HP offering color-matching technology for cameraphones

Hewlett-Packard is turning turn mobile phones into shopping advisers with a color-matching prototype technology. cio reports.

"The Color Match mobile service technology combines color science, imaging science and mobile networking technology to match colors that complement each other and provide product advice over a cell phone.

Users take a photograph of themselves while holding a specialized color chart under their faces. The picture is sent using multimedia messaging service to an "advisory service" on a server. Software on the server seeks out corrections in the image; it locates the face, adjusts lighting and calibrates the color.

Based on the analysis, the advisory service sends a return short-message service recommending what cosmetic color and shades would best match the skin color. The service returned recommendations in a matter of seconds in the demonstration.

Among other applications, the service will be able to make recommendations to match and recommend colors for ties, pants and suits, Bhatti said. "Images can be taken with any cell phone camera, and the mobile service will work with any service provider."

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