Abstract: An image pickup apparatus including: CCD image pickup device; a correction reference signal generating section for generating a correction reference signal for correcting effective image signals of the image pickup device from output signals of a vertical optical black pixel portion of the image pickup device; an image signal correcting section for subtracting the correction reference signal from an effective image signal; and CCD driver having a plurality of drive modes for driving the image pickup device to read pixel charges as output signals; wherein, when generating the reference signal, said correction reference signal generating section performs different types of reference signal generation processing corresponding to the plurality of drive modes of the CCD driver.

Abstract: The present invention is related to methods and systems for detecting defective imaging array pixels and providing correction, thereby reducing or eliminating visible image artifacts. One embodiment of the present invention provides an on-line bad pixel detection and correction process that compares a first pixel readout value with a first value related to the readout values of other pixels in first pixel's local neighborhood. When the first pixel readout value varies by more than a first amount as compared with the first value, a second value related to the readout values of the neighboring pixels is used in place of the first pixel readout value.

Abstract: A defective pixel detecting method and an image-pickup apparatus having a plurality of solid-state image-pickup devices each receiving respective one of spectral lights obtained by separating light incident to the image-pickup apparatus, generating, for each spectral light, a value relating to an inspected defective pixel on an associated solid-state image-pickup device located at a corresponding same image-pickup point among the plurality of solid-state image-pickup devices based on a signal level produced from the inspected pixel and signal levels produced from a plurality of pixels of the associated solid-state image-pickup device in the vicinity of the inspected pixel, and determining the solid-state image-pickup device that generated a defective pixel based on the values obtained with respect to the plurality of solid-state image-pickup devices.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus including an X-ray image sensing unit having a non-destructive read function, adapted to sense an object image, and a subtractor adapted to sequentially output as a corrected value a difference between a plurality of frames sequentially read out non-destructively from the X-ray image sensing unit and a frame read out before the plurality of frames.

Abstract: The present invention makes it possible to easily and additionally write positional information of the defective pixel which is difficult to deal with using an automated writing mode, and that, without using any special writing jig in the case where a new defective pixel is occurred in a solid state image element. Concretely, a solid state image device in which solid state image means of N lines in the vertical direction and M pixels in the horizontal direction is arranged in a matrix comprises display means for displaying a position of a defective pixel occurred at a solid state image means, position selection means manually operated so as to select the position of the defective pixel on the screen of this display means and memory means for memorizing positional information D1 of the defective pixel selected by this position selection means.

Abstract: A one time programmable solid-state device is provided such that the programmable solid-state device includes a programmable memory unit embedded in a die and a driver circuit that programs the programmable memory unit. The one time programmable solid-state device also includes an access circuit that enables access to the programmable memory unit. In an example operation when the one-time programmable solid-state is a solid-state image device, the one-time programmable solid-state device performs the process of identifying an address of a defective pixel in a photosensor having a plurality of pixels arranged in a two-dimensional array in the die and storing the address in the programmable memory unit that is embedded in the die of the solid-state imaging device.

Abstract: An interpolation calculation circuit for improving the image quality for recording and display is provided. The interpolation calculation circuit interpolates a necessary pixel on the basis of interpolation calculation (cubic interpolation processing) by an approximate expression of an interpolation coefficient of at least 3rd-order. This cubic interpolation processing is applied to basic processing of an electronic camera, i.e., 3-CCD processing, format conversion, and image enlargement/reduction. In consideration of the operation load on the electronic camera, cubic interpolation processing is performed in accordance with the image sensing mode or the like only when it is necessary, thereby controlling whether execution of interpolation processing is enabled/disabled.

Abstract: Disclosed is a digital apparatus, such as a digital camera, which generates a digital representation of an image. The digital apparatus includes an image sensor having an array of pixels. An analog-to-digital converter converts electrical signals from the array of pixels into digital data representative of the image. Information indicative of locations of defective pixels in the pixel array is stored in a pixel defect memory. Compensation circuitry compensates the digital data representative of the image using the information indicative of the locations of the defective pixels. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing a digital apparatus having compensation for defective pixels.

Abstract: A digital camera has a moving image mode in which display images are sequentially displayed on a color liquid crystal monitor and a still image mode in which a display image, captured in response to a release switch, is processed and recorded in a memory card. In the moving image mode, an analog signal processor performs previous-pixel-value interpolation for defective pixels. In the still image mode, calculation is made using data stored in a frame memory of a digital signal processor to perform interpolation for defective pixels.

Abstract: An SPU (image processor) 12 includes: a plurality of defective pixel correction circuits each for correcting a color component signal associated with a defective pixel of an image sensor in accordance with a control signal; an input control circuit for receiving defect correction data transferred from a memory at a time of input of a plurality of color component signals; and a timing generator for generating the control signal based on the defect correction data. The defective pixel correction circuits correct color component signals associated with one and the same defective pixel in parallel, at the same time in accordance with the control signal.

Abstract: An image signal processor detects deficient pixels, such as pixels having a white deficiency or a black deficiency, and corrects the image signal so that the pixel deficiency is not reproduced. A memory circuit holds a target pixel signal and peripheral signals, which correspond to the pixels adjacent to the target pixel. A deficiency detection circuit compares the level of the target pixel signal with the levels of the peripheral pixel signals to detect whether the target pixel is deficient. A deficiency correction circuit corrects the signal of a detected deficient pixel using information from nearby pixels.

Abstract: A method and system using a sensor array includes a programmable analog/multi-level memory array for modifying individual outputs from elements in the sensor array in order to obtain a desired sensor array output. The memory array can be programmed with data corresponding to desired modifications, such as low and high offset voltage correction, low gain correction, and gamma correction. Consequently, by utilizing arithmetic circuits, the adverse effects of corrupted elements in a sensor can be corrected by re-programming the memory array with different modification data as the need arises.

Abstract: An adaptive median filter (40) provides dynamic detection and correction of digital image defects which are caused by defective or malfunctioning elements of a radiation detector array (20). The adaptive median filter receives (100) lines of pixel values of a digital image that may have defects and a user-defined defect threshold. The lines of pixel values are scanned on a pixel-by-pixel basis using a kernel of n×n pixels, where the kernel contains the candidate pixel being examined (120). Each kernel is numerically reordered (130) and a median value is calculated (140). A defect threshold value is calculated by multiplying the user-defined defect threshold criteria and the candidate pixel value (150). A reference value is calculated by subtracting the candidate pixel value and the median value (160). The reference value is compared to the defect threshold value (170).

Abstract: In a MOS imaging array, dead pixels may occur in that if the cell of the pixel has a defect in its PN junction, it may generate current leakage paths, thus causing the cell site to appear as a white spot in the image signal. The number of dead pixels on a CMOS image sensor is dependent on the process quality used for forming the image sensor. The present invention corrects for dead pixels with circuitry that may be fabricated on a single integrated MOS chip. When the MOS imaging device is first turned on, the pixel signals from the cell array are read out and a dead pixel determination method is used to determine dead pixels. A digital referencing scheme is used such that when a dead pixel is located, its digital location is stored in a designated storage area. Then normal data image signal processing begins, with the location of each pixel that is being read out being monitored.

Abstract: Disclosed is a CCD camera having a correction function for determining defective CCDs. A CCD camera periodically drives a shutter through a shutter driving unit at a low speed. If light is incident on a CCD module with the driving of the shutter at the low speed, photo-electrically converted signals outputted from individual CCDs are sequentially stored in a memory. The electric signals of the CCDs stored in the memory are read out, amplified by a predetermined level, and compared to a CCD defect threshold level. If the signals from the CCD devices are larger than the CCD defect threshold level, location information of the CCD devices having signals larger than the CCD defect threshold level is stored in the memory. Further, when the captured signals are scanned, average electric signals of adjacent CCD devices are scanned for the electric signals of the CCD devices larger than the threshold level based on the location information stored in the memory.

Abstract: An image sensor according to the present invention can detect and correct an error value of a defective pixel. The image sensor includes an error detection circuit for detecting an error by comparing difference between a current pixel value and a previous pixel value with a predetermined reference value and an error correction circuit for correcting an error value from a pixel, by substituting the previous pixel value for the current pixel value.

Abstract: A self-diagnosing image sensor (100) detects and stores maps of functioning and malfunctioning pixels (124) in a memory (144) directly coupled to the sensor (100). The memory (144) is coupled to an external monitoring computer (118) which retrieves the pixel map and adjusts the sensor data received from the image sensor (100) in accordance with the retrieved pixel map. A defect discriminator (140) is coupled directly to the image sensor (100) and to the memory (144) for detecting whether a pixel (124) malfunctions, and updates the map accordingly. Additionally, if the number of malfunctioning pixels (124) in the sensor (100) exceeds a predefined threshold, an alert message is available to the external monitoring computer or display (118) to warn the user that the sensor (100) may be generating inaccurate information.

