OPTIMIZED COLOR CONVERSION

1 . A method of converting image data to a color space of an output imaging: device, the method comprising:

identifying color regions in the image data;

identifying portions of the color regions that overlap in the image data;

processing the overlapping portions of the color regions to remove abrupt transitions between the overlapping portions of the color regions; and

converting color values in the color regions to the color space of the output imaging device based on a plurality of numerical models.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating the plurality of numerical models according to a plurality of radial basis functions.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein generating the plurality of numerical models according to a plurality of radial basis functions comprises generating an error approximation of each color region in the image data.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein generating an approximation of each color region comprises:

generating L 1 error approximations for neutral color regions;

generating L 2 error approximations for medium range color regions; and

generating L ∞ error approximations for saturated color regions.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein processing the overlapping portions comprises optimizing the overlapping portions by converting color values of one color region to the color space using color values of an adjacent region.

6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising validating color conversion of the numerical models prior to converting the color values to select color conversion algorithms for the color regions.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein validating color conversion of the numerical models comprises optimizing color conversion estimates generated as L 1 error approximations for neutral color regions, L 2 error approximations for medium range color regions, and L ∞ error approximations for saturated color regions.

8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating the plurality of numerical models according to human perception and a source of printer errors.

9 . A color conversion system, comprising:

a modeling module operable to identify color regions in image data and determine portions of the color regions that overlap, wherein the modeling module is further operable to generate a plurality of numerical models used in converting the color regions to a color space of an output imaging device; and

a converter operable to convert color values in the color regions to the color space of the output imaging device based on the numerical models, wherein color conversion of the color values of one color region is performed according to a color conversion algorithm for said one color region that includes color values from an overlapping color region.

10 . The color conversion system of claim 9 , wherein the numerical models include radial basis functions.

11 . The color conversion system of claim 9 , further comprising a validation module operable to estimate color conversion of the numerical models prior to color conversion by the converter.

12 . The color conversion system of claim 11 , wherein the validation module is further operable to optimize color conversion estimates generated as L 1 error approximations for neutral color regions, L 2 error approximations for medium range color regions, and L ∞ error approximations for saturated color regions.

13 . The color conversion system of claim 9 , wherein the modeling module is further operable to generate L 1 error approximations for neutral color regions, L 2 error approximations for medium range color regions, and L ∞ error approximations for saturated color regions.

14 . The color conversion system of claim 9 , wherein the modeling module is further operable to generate the plurality of numerical models according to human perception and a source of printer errors.

15 . A printing system, comprising:

a printer; and

a printer controller operable to process image data having a plurality of color values and convert the color values of the image data to a color space of the printer, wherein the printer controller is further operable to identify color regions in the image data, determine portions of the color regions that overlap, generate a plurality of numerical models used in converting the color regions to the color space of the printer, and convert the color values of the color regions to the color space based on the numerical models for printing to the printer, wherein color conversion of the color values of one color region is performed according to a color conversion algorithm for said one color region that includes color values from an overlapping color region.

16 . The printing system of claim 15 , wherein the numerical models include radial basis functions.

17 . The printing system of claim 15 , further comprising a validation module operable to estimate color conversion of the numerical models prior to color conversion by the converter.

18 . The printing system of claim 17 , wherein the validation module is further operable to optimize color conversion estimates generated as L 1 error approximations for neutral color regions, L 2 error approximations for medium range color regions, and L ∞ error approximations for saturated color regions.

19 . The printing system of claim 15 , wherein the modeling module is further operable to generate L 1 error approximations for neutral color regions, L 2 error approximations for medium range color regions, and L ∞ error approximations for saturated color regions.

20 . The printing system of claim 17 , wherein the modeling module is further operable to generate the plurality of numerical models according to human perception and a source of printer errors.