White Balance Coefficient Storage for Image Readjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image processing technologies face challenges in performing high-quality white balance readjustments for intermediate raw data that has already undergone white balance correction, particularly when the light source setting changes, as conventional techniques lack the necessary algorithms and tuning parameters from model-specific development processing portions.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that includes a first white balance coefficient calculation unit for the initial light source, a second for alternative light sources, and a storage unit to store intermediate raw data with associated white balance information, allowing for white balance readjustment based on selected light source settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If development processing functions are provided in each OS and retouching software, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need to develop model-specific processing for each camera type
Solution Approach 1:
The development processing functions are divided into two segments: a general-purpose development processing portion that is common across all camera models and stored in the OS, and a model-specific development processing portion that is camera-type dependent and stored in retouching software. This segmentation allows the general portion to provide universal ease of operation while the model-specific portion handles camera variations, avoiding the need for complete model-specific development in every software.
Solution Approach 2:
The general-purpose development processing portion serves multiple camera models and types through a single unified implementation. This universal portion handles common development tasks across all camera types, reducing the overall complexity by eliminating redundant model-specific implementations while maintaining ease of operation for users.
2Manufacturing precision
If model-specific development processing is performed, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for multiple processing portions
Solution Approach 1:
Development processing is segmented into a general-purpose portion (stored in OS) and a model-specific portion (stored in retouching software). The model-specific portion maintains manufacturing precision by handling camera-type dependent processing, while the general portion handles common processing tasks. This segmentation allows precision to be maintained without requiring all processing functions to be duplicated across multiple software systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The model-specific development processing portion acts as an intermediary between the general-purpose processing and the camera-specific requirements. It receives input from the general-purpose portion and adapts it to specific camera models, maintaining manufacturing precision while reducing overall system complexity by centralizing model-specific logic.
3Manufacturing precision
If raw data is saved with high bit depth, then manufacturing precision is improved, but quantity of substance increases due to larger data size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of bit depth from high (12 bits) to low (8 bits) for the general-purpose development processing. This parameter change reduces the quantity of substance (data size) while the model-specific processing portion compensates by applying camera-type dependent processing that maintains manufacturing precision through algorithmic adjustments rather than raw bit depth.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus is provided in which all WB coefficient values are calculated rather than only WB coefficient values of a default light source, then a result thereof is associated with intermediate raw data and stored. Further still, when a user gives instruction for a change in a light source setting when carrying out WB readjustments on a personal computer (407) or the like, WB coefficient values corresponding to the selected light source are read in from among all the WB coefficient values that have been associated with the intermediate raw data and applied to the intermediate raw data.