Patent ID: 6809763
Filing Date: 2004-10-26
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
An image pickup apparatus comprising:smear level detection means for detecting smear level occurring in effective pixels of an image pickup device on the basis of signals outputted from an optically shielded pixel array of the image pickup device in a vertical blanking period thereof; deteriorated pixel determination means for, in the case where the smear level detected at said smear level detection means exceeds a predetermined value, determining corresponding effective pixels as output deteriorated pixels; compensation condition determination means for, when signal from a pixel determined as output deteriorated pixel at said deteriorated pixel determination means is at a predetermined saturation level, determining whether or not the deteriorated pixel satisfies predetermined compensation conditions; and deteriorated pixel correction means for replacing signals from deteriorated pixels determined as satisfying the compensation conditions at said compensation condition determination means with signals of undeteriorated pixels neighboring the deteriorated pixels.