Abstract: A method of color processing includes providing a color and white filter array placed over an image sensor, thereby generating converted color and white signals; interpolating the converted white signals to generate interpolated white signals; interpolating white-chroma differences between the converted color signals and the converted white signals to generate interpolated white-chroma difference signals; and transforming the interpolated white signal and the interpolated white-chroma difference signals into a color space, thereby generating transformed color signals.

Abstract: A method of color processing includes providing a color and white filter array placed over an image sensor, thereby generating converted color and white signals; interpolating the converted white signals to generate interpolated white signals; interpolating white-chroma differences between the converted color signals and the converted white signals to generate interpolated white-chroma difference signals; and transforming the interpolated white signal and the interpolated white-chroma difference signals into a color space, thereby generating transformed color signals.

Abstract: A spatial binning method for re-sampling a binned image generated by pixel binning includes at least the following steps: receiving a raw image; pixel binning the raw image to generate a binned image; and re-sampling the binned image spatially to generate a re-sampled image according to the values and positions of the pixels of the binned image. A spatial binning circuit, comprising: a binning unit for receiving a raw image to generate a binned image; and a re-sampling unit for receiving the binned image and re-sampling the pixels of the binned image according to the values and positions of the pixels of the binned image.

Abstract: A method for pixel color correction includes the steps of determining a gray degree of a designated pixel; generating an adjusted color correction matrix according to the gray degree of the designated pixel; and applying the adjusted color correction matrix to the designated pixel to correct color errors of the designated pixel. The gray degree is generated according to a ratio of the chrominance information to the luminance information. A weighted sum of a reference color correction matrix and a unity matrix is calculated to generate the adjusted color correction matrix, and weighting factors of the reference color correction matrix and the unity matrix are determined by the gray degree, wherein the unity matrix is a fundamental matrix without color correction.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for pattern interpolation are disclosed. Horizontally interpolated green, red and blue pixel values, and vertically interpolated green, red and blue pixel values are generated according to the pixels received from a pattern color filter. Subsequently, a direction is selected for the green value interpolation according to the horizontally and vertically interpolated pixel values.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for gamma correction are disclosed. An adjustable blending unit is utilized for adjustably blending a linear gamma function with a nonlinear gamma function, thereby resulting in an adjustable gamma curve. The nonlinear gamma function is adjustable by a blending parameter such that distance of the gamma curve to linear gamma curve may be changed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for contrast enhancement are disclosed. An adjustable blending unit is utilized for adjustably blending a linear contrast function with a nonlinear contrast function, thereby resulting in an adjustable contrast curve. The nonlinear contrast function is adjustable by a blending parameter such that distance of the contrast curve to linear contrast curve may be changed.

Abstract: There is provided a CMOS imager system for providing a viewable image having increased dynamic range including an image sensor including a number of sets of pixels. Each set of pixels is configured to receive one of a number of exposures and to generate image data corresponding to the received exposure in the interleaved mode. The image sensor is configured to operate in either an interleaved mode or a non-interleaved mode and to output the image data generated by each set of pixels as a frame of interleaved image data in the interleaved mode. The imager system further includes an interleaved image pipeline in communication with the image sensor, where the interleaved image pipeline is configured to receive the interleaved image data from the image sensor, combine the image data generated by each set of pixels corresponding to one of the exposures to form the viewable image.

Abstract: A method for pixel color correction includes the steps of determining a gray degree of a designated pixel; generating an adjusted color correction matrix according to the gray degree of the designated pixel; and applying the adjusted color correction matrix to the designated pixel to correct color errors of the designated pixel. The gray degree is generated according to a ratio of the chrominance information to the luminance information. A weighted sum of a reference color correction matrix and a unity matrix is calculated to generate the adjusted color correction matrix, and weighting factors of the reference color correction matrix and the unity matrix are determined by the gray degree, wherein the unity matrix is a fundamental matrix without color correction.

Abstract: A de-noising method includes: comparing a pixel value of a target pixel with pixel values of a plurality of nearby pixels, wherein each of the target pixel and the nearby pixels corresponds to a specific color component; for each nearby pixel of the nearby pixels, checking if a difference between the pixel value of the target pixel and a pixel value of a nearby pixel of the nearby pixels is smaller than a specific noise threshold value, and when the difference between the pixel value of the target pixel and the pixel value of the nearby pixel is smaller than the specific noise threshold value, setting the nearby pixel as a similar nearby pixel; and updating the pixel value of the target pixel according to the pixel value of the target pixel and a pixel value of each similar nearby pixel.

Abstract: An adaptive noise reduction method is for reducing chroma noise of pixels within a frame, wherein each pixel has a chroma value and a luma value. The adaptive noise reduction method includes: de-noising the chroma values of the pixels, without de-noising the luma values of the pixels.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for contrast enhancement are disclosed. An adjustable blending unit is utilized for adjustably blending a linear contrast function with a nonlinear contrast function, thereby resulting in an adjustable contrast curve. The nonlinear contrast function is adjustable by a blending parameter such that distance of the contrast curve to linear contrast curve may be changed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for gamma correction are disclosed. An adjustable blending unit is utilized for adjustably blending a linear gamma function with a nonlinear gamma function, thereby resulting in an adjustable gamma curve. The nonlinear gamma function is adjustable by a blending parameter such that distance of the gamma curve to linear gamma curve may be changed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for noise reduction are disclosed. Noise and edge of luma component of a pixel are detected, and noise of chroma component of the pixel is also detected. Subsequently, the noise is removed from the luma and the chroma components according to the detected noise and the detected edge.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for pattern interpolation are disclosed. Horizontally interpolated green, red and blue pixel values, and vertically interpolated green, red and blue pixel values are generated according to the pixels received from a pattern color filter. Subsequently, a direction is selected for the green value interpolation according to the horizontally and vertically interpolated pixel values.

Abstract: There is provided a CMOS imager system for providing a viewable image having increased dynamic range including an image sensor including a number of sets of pixels. Each set of pixels is configured to receive one of a number of exposures and to generate image data corresponding to the received exposure in the interleaved mode. The image sensor is configured to operate in either an interleaved mode or a non-interleaved mode and to output the image data generated by each set of pixels as a frame of interleaved image data in the interleaved mode. The imager system further includes an interleaved image pipeline in communication with the image sensor, where the interleaved image pipeline is configured to receive the interleaved image data from the image sensor, combine the image data generated by each set of pixels corresponding to one of the exposures to form the viewable image.