Patent ID: 7400404

Claim:
A method in a color measurement apparatus for determining a color characteristic based on light returned from an object or material comprising the steps of: generating and supplying light of a plurality of wavelengths or spectral bands to the object or material; receiving light returned from the object or material with a sensor, wherein the sensor generates one or more output signals having a frequency proportional to an intensity of light received by the sensor; generating at least a first signal having a frequency proportional to an intensity of light received by the sensor of a first wavelength, or spectral band; generating at least a second signal having a frequency proportional to an intensity of light received by the sensor of a second wavelength or spectral band; and generating at least a third signal having a frequency proportional to an intensity of light received by the sensor of a third wavelength or spectral band; wherein the color characteristic of the received light is determined based on at least the first, second and third signals; wherein color information based on the determined color characteristic of the received light is displayed on a display device for perception by a viewer.