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Measuring Instruments
KONICA MINOLTA Developed the World’s First Compact Spectrophotometer for Measurement Factoring in the Amount of Paper Fluorescence under any Light Source
August 20, 2008
Konica Minolta Sensing, Inc. (Headquarter: Sakai City, Osaka, Japan; President: Toshihiko Karasaki, hereinafter referred to as Konica Minolta) is proud to announce its development of the world’s first compact spectrophotometer equipped with the function that enables measurement under any light source while taking account of the amount of fluorescence contained in the paper. The multifunctional product also enables measurement of print colors and display colors with a single unit.
Color adjustments and color evaluations are of increasing importance in recent years, with digitization of printing, design, and other graphic-related industries.
Since most printing papers are fluorescent paper, fluorescence contained in the paper is not negligible in evaluating print colors. In addition, under ISO13655 (standards on spectral measurement and colorimetric computation for graphic arts industries) that is being revised, color evaluation factoring in the fluorescence under a D50 light source (standardized 5000K daylight) is planned to be standardized. However, there have been no colorimeters capable of measuring colors under a D50 light source while factoring in the fluorescent amount.
The newly developed Konica Minolta compact spectrophotometer calculates the measured values based on its proprietary VFS (Virtual Fluorescence Standard) technology to enable measurements of color evaluation by factoring in the influence of fluorescence under any light source. For example, when comparing colorimetric values of proof prints produced by a proofer and those of offset press prints, color evaluation can be performed by factoring in the fluorescence under an industry-standard D50 light source that was never before possible.
Furthermore, the product can be used for calibration or color management of displays by measuring the spectral radiance luminance.
The product also features technology to automatically correct the deviations in the wavelength direction as well as those of spectral reflectance during a correction of the press. Thanks to this technology, this product can automatically correct the changes of measured values with time, which are caused by making the device smaller and lighter, ensuring highly reliable measurement values at measurements of printings and displays.
Konica Minolta product lineup includes “CM-700d”, a compact & lightweight Spectrophotometer with color LCD and Bluetooth® function, which was designed for color quality control of automobiles, plastic and other industrial products, and has been in widespread use in industries. Also Konica Minolta has developed and manufactured colorimeters which have become standard devices in display industry, and have been enjoying a high reputation: “CS-2000”, a Spectroradiometer capable of 100,000:1 contrast measurements, and “CA-210”, a Display Color Analyzer capable of high-speed measurement for adjustments in production lines are examples among many.
Based on the technologies integrated into those existing products, technologies suitable for graphic-related industries, such as color adjustment/color matching of printing press or displays, were newly developed and integrated to the new compact spectrophotometer. Konica Minolta intends to offer this product as an input device for companies that develop and market calibration/color management software products.
Separately from the compact spectrophotometer, Konica Minolta newly developed a tristimulus compact sensor resistant to high-temperature storage environments. The sensor is designed to be used as a calibration device built into a display.
Through newly developed compact spectrophotometers and compact sensors, Konica Minolta will be committed to offer products and services useful for graphic-related industries.
Product Features
1．Enables world’s first quantitative measurement of fluorescence under any light source
Conventionally, only two types have been available for measuring colors of printings, from which the users had to select depending on the application: One with a built-in UV filter that filters out the influence of fluorescence, and the other that performs measurement by factoring in the influence of fluorescence under a specific light source.
The newly developed compact spectrophotometer employs proprietary VFS (Virtual Fluorescence Standard) technology*, enabling measurements by eliminating the influence of fluorescence, as well as measurement of the amount of fluorescence contained in the paper and output of the measured values by adding the influence of fluorescence under a standard A/D50, or any light-source.
- *
- Technology for calculating the amount of fluorescence under the radiation of arbitrary light based on the intensities of wavelengths and bispectral radiant coefficients.
2．Enables measurement of print colors and display colors with a single unit
In addition to measurements of printing, the product can be used for calibration or color management of display by measuring the spectral radiance luminance. This product is capable of obtaining traceable data conforming to the standards of Konica Minolta spectroradiometers, which are adopted as the standard among many display manufacturers.
3．Automatic wavelength correction function for ensuring high reliability
Generally, a spectrophotometer corrects spectral reflectivity coefficients (vertical axis) at calibration against a white background. With the calibration function using an UV-LED built into the sensor, this product automatically performs calibrations in wavelength direction (horizontal axis) at each white calibration, dramatically improving the reliability of the measured values.
4．Serves as partial alternative to functions of a mouse
The mouse-like device features two keys in addition to the measurement button. Any measurement-related function of this product can be assigned to each key. For example, assigning a key with the function to cancel a measurement will allow the user to cancel a failed measurement without shifting the hand from the spectrophotometer to the PC’s mouse, resulting in improved operating efficiency.
(It is intended that functions will be assigned to the keys at software vendors.)
5．High-speed scan for enabling sequential measurements*
This product can perform high-speed scanning at approximately 400 times per second. Errors caused by overly rapid scanning can be reduced; lowering the workload in manually performed continuous measurements.
- *
- Only under the mode that does not measure the amount of fluorescence.
- Features, specifications, and dimensions provided in this information are subject to change without notice.
