Data-driven color coordinator

• US 20070200867A1
• Filed: 04/23/2007
• Published: 08/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BEHR Process Corporation (Masco Corporation)
• Original Assignee: BEHR Process Corporation (Masco Corporation)
• Inventors: Webb, Marc, Reynolds, Damien, Rice, Mary
• Granted Patent: US 7,605,824 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/589
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2455 Query execution
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/532 Query formulation, e.g. graphical querying
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0631 Item recommendations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of items or shoppers
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/001 Texturing; Colouring; Generation of texture or colour inpainting G06T5/77
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2354/00 Aspects of interface with display user
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/06 using colour palettes, e.g. look-up tables

Abstract

A color selection and coordination system including a database of predetermined color relationships implementing a data-driven color model. A starting color is associated with a first color in the color database. One or more predefined color palettes associated with the first color may be retrieved, each palette including one or more coordinating colors, the coordinating colors being predetermined based on the first color and a color coordination algorithm.

Claims

1. A method for providing color coordination comprising:

receiving a starting color for which coordinating colors are sought;

associating the starting color with a first color in a color database, the first color being the closest matching color in the color database to the starting color;

displaying said first color;

retrieving one or more color palettes associated with the first color, each palette including one or more coordinating colors, the coordinating colors being predetermined based on the first color and a color coordination algorithm; and

fine-tuning a characteristic of the first color by accessing a color data structure associated with the first color and retrieving a fine tuned color, said fine tuned color being specified in the color data structure.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the color data structure is stored on a computer readable medium and includes:

a unique identifier for the color data structure,

a plurality of color metrics defining the first color, and

a plurality of references to other data structures representing neighboring colors in color space, each neighboring color having at least one color characteristic which differs from those of the first color.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the color data structure further comprises:

a source identifier indicating a source where the first color is located; and

a usage identifier for indicating a type of use for which the corresponding color is or is not appropriate.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the color palette includes

a trim color,

a wall color, and

an accent color.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

accessing one or more calibration tables associated with the first color and the one or more color palettes, each calibration table being stored on a computer readable medium and containing calibration data for a display unit; and

displaying the retrieved color palettes according to the specification of the one or more calibration tables.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more coordinating colors include complementary colors, analogous colors, or monochromatic colors.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein one or more color palettes are retrieved, each of which is associated with the fine-tuned color.

8. A paint color selection and coordination apparatus comprising:

a color data structure stored on a computer-readable medium and comprising;

a unique identifier for the color data structure,

a plurality of color metrics defining a first color, and

a plurality of references to other data structures representing at least one neighboring color in color space, at least one neighboring color having at least one color characteristic which differs from those of the first color.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the color data structure further comprises:

a source identifier indicating a source where the first color is located; and

a usage identifier for indicating a type of use for which the corresponding color is or is not appropriate.

10. A method for providing color selection comprising:

retrieving a first color from a color database;

displaying said first color; and

fine-tuning a characteristic of the first color by accessing a color data structure associated with the first color and retrieving a fine tuned color, said fine tuned color being specified in the color data structure.

11. The method of claim 10 further including the step of one or more coordinating colors, the coordinating colors being predetermined based on the first color and a color coordination algorithm.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein said first color is selected to match a starting color.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the color data structure is stored on a computer readable medium and includes:

a unique identifier for the color data structure,

a plurality of color metrics defining the first color, and

a plurality of references to other data structures representing neighboring colors in color space, each neighboring color having at least one color characteristic which differs from those of the first color.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the color data structure further comprises:

a source identifier indicating a source where the first color is located; and

a usage identifier for indicating a type of use for which the corresponding color is or is not appropriate.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the color palette includes

a trim color,

a wall color, and

an accent color.

16. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

accessing one or more calibration tables associated with the first color and the one or more color palettes, each calibration table being stored on a computer readable medium and containing calibration data for a display unit; and

displaying the retrieved color palettes according to the specification of the one or more calibration tables.

17. The method of claim 10 wherein the one or more coordinating colors include complementary colors, analogous colors, or monochromatic colors.

18. The method of claim 10 wherein one or more color palettes are retrieved, each of which is associated with the fine-tuned color.

19. The method of claim 10 wherein said step of fine tuning further comprises activating one or more of a plurality of selection symbols.

20. The method of claim 10 wherein activation of said button automatically adjusts one of the color'"'"'s characteristics.

21. The method of claim 10 wherein said plurality of buttons permit selection of a fine tuned color which is lighter or darker.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said buttons permit selection of a fine tuned color which is more muted or less muted.

23. A color selection and coordination apparatus comprising a plurality of data structures recorded on a computer readable medium, said data structures comprising:

a first data structure including a color identifier, a plurality of color metrics defining the first color, and a plurality of references to other data structures representing other colors;

a second data structure including a color identifier and data defining a color profile corresponding to a particular display device; and

a color palette data structure including a palette identifier and a plurality of color identifiers defining a plurality of colors which constitute the palette.

24. The system of claim 23 further comprising a plurality of color palette data structures each including a core color and a plurality of related colors, the plurality of related colors being determined by a first color coordination algorithm for a first of said color palette data structures and by a second color coordination algorithm for a second of second color palettes.

25. The system of claim 24 where the first color palette includes trim and alternate trim colors which are a tint or shade of the core color.

26. The system of claim 24 wherein the second color palette includes trim color as a complementary color of equal value to the core color.

27. The system of claim 24 further including a third color palette including a trim color approximately 120 degrees from the core color, on the warm side of the hue, and of equal value

28. The system of claim 27 further comprising a fourth color palette including a trim color which is a triad color on the cool side of hue, and of equal value to the core color.