Color selection and coordination system

Abstract

A distributed color selection and coordination system including a remote computer communicatively coupled to a server. The remote computer configured to select a starting color and access a database in the server to find one or more complementary colors. The colors in the database arranged in a predetermined relationship with other colors in the database, the relationship between colors based on color theory. The remote computer being capable of storing personal information and color selections on the server. An in-store kiosk is communicatively coupled to the server and configured to execute color selection and coordination software. The in-store kiosk being capable of retrieving stored personal information and color selections from the server which was previously stored from the remote computer.

1 . A computerized method for assisting a user with color selection via selection operations performed on a computer controlled display comprising the steps of: 
 presenting the user with a first display of a plurality of color ranges;    responding to user selection of a first of said ranges on said first display by providing the user with a second display comprising a plurality of colors in a selected sub-range within said first range, said second display further providing a first link enabling the user to change the color range, a second link enabling the user to select a plurality of shades of white associated with said first range, and a third link to a display screen enabling fine of tuning one of the colors in said sub-range after selection of that one color by the user;    responding to selection of said second link to present the user with a display comprising a plurality said shades of white each shade appearing in a respective one of a plurality of regions, each of said regions comprising a link for selecting the particular shade of white associated with said region; and    responding to user selection of said third link by presenting the user with a display screen on which the user may activate at least one fine tune operation with respect to a selected color.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of ranges comprises a range of reds, a range of oranges, a range of yellows, a range of greens, a range of blues and a range of purples.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said sub-range comprises a column of shades of one of said plurality of ranges.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein each said column comprises 23 shades.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said second display further comprises at least one icon selectable to cause display of a second sub-range within said first range.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 2  wherein each of said ranges is represented on said first display by a corresponding button.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein each of said first and second sub-ranges comprise a set of a plurality of shades of said first range.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein upon selection of said first link a table slides into view presenting a plurality of section buttons, each button corresponding to one of said color ranges.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein upon selection of said second link the selected sub-range moves and reduces in size, thereby creating space for display of said plurality of shades of white.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said plurality of shades of white comprises a 3×3 matrix of selection buttons.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein one of said plurality of ranges comprises a neutrals/blacks range and where upon selection of the neutrals/blacks range the first display of a plurality of color ranges fades away and is replaced by a display of a sub-range of the neutrals/blacks range.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10  further including a color selection bar displayed within said neutrals/blacks sub-range, said bar enabling the user to select display of a second sub-range of neutrals/blacks.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of ranges further include a range of whites and further including the step of responding to user selection of said range of whites to provide the user with a display of a sub-range of whites.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said display screen further enables user activation of a plurality of fine tune operations on said display screen, said operations including more bright, less bright, darker and lighter.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said at least one fine tune operation comprises one of the following operations: more bright, less bright, lighter or darker.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13  where said display of a sub-range of whites further includes a presentation of a white fine tune selection button.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising responding to user selection of said white fine tune selection button by presenting the user with a display on which the user may activate at least one fine tune operation with respect to a selected shade of white.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said at least one fine tune operation comprises one of the following operations: warmer, or cooler.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 11  further including a fine tune selection button presented with said display of neutrals/blacks.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 11  further including the step of responding to user selection of said neutrals/blacks fine tune button by presenting the user with a display on which the user may activate at least one neutrals/blacks fine tune operation.