Interactive Color Conversion via Instance and Pixel Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current colorization techniques for monochrome videos lack user interaction and designation capabilities, limiting their usability and effectiveness in image editing.

Innovation Solution

A user interface system that utilizes instance tracking and pixel tracking to receive user designations for color conversion, allowing for interactive image editing by presenting information and accepting user inputs for target selection and reference image usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If end-to-end network colorization is used, then color conversion can be automatically performed, but user interaction and designation capabilities are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic color conversionVSAvoiduser interaction capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the colorization process into distinct phases: automatic instance tracking to identify objects, pixel tracking to follow object movements, and user designation to select reference images. This segmentation allows both automatic processing and user interaction to coexist effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a temporal dimension to the colorization process by implementing frame-by-frame processing with user intervention points. Users can designate reference images at specific frames, and the system automatically propagates these designations through time using tracking algorithms, creating a multi-dimensional workflow that combines automation with user control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If user designation capability is added, then usability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveusabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces tracking algorithms as intermediaries between user actions and color conversion results. Users designate reference images for specific instances, and the tracking system automatically propagates these designations across frames, reducing the burden on users while maintaining control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service through automatic instance tracking and pixel tracking that continuously monitor object movements and maintain designations without requiring constant user input. The tracking algorithms automatically update object positions and propagate color conversions across frames.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If instance tracking and pixel tracking are implemented, then color conversion accuracy is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor conversion accuracyVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments tracking into two distinct levels: instance tracking that identifies and follows entire objects, and pixel tracking that follows specific pixels within objects. This segmentation allows the system to apply appropriate tracking complexity only where needed, improving accuracy while managing processing load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary instance tracking to identify objects and their trajectories before applying pixel-level tracking and color conversion. This preliminary action reduces the overall complexity by establishing object boundaries and movement patterns in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20230386099A1User interface system, user interface method, and image editing device
Publication Date: 2023.11.30 SONY GROUP CORP
  • US20230386099A1 patent drawing
  • US20230386099A1 patent drawing
  • US20230386099A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A user interface system according to the present disclosure include a presentation means that presents information for receiving, from a user, designation related to a target to be subjected to color conversion by image editing for converting a color of an image using instance tracking and pixel tracking, and an acceptance means that receives the designation by the user.