Abstract: An entered image is divided into a plurality of blocks and it is determined, on a per-block basis, whether the image data within an applicable block is indicative of the color white, based upon a condition, from among a plurality of conditions, that conforms to the position of each block in the image. A white balance correction is performed based upon data of a block determined to be indicative of the color white.

Abstract: An entered image is divided into a plurality of blocks and it is determined, on a per-block basis, whether image data within an applicable block is indicative of the color white, based upon a condition, from among a plurality of conditions, that conforms to the position of each block in the image. A white balance correction is performed based upon data of a block determined to be indicative of the color white.

Abstract: In a signal processing apparatus for processing an image signal, a hue difference between adjoining pixels is detected by a color image edge detector, and an aperture control main gain circuit amplifies a luminance signal using a gain determined on the basis of the hue difference detected by the color image edge detector to enhance an edge pixel of an image.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus detects an out-of-gamut region falling outside a predetermined color gamut in accordance with an image capturing condition or image generating parameter of a captured image. A monitor displays the detected out-of-gamut region along with the captured image from an imager to enable a user to easily select the color space most appropriate for the captured image at the time the image is captured. At the time the image is captured, the user selects the image capturing condition or image generating parameter most appropriate for the captured image in accordance with the color reproduction range of an output deice. From a recorded captured image, the user estimates the output result of the output device by displaying an out-of-gamut region in accordance with the image capturing condition or image generating parameter at the time the image is captured.

Abstract: In a signal processing apparatus for processing an image signal, a hue difference between adjoining pixels is detected by a color image edge detector, and an aperture control main gain circuit amplifies a luminance signal using a gain determined on the basis of the hue difference detected by the color image edge detector to enhance an edge pixel of an image.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to always obtain accurate white balance regardless of photographing conditions. To achieve this object, a white balance adjustment method includes a first color temperature calculation step of calculating a first color temperature from an image signal within a white detection range out of image signals from an image sensing element, a second color temperature calculation step of calculating a second color temperature from an image signal within a chromatic color detection range out of image signals from the image sensing element, and a white balance adjustment step of adjusting white balance on the basis of the first and second color temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chrominance signal processing apparatus and method for providing optimal color processing according to the hue of the color image data. Red, green and blue signals are input to a chroma composition ratio determination circuit that generates and outputs the RGB color composition ratio (?:?:?). A chroma suppression luminance signal generating circuit then generates a chroma suppression luminance signal Ya based on the RGB signals and the color composition ratio. A chroma suppression gain determination circuit outputs the gain for the chroma suppression luminance signal based on a table in which output gain setting values corresponding to the chroma suppression luminance signals are recorded. Multipliers then multiply input color-difference signals Cr, Cb by the gain and output a suppressed color-difference signals (Cr×G, Cb×G) according to the color composition ratio (?:?:?).

Abstract: An image capture apparatus, such as a digital camera or a digital still camera, is capable of easily capturing an optimal image by determining a state of a subject via image processing during capturing, and executing re-capturing or giving a warning to prompt re-capturing according to a result of the determination.

Abstract: It is conventionally difficult to select which of an image sensing apparatus and printer executes image correction processing in direct printing of printing by directly connecting the image sensing apparatus and printer. To solve this problem, a processing site at which processing considered to obtain a more preferable output result can be executed is determined from information on image correction processes executable by the image sensing apparatus and printer. For example, the versions of software modules which execute image correction processing are compared, and processing is done by either the image sensing apparatus or printer that has a module of a newer version. An appropriate apparatus can be selected to execute image correction processing.

Abstract: A signal process for interpolating color signals is executed. In this process, color image data output from image sensor covered by a plurality of color filters that form a predetermined matrix is interpolated, horizontal and vertical correlation levels are discriminated on the basis of the color image data, first color difference signals are calculated by color-separating interpolated image data of respective colors in a direction with the higher correlation level on the basis of the discrimination result, and second color difference signals are calculated by a predetermined arithmetic operation different from first color difference signal calculation unit on the basis of the interpolated image data of respective colors. The calculated first or second color difference signals are selected and output based on the first and second color difference signals.

