Color capture system and device

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments provide a simple, inexpensive, and easy-to-operate color capture device that can capture color information and transmit the captured color information to an interface device such as smartphone, where the captured color information is optionally processed and is then transmitted to a remote server for subsequent production of the customized cosmetic.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device comprising:
 at least one LED;   a light sensor circuit;   a loop antenna configured to electromagnetically transmit data; and   a microcontroller configured to:
 instruct the at least one LED to produce light; 
 measure, after a predetermined amount of time, a light intensity of the light reflected off of a surface with the light on; 
 format a message including color measurement information derived from the light intensity measurement; and 
 transmit the message. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the light sensor circuit includes a light sensor and a capacitor;   the light sensor is configured to charge the capacitor; and   measuring, after a predetermined amount of time, a light intensity includes measuring a capacitor charge.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising a transimpedance amplifier that converts a photocurrent of the light sensor charging the capacitor to a proportional voltage to reduce measurement time. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising an analog-to-digital converter, wherein measuring the capacitor charge after a predetermined amount of time includes using the analog-to-digital converter to convert the capacitor charge to a digital value. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein measuring the light intensity includes:
 making a plurality of light measurements in succession; and   combining the plurality of light measurements to determine the light intensity.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one LED selectively produces red light, green light, and blue light; and   measuring the light intensity of the light reflected off of a surface includes measuring the light intensity of a respective color of light with the respective light on and other colors of light off.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the measured light intensity includes an amount of the light and not a color of the light. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein transmitting the message includes using the loop antenna to transmit the message. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein transmitting the message includes using the at least one LED to transmit the message to a camera or ambient light sensor of a recipient device. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 formatting the message includes encoding the color measurement information as audio tones; and   transmitting the message includes using at least one of: acoustic coupling a speaker to microphone of a recipient device or electrical coupling via a headphone port of the recipient device.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one LED includes separate red, green, and blue LEDs arranged such that substantially all of the light received by the light sensor circuit is reflected off of a skin surface. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a cover configured to cover the at least one LED, provide a portal for light produced by the at least one LED to reach the light sensor circuit, and prevent ambient light from reaching the light sensor circuit. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein an inner surface of the cover is substantially non-reflective. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a memory configured to store a unique identifier of the device and wherein the message includes the unique identifier usable to look up associated color calibration data. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a reference color positioned within detection range of the light sensor circuit and at least one of:
 adjusting the color measurement information based on the reference color, or   transmitting the reference color in the message.   
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a voltage meter to measure and record battery voltage of the device associated with the light intensity measurement and at least one of:
 adjusting the color measurement information based on the battery voltage, or transmitting the battery voltage in the message.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a voltage regulator to regulate voltage applied to the at least one LED. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the message includes a plurality of color measurements, a checksum, and calibration data. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the microcontroller is further configured to measure the light intensity of the light reflected off of a surface using the light sensor circuit including by measuring an amount of time for the light intensity to reach a predetermined light level. 
     
     
         20 . A method comprising:
 providing at least one LED;   providing a light sensor circuit;   providing a loop antenna configured to electromagnetically transmit data; and   providing a microcontroller configured to:
 instruct the at least one LED to produce light; 
 measure, after a predetermined amount of time, a light intensity of the light reflected off of a surface with the light on; 
 format a message including color measurement information derived from the light intensity measurement; and 
 transmit the message. 
   
     
     
         21 . A device comprising:
 at least one LED;   a light sensor circuit;   a loop antenna; and   a microcontroller configured to:
 instruct the at least one LED to produce light; 
 measure a light intensity of the light reflected off of a surface using the light sensor circuit including by measuring an amount of time for the light intensity to reach a predetermined light level; 
 format a message including color measurement information derived from the light intensity measurement; and 
 transmit the message electromagnetically using the loop antenna. 
   
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the light sensor circuit includes a light sensor and a capacitor,   the light sensor is configured to charge the capacitor, and   measuring an amount of time for light intensity to reach a predetermined light level includes measuring an amount of time for the capacitor to charge to a predetermined charge level.