Cross-media performance evaluation of color models for unequal luminance levels and dim surround

Abstract

A performance evaluation of color models between softcopy and hardcopy images was constructed closely following the CIE Technical Committee 1–27 guidelines. Conventionally, color models' performances were frequently evaluated under simplified environments, e.g., equally low luminance levels and dark surround. In this study, in the consideration of unequal luminance levels and dim surround, the two techniques of memory matching and paired comparison were used to assess the color similarity of two paired softcopies reproduced by four color models (i.e., von Kries, CIELAB, RLAB, and Hunt) against an original hardcopy image. Evaluated results based on the rank order of the Z scale values of thirty ordinary observers demonstrated that, on average, the Hunt model achieved the best color prediction against the worst one of the RLAB model. In addition, the aspects of screen uniformity, observer precision, and image and model dependencies were considered. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Col Res Appl, 23, 169–177, 1998