Imaging correction device and imaging correction method

1. An imaging apparatus comprising:

an imaging element having two-dimensionally arranged imaging pixels that receive light of an image formed by an optical system and output pixel signals corresponding to the received light, and in which non-imaging pixels, different from the imaging pixels, are arranged amongst the imaging pixels;

continuity detection means for detecting whether a continuity of the pixel signals exists in at least one predetermined direction based on the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels; and

calculation means for determining a pixel signal at a position of the non-imaging pixels by processing a pixel output of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels and based on whether any continuity was detected in the at least one predetermined direction, wherein

the imaging pixels are arranged such that imaging pixels of a plurality of types having different spectral characteristics are arranged with different densities; and

the calculation means performs by different processes, a calculation of the pixel signals for the non-imaging pixels provided at a position of the imaging pixels arranged at a relatively high density in the imaging pixels of the plurality of types, and a calculation of the pixels signals for the non-imaging pixels provided at a position of the imaging pixels arranged at a relatively low density in the imaging pixels of the plurality of types.

2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the calculation of the pixel signals for the non-imaging pixels provided at the position of the imaging pixels arranged at the relatively high density in the imaging pixels of the plurality of types is a process that includes averaging the pixel signals output from the imaging pixels arranged at the relatively high density around the non-imaging pixels.

3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the calculation of the pixel signals for the non-imaging pixels provided at the position of the imaging pixels at the relatively low density in the imaging pixels of the plurality of types is a process that includes generating a ratio of (i) the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged at the relatively high density around the non-imaging pixels and (ii) the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged at the relatively low density.

4. An imaging apparatus comprising:

an imaging element having two-dimensionally arranged imaging pixels that receive light of an image formed by an optical system and output pixel signals corresponding to the received light, and in which non-imaging pixels, different from the imaging pixels, are arranged amongst the imaging pixels;

continuity detection means for detecting whether a continuity of the pixel signals exists in at least one predetermined direction based on the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels;

calculation means for determining a pixel signal at a position of the non-imaging pixels by processing a pixel output of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels and based on whether any continuity was detected in the at least one predetermined direction;

presumption means for presuming the pixel signals at the position of the non-imaging pixels based on a spectral distribution of incident light in a proximity of the non-imaging pixels;

averaging means for calculating the pixel signals at the position of the non-imaging pixels by statistically averaging the pixel signals of the imaging pixels around the non-imaging pixels; and

selection means for comparing the pixel signals calculated by the calculation means and the pixel signals presumed by the presumption means based on the pixel signals calculated by the calculation means, and selecting as final pixels one of the pixel signals calculated by the calculation means and the pixel signals presumed by the presumption means.

5. An imaging apparatus comprising:

an imaging element having two-dimensionally arranged imaging pixels that receive light of an image fanned by an optical system and output pixel signals corresponding to the received light, and in which non-imaging pixels, different from the imaging pixels, are arranged amongst the imaging pixels;

continuity detection means for detecting whether a continuity of the pixel signals exists in at least one predetermined direction based on the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels;

calculation means for determining a pixel signal at a position of the non-imaging pixels by processing a pixel output of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels and based on whether any continuity was detected in the at least one predetermined direction;

determination means for determining whether there is uniformity in the image around the non-imaging pixels, based on the pixel signals of the imaging pixels around the non-imaging pixels;

averaging means for calculating the pixel signals at the position of the imaging pixels by statistically averaging the pixel signals of the imaging pixels around the non-imaging pixels; and

decision means for deciding the pixel signals calculated by the averaging means as the final pixel signals at the position of the non-imaging pixels if the uniformity is determined by the determination means.

6. An imaging apparatus comprising:

an imaging element having two-dimensionally arranged imaging pixels that receive light of an image formed by an optical system and output pixel signals corresponding to the received light, and in which non-imaging pixels, different from the imaging pixels, are arranged amongst the imaging pixels; and

a processor that (i) determines whether a continuity of the pixel signals exists in at least one predetermined direction based on the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels, and (ii) calculates pixel signals at positions of the non-imaging pixels by processing a pixel output of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels and based on whether any continuity was determined to exist in the at least one predetermined direction, wherein

the imaging pixels are arranged such that imaging pixels of a plurality of types having different spectral characteristics are arranged with different densities; and

the processor performs by different processes, a calculation of the pixel signals for the non-imaging pixels provided at a position of the imaging pixels arranged at a relatively high density in the imaging pixels of the plurality of types, and a calculation of the pixels signals for the non-imaging pixels provided at a position of the imaging pixels arranged at a relatively low density in the imaging pixels of the plurality of types.

7. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the calculation of the pixel signals for the non-imaging pixels provided at the position of the imaging pixels arranged at the relatively high density in the imaging pixels of the plurality of types is a process that includes averaging the pixel signals output from the imaging pixels arranged at the relatively high density around the non-imaging pixels.

8. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the calculation of the pixel signals for the non-imaging pixels provided at the position of the imaging pixels at the relatively low density in the imaging pixels of the plurality of types is a process that includes generating a ratio of (i) the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged at the relatively high density around the non-imaging pixels and (ii) the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged at the relatively low density.

9. An imaging apparatus comprising;

an imaging element having two-dimensionally arranged imaging pixels that receive light of an image formed by an optical system and output pixel signals corresponding to the received light, and in which non-imaging pixels, different from the imaging pixels, are arranged amongst the imaging pixels; and

a processor that (i) determines whether a continuity of the pixel signals exists in at least one predetermined direction based on the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels, and (ii) calculates pixel signals at positions of the non-imaging pixels by processing a pixel output of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels and based on whether any continuity was determined to exist in the at least one predetermined direction, wherein

the processor (iii) presumes the pixel signals at the position of the non-imaging pixels based on a spectral distribution of incident light in a proximity of the non-imaging pixels, (iv) calculates the pixel signals at the position of the non-imaging pixels by statistically averaging the pixel signals of the imaging pixels around the non-imaging pixels, (v) compares the calculated pixel signals and the presumed pixel signals, and (vi) selects as final pixels one of the calculated pixel signals and the presumed pixel signals.

10. An imaging apparatus comprising:

an imaging element having two-dimensionally arranged imaging pixels that receive light of an image formed by an optical system and output pixel signals corresponding to the received light, and in which non-imaging pixels, different from the imaging pixels, are arranged amongst the imaging pixels; and

a processor that (i) determines whether a continuity of the pixel signals exists in at least one predetermined direction based on the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels, and (ii) calculates pixel signals at positions of the non-imaging pixels by processing a pixel output of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels and based on whether any continuity was determined to exist in the at least one predetermined direction, wherein

the processor (iii) determines whether there is uniformity in the image around the non-imaging pixels, based on the pixel signals of the imaging pixels around the non-imaging pixels, (iv) calculates the pixel signals at the positions of the imaging pixels by statistically averaging the pixel signals of the imaging pixels around the non-imaging pixels, and (v) decides the calculated pixel signals to be the final pixel signals at the position of the non-imaging pixels if the uniformity is determined.

11. An imaging method using an imaging element having two-dimensionally arranged imaging pixels that receive light of an image formed by an optical system and output pixel signals corresponding to the received light, and in which non-imaging pixels, different from the imaging pixels, are arranged amongst the imaging pixels, the method comprising:

determining by a processor pixel signals at positions of the non-imaging pixels by detecting whether a continuity of the pixel signals exists in at least one predetermined direction based on the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels and by processing the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels and based on whether any continuity was detected to exist in the at least one predetermined direction, wherein

the imaging pixels are arranged such that imaging pixels of a plurality of types having different spectral characteristics are arranged with different densities; and

the determining step performs by different processes, a calculation of the pixel signals for the non-imaging pixels provided at a position of the imaging pixels arranged at a relatively high density in the imaging pixels of the plurality of types, and a calculation of the pixels signals for the non-imaging pixels provided at a position of the imaging pixels arranged at a relatively low density in the imaging pixels of the plurality of types.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the calculation of the pixel signals for the non-imaging pixels provided at the position of the imaging pixels arranged at the relatively high density in the imaging pixels of the plurality of types is a process that includes averaging the pixel signals output from the imaging pixels arranged at the relatively high density around the non-imaging pixels.

13. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the calculation of the pixel signals for the non-imaging pixels provided at the position of the imaging pixels at the relatively low density in the imaging pixels of the plurality of types is a process that includes generating a ratio of (i) the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged at the relatively high density around the non-imaging pixels and (ii) the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged at the relatively low density.

