COLOR CALIBRATION ELEMENT

A color calibration element is provided, including: a main body having a first plane, a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, where the first side is opposite the third side, and the second side is opposite the fourth side; a first marking region disposed on the first plane and located on the first side; a second marking region disposed on the first plane and relative to the first marking region to be located on the third side; a first color comparison region disposed on the first plane and located on the second side; and a second color comparison region disposed on the first plane and relative to the first marking region to be located on the fourth side. This allows for color comparison between a tooth photo and prosthetic teeth to enhance the color reliability.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Taiwan Patent Application No. 113106325, filed on Feb. 22, 2024, China Patent Application No. 202410730491.9, filed on Jun. 6, 2024, and Taiwan Patent Application No. 113135516, filed on Sep. 19, 2024. The entire contents of Taiwan Patent Application No. 113106325, China Patent Application No. 202410730491.9 and Taiwan Patent Application No. 113135516 are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a color calibration element, particularly to a color calibration element for correcting visual perception, such as color perception. More specifically, the color calibration element serves as a reference for calibrating color values of both an image on a display and a comparison object, making color perception values of the color calibration element, the image on a display, and the comparison object converge to be consistent.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a specific field, a color perception value is an important element. For example, in the field of fabricating prosthetic teeth (commonly known as dentures, artificial teeth, or prosthetics), the correct color calibration of prosthetic teeth is crucial for the overall aesthetics of a patient's oral cavity. Currently, in the process of fabricating prosthetic teeth, it usually takes time to match colors with photos for calibrating prosthetic teeth using a color comparison board. The color comparison board is typically a 3D structure, and during use, some time is required to adjust the direction and tilt angle for confirming the reliability of the usage scenario, environment, and calibrated photos via the color comparison board. Therefore, how to shorten the time in the color comparison process, allowing dental technicians to confirm the reliability of the usage scenario and calibrated photos in the most efficient time, is an important issue to be solved in this technical field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a color calibration element, which is designed as, for example, a 2D planar card and used on a visible surface to confirm the reliability of the usage scenario, environment, and calibrated photos. That is, the color calibration element is used as a reference to calibrate the color values of both an image on a display and a comparison object, making the color perception values of the color calibration element, the display image on a display, and the comparison object converge to be consistent.

The color calibration element provided by the present invention includes: a main body having a first plane, a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, where the first side is opposite the third side, and the second side is opposite the fourth side; a first marking region disposed on the first plane and located on the first side; a second marking region disposed on the first plane and located on the third side; a first color comparison region disposed on the first plane and located on the second side; and a second color comparison region disposed on the first plane and located on the fourth side.

In an embodiment of the present invention, of the first marking region and the second marking region, one includes a ruler frame, and the other includes an identification frame.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the ruler frame has a first frame line, the identification frame has a second frame line, and part of the first frame line and part of the second frame line are located on a same horizontal line.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the ruler frame has a baseline.

In an embodiment of the present invention, of the first marking region and the second marking region, one includes a first mark, and the other includes a second mark.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first mark is a black dot cross, the second mark is a white dot cross, and the first mark and the second mark are located on a same horizontal line with a spacing therebetween.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first plane includes a gray surface, the gray surface is achromatic, and color value ranges of the gray surface include: brightness of 70 to 90, red-green of ±1.5, and yellow-blue of ±1.5.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first color comparison region and the second color comparison region each include multiple color blocks, and the color blocks each completely extend to edges of the second side and the fourth side.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first color comparison region and the second color comparison region each include multiple color blocks and multiple adjacent blocks, the multiple color blocks are adjacent to the multiple adjacent blocks, two sides of the multiple color blocks are each adjacent to at least one of the adjacent blocks, and a side of the at least one of the adjacent blocks is adjacent to the first side or the third side.

In an embodiment of the present invention, each of the at least one of the adjacent blocks has the same gray surface as the first plane.

