Pixel Selection for Automatic White Balance Using White Curve Distance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic white balance in image-capturing devices is challenging due to variations in illumination spectra, leading to color shifts in images captured under different light sources, as existing methods require significant processing resources and calibration data.
Innovation Solution
A method for selecting pixels for automatic white balancing that uses a white curve defined by specific coordinates and a threshold distance, allowing for efficient determination of whether a pixel is within the white area, thereby reducing processing requirements and enabling accurate white balance adjustments without extensive resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional automatic white balance methods are used to compensate for illumination spectra variations, then color accuracy is improved, but processing resources and computational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image into multiple regions and processes each region separately to determine white balance statistics. By dividing the image into distinct areas and analyzing pixels within each region independently, the method reduces the overall computational burden while maintaining color accuracy for each segment, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts specific pixel values that meet predetermined criteria from the image data to calculate white balance statistics. By selectively extracting only the necessary pixel information rather than processing all pixels, the method reduces computational resources required while preserving the accuracy needed for proper white balance adjustment
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive pixel analysis is performed for white balance adjustment, then white balance accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by analyzing only a subset of pixels that meet specific predetermined criteria rather than performing comprehensive analysis of all pixels. This selective approach maintains white balance accuracy by focusing on representative pixels while significantly reducing the processing time required for white balance adjustment
3Stability of the object's composition
If calibration data is used for white balance processing, then color consistency across different lighting conditions is improved, but device complexity and calibration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the image processing system to automatically determine white balance statistics directly from the captured image data without requiring external calibration data or pre-stored reference information. The system self-adjusts by analyzing pixel values within the image itself, thereby maintaining color consistency across different lighting conditions while eliminating the complexity associated with calibration data management
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, and system that use a white balance operation. A selecting process is applied to each pixel selected and considered for automatic white balance statistics to determine the distance from the selected pixel to a white curve defined in a white area corresponding to an image sensor.