Patent ID: 7676110
Filing Date: 2010-03-09
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A method of automatically determining a need to service a digital image acquisition system including a digital camera with a lens assembly and electronic sensor array, the method comprising using a processor of the digital camera in: determining a probability that pixels within one or more acquired digital images correspond to dust artifacts; generating a master dust map describing physical manifestations of dust on the electronic sensor array based on the determining; calculating a transformation of the master dust map to generate a manifestation of the master dust map that includes information describing dust location and appearance as a function of one or more optical parameters including exit pupil dimension of the lens assembly or distance of dust from a surface of the electronic sensor array that corresponds to a focal plane of the lens assembly, or both; analyzing pixels within one or more further acquired digital images and updating the master dust map or the manifestation of said master dust map, or both, in accordance with the analyzing; determining based on the updating whether a threshold distribution of dust artifacts is present within said one or more further acquired digital images; and indicating a need for service of the system, including a cleaning process, by notifying a system user when at least said threshold distribution is determined to be present.