Patent ID: 7760258
Filing Date: 2010-07-20
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for processing a signal output from a pixel array, the pixel array having optical black pixels and active clear pixels, wherein the pixel array has lines of only optical black pixels, and lines containing both optical black pixels and active clear pixels, the apparatus comprising: a black clamp block, wherein the black clamp block receives an output signal from the pixel array, compares a black level from the output signal to a black reference value, and outputs an adjustment signal based on the comparison to adjust a black level in the output signal; a line noise correction block, wherein the line noise correction block receives the output signal adjusted by the black clamp block, the output signal for each line processed by the line noise correction block comprises optical black and active clear pixels, calculates a line noise average value for black pixels in the output signal on a line-by-line basis, calculates a line noise offset based on a difference between the line noise average and the black reference value, and applies the line noise offset to the clear pixels in the output signal for each line; and a column noise correction block, wherein the column noise correction block calculates a column noise offset for black pixels in the output signal from all optical black rows, and applies the column noise offset to the clear pixels in the output signal;