Method and apparatus for estimating a value in a table generated by a photosites matrix

A computer program product stored on a storage device, the computer program product comprising instructions to be executed by a microprocessor, the instructions when executed causing the microprocessor to:

• define a kernel of a table of values comprising a value to be estimated and neighboring values, the table of values being generated by a photosite matrix, the kernel having a missing or incorrect value location surrounded by locations of values generated by photosites, the missing or incorrect value location being the value to be estimated;
• determine a weight for each primary neighboring value of a same colorimetric component as that of the missing or incorrect value to be estimated;
• define, in the table, several axes passing through a location of the missing or incorrect value to be estimated, the weight of each primary neighboring value being determined according to differences between neighboring values disposed in the table on one of the defined axes and neighboring values disposed in the table parallel with the one of the defined axes and positioned in relation to the one of the defined axes on a same side as the primary neighboring value for which the weight is determined;
• calculate semi-gradients, based on the differences, each semi-gradient being associated with a given direction with respect to the location of the missing or incorrect value to be determined, the weight of each primary neighboring value being determined based on the semi-gradient associated with a direction defined between the location of each primary neighboring value and the location of the missing or incorrect value;
• and
• estimate the value to be estimated based on the primary neighboring values and the weight associated with the primary neighboring values.

An apparatus comprising:

• a photosite matrix comprising photosites;
• and
• a data acquisition and processing unit comprising a microprocessor, the data acquisition and processing unit being configured to:
• acquire a table of values proportional to an illumination of the photosites,
• wherein the table comprises a missing value at a location of one depth sensor, and wherein the missing value and each neighboring value of the table are associated with a colorimetric component;
• define a kernel of the table comprising the missing value and the neighboring values, the location of the missing value being surrounded by locations of neighboring values;
• determine a weight for each primary neighboring value of a same colorimetric component as that of the missing value;
• define, in the table, several axes passing through a location of the missing value, wherein the weight of each primary neighboring value is determined according to differences between neighboring values disposed in the table on one of the defined axes and neighboring values disposed in the table parallel with the one of the defined axes and positioned in relation to the one of the defined axes on a same side as the primary neighboring value for which the weight is determined;
• calculate semi-gradients, based on the differences, each semi-gradient being associated with a given direction with respect to the location of the missing value, the weight of each primary neighboring value being determined based on the semi-gradient associated with a direction defined between the location of each primary neighboring value and the location of the missing value;
• estimate the missing value based on the primary neighboring values and the weight associated with the primary neighboring values;
• and
• correct the missing value.