Device Link Profile Adjustment Using PCS Coordinates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing device link profiles do not contain PCS values, making it difficult to adjust spot colors based on PCS coordinates, which limits color reproduction accuracy and requires manual adjustments in the ICC profile.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for adjusting device link profiles by using a color conversion table that includes device-independent coordinates, allowing adjustments based on PCS values, and optimizing color reproduction accuracy through conversion and optimization processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If device link profiles are created without PCS values to simplify the profile structure, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates because spot color adjustment based on PCS coordinates becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprofile structureVSAvoidcolor reproduction accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and stores PCS coordinate data separately from the device link profile structure. The PCS values are stored in a dedicated data structure that can be accessed during adjustment operations, allowing the profile itself to remain simple while still enabling precise color adjustment through the separated PCS data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces PCS coordinate values as an intermediary between device-dependent color spaces. By maintaining PCS data as a mediator that connects different device color spaces, the system enables accurate spot color adjustment without requiring direct modification of the device link profile structure, thus resolving the contradiction between simplicity and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If manual adjustments are performed in the ICC profile to achieve color matching, then color reproduction accuracy can be improved, but productivity deteriorates due to increased manual intervention time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor reproduction accuracyVSAvoidadjustment efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements an automated feedback mechanism where PCS coordinate data from measured spot colors is fed back into the adjustment system. The system automatically compares measured values with target PCS values and performs adjustments based on the coordinate differences, eliminating the need for manual trial-and-error adjustments while maintaining high color accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service color adjustment by automatically processing spot color corrections using stored PCS data. The adjustment process occurs autonomously without requiring operator intervention - the system reads PCS coordinates, calculates adjustments, and applies corrections automatically, thus improving productivity while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of substance

If device link profiles exclude PCS values to reduce data storage requirements, then loss of substance is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates because PCS coordinates cannot be used for adjustment references

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata storageVSAvoidcolor measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments color data into two separate components: device link profile data and PCS coordinate data. By dividing the color management data structure this way, the system stores only essential profile information in the device link profile while maintaining separate, efficient storage for PCS values, thus minimizing overall data storage requirements while preserving measurement precision capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3474531B1Device link profile adjustment method, device link profile adjustment apparatus, and device link profile creation method
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP3474531B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3474531B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3474531B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device link profile adjustment method of a computer carrying out a process of adjusting a device link table in a device link profile expressing a correspondence relationship between a first coordinate value of a first device-dependent color space and a second coordinate value of a second device-dependent color space, the method including: accepting an adjustment target at an adjustment point, using a coordinate in a profile connection space as a reference; and adjusting the device link table based on the adjustment target and a color conversion table including a device-independent coordinate value of the profile connection space in an original profile used to create the device link table.