Method and apparatus for detecting and measuring conditions affecting color

• US 5,671,735 A
• Filed: 05/09/1994
• Issued: 09/30/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Color Data, LLC
• Original Assignee: Chromatics Color Sciences International, Inc.
• Inventors: Billmeyer, Fred W. Jr., MacFarlane, David Kenneth, MacFarlane, Darby Simpson
• Primary Examiner(s): Bahr, Jennifer
• Assistant Examiner(s): WINAKUR, ERIC FRANK
• Application Number:
  US08/239,733
• Time in Patent Office: 1,240 Days
• Field of Search: 128/630, 128/632, 128/633, 128/665, 356/405
• US Class Current: 600/309
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 44/005 for selecting or displaying personal cosmetic colours or hairstyle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0088 for oral or dental tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1034 by means of colour cards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/441 Skin evaluation, e.g. for skin disorder diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/448 Hair evaluation, e.g. for hair disorder diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7264 Classification of physiological signals or data, e.g. using neural networks, statistical classifiers, expert systems or fuzzy systems neural networks per se G06N3/00; expert systems per se G06N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2003/466 Coded colour; Recognition of predetermined colour; Determining proximity to predetermined colour
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/462 Computing operations in or between colour spaces; Colour management systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/463 Colour matching
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/465 taking into account the colour perception of the eye; using tristimulus detection
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/52 using colour charts
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/524 Calibration of colorimeters
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/528 using colour harmony theory
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems

Abstract

A method and apparatus for determining the condition of a test subject based on color uses a color measuring instrument to detect change in a color factor indicative of a condition such as a disease, spoilage, ageing, etc. A medical condition such as hyperbilirubinemia that affects skin color can be detected. One measures color factors such as Hunter b and L in the subjects'"'"' skin color. For predetermined ranges of one color factor, in particular L, changes in the other color factor, e.g. Hunter b, above predetermined levels are indicative of the medical condition. In many cases, a single measurement of the color factors can be utilized as a warning of the likelihood of the medical or contaminated condition, if the ordinary range of the color factor is known for healthy individuals with skin coloration like that of the test subject. Even if there has been no baseline measurement and the test subject'"'"'s color is such that a single reading of one or two color factors will not warn of the possible presence of the medical condition or contamination, sequential readings can indicate the presence or absence of the condition based upon changes in the measured color factor, or lack of changes. The color measuring techniques apply to a wide range of biological test subjects (e.g. hair, teeth, tissue, excretions, foods, soil, animals, plants).

Claims

1. A process of detecting a condition in a test subject, which condition includes a symptomatic, detectable change in the test subject'"'"'s coloration, the process comprising the steps of:

(a) at a first point in time, measuring with a color measuring instrument a value of at least one color factor in the test subject'"'"'s coloration, said color factor being dependent, at least in part, on relative content of one or more colors in said coloration,

(b) waiting an interval,

(c) measuring with the color measuring instrument, at least at one further point in time, a value of said color factor in the test subject'"'"'s coloration, and

(d) comparing the values of said color factor measured at said first and said further point in time to determine whether there has been exhibited a change therein of a predetermined magnitude evidencing said condition, and

wherein each of steps (a) and (c) comprises measuring the value of a color factor that is dependent on relative content of opponent colors in said coloration and on lightness of said coloration.

23. The process according to any one of claims 1, 13 or 22 wherein each of steps (a) and (c) comprises measuring the value of a color factor that comprises a first function weighted in a yellower portion of the spectrum and a second function weighted in a bluer portion of the spectrum.

24. The process according to any one of claims 1, 4, or 22 wherein step (a) comprises measuring the value of color factor Hunter a.

30. The process according to any one of claims 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 22 or 29 wherein the color measuring instrument has a memory and a means for computation, wherein, prior to step (c), the process further comprises the step of storing in the memory the color factor value measured in step (a) and wherein step (d) comprises comparing by the means for computation the stored color factor value and the value of said color factor measured at said further point in time.

31. The process according to any one of claims 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 22, 26 or 29 wherein each of steps (a) and (c) comprises making a set of multiple measurements of the color factor value and averaging each set of multiple measurements.

32. The process according to any one of claims 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 22, 26 or 29 wherein each of steps (a) and (c) comprises measuring the value of said color factor at different locations on the test subject.

34. The process according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 11, 12, 13, 22, 25, 26 or 29 further comprising the step of establishing a plurality of coloration classes in each of which a preestablished magnitude of change in value of said color factor is indicative of said condition.

35. The process according to claim 34 wherein said coloration classes are determined by ranges of Hunter L values;

said ranges of Hunter L values being bounded by at least one of the Hunter L values substantially as follows;

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">Hunter L=27, 30, 33, 36, 39, 42, 45, 48, 51, 54, 57, 60, 63, 66 and 69.

36. The process according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 11, 13, 22 or 29 wherein step (a) comprises measuring the value of a color factor that is dependent on relative content of blue and yellow in said coloration.

37. The process according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 11, 13, 22 or 29 wherein step (a) comprises measuring the value of a color factor that is dependent on relative content of green and red in said coloration.

38. The process according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 11, 13, 22 or 29 wherein step (a) comprises measuring the value of a color factor that is dependent on yellowness of the coloration of the test subject.

39. The process according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 11, 13, 22 or 29, wherein step (a) comprises measuring the value of color factor Hunter b.

40. The process according to any one of claims 1, 4, 11, 13, 22 or 29 wherein step (a) comprises measuring the value of a color factor that comprises a first function weighted in a first portion of the spectrum and a second function weighted in a second portion of the spectrum;

the color factor being further dependent on lightness of the coloration of the test subject.

41. The process according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 11, 12, 13, 14, 22, 25, 26 or 29 further comprising the steps of:

calibrating the color measuring instrument by providing a colored tile with color and spectral characteristics specific to the color factor value to be measured, measuring the coloration of the tile to produce measurement indications and adjusting the measurement indications of the instrument to correspond to preselected values when measuring the coloration of the tile.

45. The process according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 9, 11, 12, 14, 22, 25, 26, 29, or 44 wherein said process of detecting a condition comprises a process for detecting a condition that causes jaundice in a human child or adult test subject.

46. The process according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 9, 11, 12, 14, 22, 25, 26, 29 or 44 wherein the coloration is skin coloration, and the condition is hyperbilirubinemia.

47. The process according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 9, 11, 12, 14, 22, 25, 26, 29 or 44 wherein the process of detecting a condition in a test subject comprises detecting a condition in a biological test subject.

48. The process according to claim 47 wherein the process of detecting a condition in a biological test subject comprises detecting a condition in a human or animal test subject.

49. The process according to claim 48 wherein the process of detecting a condition in a human or animal test subject comprises detecting a condition in a test subject that is a human infant.

