Micron Technology Incorporated

Aptina Imaging Corporation

Igor Subbotin

Michael Kaplinsky

Ilia Ovsiannikov

Dmitri Jerdev

Sandor L Barna

Kwang-Bo Cho

Gary E Slayton

Alexander Mokhnatyuk

Zeynep M Toros

Xiuhong Lin

A method, apparatus and system that allows for the identification of defective pixels, for example, defective pixel clusters, in an imager device. The method, apparatus and system determine, during use of the imager device, that a pixel defect, e.g., cluster defect, exists and accurately maps the location of the defective pixel. By analyzing more than one frame of an image, the method increases the accuracy of the defect mapping, which is used to improve the quality of the resulting image data.

Method, apparatus and system providing adjustment of pixel defect map

An improved non-uniform sensitivity correction algorithm for use in an imager device (e.g., a CMOS APS). The algorithm provides zones having flexible boundaries which can be reconfigured depending upon the type of lens being used in a given application. Each pixel within each zone is multiplied by a correction factor dependent upon the particular zone while the pixel is being read out from the array. The amount of sensitivity adjustment required for a given pixel depends on the type of lens being used, and the same correction unit can be used with multiple lenses where the zone boundaries and the correction factors are adjusted for each lens. In addition, the algorithm makes adjustments to the zone boundaries based upon a misalignment between the centers of the lens being used and the APS array.

Correction of non-uniform sensitivity in an image array

A process for performing white balancing of an image is performed by subdividing an image into a plurality of subframes, and then analyzing each subframe to determine if that subframe is predominantly monochromatic other than gray. If so, that subframe is excluded from the computation of the gain adjustments in the white balancing operation. As a result, the white balance process is performed using only the multicolored and/or gray subframes, thus allowing the overall white-balance of the image to be shifted only when a change in the color average is due to a change in the spectra of illumination, and not a presence of large monochromatic areas in the image.

Method for statistical analysis of images for automatic white balance of color channel gains for image sensors

A method, apparatus, and system that use a white balance operation. A selecting process is applied to each pixel selected and considered for automatic white balance statistics to determine the distance from the selected pixel to a white curve defined in a white area corresponding to an image sensor.

Method, apparatus, and system for selecting pixels for automatic white balance processing

Methods, systems and apparatuses for the detection of motion using statistics data already available within an imager, such as sharpness scores or brightness values. The method includes obtaining at least two sets of statistics data for respective image frames which include corresponding windows; initializing a motion counter; determining, for each window, a relative difference value for the particular window; comparing the relative difference value to a first threshold. If the relative difference value is greater than the first threshold, the method increments the motion counter; and determines if there is motion by comparing the value of the motion counter to a second threshold. The motion detection may further take into account the relative importance of certain areas of the image frame.

Methods, systems and apparatuses for motion detection using auto-focus statistics

A method of reducing noise in an image including steps for obtaining a first value for a target pixel, obtaining a respective second value for each neighboring pixel surrounding the target pixel and having the same color as the target pixel, for each neighboring pixel, comparing a difference between said first value and said second value to a threshold value, and replacing the first value with an average value obtained from the first value and at all second values from the neighboring pixels which have an associated difference which is less than or equal to the threshold value based on a result of the comparing step.

Method and apparatus providing noise reduction while preserving edges for imagers

A method and apparatus for color plane interpolation are provided which interpolates the color values of pixels differently depending on an edge direction and whether a pixel is at an edge within an image. The use of the edge detection during the interpolation of each of the colors present in the color pattern helps reduce some of the disadvantages of the loss of image sharpness abundant in known demosaicing techniques.

Method and apparatus providing color interpolation in color filter arrays using edge detection and correction terms

A method and apparatus for applying exposure compensation to an image. Exposure correction limits inclusion of, but does not ignore, image highlights and lowlights.

Method and apparatus providing rule-based auto exposure technique preserving scene dynamic range

The invention provides a new method and apparatus for NTSC and PAL image sensors which employs fusion of adjacent row pixel charge samples to generate image data for a row. A variety of fusion schemes are possible for fusing the pixel signals from the adjacent rows. The rows of pixels are scanned so that each scan takes an odd row signal sample and, in some cases, an adjacent even row signal sample when specified conditions are met. One sampled row of the two adjacent rows integrate an image with a first integration period while the other adjacent row integrates an image with a second integration period.

High intrascene dynamic range NTSC and PAL imager

An image processing system and method compares each pixel of an image obtained from an image sensor array with at least eight surrounding pixels of the same color in the filter array. If the signal of a given pixel is larger than the respective signals of all eight surrounding pixels of the same color, then the value of that central pixel signal is substituted with the maximum signal value among the surrounding eight pixels of the same color. Similarly, if the signal of a given pixel is smaller than the respective signals of all eight surrounding pixels of the same color, then the value of that central pixel signal is substituted with the minimum signal value among the surrounding eight pixels of the same color.

Method and apparatus for real time identification and correction of pixel defects for image sensor arrays

An imaging device and processes to provide image stabilization by controlling analog gain and integration time. Analog gain and integration time for images are determined by comparing an image in various frames, whether full frames or hidden frames, where the image is provided with differently set analog gain and integration time settings to determine settings for stabilized image capture.

Growing community of inventors

South Pasadena, CA, United States of America

Igor Subbotin