Hexadecimal Color Search Engine for Product Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current color-based searching systems are inadequate as they rely on textual representations of colors, leading to inconsistent results and inability to accurately match specific shades or patterns, lacking universal color codification and dynamic analysis, which hinders consumer preferences and product matching.

Innovation Solution

A system and method utilizing a universal color system with hexadecimal codes for searching and matching products, allowing users to select colors directly and searching inventory management and supply chain systems, enabling non-textual queries and filtering by color and pattern in product image data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If textual color names are used for searching, then the search system is simple to operate, but the measurement precision of color matching is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of color search operationVSAvoidcolor matching precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms color representation from textual parameters (color names like 'red' or 'blue') to numerical parameters (hexadecimal codes like '#FF0000' or RGB values). This parameter transformation enables precise color matching by converting subjective color descriptions into objective, quantifiable values that can be accurately compared and searched, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining operational simplicity through standardized code systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces hexadecimal color codes and RGB value systems as intermediary representations between user color selection and product color matching. These intermediaries serve as a universal translation layer that bridges the gap between human color perception and computer-based color identification, enabling accurate color searches across different platforms and vendors while maintaining ease of use through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a universal color system with hexadecimal codes is implemented, then the measurement precision of color identification is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor identification precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal color system using standardized hexadecimal codes and RGB value structures that can be applied across multiple platforms, vendors, and product types. This universal system serves multiple functions simultaneously: color identification, color matching, inventory management, and search operations. By creating a single standardized framework that works universally, the patent improves color identification precision without proportionally increasing system complexity, as the same infrastructure supports diverse applications.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adopts widely-accepted color parameter systems (hexadecimal codes and RGB values) that are already standardized in the digital realm. By leveraging existing universal color standards rather than creating proprietary systems, the patent achieves high measurement precision while minimizing the complexity increment, as these parameter systems are well-documented and easily integrated into existing technical infrastructures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If color-based searching is implemented without universal codification, then the ease of manufacture is maintained, but the reliability of search results deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of system implementationVSAvoidsearch result reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary codification of colors into standardized hexadecimal codes and RGB values before the actual product listing and search processes. By pre-establishing a universal color code system and mapping all product colors to these standardized representations in advance, the patent ensures that when color-based searches are performed, the results are reliable and consistent. This preliminary action of codification maintains ease of manufacture since the mapping process can be automated, while simultaneously improving search result reliability through standardized color representation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9047633B2System and method for identifying, searching and matching products based on color
Publication Date: 2015.06.02 ZENCOLOR GLOBAL LLC
  • US9047633B2 patent drawing
  • US9047633B2 patent drawing
  • US9047633B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system and method for searching and matching products based on color using a universal color system comprises a plurality of processor based client devices, each client device uniquely associated with a user, a database engine comprising a plurality of products reverse mapped and organized in accordance with the hexadecimal color codes of the universal color system, and a processor based server. The server receives a color-based search query comprising user's color selection from a client device associated with a user over a communications network. The user's color selection comprises at least one hexadecimal color code of the universal color system. A color engine of the server searches the database engine for products having the hexadecimal color codes with a predetermined range of the hexadecimal color code of the user's color selection, and transmits the search result to the client device associated with the user over the communications network.