Color Space Conversion Circuitry for Image Reproduction Accuracy

Solution Overview

Problem

Color imaging devices face inaccuracies in image reproduction due to increased sensitivity of some interpolation regions, leading to processing complexities and hardware requirements in color space conversion.

Innovation Solution

A color imaging device with interface circuitry, color space conversion circuitry, and an image engine that converts color image data from an initial color space to multiple output color space representations, using pixel identifiers to control processing and interpolation, allowing for efficient conversion and reduced errors by compressing insensitive regions and expanding sensitive regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If color space conversion uses interpolation with multiple interpolation regions, then processing complexity and hardware requirements are reduced, but some interpolation regions have increased sensitivity leading to increased inaccuracies in resultant images

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing complexityVSAvoidimage reproduction accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating processing approaches for different interpolation regions. Sensitive regions use one conversion method while insensitive regions use another, optimizing both accuracy and efficiency for each specific area of the color space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes parameters by using pixel identifiers to determine which color space conversion method to apply. This allows dynamic adjustment of conversion accuracy based on the specific pixel type and interpolation region, rather than using a uniform approach throughout.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If color space conversion uses interpolation with multiple interpolation regions, then hardware requirements are reduced, but some interpolation regions have increased sensitivity leading to increased inaccuracies in resultant images

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware requirementsVSAvoidimage reproduction accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating processing approaches for different interpolation regions. Sensitive regions use one conversion method while insensitive regions use another, optimizing both accuracy and efficiency for each specific area of the color space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes parameters by using pixel identifiers to determine which color space conversion method to apply. This allows dynamic adjustment of conversion accuracy based on the specific pixel type and interpolation region, rather than using a uniform approach throughout.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If color space conversion is optimized to reduce processing complexity, then processing speed increases, but image reproduction accuracy decreases due to interpolation sensitivities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidimage reproduction accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating processing approaches for different interpolation regions. Sensitive regions use one conversion method while insensitive regions use another, optimizing both accuracy and efficiency for each specific area of the color space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by applying full precision conversion only where necessary (in sensitive regions) while using simplified conversion in insensitive regions. This partial application of complex processing maintains accuracy where needed while improving overall processing speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS8054518B2Color imaging devices, color imaging methods, and color separation methods

Publication Date: 2011.11.08 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

Color imaging devices, color imaging methods, and color separation methods are described. According to one embodiment, a color imaging device includes interface circuitry configured to access color image data of an initial color space for a plurality of pixels, color space conversion circuitry coupled with the interface circuitry and configured to convert the color image data for some of the pixels from the initial color space to a first output color space representation and to convert the color image data for others of the pixels from the initial color space to a second output color space representation different than the first output color space representation, and an image engine coupled with the color space conversion circuitry and configured to form a color image using the color image data of the first and the second output color space representations.