| Entries |
| Document | Title | Date |
|---|
| 20080218610 | Methods and Apparatus for Detecting Defects in Imaging Arrays by Image Analysis - Methods for detecting defective pixels in imaging arrays involve establishing probabilities that individual pixels are defective and updating those probabilities by analysing images acquired by the imaging arrays. Probabilities may be evaluated for each of two or more defect conditions. The methods may be used to detect defects such as stuck-low, stuck-high, high-sensitivity, low sensitivity, hot, and defect-free conditions. Other more complicated defect conditions can also be detected. Apparatus for detecting defective pixels may be integrated with a camera or other imaging device or provided separately. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080231733 | Amplification Type Solid State Imaging Device - An amplification type solid state imaging device in use includes at least a light-receiving portion | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080231734 | METHOD OF PROCESSING IMAGES FROM AN IMAGING DEVICE - A method of processing images from an imaging device corrects defective pixels in an image acquired with the imaging device. The method includes a step of acquiring position information about continuous defective pixels from the position information about the defective pixels, a first correcting step of correcting the defective pixels with at least one normal pixel adjacent at least one defective pixels based on the position information about the defective pixels and a second correcting step of correcting the continuous defective pixels with a plurality of normal pixels adjacent at least one continuous defective pixels based on the position information about the continuous defective pixels. The second correcting step relies upon a greater number of normal pixels than the first correcting step to correct the defective pixels in a higher precision than the first correcting step. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080239112 | Defective Pixel Detector, Defective Pixel-Detection Process and Imaging System - An output signal of a CCD or other solid-state imaging device ( | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080239113 | Camera Sensor Defect Correction And Noise Reduction - Systems and methods for camera sensor defect correction and noise reduction are disclosed. In an exemplary implementation, a method may include comparing a pixel in a digital image to neighboring pixels to identify an anomaly. The method may also include ignoring the anomaly if the anomaly occurs in at least one neighboring pixel, and marking the pixel as defective if the anomaly does not occur in any neighboring pixels. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080239114 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO DETECT A DEAD PIXEL OF AN IMAGE SENSOR AND METHOD AND APPARATUS TO CAPTURE AN IMAGE FROM AN IMAGE SENSOR - A method and apparatus to detect a dead pixel in an image sensor having a pixel array to generate a plurality of image frames, and a method and apparatus to capture an image from the image sensor detect a dead pixel in the image sensor. A change of a scene of the image frames is sensed, and a detection operation to detect a dead pixel in the pixel array is performed if the change of the scene is sensed. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080239115 | Image processing device, method, and program storage medium - There is a provided an image processing device having: a storage section for storing defective pixel information expressing defective pixels of an image pickup element; a correction section that, on the basis of the defective pixel information, carries out correction of defective pixels on an image captured by the image pickup element; a point defect detector that, on the basis of a first image for defect detection which has not been subjected to defective pixel correction, detects point defects of the image pickup element in accordance with point defect detecting conditions; a line defect detector that, on the basis of a second image for defect detection which has not been subjected to defective pixel correction, detects line defects of the image pickup element in accordance with line defect detecting conditions; and a defective pixel information register storing the results of detection. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080246862 | DEFECT AND MAINTENANCE DETECTION FOR IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE - Defect and maintenance detection for an image capture device (ICD) capable of distinguishing between a defect in the ICD and one on the imaged object. The defect detection system includes, inter alia: a value combiner that combines a brightest image video value for each sensing element of the ICD experiencing the imaged object with a corresponding stored device video value to create a combined value for each image video value; and a defect determinator determines the presence of a defect(s) by comparing the combined values to a defect threshold. The maintenance detection system includes a determinator that determines when maintenance is required based on whether a single image is considered defective or whether a number of consecutive defective images have been created. Device video values are updated sluggishly according to corresponding image video values. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080266427 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MEASURING LOSS OF DETAIL IN A VIDEO CODEC BLOCK - Picture quality measurement systems and methods are provided for measuring DC blockiness within video blocks. Block boundaries are located within a test video frame. The relative AC differences within each block are measured using a reference video frame, a statistically estimated reference or a default value of the white video level divided by two. An objective DC blockiness map, a subjective DC blockiness map or both may be generated. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080266428 | IMAGING APPARATUS CAPABLE OF HIGHLY ACCURATE DEFECTIVE PIXEL CORRECTION PROCESSING - There is provided an imaging apparatus which uses a defect correction circuit to perform predetermined signal processing with respect to image signals output from an imaging section in which a plurality of pixels each formed of a photoelectric transducer with a color filter provided thereon are two-dimensionally arranged. The defect correction circuit includes a pattern extraction circuit which extracts image pattern information based on a signal of an adjacent pixel that is adjacent to a judgment target pixel and signals of peripheral pixels that are close to the adjacent pixel and have the same color as the adjacent pixel in the image signals, and a substitution circuit which substitutes a signal of the judgment target pixel by signals of peripheral pixels that are close to the judgment target pixel and have the same color as the judgment target pixel. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080273102 | DETECTION DEVICE FOR DEFECTIVE PIXEL IN PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVICE - The defeat determination unit determines whether a target pixel among the pixels of the image sensor is defective on the basis of a first defect map and at least one second defect map. The first defeat map shows a first relationship between a pixel value of the target pixel and pixel values of first neighboring same-color pixels with the target pixel that neighbor and surround the target pixel. The second defect map shows a second relationship between a pixel value of a heterochromatic adjacent pixel with the target pixel and pixel values of second neighboring same-color pixels with the heterochromatic adjacent pixel that neighbor and surround the heterochromatic adjacent pixel. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080278608 | Camera module - There is provided a camera module including dual image sensors used for different purposes, which corrects optical defects of images imaged by the dual image sensors individually to suit purposes and processes the imaged images into image signals. The camera module includes: a plurality of image sensors imaging images with different optical properties from one another; a plurality of auxiliary image processors electrically connected to the plurality of image sensors, individually, the auxiliary image processors correcting different optical defects of the images from corresponding ones of the image sensors, respectively; and an image signal processing part selecting at least one of corrected images from the auxiliary image processors to process into an image signal capable of being displayed. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080297628 | Defective pixel specifying method, defective pixel specifying system, image correcting method, and image correcting system - A defective pixel specifying method and a defective pixel specifying system for a semiconductor device having a defective pixel are provided. Also provided are an image correcting method and an image correcting system for making a defective pixel inconspicuous on the screen when a read image is displayed. The present invention determines whether or not there is a defective pixel for each pixel and specifies the coordinate of the defective pixel using image signals obtained by reading a plurality of images. The image signal of the defective pixel is set based on the image signals of the pixels adjacent to the defective pixel to correct the image of the subject read. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20090033775 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING DISPLAY FOR INITIAL SETTING AND DISPLAY DEVICE USING THE SAME - When a user uses a display device for the first time in a factory mode, whether or not there are defective pixels is examined, and a guide message for setting initial settings is provided, so the user can use the display device in an optimal environment. As a result, if the display device has defective pixels, the user can be provided with after-sales service at an appropriate time, and use the display device at its full potential in an environment most suitable for the display device is set. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090040343 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR DEFECTIVE PIXEL DETECTION AND CORRECTION - An apparatus for defective pixel detection and correction is provided. The apparatus comprises a defective pixel detection unit and a defective pixel correction unit. The defective pixel detection unit acquires a detection pixel and a plurality of neighboring pixels, and determines that the detection pixel is a defective pixel when a first condition and a second condition are satisfied, wherein the defective pixel is located in the center of a n×n block comprising the detection and neighboring pixels, the first condition describes that at most one neighboring pixel whose value differs from the value of the detection pixel within a predefined threshold is detected, and the second condition describes that all the neighboring pixels other than the detected neighboring pixel is smaller or larger than the value of the detection pixel. The defective pixel correction unit corrects a value of the defective pixel determined by the defective pixel detection unit. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090051791 | Imaging apparatus - An imaging apparatus includes: an image sensor having a plurality of pixels arranged in an array that captures an image of a subject and outputs pixel signals; a calculation unit that calculates a correction value for correcting an error of the pixel signals read out from the image sensor for each column of the array of the pixels; and a correction unit that corrects the image signals using the correction value calculated by the calculation unit. In a live view mode, the calculation unit calculates a new correction value by averaging the calculated correction value and a correction value for a previous frame. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090079853 | Image Processing System and Image Processing Program - An image processing system can realize a more accurate and high-quality correction of defective pixels by including an image pickup device, an obtaining unit obtaining information showing positions of defective pixels occurred at the image pickup device, a creating unit creating discrimination information showing the positions of the defective pixels in an image generated via the image pickup device, a detecting unit detecting a correlativity with neighborhood pixels by each defective pixel, and an estimating unit estimating a pixel value by each defective pixel in accordance with a detected result by the detecting unit. Incidentally, the image processing system is configured by an imaging device and a computer recording an image processing program, in which the imaging device includes the image pickup device, the obtaining unit, and the creating unit, and the image processing program may make the computer function as the detecting unit and the estimating unit. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090091642 | Image defect correction system using directional detection - An image defect correction system using directional detection. An image data memory stores a two-dimensional image data output from an image capturing device. A decision means decides whether a target pix cell is a defective pix cell by deciding whether an image data of the target pix cell is a prominent spot using a plurality of image data of the target pix cell and 8 adjacent pix cells arranged in 4 directions of upper-lower, left-right, lower-right and upper-right, counting direction number having the prominent spot, and deciding whether the target pix cell is the defective pix cell according to the counted direction number. A replacement means replaces the image data of the target pix cell with a predetermined image data when the target pix cell is determined to be the defective pix cell. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090128671 | Imaging apparatus - An imaging apparatus includes: an image sensor with imaging pixels and focus detection pixels arrayed on a plane, which captures an image via an optical system; and a correction unit that corrects image data output from an imaging pixel based upon output data from a focus detection pixel present near the imaging pixel. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090135279 | REDUCING IMAGING ARTIFACTS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE IMAGING ELEMENT - A method of compensating for a defective imaging element includes measuring an actual value generated by a defective element, comparing an actual value to an image value resulting in a comparison value, and adjusting neighboring image values for at least an imaging element immediately adjacent to the defective imaging element depending upon the comparison value. An imaging system has an array of imaging elements, having at least one defective imaging element, a processor to operate the array of imaging elements, the processor to determine an actual value produced by a defective imaging element, compare the actual value to an image value for the defective imaging element resulting in a comparison value, and adjust operation of at least an imaging element immediately adjacent the defective imaging element, based upon the comparison value. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090167907 | Image processing device, correction information generation method, and image-capturing device - An image processing device that corrects and interpolates pixel values of defective pixels present upon an image sensor, includes: a position information storage memory that stores a position of a defective pixel of a first type whose pixel value can be utilized after correction, and a position of a defective pixel of a second type whose pixel value is to be interpolated using pixel values of other pixels, distinguished from one another; a correction amount storage memory that stores a correction amount for the defective pixel of the first type; a correction unit that corrects the pixel value of the defective pixel of the first type according to the correction amount; and an interpolation unit that interpolates the pixel value of the defective pixel of the second type, using the pixel values of pixels including the defective pixel of the first type whose pixel value has been corrected by the correction unit. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090231473 | Imaging apparatus and pixel defect compensation method implemented therein - Pixel signals output from an imaging device having pixels arranged in horizontal and vertical directions are compensated if there are pixel defects. Extracted from the pixel signals are: a first signal from a target pixel; second signals from second pixels having the same color as the target pixel; and third signals from third pixels having a different color from the target pixel, the second and third pixels being located as dose to the target pixel on both sides thereof in each direction. Extracted from the second signals are a highest-level signal having the highest luminance level and a second-level signal having the second luminance level. An average luminance level of the second signals is calculated. It is determined whether a particular pixel among the second pixels and causing generation of the highest-level signal is defective by using the highest and average levels. The highest-level signal is selected when the particular pixel is not defective, otherwise, the second-level signal. It is determined whether the target pixel is defective by using the levels of the first and selected signals. The first signal is output when the target pixel is not defective, otherwise, the selected signal. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090268063 | Methods for Enhancing Quality of Pixel Sensor Image Frames for Global Shutter Imaging - The image quality of an image frame from a CMOS image sensor array operated in global shutter mode may be enhanced by dispersing or randomizing the noise introduced by leakage currents from floating drains among the rows of the image frame. Further, the image quality may be improved by accounting for time dependent changes in the output of dark pixels in dark pixel rows or dark pixel columns. In addition, voltage and time dependent changes in the output of dark pixels may also be measured to provide an accurate estimate of the noise introduced to the charge held in the floating drains. Such methods may be employed individually or in combination to improve the quality of the image. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090273691 | METHOD AND APPARATUS PROVIDING ANALOG ROW NOISE CORRECTION AND HOT PIXEL FILTERING - An imaging device and method for operating the device. The imaging device comprises a pixel array that comprises a plurality of imaging pixels and dark reference pixels arranged in columns and rows. The dark reference pixels produce a noise signal that is subtracted from a pixel signal produced by the imaging pixels to correct row noise. In addition, the imaging device may comprise a hot pixel filtering circuit that blocks the output from hot pixels. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090284624 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - In image processing device, a basic coordinate system corresponding to arrangement directions of the pixel in the two-dimensional image sensor is transformed to a virtual coordinate system corresponding to an arrangement rule of the filters of each of the wavelength components, position calculation processing for image processing containing an aberration correction in the virtual coordinate system corresponding to each of the wavelength components is executed to determine coordinates in the virtual coordinate system, and the coordinates in the virtual coordinate system obtained by the position calculating unit are transformed to coordinates in the basic coordinate system. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090303357 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CORRECTING A DEFECTIVE PIXEL - An image processing apparatus and method for detecting and correcting a defective pixel in an image output from an image sensor including a plurality of pixels, comprising detection of an edge direction based on the image data, detection of a defective pixel included in the image sensor based on the detected edge direction, and correction of the selected defective pixel. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20100013964 | IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD FOR THE IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS - An image sensing apparatus includes an image sensor including a pixel array, on which a plurality of pixels are arranged, and a reading section configured to read a signal from the pixel array, a detection unit configured to detect a defective pixel in the pixel array based on a signal read from the pixel array by the reading section under a condition that the pixel array is shielded from light, and a control unit configured to control the reading section to read a signal from the pixel array under a condition that a defect tends to occur when the detection unit detects the defective pixel. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100026861 | IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD FOR THE SAME - The image capture device includes defect information storage unit in which defective pixel data is stored in advance; signal conversion unit adapted to covert pixel values of an image signal output from image capture unit to pixel values from which defective values are excluded; a defective pixel establishing unit, an image signal storage unit for storing defective values in terms of frame units chronologically and in order of address; and second comparison unit. The first comparison unit acquires defective pixel data in frame units in several increments from the defect information storage unit and compares the data with the image signal; once all of the defective pixel data has been acquired and compared, comparison of the image signal data and the defective pixel data will stop, and a comparison process will be carried out by the second comparison unit. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100026862 | IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD FOR THE SAME - The image capture device includes pixel data acquisition unit for acquiring pixel data of a pixel of interest and neighboring pixels from an image capture element; an edge direction determination unit for determining whether a pattern such as an edge is defined by neighboring pixels centered on the pixel of interest; correction unit; and color interpolation unit. When a pixel of interest is determined by a defective pixel determination unit to be a defective pixel, and is moreover determined by the edge direction determination unit not to lie in an edge direction, the correction unit will correct the pixel of interest to a correction value derived from pixel data of neighboring pixels in a symmetrical array centered thereon. For a pixel of interest that has not been corrected, color interpolation according to the direction the edge will be carried out by the color interpolation unit, using the determination outcome of the edge direction determination unit. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100066871 | BAD PIXEL CLUSTER DETECTION - Systems and methods of bad pixel cluster detection are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method includes determining a correlation value corresponding to a correlation coefficient between image data and at least one bad pixel cluster pattern, and detecting a bad pixel cluster corresponding to the at least one bad pixel cluster pattern based on the correlation value exceeding a threshold. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100066872 | IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS AND DEFECTIVE PIXEL DETECTION METHOD - An apparatus includes an image sensor, a detection unit, and a control unit. The image sensor photoelectricaly converts an incident light from an object. The detection unit detects a defective pixel of the image sensor based on an image signal generated by the image sensor. The control unit controls, when a first defective pixel for irregularly outputting an abnormal level and a second defective pixel for regularly outputting an abnormal level in the image sensor are detected, storage time of the image sensor at the detection time of the first defective pixel to be longer than storage time of the image sensor at detection time of the second defective pixel and a number of image signals used for detection to be larger. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100079629 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CORRECTING DEFECTIVE PIXEL - Disclosed is an apparatus for correcting a value of a defective pixel based on values of neighboring pixels of the defective pixel, the apparatus includes a plurality of first-stage median filters for receiving a value of a target pixel and values of neighboring pixels of the target pixel, and outputting median values of the received values; and at least one second-stage median filter for receiving the value of the target pixel and the median values from the first-stage median filters, and outputting a median value of the values received by the second-stage median filter. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100085450 | Cameras And Defective Pixel Compensation Methods For Image Sensors Thereof - A camera with defective pixel compensation is provided. The camera comprises a register and a compensating unit. The compensating unit receives an image datum and a plurality of adjacent image data relating to the image datum and, according to the value installed in the register, the compensator selects a reference datum from the plurality of adjacent image data. When the image datum is greater than the reference datum by a threshold value, the compensating unit modifies the image datum according to the reference datum. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100103292 | SINGLE ROW BASED DEFECTIVE PIXEL CORRECTION - An image sensor uses a single row of an array of pixels elements to determine whether a pixel is defective and to recover the defective pixel. The image sensor includes a “maximum of minimum” filter to remove a “black” pixel from a raw image. The image sensor also includes a “minimum of maximum” filter to remove a “white” pixel from the raw image. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100110240 | PROCESSING DEVICE FOR CORRECTING DEFECT PIXEL VALUES OF AN IMAGE SENSOR UNIT, IMAGE SENSOR UNIT WITH THE PROCESSING DEVICE AND METHOD - CMOS image sensors are usually suffering from fixed pattern noise and random defect pixels. However, for economical reasons and in order to increase the manufacturing yield, some random defective pixels are usually accepted even for professional devices. In this case, the defect pixels are usually corrected by signal processing. A processing device for correcting of at least one defect pixel value of an image sensor unit is proposed, the image sensor unit comprising at least a first and a second pixel array, wherein the image sensor unit is embodied to project the same image onto each pixel array, the processing device comprising at least a first and a second input channel for receiving pixel values of the first and the second pixel array, respectively, wherein the processing device is operable to exchange the defect pixel value by a corrected pixel value, wherein the corrected pixel value is estimated by evaluating the values of neighbouring pixels of the defect pixel of the same pixel array, wherein the corrected pixel value is estimated by evaluating values of a corresponding pixel and its neighbouring pixels of the second pixel array at the same location as the defect pixel of the first pixel array in respect to the projected image. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100141810 | Bad Pixel Detection and Correction - The invention relates to a method for bad pixel classification for an image sensor having a plurality of sensing elements. The method includes capturing a plurality of images using the image sensor, determining based on a pre-determined criterion, using an image of the plurality of images and a threshold value selected from one or more pre-determined threshold values, whether a sensing element in the image sensor is defective to generate a vote, wherein a threshold parameter associated with the pre-determined criterion is set to the threshold value, tallying the vote to generate a voting count by performing iterations of the determining step using different images of the plurality of images and different threshold values of the one or more pre-determined threshold values, and classifying the sensing element as a bad pixel if the voting count exceeds a pre-determined classification threshold. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100149386 | PIXEL REPLACEMENT USING FIVE NEAREST NEIGHBORS - An image processing system is provided for replacing a value of a defective pixel located along a center row of a region in an image. The region includes a center row, a previous row located above the center row and a subsequent row located below the center row. The image processing system includes a buffer for storing values of pixels located in the previous row and the center row. The image processing system also includes a selector for selecting a plurality of pixel values located in the previous row and the center row that are adjacent to the location of the defective pixel, without selecting a pixel value on the subsequent row. The image processing system further includes a calculator for determining a replacement value for the defective pixel from values of the selected pixels located in the previous row and the center row. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100157114 | Method and Apparatus for Image Displaying - According to one of embodiments, an imaging apparatus to provide an imaging element which photoelectrically converts input information, a defective pixel detection module which detects a defective pixel included in the imaging element by each pixel output from the imaging element, and a defective pixel position storage module which detects that the defective pixel of the imaging element supplied from the defective pixel detection module is contiguous to an adjacent pixel, and stores the position of the defective pixel by 2-bit determination data and positional information of a first pixel when the defective pixel is contiguous. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100171852 | IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS AND METHOD - This invention is directed to easily set the image sensing conditions of an image sensing apparatus. The image sensing apparatus includes a first control means for controlling to change the image sensing conditions, an image sensing means to sense an image sensing target at every first time interval, and to calculate the evaluation value of the sensed image, and a second control means for controlling to change the image sensing conditions within the range where the evaluation value obtained by the first control means changes from increase to decrease, the image sensing means to sense the image sensing target at every second time interval smaller than the first time interval, and to calculate the evaluation value of the sensed image. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100182463 | PROCESSING OF SENSOR VALUES IN IMAGING SYSTEMS - A digital image system identifies defective pixels of a digital image sensor based on sensor values of pixels positioned in at least two dimensions on the digital image sensor. The exemplary imaging system includes a buffer for receiving sensor values that are each associated with a pixel in the digital image sensor and electronics for comparing the sensor value associated with a test pixel to the sensor values of pixels positioned in at least two dimensions on the digital image sensor. The electronics determines whether the test pixel is a defective pixel based on the comparison. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100194937 | SOLID STATE IMAGING DEVICE - A solid state imaging device | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100214450 | DETECTION AND/OR CORRECTION OF SUPPRESSED SIGNAL DEFECTS IN MOVING IMAGES - Techniques are described for detecting a vertical line artifact in an image captured with a digital camera. The vertical line artifact may be caused by a defect in the digital camera. Techniques also are described for correcting a vertical line artifact in an image captured with a digital camera. It may be determined that the vertical line artifact includes at least one pixel in the vertical line having a non-zero suppressed signal. A value for the pixel having the non-zero suppressed signal may be determined. A statistically-based correction may be applied to the pixel having the non-zero suppressed signal based on the determination that the pixel has a non-zero suppressed signal and the determined value of the pixel. The image may be a portion of a movie stored on a DVD. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100231763 | DEFECTIVE PIXEL DETECTOR FOR A DIGITAL VIDEO CAMERA AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - A defective pixel tester determines defective pixels within a digital video camera. The tester includes a video input, a memory and a controller. The video input receives video frames from the digital video camera, with each video frame defined by a plurality of pixel values. The memory stores captured video frames and pixel test results. The controller generates difference values for corresponding pixel values from different video frames, generates pixel test results based upon a comparison of the difference values to a threshold, and stores the pixel test results in the memory. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100245633 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE ELEMENT AND SOLID-STATE IMAGE DEVICE - A solid-state image device has a pixel region in which a plurality of unit pixels | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100253813 | DEFECTIVE PIXEL SPECIFYING METHOD, DEFECTIVE PIXEL SPECIFYING SYSTEM, IMAGE CORRECTING METHOD, AND IMAGE CORRECTING SYSTEM - A defective pixel specifying method and a defective pixel specifying system for a semiconductor device having a defective pixel are provided. Also provided are an image correcting method and an image correcting system for making a defective pixel inconspicuous on the screen when a read image is displayed. The present invention determines whether or not there is a defective pixel for each pixel and specifies the coordinate of the defective pixel using image signals obtained by reading a plurality of images. The image signal of the defective pixel is set based on the image signals of the pixels adjacent to the defective pixel to correct the image of the subject read. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100253814 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image pickup apparatus includes: an image pickup element having a plurality of pixels; a drive unit moving the image pickup element; a defective position storage unit storing position data on the image pickup element about a defective pixel contained in the plurality of pixels; an image extraction unit extracting a moving picture regeneration area depending on the position of the image pickup element during capturing an image from a captured image obtained by the image pickup element; and a defect correction unit complementing a defective pixel of a captured image obtained by the image pickup element using image data of captured image obtained by the image pickup element in another position. Moving pictures are formed by continuously outputting captured images in the moving picture regeneration area for which the defect correction unit has complemented the defective pixel. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100277625 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CORRECTION COEFFICIENT CALCULATION, AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus includes a location information storing section, a correction coefficient storing section, a correction object pixel location setting section, a correction object pixel data extracting section, an other-color pixel data extracting section, and a pixel data correcting section. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100277626 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE SIGNAL CORRECTION METHOD, CORRECTION MATRIX CALCULATION METHOD, AND IMAGING DEVICE - Provided is an imaging device that is equipped with an image acquisition element having color filters in prescribed arrays; a judgment unit that judges to which group individual pixels of a color image belong, the group being a group among a plurality of groups determined in accordance with the arrangement of color filters, and the color image being an image generated based on output signals from the image acquisition element; a storage unit in which the groups are stored in association with correction matrices; and a correction unit that obtains the correction matrices corresponding to groups to which each of the pixels belongs from the storage unit and that corrects the image signal values of individual pixels by using the obtained correction matrices. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100295975 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - A device includes a first isolated-point candidate detection section calculates a parameter value used for detecting an isolated-point candidate from a near-field region of a target pixel of a color image signal, a color-space conversion section combines a plurality of signals constituting the color image signal together, and converts the combined signals into a plurality of color signals on defined color space, a second isolated-point candidate detection section calculates a parameter value used for detecting an isolated-point candidate from a near-field region of a target pixel of the converted color signal, and an isolated-point degree determination section determines an isolated-point degree on the basis of parameter values calculated by the isolated-point candidate detection sections. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100295976 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND FRAME DATA CORRECTING METHOD - The present invention relates to a solid-state imaging device, etc., which makes it possible to obtain an image with higher resolution by properly correcting pixel data even when any one of row selecting wirings is disconnected. A solid-state imaging device ( | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100302416 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing apparatus includes: a first interpolating portion calculating a first interpolation value for a pixel value of a pixel of interest using pixel values of the pixel of interest and pixels neighboring the pixel of interest; a second interpolating portion detecting the direction of a smallest jump amount to calculate a second interpolation value for the pixel value of the pixel of interest; a detecting portion determining whether any change is made by interpolation using the first interpolation value, and selecting the first or second interpolation value when there is change or not; and an isolated point detecting portion determining whether the pixel of interest is an isolated point, outputting the first or second interpolation value when the pixel of interest is an isolated point, and outputting the pixel value of the pixel of interest when the pixel of interest is not an isolated point. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20110001853 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGE DEFECT CORRECTION PROCESSING CIRCUIT - According to one embodiment, an image defect correction processing circuit includes a signal level comparator circuit and a defect correction circuit. The signal level comparator circuit extracts the maximum signal level and the minimum signal level from a plurality of pixel signals existing around a correction target pixel. The defect correction circuit executes defect corrections with respect to the correction target pixel. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110013053 | DEFECTIVE PIXEL DETECTION AND CORRECTION - A device can include a detection module and a correction module. The detection module can classify a pixel in a sensor as a defective pixel, and can store location information for the defective pixel. The correction module can identify the defective pixel based on the location information, and can correct a digital pixel signal corresponding to the defective pixel. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110019038 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, DRIVE METHOD THEREFOR, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A solid-state imaging device includes: a normal pixel disposed in a pixel section capable of performing a global shutter, and including at least a photoelectric conversion part and a memory part adjacent to the photoelectric conversion part; and a leak-light correcting pixel disposed in the pixel section to correct degradation of an image quality originated from leak light leaked into the memory part. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110019039 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA - Specifically, the solid-state imaging device includes: pixels each of which includes an amplifying transistor that amplifies a signal; first column signal lines each of which is connected to one of the columns of the pixels; first load transistors each of which is connected to one of the first column signal lines; a bias circuit which supplies a bias voltage to a gate of each of the first load transistors; first detection units each of which is connected to the one of the first column signal lines; a second detection unit which detects a noise component of each of the rows, the noise component occurring in each of the first column signal lines and resulting from fluctuation in the bias voltage; and a correction unit which corrects, the pixel signal detected by each of the first detection units, using the noise component detected by the second detection unit. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110037882 | Solid-state imaging device, method of driving solid-state imaging device, and electronic apparatus - A solid-state imaging device includes: an imaging unit, in which unit pixels each including a photoelectric conversion device are disposed two-dimensionally, that has an effective pixel portion and an ineffective pixel portion where light is incident and not incident to the photoelectric conversion device, respectively; a pixel-signal reading circuit unit reading out a pixel signal acquired by the imaging unit; a correction value calculating unit calculating a correction value for the pixel signals of the ineffective pixel portion for each column that are read out by the pixel-signal reading circuit unit by averaging the pixel signals of pixels disposed along a horizontal direction of the ineffective pixel portion; and a difference calculating unit subtracting the correction value corresponding to a column of the effective pixel portion, calculated by the correction value calculating unit, from the pixel signal of the effective pixel portion read out by the pixel-signal reading circuit unit. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110043668 | Detection of Defective Pixels in an Image Sensor - A system and method for detecting defective pixels in a sensor. A plurality of pixel values of the sensor may be detected. The values may include those of a first pixel and each nearest neighboring pixel to the first pixel. A second pixel may have the highest value of the neighboring pixels. A third pixel may have the next highest value of the neighboring pixels. A first function may be performed on the second pixel value, producing a first output value. A second function may be performed on the third pixel value, producing a second output value. If the first pixel value is higher than the first output value, or, if the first pixel value is higher than the second output value and the second pixel value is higher than the second output value, it may be determined that the first pixel is defective. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110069209 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND SOLID- STATE IMAGING DEVICE - According to one embodiment, an image processing device includes a defect correcting unit, a noise-reduction processing unit, and a selecting unit. The defect correcting unit executes defect correction on a target pixel. The defect correcting unit switches, according to the level of contrast determined concerning a plurality of peripheral pixels, a first correction value obtained through averaging processing for signal values of the peripheral pixels and a second correction value other than the first correction value. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110080505 | METHOD OF DETECTING DEFECT IN IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND THE IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - Whether or not a pixel output signal corresponding to a previously stored blinking defective pixel address is an abnormal value is detected. Then, when a signal value indicating a defective pixel is being output, the output signal is corrected. Deterioration of a taken image caused by excessively correcting a blinking defective pixel can be prevented from occurring. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110090380 | IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSOR FRONT-END IMAGE DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM AND METHOD - Various techniques are provided herein for processing raw image data in front-end processing logic of an image signal processing system. In one embodiment, the front-end processing logic includes a statistics processing unit configured to process raw image data acquired by an image sensor to obtain one or more sets of statistics. The statistics processing unit may first correct defective pixels in the raw image data and then correct lens shading errors in the raw image data prior to extracting the statistics information. In certain embodiments, black level compensation may be applied between the defective pixel correction and lens shading correction steps, and inverse black level compensation may be applied between the lens shading correction step and the extraction of the statistics information. The acquired statistics information may be utilized by an image signal processing pipeline for converting the raw image data into a color (e.g., RGB) and/or luma (e.g., YCbCr) image. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110090381 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING IMAGE DATA USING AN IMAGE PROCESSING PIPELINE OF AN IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSOR - Various techniques are provided herein for processing raw image data acquired using a digital image sensor in an image processing pipeline of an image signal processing system. In one embodiment, the image processing pipeline may first process the raw image data (e.g., Bayer image data) for the detection and correction of defective pixels. Next, the image processing pipeline may process the raw image data to reduce noise. Thereafter, the image processing pipeline may correct lens shading distortion in the raw image data and, subsequently, apply a demosaicing algorithm to convert the raw image data into full color image data (e.g., RGB image data). The color image data may be further processed by the image processing pipeline to correct color and gamma properties prior to being converted into a luma and chroma color space (e.g., YCbCr color space). | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110102648 | Imaging Apparatus and method, electronic device, and program - An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging unit configured to image an image using an imaging device; an image obtaining unit configured to obtain a plurality of images equivalent to the time of dark, imaged by the imaging unit; a registering unit configured to register, with an image obtained by the image obtaining unit, the address and change amount of a pixel where the output value of the pixel changes so as to exceed a predetermined threshold; and a correcting unit configured to correct, when taking a pixel corresponding to an address registered by the registering unit as a processing object pixel, the pixel value of the processing object pixel based on comparison between difference of the output values of the processing object pixel and a peripheral pixel of the processing object pixel, and the change amount of the processing object pixel. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110102649 | Pixel defect detection and correction device, imaging apparatus, pixel defect detection and correction method, and program - A pixel defect detection and correction device includes: an average value acquisition section that acquires an average value of pixel values of adjacent pixels with different colors excluding a pixel whose defect is to be detected, which is a pixel of interest, in a processing region where adjacent pixels with the same color and adjacent pixels with different colors are arrayed with the pixel whose defect is to be detected in the middle; and a defect determining section that determines whether the pixel whose defect is to be detected is defective on the basis of at least the average value. The defect determining section determines whether the pixel whose defect is to be detected is defective by comparison of the pixel value of the pixel whose defect is to be detected, the average value of adjacent pixels with different colors, and a designated different-color pixel threshold value. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110122299 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND CAMERA MODULE - According to the embodiments, an image processing apparatus includes a weight coefficient calculating unit, a defect-correction-coefficient switching unit, and a convolution operation unit. The weight coefficient calculating unit calculates a weight coefficient for scaling processing. The defect-correction-coefficient switching unit performs switching of the weight coefficient for defect correction for a defect correction target pixel in which a defect is detected. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110134289 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - In an image pickup apparatus including a plurality of pixels arranged a matrix of rows and columns, a correction unit performs a correction process based on an electric signal output via a first switch element of a particular pixel and a correction electric signal output via a second switch element of the particular pixel. A correction image signal based on the correction electric signal output via the second switch element is acquired in a period that partially overlaps in time a period in which an image signal based on the electric signal output via the first switch element is acquired. When the electric signal associated with the image signal is output for the particular pixel, the second switch element of the particular pixel is controlled to be in an on-state over a period during which the first switch element of the particular pixel is in an off-state. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110141325 | Image pickup device and defect detecting method - An image pickup device without a light shielding device for blocking light received by a solid-state image pickup element, the image pickup device including: a supplying section configured to supply a signal for resetting a charge of a floating diffusion disposed so as to correspond to one or a plurality of pixels in the solid-state image pickup element; and a detecting section configured to detect a pixel in which change in output of the pixel after passage of a certain time from the resetting of the charge of the floating diffusion is larger than a predetermined threshold value. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110169987 | Minimally Processing Displayed Images Captured From A Burst - One embodiment minimally process a burst of images captured with an image capture device. The images are displayed, and maximum processing is performed on one of the images. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110221939 | CORRECTION OF CLUSTER DEFECTS IN IMAGERS - A method and apparatus that allows for the correction of multiple defective pixels in an imager device. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes the steps of selecting a correction kernel for a defective pixel, determining average and difference values for pixel pairs in the correction kernel, and substituting an average value from a pixel pair for the value of the defective pixel. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110234862 | IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device includes: an image sensor that outputs pixel signals by capturing a subject image, the image sensor including a plurality of pixels disposed in a matrix pattern and; a calculation unit that calculates correction values each used to individually correct errors in pixel signals read out from one of pixel columns at the image sensor, while the image sensor in a continuous shooting state continuously outputs the pixel signals; and a correction unit that corrects the pixel signals by using the correction values calculated in the continuous shooting state, wherein: if a specific condition changes in the continuous shooting state, the correction unit corrects the pixel signals by using the correction values already in use. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110254984 | DEFECTIVE PIXEL SPECIFYING METHOD, DEFECTIVE PIXEL SPECIFYING SYSTEM, IMAGE CORRECTING METHOD, AND IMAGE CORRECTING SYSTEM - A defective pixel specifying method and a defective pixel specifying system for a semiconductor device having a defective pixel are provided. Also provided are an image correcting method and an image correcting system for making a defective pixel inconspicuous on the screen when a read image is displayed. The present invention determines whether or not there is a defective pixel for each pixel and specifies the coordinate of the defective pixel using image signals obtained by reading a plurality of images. The image signal of the defective pixel is set based on the image signals of the pixels adjacent to the defective pixel to correct the image of the subject read. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110310275 | COMPLEMENTARY PIXEL RECONSTRUCTION - Systems and methods for reconstructing pixel values at bad (i.e. fully or partially defective, saturated, and/or non-responsive in one or more spectral bands) pixel locations in multi-spectral photo-detectors are provided herein. A detector having pixel locations responsive in two or more spectral bands may have pixel values at bad pixel locations reconstructed from adjacent pixel location band ratios so long as the bad pixel location is operational/responsive in at least one spectral band. Pixel locations may be two (or more) color pixels, stacked FPAs, “virtual” locations created by mapping pixels in a first detector to pixels in a second detector, or “super pixels” defined on a detector with a patterned band-pass filter. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20120008017 | IMAGE SENSOR AND PIXEL CORRECTION METHOD - An image sensor includes a corrector configured to receive a bayer raw data of a pixel array and output a corrected pixel value by correcting a dead pixel occurring in the pixel array, a memory configured to store the corrected pixel value updated in real-time, and a controller configured to control the real-time updating of the corrected pixel value to be stored in the memory, wherein when the corrector corrects the dead pixel in response to a clock, the corrector uses the corrected pixel value which is updated and stored in the memory in response to a previous cycle of the clock. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120008018 | Correction of Non-Uniform Sensitivity in an Image Array - An improved non-uniform sensitivity correction algorithm for use in an imager device (e.g., a CMOS APS). The algorithm provides zones having flexible boundaries which can be reconfigured depending upon the type of lens being used in a given application. Each pixel within each zone is multiplied by a correction factor dependent upon the particular zone while the pixel is being read out from the array. The amount of sensitivity adjustment required for a given pixel depends on the type of lens being used, and the same correction unit can be used with multiple lenses where the zone boundaries and the correction factors are adjusted for each lens. In addition, the algorithm makes adjustments to the zone boundaries based upon a misalignment between the centers of the lens being used and the APS array. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120013774 | CMOS IMAGE SENSOR FOR HIGH SPEED SIGNAL PROCESSING - A CMOS image sensor includes: a plurality of CDS/PGAs (correlating double sampling/programmable gain amplifiers) for processing output signals of pixels corresponding to same colors on different paths; and an offset difference removing part for removing offset difference that occurs when the same color signals are processed on the different paths, wherein the offset difference removing part includes: a dummy pixel array where light is shielded; a unit for reading signals of the dummy pixel array through the CDS/PGAs and storing average offset values for each path; and a signal synthesizing unit for synthesizing the average offset values and signals of an effective pixel array, which are read through the respective CDS/PGAs, and outputting signals of which offset difference is removed. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120019692 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, CAMERA MODULE, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - According to one embodiment, a second determining unit performs defect determination according to an illumination light component, which is a component of illumination light irradiated onto an object, of pixel values of a plurality of adjacent pixels. A third determining unit performs defect determination according to a reflectivity component, which is a component based on a unique reflectivity of the object, of the pixel values of the plurality of adjacent pixels. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120019693 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING BAD PIXELS - A technique for processing at least one bad pixel occurring in an image sensing system is provided. Dynamic bad pixel detection is performed on a plurality of streaming pixels taking from at least one controlled image and value and coordinate information for each bad pixel is subsequently stored as stored bad pixel information. Thereafter, static bad pixel correction may be performed based on the stored bad pixel information. The stored bad pixel information may be verified based on histogram analysis performed on the plurality of streaming pixels. The technique for processing bad pixels in accordance with the present invention may be embodied in suitable circuitry or, more broadly, within devices incorporating image sensing systems. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120033111 | IMAGE CAPTURING SYSTEM, SIGNAL PROCESSING CIRCUIT, AND SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD - An image capturing system includes a signal correction unit which corrects a signal output from a defective pixel in an optical black region based on a signal output from a normal pixel. The optical black region has a plurality of pixel blocks. Each of the plurality of pixel blocks has a plurality of pixels each including one or more elements which have the same functions as in the remaining pixels and which have relative positions different from the remaining pixels. The signal correction unit corrects the signal output from the defective pixel in the optical black region based on a signal output from a normal pixel which is included in another pixel block different from the pixel block of the defective pixel in the optical black region and includes one or more elements having the same functions and same relative positions as in the defective pixel. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120044392 | IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ERROR-REDUCTION PROCESSING - An imaging apparatus is provided, which improves correction accuracy at the time of pixel addition reading and scarcely deteriorates in resolution of the image data. This apparatus comprises: a conversion unit comprising a plurality of unit-pixels and converting an incident radiation or a light into pixel information; a signal processing unit capable of reading the pixel information for each unit-pixel, or capable of reading additional added pixel information for a plurality of unit-pixels, based on a control from a control unit for controlling a driving of the conversion unit according to a plurality of operation modes; a storage unit for storing a plurality of correction information according to the plurality of operating modes; and a correction unit for performing the correction of the pixel information based on the correction information extracted from the plurality of correct information according to the operation mode. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120099008 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD CAPABLE OF PERFORMING CORRECTION PROCESS SPEEDILY AND EASILY - An image processing apparatus capable of performing a correction process by filtering speedily and easily. A digital signal processor captures image data including effective area data from within a preset range of an image pickup device and ineffective area data from outside the preset range of the image pickup device. The digital signal processor superimposes a defective pixel detection signal and an ineffective image data detection signal to thereby generate a defective pixel determination signal. When a target pixel in the image data is determined based on the defective pixel determination signal as a determined-as-defective pixel, the digital signal processor corrects the value of the target pixel using values of the image data associated with ones, which are not determined, based on the defective pixel determination signal, as the determined-as-defective pixel, of pixels around the target pixel. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120105689 | IMAGE PROCESSOR, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An image processor which is capable of performing correction of defective pixels without degrading image quality when synthesizing a plurality of still images. When a plurality of image data items are synthesized, a first reference value which is smaller than a second reference value for use in determining whether or not to correct pixel data forming the image data is compared with a pixel value indicated by each of synthesized pixel data items forming the synthesized image data, and first correction processing is performed in which the synthesized pixel data of the synthesized image data is corrected according to a result of comparison. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120113301 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing apparatus for processing image signals output from an image sensor having a plurality of unit cells each including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements for receiving light passing through different pupil regions and each of which can be read out separately, wherein: a detection unit detects a phase difference between a plurality of images each formed on the basis of image signals of photoelectric conversion elements located in a same position in each of the plurality of unit cells; a determination unit determines a defective photoelectric conversion element; and a correction unit corrects a defective image signal of a defective photoelectric conversion element using an image signal corresponding to the defective image signal and constituting another of the plurality of images that does not include the defective image signal, based on the phase difference detected by the detection unit. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120120286 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging apparatus includes: a pixel unit in which pixels are arranged in a matrix form; an electronic shutter scanning circuit controlling an accumulation time of the pixels for each line of the pixel unit; a flicker correction circuit correcting flicker generated in a signal imaged in the pixel unit for each line based on a signal of the pixels of each of the lines in which the accumulation times are different from each other. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120120287 | IMAGE OUTPUTTING APPARATUS, IMAGE OUTPUTTING METHOD, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, PROGRAM, AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - The present disclosure provides an image outputting apparatus, including, an image pickup section, an error correction code calculation section adapted to calculate an error correction code using pixel data, which configure an image obtained by image pickup by the image pickup section, as an information word, and an outputting section adapted to output coded data, which are data of a codeword obtained by adding the error correction code to the pixel data, to an image processing apparatus provided in an apparatus in which the image outputting apparatus is provided. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120133804 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CORRECTING DEFECTIVE PIXEL - Provided is an apparatus and method for detecting and correcting a defective pixel with consideration of a position of the target pixel. The apparatus includes a target pixel area discrimination unit discriminating a position of a target pixel, a defective pixel determination unit selecting neighboring pixels in consideration of the position of the target pixel and determining whether or not the target pixel is defective, and defective pixel correction unit correcting the target pixel by using the neighboring pixels. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120133805 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD CAPABLE OF SUPPRESSING IMAGE QUALITY DETERIORATION, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An image processing apparatus capable of suppressing image quality deterioration in an output image region determined based on reference pixel regions including image ends. The image processing apparatus includes a coefficient selection value generator that generates a coefficient selection value according to a filter coefficient changeover control signal supplied from a region information controller. In accordance with the coefficient selection value, filter coefficient sets are respectively output from coefficient tables. One of the filter coefficient sets is selected by a selector in accordance with a coefficient set selection value supplied from a coefficient set selection unit. Using filter coefficients that constitute the selected filter coefficient set, an image processor performs arithmetic processing on image data on a per pixel of interest basis while referring to peripheral pixels. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120147226 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An image processing device includes: a peripheral objective pixel random acquiring section acquiring pixels obtained by sampling peripheral pixels located in a periphery of a marked pixel which is marked at random with respect to the marked pixel of pixels corresponding to an objective image as an object of noise removal as peripheral objective pixels as pixels used for filtering for noise removal; and a noise removing section carrying out filtering for the noise removal by using the peripheral objective pixels. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120147227 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - The image pickup apparatus includes an image sensor having first and second pixels photoelectrically convert light fluxes passing through mutually different pupil areas, a correction calculating part calculating a correction parameter corresponding to a vignetting state of the light fluxes and performing a correction process using the correction parameter on first and second image signals produced from outputs from the first and second pixels, and a focus detection calculating part calculating a focus state of the image taking optical system based on a phase difference between the first and second image signals on which the correction process have been performed. The correction calculating part performs the correction process using a first correction parameter in the first focus detection area, and performs it using the first correction parameter in a second focus detection area close to the first focus detection area. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120154645 | IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD - An image signal processing apparatus includes an imaging unit having an imaging element to conduct photoelectric conversion on incident light from a subject and output an electric signal, a defective pixel detection unit for detecting a defective pixel in the imaging element, a defective pixel correction unit for correcting the detected defective pixel, an image signal correction unit for conducting image signal correction every arbitrary area on a signal supplied from the defective pixel correction unit, a system control unit for generally controlling those units, and a temperature measurement unit for measuring temperature in the vicinity of the imaging element. The system control unit controls a detection condition to be used when the defective pixel detection unit detects a defective pixel, i.e., one or more of an exposure time, a defective pixel detection threshold, and a gain, by using information of the temperature obtained from the temperature measurement unit. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120154646 | IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device includes an imaging unit having an imaging element to conduct photoelectric conversion on incident light from a subject and output an electric signal, a signal gain control unit for controlling an output signal level of the imaging unit, a plurality of defective pixel correction units for correcting defective pixels contained in a signal output from the signal gain control unit, an image signal processing unit for generating an image signal from a signal which is output from the defective pixel correction units, a temperature measurement unit for measuring temperature in the vicinity of the imaging element, and a system control unit for generally controlling the imaging unit, the signal gain control unit, the correction units, and the image signal processing unit. The system control unit uses the plurality of defective pixel correction units jointly and causes them to operate according to occurrence causes of defective pixels. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120162488 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD OF INTERPOLATING DEFECTIVE PIXEL OF IMAGE PICKUP ELEMENT TO PERFORM IMAGE PROCESSING - An image processing apparatus includes a first defect interpolation unit that interpolates a defective pixel using a pixel value of a first pixel near a specific first pixel or a pixel value of a second pixel near a specific second pixel, a second defect interpolation unit that interpolates the defective pixel using a rate of pixel values of a first pixel and a second pixel in the same micro lens near the specific first pixel and the specific second pixel, an in-focus level evaluation unit that evaluates an in-focus level using outputs of the first and second pixels, a synthesis rate switching unit that switches a synthesis rate of outputs of the first and second defect interpolation units, and a signal processing unit that generates a shot image using an output of the synthesis rate switching unit. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120176520 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus includes: an image pickup device with image creating pixels for creating images and pairs of phase difference detection pixels of two types for creating pixel values for in-focus state judgment; a detection unit detecting the edge of a first figure formed by the pixel values of the image creating pixels and the edge of a second figure formed by the pixel values of the pairs of phase difference detection image pixels; and a compensation unit that, if a defective pixel is included in phase difference detection pixels of one type, calculates a distance between the second figure regarding phase difference detection pixels of the other type and the first figure on the basis of the detected edges, and compensates for the pixel value of the defective pixel on the basis of the calculated distance and the pixel values of phase difference detection pixels of another type. | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120182452 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An image processing device includes a texture direction determining unit that determines a texture direction of an image, a defective pixel detecting unit that calculates a pixel value average for each of pixel groups including a plurality of pixels, and detects a defective pixel position on the basis of difference information of the pixel value average according to an arrangement direction of the pixel groups, and a correction unit that corrects, as a correction target, a pixel value at the defective pixel position detected on the basis of the difference information in the same pixel group arrangement direction as the texture direction determined by the texture direction determining unit. | 07-19-2012 |
| 20120218447 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image pickup apparatus including: an image pickup element operable to output an image signal, the image pickup element having a plurality of sensor pixels; a noise pixel extraction unit operable to extract a candidate pixel as a candidate of a pixel that includes sudden noise in a second image signal based on a first image signal captured at a first timing, the second image signal captured at a second timing after the first timing, and a third image signal captured at a third timing after the second timing by the image pickup element; and a correction unit operable to correct a pixel value of at least one candidate pixel in the second image signal extracted by the noise pixel extraction unit. | 08-30-2012 |
| 20120229683 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND PORTABLE INFORMATION TERMINAL - A solid-state imaging device according to an embodiment includes: a first optical system configured to form an image of an object on an image formation plane; an imaging element comprising an imaging area which includes a plurality of pixel blocks each including a plurality of pixels; a second optical system configured to include a microlens array including a plurality of microlenses provided to correspond to the plurality of pixel blocks and reduce and re-form an image scheduled to be formed on the image formation plane, in a pixel block corresponding to an individual microlens; and a signal processing unit configured to perform image signal processing with an optical position relation between each microlens and the pixel block corrected, by using an image signal of the object obtained by the imaging element. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20120236185 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus for processing an output of an image pickup element having ordinary pixels arranged in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction and functional pixels arranged discretely between the ordinary pixels, is arranged to estimate an image signal at a position of the functional pixel by a gain correction operation of outputs of the functional pixels, estimate an output of the image signal at the position of the functional pixel on the basis of outputs of reference pixels selected from the ordinary pixels around the functional pixel, and select the image signal at the position of the functional pixel on the basis of an estimation result by the gain correction from one or a plurality of estimation results obtained using the reference pixels. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120268629 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing apparatus includes: a determining unit determining, in image data including packs each including pixels and serving as a unit, a monotonic pack including pixels equal to a precedently image-processed preceding pixel and a normal pack other than the monotonic pack; a pixel row forming unit forming a pixel row including aligned pixels of the normal pack, while deleting the pixels of the monotonic pack; a pixel row processing unit processing the formed pixel row by inputting the pixel row to an image processing unit; and a supplementing unit supplementing an image processing result of the pixel row output from the image processing unit with, as an image processing result of the deleted pixels of the monotonic pack, a result of image processing by the image processing unit on the preceding pixel of the normal pack, to thereby obtain an image processing result of the image data. | 10-25-2012 |
| 20120274818 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - According to one embodiment, an image processing apparatus includes, a calculation module configured to find the correspondence between an arbitrary pixel of a first image input as a first image signal and an arbitrary pixel of a second image input as a second image signal acquired at the same time as the first image signal about the same subject, a determination module configured to compare the arbitrary pixel of the first image with the arbitrary pixel of the second image based on the calculation result of the calculation module and to determine whether the individual pixels are noise pixels or non-noise pixels differing from noise pixels, and a noise removal module configured to correct noise pixels based on the determination result of the determination module. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120281123 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD FOR IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - The present invention provides an image processing apparatus for detecting, from image data generated by an image sensor constituted by a plurality of pixels, a signal from a defective pixel of the image sensor, including first determination means for obtaining a first determination value indicating a magnitude of a difference in signal level between a pixel of interest and a plurality of pixels located in the neighborhood of the pixel of interest, second determination means for obtaining a second determination value indicating a width of distribution of the difference in signal level between the pixel of interest and the plurality of pixels located in the neighborhood of the pixel of interest, and detection means for detecting whether or not the signal from the pixel of interest is a defective pixel signal, using the first determination value and the second determination value. | 11-08-2012 |
| 20120293693 | IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An objective of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of generating a virtual viewpoint image without causing any visually uncomfortable feeling. In order to achieve this objective, a first image obtained by being captured from a first viewpoint at a first image capture time, and a second image obtained by being captured at a second image capture time different from the first image capture time are acquired. To each of pixels in a non-image capture area corresponding to a portion of a subject not captured in the first image of a first virtual viewpoint image that is generated in a pseudo manner based upon the first image and can be acquired by being captured from a first virtual viewpoint different from the first viewpoint, a pixel value is added in accordance with the second image. | 11-22-2012 |
| 20120300101 | DEFECT PIXEL DETECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING DEFECT PIXEL - A defect pixel detection apparatus includes an image sensor which includes an effective pixel configured to have a photoelectric conversion element and an output unit configured to output a pixel signal generated by the photoelectric conversion element, a first reference pixel configured to have the same pixel configuration as the effective pixel and be optically shielded, and a second reference pixel configured to have a pixel configuration different from that of the effective pixel, a defect level acquiring unit configured to acquire a defect level of a target pixel in the image sensor, and a defect pixel determination unit configured to determine whether the target pixel is a defect pixel by comparing a defect level of the target pixel with a defect detection threshold according to a type of the pixel. | 11-29-2012 |
| 20120314107 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - According to embodiments, an image processing apparatus includes an image signal holding unit. The image processing apparatus uses an image signal passing through the common image signal holding unit to generate first, second and third correction values. The first correction value is a signal value applied to a pixel in which saturation of an output occurs in a saturation determination. The second correction value is a signal value subjected to a noise cancellation process. The third correction value is a signal value applied to a pixel in which defect occurs in a defect determination. | 12-13-2012 |
| 20120320241 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS HAVING FOCUS DETECTING FUNCTION - An image pickup apparatus having an image pickup element with a plurality of image pickup pixels and a plurality of focus detection pixels, a focus detector performing a focus detection based on the output from the focus detection pixels corresponding to a focus detection area, and a setter configured to set a usable F-number based on stored information of a defective pixel that exists in the focus detection pixels. When the defective pixel exists in the focus detection pixels corresponding to the focus detection area, if an F-number is within the usable F-number, the focus detector performs focus detection by using the output from the defective pixel, and if the F-number is out of the usable F-number, the focus detector performs focus detection without using such output. | 12-20-2012 |
| 20130002910 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE COMBINATION METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - An image pickup apparatus arranged to derive a change amount of an image B to an image A as combination position information, on the basis of which the image B is combined to the image A by shifting a position of the image B to generate a combined image D and a position of pixel defect information of the image B is changed, and synthesize pixel defect information of the image A and pixel defect information of the image B after the change to generate pixel defect information of the combined image D such that the pixel defect information in which a detection level corresponding to ISO100 is deleted from the pixel defect information of the combined image D and a detection level of pixel defect information of the pixel shown by same addresses is raised. | 01-03-2013 |
| 20130038762 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD FOR THE SAME - A direction in which pixels highly correlated with a signal value of a pixel of interest exist is determined by using both signal values of a plurality of pixels of different colors from the pixel of interest and of a plurality of pixels of the same color as the pixel of interest among a plurality of peripheral pixels of the pixel of interest, and obtains pixel correction values corresponding to the respective directions. Weighted addition of those pixel correction values is performed in accordance with the degree to which the pixel of interest is of an achromatic color, and the pixel correction value for the pixel of interest is thus obtained. | 02-14-2013 |
| 20130070128 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE THAT PERFORMS IMAGE PROCESSING - A digital camera ( | 03-21-2013 |
| 20130070129 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND DEFECTIVE PIXEL DETECTION METHOD - An image capturing apparatus comprises: an image sensor including a plurality of pixels each having a microlens and a plurality of photoelectric conversion means, and defective pixel detection means for detecting defective photoelectric conversion means from among the plurality of photoelectric conversion means, wherein the defective pixel detection means determines defective photoelectric conversion means by comparing an output signal output from photoelectric conversion means of a subject, sequentially taken from the plurality of photoelectric conversion means, for detection with first signals from photoelectric conversion means included in pixels neighboring the pixel including the photoelectric conversion means of the subject for detection, each position of the photoelectric conversion means included in the neighboring pixels corresponding to a position of the photoelectric conversion means of the subject for detection with respect to the microlens. | 03-21-2013 |
| 20130128082 | IMAGE-PICKUP APPARATUS AND METHOD OF DETECTING DEFECTIVE PIXEL THEREOF - An image pickup apparatus which can detect, when pixels have a structure in which part of electrical construction is shared therebetween, a defective pixel by taking into account a high possibility of the other pixels sharing the part of electrical construction becoming defective pixels, thereby making it possible to obtain an excellent image. A ROM stores in advance position information on each defective pixel. A defective pixel-detecting section detects a new defective pixel on which position information is not stored by the storage unit, from the pixels forming each pixel group, by performing one of different types of defective pixel detection processing. A system controller causes the defective pixel-detecting section to execute one of the different types of detection processing, according to the number of defective pixels which are included in each pixel group and on which the position information is stored in the storage unit. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130135501 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND MONITORING SYSTEM - Defective pixels are to be selected so as not to cause image degradation. A defective pixel correction unit | 05-30-2013 |
| 20130162871 | COLOR FILTER ARRAY DEFECT CORRECTION - Image defects in digital images are easily detectable by the human eye but may be difficult to detect in a computer-implemented fashion. In an embodiment of a digital-image-acquisition device, defects are removed on the CFA domain before color interpolation takes place. In order to allow cancellation of couplets of defective pixels, a two pass embodiment is presented. Such embodiment presents methods and systems that can remove both couplets and singlets without damaging the image. The system includes a ring corrector that detects a defect in the ring of pixels that surround a central pixel, a singlet corrector that detects and corrects the central pixel and removes a couplet if the ring corrector is activated, whereas if the ring corrector is switched off, the singlet corrector only removes singlets, and a peak-and-valley detector that avoids overcorrection by avoiding correcting signal peaks or valleys in case of spikes or drops in signal. | 06-27-2013 |
| 20130208152 | ADAPTIVE IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND RELATED DEVICE - An adaptive image processing method includes: defining a pixel zone involving a target pixel according to a color corresponding to the target pixel; selecting a plurality of adjacent pixels from the pixel zone, wherein the adjacent pixels and the target pixel correspond to the same color; acquiring a defect pixel threshold value by calculating a product of a sum of absolute differences between each pixel of the plurality of adjacent pixels and a defected pixel compensation ratio; acquiring an adjacent difference value by calculating a sum of absolute differences between the target pixel and each pixel of the plurality of adjacent pixels; and determining whether the target pixel is a defect pixel by comparing the defect pixel threshold value with the adjacent difference value. | 08-15-2013 |
| 20130258145 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - There is provided an imaging apparatus including a correction section configured to amplify an addition pixel value, which is a value obtained by adding results of photoelectric conversion on a plurality of pixels, according to an amplification factor set based on a number of defective pixels included in the plurality of pixels, and output the amplified addition pixel value as a corrected addition pixel value. | 10-03-2013 |
| 20130258146 | METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUSES FOR PIXEL VALUE CORRECTION USING MULTIPLE VERTICAL AND/OR HORIZONTAL CORRECTION CURVES - Methods, systems and apparatuses are disclosed for approximating vertical and horizontal correction values in a pixel value correction calculation. Multiple vertical and/or horizontal correction curves are used and may be employed for one or more color channels of the imager. The use of multiple correction curves allows for a more accurate approximation of the correction curves for image pixels. | 10-03-2013 |
| 20130271629 | IMAGE CAPTURE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING IMAGE CAPTURE APPARATUS - An image capture apparatus includes an image sensor in which a plurality of types of pixels including a specific pixel is arranged, and a detection unit configured to detect a defective pixel based on a pixel value of each pixel in the image sensor, wherein the detection unit is configured to exclude the specific pixel from a target of the defective pixel based on information indicating a position of the specific pixel in the image sensor. | 10-17-2013 |
| 20130329098 | Systems and Methods for Defective Pixel Correction with Neighboring Pixels - The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for image data processing. In certain embodiments, an image processing pipeline may detect and correct a defective pixel of image data acquired using an image sensor. The image processing pipeline may receive an input pixel of the image data acquired using the image sensor. The image processing pipeline may then identify a set of neighboring pixels having the same color component as the input pixel and remove two neighboring pixels from the set of neighboring pixels thereby generating a modified set of neighboring pixels. Here, the two neighboring pixels correspond to a maximum pixel value and a minimum pixel value of the set of neighboring pixels. The image processing pipeline may then determine a gradient for each neighboring pixel in the modified set of neighboring pixels and determine whether the input pixel includes a dynamic defect or a speckle based at least in part on the gradient for each neighboring pixel in the modified set of neighboring pixels. | 12-12-2013 |
| 20130329099 | METHOD, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEM PROVIDING A RECTILINEAR PIXEL GRID WITH RADIALLY SCALED PIXELS - Pixels in an imaging device pixel array are sized according to their geographic location in the pixel array to compensate for various optical characteristics/issues. In one example, pixel size is increased according to the distance of the pixel from the x-axis and/or the y-axis of the pixel array to correct for lens shading. | 12-12-2013 |
