US 7,511,748 B2
Error calibration for digital image sensors and apparatus using the same
Jonathan C. Kagle, Redmond, Wash. (US); and Gilad Odinak, Bellevue, Wash. (US)
Assigned to Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash. (US)
Filed on Nov. 15, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/988,955.
Application 10/988955 is a continuation of application No. 09/299257, filed on Apr. 26, 1999, granted, now 6,819,358.
Prior Publication US 2005/0099516 A1, May 12, 2005
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H04N 9/64 (2006.01); H04N 17/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 348—246  [348/247; 348/187] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for performing digital image compensation, comprising:
pixel defect memory configured to store defective pixel information indicative of locations of all pixels in a first row of pixels of an image sensor if a number of defective pixels in the first row exceeds a predetermined threshold, the first row of pixels including at least one defective pixel and at least one non-defective pixel; and
compensation circuitry configured to obtain a digital representation of an image captured with the image sensor and to retrieve the defective pixel information, from the pixel defect memory, indicative of locations of all pixels in the first row of pixels having the number of defective pixels exceeding the predetermined threshold and including at least one defective pixel and at least one non-defective pixel, the compensation circuitry further configured to provide a compensated digital representation of the image by replacing portions of digital data corresponding to each of the pixels in the first row with data interpolated from portions of the digital representation of the image associated with pixels which are not in the first row of pixels.