EP1766352A1

EP1766352A1 - Method and system for automatic color determination and corresponding computer programme and computer-readable storage medium

Info

Publication number: EP1766352A1
Application number: EP05756360A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jörg Christian MÜLLER
Original assignee: Axana-Mueller Susi; Mueller Jorg Christian
Current assignee: Axana-Mueller Susi
Priority date: 2004-07-06
Filing date: 2005-06-29
Publication date: 2007-03-28
Also published as: WO2006002978A1; DE102004033585A8; US20080044082A1; CA2572657A1; DE102004033585A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and system for automatic color determination and a computer programme and computer-readable storage medium associated thereto, which may find application particularly in the field of electronic commerce. The invention enables, for example, a provider to specify the correct color of a merchandise so that a client is able to find, order and purchase said merchandise in a targeted manner. According to the invention, at least one color to be determined is recorded in a computer-readable form, together with one or more reference colors, as for example the shades of grey G1 to G16, the colors red, yellow, blue, white and/or black. A computer programme installed on a data processing unit reads the recorded data, compares the recorded data of at least part of the reference colors with the stored comparative values of said reference colors, and then determines automatically the one (or more) color(s) which is (are) to be determined by evaluating at least part of the recorded data relative to the color to be determined and at least part of the differential values resulting from the comparison of the read data and the stored comparative values.

Description

Method and system for the automatic determination of colors and a corresponding computer program and a corresponding computer-readable storage medium

The invention relates to a method and a system for the automatic determination of colors as well as a corresponding computer program and a corresponding computer-readable storage medium which can be used in particular in online commerce. For example, the invention allows a provider to indicate the correct color of goods so that a customer can find, order and purchase them in a targeted manner. Deployment devices are, in particular, personal computers with scanners or digital cameras, but also camera phones with sufficient resolution or photo PDAs, color faxes or other telecommunication devices. Conventionally, so-called Farb¬ subjects are used for color determination. Such color fans comprise a number of colors, the colors being in accordance with recognized color systems, such as e.g. As Pantone or RAL color system, are designed. For example, a RAL Classic color fan contains 190 to 210 colors. These color boxes are held next to the color to be determined, and the color of the pattern or object is determined by comparison with the naked eye by assigning the color code to the color of the subject closest to the color to be determined. The disadvantage of this method is, above all, that a very subjective assessment is made here, wherein errors caused by artificial light or misjudgments can not be excluded in extreme cases by color blindness.

Another conventional method for automatic color determination is the so-called photospectrometer method, via a holographic diffraction grating which is used, for example, to assess the quality of coatings, printouts or the quality of the color representation of monitors or displays. In this procedure, using a reader the printout or screen playback of defined colors is scanned and compared with reference data from various DIN, ISO or Fogra test charts. From the deviations, the quality is determined. The disadvantage of this method is, in particular, that while spectral absolute values of colors can be determined therewith, the presupposed knowledge, the computational effort, as well as the hardware and software costs are unaffordable and impractical for normal users.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a handy and inexpensive method and a system for the automatic determination of colors as well as a corresponding computer program and a corresponding computer-readable storage medium, which remedy the above-mentioned deficiencies and in particular allow the correct absolute value to be normal available means (such as PC, digicam, Internet) of colors auto¬ matically determine.

This object is achieved by the features in claims 1, 16, 20 to 26, 28 and 29. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are contained in the subclaims.

A particular advantage of the method according to the invention for the automatic determination of colors is that the correct color is determined independently of color distortions in color imports or a digital recording by at least one color to be determined together with one or more reference colors, such as gray levels Gl bis G16, red, yellow, blue, white and / or black, is computer-readable, a computer program installed on a data processing device reads the recorded data, compares recorded data of at least part of the reference colors with stored reference values of the reference colors, the color (s) to be determined are determined automatically by evaluating at least part of the recorded data of the color to be determined and of at least a part of the difference values between read-in data and stored comparison values determined in the comparison.

To record the color (s) to be determined and the reference color (s), it is advantageous, for example, to use a PC with a commercially available digital camera or a scanner. Other uses include modern smartphones or PDAs with high-resolution camera, color fax or other recording devices. The import of colors to be determined is advantageously carried out, for example, from commercially available visualization, graphics or CAD software. A system for the automatic determination of colors is advantageously arranged in such a way that it has means for recording colors,

at least one data processing device, means for data input and output, means for data storage, at least one computer program installed on the data processing device, wherein the means for recording colors dyes at least one color to be determined together with one or more reference colors, such as grayscale Gl to G16, red, yellow, blue, white and / or black, computer-readable records, the computer program

- Read in the recorded data, comparing recorded data of at least a part of the reference colors with stored reference values of the reference colors, automatically determining the color (s) to be determined by evaluating at least part of the recorded data of the color to be determined and of at least one part determines the difference values between read-in data and stored comparison values determined in the comparison, and the system at least outputs the determined color (s) via means for data output and / or makes them available on a means for data storage.

