White balance control device and method using a variable region to reduce deterioration of reproduced color when a user manually selects a light source

摘要

A white balance control device is provided for use in a video camera or a still video camera in which white balance control signals are controlled so that an object may be photographed without the occurrence of color failure. A user selects the light source to be employed. A microcomputer of the white balance control device detects a difference between integral averaged values for two color difference signals R-Y and B-Y and a reference value. The integral averaged values are to be equalized until this difference is within a predetermined value. The integral averaged values are also to be maintained within a variable region in accordance with the selected light source. Use of the variable region insures that deterioration of the reproduced color does not occur even when there is a difference between a selected light source and an actual color temperature.