A color management system

Color management system

<p>10. . . Learned technological process</p><p>12. . . Retailer/designer</p><p>14. . . Textile supplier</p><p>16. . . Cutting and sewing factory</p><p>18. . . Cloth factory</p><p>20. . . Dyeing and finishing room</p><p>twenty two. . . Dyestuff manufacturer</p><p>30. . . Retailer/Designer</p><p>32. . . Color Management Group</p><p>36. . . Color samples</p><p>100. . . Color management method</p><p>110. . . Retailer/designer</p><p>120. . . provider</p><p>130. . . Textile supplier</p><p>150. . . Cloth factory</p><p>300. . . sample</p><p>310. . . Carrier</p><p>320. . . Cloth</p><p>330. . . News</p><p>340. . . Password information</p>

In order to illustrate the present invention, a preferred form is shown in the drawings. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the exact configuration and equipment shown.

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of the conventional technical process used for color management in textile manufacturing.

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of the conventional technical process used for color management in textile manufacturing.

Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of the conventional technical process used for color management in textile manufacturing.

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of the present invention.

Figure 5 is an illustration of the print format of the Design Color Standard (ECS).

Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of the sample.

Field of invention

The invention relates to a method, device and system for color management in manufactured products.

Background of the invention

In the successful marketing and sales of most (if not all) retail items, color is a very important factor. This is challenging for the color management of acceptable color density, nature and performance regardless of the coloring matrix (for example, textiles, leather, plastics, paper, paint, ink, etc.). If a particular retail item is supplied from multiple sources, it is most likely to be used for items with mass appeal; or if it includes a different matrix; or if it must be in multiple sources. Each substrate is made of "accurate" or similar colors; color management is particularly important. The former situation (same item, multiple suppliers) is typical of textiles and clothing, which can be supplied by retailers with orders from 10 different suppliers in six different countries on three different continents, for example. The retailer certainly expects that these garments will look "the same" on their shelves regardless of the source of their suppliers. The latter case (different substrates, same color) can be represented by retailers who sell modular components, such as cotton towels, polyester curtains, vinyl shower curtains, wallpaper, and plastic soap dishes. , And other parts used in bathrooms or automotive interior components. The colors of these various combined components should behave similarly when the viewing situation (such as natural daylight vs. artificial lighting or viewing angle) changes.

The textile/clothing industry and its global supply network provide a clear example of the importance of this color management. Color is very important in the retail of textile products (such as clothes). Retailers know that color is one of the most important factors in determining the sale of this device. To achieve this goal, retailers can use designers to design new textile products. These designers (or others in the organization) can also supervise the production of these products. One of the factors in the production and manufacture of products is color management. It is very important to ensure that the color chosen by the designer is the color of the product actually produced for sale. However, it is not easy to ensure that the color chosen by the designer is the color used in the production of products for sale, especially for products that are produced for mass sales.

Please refer to Figure 1, which is used to illustrate the simplified conventional technical process 10 for color management in textile production. In order to simplify the following discussion, this textile product will be referred to as garment, but it must be understood that this textile product is not restricted thereby. The new clothing is designed by the retailer/designer12. The clothing may include: pattern, fabric and color. This color selection process is very troublesome. Please refer to pages 36~38 of Quality Control published in August 2000 by Furgia, "ShowYour True ColorS-Today's Quality Control is Better" by R ThanEver" is hereby incorporated as a reference. This garment is sent to a textile supplier 14. This textile supplier 14 can be: a tailoring and sewing factory 16, a fabric factory 18; a dyeing and finishing room 20; or some of the above Combination. This tailoring and sewing factory 16 is responsible for transforming fabrics (typically (dyed) or color, etc.) into garments through patterns. This transformation refers to cutting the fabric and then sewing the tailored fabric Together to form a garment. The cloth factory 18 is responsible for weaving the cloth and may be responsible for coloring the cloth. However, the cloth factory 18 may not be able to dye the cloth and therefore must rely on the dyeing and finishing room 20. This The dyeing and finishing room 20 is responsible for matching the color of the fabric requested by the retailer/designer 12 and dyeing the fabric for the fabric factory 18. In order to do so, the dyeing and finishing room 20 may use internal resources or consult external resources (For example, the dye manufacturer 22). In the latter case, the dye manufacturer 22 will match the color required by the retailer/designer 12. This color matching by the dyeing and finishing room 20 or the dye manufacturer 22 is often Its not perfect, but with the dyes they are familiar with or with the typical available dyes to "dye as much as possible." This color match is then sent back to the retailer/designer 12 via the chain 14 who is responsible for approval Or reject this color matching. This is a brief description of the conventional technological process.

