Method and apparatus for color correction of color devices for various operating conditions

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for color correction of color device for various operating conditions. In at least one embodiment of the present invention, operating under a current condition, a color correction operation that is derived from color correction operations defined for other conditions is performed on the color data. In another embodiment, a device profile for managing colors for a color device operating under one condition is interpolated from the device profiles for the color device operating under other conditions (e.g., based on the input received from a user interface according to the perception of the user or based on the measurement of a sensor). The interpolation can be based on the input received from a user interface according to the perception of the user or it can be based on the measurement of a sensor or a set of sensors. Various operating conditions for a color device (e.g., a scanner, a camera, a video camera, a printer, a display device such as a CRT monitor or an LCD display panel, a television set, or others) include chromaticity and illumination of ambient light, background color for a display device, characteristics of print media for a printer, humidity, temperature, pressure and ink level for an ink jet printer, the age of a light source for a scanner, and others.

1 . A method of color correction for a color device operating under various conditions, the method comprising:
 performing a first color correction operation for the color device operating under a first condition according to a first input and a plurality of second color correction operations for the color device operating under a plurality of second conditions, the first input indicating a relation between the first condition and the plurality of second conditions.   
     
     
         2 . A method as in  claim 1  further comprising:
 receiving a second input from a user interface to define one of the plurality of second color correction operations for the color device operating under one of the plurality of second conditions. 
 
     
     
         3 . A method as in  claim 2  wherein the second input calibrates the one of the plurality of second color correction operations according to a perspective of a user for the color device operating under the one of the plurality of second conditions. 
     
     
         4 . A method as in  claim 3  wherein the one of the plurality of second color correction operations corrects a color data for a plurality of grays to maintain a consistent white point according to the perspective of the user for the color device operating under the one of the plurality of second conditions. 
     
     
         5 . A method as in  claim 4  wherein the plurality of grays comprises at least one of:
 a) black; 
 b) white. 
 
     
     
         6 . A method as in  claim 1  further comprising:
 receiving the first input from a user interface. 
 
     
     
         7 . A method as in  claim 6  wherein the first input specifies weights for the plurality of second conditions; and the first color correction operation is an average of the plurality of second color correction operations weighted according to the weights. 
     
     
         8 . A method as in  claim 7  further comprising:
 providing feedback to demonstrate one or more colors corrected by the first color correction operation in response to the first input. 
 
     
     
         9 . A method as in  claim 8  wherein the one or more colors comprise a plurality of grays. 
     
     
         10 . A method as in  claim 8  wherein the color device comprises a display device; and, the feedback is displayed on the display device operating under the first condition. 
     
     
         11 . A method as in  claim 1  further comprising:
 receiving the first input from a sensor. 
 
     
     
         12 . A method as in  claim 11  wherein the sensor quantifies at least one parameter; the first input comprises the at least one parameter for the first condition; and, the first color correction operation is an interpolation of the plurality of second color correction operations according to the at least one parameter. 
     
     
         13 . A method as in  claim 1  further comprising:
 generating a first device profile for the color device operating under the first condition from the first input and a plurality of second device profiles, the plurality of second device profiles corresponding to the plurality of second color correction operations for the color device operating under the plurality of second conditions. 
 
     
     
         14 . A method as in  claim 13  wherein each of the first device profile and the plurality of second device profiles is defined in a device profile space; and, the first device profile is generated from an interpolation constrained in a subspace of the device profile space according to the first input. 
     
     
         15 . A method as in  claim 13  further comprising:
 receiving a second input from a user interface to define one of the plurality of second color correction operations for the color device operating under one of the plurality of second conditions; and 
 generating a device profile for the color device under the one of the plurality of second conditions from the second input and a device profile of the color device. 
 
     
     
         16 . A method as in  claim 13  wherein the first color correction operation is performed using the first device profile. 
     
     
         17 . A method as in  claim 16  wherein said performing the first color correction operation comprises:
 converting between a first color data for the color device operating under the first condition and a second color data according to the first device profile. 
 
     
     
         18 . A method as in  claim 1  wherein the color device comprises one of:
 a) a scanner; 
 b) a camera; 
 c) a video camera; 
 d) a printer; 
 e) a display device; and 
 f) a television set. 
 
     
     
         19 . A color device for operation under various conditions, the device comprising:
 memory, the memory storing a representation of a plurality of second color correction operations for the color device operating under a plurality of second conditions; and   a processor coupled to the memory, the processor performing a first color correction operation for the color device operating under a first condition according to the plurality of second color correction operations and a first input which indicates a relation between the first condition and the plurality of second conditions.   
     
     
         20 . A color device as in  claim 19  wherein the processor receives a second input from a user interface to define one of the plurality of second color correction operations for the color device operating under one of the plurality of second conditions. 
     
     
         21 . A color device as in  claim 20  wherein the second input calibrates the one of the plurality of second color correction operations according to a perspective of a user for the color device operating under the one of the plurality of second conditions. 
     
