Object-Specific Color Conversion for Image Processing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing techniques lack color conversion accuracy due to the failure to account for object information, resulting in inconsistent color reproduction across different objects.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus determines object types and generates specific color conversion parameters for each object type, using chromaticity values and ICC profiles to ensure accurate color conversion by considering object-specific parameters and thresholds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a general color conversion table is created without considering object information, then the processing is simple and fast, but the color conversion accuracy is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor conversion accuracyVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the image into multiple objects based on object information (such as object type, position, and characteristics), and creates separate color conversion tables for each object type. This segmentation allows different color conversion parameters to be applied to different objects, thereby improving color conversion accuracy while managing complexity through systematic categorization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different color conversion parameters to different regions (objects) within the image based on their specific characteristics. By determining object information and selecting appropriate color conversion tables for each object type, the system achieves local optimization of color accuracy rather than applying a uniform conversion across the entire image

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If object-specific color conversion is implemented, then color conversion accuracy is improved, but the processing time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor reproduction accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs object recognition and classification in advance to determine object information before color conversion. By pre-determining which objects belong to which categories and selecting the appropriate color conversion tables beforehand, the system reduces the processing time required during the actual color conversion phase while maintaining high accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4106307B1Apparatus, method, and system for processing image, and carrier means
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP4106307B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4106307B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4106307B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus (100) for processing an image, includes: a first image input unit (100F1) configured to input a first image indicating a target color; a second image input unit (100F2) configured to input a second image formed by an image forming unit to be subjected to adjustment; a determining unit (100F3) configured to determine types of objects; and a generating unit (100F4) configured to compare the first image and the second image and generate, for each of the types of the objects, a color conversion parameter, based on a correspondence between a chromaticity value in the first image and a chromaticity value in the second image.