A computer program for automatic color determination allows a computer, after being loaded into the memory of the computer, to perform a method of automatically determining colors, whereby computer readable data of at least one color to be determined is colored together with one or more reference colors in that, for example, gray levels G1 to G16, red, yellow, blue, white and / or black are read in, recorded data of at least part of the reference colors are compared with stored reference values of the reference colors, - the color (s) to be determined (n ) is determined automatically by evaluating at least part of the recorded data of the color to be determined and of at least a part of the difference values determined between the read-in data and stored comparison values in the comparison.

For example, these computer programs (for a fee or free of charge, freely accessible or password-protected) can be made available in a downloadable manner in a data or communication network. The computer programs thus provided can then be utilized by a method in which a computer program according to claim 21 or 24 is downloaded from an electronic data network such as, for example, from the Internet to a data processing device connected to the data network. In order to carry out an automatic determination of colors, advantageously a computer-readable storage medium is used on which a program is stored which, after having been loaded into the memory of the computer, enables a computer to carry out a method for automatically determining colors, in which computer-readable data of at least one color to be determined together with one or more reference colors, such as gray levels G1 to G16, red, yellow, blue, white and / or black, are read in, recorded data of at least part of the reference colors with stored data Comparison of the reference colors are compared, the color (s) to be determined automatically by evaluating at least a portion of the recorded data of the color to be determined and at least a portion of the determined in the comparison difference values between read data and stored comparison values is determined )

A preferred embodiment of the inventive method provides that the computer program the data of Referenz¬ colors and / or the color (s) to be determined automatically z. B. finds by pattern comparison of colored areas within the recorded recorded data, or the colors identified on the basis of the order of their input as a reference color and / or color to be determined. This offers the particular advantage that the color determination is done without user intervention.

Often it is advantageous to carry out the color determination with a low computational effort. Another preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention therefore provides that the recorded colors by means of Daten¬ output, such. As a monitor or display, visualized, and one or more reference colors and / or color to be determined (s) via means for data entry such. For example, a computer mouse is (are) set. The advantage of this approach is that by defining the colors via input means, computing capacity is saved which would otherwise be required to perform a pattern comparison for determining reference color (s) and / or color (s) to be determined. It is furthermore advantageous if the automatic determination of the color (s) to be determined comprises averaging of recorded data of the color to be determined and / or of the reference color. Such a procedure proves to be particularly useful if the colors are to be passed through data entry means such as a computer mouse, then it is provided that the computer program evaluates a number of pixels from the environment of the mouse-click position, e.g. Eg unicolours without pattern 9x9 = 81 pixels have been found to be favorable. This can compensate for errors that led to incorrectly colored pixels during recording.

A further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention therefore provides that reference contrast values are read in in addition to the reference colors.

For a particularly simple use of the method according to the invention, it is provided that the reference color (s) and / or reference contrast values to be read in on a carrier element, such as a printed card, or as a file (eg as a PDF version of the printed card) with device independent printing information for calibrated printing systems. A user of the method according to the invention can thus produce a carrier element with reference color (s) and / or reference contrast values to be read in by printing out the file with the device-independent printing information. Using calibrated print systems to print the file will ensure that the correct reference colors are printed as well. For a quick evaluation of the recording of the colors, it proves to be advantageous if the reference colors and / or reference contrast values are arranged on the carrier element in a predetermined pattern. This can take place, for example, in the following form, such that the reference colors, reference contrast values and the color (s) to be determined are arranged on the carrier element as concentric circular rings and by mouse click a position on the carrier element, such as the center of the through the circular rings formed computer program is entered, wherein the computer program determined based on the carrier element vor¬ given pattern and the position data to reference colors, reference contrast values and / or the (s) to be determined color (s) recorded data.

Another embodiment provides that the reference colors and / or reference contrast values are arranged on the carrier element as Kreis¬ sectors and the (s) to be determined (s) color (s) at a vor¬ given position, by a first mouse click the center of the by the circular sectors The position of the color (s) to be determined is entered into the computer program by means of a second mouse click, the computer program determining the reference colors, reference contrast values and / or the reference value based on the pattern and position data given on the carrier element determining color (s) of recorded data.