Figure 2 illustrates that this process can be expanded and complicated. In this description, it is assumed that the retailer/designer 12 plans to sell a combined device with matching colors on the top and bottom. The retailer/designer 12 sends the top part to a tailoring and sewing factory 16 and the bottom part to another tailoring and sewing factory 16. This tailoring and sewing factory 16 has its turn to ask two different fabric factories 18 to make competitive quotations for dyed fabrics. Then it is the cloth factory 18's turn to contact two different dyeing and finishing rooms 20 to request a quotation for dyeing and obtain color matching. Then it is the turn of the dyeing and finishing room 20 to contact the two dye manufacturers 22 to request information about color matching and dye requirements. Therefore, there can be up to eight different dyeing suggestions for the top and bottom. 5. Description of the invention (4) and none of these dyeing suggestions are the same, resulting in undesired metamerism and various firmness (not Leg chroma (fastness) and the strong possibility of abnormal performance.

Figure 3 illustrates the level of other details about the traditional methods of color management in textile production. Here, the retailer/designer 30 is responsible for determining the design and concept of the traditional color tone (color intensity) of the clothing. The design and concept of this hue are transmitted to the color management group 32 of the retailer. The color management group 32 compares the color of the clothing concept with the existing commercially available standards 34 (for example, those produced by Pantone Inc. of Carlstadt, New Jersy, USAor Scotdic Colours Ltd. of New York City, New York, USA). If there is a suitable match, the garment is moved on to the textile supplier chain 14 discussed above. However, if there is no suitable match, the color management team 32 must entrust the generation of a suitable color sample (Sample) 36. This kind of sample is produced by Pantone Inc. on Scotdic Colours Ltd.. After a suitable match is made, the garment is sent to the textile supplier chain 14 discussed above.

Since all these independent color selections or decisions are implemented by the retailer/designer from a distance, each increases the possibility of further deviation from the original color selected by the designer. Each raises the possibility that the color chosen by the retailer/designer will not be well matched. These errors will have a harmful effect on the retail of textile products. In addition, the above process can be very time consuming and will have a harmful effect on the retail of the product.

This problem is understood in the industry, but the proposed solution cannot eliminate this problem. Please refer to: Conrad, A., "In LiVing COlor", Women's Wear Daily, December 27, 2000, p. 10, and Powers, D., "Target's Color Story", Women's Wear Daily, Feburary 1, 2001, the above are combined here Enter as a reference.

Therefore, there is a need to improve the color management process.

Summary of Invention

The present invention relates to a method, device and system for retailer color management. This method includes the following steps: selecting a color design standard (ECS); transmitting the color design standard (ECS) to textile suppliers; using ECS to make textiles; controlling textiles by comparing ECS with the made textiles The quality of the color. The ECS color standard preferably includes reflectance and dye specifications.

Schematic description

In order to illustrate the present invention, a preferred form is shown in the drawings. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the exact configuration and equipment shown.

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of the conventional technical process used for color management in textile manufacturing.

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of the conventional technical process used for color management in textile manufacturing.

Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of the conventional technical process used for color management in textile manufacturing.

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of the present invention.

Figure 5 is an illustration of the print format of the Design Color Standard (ECS).

Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of the sample.

Detailed description of the invention

Please refer to the drawings where the same numbers represent the same components. Figure 4 shows a schematic illustration of the present invention, which is a method of color management 100 by a retailer. Retailers are about, for example, direct sales to customers (such as chain stores (Target, Wal-Mart, R-Mart, Sears, Old Navy, GAP), or car manufacturers (such as Ford, GMC, Chrysler)), or It is a store that sells combined products to direct sellers to consumers (for example, clothing or household goods designers, such as Laura Ashley, Martha Stewart, or the like), or anyone who can use the present invention.

For ease of description, the present invention is discussed with reference to the production of textiles (such as the production of clothing), but it must be understood that the present invention is not so limited. In addition, this discussion will focus on methods, but it must be understood that this method is accompanied by the use of computers and other similar electronic devices and/or systems.

