Error calibration for digital image sensors and apparatus using the same
AssigneeMicrosoft Corporation
InventorsJonathan C. Kagle, Gilad Odinak
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is a digital apparatus, such as a digital camera, which generates a digital representation of an image. The digital apparatus includes an image sensor having an array of pixels. An analog-to-digital converter converts electrical signals from the array of pixels into digital data representative of the image. Information indicative of locations of defective pixels in the pixel array is stored in a pixel defect memory. Compensation circuitry compensates the digital data representative of the image using the information indicative of the locations of the defective pixels. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing a digital apparatus having compensation for defective pixels.
Claims16
An apparatus for generating a digital representation of an image, the apparatus comprising:
- an image sensor having an array of pixels that generate analog electrical signals in proportion to intensity of light striking the pixels;
- an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the image sensor and converting the electrical signals into digital data representative of the image;
- pixel defect memory storing information indicative of locations of defective pixels in the image sensor array of pixels, wherein the pixel defect memory stores information indicative of at least one group of pixels by including in the at least one group of pixels at least one non-defective pixel and at least one defective pixel;
- and
- compensation circuitry coupled to the analog-to-digital converter and to the pixel defect memory, the compensation circuitry compensating the digital data representative of the image using the information indicative of the locations of the defective pixels to provide compensated digital data representative of the image, wherein compensating the digital data to provide the compensated digital data further comprises adjusting portions of the digital data corresponding to each of the pixels in the at least one group.
A method of manufacturing a digital camera that includes an image sensor having an array of pixels, the method comprising:
- identifying defective pixels in the image sensor array of pixels by grouping at least one non-defective pixel with at least one defective pixel in a group, and categorizing the group as containing only defective pixels;
- and
- storing in memory of the digital camera information indicative of locations of defective pixels in the image sensor array of pixels, including storing in memory information indicative of the location of the group.
A method of compensating a digital representation of an image captured with a digital camera having an image sensor, the method comprising:
- obtaining a digital representation of an image captured with an image sensor;
- retrieving defective pixel information from memory in the digital camera, the defective pixel information being indicative of locations of a group of pixels in the image sensor to be compensated, the group of pixels to be compensated including at least one defective pixel and at least one non-defective pixel;
- and
- replacing portions of the digital representation of the image associated with all of the pixels in the group of pixels with data interpolated from portions of the digital representation of the image associated with pixels which are not in the group.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.