Automatic Ink Color Selection for Photographs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Digital photographs lack effective methods for easily marking up images with intuitive and aesthetically pleasing ink colors, as current software requires time-consuming manual selection of ink colors that may not be compatible with the photograph's color scheme.

Innovation Solution

An algorithm analyzes the photograph to determine an average color value, automatically setting an ink color that is visible and adjustable across different regions and users, incorporating gradients of brightness, saturation, and hue to enhance visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual selection of ink color is used, then user can choose specific color, but it is time consuming and may not be compatible with photograph

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of inkingVSAvoidtime to select ink color

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic ink color selection without requiring user intervention. The software analyzes the photograph's color characteristics and autonomously determines the optimal ink color, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring manual user configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts ink color parameters (hue, saturation, brightness) based on the analyzed photograph characteristics. By changing these color parameters automatically according to the image content, the system resolves the contradiction between ease of use and time consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If default ink color is used, then operation is simple, but it may not be visible or aesthetically pleasing in certain photograph regions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of inkingVSAvoidvisibility of ink

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different ink color characteristics to different regions of the photograph based on local color analysis. Rather than using a uniform default color, the software adjusts ink properties locally to match each region's characteristics, ensuring visibility and aesthetic compatibility while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The ink color selection transitions from static default values to dynamic, context-dependent colors. The system continuously adapts ink color properties based on the photograph's regional characteristics, making the ink color flexible and responsive to different image areas while keeping the user interface simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If automatic ink color selection is implemented, then ease of use improves, but complexity of color analysis increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of inkingVSAvoidcomplexity of color analysis system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual mechanical color selection with automated computational color analysis. By substituting the manual process with algorithmic image analysis and automatic color determination, the system achieves ease of use while managing complexity through software-based solutions rather than manual procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS7738139B2Inking on photographs

Publication Date: 2010.06.15 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Methods of selecting a color for an electronic ink are disclosed. A portion of a photograph may be analyzed to determine a representative color value, which may be an average color value for the portion. Depending on the photograph, more than one representative color value may be determined. A color or colors, that may include gradients in brightness or saturation levels, which will be visible on the representative color value or values, may then be determined. A color of the electronic ink is then set to the appropriate color or colors so that when a user inks on a photograph, the ink is visible.