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Camera Filter White Balance Device - English4
RAYNAULD LTD. 7th Floor, 246 ZhuangJing Road, Taipei 110, Taiwan
Patented & Patent Pending Technology for camera/video recorders RAYNAULD™ DIRECTIVITY COLOR CALIBRATION FILTER 雷諾指向式色彩定位鏡 What is “RAYNAULD™ Directivity Color Calibration Filter”? (DCC Filter)“RAYNAULD™ Directivity Color Calibration Filter” is a newly invented external camera optical filter, which allows the most demanding professional photographers to capture a scene’s “Absolute Color” or “Visual Color” using the camera’s manual white balance system to achieve the highest photographic color accuracy in all lighting condition. This dramatically reduces the steps and the time required in post-processing for color enhancements. It helps to remove the doubt and uncertainness on photo color accuracy.  This also benefits general photography public by shooting the near-to-perfect color photos or videos at profession levels anytime anywhere! “RAYNAULD™ Directivity Color Calibration Filter” is the most advanced optical filter for calibrating the camera color system on site. It is used to pin-point calibrate the camera gray system against various scenes with exact accurate compensation value before the shooting. As a result, we have a high-precision and rich in detail photo with well-structured rich colors. Despite its complex physic and optical theory, the DCC Filter has an elegant and simple design. It is easy to use with and works with remarkable results.“RAYNAULD™ Directivity Color Calibration Filter” is used to limit the range of photographic field to proceed with the color compensation towards the camera gray card system. In return, it achieves the highest color accuracy and an unprecedented life color reproduction of photos.  It does not only achieve the simple white color balance to restore the photos to the standard color temperature (e.g. 6500K or 5500K) afterwards. By doing so, all the colors in the photo will be twisted to inaccurate color when the rendered white color is forced to the standard white color!Under different lighting conditions, the absolute standard white color is rendered into different color gradation of white as being affected by ambient lights. The “RAYNAULD™ Directivity Color Calibration Filter” is very effective to achieve the most accurate color reproduction under this shooting scene.  Based on its design, DCC Filter works very well with either JPG or RAW form on all brands of cameras.Features of RAYNAULD Directivity Color Calibration Filter Purposes and users of RAYNAULD™ DCC Filter What is the main function of RAYNAULD™ DCC Filter? How to use RAYNAULD™ Directivity Color Calibration Filter ? FAQ☉ What is RAYNAULD™ Directivity Color Calibration Filterr? ☉ What is the working theory behind? ☉ What is the “ Visual Color”photo? ☉ What is the “Absolute Color” of object? ☉ What does the Full-Color Balance mean? ☉ How to take Visual Color photo with the Filter? ☉ What's wrong with Gray Card or White Card? ☉ What's wrong with the white balance lens cap? ☉ What's wrong with my camera AWB? ☉ Why should I use RAYNAULD™ DCC Filter for? ☉ What is the “Photo with Mirror Image Quality”? ☉What kinds of camera/videorec can use the DCC Filter ☉ Does RAYNAULD™ DCC Filter work with a camera flash? ☉ Can DCC Filter be used with a zoom lens? ☉ Does DCC Filter work with other optical filters? ================================================================================ BARREL-BASED WHITE BALANCE FILTER(a.k.a. DIRECTIVITY COLOR CALIBRATION FILTER)DCC FILTER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1.    Field of the Invention:The present invention relates to image pick-up technology, and more particularly, to a barrel-based white balance filter, which comprises an opaque barrel, and a white balance component axially adjustably mounted in the opaque barrel. The invention uses the opaque barrel to isolate the color temperature beyond the viewing scene, and allows adjustment of the proportion of the amount of the color temperature of the main light source using the light transmissive property of the white balance filter of the white balance unit, achieving the effect of increasing or reducing the average color temperature like the functioning of the eyelid to adjust the intraocular pressure subject to the brightness of the main light source so that the color is closer to the human eye visual sense and personal preferencesDescription of the Related Art:White a balance filter plate (7) or white balance lens cap (6) with a filter (61) may be used with a camera (2). During application, as illustrated in FIGS. 13, 14 and 15, the balance filter plate (7) or white balance lens cap (6) is attached to the camera lens (21) of the camera (2), and then the shutter is pressed to run the manual white balance mode, getting the average white balance value of the viewing scene. This average white balance value is used as a single color temperature for photographing.Red, blue and green are three most basic colors that can be combined to make a useful range of colors. For human applications, these three primary colors are usually used, since human color vision is trichromatic. Only the values of these three primary colors are equal to each other, R = B = G, the correct white can be presented in the human vision. If white is accurately corrected or displayed, all other colors of photos or videos can be presented correctly in the human vision.The manual white balance mode of a camera is to accurately measure the average color temperature of the viewing scene for use as a color temperature reference value so that accurate colors can be exhibited in the artworks, greatly reducing further software color temperature revising works. Because the colors of photos or videos having an incorrect color temperature are inconsistent with the scene of the photography site, the high-precision human visual system can easily senses the differences, all camera artworks in incorrect color are failed artworks to all people.Each single picture of photos, videos, or live videos is presented in the human vision based on a single color temperature. The human vision can instantly senses any change or error of the color temperature. Therefore, getting the color temperature value of the scene is one of the most important works of the success of the artwork.However, attaching a conventional white balance filter plate (7) or white balance lens cap (6) for a manual white balance operation cannot accurately get the color temperature and colors of the photography scene due to poor overall design of the white balance filter plate (7) or white balance lens cap (6). When facing the white balance filter plate (7) or white balance lens cap (6) toward the viewing scene, all the surrounding lights and colors non-selectively fall upon the filter to make an incorrect average color temperature