Perceptual color difference metric for complex images based on Mahalanobisdistance

In this paper, a perceptual color difference is presented as an alternative color difference metric for complex images instead of the conventional col or difference equations. This color difference is derived based on Mahalano bis distance by using covariance matrices for differences of each color att ribute. The covariance matrices for each class of images can be obtained by psychophysical experiments using just noticeable difference in paired comp arisons. We compared the resultant matrices for different class of images a nd the information in the matrix can give very useful trends and clues abou t which kind of transformation can minimize the perceptual color difference in images when a transformation such as gamut mapping is required. (C) 200 1 SPIE and IS&T.