In an embodiment of the present invention, each of the at least one of the adjacent blocks has the same color.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a width of each of the at least one of the adjacent blocks is half a width of each of the multiple color blocks.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the multiple color blocks and the multiple adjacent blocks are aligned top to bottom and evenly distributed between the first side and the third side.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first color comparison region and the second color comparison region each include at least two color blocks and at least two adjacent blocks, a width of each of the at least two adjacent blocks is half a width of each of the at least two color blocks, of the at least two adjacent blocks, one is located on a side of the at least two color blocks and the other is located on the other side of the at least two color blocks, and the at least two color blocks and the at least two adjacent blocks are aligned top to bottom and evenly distributed between the first side and the third side.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a gap is present between adjacent two of the multiple color blocks and has the same gray surface as the first plane.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a side of the multiple adjacent blocks is adjacent to the first side or the third side, and the other side of the multiple adjacent blocks is adjacent to a separation line.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a width of the separation line is 1 to 1.5 times a width of the gap.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the separation line is black.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the color calibration element further includes: a first printing layer located on the first plane and including the first marking region, the second marking region, the first color comparison region, and the second color comparison region.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the color calibration element further includes a first coating layer located on the first printing layer.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the main body has a second plane, the first plane and the second plane are respectively located on opposite surfaces of the main body, a second printing layer is disposed on the second plane, and a second coating layer is disposed on the second printing layer.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the main body further includes a central region, and the first marking region, the second marking region, the first color comparison region, and the second color comparison region surround the central region.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a color block and an adjacent block adjacent to each other have a gap between each other, and the color of each gap is related to the color of the color block and the adjacent block adjacent to each other.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the color of the gap related to the color of the color block and the adjacent block adjacent to each other is represented by a HSV color space.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the color of the gap related to the color of the color block and the adjacent block adjacent to each other is represented by a HSL color space.

As the color calibration element in the present invention is designed as a 2D plane with multiple regions for rotation, measurement, and color comparison, the present invention accelerates the color comparison process, and shortens the time dental technicians need to confirm the reliability of the usage scenario and calibrated photos during the color comparison. A user can perform zero calibration of the usage scenario, environment, and human eye perception via the physical color calibration element and a display reproduction result, thereby enhancing the reliability of the photos calibrated by the dental technicians.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is particularly described with the following examples, which are merely for illustration. For those skilled in the art, various modifications and refinements can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure shall be defined by the appended claims. Throughout the specification and claims, unless clearly specified otherwise, the meaning of “a” and “the” includes “one or at least one” element or component. In addition, as used in the present invention, unless it is clearly apparent from the context that the plural is excluded, the singular also includes the plural elements or components. Additionally, when used in this description and all the following claims, unless clearly specified otherwise, “therein” can mean “in” and “on”. The terms used throughout this specification and claims, unless specifically noted, usually have their ordinary meanings in the field, in the context of this disclosure, and in the specific context. Some terms used to describe the present invention will be discussed below or elsewhere in this specification to provide additional guidance to a practitioner regarding the description of the present invention. Any examples given anywhere throughout the specification, including the use of any terms discussed herein, are merely for description and do not limit the scope and meaning of the present invention or any exemplified terms. Likewise, the present invention is not limited to the various embodiments proposed in this specification.

As used herein, the terms “substantially,” “around,” “about,” or “approximately” should generally mean within 20% of a given value or range, preferably within 10%. Furthermore, quantities provided herein may be approximate, meaning that unless specifically stated otherwise, they can be expressed using the terms “about,” “around,” or “approximately.” When a range, a preferred range, or a set of upper and lower ideal values are specified for quantities, concentrations, or other values or parameters, it should be considered that all ranges formed by any pair of upper and lower limits or ideal values are specifically disclosed, regardless of whether such ranges are separately disclosed. For example, if a range of a length is disclosed as X cm to Y cm, it should be considered as disclosing a length of H cm, where H can be any real number between X and Y.

Furthermore, if a term “coupled” or “connected” is used herein, it includes any direct and indirect electrical connection measures. For example, a text describes that a first apparatus is electrically coupled to a second apparatus, meaning that the first apparatus may be connected to the second apparatus directly or indirectly via through other apparatuses or connection measures. Additionally, if a description involves transmission or provision of electrical signals, those skilled in the art should understand that the transmission of electrical signals may be accompanied by attenuation or other non-ideal changes, but unless specifically stated otherwise, the electrical signals transmitted or provided from sources to receiving ends should be considered as substantially the same signal. For example, in a case that an electrical signal S is transmitted (or provided) from an endpoint A of an electronic circuit to an endpoint B, where it may pass by the source and drain terminals of a transistor switch and/or a possible stray capacitor, causing a voltage drop, but if the objective of such design is not to intentionally use the attenuation or other non-ideal changes during transmission (or provision) to achieve certain technical effects, the electrical signal S at the endpoint A and the electrical signal S at the endpoint B of the electronic circuit should be considered substantially the same signal.

It can be understood that the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and the like as used herein are open-ended, meaning inclusion but being not limited thereto. Additionally, any embodiment or claim of the present invention does not have to achieve all the objectives, advantages, or features disclosed in the present invention. Furthermore, the abstract and title are only for assisting in patent document searches and are not intended to limit the claims of the present invention.