value.Actually, every color of a physical object has its particular color temperature value under every light source. When changing the shooting direction of the camera during photographing, the composition of the photograph range and color ratio are relatively changed, and the average color temperature value of each picture is also changed. So, only focus on the area of the scene to be photographed can get the most precise average white balance value.In an outdoor operation, the scene taken by the camera (2) depends upon the view angle and distance of the focus of the camera lens (21). Photographing has its scene range. During application of the white balance filter plate (7) or white balance lens cap (6), unnecessary ambient light beyond the viewed range will be received, such as sunlight, reflected light from the blue sky and white clouds can fall upon the white balance filter plate (7) or white balance lens cap (6) to mix with the incident light from the viewing scene, causing the camera (2) to get an incorrect average color temperature value for photographing. Based on this incorrect average color temperature value, a color shift problem will occur in the photos or videos thus obtained.During an indoor photography operation, all the outdoor or indoor main light source and other ambient and reflected light rays and colors from all directions will fall upon the white balance filter plate (7) or the filter (61) of the white balance lens cap (6) and enter the color temperature sensing range of the light transmissive structure thereof, giving an incorrect average white balance value to the manual white balance system, resulting in photo color distortion.In addition to general photography purposes, getting the accurate colors of objects is also very important in scientific research, color management, typography or recording works, for example, to obtain a reference color of an object at different locations or under different light source environments for color calibration to achieve consistency.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is therefore the main object of the present invention to provide a measure capable of getting the correct average white balance in a simple, rapid and low-cost manner. A barrel-based white balance filter of the present invention comprises a white balance unit that comprises a barrel and a white balance component axially adjustably mounted in the barrel. The barrel is prepared from an opaque material and attachable to a camera lens of a camera directly or by means of an engagement thread thereof. The white balance component is a milky white or gray filter having a milky white or gray annular rim axially extended from the periphery thereof, and mounted in the barrel and axially movable relative to the barrel between an extended position and a fully received position. Thus, adjusting the position of the white balance component relative to the opaque barrel causes change in the received color light gradually. When the white balance component is moved to the position where the annular rim suspends outside the opaque barrel, the amount of ambient color light received by the milky white or gray filter is greatly increased, and the surrounding color light beyond the viewing scene that falls upon the annular rim is guided into the milky white or gray filter to regulate the color temperature value.Further, when the white balance component is in the fully received position, the milky white or gray annular rim is completely received in the barrel and protected by the opaque barrel against the radiation of vivid light or reflected light during a manual white balance operation, enabling a manual white balance system of the camera using the barrel-based white balance filter to measure the average white balance value of the viewing scene accurately.Further, by means of the high precision white balance filter, the barrel-based white balance filter of the present invention can accurately measure the color temperature value accurately from a far distance for adjusting the color balance and color density, achieving perfect color temperature setting in JPG or RAW files so that the user can instantly upload perfect color photos for sharing.Further, the design of the barrel of the barrel-based white balance filter facilitates convenient use. When using the manual white balance mode, the barrel-based white balance filter can be directly attached to the camera lens, preventing intake of vivid light and color beyond the viewing range to affect color temperature measuring accuracy.RIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFIG. 1 is an exploded view of a barrel-based white balance filter in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2 illustrates the barrel-based white balance filter of the first embodiment of the present invention attached to the camera lens of a camera.FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional applied view of the first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the white balance filter adjusted relative to the opaque barrel.FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an alternate form of the first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the opaque barrel provided with an engagement thread for engagement with an engagement groove around the periphery of a front end of a camera lens of a camera.FIG. 5 is a sectional installed view of an alternate form of the first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the use of a flat glass type white balance filter.FIG. 6 is a sectional installed view of a barrel-based white balance filter with a telescopic barrel in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 7 corresponds to FIG. 6, illustrating the telescopic barrel of the barrel-based white balance filter fastened to a camera lens of a camera.FIG. 8 corresponds to FIG. 7, illustrating the telescopic barrel in the received status.FIG. 9 is an elevational view of a barrel-based white balance filter fastened to a smart phone in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 10 illustrates the barrel-based white balance filter of the third embodiment of the present invention fastened to a tablet computer.FIG. 11 illustrates a detachable type barrel-based white balance filter used in a camera in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 12 illustrates the detachable type barrel-based white balance filter of the fourth embodiment of the present invention equipped with a wireless circuit and a battery and mounted at a camera tripod for wireless communication with a camera or smart phone.FIG. 13 illustrates a white balance device for use with a camera according to the prior art.FIG. 14 corresponds to FIG. 13, illustrating the white balance device attached to the camera lens of the camera.FIG. 15 illustrates the use of another prior art design of white balance device with a camera.