50. The process according to claim 47 wherein the process of detecting a condition in a biological test subject comprises detecting a condition in a biological test subject that is selected from the group consisting of plants and soil.

51. The process according to claim 47 wherein the process of detecting a condition in a biological test subject comprises detecting a condition in a biological test subject selected from the group consisting of tissue, excretions, body fluids, hair, and teeth.

52. The process according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 9, 11, 12, 14, 22, 25, 26, 29 or 44 wherein said process of detecting a condition in a test subject comprises a process of detecting a condition selected from the group consisting of liver disorders, hypertension, and tuberculosis.

2. A process of detecting a condition in a test subject, which condition includes a symptomatic, detectable change in the test subject'"'"'s coloration, the process comprising the steps of:

(a) at a first point in time, measuring with a color measuring instrument a value of at least one color factor in the test subject'"'"'s coloration, said color factor being dependent, at least in part, on relative content of one or more colors in said coloration,

(b) waiting an interval,

(c) measuring with the color measuring instrument, at least at one further point in time, a value of said color factor in the test subject'"'"'s coloration, and

(d) comparing the values of said color factor measured at said first and said further point in time to determine whether there has been exhibited a change therein of a predetermined magnitude evidencing said condition, and

wherein each of steps (a) and (c) comprises measuring the value of a color factor that comprises a first function weighted in a first portion of the spectrum, a second function weighted in a second portion of the spectrum, and a weighting term that is a function of lightness of said coloration and that modifies the value of the color factor.

3. The process according to claim 2 wherein measuring the value of the color factor in each of steps (a) and (c) comprises measuring a factor that is a first function weighted in a yellower portion of the spectrum and a second function weighted in a bluer portion of the spectrum.

4. A process of detecting a condition in a test subject, which condition includes a symptomatic coloration;

the process comprising the steps of;

(a) measuring with a color measuring instrument a value in the test subject'"'"'s coloration of at least one color factor, said color factor being dependent on said coloration and being correlatable, in test subjects having colorations of substantially varying degrees of lightness or darkness, to a measure of the condition that has clinical utility, and

(b) comparing the measured value of said color factor with a predetermined range of values of the color factor to determine whether said measured value of said color factor evidences said condition in said test subject.

5. The process according to claim 4 wherein prior to step (b) the process further comprises the step of establishing the range of values of said color factor by recording values of Hunter b associated with at least one other color factor in individuals without said condition, and wherein step (b) comprises comparing a Hunter b value of the skin coloration of the test subject with the Hunter b values recorded for individuals comparable with the test subject in said other color factor of skin coloration.

6. The process according to claim 4 wherein

step (b) comprises comparing the measured value of said color factor with a range of values of said color factor that is indicative of either the presence or absence of the condition in a subject to determine if the measured value of said color factor lies inside or outside the range.

7. The process according to claim 6 wherein step (a) comprises measuring the value of a color factor that is dependent on redness of the coloration of the test subject.

8. The process according to claim 4 wherein step (a) comprises measuring the value of color factor Hunter b, and the process further comprises measuring the value of said color factor in the coloration of the test subject subsequent to the first-mentioned measurement, determining any difference between the first-mentioned and subsequent measurements and comparing said difference to a range of values to determine whether a change in Hunter b value inside or outside said range is present, indicative of either the presence or absence of the condition.

9. A process of detecting a condition in a test subject, which condition includes a symptomatic, detectable change in the coloration of the test subject;

the process comprising the steps of;

(a) at a first point in time, measuring with a color measuring instrument a value of relative content of opponent colors in the coloration of the test subject,

(b) waiting an interval,

(c) measuring with the color measuring instrument, at least at one further point in time, a value of relative content of said opponent colors in the coloration of the test subject, and

(d) comparing the values measured at said first and said further points in time to determine whether there has been exhibited a change therein of a predetermined magnitude that evidences said condition and that is correlatable, in test subjects having colorations of substantially varying degrees of lightness or darkness, to a measure of said condition that has clinical utility.

10. The process according to claim 9 wherein each of steps (a) and (c) comprises measuring the value of a color factor that is dependent on lightness of the coloration of the test subject and that modifies the value of the relative content of the opponent colors in said coloration.

11. A process of detecting a condition in a test subject, which condition includes a symptomatic, detectable change in the test subject'"'"'s coloration;

the process comprising the steps of;

(a) at a first point in time, measuring with a color measuring instrument a value of at least one color factor in the test subject'"'"'s coloration, said color factor being dependent, at least in part, on relative content of one or more colors in said coloration,

(b) waiting an interval,

(c) measuring with the color measuring instrument, at least at one further point in time, a value of said color factor in the test subject'"'"'s coloration,

(d) comparing the values of said color factor measured at said first and said further point in time to arrive at a value of change in color factor, and

(e) comparing the value of change in color factor with a preestablished measure of color factor value change that is known to evidence said condition and that is correlatable, in test subjects having colorations of substantially varying degrees of lightness or darkness, to a measure of the condition that has clinical utility.

27. The process according to any one of claims 4, 11, 13, 22, 25 or 26 wherein step (a) comprises measuring the value of a color factor that is further dependent on lightness of the coloration of the test subject.

33. The process according to any one of claims 2, 4, 11, 13, 22 or 29 wherein step (a) comprises measuring the value of a color factor that is dependent on relative content of opponent colors in said coloration.

12. A process of detecting a condition in a test subject, which condition includes a symptomatic, detectable change in the test subject'"'"'s coloration;

the process comprising the steps of;

(a) at a first point in time, measuring with a color measuring instrument a value of at least one color factor Hunter b in the test subject'"'"'s coloration, said color factor Hunter b being dependent, at least in part, on relative content of one or more colors in said coloration,

(b) waiting an interval,

(c) measuring with the color measuring instrument, at least at one further point in time, a value of said color factor Hunter b in the test subject'"'"'s coloration, and

(d) comparing the values of said color factor Hunter b measured at said first and further points in time to determine whether there has been exhibited a change therein of a predetermined magnitude evidencing said condition.

13. A process of detecting the jaundice caused by hyperbilirubinemia in an infant test subject, which jaundice includes a symptomatic, detectable change in the infant'"'"'s coloration;

the process comprising the steps of;

(a) establishing a baseline measurement for said infant by measuring with a color measuring instrument a value of at least one color factor in the infant'"'"'s coloration at a first point in time following birth when jaundice resulting from hyperbilirubinemia is generally not present in an infant, said color factor being dependent, at least in part, on relative content of one or more colors in said coloration,

(b) waiting an interval,

(c) measuring with the color measuring instrument, at least at one further point in time, a value of said color factor in the infant'"'"'s coloration, and

(d) comparing the value of said color factor baseline measurement at said first point in time and said value of said color factor at the further point in time to determine whether there has been exhibited a change therein of a predetermined magnitude for that particular infant.

