Image Control Device Regular Patch Chart Arrangement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The accuracy of the input and output characteristic model for image forming devices is compromised when the number of patch data items is small, particularly in the CIELab color space, due to irregular arrangement of patch data items in this color space, leading to increased effort and time in colorimetry.

Innovation Solution

An image control device that receives patch chart data items arranged at equal intervals on grid points of the lightness and saturation axes in the HSL or HSV color space, ensuring regularity and improving the accuracy of the complementary operation and input/output characteristic model, even with a smaller number of patch data items.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the number of patch data items is increased to improve model accuracy, then the accuracy of the input and output characteristic model is improved, but the effort and time required for colorimetry increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of input and output characteristic modelVSAvoidtime required for colorimetry

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the arrangement parameters of patch data items from irregular distribution in CIELab color space to regular grid-point distribution in HSL/HSV color space. This parameter change allows achieving the same measurement accuracy with fewer patches, thereby reducing colorimetry time while maintaining model accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by concentrating patch data items at specific grid points in the HSL/HSV color space that correspond to perceptually important regions. This localized strategic placement ensures accurate colorimetry in critical areas while reducing the total number of patches needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If patch data items are arranged at equal intervals in RGB color space, then the arrangement is simple and regular, but the arrangement becomes irregular in CIELab color space leading to deteriorated accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of patch data item arrangementVSAvoidaccuracy of complementary operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of arranging patches in RGB color space and hoping for good distribution in CIELab, the patent inverts the approach by directly arranging patches at regular grid points in HSL/HSV color space. This inversion ensures both ease of arrangement and regular distribution in the color space that matters for colorimetry accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces HSL/HSV color space as an intermediary between RGB input and CIELab output. By arranging patches regularly in this intermediate color space, it achieves both ease of arrangement and accurate representation in CIELab, solving the contradiction between simplicity and accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10362197B2Image control device and non-transitory computer readable medium

Publication Date: 2019.07.23 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An image control device includes a reception unit that receives patch chart data items arranged such that the patch data items corresponding to a plurality of patches belonging to a same hue, among a plurality of patches constituting a patch chart, are positioned only in any of grid points of grid lines which divide a lightness axis and a saturation axis which define a hue plane corresponding to the hue at equal intervals, and a controller that outputs the patch chart data items to an image forming unit which forms the patch chart on a recording material if an output operation of the patch chart is received.