White Balance Synchronization Using Gain Value Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dual-camera systems face inefficiencies in white balance adjustment during camera switching, leading to image flickering and prolonged adjustment times due to significant differences in color temperature values between scenes, resulting in a poor user experience.

Innovation Solution

A method where the second camera adjusts its white balance using the gain value of the first camera as an initial value before switching, ensuring faster convergence and minimizing image flickering by matching initial and target gain values.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the activated camera uses its own last exit gain value as initial value for white balance adjustment, then the camera maintains independence and simple operation, but the white balance adjustment process becomes time-consuming and causes image flickering when scenes differ significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewhite balance adjustment timeVSAvoidcamera independence
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the activated camera use the deactivated camera's gain value (obtained before switching) as its initial value for white balance adjustment. This pre-prepared gain value from the first camera serves as a head start for the second camera, eliminating the need to start convergence from the second camera's own outdated gain value, thus reducing adjustment time when scenes differ significantly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the gain value as an intermediary that transfers white balance information from the first camera to the second camera during switching. This intermediary mechanism allows the second camera to inherit optimized white balance parameters from the first camera, enabling faster convergence without requiring the cameras to operate completely independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the activated camera performs convergence from its own last gain value, then the operation remains simple, but image flickering occurs on the screen due to significant differences in shooting scenes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage stabilityVSAvoidwhite balance synchronization mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gain value acts as an intermediary that transfers white balance information between cameras. By using the first camera's gain value as the initial value for the second camera, the system achieves stable image transition without flickering, while the complexity is managed through straightforward gain value transfer and convergence algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by using the transferred gain value as an initial value that guides the convergence process. The second camera performs convergence based on this initial value, continuously adjusting until optimal white balance is achieved, providing feedback-driven stability that prevents image flickering during camera switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If cameras operate independently with separate white balance convergence, then each camera maintains autonomous operation, but the overall system efficiency decreases during camera switching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewhite balance adjustment speedVSAvoidcamera independence
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by preparing the gain value from the first camera before switching occurs. This pre-acquired gain value serves as an optimized starting point for the second camera's convergence, significantly accelerating white balance adjustment speed compared to starting from the second camera's own outdated gain value, while maintaining automated operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the white balance information from the first camera with the second camera's convergence process. By combining the gain value achievement from the first camera with the second camera's activation, the system achieves faster overall productivity while maintaining the automated independent operation of each camera through coordinated information sharing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3641307B1White balance synchronization method and apparatus, and terminal device
Publication Date: 2022.04.27 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3641307B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3641307B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3641307B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Disclosed are a white balance synchronization method and apparatus, and a terminal device. The method is applied to a terminal comprising at least two cameras, and comprises: when it is determined that the terminal is about to switch a camera, obtaining a first gain value corresponding to a currently used first camera; and after a second camera is started, using the first gain value as an initial value, and performing white balance adjustment on an image collected by the second camera. Therefore, after the camera is switched, the second camera performs convergence by using the gain value of the first camera prior to the switching as an initial value so as to perform the white balance adjustment, thereby avoid the problem of image flickering, improving the white balance adjustment speed and improving the user experience.