Patent ID: 8456550
Filing Date: 2013-06-04
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An image capturing system comprising: an optical black region having a plurality of pixel blocks, wherein each of the plurality of pixel blocks has a plurality of pixels in a column for outputting a dark reference signal, each pixel block including at least one transistor which performs, for each pixel of the pixel block, the same function, and each pixel having a relative position, which is a position within the pixel block to which that pixel belongs, different from that of the remaining pixels of the pixel block to which that pixel belongs; and a signal correction unit which corrects a signal output from a defective pixel of a pixel block of the plurality of pixel blocks in accordance with only a signal output from a normal pixel of a pixel block of the plurality of pixel blocks, wherein the pixel block including the normal pixel is different from the pixel block including the defective pixel and in a same column as the pixel block including the defective pixel, wherein the normal pixel, whose signal is used by the signal correction unit for the correction, has a relative position within the pixel block to which the normal pixel belongs, that is the same as a relative position of the defective pixel within the pixel block to which the defective pixel belongs.