System and method for managing electronic transmission of color data

• US 7,202,976 B2
• Filed: 02/09/2006
• Issued: 04/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sun Chemical Corporation
• Original Assignee: Sun Chemical Corporation
• Inventors: Stone, Gordon Robert, Rich, Danny C., Postle, Stephen Roderick, Putney, James Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams; Kimberly
• Assistant Examiner(s): Baker; Charlotte M.
• Application Number:
  US11/351,717
• Publication Number:
  US 20060126117A1
• Time in Patent Office: 425 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.9, 358/2.1, 358/1.15, 358/1.1, 358/1.6, 358/1.13, 382/167, 382/162, 345/593, 356/402, 356/425, 715/748, 399/54
• US Class Current: 358/1.9
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0264 Electrical interface; User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/027 Control of working procedures of a spectrometer; Failure detection; Bandwidth calculation
• 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 3/463 Colour matching
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/465 taking into account the colour perception of the eye; using tristimulus detection
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/603 controlled by characteristics of the picture signal generator or the picture reproducer
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A system which enables electronic communication, coordination and dissemination of color-related designs, specifications and products. Color production and maintenance in a simultaneous fashion is provided between a plurality of disparate parties in substantially “real time.” The present integrated color-production is capable of importing electronic output from many diverse instruments, including color production-related hardware and software, and further uses the output to automatically deliver product data to and from a plurality of geographically disbursed parties. The present invention also provides an electronic library comprising colors and textures to be used for accurately matching a color sample and/or specification. The integrated, on-line color-related production system of the present invention enables parties to operate at peak efficiency, producing high sales and customer satisfaction.

Claims

1. A method for using a database to develop a color product, said method comprising:

storing development information in said database, said development information including characteristics related to development of a plurality of color products;

receiving first color information, said first color information including at least a first color;

identifying first development information in said database, said first development information including at least said first color;

receiving at least one physical characteristic of said color product; and

using said first development information to determine whether said at least one physical characteristic is compatible with said first color,

whereby development of the color product is either;

(a) halted if a physical characteristic is not compatible with said first color, or

(b) continued, and an incompatibility warning may be reported by said method.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating said first development information between at least two color product development specialists.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said step of communicating said first development information comprises communicating a pointer to said development information.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said received first color information is in a first format.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said characteristics is a color characteristic.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said step of storing said development information further includes storing said color characteristic in a plurality of formats.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said plurality of formats comprise at least one of visual spectral data, CIEXYZ, CIELAB, CIELUV, CIEUVW, color space, chromaticity coordinates xy, u′

v′ and

uv, computer graphics triplets including RGB, CMYK, HLS, HIS, HSV and HVC, Munsell notation, Swedish Natural Color System notation, ColorCurve notation, RAL notation, Pantone color number, DIC color number, Color Marketing Group color name, and Color Association of the United States color name.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising translating said first color information from a first format to a second format.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

communicating said first development information between at least two color product development specialists;

communicating said first development information to at least one of said at least two color product development specialists in a third format in response to at least one characteristic corresponding to at least one of said at least two color product development specialists; and

wherein said characteristic is a characteristic of a device used by at least one of said at least two color product development specialists to generate a visibly perceptible representation of said first color.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said third format is said first format.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a visibly perceptible representation of said first color in response to said first color information.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said characteristics include processes for incorporating a plurality of colors on said plurality of color products.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said characteristics include at least one substrate characteristic used in said at least one color product.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said characteristics include an ability of said color product to resist at least one of water, solvent, acid, alkali, temperature, humidity, abrasion, crocking, bending, light, and ultraviolet radiation.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising generating a visibly perceptible representation of said first color in response to said at least one substrate characteristic.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising printing said color product using said first color.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said printing step comprises at least one of flexographic printing, offset printing, and gravure printing methods.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving step comprises using a color measuring device.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said color measuring device is a spectrocolorimeter.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting said first color information from a plurality of retrievable samples located in at least one electronic color library.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said at least one electronic color library is set forth on at least one site processor.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating said first color information using a global communication network.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said global communication network is the Internet.

24. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating said first color information using a direct dial-up connection.

25. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing access to said database to at least two color product development specialists.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said at least two color product specialists include at least one of a customer, a designer, a color separator, a printer, an ink manufacturer, a customer, a formulation chemist, a color compounder, a plastics molder, a pigment manufacturer, a dye manufacturer, a dyer, a retailer, a garment designer, a textile designer, an architectural designer, an interior designer, a painting contractor, and a paint supplier.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein said database comprises data entry display screens enabling said at least two color product development specialists to enter their respective contributions to said development of said color product.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said contributions relate to a development function performed by said at least two color product development specialists.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising providing choices in said data entry display screens to said color product development specialists in response to said compatibility of said at least one physical characteristic with said first color.

30. The method of claim 1, wherein said incompatibility warning is delivered via a user interface.

31. The method of claim 29, further comprising revising said color product development in response to said compatibility of said at least one physical characteristic with said first color.

32. The method of claim 28, further comprising providing choices in said data entry display screens to said color product development specialists in response to said respective contributions to said development of said color product.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising stopping said color product development in response to said respective contributions to said development of said color product.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising revising said color product development in response to said respective contributions to said development of said color product.

35. A method of coordinating development of a color product, said method comprising:

storing development information in at least one database set forth on at least one site processor, said development information including characteristics related to development of a plurality of color products, said development information including processes for incorporating a plurality of colors on said plurality of color products;

receiving first color information from a first color product development specialist, said first color information including at least a first color;

identifying first development information in said at least one database, said first development information including at least said first color;

receiving at least one physical characteristic of said first color product;

communicating said development information using a global communication network between at least two color product development specialists; and

using said first development information to determine whether said at least one physical characteristic is compatible with said first color,

whereby development of the color product is either;

(a) halted if a physical characteristic is not compatible with said first color, or

(b) continued, and an incompatibility warning may be reported by said method.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein at least one of said characteristics is a color characteristic.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said step of storing said development information further includes storing said color characteristic in a plurality of formats.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein said plurality of formats comprise at least one of visual spectral data, CIEXYZ, CIELAB, CIELUV, CIEUVW, color space, chromaticity coordinates xy, u′

v′ and

uv, computer graphics triplets including RGB, CMYK, HLS, HIS, HSV and HVC, Munsell notation, Swedish Natural Color System notation, ColorCurve notation, RAL notation, Pantone color number, DIC color number, Color Marketing Group color name, and Color Association of the United States color name.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein said identifying step comprises translating said first color information from a first format to a second format.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising communicating said first development information to a second color product development specialist in a third format in response to at least one characteristic corresponding to said second color product development specialist.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein said third format is said first format.

42. The method of claim 35, further comprising generating a visibly perceptible representation of said first color in response to said first color information.

43. The method of claim 35, further comprising generating a visibly perceptible representation of said first color product in response to said at least one physical characteristic.

44. The method of claim 35, further comprising providing access to said at least one database to said at least two color product developers.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein said database comprises data entry display screens enabling said at least two color product development specialists to enter respective contributions to said development of said color product.

46. The method of claim 45, further comprising providing choices in said data entry display screens to said color product development specialists in response to said compatibility of at least one physical characteristic with said first color.

47. The method of claim 45, further comprising providing choices in said data entry display screens to said color product development specialists in response to said respective contributions to said development of said color product.

48. The method of claim 35, wherein said at least two color product specialists include at least one of a customer, a designer, a color separator, a printer, an ink manufacturer, a customer, a formulation chemist, a color compounder, a plastics molder, a pigment manufacturer, a dye manufacturer, a dyer, a retailer, a garment designer, a textile designer, an architectural designer, an interior designer, a painting contractor, and a paint supplier.

49. The method of claim 35, said receiving step further comprising using a color measuring device.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein said color measuring device is a spectrocolorimeter.

51. The method of claim 35, wherein said global communication network is the Internet.

52. The method of claim 35, further comprising electronically communicating said first color information using a direct dial-up connection.

85. The method of claim 35, wherein said incompatibility warning is delivered via a user interface.

53. A system to develop a color product, said system comprising:

a database storing development information, said development information including characteristics related to development of a plurality of color products;

a first software facility receiving first color information, said first color information including at least a first color;

a second software facility identifying first development information in said database, said first development information including at least said first color;

a third software facility receiving at least one physical characteristic of said color product; and

a fourth software facility using said first development information to determine whether said at least one physical characteristic is compatible with said first color,

whereby development of the color product is either;

(a) halted if a physical characteristic is not compatible with said first color, or

(b) continued, and an incompatibility warning may be reported by said system.

