Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A brightness threshold value calculation unit figures out a brightness threshold value on the basis of a brightness average value of all blocks and the brightness of a maximum brightness block determined by a maximum brightness block search unit. Block average value calculation units extract blocks corresponding thereto and find average values of representative values of the extracted blocks. At that time, subjects of extraction by the block average value calculation units are limited to blocks having a higher brightness than the brightness threshold value among all the blocks. A white balance gain is then determined from the thus obtained block average values. This configuration achieves a white balance which responds better to light sources since the white balance gain is not affected by values of dark blocks which are considered not to well reflect the color of light from the light sources.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim