Image processing apparatus, image processing method and program

An image processing method for correcting a defective portion in image data having a plurality of pixels, the method comprising the steps of:

• selecting a plurality of first target pixels one after another from normal pixels;
• detecting portion for detecting, for each first target pixel selected, a defective pixel present within a predetermined area extending around said first target pixel as its center and then detecting a normal pixel present on an extension line connecting said first target pixel to said defective pixel and setting this detected normal pixel as a second target pixel;
• calculating for one or more defective pixels present between said first target pixel and said second target pixel, an interpolation value for each said defective pixel based on a pixel value of said first target pixel and a pixel value of said second target pixel;
• calculating a weight coefficient for each pair of said first target pixel and said second target pixel, based on the pixel value of the first target pixel and the pixel value of the second target pixel, wherein said weight coefficient is greater for said first and second target pixel when the pixel values of said first and second target pixels are closer to each other;
• storing a plurality of interpolation values calculated for each defective pixel and the weight coefficient calculated for each pair of the first target pixel and the second target pixel as the plurality of first target pixels are selected one after another;
• calculating a weighted average value of the interpolation values of each defective pixel by using the plurality of interpolation values stored for each defective pixel and the weight coefficient also stored for each pair of the first target pixel and the second target pixel;
• and
• correcting each defective pixel by using said weighted average value calculated.

A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable code for correcting a defective portion in image data having a plurality of pixels, the code comprising instructions for:

• selecting a plurality of first target pixels one after another from normal pixels;
• detecting portion for detecting, for:each first target pixel selected, a
• defective pixel present within a predetermined area extending around said first target pixel as its center and then detecting a normal pixel present on an extension line connecting said first target pixel to said defective pixel and setting this detected normal pixel as a second target pixel;
• calculating for one or more defective pixels present between said first target pixel and said second target pixel, an interpolation value for each said defective pixel based on a pixel value of said first target pixel and a pixel value of said second target pixel;
• calculating a weight coefficient for each pair of said first target pixel and said second target pixel, based on the pixel value of the first target pixel and the pixel value of the second target pixel, wherein said weight coefficient is greater for said first and second target pixel when the pixel values of said first and second target pixels are closer to each other;
• storing a plurality of interpolation values calculated for each defective pixel and the weight coefficient calculated for each pair of the first target pixel and the second target pixel as the plurality of first target pixels are selected one after another;
• calculating a weighted average value of the interpolation values of each defective pixel by using the plurality of interpolation values stored for each defective pixel and the weight coefficient also stored for each pair of the first target pixel and the second target pixel;
• and
• correcting each defective pixel by using said weighted average value calculated.