Patent ID: 7295345

Claim:
A method for applying defect correction and calibration to an image data value for a pixel in an imaging system using an area spatial light modulator that accepts image data values having a first bit depth, the method comprising: (a) providing the image data value to a first tone correction LUT to obtain a corresponding tone corrected data value, said tone corrected data value having said first bit depth; (b) applying, to said tone corrected data value, a defect compensating value from a defect map generated for the area spatial light modulator and a gain value associated with said defect compensating value, forming thereby a first tone and defect corrected image data value having said first bit depth; (c) applying an inverse tone correction LUT to convert said first tone and defect corrected image data value to a second tone and defect corrected image data value having a second bit depth, said second bit depth being lower than said first bit depth; and (d) providing said second tone and defect corrected image data value to a second tone correction LUT to obtain a conditioned input data value for the area spatial light modulator, said conditioned input data value having said first bit depth.