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.

Error calibration for digital image sensors and apparatus using the same

A digital camera that automatically corrects dust artifact regions within acquired images by compiling a dust map includes an optical system for acquiring an image with a corresponding dust calibration table for such optical system, including a lens assembly and an aperture stop, in which the corresponding dust calibration map can reside. A transformation between the dust map and the specific lens calibration table, enables the use for a single dust map in multiple instances of lenses and focal length, without the need to recalibrate the digital camera for each instance.

Digital camera with built-in lens calibration table

Photographing for one image plane is conducted by CCD1 under the completely dark condition created by closing aperture 12 when the power supply is turned on, then image data obtained from this photographing are compared with a threshold value, and when the image data show higher luminance than the threshold value, the image data are detected to be defective pixels (white flaws) and positional information thereof is stored. Further, under the condition that the mode for detecting defective pixels is selected by mode switch 16, photographing for one image plane is conducted by CCD1 while a camera is directed to an exclusive subject, then image data obtained through this photographing are compared with a threshold value, and when the image data show lower luminance than the threshold value, the image data are detected to be defective pixels (black flaws), and positional information thereof is stored. In ordinary photographing, a mean value of peripheral pixels surrounding the image data of the defective pixel is used for replacement based on positional information of the defective pixel.

Electronic camera capable of detecting defective pixel

A method automatically corrects dust artifact within images acquired by a system including a digital acquisition device including a lens assembly and a translucent lens cap. Multiple original digital images are acquired with the digital acquisition device. Probabilities that certain pixels correspond to dust artifact regions within the images are determined based at least in part on a comparison of suspected dust artifact regions within two or more of the images. Probable dust artifact regions are associated with extracted parameter values relating to the lens assembly when the images were acquired. A statistical dust map is formed including mapped dust regions based on the determining and associating. Pixels corresponding to correlated dust artifact regions are corrected within further digitally-acquired images based on the associated statistical dust map.

Detection and removal of blemishes in digital images utilizing original images of defocused scenes

A method automatically corrects dust artifact within images acquired by a system including a digital acquisition device including a lens assembly. Multiple original digital images are acquired with the digital acquisition device. Probabilities that certain pixels correspond to dust artifact regions within the images are determined based at least in part on a comparison of suspected dust artifact regions within two or more of the images. Probable dust artifact regions are associated with extracted parameter values relating to the lens assembly when the images were acquired. A statistical dust map is formed including mapped dust regions based on the determining and associating. Pixels corresponding to correlated dust artifact regions are corrected within further digitally-acquired images based on the associated statistical dust map.

Automated statistical self-calibrating detection and removal of blemishes in digital images based on multiple occurrences of dust in images

A solid-state image pickup apparatus for use as a video camera has a defect detecting mode and an operation mode The solid-state image pickup apparatus includes a solid-state image sensor having pixels arranged in rows and columns for producing an output signal representing a detected image The solid-state image sensor operates in a field reading mode for reading electric charges from the pixels in approximately one field period such that the electric charges of the pixels of two adjacent rows are summed before being outputted from the solid-state image sensor, the summed electric charges being different in even- and odd-numbered fields, and also operates in a frame reading mode for reading electric charges from the pixels in approximately one frame period such that the electric charges of the pixels of one of two vertically adjacent rows are read in even-numbered fields and the electric charges of the pixels of the other of two adjacent rows are read in odd-numbered fields The positions of defective pixels of the solid-state image sensor are detected in the defect detecting mode, the defective pixels causing noise in the output signal at corresponding times in sampled data of the output signal The detected positions of the defective pixels are stored in a memory When the defect detecting mode is selected, the solid-state image sensor is controlled to operate in the frame reading mode

Ohba Yuuji

Papers

Solid-state image pickup apparatus having a defect detecting mode