We present a novel color pattern recognition technology based on non-zero order joint transform correlator (NOJTC) system in this paper. In this method, each of the color target image is transformed to a grayscale image by using encoding technique. We also use minimum average correlation energy (MACE) approach to design an optimized synthetic reference function. When the input plane is gray-scaled and monochromatic, the function can be displayed in the liquid crystal spatial light modulator (LCSLM) to achieve real-time operation. Furthermore, we apply a joint transform power spectrum (JTPS) subtraction method to remove the zero-order terms and the desired peaks can be easily detected.