Theory of Color Vision

Abstract

A theory of color vision is presented which attempts to account for the physics, physiology, and psychology of the color-vision process. Three types of photopigments are assumed to be distributed among five types of cones. It is suggested that color signals are of an opponent-colors variety from retina to lateral geniculate body, then coded in terms of the four psychologically unique colors from the lateral geniculate to the visual cortex. The theory is quantitative and provides an explanation of protanopia, deuteranopia, and tritanopia. A new color diagram is developed, based upon the simplest version of the theory. Suggestions are made concerning how this diagram might be modified to produce a more uniform color space, and the meaning of such modifications is discussed in terms of the theory.