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTReferring to FIG. 1, 2 and 3, a barrel-based white balance filter in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The barrel-based white balance filter comprises a white balance unit (1) that comprises a barrel (11) and a white balance component axially adjustably mounted in the barrel (11). The barrel (11) is made from an opaque material, and configured to be directly pres-fitted onto the lens (21) of a camera (2). Alternatively, the barrel (11) can be configured to provide an engagement thread (113) for engagement with an engagement groove (211) around the periphery of the front end of the camera (2) (see FIG. 4). The white balance component is a milky white or gray filter (12) having an annular rim (121) axially extended from the periphery thereof and insertable into the bore (111) in the barrel (11) for allowing adjustment of the position of the milky white or gray filter (12) relative to the barrel (11) in axial direction. When pushed the milky white or gray filter (12) to the position where the annular rim (121) is completely received in the bore (111) of the barrel (11), the milky white or gray filter (12) is received in and shielded by the opaque barrel (11). Thus, during the operation of the camera (2) under the manual white balance mode, the milky white or gray filter (12) is well protective by the opaque barrel (11) against the radiation of vivid light or reflective light, and thus, the manual white balance system of the camera (2) can measure the average white balance value of the viewing area accurately. Further, the milky white or gray filter (12) can be configured having a six-star sword head protrusion at the center to assist focusing of the lens (21). Further, the closer the position of the milky white or gray filter (12) to the core (111) of the barrel (11) is, the larger the amount of color light received will be. Adjusting the position of the milky white or gray filter (12) relative to the barrel (11) causes change in the received color light gradually. When the white-balance filter (1) is moved axially toward the outside of the bore (111) of the barrel (11) to have the annular rim (121) suspend outside the bore (111) of the barrel (11), the amount of ambient color light received by the milky white or gray filter (12) is greatly increased, and the surrounding color light beyond the scene of the viewing window that falls upon the annular rim (121) outside the bore (111) of the barrel (11) is guided into the milky white or gray filter (12) to regulate the color temperature value. Further, stop flanges (122)(112) are respectively provided at the rear side of the milky white or gray filter (12) and the orifice of the bore (111) of the barrel (11) for stopping against each other to prohibit the milky white or gray filter (12) from falling out of the barrel (11). Further, the milky white or gray filter (12) can be made a flat glass filter mounted in the bore (111) of the barrel (11) for receiving the color light of the scene viewed through the viewing window of the camera (2), obtaining an accurate average white balance value (see FIG. 5).Referring to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, a barrel-based white balance filter in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this second embodiment, the barrel (13) is a telescopic design, comprising a plurality of barrel components (131) that slide one inside another. The milky white or gray filter (12) with the annular rim (121) is slidably coupled to the front side of the barrel (13). Thus, the barrel-based white balance filter can be adjusted axially to extend or shorten the length for carrying or storage conveniently. Further, stop flanges (132)(133)(122)(123) are respectively provided at opposing front and rear sides of each of the barrel components (131) and the milky white or gray filter (12) to prohibit the barrel components (131) and the milky white or gray filter (12) from disconnection.Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a barrel-based white balance filter in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention is shown. The white balance unit (1) formed of the barrel (11) and the milky white or gray filter (12) having an annular rim (121) is mountable at the front side of a camera lens (31)(41) of a smart phone (3) or tablet computer (4). When using the smart phone (3) or table computer (4) to take pictures under the manual white balance mode, the milky white or gray filter (12) is well protected by the barrel (11) against the radiation of vivid light or reflective light, enabling the manual white balance system of the smart phone (3) or tablet computer (4) to measure the average white balance value of the scene viewed. Further, the barrel-based white balance filter of this third embodiment comprises a fastening device (5) for securing the barrel (11) of the white balance unit (1) to the front side of the camera lens (31)(41) of the smart phone (3) or tablet computer (4).Referring to FIG. 11, a barrel-based white balance filter in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown. This fourth embodiment is used in a detachable white balance color temperature measurement device (8). The detachable white balance color temperature measurement device (8) comprises a color temperature sensor (81) mounted in an outer shell thereof, and a plug (811) disposed outside the outer shell for transmitting power supply and signals. The plug (811) can be plugged into a mating jack (221) at the camera body (22) or camera lens (21) of a camera (2), vivid camera, smart phone (3) or tablet computer (4). The white balance unit (1) formed of a barrel (11) and a milky white or gray filter (12) having an annular rim (121) is mounted in the front side of the detachable white balance color temperature measurement device (8). When using the camera (2), video camera, smart phone (3) or table computer (4) to take pictures under the manual white balance mode, the milky white or gray filter (12) is well protected by the barrel (11) against the radiation of vivid light or reflective light, and the color temperature sensor (81) senses the color temperature, enabling the manual white balance system of the camera (2), video camera, smart phone (3) or tablet computer (4) to measure the average white balance value of the scene viewed.Further, a wireless circuit (82) and a battery (83) can be mounted in the detachable white balance color temperature measurement device (8). During application, the detachable white balance color temperature measurement device (8) is mounted on a tripod (84) for measuring the average white balance (color temperature) value of the scene and transmitting the measured average white balance (color temperature) value to a CPU (Central Processing Unit) of a camera (2), video camera, smart phone (3) or tablet computer (4) for processing through