FIG.1is a schematic diagram of a color calibration element according to an embodiment of the present invention. The color calibration element1provided in this embodiment can be used when a doctor customizes prosthetic teeth for a patient, first taking a photo of teeth inside the patient's oral cavity, so as to provide a dental technician in a dental clinic with information needed to make the prosthetic teeth that match the patient's tooth color. It can also be used by the dental technician to determine through comparison whether there is a color difference between the prosthetic teeth and the image after the prosthetic teeth are made.

The color calibration element1provided in this embodiment is a card-type, 2D planar means, which includes a main body11, a first marking region12, a second marking region13, a first color comparison region14, and a second color comparison region15. The main body11has a first plane (for example, a front plane)111and a second plane (for example, a back plane)112, where the first plane111and the second plane112are respectively located on opposite surfaces of the main body11. On the first plane111, the main body11has a first side113, a second side114, a third side115, and a fourth side116. The first side113is opposite the third side115, and the second side114is opposite the fourth side116. The first marking region12is disposed on the first plane111and located on the first side113or the third side115. The second marking region13is disposed on the first plane111and relative to the first marking region12to be located on the third side115or the first side113. For example, when the first marking region12is disposed on the first plane111and located on the first side113, the second marking region13is disposed on the first plane111and relative to the first marking region12to be located on the third side115. Conversely, when the first marking region12is disposed on the third side115, the second marking region13is disposed on the first side113. The first color comparison region14is disposed on the first plane111and located on the second side114, and the second color comparison region15is disposed on the first plane111and relative to the first color comparison region14to be located on the fourth side116. Conversely, when the first color comparison region14is disposed on the fourth side116, the second color comparison region15is disposed on the second side114. Additionally, in this embodiment, the shape of the color calibration element1is rectangular. In other embodiments, the color calibration element1may further be trapezoidal, polygonal, or the like.

In this embodiment, the first plane111includes a gray surface, and this gray is achromatic. Furthermore, the color value (Lab) ranges of this gray are as follows: brightness (black and white) L is 70 to 90, red-green (a) is ±1.5, and yellow-blue (b) is ±1.5, which can be measured using a colorimeter. One of the first marking region12and the second marking region13includes a ruler frame121for measuring teeth. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the ruler frame121is located in the first marking region12, and the other of the first marking region12and the second marking region13includes an identification frame122. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the identification frame122is located in the second marking region13. The identification frame122is used for printing graphics and text such as company logos, product logos, instructions, or usage periods. Additionally, the ruler frame121has a first frame line1211and a baseline1212for aligning objects such as tooth gaps, and the identification frame122has a second frame line1221. Part of the first frame line1211and part of the second frame line1221are located on the same horizontal line L1to provide region alignment during shooting. Furthermore, one of the first marking region12and the second marking region13includes a first mark123, and the other of the first marking region12and the second marking region13includes a second mark124. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the first mark123is a black dot cross, the second mark124is a white dot cross, and the first mark123and the second mark124are located on the same horizontal line L2with a spacing d1therebetween, and can be used for white balance adjustment during shooting. It should be noted that the positions of the first mark123and the second mark124may be interchanged. The first color comparison region14and the second color comparison region15each include multiple color blocks45, and each color block45completely extends to the edges of the second side114and the fourth side116. The color blocks45in the first color comparison region14and the second color comparison region15include different colors (hue, brightness, and chroma are all different) and are distinguished by different patterns. For example, the first color comparison region14and the second color comparison region15are respectively light and dark. Each color block45has a width of 7 mm to 11 mm, but preferably 8 mm to 9 mm. Multiple color blocks45, such as seven color blocks45, can be arranged according to color depth, and these seven color blocks45are aligned top to bottom and evenly distributed between the second side114and the fourth side116. The width and number of the color blocks45are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the color calibration element100as shown inFIG.2differs from the color calibration element1provided in the previous embodiment in that the color blocks45adjacent to each other can have a gap d2for separately distinguishing between adjacent color blocks45, and this gap d2has the same gray surface as the first plane111.

FIG.3is a side view of a color calibration element according to an embodiment of the present invention. The color calibration element1provided in this embodiment has a printing layer1111on the first plane111of the main body11. The printing layer1111includes the first marking region12, the second marking region13, the first color comparison region14, and the second color comparison region15and is printed on the first plane111(also referring toFIG.1). Additionally, a coating layer1112is located on the printing layer1111. In other embodiments, as shown inFIG.4, the color calibration element1has a printing layer1121on the second plane112of the main body11, and a coating layer1122is located on the printing layer1121.

FIG.5is a schematic diagram of a color calibration element according to another embodiment of the present invention. The color calibration element10provided in this embodiment differs from the color calibration element1provided in the previous embodiment in that the color calibration element10further includes a central region16, where the first marking region12, the second marking region13, the first color comparison region14, and the second color comparison region15surround the central region16. The central region16is used to allow the user to grip and rotate, to perform corresponding functions according to the user's needs. For example, when the user rotates to the first marking region12, the width of the tooth can be measured using the ruler in the ruler frame121. After rotation to the second marking region13, company logos, product logos, instructions, usage years, and the like can be read. After rotation to the first color comparison region14and the second color comparison region15, the first mark123and the second mark124can be positioned to the same horizontal level for color comparison with the teeth.

FIG.6is a schematic diagram of a color calibration element according to still another embodiment of the present invention. The color calibration element20provided in this embodiment differs from the color calibration element1provided in the previous embodiment in that the color calibration element20includes multiple color blocks45and multiple adjacent blocks19in the first color comparison region14and the second color comparison region15, respectively. These color blocks45and adjacent blocks19are adjacent to each other, with each side of the color blocks45adjacent to at least one adjacent block19. One side of the adjacent block19is adjacent to the first side113or the third side115. Each adjacent block19has the same gray surface as the first plane111, and a width of each adjacent block19is half a width of each color block45. In this embodiment, using six color blocks45and two adjacent blocks19as an example, the two adjacent blocks19are located on two sides of the six color blocks45. The six color blocks45and two adjacent blocks19are aligned top to bottom and distributed between the second side114and the fourth side116. In another embodiment, the two adjacent blocks19can have other colors such as lighter colors than the six color blocks45.

FIG.7is a schematic diagram of a color calibration element according to yet still another embodiment of the present invention. The color calibration element30provided in this embodiment differs from the color calibration element20provided in the previous embodiment in that one side of the multiple adjacent blocks19is adjacent to the first side113or the third side115, while the other side of the multiple adjacent blocks19is adjacent to a separation line71. A width of this separation line71is 1 to 1.5 times a width of the gap d2shown inFIG.2and is black. In another embodiment, the color brightness of this separation line71can be adjusted to maintain visual aesthetics. The color blocks45in the first color comparison region14and the second color comparison region15include different colors (hue, brightness, and chroma are all different) and are represented by different patterns for distinction. However, it is particularly noted that in this embodiment, the four adjacent blocks19are of the same color (hue, brightness, and chroma are all the same) and are represented by the same pattern to illustrate the features. Additionally, in actual use, the colors of the four adjacent blocks19may be, for example, close to the color of the skin inside the mouth.

FIG.8is a schematic diagram of a color calibration element according to yet still another embodiment of the present invention. The color calibration element40provided in this embodiment differs from the color calibration element1provided in the previous embodiment in that a gap d2between the adjacent block19and the color block45adjacent to each other replaces the dividing line71. The color of the gap d2can be designed to be related to the color of the color block45and the adjacent block19adjacent to each other, for example, HSV or HSL color space is used to establish the color of gap d2related to the color of the color block45and the adjacent block19adjacent to each other. Taking the adjacent block19, the gap d2and the color block45in the upper left corner ofFIG.8as an example of the HSV color space, the color block45in the HSV color space has a first Hue H1, a first Saturation S1 and a first brightness (Value) V1; the adjacent block19has a second Hue H2, a second Saturation S2, and a second brightness V2; and the gap d2has a third Hue H3, a third Saturation S3, and a third brightness V3. In this way, the third hue H3 of the gap d2can be designed within the ±5 range of the first hue H1 (such as H3=H1±5), the third saturation S3 can be designed within the ±5 range of the first saturation S1 (such as S3=S1±5), and the third brightness V3 can be designed within the range of 65%˜85% of a smaller brightness value between the first brightness V1 and the second brightness V2 (such as min(V1, V2)*65%˜min(V1, V2)*85%). In addition, relations between the color of the gap d2and the color of the adjacent color block45and the adjacent block19in the upper right corner, the lower right corner and the lower left corner inFIG.8can be deduced based on the above example, so no further details will be given herein. At the same time, it can be noted that those skilled in the art can design the relations between the adjacent block19, the gap d2and the color block45according to actual needs, and the present invention is not limited to the above example.

Additionally, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can design the number of color blocks45, and the color, brightness, position, and number of separation lines in the first color comparison region14and the second color comparison region15based on actual needs, and may design different numbers of color blocks45for the first color comparison region14and the second color comparison region15. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments.

In summary, as the color calibration element in the present invention is designed as a 2D plane with multiple regions for rotation, measurement, and color comparison, the present invention accelerates the color comparison process, and shortens the time dental technicians need to confirm the reliability of the usage scenario and calibrated photos during the color comparison. A user can perform zero calibration of the usage scenario, environment, and human eye perception via the physical color calibration element and a display reproduction result, thereby enhancing the reliability of the photos calibrated by the dental technicians.