A further embodiment of the carrier element provides that an opening is located in the center of circularly arranged reference contrast values, through which the color to be determined is visible, and the reference colors are arranged in a predetermined, well-defined manner relative to the reference contrast values. For this embodiment, the input of color (s) to be determined and of the data required for determining the orientation of the carrier element takes place completely analogously by a mouse click into the center of the circularly arranged reference contrast values (definition of the position of the color to be determined (n )) and another mouse click to a second, defined point, whereby the orientation of the support element is specified.

It has also proven to be advantageous that the comparison values of the reference colors are stored in one or more databases, wherein the databases color representations according to at least one color system such as CIELAB color spaces, ICC or sRGB color space, RAL color systems, Natural Color System (NCS), Pantone and / or Dumont color atlas. In order to be as precise as possible and to allocate In addition, at least the largest possible color database with references should be used to ensure color (s).

It also proves advantageous if the recorded data are read in by means for data input and these means for data input are provided by means for data transmission, such as the Internet, wireless communication networks or the like, with the data processing device which the evaluation computer program is installed. This is particularly advantageous if, for example, customers of online actions record the color to be determined together with a calibration card with a digital camera or a scanner, enter the image data into a computer and send this data to a remotely located, central server on which the software for the evaluation of the color data is installed, and from the central server the particular color, possibly chargeable, is transmitted back to the customer. Color data can also be recorded with a camera phone and sent directly to the central server via MMS.

A special application of the method is, for example, in teleshopping. In order to enable the customer to obtain an exact color match, the provider of the goods presents this together with a calibration card. The color data are recorded by the camera and transmitted via telecommunications to the customer's terminal (television, computer monitor or color display on mobile phone or PDA or similar). The customer saves the presentation, z. B. by a so-called screenshot, and in turn transmits the data for evaluation to the evaluation computer program, which can be installed on its own computer or on a remote, central Datenverarbeitungseinrich¬ device (server). This allows an automatic, exact color determination independently of the location of the communication partners (provider, customer). For data transmission, in particular - the Internet in general,

Intranetworks or limited networks, Local Area Networks (LAN),

- Wireless LAN (WLAN) via hotspots, fax connections (color protocol),

- ISDN direct dial-in, - Analog modem direct dial-in,

- cable and / or satellite television,

Power cable with modulated data signal (Powerline), analogue / digital radio links,

- GSM (= Global System for Mobile Communications) in different frequency ranges,

- GPRS (= General Packet Radio Service),

HSCSD (High Speed Circuit Switched Data),

- UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System),

- Bluetooth / IrDA (= Infrared Data Association), - ADSL (= asymmetry Digital Subscriber Loop) or satellite DSL or

- Mixed forms or new developments of these types of transmission are used.

In another preferred embodiment of the inventive method it is provided that the Datenverarbeitungs¬ device is connected by means for data exchange with at least one database and the determined color (s) associated with other data and outputs and / or retrievable ready¬ provides. In particular, in the Internet trade in clothing or fashion goods, it is a particular advantage if the other data include information on comparable colors from other color catalogs such as manufacturers and / or color suggestions for combination with the (the) determined color (s). For the visual (digital) representation on the Internet for online commerce, it is advantageous if after comparing at least a portion of the reference colors with stored reference values of the reference colors caused by the recording distortions of digital color representations are corrected automatically, for. By shadow or reflection calculations. This gives the potential customers a true impression of the actual color design of the samples or goods. Another method for automatically determining colors is to compare computer readable data of a color displayed in a first color system or color space, such as ICC, sRGB or HTML or the like, with color representations of at least one second color system or color space and to determine the color of the color the first color system / color space that color from the second color system / color space or from one of the second color systems / color spaces is determined, which results according to a predetermined distance definition the smallest distance value .DELTA.E to the color of the first color system / color space, and / or that color from the second Color system / color space or from one of the second color systems / color spaces is determined, which corresponds to the color of the first color system / color space to be determined according to a predetermined assignment specification. This is particularly beneficial when importing colors from visualization or graphics programs that use unknown or uncommon color representations. The color representations of the second or further color systems are advantageously present in computer form in digital form. Alternatively, digital storage media may be used with color databases accessed during the execution of the method. Likewise, a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention provides that the computer-readable data of the color displayed in a first color system or color space are generated by a computer program such as a graphics program or obtained by import from computer programs or databases rather than by scanning or digital photography , The import of colors to be determined is advantageously carried out, for example, from commercially available visualization, graphics or CAD software. By automatic distance calculation, for example by interpolation, or by evaluation of assignment matrices or assignment tables, the color of a known or standard color system which best corresponds to the "unknown" color can be determined using the proposed method according to the invention as beneficial if the assignment rule is stored in at least one assignment matrix and / or at least one assignment table whose entries assign each color of the first color system / color space a color of a second color system / color space. The distance definition used is a calculation rule which calculates from the values of the color representations (color codes) in a first color system / color space a distance value ΔE to colors in a second color system / color space. It also proves to be advantageous if a distance threshold is introduced. If the calculation rule only supplies distance values ΔE which are greater than the distance threshold, this means that there is no comparable color in the second color system / color space. In this case, the system proposes several colors of the second color system / color space. Such a proposal also occurs when two colors of the second color system / color space have the same distance to a color of the first color system / color space.

