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Color Matching by Phone

Continued from page 1

By Kate Greene

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

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Color-matching algorithms have been used for years to maintain the color of images across devices such as cameras, computer monitors, and printers. And the idea of using color-matching algorithms to help people shop isn't entirely new, says Joshua Weisberg , director of digital imaging business development at Microsoft, who worked on the color-management system in Vista. Roughly nine years ago, Weisberg helped test a system that corrected the color of clothes from an online catalogue so that there was less difference between the actual color and that on the monitor. But the technology didn't take off: people had to hold up a color card to their monitor and click a few buttons to calibrate it. "We knew that it did increase the color accuracy of what would be on the monitors," Weisberg says, "but in reality, most people didn't want to spend the three minutes to do it." While it's too early to tell what impact HP's effort will have on the market, he says, "it's great that HP is investing in technology to solve color management problems. "

Bhatti says that consumers will find the color-matching technology useful in a variety of ways. A person could use the approach to find a sweater that best complements his or her skin tone, for instance. People could also take pictures of paint on their walls and compare the color to paint chips at a hardware store. Additionally, the technology could be modified for comparing the colors of furniture and rugs. But there are challenges here, Bhatti admits: fabrics and hair are prone to a phenomenon in which two colors may appear identical under one light, but not under another.

Bhatti says that HP doesn't have a timeline for bringing its color-correction product to market. She says that the company is currently "in talks" with cosmetics manufacturers, but it's not ready to announce partnerships.

Comments

  • Maybe not wanted by the companies
    If a woman typically needs to buy 3 or 4 slightly different shades of makeup in order to "get it right," then why would companies that sell makeup want to change that?  Lost sales = lost profit.

    On the other hand, skin tone typically changes between winter and summer.  And it is my understanding that different makeups are used for day and night events.  There are probably other skin tone changes due to causes to which, as a man, I am not privy.  The point is, women who wear makeup will need several shades anyway.  So maybe this should be touted as a way to _wear_ the correct shade, rather than as a way to _buy_ the correct shade.
    Rate this comment: 12345

    dmm
    07/11/2007
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    • Re: Maybe not wanted by the companies
      Maybe the make up companies themselves could use the technology to undercut the competition in the online market. I think it sounds like a great idea.
      Rate this comment: 12345

      amulekii
      07/12/2007
      Posts:10
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      • Online vs. Stores
        If cosmetic companies sold most makeup online (helped by this new technology), would they be shooting themselves in the foot?  They might make more profit in the short term by cutting out the middle-man, but then stores would probably cut back on their floor space, eliminate cosmetic counters, etc.  So you'd have girls/women walking through stores without constant brainwashing about their need for cosmetics.  Would that reduce the pool of users, and thus sales, long-term?

        On the other hand, a lot of women still don't wear makeup, and very few men do.  Perhaps web sites showing photo-realistic "before" and "after" pictures would increase cosmetic sales.

        I'm just wondering out loud.  I don't know.  But improved technology always has unintended consequences. 
        Rate this comment: 12345

        dmm
        07/13/2007
        Posts:191
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