IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,631,490
Granted Patent B2
US 12,631,490 · App. 18/257,937 · Granted May 19, 2026

System and device for determining a color value of a target object, and methods thereof

Inventors: Xiang Chen (Somerset, NJ); Donghui Wu (Bridgewater, NJ)
Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
G01J3/508G01J3/0297G01J3/463
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,631,490
App. No.
18/257,937
Granted
May 19, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of determining a color value of a target object is provided. The method includes capturing an image having a color calibration object and a color reference object. Computed calibration color values for the color calibration object and a first computed reference color value for the color reference object may be determined based on the single first image. A color calibration coefficient may be determined. A corrected reference color value may be determined based on the color calibration coefficient and the first computed reference color value. A second image may be captured. A second computed reference color value of the color reference object and a computed object color value of the target object may be determined based on the second image. A corrected object color value may be determined based on the corrected reference color value, the second computed reference color value, and the computed object color value.

Claims (50)

1 . A computer-implemented method of determining a color value of a target object, the method comprising:

capturing, via a mobile device, a first image comprising both a color calibration object and a color reference object, wherein the color calibration object comprises a plurality of calibration colors each having a known calibration color value and wherein the color reference object has a known color value;

determining, based on the first image, computed calibration color values for each of the plurality of calibration colors of the color calibration object and a first computed reference color value for the color reference object;

determining a color calibration coefficient based on a known color value of the known calibration color values and a corresponding computed calibration color value of the computed calibration color values;

determining a corrected reference color value based on the color calibration coefficient and the first computed reference color value;

capturing, via the mobile device, a second image comprising the target object;

determining a second computed reference color value of the color reference object and a computed object color value of the target object;

determining a corrected object color value based on the corrected reference color value, the second computed reference color value, and the computed object color value; and

causing the corrected object color value to be displayed via a display; and

wherein the computed object color value of the target object relates to a whiteness value of a tooth.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

identifying the corrected object color value as being in a first color space;

determining the corrected object color value in a second color space based on a conversion of the corrected object color value in the first color space; and

determining a final corrected object color value in the second color space based on a transformation of the corrected object color value in the second color space.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the first color space is an RGB color space and the second color space is a CIE L*a*b color space.

4 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

storing the final corrected object color value of the target object in the second color space; and

tracking final corrected object color values of the target object in the second color space over a period of time.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the computed object color value of the target object relates to the whiteness value of the tooth in the second color space.

6 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

determining a progress of a whiteness treatment of the tooth based on the whiteness value of the tooth in the second color space.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second image comprises both the color reference object and the target object.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the second computed reference color value of the color reference object is determined based on the second image.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the color reference object is a reference card comprising an open window, the target object being viewable through the open window when the second single image is captured.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the known color value of the calibration object comprises an R value of 243, a G value of 243, and a B value of 243.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining steps are performed via a processor of the mobile device.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the method is carried out for each of a red channel of the first and second images, a green channel of the first and second images, and a blue channel of the first and second images.

13 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium encoded with instructions which, when executed on a processor, perform a method of:

capturing, via a mobile device, a first image comprising both a color calibration object and a color reference object, wherein the color calibration object comprises a plurality of calibration colors each having a known calibration color value and wherein the color reference object has a known color value;

determining, based on the first image, computed calibration color values for each of the plurality of calibration colors of the color calibration object and a first computed reference color value for the color reference object;

determining a color calibration coefficient based on a known color value of the known calibration color values and a corresponding computed calibration color value of the computed calibration color values;

determining a corrected reference color value based on the color calibration coefficient and the first computed reference color value;

capturing, via the mobile device, a second image comprising a target object;

determining a second computed reference color value of the color reference object and a computed object color value of the target object;

determining a corrected object color value based on the corrected reference color value, the second computed reference color value, and the computed object color value; and

causing the corrected object color value to be displayed via a display; and

wherein the computed object color value of the target object relates to a whiteness value of a tooth.

14 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 13 , wherein the instructions further perform:

identifying the corrected object color value as being in a first color space;

determining the corrected object color value in a second color space based on a conversion of the corrected object color value in the first color space; and

determining a final corrected object color value in the second color space based on a transformation of the corrected object color value in the second color space.

15 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 , wherein the first color space is an RGB color space and the second color space is a CIE L*a*b color space.

16 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 , wherein the instructions further perform:

storing the final corrected object color value of the target object in the second color space; and

tracking final corrected object color values of the target object in the second color space over a period of time.

17 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 13 , wherein the computed object color value of the target object relates to the whiteness value of the tooth in the second color space.

18 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 17 , wherein the instructions further perform:

determining a progress of a whiteness treatment of the tooth based on the whiteness value of the tooth in the second color space.

19 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 13 , wherein the second image comprises both the color reference object and the target object.

20 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19 , wherein the second computed reference color value of the color reference object is determined based on the second image.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 16, 2023
From: CHEN, XIANG; WU, DONGHUI
To: COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
Reel/Frame 063971/0246 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63126815 · Dec 17, 2020
Related Publication 20240053203A1 · Feb 15, 2024
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