One method of using a method for the automatic determination of colors is that of a supplier of a method for the automatic determination of colors, a carrier element on which at least one reference color, such as gray levels G1 to G1, red, yellow, blue, white and / or or black, a user of the method for the automatic determination of colors computer-readable record at least one color to be determined together with one or more arranged on the carrier element reference colors, transmits the computer-readable recorded data to the provider and the provider for a fee the to determine color (s) by evaluating the transmitted data by means of a computer program installed on a data processing device, the computer program reads in the transmitted, computer-read recorded data, - recorded data of at least a part of Comparing reference colors with stored comparison values of the reference colors, the color (s) to be determined are automatically determined by evaluating at least part of the recorded data of the color to be determined and of at least part of the difference values between read data and stored comparison values determined in the comparison, and the determined color (s) to the User submitted and / or retrievable on a data store provides.

It proves to be particularly advantageous if the possibility of transmitting the computer-readable recorded data to the provider is offered as a service in other computer programs such as, for example, online shopping or auctioning systems. A customer of such an online shopping or auction system can then transmit the recordings of his articles (which were recorded together with the support element) to the service provider "color determination", for example by uploading the digitized image to one Server on which an automatic color matching computer program is installed After the automatic color determination, the results can be made available to the user and / or automatically processed further in the online shopping or auction system by, for example, Further applications are possible in teleshopping with digital television, where images can be stored, analyzed with color comparison charts and colors can be determined or offered as binding.

The use of smartphones, camera phone or photo PDA with the appropriate camera resolution and transmission speed (eg UMTS) is provided with this automatic color determination. Color fax machines are another way of entering data for further use on the PC.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the figures of the drawings of an embodiment. It shows: 1 shows a representation of a first calibration card as an exemplary carrier element, "3C" card-1 (COLOR CALIBRATION CHART 1),

Fig. 2 is an illustration of a second calibration card as an exemplary carrier element, "3C" card-2 (COLOR

CALIBRATION CHART 2),

3 is an illustration of the first step in an exemplary method for the automatic determination of colors, this first step serving to determine the position of the reference colors.

4 shows an illustration of the second step in the exemplary method, this second step serving to determine the position of the color to be determined, FIG. 5 depicting an exemplary output of the determined color and additional data.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail by way of example with reference to the special case of using a carrier element with 24 reference colors (cf., FIG. 1). It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described below, but rather the calculation bases and / or reference colors can be provided just as well in another way. For example, the carrier element shown in FIG. 2 - a calibration card Ia with five reference colors can also be used.

In the following exemplary embodiment, on which the calibration card 1 shown in FIG. 1 is based, as the exemplary support element is to be referred to below, exactly defined printing inks are used as reference colors: left a circle with 16 gray levels from pure white W to black N , inside (offset with neutral gray) a recess 2 for determining the pattern color, diameter 35 mm. On the right are the colored squares 3 (20x20 mm) with the colors: black N, cyan C, magenta M and yellow yellow Y. (Usually white and black are not added to the colors, but to the colors To facilitate the following explanations, white and black are also to be referred to as colors in the context of this description.) Furthermore, the calibration card 1 has on the right edge a second circle 4 of 20 mm with reference contrast values (pure white W and black N). The lower color reference squares 5 are each provided with four user-oriented color references (leaf green F14, sky blue F6, rose red F9 and pink skin color F13). In order to determine the color of a pattern or object 6, the user associates the calibration card 1 with the pattern or object 6 in such a way that the color to be determined is visible through the recess 2 in the center of the contrast circle (see Figures 3 and 4). , The user then picks up this arrangement of sample / object 6 and calibration card 1 with a digital camera or a scanner.

