A Low Cost Video Technique for Colour Measurement of Potato Chips

A computer-based video image analysis system has been developed to quantify the colour of potato chips in L*a*b*colour space. This system is not sensitive to light intensity, and the light reflection effect from the undulating surface of the chips was not significant to the colour measurement. The presence of undesirable spots on the chip surface was also quantified. The sensitivity of the technique to separate `coloursʹ correlated well with the capability of the human eye. The technique shows encouraging potential for use in studying the colour and appearance of other kinds of products.