(How) Do Observer Categories Based on Color Matching Functions Affect the Perception of Small Color Differences?

In this paper we investigate the impact of colorimetric observer categories on the prediction of the average suprathreshold color difference perception. The observer categories were obtained from an observer classification experiment, while the color difference data were obtained from an experiment involving a liquid crystal display (LCD) with fluorescent backlight. The same observer panel with normal color vision participated in both experiments. Results obtained from the observer classification experiment were consistent with the average observer threshold for color difference judgment. This analysis demonstrates that the observer categories, determined based on individual differences in cone spectral sensitivities (and thus color matching functions), have an influence on the prediction of average suprathreshold color difference perception for a given observer population.