Patent ID: 7283165

Claim:
An apparatus for processing image data, comprising: a memory; and a processing unit coupled to the memory, the processing unit being configured to obtain a set of weighting coefficients to be used in calculating replacement pixel values associated with defective sensing elements of a detector array, the set of weighting coefficients including at least one negative weighting coefficient, wherein the set of weighting coefficients is configured as a two-dimensional array of (N·M)-1 weighting coefficients, N and M being integers, and values for N and M are chosen based upon a size of a blur spot in a plane of the detector array, the blur spot being associated with the detector array and a corresponding optical system, obtain information identifying one or more defective sensing elements of the detector array, receive image data of an image from the detector array, calculate a weighted average of pixel values from sensing elements adjacent to a first defective sensing element of the detector array using at least some of the weighting coefficients, and assign the weighted average to be a replacement pixel value for the first defective sensing element.