User Interface Color Selection via Adaptive Region Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Finding a suitable color for user interface elements that matches a background image is challenging due to the vast number of possible colors, making manual selection inefficient and often resulting in unsuitable choices.
Innovation Solution
A method that divides the color space into pre-defined regions, maps pixel color values, and progressively narrows down the regions to select a single suitable color for user interface elements by identifying the region with the most mapped color values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the full color space (16,777,216 colors) is used for manual selection, then the user has access to all possible color choices, but the task becomes extremely difficult and time-consuming (needle in a haystack)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the full color space into multiple palettes, each containing a limited number of colors (e.g., 10-20 colors per palette). This segmentation transforms the overwhelming 16-million-color space into manageable groups, allowing users to efficiently browse and select colors without being overwhelmed by the total number of possibilities.
2Ease of operation
If the available colors are reduced to make selection easier, then manual selection becomes more manageable, but the resulting color may not be prominently found in the image itself and thus unsuitable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent generates multiple palettes, each focused on a specific color region or characteristic of the image. Each palette contains colors that are locally relevant to particular areas or aspects of the image, ensuring that users can find suitable colors that are actually present in the image while still having a manageable selection process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides visual feedback by displaying multiple palettes with different color selections, allowing users to see how each color option appears in the context of the image. This feedback mechanism helps users verify color suitability before making their final selection, ensuring the chosen color is appropriate for the image.
3Ease of operation
If automated color selection methods are used, then user burden is reduced, but the selected color may not match user preferences or image characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically generates multiple palettes with color suggestions based on the image analysis, allowing the interface element to self-determine suitable colors without requiring manual user input. This self-service approach reduces user burden while maintaining color suitability through automated image-based color extraction and palette generation.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments utilize a set of pixels that that make up an image that is to appear in a user interface. The method divides the applicable color space into pre-defined regions and then analyzes the image by mapping color values associated with pixels of the image into defined regions. After mapping the color values, the method determines which one or more region(s) is associated with the most mapped color values and then selects that region(s) for further analysis. Using the selected region(s), the method then divides the region(s) into further sub-regions and repeats the mapping process, progressively narrowing the regions down until a single color is selected for use in a frame that comprises part of the user interface.