Abstract: Photographing for one image plane is conducted by CCD1 under the completely dark condition created by closing aperture 12 when the power supply is turned on, then image data obtained from this photographing are compared with a threshold value, and when the image data show higher luminance than the threshold value, the image data are detected to be defective pixels (white flaws) and positional information thereof is stored. Further, under the condition that the mode for detecting defective pixels is selected by mode switch 16, photographing for one image plane is conducted by CCD1 while a camera is directed to an exclusive subject, then image data obtained through this photographing are compared with a threshold value, and when the image data show lower luminance than the threshold value, the image data are detected to be defective pixels (black flaws), and positional information thereof is stored.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying an image generated by at least one detector of an imaging unit are disclosed herein. The method includes creating a pixel map identifying locations of bad pixels in an array of pixels in the image detected by the at least one detector, linking the pixel map to the image, and providing for selective display of the pixel map. Bad pixels behave from a group including pixels which do not respond electrically and pixels which are statistically different from surrounding pixels in the array of pixels. The apparatus includes an imaging unit for generating x-rays which pass through a body of interest, at least one detector unit for detecting the x-rays, and a processing unit for identifying bad pixels within the detected image.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for overlaying parts of a displayed presentation of a video by using graphic content rendered by a receiving device such as a set top box or television to complete a displayed presentation of the video. The apparatus receiving frame synchronizing information from a content provider and then conveying the frame synchronizing information as a graphic overlay to the video. The frame synchronizing information comprises frame starting identifier data, frame ending identifier and positional information for describing frame locations and frame timing for overlaying the graphic content and positional information to indicate were to place the graphic content to be overlaid. The frame synchronizing information provides the information necessary to place graphic content, such as a graphic image or graphic animation, at specified positions that are synchronized to the displayed presentation. The same method also enables audio information to be synchronized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for canceling the effect of radiated noise on an electronic signal is disclosed. Particularly, in an electronic camera, a noise cancellation circuit consisting of a control means for controlling the timing of a radiated noise signal generated by a noise-generating source, a storage means for storing an anti-noise signal that comprises a digital representation of a complement of the radiated noise signal; and a summing circuit for summing digital image signals containing the radiated noise signal component and the anti-noise signal are disclosed. The control means generates a control signal in synchronization with a pulse of a pixel sample clock. This control signal triggers the noise-generating source such that the radiated noise signal is also synchronized to the pulse of the pixel sample clock. The radiated noise signal is conducted into the electronic signal path.

Abstract: A method of defective pixel address detection for an image sensor. The method comprises comparing a defective pixel address with a sensor address; outputting a defective pixel flag if the sensor address is equal to the defective pixel address; increasing an index by one; increasing the index by one if the sensor address is larger than the defective pixel address and the index value is not equal to zero, otherwise performing a following step; increasing the index by one if the sensor address is larger than the defective pixel address and the index value is equal to zero and a frame begins, otherwise performing a following step; comparing the defective pixel address with an empty signature; increasing the index by one if the defective pixel address is equal to the empty signature; and returning to the beginning step if the defective pixel address is not equal to the empty signature.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus capable of compensating fault pixels at high accuracy with considering the image configuration in a region surrounding the fault pixels, constructed as including: a CCD image pickup device having two-dimensionally arrayed pixels; a fault pixel information storage means for storing the position of fault pixels of the image pickup device and, if the fault pixels are two-dimensionally consecutive, a pattern of their order; and a pixel defect compensation processing section for detecting an image configuration of a region surrounding a fault pixel location in image pickup signal from pixel information in the surrounding of the fault pixels, selecting based on the detected image configuration pixels by which the fault pixel should be interpolated, and compensating the fault pixels based on interpolation by the selected pixels.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying detector elements in a solid state X-ray detector susceptible to causing line artifacts due to faulty detector elements that leak charge. A portion of the X-ray detector is covered by a radiation occluding material and the detector is exposed to a level of radiation sufficient to reach a predetermined threshold in the exposed portion of the detector. An image representative of the radiation is acquired and further analyzed to determine whether line artifacts exist. Data lines found to exhibit line artifacts are stored in the image processor.

