Color Map Generator for Perceptually Uniform Data Representation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing color map generation techniques fail to create effective representations of data using color, particularly in monochromatic displays, as they often lack perceptually uniform spacing and monotonic lightness, making it difficult for viewers to accurately perceive relative data values.
Innovation Solution
A color map generator that selects colors in a design color space, such as L*a*b*, ensuring perceptually uniform spacing and increasing lightness, while also ensuring the color map remains within the gamut of a deployment color space like RGB, allowing for clear distinction and accurate data representation across different display formats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional color map generation techniques are used, then the color map can be created, but the spacing between colors is not perceptually uniform and lightness is not monotonic, making it difficult for viewers to accurately perceive relative data values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the color selection problem by changing the parameter space from RGB color space to L*a*b* color space, where lightness (L*) and chromaticity (a*, b*) are separated parameters. This allows independent optimization of lightness monotonicity and color spacing uniformity, directly resolving the contradiction between accurate data value perception and monochromatic display effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces L*a*b* color space as an intermediary between the desired perceptual properties and the actual RGB display colors. By selecting colors in L*a*b* space with uniform spacing and monotonic lightness, then converting to RGB, the system achieves both accurate relative value perception and compatibility with various display devices including monochromatic displays.
2Measurement precision
If colors are selected to ensure perceptually uniform spacing and increasing lightness, then accurate data representation is achieved, but the color map may exceed the gamut of deployment color spaces like RGB
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary gamut verification during the color selection process in L*a*b* space. Before finalizing the color map, the system checks whether each selected color falls within the target gamut (e.g., sRGB). This preliminary action prevents the creation of colors that cannot be displayed, ensuring both accurate data representation and deployment compatibility from the outset.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different constraints to different parts of the color map based on local requirements. For colors that fall outside the target gamut, the system adjusts only those specific colors while maintaining the overall perceptual uniformity and lightness monotonicity of the complete color map. This localized adjustment preserves data representation accuracy while ensuring gamut compatibility.
3Measurement precision
If a color map is designed for optimal perception in color displays, then data values are clearly represented, but the color map may not perform well in monochromatic displays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal color map that functions effectively across multiple display types (color and monochromatic). By using L*a*b* color space with monotonic lightness progression, the color map maintains its data representation clarity in color displays while also providing distinct, perceptible variations when converted to grayscale or other monochromatic formats, achieving multi-format adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for generating a color map using a color space, the generating including selecting lightness points representing lightness values, generating a lightness plot based on the lightness points, the lightness plot non-linearly increasing from a minimum lightness value to a maximum lightness value, and selecting chromaticity points, where the chromaticity points are represented using a plurality of dimensions, and the chromaticity points representing chromaticity values. The method includes generating a chromaticity plot based on the chromaticity points, and associating chromaticity values along the chromaticity plot with respective lightness values along the lightness plot, the associating specifying a plurality of colors. The method also includes identifying an in-gamut range for an RGB representation of the plurality of colors, the RGB representation provided in an RGB color space, and converting the color map from the color space to the RGB color space.