Patent ID: 6129664
Filing Date: 2000-10-10
Classification: A61B,G01J

Abstract:
A process of detecting a condition in a test subject, which condition includes a symptomatic, detectable change in the test subject's coloration, the process comprising the steps of:(a) at a first point in time, measuring with a color measuring instrument a value of at least one color factor in the test subject's coloration, said color factor being dependent, at least in part, on relative content of one or more colors in said coloration,(b) waiting an interval,(c) measuring with the color measuring instrument, at least at one further point in time, a value of said at least one color factor in the test subject's coloration,(d) measuring with the color measuring instrument, at said first and said at least one further point in time, the value of an independent color factor,(e) comparing the values of said at least one color factor measured at said first and said at least one further point in time to determine whether there has been exhibited a change therein of a predetermined magnitude evidencing said condition, and(f) comparing the values of the independent color factor measured at said first and said at least one further point in time,wherein each of steps (a) and (c) comprises measuring the value of a color factor that comprises a first function weighted in a first portion of the spectrum, a second function weighted in a second portion of the spectrum, and a weighting term that is a function of lightness of said coloration and that modifies the value of the color factor, andwherein step (d) comprises measuring an independent color factor having significant weighting in all portions of the spectrum.