the probe relative to the calibration/normalization reference is controlled by a servo motor.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein one or more position sensors detect the position of the probe relative to the plurality of predetermined positions.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein a computer remote from the probe controls the taking of the plurality of calibration/normalization measurements.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the computer receives data from the plurality of calibration/normalization measurements via the internet.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the computer receives data from a plurality of probes in a plurality of geographically remote locations.

13. A method for determining spectral characteristics of an object comprising the steps of:

positioning a probe and/or the object such that the probe is in proximity relative to the object, wherein the probe provides light to a surface of the object via at least a first light source and receives light from the object via at least a first light receiver, wherein the first light source and the first light receiver define a first critical height from the surface below which no specularly reflected light from the first light source is received and propagated by the first light receiver;

prior to positioning the probe and/or the object such that the probe is in proximity relative to the object, taking a plurality of position-sensitive calibration/normalization measurements, wherein the probe is controllably moved relative to a calibration/normalization reference, wherein a plurality of calibration/normalization measurements are taken with the probe at a plurality of predetermined positions with respect to the calibration/normalization reference;

when the probe is positioned in proximity relative to the object determining the intensity of light received by the first light receiver in a plurality of spectral bands with one or more measurements;

determining the spectral characteristics of the object based on the one or more measurements and based on data taken from one or more of the calibration/normalization measurements.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the controllable movement of the probe relative to the calibration/normalization reference is controlled by a servo motor.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein one or more position sensors detect the position of the probe relative to the plurality of predetermined positions.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein a computer remote from the probe controls the taking of the plurality of calibration/normalization measurements.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the computer receives data from the plurality of calibration/normalization measurements via the internet.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the computer receives data from a plurality of probes in a plurality of geographically remote locations.