Color Chart Zigzag Arrangement for Efficient Gamut Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current color selecting methods for printing machines require a large number of color patches on a color chart, leading to inefficiencies and increased operator burden, especially when dealing with colors outside the printing gamut or under different observational environments.
Innovation Solution
A method that designates specific color comparing conditions, including light sources and gamut mapping, to generate image data for a color chart with color patches arranged in a zigzag pattern, allowing for efficient selection of the closest color to a designated color, using a printing machine and optical filters for color correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of color patches are printed on the color chart to cover all possible color variations, then the completeness of color coverage is improved, but the operator burden and selection efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The color selection process is segmented into two phases: first, a small number of representative color patches are printed on the color chart for quick visual selection; second, if the designated color falls outside the gamut, a gamut mapping process is performed to find the closest matching color within the printable range. This segmentation allows operators to handle most color selections efficiently while providing a systematic fallback for edge cases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary gamut analysis before the operator needs to make a color selection. By pre-determining whether a designated color is within the printable gamut, the system prepares the appropriate response in advance, reducing the operator's cognitive load and selection time during actual color matching tasks.
2Measurement precision
If the color chart includes color patches for all gamut mapping scenarios, then the accuracy of color selection for out-of-gamut colors is improved, but the number of color patches and chart size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter representation of colors by using device-independent color spaces (such as CIELAB) to evaluate color differences. Instead of comparing raw CMYK values, the system converts colors to a perceptually uniform color space where Euclidean distance corresponds to perceived color difference. This allows accurate gamut mapping with fewer color patches by leveraging mathematical color difference formulas rather than requiring extensive physical color samples.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple observational environments are simulated with different color patches, then the adaptability to different lighting conditions is improved, but the complexity of the color chart increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary computational layer (gamut mapping process) that mediates between the designated color and the physical color patches. Instead of requiring physical color patches for every possible observational condition, the gamut mapping algorithm acts as an intermediary that mathematically determines the best matching color within the printable gamut, considering the effects of different observational environments through color space transformations.
Data Source
AI summary
A color selecting method, an image processing method, an image processing apparatus, and a recording medium are provided. Color comparing conditions for a color chart are designated, and image data are generated to print first, second and third color charts in which color patches having colors corresponding respectively to different variables of the designated color comparing conditions are disposed adjacent to each other.