Image Sensor Bad Pixel Correction Using Buffer Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image sensor technologies face challenges in detecting and correcting bad pixels efficiently, leading to decreased yield due to noise interference and excessive hardware resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device that detects and corrects bad pixels by utilizing peripheral pixel values, stores correction results in a buffer, and applies these results to subsequent image data for consistent correction, thereby reducing noise interference and hardware resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional bad pixel detection methods are used, then bad pixels can be detected, but noise interference increases and yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary bad pixel detection and correction on a first image before processing subsequent images. Correction results are stored in a buffer and applied to future images, allowing the system to proactively eliminate noise sources (bad pixels) before they interfere with normal image processing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a correction map or buffer containing correction data for bad pixels detected in the first image. This correction information is then copied and applied to subsequent images, avoiding the need to re-detect bad pixels in each image and reducing noise interference through consistent correction.
2Reliability
If multiple detections are performed to improve accuracy, then detection reliability improves, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs comprehensive multi-detection operations on the first image to establish reliable bad pixel identification with high confidence. Once bad pixels are reliably detected in the preliminary stage, the correction results are stored and reused for subsequent images, avoiding repeated detection processing and reducing overall time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous useful action by performing thorough detection on the first image and then continuously applying the correction results to subsequent images without interruption. This ensures reliable bad pixel correction while minimizing processing time through the continuous reuse of correction data in the buffer.
3Productivity
If correction results are stored and reused, then hardware resource usage decreases, but buffer memory is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a compact correction buffer or map that stores only the essential correction data for bad pixels (such as pixel locations and correction values). This copied correction information is then applied to multiple subsequent images, significantly improving processing efficiency while requiring minimal buffer storage space compared to storing full correction images.
Solution Approach 2:
The correction buffer stores localized correction information only for specific bad pixel locations rather than entire images. This local quality approach stores only the necessary correction data at affected pixel positions, reducing buffer memory requirements while maintaining high productivity through targeted correction application.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing device, which includes processing circuitry configured to cause the image processing device to first detect a first bad pixel based on first image data, correct the first bad pixel based on first values of first peripheral pixels in response to the first detection to obtain a first correction result, the first peripheral pixels being peripheral to the first bad pixel, second detect the first bad pixel and a second bad pixel based on the first image data, the second bad pixel being adjacent to the first bad pixel, correct the second bad pixel based on second values of second peripheral pixels to obtain a second correction result, the second peripheral pixels being peripheral to the second bad pixel, and correct the first bad pixel by using the first correction result stored in a buffer in response to the second detection.