IP Library Patent Application 12112188
Patent Application
App. No. 12/112,188

DETECTION DEVICE FOR DEFECTIVE PIXEL IN PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVICE

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
12/112,188
Abstract

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.

Claims (17)

1 . A photographic device comprising:

an image sensor; and

a defeat determination unit that determines whether a target pixel among the pixels of said image sensor is defective on the basis of a first defect map and at least one second defect map;

said first defect map showing a first relationship between a pixel value of said target pixel and pixel values of first neighboring same-color pixels with said target pixel that neighbor and surround said target, pixel;

said second defect map showing a second relationship between a pixel value of a heterochromatic adjacent pixel with said target pixel and pixel values of second neighboring same-color pixels with said heterochromatic adjacent pixel that neighbor and surround said heterochromatic adjacent pixel.

2 . The photographic device according to claim 1 , wherein said first relationship is a magnitude relationship between a threshold and differences between the pixel value of said target pixel and the pixel values of said first neighboring same-color pixels; and

said second relationship is a magnitude relationship between said threshold and differences between the pixel value of said heterochromatic; adjacent pixel and the pixel values of said second neighboring same-color pixels.

3 . The photographic device according to claim 1 , wherein said defect determination unit corrects said target pixel when said target pixel is determined to be defective.

4 . The photographic device according to claim 1 , further comprising line memories that store and transfer the pixel data output from said image sensor, ordered in series, by lines read from said image sensor;

wherein said first and second defect maps are calculated on the basis of the pixel data stored in said line memories.

5 . The photographic device according to claim 1 , wherein a Bayer color filter array is arranged over the pixels of said image sensor, said Bayer color filter array having R lines that include red filters and first green filters and B lines that include blue filters and second green filters, said R lines and said B lines arranged alternately;

when one of an R pixel corresponding to said red filter, a G1 pixel corresponding to said first green filter, a B pixel corresponding to said blue filter, and a G2 pixel corresponding to said second green filter becomes said target pixel, at least one of the others becomes said heterochromatic adjacent pixel.

6 . The photographic device according to claim 1 , wherein when the contents of said first defect map and said second defect map are the same, said defect determination unit determines that said target pixel is not defective.

7 . A method of detecting a defective pixel in an image sensor, comprising the steps of:

first calculating that calculates a first defect map showing a first relationship between a pixel value of a target pixel of pixels of said image sensor and pixel values of first neighboring same-color pixels with said target pixel that neighbor and surround said target pixel;

second calculating that calculates a second defect map showing a second relationship between a pixel value of a heterochromatic adjacent pixel with said target pixel and pixel values of second neighboring same-color pixels with said heterochromatic adjacent pixel that neighbor and surround said heterochromatic adjacent pixel; and

determining that determines whether said target pixel is defective on the basis of said first defect map and said second defect map.

Assignments (2)
CORPORATE SPLIT Recorded Nov 4, 2011
From: HOYA CORPORATION
To: PENTAX RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD.
Reel/Frame 027176/0673 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 10, 2008
From: HYAKUTAKE, KAORU; SHOJI, TAKAAKI; AZUMA, MACHIKO; TAKAYAMA, SHINICHI
To: HOYA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 021069/0402 →