Single Line Buffer Image Processing for Defective Pixel Correction

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging devices require multiple line buffers for spatial processing tasks, which occupy significant silicon area, increasing costs and complexity, and are inefficient for tasks like defective pixel correction, interpolation, and noise reduction.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses a single line buffer for multiple spatial processing tasks, including hot pixel detection and correction, demosaicing, and noise reduction, by applying these processes progressively across stored pixel data, effectively utilizing three effective lines of pixel values to reduce the need for physical buffers and simplify operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple line buffers are used for spatial processing tasks, then processing capability is improved, but silicon area and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial processing capabilityVSAvoidnumber of line buffers

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes a single line buffer perform multiple spatial processing functions including defective pixel correction, demosaicing, and noise reduction by dynamically configuring the processing pipeline. Instead of having separate dedicated buffers for each function, one buffer is universally applied to all spatial processing tasks through reconfigurable processing stages, thereby reducing the total number of buffers required while maintaining comprehensive processing capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple spatial processing operations (defective pixel correction, demosaicing, noise reduction) into a unified processing pipeline that operates on pixel data stored in a single line buffer. By merging these functions into one integrated system rather than separate parallel buffers, the design reduces silicon area and device complexity while preserving the essential processing capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If multiple line buffers are used for spatial processing tasks, then processing capability is improved, but silicon area increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial processing capabilityVSAvoidsilicon area

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes a single line buffer perform multiple spatial processing functions including defective pixel correction, demosaicing, and noise reduction by dynamically configuring the processing pipeline. Instead of having separate dedicated buffers for each function, one buffer is universally applied to all spatial processing tasks through reconfigurable processing stages, thereby reducing the total number of buffers required while maintaining comprehensive processing capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple spatial processing operations (defective pixel correction, demosaicing, noise reduction) into a unified processing pipeline that operates on pixel data stored in a single line buffer. By merging these functions into one integrated system rather than separate parallel buffers, the design reduces silicon area and device complexity while preserving the essential processing capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8035704B2Method and apparatus for processing a digital image having defective pixels

Publication Date: 2011.10.11 APTINA IMAGING CORP

AI summary

A method and apparatus for image processing which performs pixel defect correction and color demosaicing on pixel image data while held in a line buffer.