Color Conversion Parameter Correction for Gamut Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information processing apparatuses face challenges in effectively mapping colors from a digital original to a printer's color gamut, leading to color degradation and reduced color accuracy.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves an information processing apparatus that obtains color information from an image, sets specific color information, and performs color conversion processing. It corrects conversion parameters to increase the color difference between converted colors, ensuring that colors are accurately reproduced within the printer's color gamut while preserving absolute color appearances when necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If color conversion processing is performed to map colors from a digital original to a printer's color gamut, then colors can be reproduced within the printer's capabilities, but color degradation occurs and color accuracy is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor gamut compatibilityVSAvoidcolor accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter being optimized from simple color gamut mapping to color difference maximization. By calculating and maximizing the color difference between converted colors and reference colors, the system maintains color accuracy while ensuring compatibility with the printer's color gamut. This parameter change transforms the optimization goal to prevent color degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the color difference between converted colors and reference colors is calculated and used to evaluate the quality of color conversion. This feedback loop allows the system to adjust and optimize the color conversion process to maintain color accuracy while adapting to the printer's color gamut constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If color conversion processing compresses the color space to fit the printer's gamut, then color gamut compatibility is achieved, but the color difference between distinct colors decreases leading to color degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor gamut mappingVSAvoidcolor distinction

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the optimization parameter from color space compression to color difference maximization. By focusing on maintaining or increasing the color difference between converted colors and reference colors, the system prevents color degradation and preserves color distinction while still achieving color gamut compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical approach of color space compression with a different mechanism based on color difference calculation and maximization. This substitution allows the system to achieve color gamut mapping without the harmful effect of color degradation that occurs with compression-based methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If standard color conversion processing is used, then processing simplicity is maintained, but color degradation occurs reducing color accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing simplicityVSAvoidcolor accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the processing parameter from standard color conversion to color difference-based conversion. This parameter change maintains processing simplicity by using a clear optimization criterion (maximizing color difference) while significantly improving color accuracy and preventing color degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a feedback mechanism that calculates color difference and uses it to guide the color conversion process. This feedback approach maintains processing simplicity by providing a clear evaluation metric while improving color accuracy, avoiding the need for complex multi-step conversion processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250175571A1Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.05.29 CANON KK

AI summary

An obtaining unit obtains first color information. A setting unit sets second color information indicating particular color information. A conversion unit executes color conversion processing for converting the first color into a third color and the second color into a fourth color. a first correction unit configured to, in a case where the first color is not included in the particular color information, corrects a conversion parameter in the color conversion processing such that a color obtained by converting the first color is a fifth color, and, in a case where the first color is included in the particular color information, corrects a conversion parameter in the color conversion processing such that a color obtained by converting the second color is a sixth color.