     
         22 . A color device as in  claim 21  wherein the one of the plurality of second color correction operations corrects a color data for a plurality of grays to maintain a consistent white point according to the perspective of the user for the color device operating under the one of the plurality of second conditions. 
     
     
         23 . A color device as in  claim 22  wherein the plurality of grays comprises at least one of:
 a) black; 
 b) white. 
 
     
     
         24 . A color device as in  claim 19  wherein the processor receives the first input from a user interface. 
     
     
         25 . A color device as in  claim 24  wherein the first input specifies weights for the plurality of second conditions; and the first color correction operation is an average of the plurality of second color correction operations weighted according to the weights. 
     
     
         26 . A color device as in  claim 25  wherein the color device comprises a display device; and
 the processor causes the display device to provide feedback to demonstrate one or more colors corrected by the first color correction operation in response to the first input. 
 
     
     
         27 . A color device as in  claim 26  wherein the one or more colors comprise a plurality of grays. 
     
     
         28 . A color device as in  claim 26  wherein the feedback is displayed on the display device operating under the first condition. 
     
     
         29 . A color device as in  claim 19  further comprising:
 a sensor coupled to the processor, the processor receiving the first input from the sensor. 
 
     
     
         30 . A color device as in  claim 29  wherein the sensor quantifies at least one parameter; the first input comprises the at least one parameter for the first condition; and, the first color correction operation is an interpolation of the plurality of second color correction operations according to the at least one parameter. 
     
     
         31 . A color device as in  claim 19  wherein the processor generates a first device profile for the color device operating under the first condition from the first input and a plurality of second device profiles; and, the plurality of second device profiles correspond to the plurality of second color correction operations for the color device operating under the plurality of second conditions. 
     
     
         32 . A color device as in  claim 31  wherein each of the first device profile and the plurality of second device profiles is defined in a device profile space; and, the first device profile is generated from an interpolation constrained in a subspace of the device profile space according to the first input. 
     
     
         33 . A color device as in  claim 31  wherein the processor receives a second input from a user interface to define one of the plurality of second color correction operations for the color device operating under one of the plurality of second conditions; and, the processor generates a device profile for the color device under the one of the plurality of second conditions from the second input and a device profile of the color device. 
     
     
         34 . A color device as in  claim 31  wherein the first color correction operation is performed using the first device profile. 
     
     
         35 . A color device as in  claim 34  wherein the processor converts between a first color data for the color device operating under the first condition and a second color data according to the first device profile to perform the first color correction operation. 
     
     
         36 . A color device as in  claim 19  wherein the color device comprises one of:
 a) a scanner; 
 b) a camera; 
 c) a video camera; 
 d) a printer; 
 e) a display device; and 
 f) a television set. 
 
     
     
         37 . A machine readable medium containing executable computer program instructions which when executed by a digital processing system cause said system to perform a method of color correction for a color device operating under various conditions, the method comprising:
 performing a first color correction operation for the color device operating under a first condition according to a first input and a plurality of second color correction operations for the color device operating under a plurality of second conditions, the first input indicating a relation between the first condition and the plurality of second conditions.   
     
     
         38 . A medium as in  claim 37  wherein the method further comprises:
 receiving a second input from a user interface to define one of the plurality of second color correction operations for the color device operating under one of the plurality of second conditions. 
 
     
     
         39 . A medium as in  claim 38  wherein the second input calibrates the one of the plurality of second color correction operations according to a perspective of a user for the color device operating under the one of the plurality of second conditions. 
     
     
         40 . A medium as in  claim 39  wherein the one of the plurality of second color correction operations corrects a color data for a plurality of grays to maintain a consistent white point according to the perspective of the user for the color device operating under the one of the plurality of second conditions. 
     
     
         41 . A medium as in  claim 40  wherein the plurality of grays comprises at least one of:
 a) black; 
 b) white. 
 
     
     
         42 . A medium as in  claim 37  wherein the method further comprises:
 receiving the first input from a user interface. 
 
     
     
         43 . A medium as in  claim 42  wherein the first input specifies weights for the plurality of second conditions; and the first color correction operation is an average of the plurality of second color correction operations weighted according to the weights. 
     
     
         44 . A medium as in  claim 43  wherein the method further comprises:
 providing feedback to demonstrate one or more colors corrected by the first color correction operation in response to the first input. 
 
     
     
         45 . A medium as in  claim 44  wherein the one or more colors comprise a plurality of grays. 
     
     
         46 . A medium as in  claim 44  wherein the color device comprises a display device; and, the feedback is displayed on the display device operating under the first condition. 
     
     
         47 . A medium as in  claim 37  wherein the method further comprises:
 receiving the first input from a sensor. 
 
