Abstract

A process for color analysis and comparison among reference and test samples for use in quality control applications or the like comprises illuminating each sample under predetermined lighting conditions, scanning the sample with a color video camera, digitalizing the video signal output to produce a digitized signal representative of the components of the color values, preferably the red-green-blue and brightness values ("RGBW"), for each pixel representative of the viewed signal, and reporting and storing the digitized data for subsequent analysis, comparison, display and printout. For comparison purposes, the pixel color values for the samples are analyzed and compared statistically to determine if the reference and test sample match. In one test, the mean of the pixel color value for each sample is ascertained and the test sample is analyzed to determine if its mean is within a tolerance limit for the reference sample expressed in terms of standard deviation values. Various statistical tests provide useful information.