Camera Module Bad Pixel Detection and Correction in Image Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of smaller pixels in image sensors for high-quality images often results in bad pixels, which deteriorate image sensor performance and require correction to maintain image quality, but existing methods are inefficient in detecting and correcting these pixels during compression, leading to increased power consumption and data loss.
Innovation Solution
A camera module and image processing system that detects bad pixels, generates flags for their position, calculates differences with reference pixels, and includes these in bitstreams for compression and decompression, thereby reducing the need for repeated bad pixel detection and minimizing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bad pixels are detected and corrected during image compression, then image quality is maintained, but processing complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting bad pixels before the compression process and generating correction values in advance. The encoder identifies bad pixels in the original image data, calculates correction values based on neighboring pixels, and incorporates these corrections into the compression workflow. This prevents bad pixels from propagating through subsequent processing stages, maintaining image quality while avoiding the need for repeated detection and correction operations during decompression and rendering.
2Reliability
If bad pixels are detected and corrected during image compression, then image quality is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts bad pixels from the normal pixel processing flow by implementing separate detection and correction pathways. The encoder includes a bad pixel detector that identifies problematic pixels, a correction value generator that computes corrections for detected bad pixels, and a data generator that integrates corrected values into the bitstream. This extraction approach isolates the complexity of bad pixel handling from the main compression algorithm, making the system more manageable and efficient.
3Productivity
If compression is performed without bad pixel correction, then processing efficiency is maintained, but data loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces correction values as an intermediary element between the original image data and the compressed bitstream. These correction values serve as mediators that carry the necessary information to compensate for bad pixels during decompression. The encoder generates correction values for detected bad pixels and embeds them in the bitstream, while the decoder uses these correction values to restore accurate pixel values, thereby preventing information loss without compromising processing efficiency.
4Reliability
If repeated bad pixel detection is performed during decompression, then image quality is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the energy-intensive bad pixel detection operation once during encoding before compression, rather than repeatedly during decompression. The encoder detects bad pixels in the original image data and generates correction values in advance, embedding this correction information in the compressed bitstream. The decoder then simply applies these pre-computed correction values during decompression, avoiding the need for repeated detection operations and significantly reducing power consumption in mobile devices.
Data Source
AI summary
An image compression camera module, an image processing system, and a method of compressing each of a plurality of pixel groups forming image data are provided. The method includes detecting a bad pixel among a plurality of pixels in a pixel group, generating a flag indicating position information about the bad pixel, calculating a first difference between a pixel value of a pixel among the plurality of pixels excluding the bad pixel and a reference pixel value, and generating a bitstream including the flag and the first difference.