Selective Color Value Conversion in Document Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Color management systems face issues when converting color values between similar color spaces, leading to loss of information and registration problems, particularly when dealing with CMYK profiles for the same output device, and existing solutions either disable color management or require time-consuming and error-prone checks.
Innovation Solution
A system that selectively converts color values based on object-level and document-level color profiles, using an object-level flag to determine whether to honor the object-level profile, and a print-mode flag to decide on CMYK color value preservation or conversion, ensuring that color values are only converted if the object-level profile differs from the output profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If color management systems convert color values between similar color spaces (e.g., CMYK to CMYK), then color values can be adapted for different output devices, but color information is lost due to conversion through device-independent color space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different color management behaviors for different objects within the same document. Each object can have its own color profile and conversion settings, enabling selective conversion based on the specific needs of each object rather than applying a uniform conversion strategy throughout the entire document.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments color management into object-level and document-level profiles. By separating color profiles into these distinct levels, the system can independently manage conversion for different objects while maintaining overall document consistency, preventing unnecessary conversions that cause information loss.
2Loss of information
If color management features are disabled to avoid conversion problems, then color information loss is prevented, but useful color management features like color proofing are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables selective color management by allowing individual objects to have color profiles while others remain unaffected. This local approach preserves color management functionality for objects that need it (such as images requiring color proofing) while preventing problematic conversions for objects where they would cause information loss.
3Reliability
If manual checking of color management settings is performed to prevent errors, then conversion errors can be avoided, but time consumption increases proportionally to document complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automatic detection and application of appropriate color profiles. The system automatically determines which objects should have color profiles applied based on their properties, eliminating the need for manual checking while maintaining high conversion accuracy through automated decision-making.
4Measurement precision
If object-level color profiles are applied to all objects, then color accuracy is improved, but registration problems occur when text is converted from single plate CMYK to multiple plates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating between object types. Text objects maintain their original single-plate CMYK properties without conversion, while image objects receive color profile application for accuracy improvement. This selective approach preserves color accuracy for images while preventing registration problems for text.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments color profile application based on object type and properties. By separating text objects from image objects in the segmentation process, the system can apply color management only where appropriate (images) while leaving text unaffected, thus avoiding registration issues.
Data Source
AI summary
A system that selectively converts color values for objects within a document based on color profiles, wherein a color profile defines a conversion for color values between a source color space and a destination color space. During operation, the system determines whether an object-level color profile exists for an object in a document. If so, the system determines whether an object-level flag for the object is set to honor the object-level color profile. If so, the system uses the object-level color profile and an output color profile to convert color values for the object in the document.