In Figure 4, the retailer/designer 110 creates a new textile product (such as clothing). This service may include: pattern; fabric; and color. The retailer/designer 110 negotiates with the provider 120 of the design color standard. In particular, the provider 120 also assists the retailer/designer 110 in color management by providing a color design palette (for accelerating color selection and development) and providing color design standards. The provider 120 matches the color of the clothing and provides the color design standard (ECS) described in detail below to the retailer/designer 110. The retailer/designer 110 then communicates with the textile supplier 130. The purpose of this communication may be to request a quotation, or to place an order or produce clothing. This communication can include information about clothing, such as styles, fabrics, and colors. The most effective way to communicate information about colors is the Color Design Standard (ECS). This textile supplier can include: tailoring and sewing factory 140; cloth factory 150; dyeing and finishing room 160; or a combination of the above. By using the Color Design Standard (ECS), the retailer/designer 110 ensures that the color of the clothing requested by the retailer/designer 110 for quotation or order is the same among various textile suppliers. After the retailer/designer 110 selects a specific textile supplier 130 to produce clothing, the retailer/designer 110 can use this color design standard (ECS) as a control to measure the clothing produced by the textile supplier 130 The quality of color.

The purpose of matching clothing colors for providing color design standards is preferably achieved by using color matching software. Such software is known. Color matching software available in the market includes, for example, MATCHWIZARD of Clariant Corporation of Charlotte, North Carolina, USA ^TM PRO color matching software; Gretag Macbeth, NeW Windsor, NY ProPalette ^ Software; and C of Datacolor Corporation, Lawrenceville, NJ _O lorTools ^ software.

This color design standard (ECS) is preferably reflectance data and dyeing specifications, please refer to Figure 5. This dyeing specification can include dye formula and suggested dyeing process. The dye formula is a specific dye and the required mixing ratio, such as a specific color shade and a specific fastness on a special substrate. Using the same dye formula in various suppliers will especially eliminate metameric color matching, reduce color shade changes, and improve color fastness changes. In addition, this color design standard may also include finishing (for example, finishing chemical formula) and suggested finishing processes. This dyeing specification can be referred to as a matrix-dependent pigment specification in another way. This color design standard (ECS) may also include samples, which are explained in more detail below.

This communication from the retailer/designer 110 to the textile supplier 130 is preferably implemented through electronic media, such as the Internet. This kind of communication is fast and safe, and can be directly connected with appropriate software to control or manage the color in textile production. In other ways, this communication may include: physical transmission, transmission to a website; or a combination of the above.

Color quality control is preferably achieved by using color matching software (electronic inspection). This kind of software is known. Color matching software available in the market includes: MATCHWIZARD of Clariant Corporation of Charlotte, North Carolina, NC ^TM PRo software; Gretag Macbeth, New Windsor, NY's ProPalette ^ Software; and NJ.Lawrencevill, ColorTools of DataColor Corporation ^ software. In another way, control can be achieved by the following methods: visual inspection, visual inspection under a single light source, visual inspection under multiple light sources, or a combination of the above.

Please refer to Figure 6, where the above method is described with another level of detail. The method 200 is established around the provider 210 of the color design standard ECS. The ECS provider 210 assists the retailer/designer 220 by particularly providing a color design palette (palette) to assist the retailer/designer 220 in the color management process. This palette is used to accelerate color selection and development, and accelerate the creation of color design standards ( ECS), providing color quality management services, and other related color or finishing suggestions. This retailer/designer 220 generates colors for clothing. Please refer to: Furgia,R.,"Show Your True Colors-Today's QualityControlis BetteI. Than EVer, "Qualitv Digest, August, 2000 pages 36-38, which are incorporated here as a reference. The retailer/designer 220 can deliver the generated colors to the retailer/designer color management team 230. This The color management team 230 delivers this color to the ECS provider 210. The ECS provider 210 may have a retailer/designer profile 215, that is, it must be considered to facilitate ECS recommendations for a particular retailer/design The item 220. This outline 225 identifies acceptable tradeoffs such as "cost" to "fastness", "color" to "light source". Provider 210 preferably uses color matching software to match (240) this Color and prepare ECS. This match can preferably be confirmed by another technique (such as actual dyeing) 250. After that, the color design standard (ECS) is submitted 260 to the panel 230 for approval. After approval, this is provided. The operator 210 generates 270 the color design standard (ECS), for example, sends the ECs to a secure website (website), or sends the ECS to the retailer/designer 220. The ECS is sent 280 to the textile supplier, and the supply The manufacturer manufactures 290 this product. The quality of the product (such as color or refined processing quality) can be controlled according to ECS 295.

