Gamut mapping with redundant colors for chroma expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional CMYK color printing processes have a limited gamut, leading to chroma reduction in printed images, which does not accurately represent the original scene's color preferences, as they fail to consider subject matter-specific color preferences and often result in unpleasing chroma levels in certain image areas.
Innovation Solution
A method to convert a digital image into a preferred image by allowing users to selectively expand chroma in specific areas based on subject matter, using redundant colors and color profiles to optimize chroma levels without altering lightness or hue, enabling users to specify gamut expansion or compression according to the reference image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional CMYK color printing processes are used, then the printing process is simple and cost-effective, but the gamut is limited and chroma is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines traditional CMYK printing with alternative process colors (such as orange, green, blue) to create an extended color space. This merging allows the system to maintain the simplicity of traditional printing while significantly expanding the achievable gamut and chroma through the synergistic use of multiple color sets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces additional color dimensions beyond the traditional CMYK four-color model by incorporating alternative process colors. This dimensional expansion transforms the limited four-dimensional color space into a higher-dimensional space, enabling reproduction of colors with higher chroma that were previously unattainable.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gamut compression is applied to map colors from original scene to printing press, then the color range fits the printing capabilities, but chroma levels become reduced and less pleasing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the printing color space by introducing alternative process colors. This parameter change allows the system to achieve better chroma fidelity without requiring aggressive gamut compression, as the extended color space can naturally accommodate a wider range of chroma values.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic chroma adjustment capabilities that allow selective enhancement of chroma in different image regions. This dynamic approach enables the system to maintain chroma fidelity in areas where it is most important while still achieving overall gamut compatibility with the printing press capabilities.
3Manufacturing precision
If chroma is increased in all image areas, then color saturation is improved, but some areas (like skin tones) become unnatural and less pleasing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality control by enabling selective chroma enhancement in different image regions. Different chroma adjustment strategies can be applied to different areas - for example, moderate enhancement for skin tones to maintain natural appearance, and aggressive enhancement for landscapes or products to maximize visual impact. This localized approach resolves the contradiction between overall chroma saturation and local naturalness.
4Manufacturing precision
If redundant colors are added to expand gamut, then chroma production capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves multi-functionality by designing a printing system that can operate in multiple modes - traditional CMYK mode for simple applications and extended color space mode for high-chroma applications. This universal approach allows the same printing infrastructure to serve both simple and complex color reproduction needs, reducing the effective complexity increase while maintaining enhanced chroma capability when needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and software for converting a digital representation of a reference image to a preferred representation having higher chroma in selected subject areas.