Abstract: This invention has as its object to prevent degradation of the image quality caused by insufficient or excessive correction of a defective pixel, and realize high-speed, high-precision correction processing for a defective pixel. To achieve this object, an apparatus which performs correction for a pixel of an image sensing element formed from a plurality of pixels includes: (A) a memory unit which stores a plurality of correction data that have pieces of defective pixel address information and are used to correct outputs from defective pixels of the image sensing element; and (B) a correction processing unit which selects correction data for use from the plurality of correction data in accordance with a predetermined condition by a predetermined selection method including different types of selection standards, and performs defective pixel correction processing for an output from the image sensing element by using the selected correction data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fault tolerant CMOS image sensor that includes circuitry for identifying defective pixels and masking them during image generation. Masking may involve, in one example, replacing the output of a given pixel with an average of the output of surrounding non-faulty pixels. Thus, while image sensors may be fabricated with some number of faulty pixels, the images produced by such sensors will not have undesirable bright or dark spots. The disclosed sensor includes (a) one or more pixels (active or passive) capable of providing outputs indicative of a quantity of radiation to which each of the one or more pixels has been exposed; and (b) one or more circuit elements electrically coupled to the one or more pixels and configured to identify and correct faulty pixels in the CMOS imager. The one more pixels each include a photodiode diffusion formed in a well and a tap to power or ground also formed in the well.

Abstract: A correction circuit 50 is provided to correct the luminance shading caused by uneven thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the LCD panel. The correction circuit 50 generates a correction signal obtained by modulating the gradually changing signal with smaller amplitude at positions closer to the center in the horizontal direction of the LCD panel and with smaller amplitude at positions closer to the center in the vertical direction when the signal is seen vertically. The signal in the lowfrequency range components of the video signal is used for such modulation. After addind the correction signal from the correction circuit 50 to the video signal by the adder 51, the signal is processed for AC driving and then supplied to the LCD panel section 10. By thus superimposing the correction signal on the video signal for the LCD panel, the luminance shading can be corrected.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is constructed as including: a taking lens; CCD image pickup device for converting object light into electrical signals; AD converter for converting image pickup signals into digital signals; a defect detecting section for detecting defect pixels in the digital image pickup signals; a defect correcting section for performing correction processing of the defect pixels detected at the defect detecting section; and a system controlling section for managing the operation of the entire system. The taking lens is attachable/detachable and interchangeable and a function is provided at the system controlling section to detect attachment/detachment of the taking lens. The defect detecting section is caused to perform defect detection when the taking lens has been detached so that the power consumption is reduced and at the same time a missing of image taking chance due to defect detection is prevented.

Abstract: A multi-threshold optical binning method for classifying the image quality of an optical sensor is presented. In accordance with the invention, a sensor tester causes a sensor pixel image to be generated by a sensor under test. The sensor pixel image is comprised of a plurality of pixels, each represented by an associated quantized intensity level. The quantized intensity level of a pixel may fall into one of a first pixel class, a second pixel class, or a third pixel class, for example, a dark pixel class, a dim pixel class, and an acceptable pixel class. An image filter processes the sensor pixel image, filtering but all pixels that fall within the acceptable pixel class, to generate a defective pixel map. The defective pixel map includes those pixels which have a quantized intensity level that falls within the first and/or second pixel class but not the third pixel class.

Abstract: A fault pixel correcting apparatus in which: image signal taken at CCD is digitized at an analog-to-digital converter and then recorded to an image buffer; surrounding pixels in a predetermined size are read into a line buffer by an input/output control section based on location information of the fault pixel recorded at a defect location recording ROM; integrated index values are obtained from a plurality of index values in predetermined directions at an index value computing section; a direction having maximum correlation is obtained at a direction computing section; and a correction value of the fault pixel is computed at a correction value computing section by using the surrounding pixels belonging to the direction having the above correlation. An accurate correction is thereby possible even in the case of a complicated edge structure or of successively occurring fault pixels.

Abstract: Image sensors and methods to construct and use image sensors are disclosed. In an example, an image sensor includes a pixel array, a data store to store data transmitted from the pixel array, an image signal processing unit to perform signal processing on the output of the data store to improve the performance of the image sensor, a defective pixel address storage unit to store an address of a defective pixel by using a fuse blowing technology, a controller for receiving address information of the defective pixels from the defective pixel address storage unit and controlling the operation of the image sensor, and a defective pixel compensation unit for receiving the address information of the defective pixels from the defective pixel address storage unit, substituting data of the defective pixels with data of normal pixels around the defective pixels, and providing the substituted data to the image signal processing unit.

Abstract: A technique for generating replacement values for defective pixels in a digital imaging system includes generating a base values for the defective pixels and a statistical characterizing values which provide consistent statistical relationships with other pixels. The base values may be computed as mean values of pixels surrounding the defective pixels. The statistical characterizing values may be selected to provide deviation from the mean values by a standard deviation of other selected pixels, such as pixels in the neighborhoods of the defective pixels. The technique avoids image artifacts due to inconsistent noise or other statistical characteristics in the pixel replacement values.

