Color Scheme Manipulation Technolgy

Abstract

A color-changing auxiliary system comprising; a color-modifiable material, a pigment pump, and a control mechanism, are in communication allowing for color customization of household, wearable, or any other material in which color is seen. A pigment pump containing a plurality of pigment reserves with selectable colors works to mix and pump pigments into a channel of the color-customizable material. A channel is defined as a base layer with a translucent top layer, with sealable inlets and outlets to retain pigment. The pigment pump is reversible in order to pump pigments from the color-customizable material as well as flush remaining pigments in the channel. A touchscreen control is in communication with the device and allows for a user to control the color, amount, and final design of pigments within the material.

Claims

1. A color-customizable material comprising: a. a base layer of the color-customizable material; b. a translucent second layer selectively bonded to the base layer to define one or more channels each of which is in communication with an inlet; and c. one or more inlets adapted to receive pigment.

2. The color-customizable material of claim 1 further comprising at least one channel as defined in claim 1 terminating in one or more pockets for pooling the pigment.

3. The color customizable material of claim 1 further comprising at least one outlet connected to each channel adapted for extracting pigments within the channel.

4. The color customizable material of claim 1 further comprising a translucent third layer bonded to the second layer, further defining channels between the second layer and the third layer.

5. The color customizable material of claim 1 wherein the inlets are self-sealing.

6. The color customizable material of claim 1 further comprising a pigment pump device comprising: a. a plurality of one or more pigment reserves; b. a variable control valve connected to the plurality of pigment reserves to selectively intake the pigments; c. a pigment mixing mechanism connected to the variable control pump to mix the pigments; and d. a reversible micropump connected to the pigment mixing mechanism wherein pigments are selectively pumped to the color customizable medium.

7. A pigment pump device comprising: e. a plurality of one or more pigment reserves; f. a variable control valve connected to the plurality of pigment reserves to selectively intake the pigments; g. a pigment mixing mechanism connected to the variable control pump to mix the pigments; and h. a reversible micropump connected to the pigment mixing mechanism wherein pigments are selectively pumped to the color customizable medium.

8. The pigment pump device of claim 7 further comprising an air bubble remover adapted to remove air bubbles from the pigment.

9. The pigment pump device of claim 7 further comprising a variable control valve wherein pigments are selectively communicated to the color customizable material.

10. The pigment pump device of claim 7 further comprising a microcontroller connected to the valves and mixing mechanism and a touchscreen control connected to the microcontroller.

11. A method of colorizing a detachable medium comprising: a. connecting a pigment pump device to one or more inlets of the colorable material having pigment channels; b. pumping pigments into pigment channels of the material; c. pigment channels filling with colored pigment; i. disconnecting the pigment pump and sealing the inlets; d. connecting a secondary reversible micropump to inlets and removing pigment to a flush reservoir; e. pumping new pigment into channels through inlets.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the ensuing descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings briefly described as follows.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a side view of a shoe using the color system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 2 is a functional diagram of the color system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a further functional diagram of the color system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 4 is a view of the color system controller, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0024] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method of using the color system controller, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Preferred embodiments of the present invention and their advantages may be understood by referring to FIGS. 1-5, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.

[0026] With reference to FIGS. 1a and 1b, a color-change medium 2 is made of a two-layer material, wherein the lower layer is opaque, and the upper layer is transparent or translucent. The layers are selectively bonded to create a plurality of channels therein, for holding and transmitting colored fluid therethrough. The color pigment inlets 5 are each connected to one or more pigment veins 10. Pigment veins 10 terminate in pigment pockets 15.

[0027] The color change medium shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b may be attached to any household object, automobile component, clothing item, or any other embodiment that one would want to customize on-demand. The attachment may be universal, or with options for larger sizing based on the quantity of pigment needed for the given material.

