Spot Color Processing in Digital Images
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spot color processing methods fail to accurately reproduce corporate or commodity colors in digital images captured under different conditions or by various devices, leading to inconsistent color reproduction and brand image appeal.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that includes a region recognizing unit, color information acquiring unit, and converting unit to identify and convert specific color regions in digital images into target colors, ensuring consistent corporate or commodity color representation across different capturing conditions and devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional spot color processing is applied to digital images captured under different conditions or by different devices, then processing speed and simplicity are improved, but color reproduction consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter representation from simple Pantone/DIC numbers to CIE L*a*b* color space values. By converting spot color specifications into standardized CIE L*a*b* parameters and using these as reference for automatic color matching in captured images, the system achieves consistent color reproduction across different devices and conditions while maintaining processing efficiency through automated parameter-based matching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces CIE L*a*b* color space as an intermediary standard between different color systems and devices. This intermediary color space serves as a universal reference that enables accurate color matching and reproduction across various capturing devices and printing conditions, resolving the inconsistency problem without sacrificing processing speed.
2Ease of operation
If simple color replacement using Pantone or DIC numbers is used, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision of color reproduction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the color specification parameter system from subjective Pantone/DIC numbers to objective CIE L*a*b* color space parameters. This allows for precise numerical control of color values while maintaining ease of operation through standardized parameter input. The converting unit automatically handles the transformation, preserving operational simplicity while achieving manufacturing-grade color accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual, experience-based mechanical process of color matching with an automated computational system. The converting unit uses algorithmic color space transformation and automatic matching to replace colors with high precision, eliminating human subjectivity while maintaining ease of operation through automated processing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If spot color processing converts to YMCK image data, then adaptability to printing devices is improved, but color information fidelity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary color standardization by converting captured image colors to CIE L*a*b* space and matching them against standardized spot color references before final YMCK conversion. This preliminary action preserves color information fidelity by establishing accurate color targets early in the process, ensuring that subsequent device-adaptation steps do not lose essential color characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the color processing into distinct stages: color detection in CIE L*a*b* space, spot color matching, and final YMCK conversion. This segmentation allows each stage to optimize for its specific function, preserving color information fidelity in the matching stage while achieving device adaptability in the conversion stage, without compromising overall color accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes: a region recognizing unit that recognizes a region to be subjected to spot color processing in a digital image that is read from an image database in which a plurality of digital images are stored; a color information acquiring unit that acquires target color information to serve as a replacement target in the spot color processing; and a converting unit that converts color information of the region recognized by the region recognizing unit into the target color information acquired by the color information acquiring unit.