In successful experiments, images were taken with a resolution of 1280 x 1024 pixels. The size of the calibration card 1 was about one-eighth of the total recording (about 320 x 256 pixels). The data format used was JPG with a color depth of 24 bits (= 16.7 million colors). Alternatively, higher resolutions and other uncompressed formats such as TIF may be used. Optimal results are obtained when the calibration card 1 is photographed head-on and the calibration card 1 rests tightly on the pattern / object 6, otherwise z. B. by shadowing in the recess 2, the color to be determined is affected. If the calibration card 1 is received at too low an angle, unwanted effects can likewise occur. However, the exemplary computer program for automatically determining the colors is set up in such a way that it recognizes these effects and, if necessary, generates a warning or error message.

Taking pictures with a digital camera can be done in daylight or with a flash. Although the effects of these recording and / or compression methods have an effect on the reference colors and reference contrast values as well as on the color to be determined, they are nevertheless influenced by the invention Method compensated by the recorded Referenzfarb¬ data are evaluated.

After pattern / object 6 and calibration card 1 have been captured, they must be uploaded to a server in the exemplary embodiment. Subsequently, the program displays the image on the screen, as shown in FIG. If the computer program does not automatically determine the reference colors and colors to be determined, the user must inform the program about the location of reference colors and colors to be determined, for example by mouse clicks. The location of the pattern color circle is entered into the computer program by a first mouse click into the center of the circle formed by the calibration color gray levels G1 to G16 (compare the position of the cursor 13 in FIG. In the exemplary embodiment, the user is further assisted in that the first mouse click around the cursor 13 displays a circle 7 which indicates a reference point for the size of the circle formed by the calibration color gray levels G1 to G16 in the image (cf. 3). With a second mouse click into the right-hand contrast circle 4, the computer program is informed of the distance between the center of the circle formed by the calibration colors gray-scale G1 to G16 or of the recess 2 and the center of the contrast circle 4. In addition, the computer program thus also knows the alignment of the calibration card 1. The now known distance between the center of the contrast circle and the center of the right-hand contrast circle 4 causes the software automatically to enlarge or reduce the circular areas (compare the scaling arrows 14 in FIG ) and, if the Kalibrierungs¬ card 1 was recorded obliquely or upside down, in addition, the calibration card 1 rotated accordingly.

In the exemplary automatic color determination method, the computer program outputs the following data after successful computation (see Figure 5): an approximate reproduction of the particular color 8, the color name 9 from the database,

- a color number 10, z. B. RGB for monitors and / or CMYK for printers,

- a color category 11, z. As winter color, brand, Associations etc. and

- possible comparative colors 12 from other color systems.

In another exemplary embodiment, a software, for example a computer program installed on the server, is provided, wherein the software is set up in such a way that the download of calibrated color space coordinates is made possible. These color space coordinates allow the user to print out the just determined and defined colors themselves. For this purpose, the software only the necessary data for a calibrated expression must be provided, such as operating system, graphics card, monitor, printer, software used (version), color space and / or calibration. Not yet supported devices or programs are immediately added to a database used by the software, so that the database is constantly being supplemented.

The quality of this expression can be further increased if the calibration errors of the output devices are corrected. This can be achieved by carrying out the above-described expression of calibrated color space coordinates in a first step. Subsequently, it is checked, for example by means of a color chart, whether the printed color matches the calibrated color space coordinates. If there is any doubt as to whether the color was printed correctly, in a second step the printed color is recorded together with the calibration card 1. Based on this recording, the actual printed color is now determined by one of the methods described above. With the help of the possibly determined difference between the actually printed color and the color, which should have been printed under specification of the calibrated color space coordinates, can now be used for this expression used for printing. Configuration corrected color values are determined, which ensure a correct color expression.

This procedure can be repeated for each expression. However, the calibration state of the device combination is expediently determined on the basis of one or more reference colors for which the printed colors are compared with the corresponding reference color space coordinates and the entire color space is device-specifically transformed and stored on the server on the basis of the results of this comparison. There it is then available for a calibrated expression which ensures - assuming the same device configuration is used - that the correct color is printed out by correcting the calibration errors of the device configuration by the use of the transformed color space coordinates.

If the computer configuration used for a calibrated printout by the server is not (yet) supported, a calibrated color sample can be automatically printed on the front of a postcard during color determination and after registration and sent to the user by post. The back of this postcard can be configured as calibration card 1. Such a practice would assist in the spread of the calibration card 1.

