Image defect correction apparatus, image defect correction method, and program therefor

An image defect correction method for use in an image defect correction apparatus for correcting image defect components included in luminance signals outputted in a predetermined order from two-dimensionally arranged light-receiving elements via a plurality of vertical charge coupled devices and at least one horizontal charge coupled device, comprising:

• a determination step of determining an X address that specifies each of at least one vertical charge coupled device including at least one point defect among the plurality of vertical charge coupled devices, and determining a Y address that specifies a position of the point defect on the specified vertical charge coupled device;
• a first correction value calculation step of determining a first correction value in accordance with a difference between an average value of luminance signals obtained by the vertical charge coupled device specified by the X address determined in said determination step and an average value of luminance signals obtained by the plurality of vertical charge coupled devices when the light-receiving elements face a predetermined ineffective signal region;
• a region determination step of determining, in a case where there are a plurality of point defects in a same vertical charge coupled device, to which of a plurality of regions divided by Y addresses of the plurality of point defects each of Y-directional positions of luminance signals outputted from the horizontal charge coupled device is positioned;
• a second correction value calculation step of selecting, among a plurality of predetermined coefficients corresponding to the plurality of point defects, a predetermined coefficient corresponding to the region determined in said region determination step, and calculating a second correction value by multiplying the first correction value calculated in said first correction value calculation step by the selected predetermined coefficient;
• and
• a correction step of correcting the luminance signals outputted from the horizontal charge coupled device, using the second correction values calculated in said second correction value calculation step.