Patent US5979205A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US7148921B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US7148921B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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White balance adjustment method, image sensing apparatus, program, and storage medium
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 2003-03-06
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Granted: 2006-12-12
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Expires: 2023-03-06
Abstract
Abstract An object of this invention is to always obtain accurate white balance regardless of photographing conditions. To achieve this object, a white balance adjustment method includes a first color temperature calculation step of calculating a first color temperature from an image signal within a white detection range out of image signals from an image sensing element, a second color temperature calculation step of calculating a second color temperature from an image signal within a chromatic color detection range out of image signals from the image sensing element, and a white balance adjustment step of adjusting white balance on the basis of the first and second color temperatures.
Inventors
- 👤 Eiichiro Ikeda
- 👤 Takaaki Fukui
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:27
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/80; H04N23/84; H04N23/88
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A white balance adjustment method comprising: a first color temperature calculation step of calculating a first color temperature from an image signal within a white detection range out of image signals from an image sensing element; a second color temperature calculation step of calculating a second color temperature from an image signal within a chromatic color detection range out of image signals from the image sensing element; and a white balance adjustment step of adjusting white balance on the basis of the first and second color temperatures, wherein the first and second color temperatures are compared; when the first color temperature is substantially equal to the second color temperature or the first color temperature is higher than the second color temperature, the first color temperature is determined as a color temperature of a light source; and when the second color temperature is higher than the first color temperature, the second color temperature is determined as the color temperature of the light source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A white balance adjustment method comprising: a first color temperature calculation step of calculating a first color temperature from an image signal within a white detection range out of image signals from an image sensing element; a second color temperature calculation step of calculating a second color temperature from an image signal within a chromatic color detection range out of image signals from the image sensing element; and a white balance adjustment step of adjusting white balance on the basis of the first and second color temperatures, wherein the first and second color temperatures are compared; when the first color temperature is substantially equal to the second color temperature or the first color temperature is higher than the second color temperature, the first color temperature is determined as a color temperature of a light source; and when the second color temperature is higher than the first color temperature, the second color temperature is determined as the color temperature of the light source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
191 words
A white balance adjustment method comprising: a first color temperature calculation step of calculating a first color temperature from an image signal within a white detection range out of image signals from an image sensing element; a second color temperature calculation step of calculating a second color temperature from an image signal within a chromatic color detection range out of image signals from the image sensing element; and a white balance adjustment step of adjusting white balance on the basis of the first and second color temperatures, wherein, the first and second color temperatures are compared; when the first color temperature is substantially equal to the second color temperature or the first color temperature is higher than the second color temperature, the first color temperature is determined as a color temperature of a light source; and when the second color temperature is higher than the first color temperature, weighted averages of the first and second color temperatures are calculated on the basis of a ratio of a white color range which occupies the image signal and a ratio of a chromatic color, thereby determining the color temperature of the light source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
191 words
A white balance adjustment method comprising: a first color temperature calculation step of calculating a first color temperature from an image signal within a white detection range out of image signals from an image sensing element; a second color temperature calculation step of calculating a second color temperature from an image signal within a chromatic color detection range out of image signals from the image sensing element; and a white balance adjustment step of adjusting white balance on the basis of the first and second color temperatures, wherein, the first and second color temperatures are compared; when the first color temperature is substantially equal to the second color temperature or the first color temperature is higher than the second color temperature, the first color temperature is determined as a color temperature of a light source; and when the second color temperature is higher than the first color temperature, weighted averages of the first and second color temperatures are calculated on the basis of a ratio of a white color range which occupies the image signal and a ratio of a chromatic color, thereby determining the color temperature of the light source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
181 words
A white balance adjustment method comprising: a first color temperature calculation step of calculating a first color temperature from an image signal within a white detection range out of image signals from an image sensing element; a second color temperature calculation step of calculating a second color temperature from an image signal within a chromatic color detection range out of image signals from the image sensing element; and a white balance adjustment step of adjusting white balance on the basis of the first and second color temperatures, wherein a first white balance coefficient is calculated from the first color temperature, the image signal being corrected by the first white balance coefficient, and a first chroma value is calculated from the corrected image signal; a second white balance coefficient is calculated from the second color temperature, the image signal being corrected by the second white balance coefficient, and a second chroma value is calculated from the corrected image signal; and the white balance is adjusted by a white balance coefficient corresponding to a larger one of the first and second chroma values.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
