Patent ID: 8456704

Claim:
A method for color matching original image data to a printed hardcopy document previously generated from said original image data, said method comprising: inputting said original image data; scanning said printed hardcopy to derive and input scanner image data that represent said printed hardcopy; identifying constant color objects in said original image data; for said constant color objects in said original image data, identifying respective corresponding hardcopy color areas in said scanner image data; analyzing color differences between said constant color objects and the corresponding hardcopy color areas to determine a printing device assumption to predict a printing device on which said printed hardcopy document was previously printed; based upon said predicted printing device, converting at least said constant color objects and said respectively corresponding hardcopy color areas into a colorimetric color space; adjusting a color of at least one of the constant color objects to match a corresponding color of the respectively corresponding hardcopy color area in said colorimetric color space; determining at least one measurement area located on said printed hardcopy document; measuring colorimetrically said at least one measurement area; comparing said at least one measurement area to an expected color value; and, adjusting another color of at least another one of the constant color objects to match a corresponding color of the respectively corresponding hardcopy color area in said at least one measurement area.