title: Transforming reflectance spectra into Munsell color space by using prime colors.
abstract: Independent researchers have proved mathematically that, given a set of color-matching functions, there exists a unique set of three monochromatic spectral lights that optimizes luminous efficiency and color gamut. These lights are called prime colors. We present a method for transforming reflectance spectra into Munsell color space by using hypothetical absorbance curves based on Gaussian approximations of the prime colors and a simplified version of opponent process theory. The derived color appearance system is represented as a 3D color system that is qualitatively similar to a conceptual representation of the Munsell color system. We illustrate the application of the model and compare it with existing models by using reflectance spectra obtained from 1,269 Munsell color samples.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-5100, USA. akromney@uci.edu
authors.forename: A Kimball
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Romney
authors.forename: James T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Fulton
mesh_terms: D003116:Color; D003118:Color Perception / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008433:Mathematics; D008954:Models, Biological