Abstract: Adaptive luminance interpolation processing in a signal processing apparatus for acquiring an image signal from an image sensing element having color filters and processing the image signal is described. An adaptive luminance interpolation circuit determines the correlation of the image signal in the vertical and horizontal directions, and interpolates the luminance signal of the image signal in a direction in which the correlation is higher. The chroma signal of the image signal is interpolated regardless of the correlation direction. The chroma signal is processed by a color conversion matrix circuit for performing signal processing of suppressing a false color in the vertical direction or a color conversion matrix circuit for performing signal processing of suppressing a false color in the horizontal direction, switched by a matrix switching circuit based on the interpolation direction.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus permits easy setting of an optimum hue of an image to be shot by displaying a hue chart in the image pickup apparatus, thereby enabling the user to visually check each hue set in the process of selecting an optimum hue according to the taste or intention of the user or the place where he or she is located. The user arbitrarily designates a tracing range of white balancing. Then, the tracing range parameters for achromatic color determination are selected on the basis of the designated tracing range. White balancing is carried out on an image signal output from an imaging element using the selected tracing range parameters. Based on the image signal that has been subjected to the white balancing, a color signal and a luminance signal are generated and output, thereby enabling the user to set or check an achromatic color determining range for white balancing.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus detects an out-of-gamut region falling outside a predetermined color gamut in accordance with an image capturing condition or image generating parameter of a captured image. A monitor displays the detected out-of-gamut region along with the captured image from an imager to enable a user to easily select the color space most appropriate for the captured image at the time the image is captured. At the time the image is captured, the user selects the image capturing condition or image generating parameter most appropriate for the captured image in accordance with the color reproduction range of an output deice. From a recorded captured image, the user estimates the output result of the output device by displaying an out-of-gamut region in accordance with the image capturing condition or image generating parameter at the time the image is captured.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to always obtain accurate white balance regardless of photographing conditions. To achieve this object, a white balance adjustment method includes a first color temperature calculation step of calculating a first color temperature from an image signal within a white detection range out of image signals from an image sensing element, a second color temperature calculation step of calculating a second color temperature from an image signal within a chromatic color detection range out of image signals from the image sensing element, and a white balance adjustment step of adjusting white balance on the basis of the first and second color temperatures.

Abstract: An entered image is divided into a plurality of blocks and it is determined, on a per-block basis, whether image data within an applicable block is indicative of the color white, based upon a condition, from among a plurality of conditions, that conforms to the position of each block in the image. A white balance correction is performed based upon data of a block determined to be indicative of the color white.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chrominance signal processing apparatus and method for providing optimal color processing according to the hue of the color image data. Red, green and blue signals are input to a chroma composition ratio determination circuit that generates and outputs the RGB color composition ratio (&agr;:&bgr;:&ggr;). A chroma suppression luminance signal generating circuit then generates a chroma suppression luminance signal Ya based on the RGB signals and the color composition ratio. A chroma suppression gain determination circuit outputs the gain for the chroma suppression luminance signal based on a table in which output gain setting values corresponding to the chroma suppression luminance signals are recorded. Multipliers then multiply input color-difference signals Cr, Cb by the gain and output a suppressed color-difference signals (Cr×G, Cb×G) according to the color composition ratio (&agr;:&bgr;:&ggr;).

Abstract: A signal process for interpolating color signals is executed. In this process, color image data output from image sensor covered by a plurality of color filters that form a predetermined matrix is interpolated, horizontal and vertical correlation levels are discriminated on the basis of the color image data, first color difference signals are calculated by color-separating interpolated image data of respective colors in a direction with the higher correlation level on the basis of the discrimination result, and second color difference signals are calculated by a predetermined arithmetic operation different from first color difference signal calculation unit on the basis of the interpolated image data of respective colors. The calculated first or second color difference signals are selected and output based on the first and second color difference signals.

Abstract: In a signal processing apparatus for processing an image signal, a hue difference between adjoining pixels is detected by a color image edge detector, and an aperture control main gain circuit amplifies a luminance signal using a gain determined on the basis of the hue difference detected by the color image edge detector to enhance an edge pixel of an image.

Abstract: Adaptive luminance interpolation processing in a signal processing apparatus for acquiring an image signal from an image sensing element having color filters and processing the image signal is described. An adaptive luminance interpolation circuit determines the correlation of the image signal in the vertical and horizontal directions, and interpolates the luminance signal of the image signal in a direction in which the correlation is higher. The chroma signal of the image signal is interpolated regardless of the correlation direction. The chroma signal is processed by a color conversion matrix circuit for performing signal processing of suppressing a false color in the vertical direction or a color conversion matrix circuit for performing signal processing of suppressing a false color in the horizontal direction, switched by a matrix switching circuit based on the interpolation direction.

Abstract: A wire harness grommet has a funnel-like shape having a wire-passing tubular portion of a small diameter, and a partition wall-mounting portion extending from the tubular portion. The bonding between a filler layer, which is provided in a hollow portion of the funnel-shaped portion, and an inner wall surface is enhanced to thereby prevent the separation of the filler layer. Removal of the grommet from a mold can be effected satisfactorily. The inner wall surface is in the form of tiling in which flat plateaus are densely arranged and spaced from one another by joint grooves, so that the inner wall surface serves as a separation prevention surface.