A Novel Method for Colorimetric Calibration of Color Digitizing Scanners

A novel method for calibrating desktop color scanners so their output may be converted into device-independent color coordinates, such as CIELAB, is derived. It is a combination of models for the color related performance of color photographic materials and simple scanners. Our method is based on a scanner-specific characterization of the scanner's response to a series of neutral objects, a material-specific characterization of the dyes and color patches in a test target, and a characterization of the interaction between the scanner and the material. By separating these three components, duplication of effort is minimized, so more efficient calibration should be possible. Our method is based on a scanner-specific characterization of the scanner's response to a series of neutral objects, a material-specific characterization of the dyes and color patches in a test target, and a characterization of the interaction between the scanner and the material. By separating these three components, duplication of effort is minimized, so more efficient calibration should be possible. Once the scanner's response to a series of spectrally neutral objects has been determined, the calibration can be performed with as few as four patches on the material of choice. A detailed description of the new technique is provided.