Anti-moire pixel array having multiple pixel types

• US 6,873,338 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2002
• Issued: 03/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Berstis, Viktors
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Kimbinh T.
• Application Number:
  US10/105,117
• Publication Number:
  US 20030184665A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,104 Days
• Field of Search: 345/629, 345/596, 345/597, 345/589, 345/630, 345/631, 345/581, 345/598, 345/599, 345/55, 348/294, 348/745, 348/241, 382/284, 250/227.2
• US Class Current: 345/596
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/00 Circuitry of solid-state image sensors [SSIS]; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/48 Increasing resolution by shifting the sensor relative to the scene
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/702 SSIS architectures characterised by non-identical, non-equidistant or non-planar pixel layout

Abstract

A two-dimensional array of non-uniformly spaced pixels having a plurality of overlaid pixel sets for avoiding moiré patterns in digital images by avoiding producing an inherent “frequency” or pattern that may interfere with details or harmonics present in the image source, thereby eliminating the occurrence of moiré patterns and the need for application of image processing to remove Moiré patterns. A first set of pixels, (imaging sensors or display elements) are arranged along a two axes according to a non-uniform predictable process. The first set pixels spacing inherently produces non-uniformly spaced and sized “gaps”, in which additional sets of pixels potentially having a different characteristics from the first set, may be placed, thereby yielding an array comprised of multiple overlaid arrangements of non-uniformly spaced pixels. As such, images samples from or displayed on the additional sets of pixel sensors also avoid production of Moiré patterns.

Claims

1. A method for arranging an array of picture elements (pixels) comprising the steps of:

selecting a non-uniform predictable distribution function from the group of a short pseudo-random number sequence, a nonlinear mathematical function having broad spectral content, and a cyclic redundancy check polynomial-based process;

arranging a first set of pixels along at least one dimensional axis according to said non-uniform predictable distribution function, resulting in non-uniformly spaced non-uniformly sized gaps between the pixels of the first set; and

arranging at least one additional set of pixels within said non-uniformly spaced and non-uniformly sized gaps between the pixels of the first set by placing pixels from said additional set(s) into appropriately sized gaps, thereby producing a composite array having at least one additional array of non-uniformly spaced pixels overlaid on the array of first set of pixels in which all pixels are spatially noncoincident.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said steps of arranging pixels comprises arranging image sensor elements.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said steps of arranging pixels comprises arranging image display elements.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said steps of arranging said first set of pixels comprises arranging pixels along two dimensional axes to produce an area pixel array.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

assigning a reference identifier to said composite array; and

using said reference identifier to determine direct compatibility between a

sampled image produced by a composite sensor pixel array and display

capabilities of a composite display pixel array.

6. A computer readable medium encoded with software for arranging an array of picture elements (pixels), the software causing a computer to perform the steps of:

selecting a non-uniform predictable distribution function from the group of a short pseudo-random number sequence, a nonlinear mathematical function having broad spectral content, and a cyclic redundancy check polynomial-based process;

placing a first set of pixels along at least one dimensional axis according to said selected non-uniform predictable distribution function, resulting in non-uniformly spaced non-uniformly sized gaps between the pixels of the first set; and

placing at least one additional set of pixels within said non-uniformly spaced and non-uniformly sized gaps between the pixels of the first set by inserting pixels from said additional set(s) into appropriately sized gaps, thereby producing a composite array having at least one additional array of non-uniformly spaced pixels overlaid on the array of first set of pixels in which all pixels are spatially noncoincident.

7. The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 6 wherein said software for performing the steps of placing pixels comprises software for placing image sensor elements.

8. The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 6 wherein said software for performing steps of placing pixels comprises software for placing image display elements.

9. The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 6 wherein said software for performing steps of placing said first set of pixels comprises software for placing pixels along two dimensional axes to produce an area pixel array.

10. The computer readable medium as set forth in claim 6 further comprising software for performing the steps of using a reference identifier to determine direct compatibility between a sampled image produced by a composite sensor pixel array and display capabilities of a composite display pixel array.

11. A composite array of picture elements (pixels) comprising:

a first array of pixels having a first set of pixels arranged along at least one dimensional axis according to a non-uniform predictable distribution function, and having non-uniformly spaced non-uniformly sized gaps between the pixels of said first set, said distribution function being selected from the group of a short pseudo-random number sequence, a nonlinear mathematical function having broad spectral content, and a cyclic redundancy check polynomial-based process; and

at least one additional array of pixels overlaid upon said first array, said additional array(s) each having an additional set of pixels placed within said non-uniformly spaced and non-uniformly sized gaps between the pixels of the first pixel set, thereby yielding a composite array of pixels in which each array has non-uniform predictable spacing in which all pixels are spatially noncoincident.

12. The composite pixel array as set forth in claim 11 wherein said pixels comprise image sensor elements.

13. The composite pixel array as set forth in claim 11 wherein said pixels comprise image display elements.

14. The composite pixel array as set forth in claim 11 wherein said pixels comprise first set of pixels and said additional sets of pixels are arranged along two dimensional axes to provide an area pixel array.

15. The composite pixel array as set forth in claim 11 further comprising an associated reference identifier to said composite array which identifies said non-uniform predictable scheme for said pixel arrangement such that said reference identifier may be used to determine direct compatibility between a sampled image produced by a composite sensor pixel array and display capabilities of a composite display pixel array.