a white balance arithmetic process to get an accurate white valance (color temperature) value (see FIG. 12).In conclusion, the invention provides a barrel-based white balance filter comprising a white balance unit that comprises an opaque barrel and a white balance component axially adjustably mounted in the opaque barrel. The invention uses the opaque barrel to isolate the color temperature beyond the camera scene, and allows adjustment of the proportion of the amount of the color temperature of the main light source using the light transmissive property of the white balance filter of the white balance unit, achieving the effect of increasing or reducing the average color temperature like the functioning of the eyelid to adjust the intraocular pressure subject to the brightness of the main light source so that the color is closer to the human eye visual sense and personal preferencesAlthough particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims. What the invention claimed is:1. A barrel-based white balance filter, comprising a white balance unit, said white balance unit comprising a barrel and a white balance component axially adjustably mounted in said barrel, wherein:said barrel is prepared from an opaque material and attachable to a camera lens of a camera directly or by means of an engagement thread thereof; the white balance component is a milky white or gray filter having a milky white or gray annular rim axially extended from the periphery thereof, and mounted in said barrel and axially movable relative to said barrel between an extended position and a fully received position, said milky white or gray annular rim being completely received in said barrel and protected by said opaque barrel against the radiation of vivid light or reflected light during a manual white balance operation when said white balance component is in said fully received position, enabling a manual white balance system of the camera using the barrel-based white balance filter to measure the average white balance value of the viewing scene accurately.2. The barrel-based white balance filter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said milky white or gray filter comprises a six-star sword head protrusion located at the center thereof to assist camera lens focusing.3. The barrel-based white balance filter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said barrel comprises a stop flange located at an orifice thereof; said milky white or gray filter comprises a stop flange located at a rear side thereof stoppable against the stop flange at the orifice of said barrel to prohibit said milky white or gray filter from falling out of said barrel.4. The barrel-based white balance filter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said milky white or gray filter is a flat glass filter mounted in said barrel for enabling said white balance component to measure the average white balance value of the color light within the viewing area.5. A barrel-based white balance filter, comprising a white balance unit, said white balance unit comprising a barrel and a white balance component axially adjustably mounted in said barrel, wherein:said barrel is a telescopic barrel prepared from an opaque material, comprising a plurality of barrel components coupled to one another and axially slidable relative to one another and attachable to a camera lens of a camera directly or by means of an engagement thread thereof; said white balance component is a milky white or gray filter having a milky white or gray annular rim axially extended from the periphery thereof, and axially slidably coupled to said telescopic barrel; said barrel components and said milky white or gray filter each comprise two stop flanges respectively located at opposing front and rear sides thereof and adapted to prohibit said barrel components and said milky white or gray filter from falling out of one another.6. The barrel-based white balance filter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said white balance unit further comprises a fastening device for securing said barrel to a front side of a camera lens of a camera, video camera, smart phone or tablet computer so that when the camera, video camera, smart phone or tablet computer runs a manual white balance mode, said milky white or gray annular rim is protected by said opaque barrel against the radiation of vivid light or reflected light during a manual white balance operation, enabling a manual white balance system of the camera, video camera, smart phone or tablet to measure the average white balance value of the viewing scene accurately.7. The barrel-based white balance filter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said white balance unit further comprises an outer shell holding said barrel therein, and a color temperature sensor mounted in said outer shell, and a plug electrically connected to said color temperature sensor and extended out of said outer shell and electrically detachably connectable to a jack at a camera body or camera lens of a camera, video camera, smart phone or tablet computer for transmitting power supply and signals so that when the camera, video camera, smart phone or tablet computer runs a manual white balance mode, said milky white or gray annular rim is protected by said opaque barrel against the radiation of vivid light or reflected light during a manual white balance operation, enabling a manual white balance system of the camera, video camera, smart phone or tablet to measure the average white balance value of the viewing scene accurately. ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREA barrel-based white balance filter includes an opaque barrel attachable to a camera lens of a camera and a white balance component in the form of a milky white or gray filter having a milky white or gray annular rim and axially adjustably mounted in the opaque barrel so that the milky white or gray annular rim is protected by the opaque barrel against the radiation of vivid light or reflected light during a manual white balance operation when the white balance component is completely received in the opaque outer barrel, enabling the manual white balance system of the camera to measure the average white balance value of the viewing scene accurately. For any inquiry, please contact: sales@raynauld.com Patent Pending PCT/CN2014/000209  March 7, 2014 https://www.raynauld.com/zh/hot_105723.html Directivity Color Calibration Filter - English 2023-06-04 2024-06-04
RAYNAULD LTD. 7th Floor, 246 ZhuangJing Road, Taipei 110, Taiwan https://www.raynauld.com/zh/hot_105723.html
RAYNAULD LTD. 7th Floor, 246 ZhuangJing Road, Taipei 110, Taiwan https://www.raynauld.com/zh/hot_105723.html
https://schema.org/EventMovedOnline https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode
2023-06-04 http://schema.org/InStock TWD 0 https://www.raynauld.com/zh/hot_105723.html

