Remote Color Matching Using Spectral Capture and Multi-Primary Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to accurately reproduce and match product colors remotely due to variations in illumination, observer metamerism, and gamut limitations, leading to high online return rates of products like apparel and shoes.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that uses a spectral sensor to capture product color information under controlled illumination, which is communicated to consumers for high-fidelity reproduction on calibrated displays, mitigating observer metamerism through multi-primary displays or adaptive spectral filters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional color reproduction methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but color accuracy and fidelity deteriorate due to variable illumination and observer metamerism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces spectral sensors and controlled illumination environments as intermediary devices between the product and the consumer. These intermediaries capture and transmit spectral color information, enabling accurate color reproduction without requiring the consumer to be in the same physical environment as the product.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical color matching methods (physical color charts, manual comparison) with electronic spectral measurement and display systems. Spectral sensors electronically capture color data, and calibrated displays electronically reproduce it, eliminating the need for physical color references and manual observation.
2Reliability
If multi-primary displays are used to reduce observer metamerism, then color fidelity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spectral parameters of the display system by using multiple primary wavelengths (red, green, blue, and additional primaries) to expand the color gamut. This parameter change enables the display to reproduce a broader range of colors and reduce observer metamerism by better matching the product's spectral characteristics.
3Measurement precision
If spectral sensors and controlled illumination are used, then color measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the spectral sensor system to serve multiple functions: capturing product color information, characterizing illumination conditions, and providing data for color reproduction. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by consolidating what would otherwise require separate devices.
4Manufacturing precision
If calibrated displays with controlled illumination are used, then color reproduction fidelity is improved, but ease of operation and accessibility decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service color reproduction by automatically capturing product color data using spectral sensors and calibrated displays without requiring manual intervention from the consumer. The system autonomously performs color measurement, data transmission, and display calibration, making high-fidelity color reproduction accessible to ordinary consumers.
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 accurate remote color reproduction and matching, reducing observer metamerism and gamut limitations, allowing consumers to accurately identify product colors online.
Implementation Method 1
a spectral sensor to capture product color information under controlled illumination
Data Source
AI summary
The invention comprises a method and system for cost effective, convenient remote high fidelity color reproduction and matching that can be used to convey color to observers remote from the physical source of color. Such remote observers can include product consumers wishing to view a product color, for example. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises capture of article or product reflectance spectra and the use of this spectrum to filter ambient light or directed light in the environment of a user remote from the article or product. Other embodiments of methods include various techniques to capture product spectral information and color matching functions useful for color reproduction using colored light sources. Additional systems embodiments include devices exploiting multiprimary displays to render the product color with reduced metamerism.