| 20130342739 | Dual Processing of Raw Image Data - Systems, methods, and devices for dual processing of raw image data by main image processing and alternative image processing capabilities of an electronic device are provided. According to an embodiment, alternative image processing may analyze a first copy of a frame of raw image data before a second copy of the frame of raw image data is processed by main image processing. Thereafter, the main image processing may process the second copy of the frame of raw image. The main image processing may be calibrated based at least in part on the analysis of the first copy of the frame of raw image data. | 12-26-2013 |
| 20140016005 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM - There is provided an information processing apparatus, including: an image obtaining section configured to obtain a RAW image, the RAW image being taken by an imaging unit, the imaging unit including an image sensor; and a controller configured to cause the imaging unit to preliminarily photograph a preliminary photographing object, and to obtain the RAW image as a first RAW image, to specify a defective pixel of the first RAW image based on the amount of difference between a value of a target pixel and a value of a neighboring pixel around the target pixel, and to create defective position data, to cause the imaging unit to actually photograph an actual photographing object, and to obtain the RAW image as a second RAW image, and to correct a luminance value of the second RAW image based on the defective position data. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140028881 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP METHOD - There is provided an image pickup apparatus including an image sensor including a plurality of phase difference detection pixels that each perform pupil division of a photographing lens, a gain acquisition unit for acquiring a gain used to correct an output of the phase difference detection pixels, and a correction processing unit for correcting the output of the phase difference detection pixels using the gain acquired by the gain acquisition unit. | 01-30-2014 |
| 20140043506 | METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM PROVIDING ADJUSTMENT OF PIXEL DEFECT MAP - A method, apparatus and system that allows for the identification of defective pixels, for example, defective pixel clusters, in an imager device. The method, apparatus and system determine, during use of the imager device, that a pixel defect, e.g., cluster defect, exists and accurately maps the location of the defective pixel. By analyzing more than one frame of an image, the method increases the accuracy of the defect mapping, which is used to improve the quality of the resulting image data. | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140055646 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PROGRAM, AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS HAVING IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - An image processing apparatus obtains a picked-up image which is output from an image pickup element which includes a microlens array for obtaining the picked-up image including ray directional information of an object image formed by a photographing optical system, generates a reconstruction image by reconstructing the obtained picked-up image on the basis of the ray directional information, and detects a defect pixel of the generated reconstruction image. | 02-27-2014 |
| 20140078354 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging apparatus includes a pixel array, an effective signal line, a dummy pixel, a dummy signal line, and a processing unit. The effective pixels in the pixel array include a photoelectric converter, a charge-voltage converter, and an output unit. The dummy pixel includes a charge-voltage that has the same configuration as the charge-voltage converter of the effective pixel, and an output unit. A shortest distance between the charge-voltage converter of the dummy pixel and the effective signal line is longer than a shortest distance between the charge-voltage converter of the dummy pixel and the dummy signal line. | 03-20-2014 |
| 20140098265 | IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - There is provided an image signal processing apparatus, comprising a demosaic processing unit receiving input of mosaic image data of each of signals obtained by a single plate imaging device having an element array composed of visible light obtaining elements obtaining visible light signals, and invisible light obtaining elements obtaining signals including invisible light components, and generating a demosaic image of each of the obtained signals; and a noise reduction processing unit receiving input of the demosaic image to execute correction of pixel values of the demosaic image obtained by the visible light obtaining elements on the basis of edge information extracted from the demosaic image of the signals obtained by the invisible light obtaining elements. | 04-10-2014 |
| 20140168484 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM, AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS WITH IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - An image processing apparatus for processing a picked-up image which is output from an image pickup element in which a microlens array for obtaining the picked-up image including ray directional information of an object image formed by a photographing optical system has been arranged has: a refocus processing unit for executing a refocus processing of the obtained picked-up image on the basis of the ray directional information and generating a reconstruction image; and a defect pixel detection unit for detecting a defect pixel from the obtained picked-up image. When the picked-up image is obtained, the detection of the defect pixel of the obtained picked-up image is performed. When a refocus processing is instructed, the refocus processing is executed to the picked-up image in which the detection of the defect pixel is performed. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140184860 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM FOR DETECTING AND CORRECTING DEFECTIVE PIXEL IN IMAGE - An image processing device includes a texture direction determining unit that determines a texture direction of an image, a defective pixel detecting unit that calculates a pixel value average for each of pixel groups including a plurality of pixels, and detects a defective pixel position on the basis of difference information of the pixel value average according to an arrangement direction of the pixel groups, and a correction unit that corrects, as a correction target, a pixel value at the defective pixel position detected on the basis of the difference information in the same pixel group arrangement direction as the texture direction determined by the texture direction determining unit. | 07-03-2014 |
| 20140192236 | DYNAMIC, LOCAL EDGE PRESERVING DEFECT PIXEL CORRECTION FOR IMAGE SENSORS - Various technologies described herein pertain to defect pixel correction for image data collected by a pixel array of an image sensor. Neighborhood statistics for a given pixel from the image data are computed based on values of neighbor pixels of the given pixel from the image data. Whether the value of the given pixel is defective is detected based on the neighborhood statistics. The value of the given pixel is replaced when detected to be defective to output modified image data. Correction of the given pixel is a function of whether the given pixel is in a flat region or a non-flat region. When the given pixel is defective and in a non-flat region, a minimum edge across the given pixel is identified and the value of the given pixel is replaced with an average of values of neighbor pixels that belong to the minimum edge. | 07-10-2014 |
| 20140192237 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND PROGRAM, AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS INCLUDING IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - The image processing apparatus processes an image signal obtained from an image pickup element, using an image pickup optical system arranged to obtain directional traveling information of object image light corresponding to a pupil division area of a photographing lens. The apparatus includes: a unit of setting a focal position at which the refocused image is generated; and a unit of correcting an image signal of a defect pixel of the image pickup element using an image signal of other pixel. The apparatus determines the other pixel to be used for correcting the image signal of the defect pixel on the basis of the set focal position and the directional traveling information of the object image light. | 07-10-2014 |
| 20140198239 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING METHOD - There is provided an imaging apparatus including: an imaging device that includes a plurality of pairs of phase difference detection pixels, where a plurality of phase difference lines along pupil division directions is disposed in an orthogonal direction which is orthogonal to the pupil division direction; a detection unit that detects an abnormal value among output values, which are output by the phase difference detection pixels, on the basis of a result of comparison of the output values between the plurality of phase difference lines; and a phase difference line determination unit that determines, as used lines, a plurality of phase difference lines, which are used in phase difference detection, among the plurality of phase difference lines in a phase difference detection region, on the basis of a detection result which is obtained by the detection unit. | 07-17-2014 |
| 20140204248 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMAGE PROCESSING AND STORAGE MEDIUM, AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image processing method includes: acquiring a mosaic image photographed by image pickup means including an image pickup element in which a basic array pattern is repeatedly arranged in horizontal and vertical directions, storing first correction data containing a coordinate of a defective pixel and correction information associated with a position of the defective pixel in the basic array pattern, and second correction data containing a correction pattern corresponding to the correction information and indicating positions, relative to the defective pixel, of plural peripheral pixels that have a same color as the defective pixel, reading the correction pattern based on the correction information, calculating coordinates of the peripheral pixels based on the first correction data and the read correction pattern, extracting pixel values corresponding to the peripheral pixels at the calculated coordinates from the mosaic image, and calculating the pixel value of the defective pixel. | 07-24-2014 |
| 20140211048 | DYNAMIC, LOCAL EDGE PRESERVING DEFECT PIXEL CORRECTION FOR IMAGE SENSORS WITH SPATIALLY ARRANGED EXPOSURES - Various technologies described herein pertain to defect pixel correction for image data collected by a pixel array of an image sensor with spatially arranged exposures. The pixel array includes a first subset of pixels having a first exposure time and a second subset of pixels having a second exposure time. An exposure ratio (ratio of first exposure time to second exposure time) is received. A value of at least a particular neighbor pixel of a given pixel from the image data is adjusted based upon the exposure ratio. Neighborhood statistics for the given pixel from the image data are computed based on values of neighbor pixels of the given pixel from the image data as adjusted. Whether the value of the given pixel is defective is detected based on the neighborhood statistics. The value of the given pixel is replaced when detected to be defective to output modified image data. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140211049 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image pickup apparatus includes: an image pickup device that outputs pixel signals picked up by a plurality of pixels arranged in a two-dimensional manner for picking up an image of an object; a white spot positional information storage portion that stores positional information of a white-spot pixel that exists in the image pickup device; an image pickup device drive portion; and a white spot correction portion that, based on positional information of the white-spot pixel that is read out from the white spot positional information storage portion, performs correction with respect to the pixel signal of the pixel that is determined to be the white-spot pixel based on a white spot correction value calculated based on seven pixels that surround a pixel that is determined to be the white-spot pixel. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140232909 | DEFECTIVE PIXEL CORRECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD - A defective pixel correction apparatus and a defective pixel correction method of the present technique include a first defective pixel corrector for specifying a defective pixel included in an image signal of each of color signals sent from an imaging unit, and obtaining a linear interpolation value from pixels around the defective pixel to perform a first defective pixel correction process on the defective pixel by linear interpolation. Further, the defective pixel correction apparatus and the defective pixel correction method include a second defective pixel corrector for performing an aberration correction process based on an image signal of a specific color after the first defective pixel correction process, and performing a second defective pixel correction process different from the first defective pixel correction process on the pixel that has been subjected to the first defective pixel correction process. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140267839 | SIGNAL PROCESSING UNIT AND SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD - A signal processing unit; includes: a high-frequency signal determination section configured to determine whether a reference region as a peripheral region of a phase difference pixel is a high-frequency signal region in a specific direction based on a pixel signal output from an image pickup section having the phase difference pixel disposed therein; and a synthetic ratio determination section configured to, when the reference region is determined to be not the high-frequency signal region in the specific direction, determine, using a pixel difference of the reference region, a synthetic ratio of an interpolated value of the phase difference pixel by a gain multiple interpolation technique to an interpolated value of the phase difference pixel by a peripheral pixel interpolation technique. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140267840 | CAMERA AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - A spectroscopic analysis apparatus includes a light source section that radiates light toward an object being imaged, an imaging section that captures light reflected off the object being imaged to acquire an image, a pixel detector that detects an abnormal pixel in the image which is a pixel where a reflectance ratio is greater than or equal to 1 and detects normal pixels in the image each of which is a pixel where the reflectance ratio is smaller than 1, and a light amount corrector that calculates a light amount correction value based on the amounts of light at normal pixels in a pixel area including the abnormal pixel in the image and replaces the amount of light at the abnormal pixel with the light amount correction value. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140307130 | IMAGING DEVICE - In a color filter array of a color imaging element | 10-16-2014 |