14. A process of detecting a condition in a test subject, which condition includes a symptomatic, detectable change in the test subject'"'"'s coloration;

the process comprising the steps of;

(a) establishing a plurality of coloration classes in which a predetermined magnitude of a change in value of at least one color factor is indicative of the condition, said predetermined magnitude indicative of the condition differing from one coloration class to another,

(b) at a first point in time, measuring with a color measuring instrument a value of the at least one color factor in the test subject'"'"'s coloration, said color factor being dependent, at least in part, on relative content of one or more colors in said coloration,

(c) waiting an interval,

(d) measuring with the color instrument, at east at one further point in time, a value of said color factor in the test subject'"'"'s coloration, and

(e) comparing the values of said color factor measured at said first and said further points in time to determine whether there has been exhibited a change therein of the predetermined magnitude evidencing said condition for the particular coloration class of the test subject.

15. The process according to claim 14 wherein the step of establishing a plurality of coloration classes comprises establishing a plurality of coloration classes that are colorations within varying ranges of lightness.

16. The process according to claim 15 wherein the color factor is Hunter b and the coloration classes are defined by ranges of values of Hunter L, the process further comprising the step of measuring by instrument a Hunter L value of the test subject'"'"'s coloration.

17. The process according to claim 16 wherein the coloration is skin coloration and the step of establishing a plurality of coloration classes comprises establishing coloration classes that include a first class of skin coloration having a Hunter L value at or below substantially 51 and a second class of skin coloration having a Hunter L value above substantially 51, wherein increases in Hunter b values of substantially two or more points for skin coloration of the first class are indicative of hyperbilirubinemia, and wherein increases in Hunter b values of substantially three or more points for skin coloration of the second class are indicative of hyperbilirubinemia.

18. The process according to either claim 16, or 17 wherein said coloration classes are substantially as follows:

space="preserve" listing-type="tabular">______________________________________ No. Hunter L Hunter b ______________________________________ 1. <