[0028] In the embodiment shown and with reference to FIG. 1a, a medium such as a shoe 22 has a number of veins extending from color pigment inlets positioned at the top of the shoe's collar. Each of the veins 10 comprises a channel through the material the channels colored fluid through the vein 10 and into the pigment pockets 15, where the channels terminate. In this embodiment, vein 1a and 2 leads to pigment pocket 3, and vein 1a and 2 continue to pigment pocket 2, and vein 1a continues to pigment pocket 2. With reference to the other side of the garment in FIG. 1b, pigment pocket 2 runs across the front of the toe of the shoe and connects to the reverse side, wherein vein 1b continues to pigment pocket 2b. Connected to pigment pocket 2, were veins 1b and 2b, which continued to pigment pocket 3, and back up to the color pigment outlets 20. There is a heel pocket 4 connected to the inlet 5 through vein 4. Also, there is an ankle pigment pocket 5 connected to the inlets 5 by veins 3 and 4. In some cases, two veins will connect with a single pigment pocket, in which case the veins would each contain the same color, but would be able to fill the pocket faster. There is preferentially no mixing of pigments within the channels and pockets, rather color mixing is preferentially performed on the pigment pump. The inlets 5 each connect with a single vein 10. In an embodiment, the inlets 5 are self-sealing when a pigment pump device is not attached thereto.

[0029] In an embodiment, the material of the medium has three layers, the backing layer preferentially in white, a first layer defining channels and pockets sealingly bonded with the backing layer, and a second layer defining channels and pockets wherein it is bonded to the first layer. The patterns of channels defined by the first layer may be different and contrast with the channels defined by the second layer, such that each may contain a number of different pigments. The channels running on top of one another may produce new shades based on the subtractive theorem of color.

[0030] In an embodiment, each layer is made of plastic, wherein the layers are heat bonded to create watertight channels therein, which prevent colored fluid in one channel from leaking into another adjacent channel.

[0031] In an embodiment, layers of plastic may be bonded by the consumer, allowing for even further customization of the design. The consumer would be able to design not only the color scheme but also where the colors go within the material.

[0032] With reference to FIG. 2, wherein a functional diagram of the pigment pump shows a plurality of pigment reserves 25-29 contain pigments, for example, yellow 25, magenta 26, cyan 27, white 28 and black 29. The pigment reserves are replaceable with pigment reserves of the same or a different color. A pigment valve 30 containing a flush valve 31, controls access to the pigment reserves selectively permits color to enter the pigment mixing mechanism 32, which may mix two or more pigments to form a new color, or may leave a single pigment to pass through unaffected. The single or mixed pigment then passes into the air bubble remover 35 through intermediate channels 36, as the pigment mixing mechanism 32 may introduce bubbles into the liquid pigment. Each of the pigments is allocated to a channel, in one embodiment there are five channels and five pigments. Mixing of the pigments is performed within the pigment pump device, not within the channels or pockets. The controller is informed of which pigment is within which channel at any given time.

[0033] After the bubbles are removed by the air bubble remover 35, the pigment passes into the primary reversible micropump 38, which subsequently pumps the pigment into a selected vein through the primary variable control valve 40. Some of the valves in the variable control valve 40 may be oriented for connection to the detachable medium, such as a garment, hat, shoes, art or automotive or building interiors. Once the pigment passes through the veins and provides color to the medium, it arrives at a secondary variable control valve 50. A set of pigment sensors 44 is also present between the primary and secondary variable control valves 40, 50 to determine the pigment in each of the veins and provide this information to the microprocessor. The second variable control valve is also connected to a secondary reversible micropump 52. The secondary micropump is optionally connected to a detachable flush reservoir 54 that holds and collects old pigment.

[0034] A battery-powered power supply 56 provides correct power to the control subsystem, including the touchscreen control and microcontroller 62, as well as the primary and secondary micropumps 38, 52, pigment, primary and secondary valves 30, 40, 50, pigment mixing mechanism 32 and pigment sensors 44. The microcontroller 62 is aware of the colors of each of the pigment reservoirs within the pigment pump device, and can therefore control the color that is being emitted into each of the inlets 5.