相關連結:https://www.dropbox.com/sh/s82yea4s3ldyd54/R1GWM0syCv

Patent available for licensing

WHITE-BALANCE COLOR TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICE FOR IMAGE PICK-UP DEVICE  (a.k.a.Camera Filter White Balance Device or FWB)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1.    Field of the Invention:

The present invention relates to image pick-up technology, and more particularly, to a white-balance color temperature measuring device for use in the camera lens light path or camera body of a camera, video camera, camera phone or tablet PC or any other image pick-up device, which includes a comb, which comprises a white or gray light transmitting sheet and a color temperature sensing element disposed behind the white or gray light transmitting sheet for obtaining an accurate color temperature value, enabling the color of the captured photos or images to be close to the natural color of the shooting scene.

Description of the Related Art:

At the present time, commercial developments have leaded economic prosperity, and thus the quality of life of people has been greatly enhanced. In addition to food, clothing, shelter and transportation, tourism and leisure activities have become major projects of people to relieve stress. Therefore, in order to keep the various memories in daily life, people use camera, video camera or camera phone to take pictures. Further, professional cameras or video cameras are widely used for wedding photography and professional photography. However, most people have the common feeling that there is a significant difference between the colors of the photographed pictures or videos and the colors of the scenes even an advanced camera or video camera with a high-level CPU and a high-level CCD or CMOS image sensor is used. Although, thanks to technology, the currently marketed cameras, video cameras or camera phones commonly have an automatic white balance function built therein that greatly improves the problems of color shift. However, when shooting different scenes and there are often many different colors of mixed light scenes. When mixed light enters the camera or video camera, the white balance processing block of the built-in image processor of the camera or video camera can simply simulate an approximate value, causing a color distortion of the photographed pictures or videos, and thus, the colors of the photographed pictures or videos do not match the colors of the scenes. White balance establishes color temperature. Color temperature is a characteristic of visible light. The color temperature of a light source is the temperature of an ideal black body radiator that radiates light of comparable hue to that of the light source. In practice, color temperature is only meaningful for light sources that do in fact correspond somewhat closely to the radiation of some black body. Low color temperature implies warmer (more yellow/red) light while high color temperature implies a colder (more blue) light. Daylight has a rather low color temperature near dawn, and a higher one during the day. When photographing under tungsten light, the color temperature implies yellowish light. These phenomena occur due to a color shift that happens just because the color temperature does not meet the film's color standard. Therefore, the current white balance problem bothers people. It is also a big problem with professional photographers. Professional photographers have all kinds of auxiliary software, however, they need to spend a lot of time and effort to make white balance correction. Therefore, a professional photographer needs to use an expensive color temperature measuring equipment (colorimeter or color temperature meter) to detect the color temperature of the scene and then to correct the color temperature of the camera or video camera prior to photography. When multiple cameras or video cameras are used, assistants need to detect the color temperature of the environment of the shooting scene with a colorimeter, and then to correct the color temperature value of every camera or video camera, thereby saving the shooting time. However, this procedure is complicated and time consuming. Further, it is expensive to prepare the related equipments.

Commercial image pick-up devices do not have an independent white-balance sensor. When the CCD or CMOS image sensor of an image pick-up device catches the light of the scene, the light value is provided to a CPU for auto white balance computing. If the locally available light source and the ambient color changes quickly or lacks pure white standard, the automatic white balance logic computing frequently gets an error, and the pictures or videos thus obtained can have an incorrect color temperature (i.e., color distortion).

The simple color temperature settings (sunny, rainy, dusk, incandescent light, fluorescent light, etc.) of a camera or video camera cannot accurately match the correct color temperature of the light source of the scene for taking pictures or videos having the correct color temperature.

Currently, the most advanced SLR (Single Lens Reflex) camera or VCR (Video Cassette Recorder) completely depends upon the performance of a RGB light sensor image sensor in making color temperature logical computing, however, the computing normally fails to get the accurate scene color temperature, and the pictures or videos thus obtained can have distorted colors.

Using filtered light, white or neutral gray light, and an independent color temperature measuring device to measure the accurate scene color temperature value, you can completely solve the problem of color distortion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is therefore the main object of the present invention to provide a white-balance color temperature measuring device for use in a camera, video camera, camera phone or tablet PC or any other image pick-up device, which includes a comb, which automatically obtains an accurate color temperature value without any adjustment or color temperature detection, enabling the color of the captured photos or images to be close to the natural color of the shooting scene.