27 -5* 2. <

27 6 3. <

27 7 4. <

27 8 5. <

27 9 6. <

27 10 7. <

27 11 8. <

27 12+** 9. 27 to <

30 -5 10. 27 to <

30 6 11. 27 to <

30 7 12. 27 to <

30 8 13. 27 to <

30 9 14. 27 to <

30 10 15. 27 to <

30 11 16. 27 to <

30 12+ 17. 30 to <

33 -5 18. 30 to <

33 6 19. 30 to <

33 7 20. 30 to <

33 8 21. 30 to <

33 9 22. 30 to <

33 10 23. 30 to <

33 11 24. 30 to <

33 12+ 25. 33 to <

36 -5 26. 33 to <

36 6 27. 33 to <

36 7 28. 33 to <

36 8 29. 33 to <

36 9 30. 33 to <

36 10 31. 33 to <

36 11 32. 33 to <

36 12+ 33. 36 to <

39 -5 34. 36 to <

39 6 35. 36 to <

39 7 36. 36 to <

39 8 37. 36 to <

39 9 38. 36 to <

39 10 39. 36 to <

39 11 40. 36 to <

39 12 41. 36 to <

39 13 42. 36 to <

39 14 43. 36 to <

39 15+ 44. 39 to <

42 -5 45. 39 to <

42 6 46. 39 to <

42 7 47. 39 to <

42 8 48. 39 to <

42 9 49. 39 to <

42 10 50. 39 to <

42 11 51. 39 to <

42 12 52. 39 to -42 13 53. 39 to <

42 14 54. 39 to <

42 15+ 55. 42 to -45 -5 56. 42 to <

45 6 57. 42 to <

45 7 58. 42 to <

45 8 59. 42 to <

45 9 60. 42 to <

45 10 61. 42 to <

45 11 62. 42 to <

45 12 63. 42 to <

45 13 64. 42 to <

45 14 65. 42 to <

45 15 66. 42 to <

45 16 67. 42 to <

45 17 68. 42 to <

45 18+ 69. 45 to <

48 -5 70. 45 to <

48 6 71. 45 to <

48 7 72. 45 to <

48 8 73. 45 to <

48 9 74. 45 to <

48 10 75. 45 to <

48 11 76. 45 to <

48 12 77. 45 to <

48 13 78. 45 to <

48 14 79. 45 to <

48 15 80. 45 to <

48 16 81. 45 to <

48 17 82. 45 to <

48 18+ 83. 48 to <

51 -5 84. 48 to <

51 6 85. 48 to <

51 7 86. 48 to <

51 8 87. 48 to <

51 9 88. 48 to <

51 10 89. 48 to <

51 11 90. 48 to <

51 12 91. 48 to <

51 13 92. 48 to <

51 14 93. 48 to <

51 15 94. 48 to <

51 16 95. 48 to <

51 17 96. 48 to <

51 18 97. 48 to <

51 19 98. 48 to <

51 20+ 99. 51 to <

54 -5 100. 51 to <

54 6 101. 51 to <

54 7 102. 51 to <

54 8 103. 51 to <

54 9 104. 51 to <

54 10 105. 51 to <

54 11 106. 51 to <

54 12 107. 51 to <

54 13 108. 51 to <

54 14 109. 51 to <

54 15 110. 51 to <

54 16 111. 51 to <

54 17 112. 51 to <

54 18 113. 51 to <

54 19 114. 51 to <

54 20+ 115. 54 to <

57 -5 116. 54 to <

57 6 117. 54 to <

57 7 118. 54 to <

57 8 119. 54 to <

57 9 120. 54 to <

57 10 121. 54 to <

57 11 122. 54 to <

57 12 123. 54 to <

57 13 124. 54 to <

57 14 125. 54 to <

57 15 126. 54 to <

57 16 127. 54 to <

57 17 128. 54 to <

57 18 129. 54 to <

57 19 130. 54 to <

57 20+ 131. 57 to <

60 -5 132. 57 to <

60 6 133. 57 to <

60 7 134. 57 to <

60 8 135. 57 to <

60 9 136. 57 to <

60 10 137. 57 to <

60 11 138. 57 to <

60 12 139. 57 to <

60 13 140. 57 to <

60 14 141. 57 to <

60 15 142. 57 to <

60 16 143. 57 to <

60 17 144. 57 to <

60 18 145. 57 to <

60 19 146. 57 to <

60 20+ 147. 60 to <

63 -5 148. 60 to <

63 6 149. 60 to <

63 7 150. 60 to <

63 8 151. 60 to <

63 9 152. 60 to <

63 10 153. 60 to <

63 11 154. 60 to <

63 12 155. 60 to <

63 13 156. 60 to <

63 14 157. 60 to <

63 15 158. 60 to <

63 16 159. 60 to <

63 17 160. 60 to <

63 18 161. 60 to <

63 19 162. 60 to <

63 20+ 163. 63 to <

66 -5 164. 63 to <

66 6 165. 63 to <

66 7 166. 63 to <

66 8 167. 63 to <

66 9 168. 63 to <

66 10 169. 63 to <

66 11 170. 63 to <

66 12 171. 63 to <

66 13 172. 63 to <

66 14 173. 63 to <

66 15 174. 63 to <

66 16 175. 63 to <

66 17 176. 63 to <

66 18 177. 63 to <

66 19 178. 63 to <

66 20+ 179. 66 to <

69 -5 180. 66 to <

69 6 181. 66 to <

69 7 182. 66 to <

69 8 183. 66 to <

69 9 184. 66 to <

69 10 185. 66 to <

69 11 186. 66 to <

69 12 187. 66 to <

69 13 188. 66 to <

69 14 189. 66 to <

69 15 190. 66 to <

69 16 191. 66 to <

69 17 192. 66 to <

69 18 193. 66 to <

69 19 194. 66 to <

69 20+ 195. ≧

69 -5 196. ≧

69 6 197. ≧

69 7 198. ≧

69 8 199. ≧

69 9 200. ≧

69 10 201. ≧

69 11 202. ≧

69 12 203. ≧

69 13 204. ≧

69 14 205. ≧

69 15 206. ≧

69 16 207. ≧

69 17 208. ≧

69 18 209. ≧

69 19 210. ≧

69 20+ ______________________________________

wherein -5 represents a value less than 5 but more than 4, and 12+, 15+, 18+, and 20+ represent a value more than 12, 15, 18, and 20, respectively, but less than 13, 16, 19, and 21, respectively.

19. The process according to either claim 15 or 14 wherein said coloration classes are determined by ranges of Hunter L values;

said ranges of Hunter L values being bounded by at least one of the Hunter L values substantially as follows;

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">Hunter L=27, 30, 33, 36, 39, 42, 45, 48, 54, 57, 60, 63, 66 and 69.

20. The process according to claim 14 wherein each of steps (b) and (d) comprises measuring the value of said color factor at different locations on the test subject.

21. The process according to claim 14 wherein each of steps (b) and (d) comprises making a set of multiple measurements of the color factor value at each of the respective points in time and averaging each set of multiple measurements.

22. A process of detecting a medical condition, which condition includes a symptomatic, detectable change in a test subject'"'"'s coloration;

the process comprising the steps of;

(a) establishing a baseline measurement for said test subject by measuring with a color measuring instrument a value of at least one color factor in the test subject'"'"'s coloration at a first point in time when the symptomatic, detectable change in coloration resulting from the medical condition is generally not present in a test subject, said color factor being dependent, at least in part, on relative content of one or more colors in said coloration,

(b) waiting an interval,

(c) measuring with the color measuring instrument, at least at one further point in time, a value of said color factor in the test subject'"'"'s coloration, and

(d) comparing the value of said color factor baseline measurement at said first point in time and said value of said color factor at the further point in time to determine whether there has been exhibited a change therein of a predetermined magnitude for that particular test subject.

25. A process of detecting the condition of a test subject based on coloration of said test subject;

the process comprising the steps of;

(a) measuring with a color measuring instrument the value of at least one color factor Hunter b in said coloration of the test subject, and

(b) comparing the measured value of said color factor Hunter b with a range of values of Hunter b that are indicative of either the presence or absence of the condition in a subject to determine if the measured value of said color factor lies inside or outside the range.

43. The process according to any one of claims 4, 25, 26 or 29 further comprising, prior to step (b), the step of establishing a range of values of the color factor characteristic of subjects without said condition.

26. A process of detecting a condition in a test subject, which condition includes a symptomatic coloration;

the process comprising the steps of;

(a) measuring with a color measuring instrument a value of at least one color factor, Hunter b, in the test subject'"'"'s coloration, said color factor being dependent on said coloration,

(b) comparing the measured value of said color factor with a predetermined range of values of the color factor to determine whether said measured value of said color factor evidences said condition in said test subject,

(c) measuring the value of said color factor in the coloration of the test subject subsequent to the first-mentioned measurement,

(d) determining any difference between the first-mentioned and subsequent measurements, and

(e) comparing said difference to a range of values of change of Hunter b to determine whether a change in Hunter b value inside or outside said range is present, indicative of either the presence or absence of the condition.

28. The process according to any one of claims 4, or 26 wherein step (a) comprises measuring a value of color factor Hunter b and wherein, in step (b), the range of values is a range of Hunter b values.

29. A process of detecting a condition in a test subject, which condition includes a symptomatic, detectable change in the test subject'"'"'s coloration, the process comprising the steps of:

(a) at a first point in time, measuring with a color measuring instrument a value of at least one color factor in the test subject'"'"'s coloration, said color factor being dependent, at least in part, on relative content of one or more colors in said coloration,

(b) waiting an interval,

(c) measuring with the color measuring instrument, at least at one further point in time, a value of said color factor in the test subject'"'"'s coloration, and

(d) comparing the values of said color factor measured at said first and said further point in time to determine whether there has been established a change therein of a predetermined magnitude evidencing said condition, and

wherein each of steps (a) and (c) comprises measuring the value of a color factor that is dependent on lightness of said coloration.

42. The process according to any one of claims 4 or 29 wherein step (a) comprises measuring a value of color factor Hunter b, and prior to step (b), the process further comprises measuring a value of the color factor Hunter a, comparing the measured Hunter a value with a range of Hunter a values, and carrying out step (b) only if the measured Hunter a value lies within an acceptable range.

44. In a process for detecting the condition of a test subject, which condition includes a symptomatic, detectable coloration;

the improvement comprising the steps of;

(a) compiling a group of lightness measure value ranges, and

(b) associating with each lightness measure value range a value of a color factor for use in comparison with a measurement of the value of that color factor in the coloration of a test subject having a measured lightness within said range.

53. The process according to claim 44 wherein step (a) comprises assembling the group of lightness measure value ranges in machine-readable, tangible form, and step (b) comprises associating the color factor value with each lightness measure value range in said machine-readable, tangible form.

54. The process according to claim 53 wherein step (b) comprises associating a value of color factor Hunter b with each lightness measure value range.

55. The process according to claim 54 wherein step (a) comprises compiling a group of values of lightness measure Hunter L.