54. The system of claim 53, further comprising a communication network wherein at least two color product development specialists communicate said first development information using said communication network.

55. The system of claim 54, wherein said communicated first development information includes a pointer to said first development information.

56. The system of claim 53, wherein said received first color information is in a first format.

57. The system of claim 53, wherein at least one of said characteristics is a color characteristic.

58. The system of claim 57, wherein said development information further includes said color characteristic stored in a plurality of formats.

59. The system of claim 58, wherein said plurality of formats comprise at least one of visual spectral data, CIEXYZ, CIELAB, CIELUV, CIEUVW, color space, chromaticity coordinates xy, u′

v′ and

uv, computer graphics triplets including RGB, CMYK, HLS, HIS, HSV and HVC, Munsell notation, Swedish Natural Color System notation, ColorCurve notation, RAL notation, Pantone color number, DIC color number, Color Marketing Group color name, and Color Association of the United States color name.

60. The system of claim 53, wherein said first color information is translated from a first format to a second format.

61. The system of claim 60, further comprising:

a communication network wherein at least two color product development specialists communicate said first color development information using said communication network; and

said first development information being in a third format in response to at least one characteristic corresponding to at least one of said at least two color product development specialists, and wherein said characteristic is a characteristic of a device used by at least one of said at least two color product development specialists to generate a visibly perceptible representation of said first color.

62. The system of claim 61, wherein said third format is said first format.

63. The system of claim 53, further comprising a fifth software facility for generating a visibly perceptible representation of said first color in response to said first color information.

64. The system of claim 53, wherein said characteristics include at least one substrate characteristic.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein said characteristics include an ability of said color product to resist at least one of water, solvent, acid, alkali, temperature, humidity, abrasion, crocking, bending, light, and ultraviolet radiation.

66. The system of claim 65, further comprising a fifth software facility for generating a visibly perceptible representation of said first color in response to said at least one substrate characteristic.

67. The system of claim 53, further comprising a sixth software facility for printing said color product using said first color.

68. The system of claim 67, wherein said sixth software facility provides for at least one of flexographic printing, offset printing, and gravure printing methods.

69. The system of claim 53, wherein said third software facility further provides for using a color measuring device.

70. The system of claim 69, wherein said color measuring device is at least one of a spectrocolorimeter, a spectrodensitometer, a calorimeter, and a spectrophotometer.

71. The system of claim 53, wherein said second software facility further provides for selecting said first color information from a plurality of retrievable samples located in at least one electronic color library.

72. The system of claim 71, wherein said at least one electronic color library is set forth on at least one site processor.

73. The system of claim 53, further comprising a global communication network for communicating said first color information.

74. The system of claim 73, wherein said global communication network is the Internet.

75. The system of claim 53, further comprising a direct dial-up connection for communicating said first color information.

76. The system of claim 53, further comprising access to said database to at least two color product development specialists.

77. The system of claim 76, wherein said at least two color product development specialists include at least one of a customer, a designer, a color separator, a printer, and an ink manufacturer.

78. The system of claim 76, wherein said database comprises data entry display screens enabling said at least two color product development specialists to enter their respective contributions to said development of said color product.

79. The system of claim 78, wherein said data entry display screens provide choices in to said color product development specialists in response to said respective contributions to said development of said color product.

80. The system of claim 79, wherein at least one of said first, second, third and fourth software facility notifies said color product development specialists to stop development of said color product in response to said respective contributions to said development of said color product.

81. The system of claim 80, wherein said at least one of said first, second, third and fourth software facility notifies said color product development specialists to revise said development of said color product in response to said respective contributions to said development of said color product.

82. The system of claim 78, wherein said data entry display screens provide choices to said color product specialists in response to said compatibility of at least one physical characteristic with said first color.

83. The system of claim 53, wherein said incompatibility warning is delivered via a user interface.

84. The system of claim 82, wherein said at least one of said first, second, third and fourth software facility notifies said color product development specialists to revise said development of said color product in response to said compatibility of said at least one physical characteristic with said color.