Color Space Transformation With Blended Rendering Intents

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for transforming color values between different device-dependent color spaces fail to provide an optimal visual match when the white points of the source and target processes are significantly different, leading to perceptual discrepancies due to chromatic adaptation by the human visual system.

Innovation Solution

A method that combines absolute and relative rendering intents to transform color values, using a device-independent Profile Connection Space (PCS) with blending parameters based on the position in the color space, ensuring accurate color reproduction while preserving the white point and substrate background characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If absolute rendering intent is used to transform color values, then color accuracy is improved, but white point mapping accuracy deteriorates when source and target white points are significantly different

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor accuracyVSAvoidwhite point mapping accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the color transformation process into two distinct rendering intents: absolute rendering intent for maintaining color accuracy in colored areas, and relative rendering intent for accurately mapping white points. This segmentation allows each rendering intent to optimize for its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between color accuracy and white point mapping accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different rendering intents to different regions of the color space locally. Absolute rendering intent is applied to colored areas where color accuracy is critical, while relative rendering intent is applied to white point areas where luminance mapping is critical. This local differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of both color accuracy and white point mapping accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If relative rendering intent is used to transform color values, then white point mapping accuracy is improved, but color accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewhite point mapping accuracyVSAvoidcolor accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the color transformation process into two distinct rendering intents: absolute rendering intent for maintaining color accuracy in colored areas, and relative rendering intent for accurately mapping white points. This segmentation allows each rendering intent to optimize for its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between color accuracy and white point mapping accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different rendering intents to different regions of the color space locally. Absolute rendering intent is applied to colored areas where color accuracy is critical, while relative rendering intent is applied to white point areas where luminance mapping is critical. This local differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of both color accuracy and white point mapping accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If a single rendering intent is used for color transformation, then processing simplicity is maintained, but visual impression consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing simplicityVSAvoidvisual impression consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges absolute and relative rendering intents into a unified color transformation system that automatically selects and applies the appropriate rendering intent based on the color space and transformation requirements. This combination maintains processing simplicity while achieving consistent visual impressions by using both rendering intents synergistically rather than choosing one exclusively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4125264B1Method for transforming colour spaces

Publication Date: 2026.04.22 HEIDELBERGER DRUCKMASCHINEN AG

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AI summary

A method is described for transforming color values of a first device-dependent color space into the color values of a second device-dependent color space, such that the visual impression of the colors reproduced in both color spaces is essentially the same, whereby at least one absolute rendering intent is combined with at least one relative rendering intent during the transformation of the color values.