Multi-Dimensional Color Conversion Table Linearization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for linearizing input and output characteristics of multi-dimensional color systems in printers often result in uneven contributions across dimensions, leading to incomplete linearization and errors in color conversion.

Innovation Solution

A correction table generation method that creates a multi-dimensional conversion table with approximate linearity across all dimensions, using inverse one-dimensional conversion and cubic spline functions to minimize conversion errors and optimize target color values, ensuring linearization and natural color reproduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If linearization is performed by repeating one-dimensional conversion for respective dimensions, then processing complexity is reduced, but linearization uniformity across all dimensions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing complexityVSAvoidlinearization uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from one-dimensional sequential processing to multi-dimensional simultaneous processing. The color conversion table performs multi-dimensional conversion in a single operation, considering all dimensions (C, M, Y, K) together rather than sequentially, thereby achieving uniform linearization across all dimensions while maintaining computational efficiency through pre-computed lookup tables.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent pre-computes and stores correction data in a multi-dimensional color conversion table during system initialization or calibration. This preliminary action allows the system to perform fast lookups during actual color conversion operations, avoiding complex real-time calculations while ensuring accurate and uniform linearization across all dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If multi-dimensional conversion table is generated without one-dimensional conversion correction, then processing speed is improved, but conversion precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidconversion precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs one-dimensional conversion corrections in advance and incorporates them into the multi-dimensional color conversion table during its construction. This preliminary correction ensures that when the multi-dimensional table is used for actual color conversions, the results are both precise and computationally efficient, as the complex correction calculations have already been performed and stored.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the results of one-dimensional conversion corrections with the multi-dimensional color conversion data structure. By integrating these corrections into the multi-dimensional table, the system achieves both the precision of corrected conversion values and the speed of multi-dimensional lookup operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If one-dimensional conversion is applied for all dimensions, then conversion uniformity is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconversion uniformityVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a multi-dimensional color conversion table that processes all color dimensions (C, M, Y, K) simultaneously in a unified multi-dimensional space. This approach achieves uniform conversion across all dimensions while avoiding the need for separate one-dimensional processing steps for each dimension, thereby maintaining processing efficiency.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-dimensional color conversion table serves as a universal data structure that handles conversion for all dimensions in a single operation. This unified approach eliminates the need for multiple separate one-dimensional conversion processes, reducing overall processing complexity while ensuring uniformity across all color dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3331234B1Correction table generation method, and non-transitory computer readable medium for storing program
Publication Date: 2020.09.09 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP3331234B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3331234B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3331234B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A correction table generation method includes acquiring a first color value of an apparatus non-dependent color system corresponding to an input value of a multi-dimensional apparatus dependent color system in an input lattice point of the color conversion table and generating a multi-dimensional conversion table in which a first apparatus dependent value of the apparatus dependent color system having color conversion table color value characteristics is correlated with a second apparatus dependent value having a color value of the apparatus non-dependent color system and approximate linearity over multiple dimensions, and the generating of the multi-dimensional conversion table includes determining a target color value for multiple dimensions having approximate linearity over the multiple dimensions with respect to the input value, and determining a first apparatus dependent value corresponding to a second apparatus dependent value using the input value, the target color value for the multiple dimensions, and the first color value.