Color Correction System for Real-Time Video Distortion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional color correction techniques are ineffective in real-time video applications, particularly in emergency medical services, due to multiple distortion factors such as data compression algorithms, communication channels, and inadequate display monitors, leading to unreliable color representation critical for diagnoses.

Innovation Solution

A color correction system utilizing two identical color charts positioned at the source and destination locations, connected through a network, with a color correction unit that automatically generates calibration parameters to correct color distortions by comparing the charts and adjusting image data in real-time, ensuring accurate color representation across the entire communication channel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional color correction techniques are used, then color correction can be performed on single photo images, but real-time video processing is ineffective

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time video processing capabilityVSAvoidcolor correction effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static photo image processing to dynamic real-time video processing by continuously capturing video frames, extracting color chart information from each frame, and dynamically updating calibration parameters to correct color distortions in real-time video streams

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary color calibration by capturing and processing color chart images to generate calibration parameters before actual video processing, and continuously updates these parameters during video playback to maintain color accuracy throughout the video sequence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If manual color correction is performed, then user control over color adjustment is achieved, but automation and real-time processing are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser control capabilityVSAvoidautomatic color correction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic color correction by self-calibrating through captured color chart images, automatically extracting color information, generating calibration parameters, and applying corrections to video frames without requiring manual user intervention for each adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring color chart appearances in video frames, comparing captured colors with reference colors, and automatically adjusting calibration parameters based on the detected color deviations to maintain accurate color representation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If color correction compensates only for lighting conditions, then simple color adjustment is achieved, but multiple distortion factors are not addressed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-factor distortion compensationVSAvoidcorrection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The color correction system serves multiple functions by simultaneously compensating for various distortion factors including lighting conditions, camera sensor characteristics, display monitor variations, and transmission channel effects through a unified calibration and correction framework

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes multiple correction parameters including white balance values, gamma correction curves, color matrix transformations, and display compensation parameters to address different distortion factors caused by lighting, camera, transmission, and display variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Measurement precision

If target reference color is chosen subjectively, then flexibility in color selection is achieved, but randomness and inconsistency in correction results occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor measurement accuracyVSAvoidsubjective color selection

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses standardized color charts with predefined reference colors as objective templates, capturing images of these charts and using the known reference color values as the basis for automatic calibration, eliminating subjective color selection while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS8655068B1Color correction system

Publication Date: 2014.02.18 LI CREATIVE TECH

AI summary

A color correction system includes an identical first color chart (FCC) and a second color chart (SCC), and a color correction unit (CCU). The FCC and the subject are positioned in view of a source image capture device (SICD) at a source location. The SCC and a display unit are positioned in view of a destination image capture device (DICD) at the destination location. The SICD captures and transmits source image content (SIC) of the subject and the FCC to the CCU at the destination location via a network. The DICD captures destination image content (DIC) of the SCC and the SIC displayed on the display unit. The CCU generates calibration parameters by comparing the FCC extracted from the SIC and/or the DIC, with the SCC extracted from the DIC, and corrects the SIC of the subject and gamma parameters on the display unit using the generated calibration parameters.