Patent ID: 6968093

Claim:
An image processing system that receives a stream of pixel signals from a pixel array that is selectively illuminated by a light source, the system comprising: an analog signal processor that is arranged to receive the stream of pixel signals, produce adjusted pixel signals by adjusting a gain and an offset of each pixel, and convert the adjusted pixel signals to digital pixel signals, wherein the analog signal processor comprises: a programmable offset generator circuit that is configured to provide an adjusted offset signal by introducing the offset to each pixel signal, wherein the offset is determined by an offset coefficient such that each pixel in the pixel array has a corresponding offset coefficient; and a programmable gain amplifier that is arranged to receive the adjusted offset signal and provide the adjusted pixel signal by adjusting the gain in each adjusted offset signal, wherein the gain is determined by a gain coefficient such that each pixel in the pixel array has a corresponding gain coefficient; and a digital signal processor that is configured to receive the digital pixel signals and provide the gain coefficient and the offset coefficient to the analog signal processor such that the analog signal processor provides adjustment to the gain and the offset of each pixel signal in the analog domain, wherein a dynamic range associated with the conversion of the adjusted pixel signals to the digital pixel signals is enhanced on a pixel-by-pixel basis.