| 20140320705 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - Provided are an apparatus and method for executing sensitivity difference correction processing of an image signal, which is generated by a single plate-type image sensor through a color filter. The sensitivity difference correction is executed for Gr and Gb signals included the image signal, for example, an RGB signal, which is generated by the single plate-type image sensor through the color filter. A pixel value of a color filter unit which has the same color as a correction target pixel and is present in surroundings of the correction target pixel is acquired. An additional value is calculated by adding a difference between weighted mean pixel values “a” and “b” of two kinds of pixel groups “A” and “B” classified according to positions of pixels to the pixel value of the correction target pixel in which the weighted mean values correspond to distances of the pixel groups from the correction target pixel. A mean value of the pixel value of the correction target pixel and the additional value is calculated as a corrected pixel value of the correction target pixel. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140333805 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR, METHOD FOR DRIVING SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE - Provided is a solid-state image sensor including a pixel array unit and a driving control unit. In the pixel array unit, pixels each including a charge accumulation unit accumulating a photocharge corresponding to an amount of received light, a signal conversion unit converting the photocharge into an electric signal, and a charge transfer unit performing, with a driving signal, switching between a conduction state and a non-conduction state, the charge transfer unit being disposed between the charge accumulation unit and the signal conversion unit are arranged. The driving control unit controls a state of the charge transfer unit with the driving signal and performs a first driving control in which the charge transfer unit is kept being in the conduction state from when the photocharge is transferred from the charge accumulation unit to the signal conversion unit until when a first signal corresponding to the transferred photocharge is read out. | 11-13-2014 |
| 20140340546 | PIXEL CORRECTION METHOD - In a method for correcting defective pixels of an image sensor which has a plurality of pixels for generating respective exposure dependent pixel signals, a defect characteristic for each pixel is associated with the image sensor and comprises information at least on whether the pixel is unusable, is usable without limitations or corresponds to one of a plurality of predefined defect classes. The method comprises a determination being made after the generation of the pixel signals for each pixel, at least when the defect characteristic of the pixel does not correspond to an unusable pixel or to a pixel which can be used without limitations, in dependence on at least the associated defect class of the pixel and on pixel signals of a plurality of adjacent pixels, whether the generated pixel signal of the pixel should be corrected, with the generated pixel signal of the pixel being replaced with a replacement value if this is the case. | 11-20-2014 |
| 20140368701 | CLONING IMAGE DATA PATCH IN HOLE OF PIXEL ARRAY (PATCH AND CLONE) - An imaging device includes a pixel array with a hole within its pixels, and an image signal processor configured to process data generated by the pixels. In a process hereby called “Patch-Clone”, holes in image data are repaired for the eventually rendered image. More particularly, a patch of the pixels can be selected on the basis of how well the data of pixels surrounding the patch match data of pixels surrounding the hole. Then the data of the patch can be cloned, and become rendered instead of the missing data of the hole. | 12-18-2014 |
| 20150029364 | DYNAMIC, LOCAL EDGE PRESERVING DEFECT PIXEL CORRECTION FOR IMAGE SENSORS - Various technologies described herein pertain to defect pixel correction for image data collected by a pixel array of an image sensor. Neighborhood statistics for a given pixel from the image data are computed based on values of neighbor pixels of the given pixel from the image data. Whether the value of the given pixel is defective is detected based on the neighborhood statistics. The value of the given pixel is replaced when detected to be defective to output modified image data. Correction of the given pixel is a function of whether the given pixel is in a flat region or a non-flat region. When the given pixel is defective and in a non-flat region, a minimum edge across the given pixel is identified and the value of the given pixel is replaced with an average of values of neighbor pixels that belong to the minimum edge. | 01-29-2015 |
| 20150062388 | IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE - A bad pixel correction method for an image is provided. The bad pixel correction method includes the steps of determining whether each of pixels of a predetermined block in the image is a bad pixel sequentially; when a current pixel of the block is determined to be bad and a temperature value is higher than a threshold, re-determining that at least one previously determined pixel in the predetermined block to be bad; and correcting the current pixel and the previously determined pixel, wherein the previously determined pixel is adjacent to the current pixel | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150070536 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An image processing apparatus which processes a captured image including angle information of a light beam traveling from the object, comprises a generation unit configured to generate a reconstructed image by reconstructing the captured image, an extraction unit configured to extract an address of a defective photoelectric conversion element which is included in photoelectric conversion elements which captured the captured image based on a plurality of reconstructed images corresponding to different imaging distances. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150109490 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - According to one embodiment, a streaking correction unit corrects a pixel signal read from an effective pixel portion to reduce streaking in the effective pixel portion on the basis of an evaluation result of a pixel signal read from a vertical light shielded pixel portion and a pixel signal read from a horizontal light shielded pixel portion. | 04-23-2015 |
| 20150138405 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR REMOVING NOISE FROM AN IMAGE - The disclosed embodiments include an apparatus implemented in a semiconductor integrated chip. The apparatus is configured to operate a composite function, comprising a first function and a second function, on a first patch of an image. The apparatus includes a first function operator configured to operate the first function on the group of pixel values to provide a first processed group of pixel values. The apparatus also includes a delay system configured to maintain the first processed group of pixel values for a predetermined period of time to provide a delayed processed group of pixel values. The apparatus further includes a second function operator configured to operate a second function on at least a second processed group of pixels and the delayed processed group to determine an output of the composite function. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150319412 | PIXEL CORRECTION METHOD AND IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE - A color image sensor comprises normal pixels and phase difference pixels. A pixel combining circuit combines pixel signals of the normal pixels, and combines pixel signals of the normal pixel and the phase difference pixel of the same color. Thereby the pixel combining circuit produces a composite image. An edge detector uses a pixel signal of each pixel in the composite image to detect an edge of a subject. The edge is vertical to a direction in which a difference between the pixel signals is at the maximum. A pixel signal correction processor corrects the combined pixel signals through interpolation along the edge and with the use of pixel signals of the same color obtained by combining the pixel signals of the normal pixels in a case where the pixel signals of the phase difference pixels are combined across the edge. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150350579 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An image processing apparatus includes an extraction unit, a setting unit, a reference value calculation unit, a comparison unit, and an information determination unit. The extraction unit extracts a target area from an image. The setting unit sets a pixel from the target area as a pixel-of-interest. The reference value calculation unit calculates a reference value based on a pixel value of at least one or more pixels included in the target area. The comparison unit repeatedly performs processing of comparing a pixel value of at least one or more pixels among a plurality of pixels in a predetermined layout with respect to the pixel-of-interest with the reference value. The information determination unit determines information of the pixel-of-interest based on a comparison result of the comparison unit and a value corresponding to the comparison result. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150381913 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - A first region that includes a target pixel and extends in a first direction, and multiple regions and that are obtained by shifting the first region by a predetermined amount in direction perpendicular to the first direction are set. A first correction value is obtained using multiple pixel values selected in the regions based on correlation values indicating a degree of correlation with the target pixel. The value of the target pixel is corrected using a correction value obtained from the first correction value and the pixel value selected in the first region, with a weight based on the sizes of the correlation value corresponding to the first correction value and the correlation value corresponding to the pixel value selected in the first region. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20160006960 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - There is provided an image processing apparatus. A first correction unit sets each of a plurality of pixels included in an image as a target pixel in sequence, determines whether or not the target pixel is a defective pixel, and corrects the defective target pixel using peripheral pixels. The first correction unit does not use, in the correction of the target pixel, a defective pixel in the peripheral pixels that is known. A second correction corrects each corrected pixel that has been corrected by the first correction unit using a defective pixel which was unknown at the time of the correction, using the peripheral pixels used by the first correction unit. The second correction unit uses, for the defective pixel in the peripheral pixels used by the first correction unit, a corrected pixel by the first correction unit. | 01-07-2016 |
| 20160014357 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND PROGRAM, AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS INCLUDING IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS | 01-14-2016 |
| 20160080671 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing device includes a shooting scene determining section that determines a shooting scene, a correlation evaluation value calculating section that calculates correlation evaluation values between a target pixel and surrounding pixels, a weight setting section that sets, when the shooting scene is a low correlation scene, heavy weights to the correlation evaluation value calculated from the surrounding pixels having high correlativities, an isolated-point degree calculating section that subjects the correlation evaluation values to weight addition to calculate an isolated-point degree, and an FPN correcting section that corrects a pixel value of the target pixel according to a magnitude of the isolated-point degree correction. | 03-17-2016 |
| 20160127667 | IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE, AND DEFECTIVE PIXEL DETECTION AND CORRECTION METHOD FOR IMAGE SENSOR ARRAY - An image capture device with a reduced number of line buffers. Based on an n | 05-05-2016 |
| 20160142658 | METHOD OF REMOVING A BAD PIXEL FROM A PIXEL IMAGE GENERATED BY AN IMAGE SENSOR, AN IMAGE SENSOR USING THE METHOD, AND AN APPLICATION PROCESSOR USING THE METHOD - A method of removing a bad pixel from a pixel image is provided. The method includes determining whether a representative pixel representing at least one bad pixel is included in a kernel, determining whether a first pixel is a bad pixel when the representative pixel is included in the kernel, and compensating for the first pixel using a second pixel in the kernel when the first pixel is determined to be a bad pixel. The kernel has the first pixel at a center of the kernel. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160142659 | PIXEL PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM EACH INCLUDING THE SAME - Provided are a pixel processing apparatus, and an image signal processing apparatus and an image processing system each including the same. The pixel processing apparatus includes a bad pixel processing unit configured to determine whether a target pixel is a bad pixel based on pixel data of an image sensor, output a bad pixel detection signal according to a result of determining whether the target pixel is a bad pixel, compensate for a pixel value of the target pixel based on the pixel data, and output the compensated pixel value; and a noise removal unit configured to remove noise from the pixel value of the target pixel, based on the bad pixel detection signal, the pixel value, the compensated pixel value, and weight information. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160191826 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing apparatus and an image processing method capable of discriminating with good precision a cause of image degradation that occurs in a value of a pixel adjacent to a focusing pixel, and of appropriately performing correction. When correcting a value of an imaging pixel adjacent to a focusing pixel, it is determined whether the value of the correction target pixel is influenced by flare based on a value of an imaging pixel adjacent to the focusing pixel that exists in a vicinity of a correction target pixel, and values of a plurality of imaging pixels that exist in a vicinity and are not adjacent to the focusing pixel. An appropriate method for correcting the influence of flare is used if it is determined that the value of the correction target pixel is influenced by flare. | 06-30-2016 |
| 20180027199 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE CAPTURE APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME | 01-25-2018 |