     
     
         48 . A medium as in  claim 47  wherein the sensor quantifies at least one parameter; the first input comprises the at least one parameter for the first condition; and, the first color correction operation is an interpolation of the plurality of second color correction operations according to the at least one parameter. 
     
     
         49 . A medium as in  claim 37  wherein the method further comprises:
 generating a first device profile for the color device operating under the first condition from the first input and a plurality of second device profiles, the plurality of second device profiles corresponding to the plurality of second color correction operations for the color device operating under the plurality of second conditions. 
 
     
     
         50 . A medium as in  claim 49  wherein each of the first device profile and the plurality of second device profiles is defined in a device profile space; and, the first device profile is generated from an interpolation constrained in a subspace of the device profile space according to the first input. 
     
     
         51 . A medium as in  claim 49  wherein the method further comprises:
 receiving a second input from a user interface to define one of the plurality of second color correction operations for the color device operating under one of the plurality of second conditions; and 
 generating a device profile for the color device under the one of the plurality of second conditions from the second input and a device profile of the color device. 
 
     
     
         52 . A medium as in  claim 49  wherein the first color correction operation is performed using the first device profile. 
     
     
         53 . A medium as in  claim 52  wherein said performing the first color correction operation comprises:
 converting between a first color data for the color device operating under the first condition and a second color data according to the first device profile. 
 
     
     
         54 . A medium as in  claim 37  wherein the color device comprises one of:
 a) a scanner; 
 b) a camera; 
 c) a video camera; 
 d) a printer; 
 e) a display device; and 
 f) a television set. 
 
     
     
         55 . A color device for operation under various conditions, the device comprising:
 means for performing a first color correction operation for the color device operating under a first condition according to a first input and a plurality of second color correction operations for the color device operating under a plurality of second conditions, the first input indicating a relation between the first condition and the plurality of second conditions.   
     
     
         56 . A color device as in  claim 55  further comprising:
 means for receiving a second input from a user interface to define one of the plurality of second color correction operations for the color device operating under one of the plurality of second conditions. 
 
     
     
         57 . A color device as in  claim 56  wherein the second input calibrates the one of the plurality of second color correction operations according to a perspective of a user for the color device operating under the one of the plurality of second conditions. 
     
     
         58 . A color device as in  claim 57  wherein the one of the plurality of second color correction operations corrects a color data for a plurality of grays to maintain a consistent white point according to the perspective of the user for the color device operating under the one of the plurality of second conditions. 
     
     
         59 . A color device as in  claim 58  wherein the plurality of grays comprises at least one of:
 a) black; 
 b) white. 
 
     
     
         60 . A color device as in  claim 55  further comprising:
 means for receiving the first input from a user interface. 
 
     
     
         61 . A color device as in  claim 60  wherein the first input specifies weights for the plurality of second conditions; and the first color correction operation is an average of the plurality of second color correction operations weighted according to the weights. 
     
     
         62 . A color device as in  claim 61  further comprising:
 means for providing feedback to demonstrate one or more colors corrected by the first color correction operation in response to the first input. 
 
     
     
         63 . A color device as in  claim 62  wherein the one or more colors comprise a plurality of grays. 
     
     
         64 . A color device as in  claim 62  wherein the color device comprises a display device; and,
 the feedback is displayed on the display device operating under the first condition. 
 
     
     
         65 . A color device as in  claim 55  further comprising:
 means for receiving the first input from a sensor. 
 
     
     
         66 . A color device as in  claim 65  wherein the sensor quantifies at least one parameter; the first input comprises the at least one parameter for the first condition; and, the first color correction operation is an interpolation of the plurality of second color correction operations according to the at least one parameter. 
     
     
         67 . A color device as in  claim 55  further comprising:
 means for generating a first device profile for the color device operating under the first condition from the first input and a plurality of second device profiles, the plurality of second device profiles corresponding to the plurality of second color correction operations for the color device operating under the plurality of second conditions. 
 
     
     
         68 . A color device as in  claim 67  wherein each of the first device profile and the plurality of second device profiles is defined in a device profile space; and, the first device profile is generated from an interpolation constrained in a subspace of the device profile space according to the first input. 
     
     
         69 . A color device as in  claim 67  further comprising:
 means for receiving a second input from a user interface to define one of the plurality of second color correction operations for the color device operating under one of the plurality of second conditions; and 
 means for generating a device profile for the color device under the one of the plurality of second conditions from the second input and a device profile of the color device. 
 
     
     
         70 . A color device as in  claim 67  wherein the first color correction operation is performed using the first device profile. 
     
     
         71 . A color device as in  claim 70  wherein said means for performing the first color correction operation comprises:
 means for converting between a first color data for the color device operating under the first condition and a second color data according to the first device profile. 
 
     
     
         72 . A color device as in  claim 55  wherein the color device comprises one of:
 a) a scanner; 
 b) a camera; 
 c) a video camera; 
 d) a printer; 
 e) a display device; and 
 f) a television set.