Realistic Paint Color Display via Multi-Angle Tristimulus Modeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to accurately display the realistic appearance of paint coatings on curved and irregular surfaces, such as automobile bodies, which includes color travel, flake texture, and surface texture, on color display devices like video monitors, requiring time-consuming and expensive trial-and-error processes for formulating desired paint colors.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that identifies L*, a*, b* color values at multiple angles, converts them to tristimulus X, Y, Z values, develops continuous function equations for these values versus the aspecular angle, calculates the required range of angles, determines R, G, B values, and applies a statistical texture function to display a realistic color on a color display device, avoiding color saturation issues by normalization if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If trial and error methods are used to formulate paint colors and apply coatings to substrates to determine color parameters, then accurate color representation can be achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurements of color values at multiple angles and develops continuous function equations representing the paint coating's optical properties before actual formulation. This preliminary characterization allows accurate color prediction without requiring physical trial-and-error application, directly resolving the contradiction between accuracy and time consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual model (continuous function equations) that copies and represents the optical behavior of the paint coating. This digital copy allows accurate visualization and prediction of color appearance on curved surfaces without needing physical samples, eliminating the time-consuming trial-and-error process while maintaining measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If trial and error methods are used to formulate paint colors and apply coatings to substrates to determine color parameters, then accurate color representation can be achieved, but the process becomes expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual model that copies the optical properties of the paint coating through continuous function equations. This digital representation eliminates the need for expensive physical materials, substrates, and labor required for trial-and-error formulation, while maintaining accurate color prediction capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical system of applying paint to substrates and measuring physical samples with a computational system. By substituting physical formulation processes with computer-based continuous function modeling, the method achieves accurate color representation without material costs, labor costs, and associated expenses
3Measurement precision
If color values are measured at multiple angles and continuous function equations are developed, then realistic color display including color travel can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms color measurement data from discrete angular points into continuous function equations that represent color values across all angles. By changing the parameter representation from discrete measurements to continuous mathematical functions, the system achieves accurate color travel visualization while managing computational complexity through efficient curve fitting algorithms
4Measurement precision
If R, G, B values are calculated from tristimulus values over a range of angles, then accurate color display can be achieved, but color saturation issues may occur requiring normalization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where R, G, B values are calculated from tristimulus values and then evaluated for saturation limits. When saturation issues are detected, normalization is applied as corrective feedback, and the process iterates to achieve reliable color display values that accurately represent the paint coating without exceeding display device capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for displaying on a color display device a realistic color of a paint coating comprising the following steps: (A) identify L*, a* b* color values at least three different angles for a paint coating from a data base; (B) convert the at least three angle L*, a* b* color values to tristimulus X, Y, Z values; (C) develop continuous function equation for each tristimulus X, Y, Z values vs. aspecular angle via computer implementation and calculate the range of angles to be displayed; (D) calculate a range of aspecular angles required to display the object; (E) calculate R,G,B values from tristimulus values over the range of aspecular angles and determine maximum saturation of R,G,B values and bring into range allowed by color display device; (F) determine statistical texture function of paint coating to be simulated; and (G) apply statistical texture function to the R,G,B values of step (E) and display color pixels on color display device to show realistic color of paint coating.