56. The process according to claim 44, wherein step (a) comprises compiling a group of lightness measure color factor values that are substantially those of color factor Hunter L and step (b) comprises associating a value of at least one further color factor whose value is substantially that of color factor Hunter a with each lightness measure color factor value range, the relationship between said lightness measure color factor value ranges and said associated color factor values being substantially as follows:

space="preserve" listing-type="tabular">______________________________________ Hunter L Hunter a ______________________________________ 24 (or less) to 44 4 to 16 45 to 54 4 to 18 55 to 59 5 to 25 60 to 71 (or more) 6 to 30. ______________________________________

57. The process according to claim 44 wherein step (b) comprises associating with each lightness measure value range a value of a yellowness-dependent color factor.

58. The process according to claim 44 wherein the color factor is Hunter b and the lightness measure value ranges are ranges of Hunter L, the process further comprising the step of measuring by instrument a Hunter L value of the test subject'"'"'s coloration.

59. The process according to either claim 5 or 44 wherein said ranges of values are determined by ranges of Hunter L values;

said ranges of Hunter L values being bounded by at least one of the Hunter L values substantially as follows;

Hunter L=27, 30, 33, 36, 39, 42, 45, 48, 51, 54, 57, 60, 63, 66 and 69.

60. A process of detecting hyperbilirubinemia in a test subject based on skin coloration of said test subject;

the process comprising the steps of;

(a) measuring with a color measuring instrument a value of a first color factor whose value is substantially that of Hunter b in said skin coloration of the test subject,

(b) measuring with a color measuring instrument a value of a second color factor whose value is substantially that of Hunter L in said skin coloration of the test subject; and

(c) comparing the measured value of said first color factor with a range of acceptable values of said first color factor that are found in subjects in the absence of hyperbilirubinemia, said subjects having a skin coloration corresponding to the particular measured value of said second color factor in said test subject to determine if the measured value of said first color factor lies inside or outside the range, wherein said range of acceptable values is selected from ranges substantially as follows;

space="preserve" listing-type="tabular">______________________________________ No. Hunter L Hunter b ______________________________________ 1. <

