Image Pickup Device Tint Correction for Auxiliary Light Color Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital cameras face challenges in maintaining accurate color reproduction when using auxiliary light for image capture in low-light environments, as the tint of the auxiliary light can alter the perceived color of the scene, making it difficult to align with the ambient light conditions.
Innovation Solution
The image pickup device and method incorporate a system for setting and applying tint correction coefficients to adjust the image data captured with auxiliary light to match the tint of ambient light conditions, using both non-emission and emission conditions to generate images that resemble those taken without auxiliary light, ensuring accurate color reproduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If auxiliary light is emitted during image pickup in low-light environments, then image capture is enabled, but color reproduction accuracy deteriorates due to tint alteration
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of peripheral light characteristics before auxiliary light emission, and pre-calculates correction coefficients based on these characteristics. This preliminary action enables the system to compensate for color tint in advance, resolving the contradiction between enabling image capture and maintaining color accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system detects the actual light source characteristics during image pickup, calculates correction coefficients based on this feedback, and applies them to correct the captured image. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that color reproduction accuracy is maintained despite auxiliary light emission.
2Measurement precision
If tint correction coefficients are calculated based on light source characteristics, then color reproduction accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the image pickup device's own light source characteristic acquisition capability to generate correction coefficients, rather than requiring external calibration equipment or complex pre-programmed data. This self-service approach improves tint alignment accuracy while avoiding additional device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes correction parameters based on detected light source characteristics, transitioning from fixed correction values to adaptive parameter adjustment. This allows high tint alignment accuracy through parameter optimization without requiring complex hardware modifications.
Data Source
AI summary
A first WB correction coefficient for modifying a tint of an image captured in an auxiliary light non-emission condition to a tint of a peripheral light of the auxiliary light non-emission condition is set by a first WB correction coefficient setting unit, and a second WB correction coefficient for modifying the tint of an image captured in an auxiliary light emission condition to the tint of the auxiliary light non-emission condition is set by a second WB correction coefficient setting unit. The tint of the image captured in the auxiliary light emission condition is then modified to the tint of the auxiliary light non-emission condition by an image processing unit on the basis of the first WB correction coefficient and the second WB correction coefficient.