Color Correction Method Using Pixel Subsampling for Real-Time Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current color data correction methods, such as the ICC method, are slow and result in delays when processing high-resolution color data from recording devices to output devices, reducing the ability to display color-corrected images in real-time due to the need for extensive computing time.

Innovation Solution

A method that reduces the number of pixels by averaging two green pixels and retaining red and blue values, using a color filter structure like the Bayer filter to generate uncorrected intermediate color values, which are then subjected to color correction calculation, significantly reducing processing time and allowing for real-time display with high resolution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If color correction calculation is applied to all RGB color pixels of the recording device, then color accuracy is improved, but processing speed deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor accuracyVSAvoidprocessing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the color correction process by first reducing the number of pixels through subsampling (e.g., 2x2 block averaging) to create a lower-resolution intermediate image, applying color correction to this reduced set of pixels, and then upsampling the result. This segmentation allows the computationally intensive color correction to be performed on fewer data points while maintaining the benefit of processing all original pixels through the upsampling step.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary subsampling and averaging operations before the color correction calculation to reduce the data volume. By pre-processing the image to create a reduced-resolution representation, the system prepares the data in advance for the color correction step, making the overall process faster while maintaining quality through subsequent upsampling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If color correction calculation is applied to all RGB color pixels, then color data accuracy is improved, but processing time deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor data accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the processing into distinct stages: subsampling to reduce pixel count, color correction on the reduced data, and upsampling to restore resolution. This segmentation allows color correction to be applied efficiently to a subset of pixels while maintaining accuracy through the upsampling process that reconstructs the full-resolution image.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary subsampling and averaging operations before color correction to reduce the computational burden. By pre-reducing the image resolution, the system minimizes processing time while preserving color accuracy through the subsequent upsampling step that reconstructs the full-resolution color-corrected image.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If processing is done with high resolution, then image quality is improved, but processing speed deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidprocessing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the processing workflow into subsampling, color correction, and upsampling stages. By performing color correction on a reduced-resolution intermediate image and then upsampling the result, the system achieves both high image quality and improved processing speed, as the computationally intensive color correction is applied to fewer pixels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary subsampling to reduce the number of pixels before color correction. This pre-processing step maintains image quality by preserving the essential color information through averaging operations, while significantly reducing the processing time required for subsequent color correction and display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP1814308B1Method for calculating color correction
Publication Date: 2011.08.24 OLYMPUS SOFT IMAGING SOLUTIONS GMBH
  • EP1814308B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1814308B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP1814308B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The raw data of a pickup device (1) is converted to uncorrected interim color values with a reduced number of pixels compared to the pickup device. The uncorrected interim color values are subjected to the color correction calculation, and converted to corrected interim color values for an output device (2). An independent claim is included for color data correction device.