Abstract: An image-sensor emulating device establishing a link with a host system by using peripheral interface bus. The image-sensor emulating device emulates the functions of image-sensors by programmably generating the relevant image-sensor and timing signals. Alternatively, the timing signals can also be generated from the timing signals outputted by an outside image-sensor. Therefore, the emulating device can generate predetermined image-sensor signals and timing signals such that the debugging process is simplified and the developing efficiency is improved. Moreover, the emulating device according to the present invention can also generate a timing signal serving as a reference timing signal for emulating an image-sensor. The reference timing signal can be used to compare with the actual timing signals of an image-sensor.

Abstract: An area-isolation type solid-state image pickup device is such that an image pickup area is formed on an element formation surface of a semiconductor chip in a way to correspond to an optical image configuration of a subject, the semiconductor chip serving as an image pickup element, and an element drive circuit area and signal processing circuit area formed on a section other than the image pickup area. By doing so it is possible to fully utilize elements on an element formation surface of a semiconductor chip without ruining the element and hence to improve an efficiency with which a semiconductor device is manufactured.

Abstract: A device for detection of defects in a solid-state image sensor, comprising a timing generator for generating first and second read pulses to read out signal charges of first and second fields respectively from photo sensing elements disposed in the pixels of the image sensor; a controller for controlling the timing of generation of the first and second read pulses; and a defect detector supplied with the signal charges of the first and second fields stored in the image sensor and serving to detect any defective pixel by detecting the level of the signal charge in each pixel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to determine geometric distortion of an electronic imaging system, and an apparatus is provided to correct geometric distortion of the electronic imaging system and generate geometric distortion-corrected images. The novel geometric distortion measurement system comprises a light source, a collimator, a two dimensional steering device including a driver, and a control device for automatic sampling of the geometric distortion mapping of the electronic imaging system, and writes the results of distortion sampling into an associative memory. The sampling comprises multiple examples of the geometric distortion mapping across the image plane. Each example includes an ideal position of image pixel and its actual registration on the image plane. The measuring device take one example at a time until the whole sample is accomplished.

Abstract: The present invention makes it possible to easily and additionally write positional information of the defective pixel which is difficult to deal with using an automated writing mode, and that, without using any special writing jig in the case where a new defective pixel is occurred in a solid state image element.

Abstract: Novel isooxazoles, oxazoles, thiazoles, isothiazoles and imidazoles, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds and their use as endothelin receptor antagonists are described.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for eliminating a line-crawling phenomenon caused by nonuniformity in photosensitive characteristics of light-receiving pixels disposed in a color imaging device. A pixel signal (S) output from a color imaging device (2) is converted by a sample-and-hold circuit (4) and an A/D converter (6) into pixel data (P) so as to be stored in an image memory (8). An arithmetic unit (12) multiplies luminance data formed on the basis of each pixel data (P) by a line-crawling correction coefficient (LC) stored in a nonvolatile memory (10), for example, so as to form and output luminance data (V) which is substantially equivalent to that obtained when the light-receiving pixels have a uniform photosensitive characteristic. The line-crawling correction coefficient (LC) has been determined beforehand.

Abstract: Compressing graphic data for a first computer system, e.g. an emulated system, on a second computer system. For each scanline of the graphic data for the first computer system, a number of colors present on the scanline are counted. A new color palette for the scanline is formed at a reduced representation. Then, a representation of each color of each pixel on the scanline is converted to the new palette. The scanline is then run-length encoded. The graphic data is compressed so that it can be, for example, transmitted between a client (e.g. an X client) and a server (e.g. an X server) and conserve network bandwidth.

Abstract: A defect compensation circuit in a CCD camera for compensating for a defective pixel produced by the CCD camera, which uses digital signal processing, is provided. The apparatus includes a pixel delay for delaying an input pixel signal for one pixel, a subtracter for subtracting a non-delayed pixel signal from the pixel signal delayed by the pixel delay, a comparator for outputting a defect detection signal when the subtracted value generated by subtracter is greater than a value of a predetermined reference level and a compensator for selectively compensating for a defective pixel according to the defect detection signal output from the comparator. Accordingly, a detected defective pixel can be replaced with the value of the level of a previous pixel or can be controlled by selecting a gain constant, so that the camera produces excellent image quality regardless of generation of defective pixels.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive infrared-light image sensor is provided with an array of reference cells and video cells. During a setup (initialization) mode, video offset values are produced as representative of deviations of video samples from the video cells and stored in a memory. First reference offset values are produced as representative of deviations of reference samples from the reference cells and a first average value representing an average of the first reference offset values is derived and stored into a first register. During an operational mode, second reference offset values are produced as representative of deviations of reference samples from the reference cells, and a second average value representing an average of the second reference offset values is derived and stored into a second register.