[0035] A touchscreen control 60 permits the user to interact with the system and control a number of functions, including which color is matched with which vein or pigment pockets, ii) when to empty and/or change the colors of the veins/pigment pockets. The touchscreen control may be mounted on the garment or may be handheld as a control or smartphone, and provide signals to the microcontroller 62 by Bluetooth, other wireless means, or USB serial connection. The touchscreen control 60 is in communication with the microcontroller 62, which controls the pigment valve 30 and selects the color. It also provides commands to the pigment mixing mechanism 32, air bubble remover 35, and reversible micropump 38, which pumps the selected pigments into the garment veins 10 and pigment pockets 15. As the colors are pumped out of the primary variable control valve 40 and into the inlets 5, the pigment sensors relay the color of the pigments in each of the inlets 5 to the microcontroller 62. The microcontroller 62 also controls the secondary variable control valve 50 and associated secondary micropump 52. The microcontroller 62 and sensor/control system is powered by the power supply 56. In an embodiment, the pigment pump device is separable from the inlets 5 and removable, wherein the inlets are self-sealing once the pigment pump is removed to prevent egress of pigment fluid. In another embodiment, the pigment pump device is connected to the medium and inlets 5 permanently or semi-permanently.

[0036] In an embodiment, the device may have a universal connector between the pigment pump device and inlets 5 in order to facilitate the variety of mediums that the pigment pump device is able to connect to.

[0037] In a further embodiment, with reference to FIG. 3, the flush system for removing used pigment is shown. A plurality of pigment reserves 25-29 is shown, which are connected to a micropump 38 and air bubble remover 35. The micropump 38 pumps the pigment through intermediate channels 36 to connect with the inlets 5 to the plurality of veins 10. A flush reservoir 70 is positioned nearby and is also selectively connected to the inlets 5 through a flush inlet 75. The flush reservoir 70 contains a flush fluid for passing through the inlets and flushing unwanted pigment out of the veins 10 and pockets 15. Connected to the outlets 20, there is a flush outlet 80, for receiving flushing fluids and passing them into the suction vacuum motor 85, which provides suction to the veins 10 to remove the fluid and stores the fluid in the pigment reservoir 88. The outlets 20 are connected to the secondary micropump 52, and are self-sealing when the pigment pump device is removed. The system also has a rechargeable battery 90 and power supply plug 92 to receive external power.

[0038] In an embodiment, the colors may change once the previous pigment is removed from the veins 10 and pockets 15 to the flush outlet 80. The emptying of the veins and pockets is facilitated by the outlets 20 connection with the secondary micropump 52, which effectively sucks the pigment out of the veins and pockets.

[0039] With reference to FIG. 4, the touchscreen control 60 has a power button 95 and a touchscreen 100, which has an LCD or LED screen behind, and receives input from touch of a finger, either resistively or capacitatively.

[0040] In an embodiment, the touchscreen control 60 is able to control each and every aspect of the device, ranging but not limited to color selection and optimization, to terminal location and amount of pigment used. In an embodiment, the device may be able to recognize the material and medium linked therein, and provide customization based on this observation.

[0041] In an embodiment, the complete system described is fully integrated into the color-modifiable material. Integrated embodiments may contain a touchscreen control 60. The control of the pigment pump can be fully manipulated and controlled by a mobile application. This feature give remote modifiability as well as on-the-go color changing to materials without the need to connect to an external pump, and control panel.

[0042] In an embodiment, the mobile application in communication with device may have access to downloadable templates from an online resource that are sourced from popular color-customizable designs. The application may have various methods for sharing of color-customizable designs with other users.

[0043] A method is shown in FIG. 5 for inputting pigment into colorable materials. A pigment pump device is connected to one or more inlets of a colorable material having pigment channels 100. Pigments are then pumped into pigment channels of the color-customizable material 105. As the pigment is pumped it will colorize the pigment channels 110. Once fully colorized, the pump is disconnected from the inlets and the inlets are sealed 115. A reversible micropump may be connected to the inlets to remove the pigment into a flush reservoir 120. New pigments are then ready to be pumped through the inlets 125.

[0044] The invention has been described herein using specific embodiments for the purposes of illustration only. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, however, that the principles of the invention can be embodied in other ways. Therefore, the invention should not be regarded as being limited in scope to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but instead as being fully commensurate in scope with the following claims.