US 6,983,072 B2
Dark frame subtraction using compression
Kevin Matherson, Fort Collins, Colo. (US); and David J. Staudacher, Fort Collins, Colo. (US)
Assigned to Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P., Houston, Tex. (US)
Filed on Mar. 12, 2002, as Appl. No. 10/94,604.
Prior Publication US 2003/0174894 A1, Sep. 18, 2003
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G06K 9/36 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 382—233 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for improving the quality of an image in an electronic imaging system, comprising the steps of:
(a) capturing an image frame;
(b) capturing a compressed dark frame, wherein the compressed dark frame is comprised of a plurality of portions, and wherein each of the plurality of portions comprises a plurality of pixels corresponding to a separate section of the image frame;
(c) decompressing a first portion of the compressed dark frame;
(d) subtracting the decompressed first portion of the compressed dark frame from a corresponding section of the image frame; and
(e) repeating steps (c) and (d) for each of the remaining portions of the compressed dark frame until all of the portions of the compressed dark frame have been decompressed and subtracted from corresponding sections of the image frame.