Understanding the Effect of Smartphone Cameras on Estimating Munsell Soil Colors from Imagery

TL;DR

This paper investigates how smartphone cameras influence the accuracy of estimating Munsell soil colors from images, analyzing color spaces, reference standards, and image processing methods to improve automated soil color identification.

Contribution

It identifies effective color spaces and methods for automatic Munsell soil color estimation using smartphone imagery, providing insights for future research and application development.

Findings

Color difference calculation yields high accuracy

Certain color spaces outperform others in soil color estimation

Smartphone camera effects significantly impact estimation reliability

Abstract

The Munsell soil color chart (MSCC) is a in laboratories under controlled conditions. To support an appbased solution, this paper explores three research areas including: (i) identifying the most effective color space, (ii) establishing then important reference for many professionals in the area of soil color analysis. Currently, the functionality to identify Munsell soil colors (MSCs) automatically from an image is only feasible color difference calculation method with the highest accuracy and (iii) evaluating the effects of smartphone cameras on estimating the MSCs. The existing methods that we have analysed have returned promising results and will help inform other researchers to better understand and develop informed solutions. This study provides both researchers and developers with an insight into the best methods for automatically predicting MSCs. Future research is needed to improve the reliability of results under differing environmental conditions.