Patent ID: 7006135
Filing Date: 2006-02-28
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A camera capable of white balance correction comprising: an image pickup optical system; an image sensor for receiving light from an object through this image pickup optical system; a three-primary-color detection section for detecting three-primary-color signals based on the output of the image sensor; a matrix processing section for calculating two color difference signals from the three-primary-color signals; a visible light brightness detection section for detecting visible light brightness by the output from said three-primary-color detection section or by a photometric section having as an automatic camera; an infrared light detection section for detecting luminosity of infrared light; and an artificial light detection section for calculating the ratio of artificial light and natural light from the output of said visible light brightness detection section and the output of said infrared light detection section, wherein a correction range for performing the white balance correction is obtained based on the ratio of artificial light and natural light calculated by said artificial light detection section, and the white balance correction is performed when the two color difference signals are within said correction range.