Integrating Light Mixing Capsule for Color Gamut Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current paint selection methods, including software and physical color chip fan decks, fail to accurately represent true colors under varying ambient lighting conditions, leading to issues like color inconstancy and metamerism, where colors appear different under different lighting, and do not allow for simulation of real-world lighting environments.
Innovation Solution
A color display device using an integrating light mixing capsule and special optics to simulate ambient lighting conditions, allowing for additive and subtractive manipulation of light sources, which can display a wider range of colors and accurately represent paint colors under controlled lighting, including various finishes and textures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If paint selection software displays colors on computer screens using RGB or CMYK primary colors, then color visualization is enabled, but the number of displayable colors is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the visible spectrum into multiple discrete wavelength bands (e.g., 7 or more primary colors including violet, blue, cyan, green, yellow-green, yellow, orange, and red). By dividing the spectrum into separate controllable bands rather than using traditional RGB three-color mixing, the system achieves a vastly expanded color gamut while maintaining manageable system complexity through independent control of each spectral band.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the fundamental parameter of color representation from three-color RGB/CMYK mixing to multi-band spectral power distribution control. By adjusting the intensity of each individual wavelength band independently, the system can generate over 10,000 distinct colors and accurately represent real-world paint colors that cannot be achieved with limited primary color combinations.
2Reliability
If ambient lighting conditions vary, then real-world color viewing is possible, but color inconstancy and metamerism occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement of the ambient lighting spectrum using a spectrometer before color display. Based on this pre-measured spectral information, the system calculates and adjusts the intensity of each primary color band to compensate for the ambient light's effect, thereby maintaining color appearance consistency across different lighting conditions without requiring real-time adaptation during viewing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the spectrometer continuously monitors ambient lighting conditions, and the control system adjusts the light emitting diode intensities accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that color appearance remains reliable and consistent even as ambient lighting varies throughout the day or across different viewing environments.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple light emitting diodes are used to generate color, then color gamut is expanded, but light mixing uniformity becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to the light mixing process by sequentially activating different groups of light emitting diodes in a time-multiplexed manner. Instead of attempting to mix all colors simultaneously in space, the system presents different color bands in rapid succession, exploiting the persistence of vision to create the perception of uniform mixed color while actually delivering distinct spectral bands at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the intensity and timing of each light emitting diode group based on the desired output color and measured ambient conditions. By making the light emission dynamic and time-dependent rather than static and simultaneous, the system achieves uniform perceived color output while maintaining the ability to access a wide color gamut through selective activation of different diode combinations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables consumers to accurately view and compare paint colors in a simulated environment that mimics real-world conditions, reducing the effects of color inconstancy and metamerism, and allowing for harmonious color selection and emotional compatibility, thereby improving the paint selection process.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light emitting diodes for generating light
Implementation Method 2
an integrating light mixing capsule having a plurality of internally non-reflective surfaces for optically mixing the light beams
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a color display device that can be deployed at retail paint stores, kiosks, customers' offices or homes, airports, malls, etc. for rapid color and appearance prototyping. The color display device, which can be mobile, can display color under standardized lighting or simulated ambient lighting. The color display device can augment or replace a traditional paint chip rack or fan deck. The color display device can manipulate light sources additively and/or subtractively using an integrating light mixing capsule or chamber, special optics, mock objects and electronic control for color and appearance representation and for object illumination with desirable simulated ambient lighting.