Adaptive paint matching system and method

Abstract

An improved process of matching the color of a paint to the pre-existing color of a vehicle is provided. The process includes the steps of exposing a photo-reactive film to the surface of the vehicle whose paint color is to be matched. Once exposed, pigments in the film are activated to mimic precisely the color of the vehicle. The pigments are then extracted, isolated and mixed with a neutral base paint solution, which is tinted by the pigments to match the color of the vehicle. The tinted and matched solution is used for painting or touch-up work on the vehicle.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of matching the color of a paint to a pre-existing color comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a photo-reactive film;    (b) exposing the photo-reactive film to the color to be matched to activate color pigments in the film;    (c) isolating the pigments; and    (c) mixing the pigments with a neutral base solution to tint the solution to match the color to which the film was exposed.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  and wherein the color to be matched is the color of a vehicle.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  and wherein step (b) comprises placing the photo-reactive film on the color to be matched.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  and wherein step (b) comprises placing the photo-reactive film in a camera and photographing the color to be matched.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  and further comprising placing a light-tight box over the color to be matched, attaching the camera to the light-tight box, illuminating the interior of the light-tight box, and activating the camera.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  and wherein the step of illuminating the interior of the light-tight box comprises activating an array of bulbs disposed within the light-tight box.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  and wherein the array of bulbs are arrayed around the interior of the light-tight box.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  and wherein the light-tight box includes a perimeter seal for sealing out ambient light from the interior of the light-tight box.  
     
     
         9 . A method of matching touch-up paint to the existing color of a vehicle comprising the steps of: 
 (a) exposing a photo-reactive emulsion to the surface of the vehicle in a region to be color matched to activate color pigments in the emulsion;    (b) isolating the pigments; and    (c) mixing the isolated pigments with a base to tint the base to match the color of the surface.    
     
     
         10 . A method of matching touch-up paint as claimed in  claim 9  and wherein step (a) comprises loading a camera with film coated with the emulsion and photographing the surface of the vehicle.  
     
     
         11 . A method of matching touch-up paint as claimed in  claim 10  and wherein step (a) further comprises placing a light-tight box on the surface of the vehicle, attaching the camera to the light-tight box, illuminating the interior of the light-tight box, and activating the camera.  
     
     
         12 . A method of matching touch-up paint as claimed in  claim 9  and wherein step (b) includes placing the emulsion in a solvent to dissolve the pigments in the solvent and evaporating a predetermined amount of the solvent to concentrate the pigments.  
     
     
         13 . A method of matching touch-up paint as claimed in  claim 9  and where in step (c), the pigments are mixed with the base in the proportion of about  1  part pigments to about  3  parts base.  
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for exposing a photographic emulsion to the surface color of a vehicle to activate pigments in the emulsion for use in tinting a neutral base solution to formulate matching touch-up paint, said apparatus comprising: 
 a camera loaded with film bearing said photographic emulsion;    a light-tight box defining an interior volume, said light-tight box having an open side for placement on the surface of a vehicle;    an adapter for mounting said camera to said light-tight box with the camera oriented toward the surface of a vehicle on which the box is placed; and    a light source in said light-tight box for illuminating the interior of the light-tight box for exposure of said film upon activation of said camera.    
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  and wherein said light source comprises an array of bulbs in said light-tight box.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  and wherein said bulbs are arrayed around the interior periphery of said light-tight box.  
     
     
         17 . A touch-up paint formulated according the method of  claim 9 .  
     
     
         18 . A method of formulating paint to match the color of an existing painted surface comprising the steps of photographing the existing painted surface, extracting color pigments from the photograph, and mixing the color pigments with a neutral base solution.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  and wherein the step of photographing the painted surface comprises photographing the painted surface with instant photography film and wherein the step of extracting the color pigments comprises bathing the photograph in a solvent solution.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  and wherein the step of photographing the existing painted surface comprising covering a section of the existing painted surface with a light box, mounting a camera to the light box, illuminating the interior of the light box to light the covered section of the existing painted surface, and activating the camera.