Imaging systems with reference pixels for image flare mitigation
First Claim
1. A method for operating an imaging system having processing circuitry and an array of image sensor pixels, wherein the array of image sensor pixels includes a reference pixel, the method comprising:
- with the array of image sensor pixels, receiving direct image light and stray light;
with the image sensor pixels, generating pixel values in response to the direct image light and the stray light;
with the reference pixel, generating a reference pixel value primarily in response to the stray light; and
with the processing circuitry, adjusting the pixel values generated by the image sensor pixels based on the reference pixel value generated by the reference pixel, wherein adjusting the pixel values comprises;
determining whether the pixel values comprise a texture area; and
in response to determining that the pixel values comprise a texture, performing veiling glare compensation operations on the pixel values.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Imaging devices may include processing circuitry, a lens, and an array of image sensor pixels and reference pixels. The array may receive direct image light and stray light from the lens. The image sensor pixels may include clear color filter elements and the reference pixels may include opaque color filter elements. The opaque color filter elements may block direct image light from being captured by the reference pixels. The image sensor pixels may generate pixel values in response to the direct image light and the stray light whereas the reference pixels may generate reference pixel values in response to the stray light. The processing circuitry may mitigate stray light effects such as local flare and veiling glare within the imaging system by adjusting the pixel values based on the reference pixel values. The imaging system may be calibrated in a calibration system for generating stray light calibration data.
11 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for operating an imaging system having processing circuitry and an array of image sensor pixels, wherein the array of image sensor pixels includes a reference pixel, the method comprising:
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with the array of image sensor pixels, receiving direct image light and stray light; with the image sensor pixels, generating pixel values in response to the direct image light and the stray light; with the reference pixel, generating a reference pixel value primarily in response to the stray light; and with the processing circuitry, adjusting the pixel values generated by the image sensor pixels based on the reference pixel value generated by the reference pixel, wherein adjusting the pixel values comprises; determining whether the pixel values comprise a texture area; and in response to determining that the pixel values comprise a texture, performing veiling glare compensation operations on the pixel values. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for operating an imaging system having processing circuitry and an array of image sensor pixels, wherein the array of image sensor pixels includes a reference pixel, the method comprising:
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with the array of image sensor pixels, receiving direct image light and stray light; with the image sensor pixels, generating pixel values in response to the direct image light and the stray light; with the reference pixel, generating a reference pixel value primarily in response to the stray light; and with the processing circuitry, adjusting the pixel values generated by the image sensor pixels based on the reference pixel value generated by the reference pixel, wherein adjusting the pixel values comprises; determining whether the pixel values comprise an edge area; and in response to determining that the pixel values comprise an edge area, performing veiling glare compensation operations on the pixel values. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A system, comprising:
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a central processing unit; memory; input-output circuitry; and an imaging device, wherein the imaging device comprises; an array of image sensor pixels arranged in rows and columns, wherein the array includes a reference pixel; a lens that focuses an image onto the array within an image circle of the lens, wherein image sensor pixels in the array that are within the image circle of the lens are configured to receive direct image light and stray light from the lens, wherein the image sensor pixels within the image circle of the lens are configured to generate pixel values in response to the direct image light and the stray light, wherein the reference pixel is located in the array and outside of the image circle of the lens and is configured to generate a reference pixel value in response to the stray light, and wherein the reference pixel is formed without any opaque light shielding elements that shield the reference pixel from the direct light; and processing circuitry configured to adjust the pixel values based on the reference pixel value. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification