Method for representing true colors with device-dependent colors on surfaces and for producing paints and coatings matching the true colors

• US 7,474,314 B2
• Filed: 01/10/2005
• Issued: 01/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Columbia Insurance Company (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Columbia Insurance Company (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Chong, Patrick Tak Fu, Minchew, Carl
• Primary Examiner(s): Sajous; Wesner
• Application Number:
  US11/032,248
• Publication Number:
  US 20060155519A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,457 Days
• Field of Search: 345/581, 345589-594, 345/597, 345600-604, 345629-630, 345/22, 345/39, 345/41, 345 44- 48, 345/77, 345 63- 64, 345/82, 345/84, 345 87- 88, 382162-167, 382318-319, 358515-525, 358/505, 348/93, 348 96-111, 348297-280, 348/675, 348790-792, 348801-808
• US Class Current: 345/581
• 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 3/526 for choosing a combination of different colours, e.g. to produce a pleasing effect for an observer
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce

Abstract

A method for selecting paints is disclosed. This method includes the steps of selecting true paint colors, displaying device-dependent colors corresponding to the true paint colors in a simulated full size room and interacting with the buyers to change the displayed colors and select the desired colors. The method also includes the step of dispensing paints corresponding to the selected colors. The displayed colors are generated by multiple color and/or white LEDs to provide a wider gamut of displayable colors and more color saturation and chromatic. A full-size apparatus for displaying paint colors using device-dependent colors is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for selecting a paint comprising the steps of

(a) providing a first device-independent color;

(b) displaying a first device-dependent color having a color coordinate substantially matching the color coordinate of the first device-independent color, by combining at least five non-repeating primary colors to substantially match the color coordinate of the first device-independent color;

(c) selecting second device-dependent color wherein the device-dependent colors are controlled by a controller or a CPU; and

(d) selecting a paint having a second device-independent color that has a color coordinate substantially matching the color coordinate of the second device-dependent color.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first device-dependent color and the second device-dependent color have substantially the same color coordinate.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first device-dependent color and the second device-dependent color have different color coordinates.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the additional steps of (e) obtaining the user'"'"'s input concerning the displayed device-dependent color and (f) displaying another device-dependent color based on the user'"'"'s input after step (b).

5. The method of claim 4, wherein steps (e) and (f) are repeated until step (c) occurs.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the second device-dependent color and said another device-dependent color have substantially the same color coordinate.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises the step of scanning a bar code representing the first device-independent color.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises the step of providing a voice recognition device to receive the first device-independent color.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises the step of providing a spectrographic scanner to scan a color.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises the step of providing a plurality of LEDs to provide the device-dependent color.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the LEDs comprise color LEDs.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the LEDs comprise at least one white LED.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein step (b) comprises the step of providing a polymer light emitting device.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the color coordinates are located on a CIE chromaticity diagram.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the color coordinates are located on the 1931 CIE chromaticity diagram.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the color coordinates are located on the 1964 CIE chromaticity diagram.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the color coordinates are located on the 1976 CIELAB chromaticity diagram.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the color coordinates are located on the 1976 CIELUV chromaticity diagram.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises the step of displaying the device-dependent color on a screen with a light wherein the light displaying the device-dependent color is diffused before illuminating the screen.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the light passes through a shutter opening before illuminating the screen.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the size of the shutter opening is variable.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein at least some of the light reflects off of a back panel before illuminating the screen.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the back panel is movable relative to the screen.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein step (d) occurs proximate to step (b).

25. The method of claim 1, wherein step (d) occurs distant from step (b).

26. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of (g) displaying a finish with the device-dependent color.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein step (g) comprises the step of providing a textured surface to display the device-dependent color.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein step (g) comprises the step of illuminating a surface displaying the device-dependent color with a light simulating texture.

29. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of (h) suggesting colors that are harmonious with the displayed colors.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein step (h) further comprising selecting harmonious colors belonging to a tintometric system.

31. The method of claim 4, wherein the second device-dependent color and the another device-dependent color are provided by at least five sources of light.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the first, second and another device-dependent colors are provided by at least nine sources of light.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the first, second and another device-dependent colors are provided by at least eleven sources of light.

34. The method of claim 1, wherein step (d) further includes the step of dispensing said paint.

35. A method for selecting a paint comprising the steps of

(a) providing a first device-independent color;

(b) displaying a first device-dependent color, having a color coordinate substantially matching the color coordinate of the first device-independent color, by combining a plurality of LEDs to substantially match the color coordinate of the first device-independent color before displaying the first device-dependent color;

(c) selecting a second device-dependent color wherein the device-dependent colors are controlled by a controller or a CPU; and

(d) selecting a paint having a second device-independent color that has a color coordinate substantially matching the color coordinate of the second device-dependent color.

36. The method of claim 35 further comprising the additional steps of (e) obtaining the user'"'"'s input concerning the displayed device-dependent color and (f) displaying another device-dependent color based on the user'"'"'s input after step (b).

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the second and the another device dependent colors are provided by a plurality of LEDs.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the LEDs comprise at least one white LED.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the LEDs comprise color LEDs.

40. The method of claim 35, wherein step (b) comprises the step of displaying the device-dependent color on a screen with a light wherein the light displaying the device-dependent color is diffused before illuminating the screen.

41. The method of claim 35 further comprising the step of (g) displaying a finish with the device-dependent color.

42. The method of claim 35 further comprising the step of (h) suggesting colors that are harmonious with the displayed colors.

43. The method of claim 35, wherein step (d) further includes the step of dispensing said paint.

44. A method for selecting a paint comprising the steps of

(a) providing a first device-independent color;

(b) displaying a first device-dependent color, having a color coordinate substantially matching the color coordinate of the first device-independent color, on a wall portion sized and dimensioned to be substantially similar to a full size wall, wherein the device-dependent color is diffused and displayed on a front surface of the wall portion, wherein the diffused device-dependent color does not directly illuminate the front surface;

(c) selecting a second device-dependent color wherein the device-dependent colors are controlled by a controller or a CPU; and

(d) selecting a paint having a second device-independent color that has a color coordinate substantially matching the color coordinate of the second device-dependent color.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein step (b) comprises the step of providing at least five light sources to provide the device-dependent color.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein step (b) comprises the step of providing a plurality of LEDs to provide the device-dependent color.

47. The method of claim 44, further comprising the additional steps of (e) obtaining the user'"'"'s input concerning the displayed device-dependent color and (f) displaying another device-dependent color based on the user'"'"'s input after step (b).

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the second and the another device dependent colors are displayed on a wall portion sized and dimensioned to be substantially similar to a full size wall, wherein the device-dependent colors are displayed uniformly on a front surface of the wall portion.

49. The method of claim 44, wherein step (b) comprises the step of displaying the device-dependent color on a screen with a light wherein the light displaying the device-dependent color is diffused before illuminating the screen.

50. The method of claim 44 further comprising the step of (g) displaying a finish with the device-dependent color.

51. The method of claim 44 further comprising the step of (h) suggesting colors that are harmonious with the displayed colors.