Abstract: Image pick-up device reads image pick-up signals of all the pixels of CCD2 once when an optical system is in light intercepted state. By comparing the image pick-up signal from each pixel with a first threshold value THL1, a possibly defective pixels are extracted. Thereafter, by reading the image pick-up signals for a prescribed number of times from the CCD2, accumulated value of the image pick-up signals of each of the possibly defective pixels is calculated. Based on the result of comparison between the accumulated value corresponding to each of the possibly defective pixels and second threshold value THL2, an actually defective pixel is specified from the possibly defective pixels.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus enables the fixed pattern noise data to be refreshed at any time without necessitating a backup power source or the like, while realizing high-quality image capturing and various modes of operation. This imaging apparatus comprises a non-volatile memory for storing a fixed pattern noise data for each pixel of an imaging device and a frame memory which can store an integrated value of image data for each pixel among a plurality of frames. The data read out from the respective memories and the output of the imaging device can be mutually operated by a processor and a controller. In order to record the output data of the processor, a signal recording processor is provided.

Abstract: A defective pixel correction circuit corrects a defective pixel in a solid imaging device such as a CCD exactly and sufficiently. A boundary detection circuit calculates magnitudes of boundaries from signals of eight peripheral pixels taken in a pixel taking-in circuit and a boundary ordering circuit compares the calculated magnitudes of the boundaries with one another to order the magnitudes of the boundaries. An interpolation circuit produces an interpolation signal in accordance with an interpolation method determined by an interpolation method determining circuit on the basis of the order of the ordered boundaries to correct the defective pixel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the correction of the image values of faulty sensors of an optoelectronic transducer comprising a plurality of sensor elements. In order to avoid errors at light/dark transitions in the scanned original, the erroneous image value of a faulty sensor element is fully corrected in areas of the original having nearly constant brightness values and is only slightly corrected in regions of light/dark transitions (contours) in the original. In order to achieve this, the erroneous image value of a faulty sensor element is replaced by the image value of the sensor element neighboring the faulty sensor element that comprises the least difference from the erroneous image value in terms of amount. Alternatively, the erroneous image value is replaced by the median value calculated from the image value of the faulty sensor element and from the image values of the sensor elements neighboring the faulty sensor element.

Abstract: The device includes systems for picking up (1), acquiring (2) and digitizing (3) a distorted source image (SI), a system for processing digital images (4, 47) for constructing a distortion-corrected target image (TI) corresponding to the source image (SI), this system including a first sub-assembly (4) for predetermining, on the basis of the data of a distorted TEST source image (SG.degree.), an optical center (OC.sup.n) and a polynomial function (F.sub.n) for correcting radial distortions around this optical center, and a second sub-assembly (47) which applies the polynomial correction function to each address of the pixel of the target image (TI) for furnishing the address of a point in the distorted source image (SI) in which an intensity data is present which is applied to the initial address in the target image. The method includes the computation, in a TEST source image (SG.degree.), of an optical center (OC.sup.n) at the center of optical distortions, and of a polynomial function (F.sup.

Abstract: This invention relates to a focus detecting apparatus using an area sensor as an AF sensor, and particularly provides a focus detecting apparatus in which when any area in a scene is designated and the focus state in that area is to be detected, the output from an area on the sensor corresponding to the designated area of the scene is read and processed on the basis of the information of an area on the area sensor corresponding to the designated area of the scene pre-memorized in a memory circuit.

Abstract: A digital still camera and interactive system and method for video display or reproduction of captured images employing an image processing system on an interactive network for receiving and converting a captured raw, digitized image information set into a display image format for display as a video image, storage, and/or reproduction as a print. A simplified digital camera without signal compensating and processing circuits is employed by a user to capture an image and to transmit the raw image information sets along with a camera identification code through an interactive television network to an interactive control node for processing with color correction and pixel defect correction using the cameras correction and defect maps and other image enhancement, and to convert the processed image data to the specified display image format. The processed video display signal is transmitted back to the user's or other designated receiver's interactive television home interface controller.