These two possibilities of the calibrated expression are used inter alia. automatically checking the correct color determination - if you've taken or uploaded the photo yourself - or to automatically preserve the true color, if you've just seen the color on screen on the Internet or on TV, and you want to be sure before you buy, to get a product with the desired color.

The use of the method according to the invention can take place in different ways. A first type of use is that a user is given both calibration card 1 and the computer program according to the invention for use. As a rule, this will be done for a consideration. In this case, the user can perform the color determination himself. To carry out the method, he merely requires a computer with standard graphics software and a digital camera or scanner. Another type of use consists in providing the user with only the calibration card 1 and providing the color determination as a (paid) service. For this purpose, the user only has to send the digital data of the images of pattern / object 6 together with the calibration card 1 to the service provider. Advantageously, this is done via the Internet z. B. by an e-mail or in a particularly preferred solution by simply uploading to the server of the service provider. The service provider automatically determines the color and transmits the results to the user. In a specific further embodiment, the computer program according to the invention is integrated into an online shopping or auction system. As a rule, the provider of the online shopping or auction system will then purchase the color determination as a service and make it available to its customers as a service in order to ensure an accurate description of the articles offered.

In the last two variants, the user additionally requires access to a data network; he does not have to have the computer program according to the invention in this case, a normal Internet browser is sufficient.

For the operation or to support the user guidance, the exemplary software provides the following buttons: - [OK] for inserting the specific color into the article description z. For example, when using the method in an online shopping or auctioning system, [Correction] or [Correction] to perform a new color analysis,

[Cancel] or [Cancel] to cancel the color match, [Help] or [Help] to call a help function in the search or determination by categories,

[Compare] or [Compare] to call a help function when searching for or determining comparison colors, [Add] or [Add] for multicolor patterns, [Settings] with link to the Control Panel; For example, in Windows: -> Display -> Settings -> Colors (! True

Color, 32 Bit!) -> Advanced -> Color Management -> Add

-> sRGB Color Space Profile; Alternatively, the link can also point directly to 'Colors' from the [Settings] button;

- Translation of the button according to the language of the operating system.

The invention is not limited in its embodiment to the above-mentioned preferred embodiments. Rather, a number of variants are conceivable which make use of the arrangement according to the invention and the method according to the invention even in fundamentally different embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, Ia calibration card 2 recess for pattern dye

3 colored squares

4 circle with reference contrast values

5 color reference squares

6 Pattern / Object 7 Circle around the cursor

8 reproduction of the particular color

9 color name

10 color number

11 color category 12 comparative colors from other color systems

13 cursor

14 scaling arrows

Claims

claims

1. A method for the automatic determination of colors, characterized in that at least one color to be determined is recorded computer readable together with one or more reference colors, such as gray levels G1 to G16, red, yellow, blue, white and / or black, a computer program installed on a data processing device reads in the recorded data, compares recorded data of at least part of the reference colors with stored reference values of the reference colors, automatically evaluates the color (s) to be determined by evaluating at least part of the recorded data of the color to be determined and determined from at least part of the difference values determined in the comparison between read-in data and stored comparison values.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the computer program, the data of the reference colors and / or the color (s) to be determined automatically z. B. finds by pattern comparison of colored areas within the recorded recorded data, or the colors identified on the basis of the order of their input as a reference color and / or color to be determined.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the recorded colors by means for data output, such. As a monitor or display, visualized, and one or more reference colors and / or to be determined color (s) via data entry means such as For example, a computer mouse is (are) set.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the automatic determination of the color (s) to be determined comprises averaging of recorded data of the color to be determined and / or the reference color.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in addition to the reference colors reference contrast values are read.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the einzulesende (n) reference color (s) and / or Referenz¬ contrast values provided on a support element, such as a printed card, or as a file with device-independent printing information for calibrated printing systems become.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the reference colors and / or reference contrast values are arranged on the carrier element in a predetermined pattern.

8. The method according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the reference colors, reference contrast values and the (s) to be determined color (s) are arranged on the support element as konzen¬ cal circular rings and by clicking a mouse on the support element excellent place, such as the center of the circle formed by the circular rings, is entered into the computer program, the computer program based on the on the Carrier element predetermined pattern and the position data determined to reference colors, reference contrast values and / or the color (s) to be determined recorded data.

9. The method according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the reference colors and / or Referenzkontrastwerte on the support element as circular sectors and the (s) to be determined color (s) are arranged at a predetermined position, by a first mouse click the center the position of the color (s) to be determined is entered into the computer program by means of the circle formed by the circular sectors, and the computer program determines the reference colors, reference contrast values and / or reference data based on the pattern and the position data. or the recorded color (s) to be determined.

