Abstract: A method of compensating for camera shake includes reading a sequential series of images from an image sensing array, establishing a sharpness value for each of the sequential series of images, and performing an image selection based upon each sharpness value. The sharpness value is calculated for each image of the sequential series thereof during the reading.

Abstract: A light-sensitive pixel array has an active area and an additional area of optically shielded pixels. A “noise figure” is derived as a measure of the prevalence of noise in the image signal without being affected by the presence of moving detail in the image. The noise figure is derived by measuring the difference in output between the pixels of at least one pair of pixels in the optically shielded area in one frame, repeating this measurement in a subsequent frame, and then subtracting one pixel pair difference from the other to give a difference of differences. In a preferred form, four pairs of pixels are used. The noise figure may be used to control digital signal processing of the image signal, such as be smoothing.

Abstract: The method of processing a first digital image by combining the first digital image with a second digital image includes the first digital image being received from a pixel array, and when receiving the first digital image it is converted into a first continuous sequential data stream. The second digital image may be provided in the form of a second continuous sequential data stream, and the first and second digital images may be combined by continuously combining the data in the first and second data stream.

Abstract: A digital filtering algorithm preprocesses couplet defects prior to their being operated on by a main filtering algorithm that focuses on singlet defects. The preprocessing involves the replacement of one of the defective pixel values in the couplet with a pixel value that is known to be non-defective. In preferred embodiments, the selection of the pixel value in the couplet to be replaced is customized depending on the direction of scanning of the pixel array, and can take into account edge effects of border pixels.

Abstract: A method of managing power consumption in a device, such as a video image processing device for processing data from one or more pixels, includes forming a frame of an image. The method further includes determining one or more regions of interest in the image, identifying one or more pixels located in the one or more regions of interest, and processing the one or more identified pixels in a predetermined manner. Power for at least part of the device is switched off if no pixels are identified in a region of interest within a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A method of compensating for camera shake includes reading a sequential series of images from an image sensing array, establishing a sharpness value for each of the sequential series of images, and performing an image selection based upon each sharpness value. The sharpness value is calculated for each image of the sequential series thereof during the reading.

Abstract: A vignetting-type chromatic error, particularly found in image sensors having pixel dimensions of a few microns, may be corrected by applying to each color channel a gain factor which increases with the radial position of the pixel.

Abstract: A light-sensitive pixel array has an active area and an additional area of optically shielded pixels. A “noise figure” is derived as a measure of the prevalence of noise in the image signal without being affected by the presence of moving detail in the image. The noise figure is derived by measuring the difference in output between the pixels of at least one pair of pixels in the optically shielded area in one frame, repeating this measurement in a subsequent frame, and then subtracting one pixel pair difference from the other to give a difference of differences. In a preferred form, four pairs of pixels are used. The noise figure may be used to control digital signal processing of the image signal, such as be smoothing.

Abstract: A digital filtering algorithm preprocesses couplet defects prior to their being operated on by a main filtering algorithm that focuses on singlet defects. The preprocessing involves the replacement of one of the defective pixel values in the couplet with a pixel value that is known to be non-defective. In preferred embodiments, the selection of the pixel value in the couplet to be replaced is customized depending on the direction of scanning of the pixel array, and can take into account edge effects of border pixels.

Abstract: A method of managing power consumption in a device, such as a video image processing device for processing data from one or more pixels, includes forming a frame of an image. The method further includes determining one or more regions of interest in the image, identifying one or more pixels located in the one or more regions of interest, and processing the one or more identified pixels in a predetermined manner. Power for at least part of the device is switched off if no pixels are identified in a region of interest within a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An image sensor coprocessor includes an SMIA image sensor interface for accepting data from an SMIA image sensor, a device interface for transmitting and receiving instructions and data with respect to a device, and a protocol translation module. The protocol translation module enables instructions received at the device interface to be translated to instructions for the SMIA image sensor interface, and a sensor data stream from the SMIA image sensor interface to be translated to a device data stream for the device interface. The image sensor coprocessor can also be modified such that the device interface is a USB interface enabling USB compliant devices to be utilized with SMIA image sensors.

Abstract: The method of processing a first digital image by combining the first digital image with a second digital image includes the first digital image being received from a pixel array, and when receiving the first digital image it is converted into a first continuous sequential data stream. The second digital image may be provided in the form of a second continuous sequential data stream, and the first and second digital images may be combined by continuously combining the data in the first and second data stream.