Abstract: A method and apparatus provides information for use in still image and video image processing, the information including scene and camera information and information obtained by sampling pixels or pixel regions during image formation. The information is referred to as meta-data. The meta-data regarding the camera and the scene is obtained by obtaining camera and sensor array parameters, generally prior to image acquisition. The meta-data obtained during the image formation obtained by sampling the pixels or pixel regions may include one or more masks marking regions of the image. The masks may identify blur in the image, under and/or overexposure in the image, and events occurring over the course of the image. Blur is detected by a sensing a change in pixel or pixel regions signal build up rate during the image acquisition. Under or over exposure is determined by pixels being below or above, respectively low and high thresholds.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and software product for image processing using meta-data obtained by sampling the pixels or pixel regions of the image sensor array during the acquisition of the image. A performance enhancement is achieved by applying (non-linear) signal processing methods to the individual pixels or pixel regions of the array during image formation. The in-situ signal processing method described leverage knowledge of the image formation process to improve the signal quality of the pixels in the array. The present method, apparatus and software product may be used for post acquisition processing of the image or for processing during or immediately following acquisition of the image. Embodiments of the method mitigate noise, blur, and low contrast distortions in digital imaging arrays. Hardware and software embodiments are also presented.