Image Variant Generator for Low-Contrast Backgrounds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies lack an automated method to modify images for improved visual perception when printed or displayed on low-contrast backgrounds, limiting the reuse of graphical designs across various background colors.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method generates image variants by adding contrasting effects, such as strokes or background layers, to ensure images remain visually perceptible on low-contrast backgrounds, utilizing an image variant generator and content management software to create and manage multiple design versions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an image is designed with specific background colors to ensure visual perception, then the image is visually perceptible on that specific background, but the image cannot be effectively displayed on different background colors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage compatibility with different backgroundsVSAvoidvisual perception on low-contrast backgrounds
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the image into multiple variants, each optimized for specific background colors. The image processing system creates separate image versions (e.g., light background variant, dark background variant) by adjusting color contrasts and applying different processing parameters, allowing each segment to perform optimally on its target background type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent systematically changes image parameters such as color contrast, brightness, and saturation based on the detected background color. The image processing system adjusts these parameters dynamically to ensure optimal visual perception, transforming the original image into variants with modified color distributions and contrast levels suitable for different background colors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If automated image modification is implemented to create variants for different backgrounds, then image versatility is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage variant generation capabilityVSAvoidimage processing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service through automated image processing that detects background colors and automatically generates appropriate image variants without manual intervention. The system autonomously analyzes the background color, selects appropriate processing parameters, and generates variants using predefined algorithms, reducing the need for complex manual image editing workflows.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes by applying predefined transformation rules and processing algorithms that automatically adjust image characteristics based on background color detection. The system uses configurable parameter sets and processing pipelines that can be automatically selected and applied, managing complexity through structured, rule-based transformations rather than ad-hoc processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If manual image modification is performed for each background color, then visual perception is optimized for each background, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual perception optimizationVSAvoidimage modification time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining multiple image variants with different color processing parameters before they are needed. The system pre-processes and stores optimized image versions for common background colors, allowing rapid selection and deployment without requiring time-consuming real-time manual modification for each specific background.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service through automated image processing that detects background colors and automatically generates appropriate image variants without manual intervention. The system autonomously analyzes the background color, selects appropriate processing parameters, and generates variants using predefined algorithms, dramatically reducing the time required compared to manual modification while maintaining optimization quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2372658B1Creating images for displaying or printing on low-contrast background
Publication Date: 2013.06.26 VISTAPRINT SCHWEIZ GMBH
  • EP2372658B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~2
  • EP2372658B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2372658B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4D

AI summary

Techniques for automatically adding special effects to an image to be overlaid on a low-contrast background are presented. A stroke or an intervening layer of a color contrasting with the background color is automatically added to provide a contrasting color around the edges of visible image content in an image container of an electronic document. The technique may be applied to entire libraries of images to generate variant images that are visually perceptible when displayed or printed on low-contrast background colors.