Color display device

• US 6,985,163 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2002
• Issued: 01/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sarnoff Corporation (SRI International, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Algen Design Services, Inc., Sarnoff Corporation (SRI International, Inc.)
• Inventors: Riddle, George Herbert Needham, Burstyn, Herschel Clement, Reitmeier, Glenn, Stanziola, Ralph Anthony, Steinmetz, Carl Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): CHANG, KENT WU
• Application Number:
  US10/216,918
• Publication Number:
  US 20030034985A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,247 Days
• Field of Search: 250/226, 250/228, 359/834, 359/385, 362/516, 362/517, 362/518, 362/362, 345/32, 345/905, 345/584, 345/591, 345/593, 345/595, 345/596, 345/597, 345/204, 345/690, 345/589, 349/58, 349/62
• US Class Current: 345/690
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/08 Arrangements of light sources specially adapted for photometry standard sources, also using luminescent or radioactive material
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0038 Linear indentations or grooves, e.g. arc-shaped grooves or meandering grooves, extending over the full length or width of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0068 Arrangements of plural sources, e.g. multi-colour light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0088 of the light guide or other optical sheets in the package
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0633 by amplitude modulation of the brightness of the illumination source
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0666 for control of colour parameters, e.g. colour temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2360/145 the light originating from the display screen
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3413 Details of control of colour illumination sources
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3607 for displaying colours or for displaying grey scales with a specific pixel layout, e.g. using sub-pixels display of colours in flat matrix panels other than liquid crystal displays G09G3/2003; grey scales specific for television H04N3/127

Abstract

A color display apparatus and method for displaying colors using radiation sources uses displays that may include multiple radiation sources, a display surface and control hardware and software that enable accurate and reproducible color display. Another apparatus provides means for generating colors upon request and communicating digital information regarding the generation of the color spectrum to local or remote display devices. The apparatus may be used in selecting and ordering colors subject to supplier constraints. Methods for displaying colors and enabling display of the colors in remote locations, as well as methods for conducting business by communicating the color display information are all provided.

Claims

1. A method for displaying a mixed color produced by mixing a plurality of individual colorants in a predetermined ratio, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a radiation spectrum for a color produced by each individual colorant;

(b) dividing the radiation spectrum into at least four wavelength bands;

(c) determining an intensity for each wavelength band;

(d) transmitting the intensities to a radiation source;

(e) selecting a narrow band of wavelengths in each of the wavelength bands;

(f) generating a multiplicity of beams of radiation, each beam of radiation essentially corresponding in wavelength to a selected narrow band of wavelengths and corresponding in intensity to the respective wavelength bands; and

(g) combining the beams of radiation to display the color.

2. A method of remotely displaying a color comprising,

(a) providing a radiation spectrum for a color produced by each individual colorant;

(b) transmitting the radiation spectrum to a remote location to display the color;

(c) dividing the radiation spectrum into at least four wavelength bands;

(d) determining an intensity for each wavelength band;

(e) generating a multiplicity of beams of radiation, each beam of radiation essentially corresponding in wavelength to one of the wavelength bands and corresponding in intensity to the respective determined intensity; and

(f) combining the beams of radiation to display the color.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising accessing an electronic database of spectra.