10. The method according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the reference colors and / or Referenzkontrastwerte on the support element as circular sectors and to be determined (s) color (s) are arranged at a predetermined position, by a first mouse click the center the position of the color (s) to be determined is entered by the circle formed by the circular sectors and the position of the reference color (s) in the computer program by a second mouse click, the computer program being based on the pattern and position ¬ data determined to reference colors, Referenzkontrastwerten and / or to be determined (s) color (s) recorded data neten.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reference values of the reference colors are stored in one or more databases, wherein the databases color representations according to at least one color system such as RAL color systems, CIELAB color spaces, ICC or sRGB color space, Natural Color System (NCS), Pantone and / or Provide Dumont color atlas.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data processing device is connected by means for data exchange with at least one database and the determined color (s) associated with other data and outputs and / or retrievable provides.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the further data include information on comparable colors from other color catalogs and / or color suggestions for combining nation with the (the) determined color (s).

14. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recorded data are read by means for data input and this means for data input by means for data transmission, such as the Internet, wireless communication networks or the like, with the data processing device on which the evaluation computer program is installed, connected and / or for recording (to be determined) color (s) and the reference color (s) a visualization or graphics software with color system, a digital camera or a Scanner is used.

15. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, after the comparison of at least part of the reference colors with stored comparison values, the reference colors are automatically corrected by recording or displaying the visualization, graphics or CAD software distortions of the digital color analysis.

16. A method for automatic determination of colors, characterized in that computer-readable data of a color shown in a first color system or color space with Farbdar- positions of at least a second color system or Farb¬ space are compared and to determine the color of the first color system / color space that Color is determined from the second color system / color space or from one of the second color systems / color spaces, which results according to a predetermined distance definition the smallest distance value .DELTA.E to the color of the first color system / color space, and / or that color from the second color system / Farb¬ space or is determined from one of the second color systems / color spaces, which corresponds to the color of the first color system / color space to be determined according to a predeterminable assignment specification.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the computer-readable data of the color displayed in a first color system or color space generated by a computer program, such as a graphics program or by import from computer programs or databases - by scanning or

- be obtained through digital photography.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the assignment rule is deposited in at least one assignment matrix and / or at least one assignment table, the entries of each color of the first color code are stored. Assign a color of a second color system / color space to the system / color space.

19. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the distance definition specifies a calculation rule which calculates from the values of the color representations (color codes) in a first color system / color space a distance value ΔE to colors in a second color system / color space.

20. carrier element with reference color (s) to be read in and / or reference contrast values for use in a method for the automatic determination of colors according to one of claims 1 to 15.

21. System for the automatic determination of colors, comprising

Means for recording colors, at least one data processing device,

- means of data input and output, - means of data storage,

at least one computer program installed on the data processing device, wherein the means for recording colors records at least one color to be determined together with one or more reference colors, such as gray levels G1 to G16, red, yellow, blue, white and / or black, computer readable, the computer program reads in the recorded data, compares recorded data of at least part of the reference colors with stored reference values of the reference colors,

the color (s) to be determined are determined automatically by evaluating at least part of the recorded data of the color to be determined and of at least part of the difference values determined in the comparison between read-in data and stored comparison values, and the system outputs at least the determined color (s) via means for data output and / or makes them available on a means for data storage.

22. A computer program that allows a computer, after it has been loaded into the memory of the computer, to perform a method for the automatic determination of colors, wherein computer readable recorded data of at least one color to be determined together with one or more reference colors, such as For example, gray levels G1 to G16, red, yellow, blue, white and / or black, read in, recorded data of at least part of the reference colors are compared with stored reference values of the reference colors, and the color (s) to be determined are determined automatically Evaluation of at least part of the recorded data of the color to be determined and of at least a part of the difference values determined in the comparison between read-in data and stored comparison values is (are) determined.

23. A computer-readable storage medium having thereon stored a program that allows a computer, after being loaded into the memory of the computer, to perform a method of automatically determining colors, wherein computer-readable data of at least one color to be determined read together with one or more reference colors, such as gray levels G1 to G16, red, yellow, blue, white and / or black, recorded data of at least a part of the Refe¬ renzfarben with stored reference values of Refe¬ rence colors are compared, the color (s) to be determined automatically by evaluating at least a portion of the recorded data of the color to be determined and at least a part of is determined in the comparison of difference values between read-in data and stored comparison values.

