Color Temperature Map Generation Using Interactive Light Source Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image capture technologies face challenges in accurately estimating the color temperature of environmental light sources, especially when a subject of achromatic color is not present in the scene, leading to reduced estimation accuracy.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that generate a color temperature map by determining interactive and non-interactive light sources within a captured scene, using communication with interactive light sources and estimation based on the captured image for non-interactive sources, to accurately represent color temperature information for each area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If color temperature is estimated based only on captured image, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of color temperature drops when achromatic subject is absent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light source information acquisition units that communicate with light sources to obtain color temperature information. This intermediary approach allows the system to acquire accurate color temperature data from multiple sources (captured image analysis, communication with light sources, and light source information tables) rather than relying solely on image analysis, thereby resolving the contradiction between system complexity and measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If communication function is added to light sources, then color temperature information can be acquired accurately, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the light source information acquisition unit capable of multiple functions: it can communicate with light sources to obtain color temperature information, analyze captured images to estimate color temperature, and reference light source information tables. This multi-functional design allows the system to adapt to different scenarios (interactive and non-interactive light sources) without requiring separate dedicated systems for each method, thereby managing complexity while maintaining precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources with different color temperatures are present, then illumination versatility is improved, but measurement precision of environmental light color temperature deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the captured image into multiple areas and performs color temperature estimation for each area separately. It also divides light sources into interactive and non-interactive categories, and processes information from different sources (image analysis, communication, light source information table) independently before integrating them. This segmentation approach allows the system to handle complex multi-light-source environments by treating each light source and area independently, thereby maintaining measurement precision despite illumination versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus that generates, from a captured image, a color temperature map that indicates color temperature information of light illuminating a captured scene for each area, is disclosed. The apparatus determines, for each area of the captured image, either an interactive light source that has a communication function, a non-interactive light source that does not have a communication function, or both of the interactive light source and the non-interactive light source is a light source that illuminates a corresponding area in the captured scene. The apparatus also generates the color temperature map using a result of determination made by the determining unit, color temperature information acquired from the interactive light source through communication, and color temperature information of the non-interactive light source that is estimated based on the captured image.