To achieve this and other objects of the present invention, a white-balance color temperature measuring device of the invention comprises a white or gray light transmitting sheet and a color temperature sensing element and installed in a camera body of a camera, video camera or image pick-up device, for enabling incident light passing through a camera lens into a CCD or CMOS image sensor to be synchronously changed by said white or gray light transmitting sheet into a neutral light that falls upon the color temperature sensing element, causing the color temperature sensing element to induce a spot color temperature signal and to provide the signal to a CPU of the camera, video camera or image pick-up device where the CPU runs a white balance calculation processing on the retrieved color temperature value to obtain an accurate white balance (color temperature) value, so that the color of the captured photos or images becomes close to the natural color of the shooting scene.

Other advantages and features of the present invention will be fully understood by reference to the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference signs denote like components of structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective exploded view of a white-balance color temperature measuring device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates the white or gray light transmitting sheet and color temperature sensing element of the white-balance color temperature measuring device installed in a passage hole in the camera body in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates the white or gray light transmitting sheet and color temperature sensing element of the white-balance color temperature measuring device installed in the light path in the camera in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the present invention, illustrating the white or gray light transmitting sheet and color temperature sensing element of the white-balance color temperature measuring device installed in the light path of the camera lens around the image sensor of a non-prism reflector, non-pentaprism, interchangeable lens camera.

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of the present invention, illustrating the white or gray light transmitting sheet and color temperature sensing element of the white-balance color temperature measuring device installed in the light path of the camera lens around the image sensor of a non-prism reflector, non-pentaprism, interchangeable lens camera.

FIG. 7A is a schematic perspective view of the present invention, illustrating the white or gray light transmitting sheet and the color temperature sensing element directly installed in the border area of the camera lens.

FIG. 7B is a schematic sectional view of the present invention, illustrating the white or gray light transmitting sheet mounted beyond the image range of a CCD or CMOS image sensor.

FIG. 7C is a schematic front view of the present invention, illustrating the white or gray light transmitting sheet mounted beyond the image range of a CCD or CMOS image sensor.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the present invention, illustrating the white or gray light transmitting sheet and the color temperature sensing element mounted adjacent to one side of a flash of a camera phone.

FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional side view of the present invention, illustrating the white or gray light transmitting sheet and the color temperature sensing element mounted adjacent to one side of a flash of a camera phone.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the present invention, illustrating the white or gray light transmitting sheet and the color temperature sensing element mounted adjacent to a rear camera lens of a camera phone.

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of the present invention, illustrating the white or gray light transmitting sheet and the color temperature sensing element mounted adjacent to a front camera lens of a camera phone.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view illustrating the mounting relationship between a vertical type detachable white-balance color temperature measuring device and a jack in a camera body or camera lens of a camera in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an exploded view illustrating the mounting relationship between a horizontal type detachable white-balance color temperature measuring device and a jack in a camera body of a camera in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an exploded view illustrating the mounting relationship between a flash attachment mounting type detachable white-balance color temperature measuring device and a flash attachment of a camera in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a schematic drawing of the present invention, illustrating a detachable white-balance color temperature measuring device installed in a tripod for wireless communication with a camera phone or camera.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a white-balance color temperature measuring device is shown installed in an image pick-up device in accordance with the present invention is shown installed in the camera body 11 of an image pick-up device 1, for example, camera, or the light path 4 in the camera body 11 of the image pick-up device 1 that extends through the camera lens 3 of the image pick-up device 1. The white-balance color temperature measuring device comprises a white or gray light transmitting sheet 2 and a color temperature sensing element 21. When focusing or pressing the shutter to take pictures, the reflective mirror 14 flips for allowing the external image to be projected onto the image sensor 13. At this time, external light passing through the white or gray light transmitting sheet 2 is changed into uniform neutral light that falls upon the color temperature sensing element 21, causing the color temperature sensing element 21 to induce a spot color temperature signal and to provide the signal to the CPU 12 of the camera, video camera or any other image pick-up device 1, where the CPU 12 runs a white balance calculation processing on the retrieved color temperature value to obtain an accurate white balance (color temperature) value so that the color of the captured photos or images can be close to the natural color of the shooting scene. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the white or gray light transmitting sheet 2 and the color temperature sensing element 21 are mounted inside a camera body 11 where the camera body 11 provides an accommodation chamber for accommodating the white or gray light transmitting sheet 2 and the color temperature sensing element 21. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the white or gray light transmitting sheet 2 and the color temperature sensing element 21 are installed in a passage hole 111 in a camera body 11. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the white or gray light transmitting sheet 2 and the color temperature sensing element 21 are mounted within a camera body 11 in an light path 4 of a camera lens 3, for example, beneath a pentaprism 15 without affecting the line of sight. When external light passes through the camera lens 3 into the light path 4, it falls upon the white or gray light transmitting sheet 2 and is then changed into uniform neutral light, and then guided to the color temperature sensing element 21.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the white or gray light transmitting sheet 2 and the color temperature sensing element 21 are mounted within a camera body 61 of a non-prism reflector, non-pentaprism, interchangeable lens camera 6 in an light path 64 of a camera lens 5 within an optical range 641 of a CCD (charge coupled device) or CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) image sensor 63 in the camera body 61.

