Camera with image enhancement functions

A method performed by an image processor, comprising:

• receiving a first set of pixel values, which are generated by an array of optical sensing elements in response to optical signals received through a set of objective optics, wherein the objective optics have an associated point spread function (PSF) which causes the first set of pixel values to represent a first blurred image, and wherein the first set of pixel values comprises at least one bad pixel value corresponding to a bad pixel;
• updating the first set of pixel values by at least replacing the bad pixel value with a first estimated pixel value to derive a second set of pixel values;
• deriving a first deblurred image from the second set of pixel values;
• applying the PSF to the first deblurred image to derive a third set of pixel values representing a second blurred image, wherein the third set of pixel values comprises a second estimated pixel value for the bad pixel;
• updating the second set of pixel values by at least replacing the first estimated pixel value with the second estimated pixel value to derive a fourth set of pixel values;
• and
• deriving a second deblurred image from the fourth set of pixel values.

An imaging apparatus, comprising:

• objective optics having an associated point spread function (PSF) that causes image blurring;
• an array of optical sensing elements for sensing optical signals received through the objective optics and generating pixel values that represent a blurred image captured by the array, wherein the array has at least one malfunctioning optical sensing element;
• and
• an image processor coupled to the array to receive a first set of pixel values representing a first blurred image, the first set of pixel values comprising a bad pixel value corresponding to the malfunctioning optical sensing element, the image processor configured to update the first set of pixel values by at least replacing the bad pixel value with a first estimated pixel value to derive a second set of pixel values and configured to derive a first deblurred image from the second set of pixel values, the image processor further configured to apply the PSF to the first deblurred image to derive a third set of pixel values representing a second blurred image, wherein the third set of pixel values comprises a second estimated pixel value for the bad pixel, the image processor further configured to update the second set of pixel values by at least replacing the first estimated pixel value with the second estimated pixel value to derive a fourth set of pixel values and configured to derive a second deblurred image from the fourth set of pixel values.