Refer to Figure 7 to illustrate the sample 300. The sample 300 can be included as part of the ECS. The sample 300 includes a carrier 310 and a colored cloth 320. The carrier 310 is preferably made of strong paper material, which is folded into a sandwich shape and used to fix the cloth 320. The fabric 320 is colored (eg, dyed) to match the ECS. In addition, the cloth 320 can be processed and refined. Information 330 about ECS (for example, reflectance data, dyeing specifications, processing refinement) can be printed on the sample 300. In another way, the encrypted information 340 (such as the above information 330) can be included in a barcode. This sample 300 illustrates the color of ECS in a physical way.

This color management process can be implemented with the help of a database. This method of color management by the retailer using the database can include the following steps: generate a color design standard (ECS); send the ECS to the product supplier by electronic transmission; use the ECS to manufacture the product; generate information about the manufacture of the product Data; and control the color quality of the product by electronically comparing the ECS with the product data on the database.

Or this method of color management by the retailer using the database can include the following steps: generate a color design standard (ECS); convert this color design standard into an electronic color design standard (EECS); This EECS is sent to the product supplier; one of the ECS and EECS is used to manufacture the product; the electronic product standard (EPS) is generated from the product; the color quality of the product is controlled by comparing the EPS with the ECS in the database.

This method of color management by the retailer includes the following steps; selecting a color design standard (ECS); transmitting the ECS to the product supplier; using the ECS to manufacture the product; and controlling the product by comparing the ECS with the product Color quality.

The color design standard (ECS) contains the selected components from this group. This group includes: dyes, dyeing specifications, dyeing procedures, finishing, processing and refining procedures, and combinations of the above. The selection of this color management standard includes the following steps; design a product with color, send this color to the provider of this color management standard, and analyze the color to obtain ECS, where the color can be matched by computer-assisted color matching Technology and analysis. This ECS is delivered to the product supplier in the following ways; physical delivery of the ECS, electronic delivery of this ECS, delivery of this ECS to a website (website), or a combination of the above methods.

This product supplier can be a textile supplier. He can be involved in one or several manufacturing steps of this textile or garment. Therefore, it can be a tailoring and sewing factory, a cloth factory, a dyeing and finishing room, or a combination of the above. The color of this product is compared with ECS by the following methods; visually inspecting, visual inspection under a single light source, visual inspection under multiple light sources, electronic inspection, or a combination of the above methods.

Summarizing the different steps of the method used by this retailer for color management are as follows; select a color design standard (ECS), which contains the constituent components, which are reflectance data and dye specifications; send this ECS to the product supplier; Use ECS to manufacture products; control the color quality of products by comparing ECS with products.

The method of selecting a color management standard further includes the following steps; designing a product with color, transmitting the color to the provider of the color management standard, and analyzing the color or color tone (Shade: color intensity) to obtain ECS. This color analysis involves the use of computer-aided color matching techniques. This color tone analysis includes the steps of using computer-aided color matching technology. Sending the ECS to the product supplier includes using the following methods; physically sending the ECS, electronically sending the ECS, sending the ECS to the website, and a combination of the above methods. The color control of this product is implemented by comparing the ECS with the manufactured product by at least one of the following methods: visual inspection, visual inspection under a single light source, visual inspection under multiple light sources, electronic inspection, and the above methodsThe combination. The combination.

This color design standard (ECS) includes reflectance data and dye formula. Other components of this ECS can include dyeing procedures, processing refining, processing refining procedures, and a combination of the above. Color analysis can be implemented by using computer-aided color matching technology. This ECS is sent to the product supplier by at least one of the following methods; sending the ECS physically, sending the ECS electronically, sending the ECS to the website, and a combination of the above methods.

The color management method also includes the following steps; receiving the product with color from the retailer; analyzing the color of the product to obtain the color design standard (ECS) (which includes reflection data); and transmitting the ECS to the retailer. The requestor of the received product can be a retailer, a designer, or a combination thereof, and the requestor is not a tailoring and sewing factory, a cloth factory, a dyeing room, or a combination of the above.

The samples used in the color management process include: colored substrate; backing, where the substrate is attached to the substrate; reflectance data on the substrate; and dyeing on the substrate Specification. Barcodes can be carried on this substrate.

