Processing pipeline of pixel data of a color image acquired by a digital sensor

A color image processing pipeline comprising:

• a plurality of defect correction and image enhancement blocks comprising a first color interpolation block generating RGB information for each pixel of an input image pixel pattern, and a second color interpolation block receiving the RGB information from said first color interpolation block and providing enhanced RGB pattern pixels;
• a plurality of dedicated line memories and delay circuits associated with said plurality of defect correction and image enhancement blocks for permitting real-time processing of pixel data;
• and
• first and second buffers for storing a subset or pixel block of the image data, and for inverting a scanning mode of pixel data being fed to said plurality of dedicated line memories and delay circuits associated to at least said first color, interpolation block, from row-wise to column-wise, for each subset of data to be stored therein.

A method for reducing line memory without increasing overhead in a color image pixel data processing pipeline comprising:

• interpolating chrominance data to generate triplets located at distinct, pixel locations;
• generating RGB information for each pixel of an input image pixel pattern using at least a first color interpolation block, :and inputting the RGB information to a second color interpolation block for providing enhanced RGB pattern pixels, the first and second color interpolation blocks being part of a plurality of defect correction and image enhancement blocks;
• permitting real-time processing of pixel data based upon a plurality of dedicated line memories and delay circuits associated with the plurality of defect correction and image enhancement blocks;
• storing a subset or pixel block of the image data in first and second read/write buffers having an identical capacity;
• and
• inverting a scanning mode of pixel data being fed to the plurality of dedicated line memories and delay circuits associated to at least the first color interpolation block, from row-wise to column-wise, for each subset of data to be stored therein.

A method for processing color data comprising:

• interpolating chrominance data to generate triplets located at distinct pixel locations;
• generating RGB information for each pixel of an input image pixel pattern using at least a first color interpolation block, and inputting the RGB information to a second color interpolation block for providing enhanced RGB pattern pixels, the first and second color interpolation blocks being part of a plurality of defect correction and image enhancement blocks;
• permitting real-time processing of pixel data based upon a plurality of dedicated line memories and delay circuits associated, to and cooperating with the plurality of defect correction and image enhancement blocks;
• storing a subset or pixel block of the image data in first and second buffers;
• and
• inverting a scanning mode of pixel data being fed to the plurality of dedicated line memories and delay circuits associated to at least the first color interpolation, block, from row-wise to column-wise, for each subset of data to be stored therein.