Patent ID: 8352332

Claim:
A method of ordering paint, the method comprising: providing, by a retailer at a retail establishment, a portable self-contained paint purchasing tool to a consumer; at a location different than the retail establishment: determining, by the paint purchasing tool, a color of paint by illuminating a sample with a light and sensing colors within the light reflected from the sample using the paint purchasing tool; calculating, by the paint purchasing tool, a quantity of the color of paint required to cover a surface based on dimensions of the surface, wherein the dimensions are determined using at least one of an ultrasonic rangefinder within the paint purchasing tool or laser rangefinder within the paint purchasing tool; and recommending, by the paint purchasing tool, at least one additional product for purchase based on an analysis of at least the calculated quantity of the color of paint, wherein the at least one additional product is at least one of a brush, roller, sprayer, tarp, or drop cloth; transmitting, by the paint purchasing tool, an order for the at least the quantity of the color of paint and at least one additional product to the retailer.