27 -5* 2. <

27 6 3. <

27 7 4. <

27 8 5. <

27 9 6. <

27 10 7. <

27 11 8. <

27 12+** 9. 27 to <

30 -5 10. 27 to <

30 6 11. 27 to <

30 7 12. 27 to <

30 8 13. 27 to <

30 9 14. 27 to <

30 10 15. 27 to <

30 11 16. 27 to <

30 12+ 17. 30 to <

33 -5 18. 30 to <

33 6 19. 30 to <

33 7 20. 30 to <

33 8 21. 30 to <

33 9 22. 30 to <

33 10 23. 30 to <

33 11 24. 30 to <

33 12+ 25. 33 to <

36 -5 26. 33 to <

36 6 27. 33 to <

36 7 28. 33 to <

36 8 29. 33 to <

36 9 30. 33 to <

36 10 31. 33 to <

36 11 32. 33 to <

36 12+ 33. 36 to <

39 -5 34. 36 to <

39 6 35. 36 to <

39 7 36. 36 to <

39 8 37. 36 to <

39 9 38. 36 to <

39 10 39. 36 to <

39 11 40. 36 to <

39 12 41. 36 to <

39 13 42. 36 to <

39 14 43. 36 to <

39 15+ 44. 39 to <

42 -5 45. 39 to <

42 6 46. 39 to <

42 7 47. 39 to <

42 8 48. 39 to <

42 9 49. 39 to <

42 10 50. 39 to <

42 11 51. 39 to <

42 12 52. 39 to <

42 13 53. 39 to <

42 14 54. 39 to <

42 15+ 55. 42 to <

45 -5 56. 42 to <

45 6 57. 42 to <

45 7 58. 42 to <

45 8 59. 42 to <

45 9 60. 42 to <

45 10 61. 42 to <

45 11 62. 42 to <

45 12 63. 42 to <

45 13 64. 42 to <

45 14 65. 42 to <

45 15 66. 42 to <

45 16 67. 42 to <

45 17 68. 42 to <

45 18+ 69. 45 to <

48 -5 70. 45 to <

48 6 71. 45 to <

48 7 72. 45 to <

48 8 73. 45 to <

48 9 74. 45 to <

48 10 75. 45 to <

48 11 76. 45 to <

48 12 77. 45 to <

48 13 78. 45 to <

48 14 79. 45 to <

48 15 80. 45 to <

48 16 81. 45 to <

48 17 82. 45 to <

48 18+ 83. 48 to <

51 -5 84. 48 to <

51 6 85. 48 to <

51 7 86. 48 to <

51 8 87. 48 to <

51 9 88. 48 to <

51 10 89. 48 to <

51 11 90. 48 to <

51 12 91. 48 to <

51 13 92. 48 to <

51 14 93. 48 to <

51 15 94. 48 to <

51 16 95. 48 to <

51 17 96. 48 to <

51 18 97. 48 to <

51 19 98. 48 to <

51 20+ 99. 51 to <

54 -5 100. 51 to <

54 6 101. 51 to <

54 7 102. 51 to <

54 8 103. 51 to <

54 9 104. 51 to <

54 10 105. 51 to <

54 11 106. 51 to <

54 12 107. 51 to <

54 13 108. 51 to <

54 14 109. 51 to <

54 15 110. 51 to <

54 16 111. 51 to <

54 17 112. 51 to <

54 18 113. 51 to <

54 19 114. 51 to <

54 20+ 115. 54 to <

57 -5 116. 54 to <

57 6 117. 54 to <

57 7 118. 54 to <

57 8 119. 54 to <

57 9 120. 54 to <

57 10 121. 54 to <

57 11 122. 54 to <

57 12 123. 54 to <

57 13 124. 54 to <

57 14 125. 54 to <

57 15 126. 54 to <

57 16 127. 54 to <

57 17 128. 54 to <

57 18 129. 54 to <

57 19 130. 54 to <

57 20+ 131. 57 to <

60 -5 132. 57 to <

60 6 133. 57 to <

60 7 134. 57 to <

60 8 135. 57 to <

60 9 136. 57 to <

60 10 137. 57 to <

60 11 138. 57 to <

60 12 139. 57 to <

60 13 140. 57 to <

60 14 141. 57 to <

60 15 142. 57 to <

60 16 143. 57 to <

60 17 144. 57 to <

60 18 145. 57 to <

60 19 146. 57 to <

60 20+ 147. 60 to <

63 -5 148. 60 to <

63 6 149. 60 to <

63 7 150. 60 to <

63 8 151. 60 to <

63 9 152. 60 to <

63 10 153. 60 to <

63 11 154. 60 to <

63 12 155. 60 to <

63 13 156. 60 to <

63 14 157. 60 to <

63 15 158. 60 to <

63 16 159. 60 to <

63 17 160. 60 to <

63 18 161. 60 to <

63 19 162. 60 to <

63 20+ 163. 63 to <

66 -5 164. 63 to <

66 6 165. 63 to <

66 7 166. 63 to <

66 8 167. 63 to <

66 9 168. 63 to <

66 10 169. 63 to <

66 11 170. 63 to <

66 12 171. 63 to <

66 13 172. 63 to <

66 14 173. 63 to <

66 15 174. 63 to <

66 16 175. 63 to <

66 17 176. 63 to <

66 18 177. 63 to <

66 19 178. 63 to <

66 20+ 179. 66 to <

69 -5 180. 66 to <

69 6 181. 66 to <

69 7 182. 66 to <

69 8 183. 66 to <

69 9 184. 66 to <

69 10 185. 66 to <

69 11 186. 66 to <

69 12 187. 66 to <

69 13 188. 66 to <

69 14 189. 66 to <

69 15 190. 66 to <

69 16 191. 66 to <

69 17 192. 66 to <

69 18 193. 66 to <

69 19 194. 66 to <

69 20+ 195. ≧

69 -5 196. ≧

69 6 197. ≧

69 7 198. ≧

69 8 199. ≧

69 9 200. ≧

69 10 201. ≧

69 11 202. ≧

69 12 203. ≧

69 13 204. ≧

69 14 205. ≧

69 15 206. ≧

69 16 207. ≧

69 17 208. ≧

69 18 209. ≧

69 19 210. ≧

69 20+ ______________________________________

Wherein the designation -5 means less than 5 but more than 4 and the designation +12 means more than 12 but less than 13.

61. In a process for determining a color characteristic, the improvement comprising the steps of:

(a) compiling a group of lightness measure color factor value ranges, said lightness measure color factor comprising a color factor whose value is substantially that of color factor Hunter L, and

(b) associating with each lightness measure color factor value range a value of at least one further color factor for use in comparison with a measurement of the value of that color factor in the coloration of a test subject having a lightness measure color factor value in said range, said at least one further color factor comprising a color factor whose value is substantially that of color factor Hunter b and the relationship between said lightness measure color factor value ranges and said associated color factor values being substantially as follows;

space="preserve" listing-type="tabular">______________________________________ No. Hunter L Hunter b ______________________________________ 1. <

