Patent ID: 7978383

Claim:
An image processing circuit for processing color data generated by a solid state imaging device, wherein the solid state imaging device includes a matrix of a plurality of pixels, with each pixel including a plurality of sub-pixels arranged in a plurality of superimposed layers, and each sub-pixel corresponding to different color data, the image processing circuit comprising: a plurality of first defect determination circuits respectively arranged in correspondence with the plurality of sub-pixels, with the sub-pixel corresponding to each first defect determination circuit defining a first sub-pixel, and a sub-pixel arranged near the first sub-pixel in the same layer as the first sub-pixel defining a second sub-pixel, wherein each of the first defect determination circuits determines whether or not the corresponding first sub-pixel includes a defect based on the color data of the first sub-pixel and the color data of the second sub-pixel and generates a first determination signal; a plurality of second defect determination circuits respectively arranged in correspondence with the plurality of sub-pixels, with each of the second defect determination circuits being connected to one or more first defect determination circuits associated with one or more first sub-pixels differing from the corresponding first sub-pixel, wherein when the one or more first defect determination circuits associated with the one or more different first sub-pixels generates the first determination signal indicative of a defect, each second defect determination circuit determines whether or not the corresponding first sub-pixel includes a defect based on the color data of the first sub-pixel and the color data of the second sub-pixel and generates a second determination signal; and a plurality of correction circuits respectively arranged in correspondence with the plurality of sub-pixels, with each of the correction circuits being connected to the corresponding first and second defect determination circuits, wherein each of the correction circuits generates a corrected value for the corresponding first sub-pixel based on the color data of the first sub-pixel and the color data of the second sub-pixel when at least one of the first and second determination signals is indicative of a defect.