System for Representing True Colors with Device-Dependent Colors on Surfaces and for Producing Paints and Coatings Matching the True Colors

• US 20080232101A1
• Filed: 06/02/2008
• Published: 09/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Columbia Insurance Company (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Columbia Insurance Company (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Chong, Patrick Tak Fu, Minchew, Carl
• Application Number:
  US12/131,594
• Publication Number:
  US 20080232101A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/231
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/46 Measurement of colour; Colour measuring devices, e.g. colorimeters measuring colour temperature G01J5/60
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/462 Computing operations in or between colour spaces; Colour management systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/526 for choosing a combination of different colours, e.g. to produce a pleasing effect for an observer
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/25 Colour; Spectral properties, i.e. comparison of effect of material on the light at two or more different wavelengths or wavelength bands
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/001 Texturing; Colouring; Generation of texture or colour inpainting G06T5/77
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources

Abstract

An apparatus for displaying paint colors using device-dependent colors is disclosed. The apparatus has a wall portion sized and dimensioned to be substantially similar to a full size wall, and the device-dependent colors have color coordinates that are substantially similar to the color coordinates of paint colors. Lights displaying the device-dependent colors are diffused before illuminating the wall portion. A method for selecting paints using device-dependent colors is also disclosed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for displaying paint color comprising:

a wall portion sized and dimensioned to be substantially similar to a full size wall, wherein a device-dependent color is displayed uniformly on a front surface of the wall portion and wherein the device-dependent color has color coordinates that are substantially similar to the color coordinates of the paint color, and wherein a light displaying the device-dependent color is diffused before illuminating the front surface of the wall portion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light is provided by a plurality of LEDs.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the LEDs comprise color LEDs.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the LEDs comprise at least one white LED.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the LEDs comprise at least one near white broad band LED.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the LEDs comprise at least five LEDs, wherein each LED displays a different color.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the LEDS comprise from nine to eleven LEDs, wherein each LED displays a different color.

31. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an interactive device capable of communicating with buyers to input or select paint colors.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the interactive device comprises a voice recognition device.

33. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the interactive device is a computer touch screen.

34. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the interactive device is a spectrographic scanner.

35. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a color library,

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the color coordinates of the device-dependent color are located within said color library.

37. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the color coordinates of the paint color are located within said color library.

38. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the color coordinates of the paint color are matched to corresponding color coordinates within said color library, and the corresponding color coordinates are used as the color coordinates of the device-dependent color.

8. An apparatus for displaying paint color comprising:

a wall portion sized and dimensioned to be substantially similar to a full size wall wherein a device-dependent color is displayed uniformly on a front surface of the wall portion and wherein the device-dependent color has color coordinates that are substantially similar to the color coordinates of the paint color, and wherein a light displaying the device-dependent color is diffused before illuminating the front surface of the wall portion, wherein a light source producing said light is disposed within a chamber located behind the front surface.

39. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the light is provided by a plurality of LEDs.

40. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising an interactive device capable of communicating with buyers to input or select paint colors.

41. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a color library.

9-30. -30. (canceled)