181 words
A white balance adjustment method comprising: a first color temperature calculation step of calculating a first color temperature from an image signal within a white detection range out of image signals from an image sensing element; a second color temperature calculation step of calculating a second color temperature from an image signal within a chromatic color detection range out of image signals from the image sensing element; and a white balance adjustment step of adjusting white balance on the basis of the first and second color temperatures, wherein a first white balance coefficient is calculated from the first color temperature, the image signal being corrected by the first white balance coefficient, and a first chroma value is calculated from the corrected image signal; a second white balance coefficient is calculated from the second color temperature, the image signal being corrected by the second white balance coefficient, and a second chroma value is calculated from the corrected image signal; and the white balance is adjusted by a white balance coefficient corresponding to a larger one of the first and second chroma values.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
176 words
A white balance adjustment method comprising: a first color temperature calculation step of calculating a first color temperature from an image signal within a white detection range out of image signals from an image sensing element; a second color temperature calculation step of calculating a second color temperature from an image signal within a chromatic color detection range out of image signals from the image sensing element; and a white balance adjustment step of adjusting white balance on the basis of the first and second color temperatures, wherein a first white balance coefficient is calculated from the first color temperature, the image signal being corrected by the first white balance coefficient, and a first chroma value is calculated from the corrected image signals; a second white balance coefficient is calculated from the second color temperature, the image signal being corrected by the second white balance coefficient, and a second chroma value is calculated from the corrected image signal; and weighted averages of the first and second chroma values are calculated to determine a white balance coefficient.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
176 words
A white balance adjustment method comprising: a first color temperature calculation step of calculating a first color temperature from an image signal within a white detection range out of image signals from an image sensing element; a second color temperature calculation step of calculating a second color temperature from an image signal within a chromatic color detection range out of image signals from the image sensing element; and a white balance adjustment step of adjusting white balance on the basis of the first and second color temperatures, wherein a first white balance coefficient is calculated from the first color temperature, the image signal being corrected by the first white balance coefficient, and a first chroma value is calculated from the corrected image signals; a second white balance coefficient is calculated from the second color temperature, the image signal being corrected by the second white balance coefficient, and a second chroma value is calculated from the corrected image signal; and weighted averages of the first and second chroma values are calculated to determine a white balance coefficient.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
165 words
A white balance adjustment method comprising: a first color temperature calculation step of calculating a first color temperature from an image signal within a white detection range out of image signals from an image sensing element; a second color temperature calculation step of calculating a second color temperature from an image signal within a chromatic color detection range out of image signals from the image sensing element; and a white balance adjustment step of adjusting white balance on the basis of the first and second color temperatures, wherein a ratio of a white color range which occupies the image signal is calculated; when the ratio of the white color range is higher than a predetermined value, the first color temperature is determined as a color temperature of a light source; and when the ratio of the white color range is lower than the predetermined value, weighted averages of the first and second color temperatures are calculated to determine the color temperature of the light source.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
165 words
A white balance adjustment method comprising: a first color temperature calculation step of calculating a first color temperature from an image signal within a white detection range out of image signals from an image sensing element; a second color temperature calculation step of calculating a second color temperature from an image signal within a chromatic color detection range out of image signals from the image sensing element; and a white balance adjustment step of adjusting white balance on the basis of the first and second color temperatures, wherein a ratio of a white color range which occupies the image signal is calculated; when the ratio of the white color range is higher than a predetermined value, the first color temperature is determined as a color temperature of a light source; and when the ratio of the white color range is lower than the predetermined value, weighted averages of the first and second color temperatures are calculated to determine the color temperature of the light source.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
147 words
A white balance adjustment method comprising: a first color temperature calculation step of calculating a first color temperature from an image signal within a white detection range out of image signals from an image sensing element; a second color temperature calculation step of calculating a second color temperature from an image signal within a chromatic color detection range out of image signals from the image sensing element, wherein the chromatic color includes a skin color; and a white balance adjustment step of adjusting white balance on the basis of the first and second color temperatures, wherein when a photographing mode of an image sensing apparatus is set to a person photographing mode, a weight of the second color temperature is increased; and a weighted average of the resultant second color temperature and the first color temperature is calculated to determine a color temperature of a light source.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
147 words
