Illuminant Estimation for White Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional white balancing techniques fail to consistently render colors accurately across images captured under the same illuminant and deteriorate when images lack illuminant information or feature similar object colors to the illuminant.
Innovation Solution
An illuminant estimation method and system that detects valid images by comparing motion and illuminant information, using parameters like luminance variance, chrominance variance, and achromatic axis gradient to determine and update the illuminant for precise white balancing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional white balancing techniques are used, then processing is simple, but color rendering consistency deteriorates when images include no illuminant information or similar object colors
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting valid images and estimating illuminants in advance before actual white balancing processing. The illuminant estimation module pre-calculates illuminant characteristics from valid images, and the white balancing module uses these pre-established illuminant parameters to process images, avoiding the need for complex real-time analysis during image processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - the valid image detection module and illuminant estimation module - that acts as a mediator between raw image input and white balancing output. This intermediary layer filters and prepares image data by detecting valid images and estimating illuminants, thereby improving color rendering consistency without requiring the entire system to become overly complex.
2Measurement precision
If illuminant estimation is performed on all input images, then color accuracy improves, but processing time increases due to invalid images
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes invalid images from the processing stream using the valid image detection module. By taking out images that do not meet validity criteria (such as those with insufficient illuminant information or similar object colors), the system avoids wasting processing time on these images while maintaining accurate illuminant estimation for valid images.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of performing illuminant estimation on all input images (excessive action), the system applies illuminant estimation only to detected valid images (partial action). This selective approach ensures accurate color rendering for images that benefit from it while avoiding unnecessary processing of invalid images, thereby reducing overall processing time.
3Productivity
If white balancing is applied uniformly to all images, then processing is efficient, but color rendering deteriorates when object colors are similar to illuminant
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by treating different images differently based on their specific characteristics. The valid image detection module identifies images with object colors similar to the illuminant, and the white balancing module applies appropriate processing only to valid images. This localized approach ensures high color rendering accuracy for problematic images while maintaining efficient processing for other images.
Data Source
AI summary
A color rendering technique, more particularly, an illuminant estimation method, medium, and system estimating an illuminant for white balancing. The illuminant estimation method includes detecting a plurality of valid images from input image data, and determining an illuminant for white balancing based on one or more estimated illuminants that are obtained based on data included in each of the valid images.