Color Classification with the TCS230 Color Sensor

A common requirement in the field of color sensing is that of color identification, or sorting of objects by color. Typically this type of application is simpler than a general-purpose color measurement application, since all we are interested in is identifying which of a predefined list of categories a color belongs. The TCS230 is an RGB color sensor capable of making high-resolution color measurements using the three values obtained from its red, green, and blue sensors. For this application we will use the TCS230 to perform what color classification, or the matching of an unknown color to one of a set of known colors. This technique can be used in applications such as LED sorting and testing, industrial sorting and identification, process control in labeling and printing machines, etc.

In this two-part application note we will examine two variations on the theme of color classification. In the first example, Part 1 of the application note, we will classify an unknown color, in this case an LED, into one of several pre-defined hues. In the second example, Part 2, we will determine the best match of an unknown color to one of several previously sampled colors.