Patent ID: 7327392
Filing Date: 2008-02-05
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A signal processing apparatus for performing predetermined processing of an image signal output from an imaging device including an optical black area in at least a part of a light-receiving pixel area, the image signal including a black reference value corresponding to said optical black area in a part of a horizontal scanning period or a vertical scanning period, said apparatus comprising: a clamp pulse generation circuit for generating a clamp pulse in synchronization with the image signal; a clamp circuit for clamping the black reference value in response to the clamp pulse; and a defect detection circuit for detecting a defective pixel included in said optical black area, wherein said clamp pulse generation circuit cancels a rise of the clamp pulse when a position of the defective pixel in said optical black area, the defective pixel detected by said defect detecting circuit, and a position of a rise state of the clamp pulse overlap with each other.