Method and apparatus for robust image processing

A digital camera module comprising:

• a plurality of light sensitive pixel elements;
• a first memory buffer;
• a second memory buffer;
• and
• a controller coupled to the plurality of light sensitive pixel elements and the first and second memory buffers, the controller recording a first plurality of pixel values representing an image by activating the plurality of light sensitive pixel elements in a first predetermined manner and storing the first plurality of pixel values in the first buffer, the controller generating a first compressed image data file based on the first plurality of pixel values, the controller recording a second plurality of pixel values representing the image by activating the plurality of light sensitive pixel elements in a second predetermined manner and storing the second plurality of pixel values in the second buffer, and the controller generating a second compressed image data file based on the first plurality of pixel values, wherein the controller processes the first and second plurality of pixel values in a compressed domain to generate a third plurality of pixel values, wherein processing includes combining the first and second compressed image data files by replacing portions of the second compressed image data file with corresponding portions of the first compressed image data file.

A mobile communication device comprising:

• a plurality of light sensitive pixel elements;
• a first memory buffer;
• a second memory buffer;
• a controller coupled to the plurality of light sensitive pixel elements and the first and second memory buffers, the controller recording a first plurality of pixel values representing an image by activating the plurality of light sensitive pixel elements in a first predetermined manner and storing the first plurality of pixel values in the first buffer, the controller generating a first compressed image data file based on the first plurality of pixel values, the controller recording a second plurality of pixel values representing the image by activating the plurality of light sensitive pixel elements in a second predetermined manner and storing the second plurality of pixel values in the second buffer, and the controller generating a second compressed image data file based on the first plurality of pixel values, wherein the controller processes the first and second plurality of pixel values in a compressed domain to generate a third plurality of pixel values, wherein processing includes combining the first and second compressed image data files by replacing portions of the second compressed image data file with corresponding portions of the first compressed image data file;
• a storage device coupled to the exposure controller for storing the digital image as image information;
• a communication controller coupled to the storage device for selectively
• retrieving the image information corresponding to the digital image;
• and
• transmitting circuitry coupled to the communication controller for transmitting the digital image when the image information corresponding to the digital image is provided to the transmitting circuitry by the communication controller.