Color Capture Substrate for Accurate Online Product Representation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques for representing colors online are inaccurate, as they often extract color samples from images of products on white backgrounds, failing to account for how colors appear when applied to specific substrates or in environments, leading to misrepresentation of cosmetic and other products during actual use.
Innovation Solution
The method involves capturing images of products applied to substrates or in environments similar to their intended use, using a color display mechanism with characteristics matching the intended application site, to generate accurate color swatches that reflect how the product will appear in use, which are then used to enhance images and user interfaces for online representation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If color samples are extracted from images of products on white backgrounds, then the color representation process is simple and fast, but the color accuracy is poor and misrepresents the product appearance during actual use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a substrate as an intermediary between the product and the imaging system. Instead of capturing the product directly on a white background, the product is applied to a substrate that simulates the intended application surface (e.g., skin, fabric, wood). This intermediary substrate provides the contextual background that affects color appearance, thereby improving color accuracy while maintaining a relatively simple capture process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the background parameter from a uniform white background to a substrate with specific optical properties that match the intended application environment. By adjusting the substrate's color, texture, and reflectivity parameters to resemble the target surface (e.g., lip color for lipstick, skin tone for foundation), the system captures more accurate product appearance without requiring complex imaging equipment.
2Measurement precision
If color samples are extracted from images of products applied to substrates similar to intended use, then color accuracy is improved, but the image capture process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates simplified copies or models of the intended application substrates (e.g., artificial skin models, fabric swatches, wood samples) that can be easily prepared and used in the imaging process. These copied substrates replicate the key optical properties of the target surfaces without requiring actual application to the real object, thereby improving color accuracy while maintaining operational simplicity through standardized, reusable substrate models.
3Measurement precision
If current techniques are used to extract color samples, then the process is efficient and quick, but the online color representation is inaccurate and misleading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary preparation of substrates and product applications before the actual color capture process. Substrates are pre-selected and pre-conditioned to match target application surfaces, and products are pre-applied in controlled manners. This preliminary action ensures that when the image is captured, the color representation is already accurate, eliminating the need for post-capture correction and maintaining efficiency while improving accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Creating color swatches associated with a product based on capturing an image of the product applied to a model substrate is described. In an example, an image of a product on a color display mechanism may be accessed. At least a portion of the color display mechanism may include a model substrate that is substantially similar to an intended application substrate for the product. A color swatch corresponding to the product may be determined based at least in part on the image. An enhanced image may be generated based at least partly on the color swatch. The enhanced image may be an image depicting the product applied to the intended application substrate in an environment of use that is modified to include a color associated with the color swatch in a region of the image corresponding to the product.