Patent ID: 8285070

Claim:
A method for repairing a defect in a digital image to provide a restored image, comprising: determining, using a computer having a processor, a plurality of pixel locations relating to the defect and whether a blotch has an edge darker than a selected threshold; where it is determined that the edge is not darker than the selected threshold, (a) processing the blotch to bring the blotch to a more uniform darkness; (b) processing the uniform darkness blotch to match surroundings in the digital image; (c) copying a border of the blotch in the digital image into the processed blotch; (d) processing pixels of the border to repair the copied border pixels; and (e) outputting the restored image for display to a user; where it is determined that the edge is darker than the selected threshold, (f) processing the blotch to locally enhance the blotch and match surroundings in the digital image; (g) processing the blotch edge such that the edge also matches surroundings in the defect and the digital image; (h) processing the blotch to invert pixel values and perform steps (f) and (g) again; (i) processing the blotch to increase its contrast and performing steps (f)-(h) again; (j) processing the blotch to bring the blotch to a more uniform darkness; (k) processing the uniform darkness blotch to match surroundings in the digital image; and (l) outputting the restored image for display to a user.