Comparative object shooting condition judging device, image quality adjustment device, and image shooting apparatus

• US 7,394,489 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2004
• Issued: 07/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fuji Xerox Company Limited (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Xerox Company Limited (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Yagi, Shigeru
• Primary Examiner(s): Ometz; David
• Assistant Examiner(s): KHAN, USMAN A
• Application Number:
  US10/803,911
• Publication Number:
  US 20040189820A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,565 Days
• Field of Search: 348/148, 348/362, 348/227.1
• US Class Current: 348/227.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/88 for colour balance, e.g. white-balance circuits or colour temperature control

Abstract

An object shooting condition judging device for an image shooting apparatus of the present invention includes: an ultraviolet light detecting element for detecting received ultraviolet light; comparing means for comparing ultraviolet light intensity detected by the ultraviolet light detecting element with predetermined intensity that has been determined in advance; and judging means for judging shooting conditions of an object based on the comparison result of the comparing means. This object shooting condition judging device enables quick response and is capable of adjusting white balance of images between indoors and outdoors in a simple and easy manner.

Claims

1. An object shooting condition judging device comprising:

a first ultraviolet light detecting element disposed on a taking lens side of an image shooting apparatus so as to detect received ultraviolet light;

a second ultraviolet light detecting element disposed on a side opposite to the taking lens side of the image shooting apparatus so as to detect received ultraviolet light;

comparing means for comparing ultraviolet light intensity detected by the first ultraviolet light detecting element and ultraviolet light intensity detected by the second ultraviolet light detecting element, with a first predetermined value, respectively, and also comparing a difference or ratio between the ultraviolet light intensity detected by the first ultraviolet light detecting element and the ultraviolet light intensity detected by the second ultraviolet light detecting element, with a second predetermined value; and

judging means for judging shooting conditions of an object based on the comparison result of the comparing means.

2. The object shooting condition judging device according to claim 1, wherein an ultraviolet light transmitting lens is disposed on an ultraviolet light incident side of the ultraviolet light detecting element.

3. The object shooting condition judging device according to claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet light detecting element is constituted by a semiconductor including at least one group III element and nitrogen.

4. The object shooting condition judging device according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit for displaying ultraviolet light intensity detected by the ultraviolet light receiving element.

5. The object shooting condition judging device according to claim 1, wherein the first predetermined value of ultraviolet light is equal to or more than 10 μ

W/cm².

6. An image adjustment device comprising:

a first ultraviolet light detecting element disposed on a taking lens side of an image shooting apparatus so as to detect received ultraviolet light;

a second ultraviolet light detecting element disposed on a side opposite to the taking lens side of the image shooting apparatus so as to detect received ultraviolet light;

comparing means for comparing ultraviolet light intensity detected by the first ultraviolet light detecting element with a first predetermined value, the comparing means also comparing ultraviolet light intensity detected by the second ultraviolet light detecting element with the first predetermined value, and the comparing means also comparing a difference between the ultraviolet light intensity detected by the first ultraviolet light detecting element and the ultraviolet light intensity detected by the second ultraviolet light detecting element or a ratio between both intensities to a second predetermined value;

judging means for judging shooting conditions of an object based on the comparison result of the comparing means; and

adjustment means for adjusting white balance according to the judgment result of the judging means.