Abstract: The present invention is a method and associated apparatus for transforming the color-image signals of a color image reproduction system to an intermediary image metric, defined in terms of colorimetric properties not necessarily corresponding to the colorimetric properties associated with either the system's input or output device, such that nonlinear transformations of all the individual image-bearing signal components, each encoded in terms of the intermediary image metric, result in desirable shadow-to-highlight characteristics for all colored objects of interest.

Abstract: Methods and means are described for producing intermediary image-bearing signals and/or encoded data, compatible for subsequent imaging applications, from disparate and inherently incompatible types of input imaging devices and media. Consideration is given to the input and output image viewing environment in terms of its illuminant spectral energy distribution, amount of viewing flare light, surround type, and adaptive white point chromaticities. Application of the methods and means of the invention produces intermediary image-bearing signals and/or data that can be output onto any of a plurality of image-receptive media and/or image-forming devices such that any output image will match the appearance of any input image. Intermediary data for images or portions thereof derived from disparate input media and/or devices may be merged together to produce composite images of homogeneous and appropriate appearance.

Abstract: An image signal transform mechanism employs one or more composite transforms that convert image bearing-signals corresponding to unrendered input images into output device-associated colorimetry values. Through a first sequence of transformations, the image bearing signals are related to database color encoding values. The database color encoding values incorporate corresponding colorimetric values required to match, in an encoding viewing environment, the appearance of the images in the input viewing environment. Through a second transformation sequence the database color encoding values are transformed into modified colorimetry values in terms of a viewing environment. Through a third transformation sequence, the modified colorimetry values are related to the output device-associated colorimetry values. The at least one composite transform (e.g., a single transform) is representative of plural transformations (all or some) within the first, second and third transformations sequences.

Abstract: A color management system that converts or transforms color signals between device dependent color spaces and a device-independent space using reference image viewing conditions for the device-independent space. A device transform converts input color signals of an input image in an input space into device-independent color signals and a visual adaption transform converts the device-independent input color signals into device-independent signals that take into account the input viewing conditions, the reference viewing conditions and adaption characteristics of the human visual system to the standard viewing conditions. This provides intermediate signals which represent device independent corresponding colorimetric values that would be required to visually match the appearance of the input image, as seen in its input viewing conditions under the defined reference viewing conditions of the device independent space.