Diagnostic Color Space for Surface Condition Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing color detection and measurement systems, such as RGB and HSV, fail to accurately convey the meaning of color in various fields due to their subjective nature and inability to intuitively represent surface conditions, making it difficult for professionals to interpret color data from digital imaging devices.

Innovation Solution

The method involves converting raw color data into a more meaningful format using additional color code systems like HSV, and creating Cartesian or radial coordinate systems to display color spaces, allowing operators to determine surface conditions by plotting and comparing data points, thereby linking color numbers to actual surface meanings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If traditional color code systems (RGB, HSV) are used to represent color data, then the data can be digitally processed and stored, but the data fails to intuitively convey surface condition meaning to operators

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface condition meaningVSAvoidoperator interpretation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary coordinate transformation system that converts raw color data into a diagnostic color space. This intermediary representation bridges the gap between numerical color values and human-interpretable surface conditions, allowing operators to visually assess conditions like inflammation or corrosion without needing to interpret raw RGB or HSV values.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the parameter representation by changing the coordinate system from traditional RGB or HSV to a diagnostic color space with axes specifically designed to highlight surface condition variations. This parameter transformation reweights and reorganizes color information to emphasize diagnostically relevant features while suppressing irrelevant variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If detailed color measurement systems are implemented to capture precise color data, then measurement precision improves, but the complexity of interpreting the data increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor detection accuracyVSAvoiddata interpretation system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and isolates the diagnostically relevant information from complex color measurements by projecting the high-dimensional color data onto a simplified diagnostic color space. This extraction process separates surface condition information from other color variations, maintaining measurement precision while reducing interpretation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a diagnostic dimension to color representation by creating a new coordinate system where one axis specifically represents surface condition severity. This dimensional transformation allows precise color measurements to be visualized and interpreted in terms of diagnostic significance rather than just numerical values.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Loss of information

If multiple color code systems are used to represent the same color data, then more comprehensive color information is available, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor information completenessVSAvoidcolor space transformation system
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple color code systems (RGB, HSV, and other color spaces) into a unified diagnostic color space. By transforming all input color data into a common diagnostic framework, the system preserves comprehensive color information while eliminating the complexity of managing multiple separate color representations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables definitive or probabilistic determinations of surface conditions, providing a more intuitive understanding of color data, improving accuracy in fields like medicine, metal inspection, and artwork assessment by visualizing color variations and differences.

Implementation Method 1

scanning the surface of an object and detecting and measuring the electromagnetic spectrum being directed from the surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic spectrum detection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11170532B1Method and apparatus, and analysis for color space determination of surface condition
Publication Date: 2021.11.09 ECTOSCAN SYSTEMS LLC
  • US11170532B1 patent drawing
  • US11170532B1 patent drawing
  • US11170532B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A system and method of determining the condition of a surface by scanning the surface of an object and detecting and measuring the electromagnetic spectrum being directed from the surface to obtain raw data from a plurality of points along the surface and assigning values for each particular data type of raw data and creating a color space for viewing by an operator to determine the condition of the surface.