14. An imaging method using an imaging element having two-dimensionally arranged imaging pixels that receive light of an image formed by an optical system and output pixel signals corresponding to the received light, and in which non-imaging pixels, different from the imaging pixels, are arranged amongst the imaging pixels, the method comprising:

determining by a processor pixel signals at positions of the non-imaging pixels by detecting whether a continuity of the pixel signals exists in at least one predetermined direction based on the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels, and by processing the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels and based on whether any continuity was detected to exist in the at least one predetermined direction, wherein

the determining step includes (i) presuming the pixel signals at the position of the non-imaging pixels based on a spectral distribution of incident light in a proximity of the non-imaging pixels, (ii) calculating the pixel signals at the position of the non-imaging pixels by statistically averaging the pixel signals of the imaging pixels around the non-imaging pixels, (iii) comparing the calculated pixel signals and the presumed pixel signals, and (iv) selecting as final pixels one of the calculated pixel signals and the presumed pixel signals.

15. An imaging method using an imaging element having two-dimensionally arranged imaging pixels that receive light of an image formed by an optical system and output pixel signals corresponding to the received light, and in which non-imaging pixels, different from the imaging pixels, are arranged amongst the imaging pixels, the method comprising:

determining by a processor pixel signals at positions of the non-imaging pixels by detecting whether a continuity of the pixel signals exists in at least one predetermined direction based on the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels, and by processing the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels and based on whether any continuity was detected to exist in the at least one predetermined direction, wherein

the determining step includes (i) determining whether there is uniformity in the image around the non-imaging pixels, based on the pixel signals of the imaging pixels around the non-imaging pixels, (ii) calculating the pixel signals at the positions of the imaging pixels by statistically averaging the pixel signals of the imaging pixels around the non-imaging pixels, and (iii) deciding the calculated pixel signals to be the final pixel signals at the position of the non-imaging pixels if the uniformity is determined.

16. An imaging apparatus comprising:

an imaging element having two-dimensionally arranged imaging pixels that receive light of an image formed by an optical system and output pixel signals corresponding to the received light, and in which non-imaging pixels, different from the imaging pixels, are arranged linearly in a predetermined direction amongst the imaging pixels;

a continuity detection unit that detects an image continuity in the predetermined direction, of an image at a position of the non-imaging pixels based on the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels; and

a calculation unit that determines a pixel signal at the position of the non-imaging pixels by processing the pixel signals of the imaging pixels sandwiching a non-imaging pixel array of the non-imaging pixels in the predetermined direction if the image continuity in the predetermined direction is detected by the continuity detection unit, wherein

the imaging pixels are arranged in a plurality of imaging pixel arrays including a first imaging pixel array and a second imaging pixel array on one side of the non-imaging pixel array and a third imaging pixel array and a fourth imaging pixel array on another side of the non-imaging pixel array;

the first imaging pixel array is adjacent to and parallel to the non-imaging pixel array;

the second imaging pixel array is adjacent to and parallel to the first imaging pixel array;

the third imaging pixel array is adjacent to and parallel to the non-imaging pixel array;

the fourth imaging pixel array is adjacent to and parallel to the third imaging pixel array; and

the calculation unit processes the pixel signals of the imaging pixels sandwiching the non-imaging pixel array by calculating an average of the pixel signals of the imaging pixels near each of the non-imaging pixels arranged in the first imaging pixel array, an average of the pixel signals of the imaging pixels near the each of the non-imaging pixels arranged in the second imaging pixel array, an average of the pixel signals of the imaging pixels near the each of the non-imaging pixels arranged in the third imaging pixel array and an average of the pixel signals of the imaging pixels near the each of the non-imaging pixels arranged in the fourth imaging pixel array.

17. An imaging apparatus comprising:

an imaging element having two-dimensionally arranged imaging pixels that receive light of an image formed by an optical system and output pixel signals corresponding to the received light, and in which non-imaging pixels, different from the imaging pixels, are arranged amongst the imaging pixels;

continuity detection means for detecting a direction of continuity of the pixel signals based on the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels; and

calculation means for determining a pixel signal at a position of the non-imaging pixels by processing the pixel output of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels in response to the detected direction of continuity, wherein:

the imaging pixels are arranged such that imaging pixels of a plurality of types having different spectral characteristics are arranged with different densities;

the calculation means performs by different processes, a calculation of the pixel signals for the non-imaging pixels provided at a position of the imaging pixels arranged at a relatively high density in the imaging pixels of the plurality of types, and a calculation of the pixels signals for the non-imaging pixels provided at a position of the imaging pixels arranged at a relatively low density in the imaging pixels of the plurality of types; and

the calculation of the pixel signals for the non-imaging pixels provided at the position of the imaging pixels at the relatively low density in the imaging pixels of the plurality of types is a process that includes generating a ratio of (i) the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged at the relatively high density around the non-imaging pixels and (ii) the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged at the relatively low density.