When focusing or pressing the shutter to take pictures, external light passes through the camera lens 5 into the light path 64 and is then changed by the white or gray light transmitting sheet 2 into uniform neutral light that falls upon the color temperature sensing element 21, causing the color temperature sensing element 21 to induce a spot color temperature signal and to provide the signal to a CPU 62 of the non-prism reflector, non-pentaprism, interchangeable lens camera 6, where the CPU 62 runs a white balance calculation processing on the retrieved color temperature value to obtain an accurate white balance (color temperature) value. Alternatively, the white or gray light transmitting sheet 2 and the color temperature sensing element 21 can be mounted in a border area of a camera lens 3 of a camera, video camera or any other image pick-up device 1 (see FIG. 7A). The white or gray light transmitting sheet 2 and the color temperature sensing element 21 can also be mounted in a camera 6 beyond the image range 642 of a CCD (charge coupled device) or CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) image sensor 63 in a light path 64 of a camera lens 5 of the camera or video camera 6. When focusing or pressing the shutter to take pictures, external light passes through the camera lens 5 of the camera or video camera 6 into the light path 64 and is then changed by the white or gray light transmitting sheet 2 into uniform neutral light that falls upon the CCD (charge coupled device) or CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) image sensor 63, enabling a CPU 62 of the camera or video camera 6 to run a white balance calculation processing on the retrieved color temperature value and to further obtain an accurate white balance (color temperature) value (see FIG. 7B and FIG. 7C).

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, a white or gray light transmitting sheet 73 and a color temperature sensing element 74 are mounted in a light path of a front camera lens 71 or rear camera lens 75 of a camera phone 7 adjacent to a flash light 72. When focusing or pressing the shutter to take pictures, external light passes through the white or gray light transmitting sheet 73 is changed into uniform neutral light that falls upon the color temperature sensing element 74, causing the color temperature sensing element 74 to induce a spot color temperature signal and to provide the signal to a CPU 76 of the camera phone 7, where the CPU 76 runs a white balance calculation processing on the retrieved color temperature value to obtain an accurate white balance (color temperature) value, so that the color of the captured photos or images can be close to the natural color of the shooting scene. Alternatively, the white or gray light transmitting sheet 73 and the color temperature sensing element 74 can also be installed in the camera phone 7 adjacent to one side of the front camera lens 71 or rear camera lens 75 (see FIG. 10 and FIG. 11).

A camera phone 7 having installed therein a white or gray light transmitting sheet 73 and a color temperature sensing element 74 and a white balance algorithm can be operated to obtain a scene white balance value and then to transmit the scene white balance value to a CPU 76 of a image pick-up device 1 by a wired or wireless transmission method for further computing. An application program in the camera phone can also be used to transmit the white balance value.
Referring to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, a detachable white-balance color temperature measuring device 8 is shown comprising a white or gray light transmitting sheet 81, a color temperature sensing element 82 and a power and signal connector 83 mounted within an outer shell thereof. By means of plugging the power and signal connector 83 into a jack 31 or 112 in a camera lens 3 or camera body 11 of a camera, video camera, camera phone, tablet PC or any other image pick-up device 1, the detachable white-balance color temperature measuring device 8 is electrically connected to the image pick-up device 1. External light passing through the white or gray light transmitting sheet 81 is changed into uniform neutral light that falls upon the color temperature sensing element 82, causing the color temperature sensing element 82 to induce a spot color temperature signal and to provide the signal to a CPU 12 of the camera, video camera, camera phone, tablet PC or any other image pick-up device 1, where the CPU 12 runs a white balance calculation processing on the retrieved color temperature value to obtain an accurate white balance (color temperature) value. Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the detachable white-balance color temperature measuring device 8 comprises a white or gray light transmitting sheet 81, a color temperature sensing element 82 and a power and signal connecting mount 84. The power and signal connecting mount 84 can be attached to a flash attachment 113 and electrically connected to electric contacts 1131 in the flash attachment 113 for obtaining an accurate white balance (color temperature) signal.

Referring to FIG. 15, the detachable white-balance color temperature measuring device 8 further comprises a wireless circuit 85 and a battery pack 86. The detachable white-balance color temperature measuring device 8 can be mounted at a camera tripod 9 at the scene for transmitting an accurate white balance (color temperature) signal to a camera phone 7, or a camera, video camera, tablet PC or any other image pick-up device 1, enabling a CPU 12 of the camera phone 7 or image pick-up device 1 to run a white balance calculation processing on the retrieved color temperature value and to further obtain an accurate white balance (color temperature) value.
In conclusion, the invention provides a white-balance color temperature measuring device for automatically obtaining an accurate white balance (color temperature) value without any adjustment or color temperature detection, enabling the color of the captured photos or images to be close to the natural colors of the shooting scene.
Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.
 
What the invention claimed is:

1. A white-balance color temperature measuring device comprising a white or gray light transmitting sheet and a color temperature sensing element and installed in a camera body of a camera, video camera or image pick-up device, for enabling incident light passing through a camera lens into a CCD or CMOS image sensor to be synchronously changed by said white or gray light transmitting sheet into a neutral light that falls upon said color temperature sensing element, causing said color temperature sensing element to induce a spot color temperature signal and to provide the signal to a CPU of said camera, video camera or image pick-up device where said CPU runs a white balance calculation processing on the retrieved color temperature value to obtain an accurate white balance (color temperature) value, so that the colors of the captured photos or images becomes close to the natural colors of the shooting scene.