27 -5* 2. <

27 6 3. <

27 7 4. <

27 8 5. <

27 9 6. <

27 10 7. <

27 11 8. <

27 12+** 9. 27 to <

30 -5 10. 27 to <

30 6 11. 27 to <

30 7 12. 27 to <

30 8 13. 27 to <

30 9 14. 27 to <

30 10 15. 27 to <

30 11 16. 27 to <

30 12+ 17. 30 to <

33 -5 18. 30 to <

33 6 19. 30 to <

33 7 20. 30 to <

33 8 21. 30 to <

33 9 22. 30 to <

33 10 23. 30 to <

33 11 24. 30 to <

33 12+ 25. 33 to <

36 -5 26. 33 to <

36 6 27. 33 to <

36 7 28. 33 to <

36 8 29. 33 to <

36 9 30. 33 to <

36 10 31. 33 to <

36 11 32. 33 to <

36 12+ 33. 36 to <

39 -5 34. 36 to <

39 6 35. 36 to <

39 7 36. 36 to <

39 8 37. 36 to <

39 9 38. 36 to <

39 10 39. 36 to <

39 11 40. 36 to <

39 12 41. 36 to <

39 13 42. 36 to <

39 14 43. 36 to <

39 15+ 44. 39 to <

42 -5 45. 39 to <

42 6 46. 39 to <

42 7 47. 39 to <

42 8 48. 39 to <

42 9 49. 39 to <

42 10 50. 39 to <

42 11 51. 39 to <

42 12 52. 39 to <

42 13 53. 39 to <

42 14 54. 39 to <

42 15+ 55. 42 to <

45 -5 56. 42 to <

45 6 57. 42 to <

45 7 58. 42 to <

45 8 59. 42 to <

45 9 60. 42 to <

45 10 61. 42 to <

45 11 62. 42 to <

45 12 63. 42 to <

45 13 64. 42 to <

45 14 65. 42 to <

45 15 66. 42 to <

45 16 67. 42 to <

45 17 68. 42 to <

45 18+ 69. 45 to <

48 -5 70. 45 to <

48 6 71. 45 to <

48 7 72. 45 to <

48 8 73. 45 to <

48 9 74. 45 to <

48 10 75. 45 to <

48 11 76. 45 to <

48 12 77. 45 to <

48 13 78. 45 to <

48 14 79. 45 to <

48 15 80. 45 to <

48 16 81. 45 to <

48 17 82. 45 to <

48 18+ 83. 48 to <

51 -5 84. 48 to <

51 6 85. 48 to <

51 7 86. 48 to <

51 8 87. 48 to <

51 9 88. 48 to <

51 10 89. 48 to <

51 11 90. 48 to <

51 12 91. 48 to <

51 13 92. 48 to <

51 14 93. 48 to <

51 15 94. 48 to <

51 16 95. 48 to <

51 17 96. 48 to <

51 18 97. 48 to <

51 19 98. 48 to <

51 20+ 99. 51 to <

54 -5 100. 51 to <

54 6 101. 51 to <

54 7 102. 51 to <

54 8 103. 51 to <

54 9 104. 51 to <

54 10 105. 51 to <

54 11 106. 51 to <

54 12 107. 51 to <

54 13 108. 51 to <

54 14 109. 51 to <

54 15 110. 51 to <

54 16 111. 51 to <

54 17 112. 51 to <

54 18 113. 51 to <

54 19 114. 51 to <

54 20+ 115. 54 to <

57 -5 116. 54 to <

57 6 117. 54 to <

57 7 118. 54 to <

57 8 119. 54 to <

57 9 120. 54 to <

57 10 121. 54 to <

57 11 122. 54 to <

57 12 123. 54 to <

57 13 124. 54 to <

57 14 125. 54 to <

57 15 126. 54 to <

57 16 127. 54 to <

57 17 128. 54 to <

57 18 129. 54 to <

57 19 130. 54 to <

57 20+ 131. 57 to <

60 -5 132. 57 to <

60 6 133. 57 to <

60 7 134. 57 to <

60 8 135. 57 to <

60 9 136. 57 to <

60 10 137. 57 to <

60 11 138. 57 to <

60 12 139. 57 to <

60 13 140. 57 to <

60 14 141. 57 to <

60 15 142. 57 to <

60 16 143. 57 to <

60 17 144. 57 to <

60 18 145. 57 to <

60 19 146. 57 to <

60 20+ 147. 60 to <

63 -5 148. 60 to <

63 6 149. 60 to <

63 7 150. 60 to <

63 8 151. 60 to <

63 9 152. 60 to <

63 10 153. 60 to <

63 11 154. 60 to <

63 12 155. 60 to <

63 13 156. 60 to <

63 14 157. 60 to <

63 15 158. 60 to <

63 16 159. 60 to <

63 17 160. 60 to <

63 18 161. 60 to <

63 19 162. 60 to <

63 20+ 163. 63 to <

66 -5 164. 63 to <

66 6 165. 63 to <

66 7 166. 63 to <

66 8 167. 63 to <

66 9 168. 63 to <

66 10 169. 63 to <

66 11 170. 63 to <

66 12 171. 63 to <

66 13 172. 63 to <

66 14 173. 63 to <

66 15 174. 63 to <

66 16 175. 63 to <

66 17 176. 63 to <

66 18 177. 63 to <

66 19 178. 63 to <

66 20+ 179. 66 to <

69 -5 180. 66 to <

69 6 181. 66 to <

69 7 182. 66 to <

69 8 183. 66 to <

69 9 184. 66 to <

69 10 185. 66 to <

69 11 186. 66 to <

69 12 187. 66 to <

69 13 188. 66 to <

69 14 189. 66 to <

69 15 190. 66 to <

69 16 191. 66 to <

69 17 192. 66 to <

69 18 193. 66 to <

69 19 194. 66 to <

69 20+ 195. ≧

69 -5 196. ≧

69 6 197. ≧

69 7 198. ≧

69 8 199. ≧

69 9 200. ≧

69 10 201. ≧

69 11 202. ≧

69 12 203. ≧

69 13 204. ≧

69 14 205. ≧

69 15 206. ≧

69 16 207. ≧

69 17 208. ≧

69 18 209. ≧

69 19 210. ≧

69 20+ ______________________________________

Wherein the designation -5 means less than 5 but more than 4 and the designation +12 means more than 12 but less than 13.

62. The process according to claim 61 wherein the process for determining a color characteristic comprises a process for determining a color characteristic in a biological test subject.

63. The process according to claim 61 wherein the process for determining a color characteristic comprises a process for determining a color characteristic in a biological test subject that is a human or animal test subject.

64. In a process for determining a color characteristic, the improvement comprising the steps of:

(a) compiling a group of lightness measure color factor value ranges, said lightness measure color factor comprising a color factor whose value is substantially that of Hunter L, and

(b) associating with each lightness measure color factor value range a value of at least one further color factor for use in comparison with a measurement of the value of that at least one further color factor in the coloration of a test subject having a lightness measure color factor value in a corresponding range, said at least one further color factor comprising a color factor whose value is substantially that of color factor Hunter a, and the relationship between said lightness measure color factor value ranges and said associated color factor values being substantially as follows;

space="preserve" listing-type="tabular">______________________________________ Hunter L Hunter a ______________________________________ 24 (or less) to 44 4 to 16 45 to 54 4 to 18 55 to 59 5 to 25 60 to 71 (or more) 6 to 30. ______________________________________

65. In a process for determining a color characteristic, the improvement comprising the steps of:

(a) compiling a group of lightness measure color factor value ranges, said ranges comprising at least one range of a color factor whose value is substantially that of color factor Hunter L, said at least one range being selected from the ranges substantially as follows;

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">Hunter L=<

27, 27 to <

30, 30 to <

33, 33 to <

36, 36 to <

39, 39 to <

42, 42 to <

45, 45 to <

48, 48 to <

51, 51 to <

54, 54 to <

57, 57 to <

60, 60 to <

63, 63 to <

66, 66 to <

69, and ≦

69, and

(b) associating with each lightness measure color factor value range a value of a color factor for use in comparison with a measurement of the value of that color factor in the coloration of a test subject having a lightness measure color factor value within said range.

66. A process of evaluating a test subject based on the coloration of said test subject, the process comprising the steps of:

(a) measuring with a color measuring instrument a value of a first color factor in said test subject'"'"'s coloration, said first color factor being dependent on the lightness of the coloration of said test subject; and

(b) measuring with a color measuring instrument a value of at least one further color factor in said test subject'"'"'s coloration, said further color factor being dependent on the relative content of opponent colors in the coloration of said test subject;

wherein at least one of steps (a) and (b) comprises arriving at a value of said color factor that correlates to a measure of coloration having established laboratory utility.

67. The process according to claim 66, further comprising the step of comparing the measured values of said first color factor and said at least one further color factor with a range of values of said color factors that are found in the colorations of subjects other than said test subject, to determine where within said range the measured values of said color factors lie.

68. The process according to either of claims 66 or 67, wherein the test subject is selected from the group consisting of skin, tissue, excretions, bodily fluids, hair and teeth.

69. The process according to either of claims 66 or 67, wherein step (b) comprises measuring the value of at least one further color factor that is dependent on relative content of blue and yellow in said coloration.

70. The process according to either of claims 66 or 67, wherein step (b) comprises measuring the value of at least one further color factor that is dependent on relative content of red and green in said coloration.

71. The process according to either of claims 66 or 67, wherein each of steps (a) and (b) comprises measuring the values of said first color factor and said at least one further color factor at different locations on the test subject.

72. The process according to either of claims 66 or 67, wherein each of steps (a) and (b) comprises making a set of multiple measurements of the values of each of said first color factor and said at least one further color factor and averaging each set of multiple measurements.

73. In a process for evaluating the coloration of a test subject, the improvement comprising the steps of:

(a) compiling a group of lightness measure color factor value ranges, said lightness measure color factor comprising a color factor whose value is substantially that of color factor Hunter L; and

(b) associating with each lightness measure color factor value range a value of at least one further color factor for use in comparison with a measurement of the value of that color factor in the coloration of a test subject having a lightness measure color value in said range, said at least one further color factor comprising a color factor whose value is substantially that of at least one of color factors Hunter b and Hunter a, and the relationship between said lightness measure color factor value ranges and said associated color factor values being substantially as follows;

