Metamerism Correction Transform for Laser Display Color Consistency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Digital display systems using narrow-band primaries, such as lasers, suffer from observer metameric failure, where different observers perceive the same color differently due to variations in spectral sensitivity, leading to dissatisfaction and potential marketplace issues, as existing solutions either require more than three primaries or complex observer-dependent tuning.

Innovation Solution

A method for color correcting images to account for the color vision characteristics of target observers by applying a metamerism correction transform to determine output color values suitable for display on devices with narrow-band primaries, reducing average observer metameric failure and allowing digital images from wide-band devices to be adapted for display on narrow-band devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If narrow-band primaries (lasers) are used in display systems, then color gamut and color saturation are improved, but observer metameric failure occurs causing different observers to perceive colors differently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor saturationVSAvoidcolor perception consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the color values in the digital image data through a metamerism correction transform. This transform adjusts the color parameters (RGB values) to compensate for the spectral sensitivity differences among observers, thereby maintaining color perception consistency while preserving the narrow-band primary advantages of laser displays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-calculating and applying metamerism correction transforms during the image processing stage, before the actual display. This allows the correction to be built into the digital cinema package, ensuring consistent color perception across different observers without requiring real-time adjustment during viewing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If metamerism correction transforms are applied to compensate for observer metameric failure, then color perception consistency is improved, but image processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor perception consistencyVSAvoidimage processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses copying by creating a corrected version of the digital image data that incorporates the metamerism correction transform. This corrected data copy can be stored and distributed with the digital cinema package, allowing the complex processing to be done once during preparation rather than repeatedly during display operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary element - the metamerism correction transform - that acts as a mediator between the narrow-band primary display system and human observers. This transform serves as a mathematical model that translates color values to account for individual spectral sensitivity differences, simplifying the overall system by providing a standardized correction approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If standard digital cinema workflows are used without metamerism correction, then device compatibility is maintained, but observer metameric failure causes color perception variability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidcolor perception consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves universality by making the metamerism correction transform observer-independent. The transform is derived from average observer spectral sensitivity data and can be applied to any digital cinema system using narrow-band primaries, making it universally applicable across different laser display devices while maintaining standard digital cinema workflows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9134178B2Observer metameric failure compensation method

Publication Date: 2015.09.15 IMAX CORP

AI summary

A method for color correcting an input color image having input color values adapted for display on a reference display device having a plurality of input color primaries to account to provide reduced observer metemaric failure on a narrow-band display device. A metamerism correction transform is applied to the input color image to determine an output color image having output color values in an output color space appropriate for display on the narrow-band display device. The metamerism correction transform modifies colorimetry associated with the input colors to provide output color values such that an average observer metameric failure is reduced for a distribution of target observers.