Patent ID: 7240839

Claim:
A color measurement apparatus adapted as an attachment for coupling to a personal computing system, comprising: an interface integral to the color measurement apparatus, wherein the interface couples the color measurement apparatus to the personal computing system; a computer pointing device integral to the color measurement apparatus, wherein the computer pointing device provides a pointer input for the personal computing system; a spectral sensing device integral to the color measurement apparatus, wherein the spectral sensing device has an input port, wherein the spectral sensing devices measures light received via the input port in a plurality of spectral bands; and a light source integral to the color measurement apparatus, wherein the light source emits light external to the color measurement apparatus; wherein, the color measurement apparatus is operable in at least first, second and third modes of operation; wherein, in the first mode of operation, the computer pointing device integral to the color measurement apparatus provides pointer input of a user to the personal computing system; wherein, in the second mode of operation, the spectral sensing device integral to the color measurement apparatus measures light generated external to the color measurement apparatus, wherein the spectral sensing device is adapted to receive light via the input port that is generated by a display of the personal computing system, wherein, under software control, one or more signals for controlling the display are adjusted based on one or more measurements of light generated by the display of the personal computing system; wherein, in the third mode of operation, the light source integral to the color measurement apparatus is activated and emits light external to the color measurement apparatus, wherein the light source is adapted to provide light to a printed object printed by a printer coupled to the personal computing system and the spectral sensing device is adapted to receive light via the input port that is returned from the printed object, wherein, under software control, one or more pigments for the printer are adjusted based on one or more measurements of light returned from the printed object.