The present invention also includes a device used by retailers for color management, including; a color design standard (ECS); a device for transmitting ECS to product suppliers; and a device for controlling product color quality by comparing ECS with products. The equipment claimed in the scope of this patent application further includes a device for selecting a color management standard, which includes a device for transmitting the color of a product to a color management standard provider; and a device for analyzing the color to obtain the ECS. The device for analyzing color may include computer-aided color matching equipment. The device used to send the ECS to the product supplier is; the device that sends the ECS physically; the device that sends the ECS electronically; the device that sends the ECS to the website; or a combination of the above devices. This equipment can also include a device that controls the color of the product by comparing the ECS with the manufactured product by the following devices; device for visual inspection, device for visual inspection under a single light source, and device for visual inspection under multiple light sources , A device for electronic inspection, or a combination of the above devices.

The present invention is more about a retailer's color management equipment, which includes: color design standard (ECS), this ECS includes reflectance data and dyeing specifications: a device used to send ECS to product suppliers: borrow A device that controls the color quality of products by comparing ECS with products. The ECS can also include components in the equipment, which are selected from the following groups: dyes, dyeing specifications, dyeing procedures, processing and refining, processing and refining procedures, and combinations of the above. This equipment can also have a device for selecting color management standards, which includes: a device for transmitting product colors to a color management standard provider, and a device for analyzing colors to obtain ECS. Computer-aided color matching equipment can be used for color analysis. This equipment can also have a device that sends ECS to the product supplier through the following devices: a device for physically sending ECS, a device for electronically sending ECS, a device for sending this ECS to a website, Or a combination of the above devices. The device for controlling the color of the product by comparing the ECS with the manufactured product can be: a device for visual inspection, a device for visual inspection under a single light source, a device for visual inspection under multiple light sources, and a device for electronics Method inspection device, and a combination of the above devices.

The color management system according to the present invention includes: a color design standard (ECS), the ECS includes reflectance data and dye formulas: a device that transmits the ECS to a product supplier; and controls the color quality of the product by comparing the ECS with the product Device. In this system, ECS can include: components, which are selected from the following groups: dyes, dyeing procedures, processing and refining, processing and refining procedures, and combinations of the above: and devices for color analysis, including computer-aided color A matching device, a device for receiving colored products from a retailer; a device for analyzing colors to obtain ECS; and a device for transmitting ECS to the retailer. The device used to transmit ECS to the product supplier can be; a device that physically transmits ECS, a device that transmits ECS electronically, a device that transmits ECS to a website, and a combination of the above devices. The color of this product is controlled by comparing the ECS with the manufactured product by the following devices: for example, a visual inspection device, a visual inspection device under a single light source, a visual inspection device under multiple light sources, and an electronic inspection device. Device, or a combination of the above devices. The device that transmits ECS to the retailer can be: a device that physically transmits ECS, a device that transmits ECS electronically, a device that transmits ECS to a website, or a combination of the above devices.

The color management system according to the present invention includes the following devices: a device for receiving a product with color from a requester; a device for analyzing the color of the product to obtain a color design standard (ECS). The ECS includes reflectance data, dye components, Dyeing program components, processing refined components, processing program components, or a combination of the above; a device used to send ECS to the requester. The requester can be a retailer, a designer, or a combination thereof, but the requester is usually not selected by the group consisting of a tailoring and sewing factory, a cloth factory, a dyeing and finishing room, and a combination thereof. The analysis of color shades can be implemented by computer-aided color matching equipment. Sending ECS to product suppliers can be implemented by the following devices: devices that physically send ECS, devices that send this ECS electronically, devices that send this ECS to a website, and a combination of the above devices.

The present invention can be implemented in other special forms without departing from the spirit or basic characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be referred to the scope of the patent application attached instead of the above description.

Symbol description of main components

10. . . Learned technological process

12. . . Retailer/designer

14. . . Textile supplier

16. . . Cutting and sewing factory

18. . . Cloth factory

20. . . Dyeing and finishing room

twenty two. . . Dyestuff manufacturer

30. . . Retailer/Designer

32. . . Color Management Group

36. . . Color samples

100. . . Color management method

110. . . Retailer/designer

120. . . provider

130. . . Textile supplier

150. . . Cloth factory

300. . . sample

310. . . Carrier

320. . . Cloth

330. . . News

340. . . Password information