Automated Color Calibration Using Smart Target Card

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current color management systems for optical devices lack an end-to-end automated calibration process, relying on manual measurement and being sensitive to lighting changes, which limits their effectiveness in maintaining consistent color display across different devices and conditions.

Innovation Solution

A smart color calibration system featuring a physical smart target card with various pigment patches, including spectral neutral, fluorescent, and fugitive indicators, along with a software package that performs Fast Fourier Transform and alignment corrections to generate a scene reference profile, enabling automated calibration and color consistency under varying lighting conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If manual measurement and capture process is used with spectrometer and software, then color calibration can be performed, but the process is time-consuming and not fully automated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of color calibration processVSAvoidtime for manual measurement and capture

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service automation through the processor automatically capturing images of the color target, extracting color values, generating correction profiles, and applying corrections without requiring manual spectrometer measurements. The optical device performs the entire calibration process autonomously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical spectrometer measurement system with an automated optical imaging system. Instead of using a spectrometer to physically measure color patches, the system uses the optical device's camera to capture images and extract color information digitally, eliminating the need for manual mechanical measurement processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If standard color patches are used, then basic color calibration is achieved, but the calibration is sensitive to lighting changes and degrades over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverobustness against lighting changes and degradationVSAvoidperformance under varying lighting conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The color target uses composite pigment patches containing multiple pigments with different spectral characteristics (including fluorescent and fugitive indicators). This composite structure allows the system to detect and compensate for various degradation mechanisms and lighting conditions simultaneously, making the calibration more reliable across different environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by including special indicator patches (fluorescent and fugitive) that provide information about lighting conditions and degradation state. The processor uses this feedback to adjust the color correction profile dynamically, maintaining accuracy under varying conditions and extending the calibration's effective lifespan

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If simple pigment patches are used, then the target is easier to manufacture, but the calibration accuracy and lifespan are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor accuracy and calibration lifespanVSAvoidcomplexity of target construction

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The color target is segmented into multiple distinct pigment patches, each with specific functions (spectral neutral, fluorescent indicator, fugitive indicator, etc.). This segmentation allows each patch to be optimized for its specific purpose while maintaining overall manufacturability through standardized patch geometries and arrangements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system provides an automated, robust, and accurate color calibration solution that maintains color consistency across different devices and lighting conditions, extending the lifespan of the calibration and allowing for precise color matching and display uniformity.

Implementation Method 1

at least one patch having a fluorescent indicator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentUS11893758B2Automated color calibration system for optical devices

Publication Date: 2024.02.06 VERICHROME

AI summary

A color calibration system for color correction in an optical device using a database of target colors includes a physical target card. The physical target card includes at least three unique colored patches arranged in a predetermined pattern on the physical target card, identifying indicia, and alignment indicia. The color calibration system also includes an executable machine-readable software. The software is configured to read and assign a value to the colored patches. The software is further configured to read the identifying indicia and identify the physical target card, and to read the alignment indicia for identifying individual colored patches. The software is further configured to compare color values in the optical device to known factory color values, generate a target card profile, and convert native color space for use in subsequent images under the same lighting conditions.