space="preserve" listing-type="tabular">______________________________________ CATEGORY L a b NAME Min Max Min Max Min Max ______________________________________ Black 0.00 14.00 -10.00 3.00 -10.00 5.00 Darkest Dark 14.00 16.00 -10.00 3.00 -10.00 1.00 Brown Darkest Dark 14.00 16.00 -10.00 3.00 1.00 1.15 Brown Darkest Dark 14.00 16.00 -10.00 3.00 1.15 1.25 Brown Darkest Dark 14.00 16.00 -10.00 3.00 1.25 3.00 Brown Darker Dark 16.00 19.00 -10.00 3.00 -10.00 2.70 Brown Darker Dark 16.00 19.00 -10.00 3.00 2.70 2.95 Brown Darker Dark 16.00 19.00 -10.00 3.00 2.95 3.20 Brown Darker Dark 16.00 19.00 -10.00 3.00 3.20 10.00 Brown Darker Dark 16.00 19.00 2.00 3.00 -10.00 2.70 Brown (Cool Auburn Tones) Darker Dark 16.00 19.00 2.00 3.00 3.20 10.00 Brown (Warm Auburn Tones) Brown 19.00 22.00 0.00 6.00 -10.00 2.95 Brown 19.00 22.00 0.00 6.00 2.95 3.20 Brown 19.00 22.00 0.00 6.00 3.20 3.45 Brown 19.00 22.00 0.00 6.00 3.45 10.00 Brown 19.00 22.00 3.50 6.00 3.45 10.00 (Warm Auburn Tones) Brown 19.00 22.00 3.50 6.00 -10.00 3.45 (Cool Auburn Tones) Medium Brown 22.00 27.00 1.00 6.00 -10.00 3.75 Medium Brown 22.00 27.00 1.00 6.00 3.75 4.00 Golden Med. 22.00 27.00 1.00 6.00 4.00 4.25 Brown Golden Med. 22.00 27.00 1.00 6.00 4.25 10.00 Brown Medium Brown 22.00 27.00 3.50 6.00 4.25 10.00 (Warm Auburn Tones) Medium Brown 22.00 27.00 3.50 6.00 -10.00 4.25 (Cool Auburn Tones) Darkest Med. 27.00 28.00 1.80 6.00 -5.00 6.00 Blonde Darkest Med. 27.00 28.00 1.80 5.00 6.00 6.50 Blonde Darkest Med. 27.00 28.00 5.00 6.00 6.00 6.50 Blonde Darkest Med. 27.00 28.00 1.80 6.00 6.50 15.00 Blonde Medium Blonde 28.00 31.00 1.80 6.00 -5.00 6.00 Medium Blonde 28.00 31.00 1.80 5.00 6.00 6.50 Med. Golden 28.00 31.00 5.00 6.00 6.00 6.50 Blonde Med. Golden 28.00 31.00 1.80 6.00 6.50 15.00 Blonde Lightest Med. 31.00 33.00 1.80 6.00 -5.00 6.00 Blonde Lightest Med. 31.00 33.00 1.80 5.00 6.00 6.50 Blonde Lightest Med. 31.00 33.00 5.00 6.00 6.00 6.50 Blonde Lightest Med. 31.00 33.00 1.80 6.00 6.50 15.00 Blonde Light Blonde 33.00 36.00 1.80 6.00 -5.00 7.00 Light Blonde 33.00 36.00 1.80 5.00 7.00 7.50 Light Blonde 33.00 36.00 5.00 6.00 7.00 7.50 Light Blonde 33.00 36.00 1.80 6.00 7.50 20.00 Lighter Blonde 36.00 40.00 1.80 6.00 -5.00 8.00 Lighter Blonde 36.00 40.00 1.80 5.00 8.00 8.50 Lighter Blonde 36.00 40.00 5.00 6.00 8.00 8.50 Lighter Blonde 36.00 40.00 1.80 6.00 8.50 20.00 Lightest Blonde 40.00 80.00 1.80 7.00 -5.00 9.00 Lightest Blonde 40.00 80.00 1.80 5.00 9.00 10.00 Lightest Blonde 40.00 80.00 5.00 7.00 9.00 10.00 Lightest Blonde 40.00 80.00 1.80 7.00 10.00 30.00 Light Red 22.00 28.00 6.00 30.00 -5.00 3.50 Light Red 22.00 28.00 6.00 30.00 3.50 3.75 Light Red 22.00 28.00 6.00 30.00 3.75 4.00 Light Red 22.00 28.00 6.00 30.00 4.00 30.00 Medium Red 19.00 22.00 6.00 30.00 -10.00 3.50 Medium Red 19.00 22.00 6.00 30.00 3.50 3.75 Med. Golden Red 19.00 22.00 6.00 30.00 3.75 4.00 Med. Golden Red 19.00 22.00 6.00 30.00 4.00 30.00 Dark Red 14.00 19.00 3.00 30.00 -10.00 2.50 Dark Red 14.00 19.00 3.00 30.00 2.50 2.75 Dark Red 14.00 19.00 3.00 30.00 2.75 3.00 Dark Red 14.00 19.00 3.00 30.00 3.00 30.00 Red Blonde 27.00 40.00 6.00 30.00 6.00 30.00 Red Blonde 40.00 80.00 7.00 30.00 6.00 30.00 Black/Dk 27.00 50.00 -10.00 1.80 -10.00 3.75 Brown/Med Brown/Brown w/ 70%-90% Grey Black/Dk 27.00 50.00 -10.00 1.80 3.75 4.00 Brown/Med Brown/Brown w/ 70%-90% Grey Black/Dk 27.00 50.00 -10.00 1.80 4.00 4.25 Brown/Med Brown/Brown w/ 70%-90% Grey Black/Dk 27.00 50.00 -10.00 1.80 4.25 10.00 Brown/Med Brown/Brown w/ 70%-90% Grey Black/Dk 23.00 27.00 -10.00 1.00 -10.00 3.75 Brown/Med Brown/Brown w/ 40%-60% Grey Black/Dk 23.00 27.00 -10.00 1.00 3.75 4.00 Brown/Med Brown/Brown w/ 40%-60% Grey Black/Dk 23.00 27.00 -10.00 1.00 4.00 4.25 Brown/Med Brown/Brown w/ 40%-60% Grey Black/Dk 23.00 27.00 -10.00 1.00 4.25 10.00 Brown/Med Brown/Brown w/ 40%-6% Grey For Grey Hair Light Brown/Darkest Blonde 40%-60% Grey 4.00 10.00 -10.00 -0.08 70%-90% Grey 10.00 To -10.00 -0.08 Maximum Dark Red, Medium Red or Medium Light Red 40%-60% Grey 6.00 10.00 -10.00 -0.80 70%-90% Grey 10.00 To -10.00 -0.80 Maximum Light Red or Red Blonde 40%-60% Grey 5.00 7.00 -10.00 -0.80 70%-90% Grey 7.00 To -10.00 -0.80 Maximum Medium to Medium Dark Blonde 40%-60% Grey 1.70 4.00 0.00 0.00 70%-90% Grey 4.00 To 0.00 0.00 Maximum Light Blonde Hair 40%-60% Grey -99.99 -0.25 -1.75 -1.25 70%-90% Grey -99.99 -0.25 -99.99 -1.75 ______________________________________

Wherein negative values denote values less than zero.

74. The process according to claim 73 wherein step (a) comprises assembling the group of lightness measure color factor value ranges in machine-readable, tangible form and step (b) comprises associating said at least one further color factor value with each lightness measure color factor value range in said machine-readable, tangible form.