Gamut Mapping Profile Management for Color Consistency

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current color management systems fail to provide consistent color output across diverse devices due to proprietary and inconsistent implementations, requiring significant expertise for calibration and lacking flexibility in controlling rendering intents and gamut mapping.

Innovation Solution

A color management system that uses XML-based profiles (DMP, CAMP, GMMP) to selectively set gamut map model defaults, allowing for the query and specification of profiles at different stages of the color processing model, enabling better manageability and transparency while maintaining legacy compatibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If proprietary and inconsistent color management implementations are used in operating systems, applications, and device drivers, then device-specific color processing can be optimized, but color consistency across different devices and platforms cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice-specific color processing optimizationVSAvoidcolor consistency across devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary color management system layer that sits between applications and device drivers. This intermediary implements standardized color management functions (gamut mapping, rendering intent selection, profile management) that mediate between proprietary device capabilities and the need for cross-platform consistency. The system provides a unified interface that translates diverse device-specific requirements into standardized color processing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal color management framework that can handle multiple device types (monitors, printers, scanners) and multiple operating systems through a single standardized interface. The system provides multi-functional capabilities including profile loading, gamut mapping, rendering intent application, and color space transformation that work across diverse hardware and software platforms, eliminating the need for separate proprietary implementations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If detailed control over rendering intent and gamut mapping parameters is provided, then color accuracy and user preference can be optimized, but system complexity and difficulty of operation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor accuracyVSAvoiduser operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control mechanisms where rendering intent and gamut mapping parameters can be adjusted based on user preferences, device characteristics, and application requirements. The system dynamically selects appropriate color management strategies without requiring users to manually configure complex parameters. Default settings automatically adapt to different device types and usage scenarios, providing high color accuracy while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments color management control into distinct functional layers: device profile management, gamut mapping parameters, rendering intent selection, and application-specific overrides. Each layer can be independently configured, allowing users to control only the aspects they care about while the system automatically handles the rest. This segmentation reduces operational complexity by presenting a simplified interface while maintaining detailed control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple color profiles and rendering intents are supported, then flexibility in color management is improved, but troubleshooting and calibration become more complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor management flexibilityVSAvoidtroubleshooting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms that monitor color profile application, gamut mapping operations, and rendering intent selection throughout the color processing pipeline. The system provides diagnostic information about which profiles are active, what transformations are being applied, and where color deviations occur. This feedback enables automated troubleshooting and calibration by identifying the source of color management issues without requiring expert intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary color management module that acts as a centralized control point for all color profile and rendering intent operations. This intermediary maintains a coherent state across multiple profiles and intents, ensuring that they work together consistently rather than conflicting. The module provides unified management of the color processing chain, making troubleshooting simpler by centralizing control and providing a single point of configuration and diagnostics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7667872B2Gamut mapping and rendering intent management system
Publication Date: 2010.02.23 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • US7667872B2 patent drawing
  • US7667872B2 patent drawing
  • US7667872B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system and method for selectively setting gamut map model defaults in a color management system is disclosed for transforming colors from a first color space to a second color space. The method includes the steps of comprises determining the profile associated with the second color space from one of an ICC profile, a device model profile and a system default profile; associating a color appearance profile and a gamut mapping profile based on the profile; and selecting at least one of the color appearance and gamut mapping profiles based on the profile associated with the second color space.