A white balance adjustment method comprising: a first color temperature calculation step of calculating a first color temperature from an image signal within a white detection range out of image signals from an image sensing element; a second color temperature calculation step of calculating a second color temperature from an image signal within a chromatic color detection range out of image signals from the image sensing element, wherein the chromatic color includes a skin color; and a white balance adjustment step of adjusting white balance on the basis of the first and second color temperatures, wherein when a photographing mode of an image sensing apparatus is set to a person photographing mode, a weight of the second color temperature is increased; and a weighted average of the resultant second color temperature and the first color temperature is calculated to determine a color temperature of a light source.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
162 words
A white balance adjustment apparatus comprising: a first color temperature calculation unit for calculating a first color temperature from an image signal within a white detection range out of image signals from an image sensing element; a second color temperature calculation unit for calculating a second color temperature from an image signal within a chromatic color detection range out of image signals from the image sensing element; and a white balance adjustment unit for adjusting white balance on the basis of the first and second color temperatures, wherein the first and second color temperatures are compared; when the first color temperature is substantially equal to the second color temperature or the first color temperature is higher than the second color temperature, the first color temperature is determined as a color temperature of a light source; and when the second color temperature is higher than the first color temperature, the second color temperature is determined as the color temperature of the light source.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
162 words
A white balance adjustment apparatus comprising: a first color temperature calculation unit for calculating a first color temperature from an image signal within a white detection range out of image signals from an image sensing element; a second color temperature calculation unit for calculating a second color temperature from an image signal within a chromatic color detection range out of image signals from the image sensing element; and a white balance adjustment unit for adjusting white balance on the basis of the first and second color temperatures, wherein the first and second color temperatures are compared; when the first color temperature is substantially equal to the second color temperature or the first color temperature is higher than the second color temperature, the first color temperature is determined as a color temperature of a light source; and when the second color temperature is higher than the first color temperature, the second color temperature is determined as the color temperature of the light source.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
191 words
A white balance adjustment apparatus comprising: a first color temperature calculation unit for calculating a first color temperature from an image signal within a white detection range out of image signals from an image sensing element; a second color temperature calculation unit for calculating a second color temperature from an image signal within a chromatic color detection range out of image signals from the image sensing element; and a white balance adjustment unit for adjusting white balance on the basis of the first and second color temperatures, wherein the first and second color temperatures are compared; when the first color temperature is substantially equal to the second color temperature or the first color temperature is higher than the second color temperature, the first color temperature is determined as a color temperature of a light source; and when the second color temperature is higher than the first color temperature, weighted averages of the first and second color temperatures are calculated on the basis of a ratio of a white color range which occupies the image signal and a ratio of a chromatic color, thereby determining the color temperature of the light source.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
191 words
A white balance adjustment apparatus comprising: a first color temperature calculation unit for calculating a first color temperature from an image signal within a white detection range out of image signals from an image sensing element; a second color temperature calculation unit for calculating a second color temperature from an image signal within a chromatic color detection range out of image signals from the image sensing element; and a white balance adjustment unit for adjusting white balance on the basis of the first and second color temperatures, wherein the first and second color temperatures are compared; when the first color temperature is substantially equal to the second color temperature or the first color temperature is higher than the second color temperature, the first color temperature is determined as a color temperature of a light source; and when the second color temperature is higher than the first color temperature, weighted averages of the first and second color temperatures are calculated on the basis of a ratio of a white color range which occupies the image signal and a ratio of a chromatic color, thereby determining the color temperature of the light source.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
181 words
A white balance adjustment apparatus comprising: a first color temperature calculation unit for calculating a first color temperature from an image signal within a white detection range out of image signals from an image sensing element; a second color temperature calculation unit for calculating a second color temperature from an image signal within a chromatic color detection range out of image signals from the image sensing element; and a white balance adjustment unit for adjusting white balance on the basis of the first and second color temperatures, wherein a first white balance coefficient is calculated from the first color temperature, the image signal being corrected by the first white balance coefficient, and a first chroma value is calculated from the corrected image signal; a second white balance coefficient is calculated from the second color temperature, the image signal being corrected by the second white balance coefficient, and a second chroma value is calculated from the corrected image signal; and the white balance is adjusted by a white balance coefficient corresponding to a larger one of the first and second chroma values.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
181 words
