Method and apparatus for approving color samples

Abstract

A color approval system that facilitates the use of electronic color submissions. The electronic color submissions contain reflectance values for a physical color sample to be submitted for approval. The system includes a data storage area accessible by a submitter of the electronic color sample and a reviewer of the color sample. The submitter upload the submission to the data storage area, from which the reviewer retrieves the submission and replies with an acceptance or rejection, typically via e-mail. The system provides tools for the analysis of the electronic color sample and automatic formation of acceptances and rejections.

1 . A method for approving a color, the method comprising: 
 analyzing an electronic color submission with software tools;    checking at least one reason for rejection from a list of reasons;    automatically preparing a response to the electronic color submission based on the reasons checked; and    electronically sending the response to a vendor associated with the color submission.    
     
     
         2 . A method, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the step of analyzing the electronic color submission comprises: 
 simulating the appearance of the color submission under a plurality of lights.    
     
     
         3 . A method, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the step of analyzing the electronic color submission comprises: 
 generating a CIE a*−b* plot comparing a color standard with the color submission.    
     
     
         4 . A method, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the step of analyzing the electronic color submission comprises: 
 simulating the appearance of the color submission on a plurality of textures.    
     
     
         5 . A method as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 scanning a color sample to obtain reflectance values;    preparing the electronic color submission using the reflectance values; and    storing the electronic color submission in a location accessible by the software tools.    
     
     
         6 . A method, as set forth in  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 calibrating the device used to scan the color sample based on a master scanning device.    
     
     
         7 . A method, as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the step of storing comprises: 
 transmitting, via the Internet, the electronic color submission to a server accessible by the software tools.    
     
     
         8 . A method, as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the step of storing comprises: 
 e-mailing the electronic color submission to an account accessible by the software tools.    
     
     
         9 . A method for approving a color, the method comprising: 
 using a software routine to compare first reflectance values of a desired color with reflectance values contained in a plurality of electronic color submissions and identifying those electronic submission that are acceptable and those electronic submissions that are unacceptable;    automatically preparing a responses to the acceptable and unacceptable electronic color submissions based on the comparison; and    electronically sending the responses to a vendors associated with the color submissions.    
     
     
         10 . A method, as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the software also identifying marginal electronic color submissions that require an operator's review to determine whether such submissions are acceptable or unacceptable.  
     
     
         11 . A method, as set forth in  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 analyzing the marginal electronic color submissions with software tools;    checking acceptance or at least one reason for rejection from a list of reasons; and    automatically preparing a response to the electronic color submission based on the acceptance or reasons checked.    
     
     
         12 . A method, as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the step of analyzing the electronic color submission comprises: 
 simulating the appearance of the color submission under a plurality of lights.    
     
     
         13 . A method, as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the step of analyzing the electronic color submission comprises: 
 generating a CIE a*−b* plot comparing a color standard with the color submission.    
     
     
         14 . A method, as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the step of analyzing the electronic color submission comprises: 
 simulating the appearance of the color submission on a plurality of textures.    
     
     
         15 . A method as set forth in  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 scanning a color sample to obtain reflectance values;    preparing the electronic color submission using the reflectance values; and    storing the electronic color submission in a location accessible by the software tools.    
     
     
         16 . A method, as set forth in  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 calibrating the device used to scan the color sample based on a master scanning device.    
     
     
         17 . A method, as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the step of storing comprises: 
 transmitting, via the Internet, the electronic color submission to a server accessible by the software tools.    
     
     
         18 . A method, as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the step of storing comprises: 
 e-mailing the electronic color submission to an account accessible by the software tools.    
     
     
         19 . A system for approving a color, the system comprising: 
 a first computing device associated with a submitter of a color sample, the first computing device programmed to prepare a submission containing an electronic representation of the color sample;    a first data storage location that receives the submission;    a second computing device associated with an approver of the color sample, the second computing device programmed to compare the submission with an expected color and assist the approver by automatically preparing a rejection to the electronic color submission based on at least one reason indicated by the approver; and    a second data storage location that receives the rejection, the second data storage location accessible by the first computing device.    
     
     
         20 . The system, as set forth in  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 a first spectrophotometer associated with the first computing device that generates reflectance values of the color sample for inclusion with the submission.    
     
     
         21 . The system, as set forth in  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 a third computing device that prepares a request for a submission;    a third data storage location that receives the request, the third data storage location accessible by the first computing device.    
     
     
         22 . The system, as set forth in  claim 21 , further comprising: 
 a first spectrophotometer associated with the first computing device that generates reflectance values of the color sample for inclusion with the submission.    
     
     
         23 . The system, as set forth in  claim 22 , further comprising: 
 a second spectrophotometer associated with the third computing device that generates reflectance values of the expected color for inclusion with the submission.    
     
     
         24 . The system, as set forth in  claim 23 , further comprising: 
 calibration software that calibrates the first spectrophotometer to the second spectrophotometer.    
     
     
         25 . The system, as set forth in  claim 24 , wherein the calibration software creates a plurality of correction factors that can be applied to the output of the first spectrophotometer to transform the output to simulate the output of the second spectrophotometer.