IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,184,063
Granted Patent B2
US 7,184,063 · App. 10/932,555 · Granted Feb 27, 2007

Adaptive color schemes

Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,184,063
App. No.
10/932,555
Granted
Feb 27, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

Techniques are described for adaptive changing a displayed foreground color when a conflict between the displayed foreground color and an extracted background color is detected. Upon detection of such a conflict, a new foreground color is selected in accordance with a predetermined legibility criterion. That is, a color pool candidate may be considered to be a viable foreground color if a legibility value for the candidate color in relation to the extracted background color exceeds a predetermined legibility threshold value.

Claims (29)

1. At least one computer-readable medium having one or more instructions that, when read, cause one or more processors to:

detect a conflict between a background color and a foreground color in a display environment; and

determine a legibility value for a candidate foreground color in relation to the background color in accordance with a legibility criterion; and

pick the candidate color from a color pool if the legibility value is greater than a predetermined threshold value for legibility;

wherein:

the legibility criterion further comprises L(foreground, background)=w(y)·ΔY+w(h)·ΔH+w(w)·ΔW;

ΔY is a luminance contrast between the background color and the foreground color;

ΔH is a hue contrast between the background color and the foreground color;

ΔW is a classification contrast between the background color and the foreground color; and

w(y), w(h), and w(w) are weights respectively corresponding to the luminance contrast, hue contrast, and classification contrast.

2. An apparatus, comprising:

an extractor to collect background colors that conflict with displayed foreground colors; and

a color picker to select a new foreground color to display in contrast with at least one of the collected background colors by determining a legibility value for a candidate foreground color in accordance with a predetermined legibility criterion, L, wherein:

L(foreground, backaround)=w(y)·ΔY+w(h)·ΔH+w(w)·ΔW;

ΔY is a luminance contrast between the background color and the foreground color;

ΔH is a hue contrast between the background color and the foreground color;

ΔW is a classification contrast between the background color and the foreground color;

w(y), w(h), and w(w) are weights respectively corresponding to the luminance contrast, hue contrast, and classification contrast.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein selecting the new foreground color from the color pool includes selecting the non-conflicting color for which the legibility value exceeds a predetermined legibility threshold value.

4. An apparatus for adaptive color scheme changing, comprising:

means for detecting an event in a display environment;

means for means for sampling portions of the display environment to detect a conflict between a displayed background color and a displayed foreground color;

means for changing the displayed foreground color upon detection of the conflict by determining a legibility value for a candidate foreground color in accordance with a predetermined legibility criterion, L, wherein:

L(foreground, background)=w(y)·ΔY+w(h)·ΔH+w(w)·ΔW;

ΔY is a luminance contrast between the background color and the foreground color;

ΔH is a hue contrast between the background color and the foreground color;

ΔW is a classification contrast between the background color and the foreground color; and

w(y), w(h), and w(w) are weights respectively corresponding to the luminance contrast, hue contrast, and classification contrast.

5. The apparatus for adaptive color scheme changing according to claim 4 , wherein the means for changing the displayed foreground color selects the candidate foreground color as the new foreground color if the legibility value exceeds a predetermined legibility threshold value.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 9, 2014
From: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
To: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
Reel/Frame 034541/0477 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 18, 2005
From: SHUM, HEUNG-YEUNG; XU, YING-QING; REN, QI
To: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 016030/0511 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20060044324A1 · Mar 2, 2006