18. An imaging apparatus comprising:

an imaging element having two-dimensionally arranged imaging pixels that receive light of an image fowled by an optical system and output pixel signals corresponding to the received light, and in which non-imaging pixels, different from the imaging pixels, are arranged amongst the imaging pixels;

continuity detection means for detecting a direction of continuity of the pixel signals based on the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels; and

calculation means for determining a pixel signal at a position of the non-imaging pixels by processing the pixel output of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels in response to the detected direction of continuity, further comprising:

presumption means for presuming the pixel signals at the position of the non-imaging pixels based on a spectral distribution of incident light in a proximity of the non-imaging pixels;

averaging means for calculating the pixel signals at the position of the non-imaging pixels by statistically averaging the pixel signals of the imaging pixels around the non-imaging pixels; and

selection means for comparing the pixel signals calculated by the calculation means and the pixel signals presumed by the presumption means based on the pixel signals calculated by the calculation means, and selecting as final pixels one of the pixel signals calculated by the calculation means and the pixel signals presumed by the presumption means.

19. An imaging apparatus comprising:

an imaging element having two-dimensionally arranged imaging pixels that receive light of an image formed by an optical system and output pixel signals corresponding to the received light, and in which non-imaging pixels, different from the imaging pixels, are arranged amongst the imaging pixels;

continuity detection means for detecting a direction of continuity of the pixel signals based on the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels; and

calculation means for determining a pixel signal at a position of the non-imaging pixels by processing the pixel output of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels in response to the detected direction of continuity, further comprising:

determination means for determining whether there is uniformity in the image around the non-imaging pixels, based on the pixel signals of the imaging pixels around the non-imaging pixels;

averaging means for calculating the pixel signals at the position of the imaging pixels by statistically averaging the pixel signals of the imaging pixels around the non-imaging pixels; and

decision means for deciding the pixel signals calculated by the averaging means as the final pixel signals at the position of the non-imaging pixels if the uniformity is determined by the determination means.

20. An imaging apparatus comprising:

an imaging element having two-dimensionally arranged imaging pixels that receive light of an image formed by an optical system and output pixel signals corresponding to the received light, and in which non-imaging pixels, different from the imaging pixels, are arranged amongst the imaging pixels;

a continuity detection unit that detects whether a continuity of the pixel signals exists in at least one predetermined direction based on the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels; and

a calculation unit that determines a pixel signal at a position of the non-imaging pixels by processing a pixel output of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels and based on whether any continuity was detected in the at least one predetermined direction, wherein

the imaging pixels are arranged such that imaging pixels of a plurality of types having different spectral characteristics are arranged with different densities; and

the calculation unit performs by different processes, a calculation of the pixel signals for the non-imaging pixels provided at a position of the imaging pixels arranged at a relatively high density in the imaging pixels of the plurality of types, and a calculation of the pixels signals for the non-imaging pixels provided at a position of the imaging pixels arranged at a relatively low density in the imaging pixels of the plurality of types.

21. The imaging apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein the calculation of the pixel signals for the non-imaging pixels provided at the position of the imaging pixels arranged at the relatively high density in the imaging pixels of the plurality of types is a process that includes averaging the pixel signals output from the imaging pixels arranged at the relatively high density around the non-imaging pixels.

22. The imaging apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein the calculation of the pixel signals for the non-imaging pixels provided at the position of the imaging pixels at the relatively low density in the imaging pixels of the plurality of types is a process that includes generating a ratio of (i) the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged at the relatively high density around the non-imaging pixels and (ii) the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged at the relatively low density.

23. An imaging apparatus comprising:

an imaging element having two-dimensionally arranged imaging pixels that receive light of an image formed by an optical system and output pixel signals corresponding to the received light, and in which non-imaging pixels, different from the imaging pixels, are arranged amongst the imaging pixels;

a continuity detection unit that detects whether a continuity of the pixel signals exists in at least one predetermined direction based on the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels;

a calculation unit that determines a pixel signal at a position of the non-imaging pixels by processing a pixel output of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels and based on whether any continuity was detected in the at least one predetermined direction;

a presumption unit that presumes the pixel signals at the position of the non-imaging pixels based on a spectral distribution of incident light in a proximity of the non-imaging pixels;

an averaging unit that calculates the pixel signals at the position of the non-imaging pixels by statistically averaging the pixel signals of the imaging pixels around the non-imaging pixels; and

a selection unit that compares the pixel signals calculated by the calculation unit and the pixel signals presumed by the presumption unit based on the pixel signals calculated by the calculation unit, and selecting as final pixels one of the pixel signals calculated by the calculation unit and the pixel signals presumed by the presumption unit.

