Image processing method for defect pixel detection, crosstalk cancellation, and noise reduction

An image processing method, for use in an image-processing circuit having a first line buffer and a second line buffer, the method comprising:

• receiving upper image data from an image sensor and storing first two rows of the upper image data in the first line buffer and the second line buffer;
• calculating a first ratio using a target pixel in a current row of the upper image data and a plurality of first reference pixels in the upper image data;
• calculating a first diffusion coefficient according to the first ratio and a diffusion coefficient mapping equation;
• calculating a first pixel value of the target pixel according to the target pixel, the first reference pixels, and the first diffusion coefficient;
• updating the first line buffer using the calculated first pixel value of the target pixel in the current row;
• receiving lower image data from the image sensor and storing a next row of the lower image data in the second line buffer;
• calculating a second ratio using the target pixel stored in the first line buffer and a plurality of second reference pixels in the lower image data, wherein the target pixel has the first pixel value;
• calculating a second diffusion coefficient according to the second ratio and the diffusion coefficient mapping equation;
• and
• calculating a second pixel value of the target pixel according to the target pixel, the second reference pixels, and the second diffusion coefficient.