Converting bayer pattern RGB images to full resolution RGB images via intermediate hue, saturation and intensity (HSI) conversion

1. A method for interpolating red (R), green (G) and blue (B) sensor values for a first non-green pixel element of a Bayer array of pixel elements, with each pixel element in the Bayer array outputting an R, G, or B sensor value, the method comprising:

interpolating R and B sensor values for each green pixel element adjacent to the first non-green pixel element, with each green pixel element outputting a G sensor value, where interpolating utilizes R and B sensor values output by R and B pixel elements adjacent to each green pixel element to obtain interpolated R and B sensor values for each green pixel element adjacent to the first non-green pixel element;

converting the interpolated R and B sensor values and the G sensor value of each green pixel element adjacent to the first non-green pixel element to hue (H), saturation (S) and intensity (I) values for each green pixel element adjacent to the first non-green pixel element;

interpolating converted H, S and I values of each green pixel element adjacent to the first non-green pixel element to determine interpolated H, S, and I values for the first non-green pixel element; and

converting interpolated H, S, and I values of the first non-green pixel element to a first set of RGB values for the first non-green pixel element.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein interpolating converted H, S, and I values comprises:

performing bi-cubic interpolation.

3. The method of claim 1 with interpolating R and B sensor values for each green pixel element comprising:

averaging the R sensor values of R pixel elements adjacent to the green pixel element; and

averaging the B sensor values of neighboring B pixel elements adjacent to the green pixel element.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

interpolating sensor values output by non-green pixel elements adjacent to the first non-green pixel element with the first set of RGB values to obtain a second set of RGB values for the first non-green pixel element.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

outputting interpolated RGB values to a display to display an image incident on the Bayer array.

6. A system for interpolating red (R), green (G) and blue (B) sensor values for a first non-green pixel element of a Bayer array of pixel elements, with each pixel element in the Bayer array outputting an R, G, or B sensor value, the system comprising:

means for interpolating R and B sensor values for each green pixel element adjacent to the first non-green pixel element, with each green pixel element outputting a G sensor value, where interpolating utilizes R and B sensor values output by R and B pixel elements adjacent to each green pixel element to obtain interpolated R and B sensor values for each green pixel element adjacent to the first non-green pixel element;

means for converting the interpolated R and B sensor values and the G sensor value of each green pixel element adjacent to the first non-green pixel element to hue (H), saturation (S) and intensity (I) values for each green pixel element adjacent to the first non-green pixel element;

means for interpolating converted H, S and I values of each green pixel element adjacent to the first non-green pixel element to determine interpolated H, S, and I values for the first non-green pixel element; and

means for converting interpolated H, S, and I values of the first non-green pixel element to a first set of RGB values for the first non-green pixel element.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein means for interpolating converted H, S, and I values comprises:

means for performing bi-cubic interpolation.

8. The system of claim 6 with means for interpolating R and B sensor values for each green pixel element comprising:

means for averaging the R sensor values of R pixel elements adjacent to the green pixel element; and

means for averaging the B sensor values of neighboring B pixel elements adjacent to the green pixel element.

9. The system of claim 6 further comprising:

means for interpolating sensor values output by non-green pixel elements adjacent to the first non-green pixel element with the first set of RGB values to obtain a second set of RGB values for the first non-green pixel element.

10. The system of claim 6 further comprising:

means for outputting interpolated RGB values to a display to display an image incident on the Bayer array.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a memory holding a set of red (R), green (G) and blue (B) sensor values output by a Bayer array of pixel elements and holding program code;

a processor coupled to the memory and configured to execute the program code to interpolate red (R), green (G) and blue (B) sensor values for a first non-green pixel element of the Bayer array of pixel elements, with each pixel element in the Bayer array outputting an R, G, or B sensor value, with the processor further configured to execute the program code to interpolate R and B sensor values for a each green pixel element adjacent to the first non-green pixel element, with each green pixel element outputting a G sensor value, where interpolating utilizes R and B sensor values output by R and B pixel elements adjacent to each green pixel element to obtain interpolated R and B sensor values for the each green pixel element adjacent to the first non-green pixel element, to convert the interpolated R and B sensor values and the G sensor value of each green pixel element adjacent to the first non-green pixel element to hue (H), saturation (S) and intensity (I) values for each green pixel element adjacent to the first non-green pixel element, to interpolate converted H, S and I values of each green pixel element adjacent to the first non-green pixel element to determine interpolated H, S, and I values for the first non-green pixel element, and to convert interpolated H, S, and I values of the first non-green pixel element to a first set of RGB values for the first non-green pixel element.