Abstract: An image processing device is provided for still and video imaging systems which use a low number of samples per image pixel, preferably a single color component per each image pixel. The device includes an edge-dependent and edge-side-dependent color interpolation process, preferably implemented within the imaging system or within a host image processing computer hardware. The process reconstructs the missing color components of each said image pixel with high accuracy, because it is based on the detection of the spatial features present in the pixel neighborhood, thus providing sharp images without artifacts and with smooth transition in hue from pixel to pixel.

Abstract: An imager reduces lighting induced flicker by setting its pixel integration time to an integral multiple of the periods between peak intensity of the lighting. In one implementation, flicker is reduced in a 30 Hz frame rate camera capturing an image lighted with 50 Hz lighting by setting the integration time to approximately 10 ms, the period between lighting intensity peaks.

Abstract: A video compression method is provided and implemented in a pixel processing controller of a digital solid-state imaging device for maximizing throughput of digitized video data on a link between the digital solid-state imaging device and a host computer. The method performs separate luminance (Y) domain compression of the video data on a line-by-line basis, without storing video data lines or video data frames, and separate chrominance (Cr/Cb) domain averaging of the video data on a region-by-region basis without storing video data in video frames. The Y and Cr/Cb domain compression steps are implemented in the digital solid-state imaging device hardware for real time link transmission of the compressed video data to the host computer.