DLAB: a class of daylight-based uniform color space

CIELAB is based on the CIE 1931 color matching functions. If we are given a new set of color matching functions, how do we define a CIELAB-like uniform color space for the new functions? This problem arises because the CIE recommended its physiological cone fundamentals in 2006 and is considering a new set of color matching functions based on them. In fact, the same problem exists for many practical applications in digital imaging. Typical solutions involve using illuminant-dependent color correction matrices to transform the device-dependent color space into the CIE XYZ color space. This conversion process suffers information loss unless the two sets of color matching functions are linear combinations of each other. In this paper, we propose a design process that allows us to develop a CIELAB-like color space using the native sensor fundamentals. The basic idea is to choose the daylight locus as the yellow-blue opponent color process. We call this class of color space DLAB. We describe the design procedures and compare the resulting Munsell color uniformity under CIELAB (L*, a*, b*) and DLAB (L(+) ,a(+), b(+)).