System and method for adjusting the output of an output device to compensate for ambient illumination

A method for compensating the output of an output device for reflected ambient illumination, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a reflection device, having predetermined reflectivity characteristics, for comparing to the output of the output device;
• adjusting the output of the output device to match the reflection device by selecting one of a plurality of output regions that matches the reflection device;
• determining the tristimulus values of the output device at the adjusted level;
• determining the ambient illumination reflected from the output device using the determined tristimulus values and reflectivity characteristics of the reflection device and the output device;
• and
• calibrating the output device to remove the effect of the reflected ambient illumination from the output of the output device.

A system for adjusting color and intensity to compensate for ambient illumination, the system comprising:

• an output device having a controllable output and an input for receiving an output signal to be output on the output device, the output device having predetermined reflectivity characteristics;
• a first means, having inputs and outputs coupled to the output device, for calibrating the output device to a reference output;
• a first adjustment means, having inputs and outputs coupled to the first means and the output device, for generating a signal to adjust the output of the output device;
• a determining means, having inputs and outputs coupled to the first means, for determining the tristimulus values of the output device at the adjusted level;
• a calculating means, having inputs and outputs coupled to the first means, the first adjustment means, and the output device, for calculating the ambient illumination reflected from the output device using the determined tristimulus values of the output device, the reflectivity characteristics of the output device, and the reflectivity characteristics of the reference output;
• and
• a second adjustment means, having inputs and outputs coupled to the first means, the first adjustment means, the calculating means, and the output device, for generating a signal to adjust the output of the output device by the amount, calculated by the calculating means, of ambient illumination reflected from the output device.

A method for compensating the output of an output device for reflected ambient illumination, the method comprising:

• providing a reflection device, having predetermined reflectivity characteristics, for comparing to the output of the output device;
• displaying a first set of discrete display regions on the output device, each display region in the first set having a different optical characteristic to provide a first range of optical characteristics;
• comparing the optical characteristics of the first set of discrete display regions to the reflection device;
• selecting a first selected display region from the first set of discrete display regions;
• and
• adjusting the output of the output device based upon the first selected display region to compensate for the effects of ambient illumination.