24. An imaging apparatus comprising:

an imaging element having two-dimensionally arranged imaging pixels that receive light of an image formed by an optical system and output pixel signals corresponding to the received light, and in which non-imaging pixels, different from the imaging pixels, are arranged amongst the imaging pixels;

a continuity detection unit that detects whether a continuity of the pixel signals exists in at least one predetermined direction based on the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels;

a calculation unit that determines a pixel signal at a position of the non-imaging pixels by processing a pixel output of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels and based on whether any continuity was detected in the at least one predetermined direction;

a determination unit that determines whether there is uniformity in the image around the non-imaging pixels, based on the pixel signals of the imaging pixels around the non-imaging pixels;

an averaging unit that calculates the pixel signals at the position of the imaging pixels by statistically averaging the pixel signals of the imaging pixels around the non-imaging pixels; and

a decision unit that decides the pixel signals calculated by the averaging unit as the final pixel signals at the position of the non-imaging pixels if the uniformity is determined by the determination unit.

25. An imaging apparatus comprising:

an imaging element having two-dimensionally arranged imaging pixels that receive light of an image formed by an optical system and output pixel signals corresponding to the received light, and in which non-imaging pixels, different from the imaging pixels, are arranged amongst the imaging pixels;

a continuity detection unit that detects a direction of continuity of the pixel signals based on the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels; and

a calculation unit that determines a pixel signal at a position of the non-imaging pixels by processing the pixel output of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels in response to the detected direction of continuity, wherein:

the imaging pixels are arranged such that imaging pixels of a plurality of types having different spectral characteristics are arranged with different densities;

the calculation unit performs by different processes, a calculation of the pixel signals for the non-imaging pixels provided at a position of the imaging pixels arranged at a relatively high density in the imaging pixels of the plurality of types, and a calculation of the pixels signals for the non-imaging pixels provided at a position of the imaging pixels arranged at a relatively low density in the imaging pixels of the plurality of types; and

the calculation of the pixel signals for the non-imaging pixels provided at the position of the imaging pixels at the relatively low density in the imaging pixels of the plurality of types is a process that includes generating a ratio of (i) the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged at the relatively high density around the non-imaging pixels and (ii) the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged at the relatively low density.

26. An imaging apparatus comprising:

an imaging element having two-dimensionally arranged imaging pixels that receive light of an image formed by an optical system and output pixel signals corresponding to the received light, and in which non-imaging pixels, different from the imaging pixels, are arranged amongst the imaging pixels;

a continuity detection unit that detects a direction of continuity of the pixel signals based on the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels; and

a calculation unit that determines a pixel signal at a position of the non-imaging pixels by processing the pixel output of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels in response to the detected direction of continuity, further comprising:

a presumption unit that presumes the pixel signals at the position of the non-imaging pixels based on a spectral distribution of incident light in a proximity of the non-imaging pixels;

an averaging unit that calculates the pixel signals at the position of the non-imaging pixels by statistically averaging the pixel signals of the imaging pixels around the non-imaging pixels; and

a selection unit that compares the pixel signals calculated by the calculation unit and the pixel signals presumed by the presumption unit based on the pixel signals calculated by the calculation unit, and selecting as final pixels one of the pixel signals calculated by the calculation unit and the pixel signals presumed by the presumption unit.

27. An imaging apparatus comprising:

an imaging element having two-dimensionally arranged imaging pixels that receive light of an image formed by an optical system and output pixel signals corresponding to the received light, and in which non-imaging pixels, different from the imaging pixels, are arranged amongst the imaging pixels;

a continuity detection unit that detects a direction of continuity of the pixel signals based on the pixel signals of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels; and

a calculation unit that determines a pixel signal at a position of the non-imaging pixels by processing the pixel output of the imaging pixels arranged around the non-imaging pixels in response to the detected direction of continuity, further comprising:

a determination unit that determines whether there is uniformity in the image around the non-imaging pixels, based on the pixel signals of the imaging pixels around the non-imaging pixels;

an averaging unit that calculates the pixel signals at the position of the imaging pixels by statistically averaging the pixel signals of the imaging pixels around the non-imaging pixels; and

a decision unit that decides the pixel signals calculated by the averaging unit as the final pixel signals at the position of the non-imaging pixels if the uniformity is determined by the determination unit.