US 6,275,606 B1Granted

Method and system for color matching between digital display devices

AssigneeApple Computer, Inc.

InventorRobin D. Myers

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A method and system for matching color displayed by source and destination display devices and particularly for providing color matching between a computer monitor and an ink printer. The technique of the present invention initially determines the combination and color value ratios of single destination color components that will cause the destination device to display a color that essentially matches each of fully saturated single and dual colors of a source display device. These combinations of single destination color components and their corresponding color value ratios determine the best available blends of destination device color components for printing source device colors. A color matching algorithm is employed to derive the color value ratios—one for each of the single destination color components. Each color component ratio is then scaled and linearly interpolated over a range defined by the color matching algorithm to generate a set of look-up tables (LUTs)—one for each single destination color component. Color matching is performed by 1) performing a first series of computational steps to translate the source color value into an intermediate color value which is expressed in terms of single destination color components, 2) accessing the set of LUTs with the intermediate color value obtained in step 1 to obtain a second color value composed of the scaled linearly interpolated color values stored in the LUTs, and 3) optionally performing a second series of computational steps to translate the second color value into a color value which is expressed in terms of the original source color components.

A method for displaying a first color on a source display device that essentially matches a second color displayed on a destination display device, wherein said first color has an associated first color value composed of source color components and said second color has an associated second color value composed of single destination color components, said method comprising the steps of:

determining a combination and ratio of color values of single destination color components corresponding each of fully saturated single and dual source component color values, each of said combination and ratio of color values of said destination components corresponding to a color displayed by said destination device that provides the closest color match with respect to hue and saturation to said each fully saturated source single and dual component color values displayed on said source device;
generating a set of look-up tables (LUTs), one LUT corresponding to each of said single destination color components using said ratio of color values by:
1) scaling each of said ratio of color values to a given range, said range having an associated maximum color value and minimum value;
2) linearly interpolating each of said ratio of color values over said given range to generate a set of linearly interpolated color values, each of said set of interpolated color values corresponding to one of said single destination color components;
3) storing said each set of interpolated color values into a storage means;
using said set of LUTs to perform color matching between said first color and second color by:
1) translating said first color value so as to express it in terms of an intermediate color value composed of single destination color components;
2) accessing said storage means with said intermediate color value, wherein said storage means outputs said second color value, said second color value being composed of said linearly interpolated color values.

5 more elements

Facts

Application

09/492,625Filed 27 Jan 2000 · division

Priority

3 May 1995

Granted

14 Aug 2001

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

H04N 1/6055
Matching two or more picture signal generators or two or more picture reproducers: using test pattern analysis
G06K 15/02
Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data , e.g. computer output printers: using printers
H04N 1/54
Colour picture communication systems: conversion of colour picture signals to a plurality of signals some of which represent particular mixed…
H04N 1/6058
Colour correction or control: reduction of colour to a range of reproducible colours, e.g. to ink- reproducible colour gamut

Family

Application08/433,733Parent of this continuation · filed 3 May 1995

Application08/949,330Parent of this division · filed 14 Oct 1997

US 6,072,902 AParent of this division

Application08/949,330Parent of this continuation

US 6,275,606 B1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Abstract

Claims6