A white balance adjustment apparatus comprising: a first color temperature calculation unit for calculating a first color temperature from an image signal within a white detection range out of image signals from an image sensing element; a second color temperature calculation unit for calculating a second color temperature from an image signal within a chromatic color detection range out of image signals from the image sensing element; and a white balance adjustment unit for adjusting white balance on the basis of the first and second color temperatures, wherein a first white balance coefficient is calculated from the first color temperature, the image signal being corrected by the first white balance coefficient, and a first chroma value is calculated from the corrected image signal; a second white balance coefficient is calculated from the second color temperature, the image signal being corrected by the second white balance coefficient, and a second chroma value is calculated from the corrected image signal; and the white balance is adjusted by a white balance coefficient corresponding to a larger one of the first and second chroma values.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
176 words
A white balance adjustment apparatus comprising: a first color temperature calculation unit for calculating a first color temperature from an image signal within a white detection range out of image signals from an image sensing element; a second color temperature calculation unit for calculating a second color temperature from an image signal within a chromatic color detection range out of image signals from the image sensing element; and a white balance adjustment unit for adjusting white balance on the basis of the first and second color temperatures, wherein a first white balance coefficient is calculated from the first color temperature, the image signal being corrected by the first white balance coefficient, and a first chroma value is calculated from the corrected image signal; a second white balance coefficient is calculated from the second color temperature, the image signal being corrected by the second white balance coefficient, and a second chroma value is calculated from the corrected image signal; and weighted averages of the first and second chroma values are calculated to determine a white balance coefficient.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
176 words
A white balance adjustment apparatus comprising: a first color temperature calculation unit for calculating a first color temperature from an image signal within a white detection range out of image signals from an image sensing element; a second color temperature calculation unit for calculating a second color temperature from an image signal within a chromatic color detection range out of image signals from the image sensing element; and a white balance adjustment unit for adjusting white balance on the basis of the first and second color temperatures, wherein a first white balance coefficient is calculated from the first color temperature, the image signal being corrected by the first white balance coefficient, and a first chroma value is calculated from the corrected image signal; a second white balance coefficient is calculated from the second color temperature, the image signal being corrected by the second white balance coefficient, and a second chroma value is calculated from the corrected image signal; and weighted averages of the first and second chroma values are calculated to determine a white balance coefficient.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
165 words
A white balance adjustment apparatus comprising: a first color temperature calculation unit for calculating a first color temperature from an image signal within a white detection range out of image signals from an image sensing element; a second color temperature calculation unit for calculating a second color temperature from an image signal within a chromatic color detection range out of image signals from the image sensing element; and a white balance adjustment unit for adjusting white balance on the basis of the first and second color temperatures, wherein a ratio of a white color range which occupies the image signal is calculated; when the ratio of the white color range is higher than a predetermined value, the first color temperature is determined as a color temperature of a light source; and when the ratio of the white color range is lower than the predetermined value, weighted averages of the first and second color temperatures are calculated to determine the color temperature of the light source.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
165 words
A white balance adjustment apparatus comprising: a first color temperature calculation unit for calculating a first color temperature from an image signal within a white detection range out of image signals from an image sensing element; a second color temperature calculation unit for calculating a second color temperature from an image signal within a chromatic color detection range out of image signals from the image sensing element; and a white balance adjustment unit for adjusting white balance on the basis of the first and second color temperatures, wherein a ratio of a white color range which occupies the image signal is calculated; when the ratio of the white color range is higher than a predetermined value, the first color temperature is determined as a color temperature of a light source; and when the ratio of the white color range is lower than the predetermined value, weighted averages of the first and second color temperatures are calculated to determine the color temperature of the light source.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
147 words
A white balance adjustment apparatus comprising: a first color temperature calculation unit for calculating a first color temperature from an image signal within a white detection range out of image signals from an image sensing element; a second color temperature calculation unit for calculating a second color temperature from an image signal within a chromatic color detection range out of image signals from the image sensing element, wherein the chromatic color includes a skin color; and a white balance adjustment unit for adjusting white balance on the basis of the first and second color temperatures, wherein when a photographing mode of an image sensing apparatus is set to a person photographing mode, a weight of the second color temperature is increased; and a weighted average of the resultant second color temperature and the first color temperature is calculated to determine a color temperature of a light source.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
147 words
A white balance adjustment apparatus comprising: a first color temperature calculation unit for calculating a first color temperature from an image signal within a white detection range out of image signals from an image sensing element; a second color temperature calculation unit for calculating a second color temperature from an image signal within a chromatic color detection range out of image signals from the image sensing element, wherein the chromatic color includes a skin color; and a white balance adjustment unit for adjusting white balance on the basis of the first and second color temperatures, wherein when a photographing mode of an image sensing apparatus is set to a person photographing mode, a weight of the second color temperature is increased; and a weighted average of the resultant second color temperature and the first color temperature is calculated to determine a color temperature of a light source.
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