24. A system for the automatic determination of colors, comprising at least one data processing device,

- means of data input and output,

Means for data storage, at least one computer program installed on the data processing device, the computer program comparing data stored in one or more data storage means of computer-readable data of a color displayed in a first color system or color space with color representations of at least one second color system or color space for determination determines the color of the first color system / color space that color from the second color system / color space or from one of the second color systems / color spaces, which results according to a predetermined distance definition the smallest distance value .DELTA.E to the color of the first color system / color space, and / or Determines color from the second color system / color space or from one of the second color systems / color spaces, which corresponds to the color to be determined of the first Farb¬ system / color space according to a predetermined assignment rule, and the system determines at least the e (n) outputs color (s) via means for outputting data and / or retrieving them on a means for data storage.

Computer program that allows a computer, after it has been loaded into the memory of the computer, to perform a method for the automatic determination of colors, wherein computer readable data of a color shown in a first color system or color space with Farb¬ representations at least of a second color system or color space are compared and for determining the color of the first color system / color space that color from the second color system / color space or from one of the second color systems / color spaces is determined, which according to a predetermined distance definition the smallest distance value .DELTA.E to the color of the first Color system / color space results, and / or that color from the second color system / color space or from one of the second color systems / color spaces is determined, which corresponds to the color of the first color system / color space to be determined according to a predeterminable assignment regulation.

26. Computer-readable storage medium on which a program is stored, which allows a computer, after it has been loaded into the memory of the computer durch¬ perform a method for the automatic determination of colors durch¬, with computer readable data in a first color system or Color to color represented Farbvor¬ positions of at least one second color system or color space and to determine the color of the first color system / color space that color from the second color system / color space or one of the second color systems / color spaces is determined, which according to a predetermined distance definition the the smallest distance value .DELTA.E to the color of the first color system / color space results, and / or that color from the second color system / color space or from one of the second color systems / color spaces is determined which of the color to be determined corresponds to the first color system / color space according to a predefinable assignment rule.

27. A method in which a computer program according to claim 21 or 24 is downloaded from an electronic data network, such as, for example, from the Internet, to a data processing device connected to the data network.

28. A method for using a method for the automatic determination of colors, characterized in that from a provider of a method for the automatic determination of colors, a carrier element on which at least one reference color, such as gray levels Gl to G16, red, yellow, blue , white and / or black, ange¬ is arranged, is provided, a user of the method for the automatic determination of colors at least one color to be determined together with one or more arranged on the carrier element reference colors computer-readable record the computer readable recorded data to the provider and the provider for a fee determines the color (s) to be determined by evaluating the data transmitted by means of a computer program installed on a data processing device, wherein

the computer program reads in the transmitted, computer-readable recorded data, compares recorded data of at least a part of the reference colors with stored reference values of the reference colors,

the color (s) to be determined are determined automatically by evaluating at least part of the recorded data of the color to be determined and of at least a part of the difference values determined in the comparison between read-in data and stored comparison values; determined color (s) to the User submitted and / or retrievable on a data store provides.

29. A method for using a method for the automatic determination of colors, characterized in that a provider of an automatic determination of colors is offered as a service, a user of the service at least one color to be determined computer readable created, imported and / or recorded, the computer-readable, imported and / or recorded data transmitted to the provider and the provider for a fee to determine the color (s) to be determined by evaluating the transmitted data by means of a computer program installed on a computer program, the computer program transmitted the read computer-readable, imported and / or recorded data, computer-readable data of a color shown in a first color system or color space with Farb¬ representations of at least one second color system or color space are compared and to determine the color of the first color system / color space that color from the second color system / color space or one of the second color systems / color spaces is determined which results according to a predetermined distance definition the smallest Abstands¬ value .DELTA.E to the color of the first color system / color space, and / or that color the second color system / color space or one of the second color systems / color spaces is determined which corresponds to the color of the first color system / color space to be determined according to a predefinable assignment specification and the determined color (s) are transmitted to the user and / / or retrievable on a data store.

30. The method of claim 27 or 28, characterized in that the possibility of transmitting the computer-readable, imported and / or recorded data to the provider as a service in other computer programs such as online shopping, B2B purchasing, online Aus¬ writing method or online auction systems.

31. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that the distribution of carrier elements to end customers by the provider of the method for the automatic determination of colors by mail or by the provider of the method independent company (licensee) takes place, the process for color determination on the Internet is made available on a server of the licensor, and / or centralized update and improvement options available or single user licenses with decentralized installation at the licensee with its own server ver¬ be given.