US 7,450,167 B2
Method for improving image quality
Yu-wei Wang, Fort Collins, Colo. (US); Zhehong Chen, Fort Collins, Colo. (US); and John M. Baron, Longmont, Colo. (US)
Assigned to Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P., Houston, Tex. (US)
Filed on Feb. 11, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/55,955.
Prior Publication US 2006/0181621 A1, Aug. 17, 2006
Int. Cl. H04N 9/64 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 348—246 32 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of improving image quality, said method comprising:
generating image data representative of a scene using a two-dimensional photosensor array, said image data comprising a plurality of pixel values, wherein each photosensor in said photosensor array generates a pixel value;
identifying a defective photosensor;
determining a first pixel value and a second pixel value, said first pixel value corresponding to a first photosensor and said second pixel value corresponding to a second photosensor, said first photosensor and said second photosensor being located on a first axis, said defective photosensor being located on said first axis between said first photosensor and said second photosensor;
determining a third pixel value and a fourth pixel value, said third pixel value corresponding to a third photosensor and said fourth pixel value corresponding to a fourth photosensor, said third photosensor and said fourth photosensor being located on a second axis, said defective photosensor being located on said second axis between said third photosensor and said fourth photosensor;
calculating a first absolute value of the difference between said first pixel value and said second pixel value;
calculating a second absolute value of the difference between said third pixel value and said fourth pixel value;
wherein the value of a pixel value corresponding to said defective photosensor is the average of the pixel values corresponding to the lesser of either said first absolute value or said second absolute value.