2. The white-balance color temperature measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said camera body defines therein an accommodation chamber adapted for accommodating said white or gray light transmitting sheet and said color temperature sensing element therein.

3. The white-balance color temperature measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said white or gray light transmitting sheet and said color temperature sensing element are mounted at one side in a flash in a camera phone or table computer.

4. The white-balance color temperature measuring device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said white or gray light transmitting sheet and said color temperature sensing element are mounted at one side adjacent to a front camera lens or rear camera lens of a camera phone.

5. The white-balance color temperature measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said white or gray light transmitting sheet is disposed beyond the image range of said CCD or CMOS image sensor so that when focusing or pressing the shutter of said camera, incident light passes through said camera lens into a light path in said camera, video camera or image pick-up device and is then changed into a neutral light by said white or gray light transmitting sheet and then guided to said CCD or CMOS image sensor, enabling said CPU to run a white balance calculation processing on the retrieved color temperature value and to further obtain an accurate white balance (color temperature) value.

6. A white-balance color temperature measuring device, comprising a white or gray light transmitting sheet and a color temperature sensing element mounted within a camera body in a light path of a camera lens beneath a pentaprism without affecting the line of sight so that when an incident light passes through said camera lens into said light path, said incident light falls upon said white or gray light transmitting sheet and is then changed into uniform neutral light and then guided to said color temperature sensing element, causing said color temperature sensing element to induce a spot color temperature signal and to provide the signal to a CPU where said CPU runs a white balance calculation processing on the retrieved color temperature value to obtain an accurate white balance (color temperature) value.

7. The white-balance color temperature measuring device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said white or gray light transmitting sheet and said color temperature sensing element are mounted in a camera phone or tablet computer in a light path of a front or rear camera lens so that when focusing or pressing the shutter of said camera, incident light passing said camera lens into said light path is changed into a neutral light by said white or gray light transmitting sheet and guided to said color temperature sensing element, causing said color temperature sensing element to induce a spot color temperature signal and to provide the signal to a CPU of said camera phone or tablet computer, where said CPU runs a white balance calculation processing on the retrieved color temperature value to obtain an accurate white balance (color temperature) value.

8. The white-balance color temperature measuring device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said camera phone having said white or gray light transmitting sheet and said color temperature sensing element and a white balance algorithm installed therein is operated to obtain a scene white balance value and then to transmit the scene white balance value to a CPU of a camera, video camera, camera phone or tablet computer by a wired or wireless transmission method for further computing, and an application program in the camera, video camera, camera phone or tablet computer is operated to transmit the white balance value.

9. A detachable white-balance color temperature measuring device, comprising a white or gray light transmitting sheet, a color temperature sensing element and a power and signal connector mounted within an outer shell thereof, said power and signal connector being plugged into a jack in a camera lens or camera body of a camera, video camera, camera phone, tablet PC or image pick-up device, so that incident light passing through said white or gray light transmitting sheet is changed into uniform neutral light that falls upon said color temperature sensing element, causing said color temperature sensing element to induce a spot color temperature signal and to provide the signal to a CPU of said camera, video camera, camera phone, tablet PC or image pick-up device, where said CPU runs a white balance calculation processing on the retrieved color temperature value to obtain an accurate white balance (color temperature) value.

10. The detachable white-balance color temperature measuring device as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a power and signal connecting mount attachable to a flash attachment of a camera or video camera and electrically connectable to electric contacts in said flash attachment for obtaining an accurate white balance (color temperature) signal, enabling incident light to pass through said white or gray light transmitting sheet and to be changed by said white or gray light transmitting sheet into uniform neutral light that falls upon said color temperature sensing element, causing said color temperature sensing element to induce a spot color temperature signal and to provide the signal to a CPU of said camera or video camera for processing.

11. The white-balance color temperature measuring device as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a wireless circuit and a battery pack, said wireless circuit being adapted to transmit said accurate white balance (color temperature) signal to a CPU of a camera, camera phone, video camera or tablet PC for processing.

 
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A white-balance color temperature measuring device for image pick-up device includes a white or gray light transmitting sheet and a color temperature sensing element and installed in a camera body of a camera, camera phone, video camera or any other image pick-up device such that when focusing or pressing the shutter, incident light is changed by white or gray light transmitting sheet into a neutral light that falls upon the color temperature sensing element, causing the color temperature sensing element to induce a spot color temperature signal and to provide the signal to a CPU for processing, and thus, the color of the captured photos or images can be close to the natural colors of the shooting scene.
                                                                                       FWB: Filter White Balance Device


** Patented & U.S. Patent Pending.
** PCT/CN2013/001306
** Raynauld Ltd. is the sole agent for this patent.  For patent licensing, please contact
     Raynauld Wu for details.
     raynauld.wu@gmail.com