Color filter array and color interpolation algorithm

Abstract

A color filter array includes arrangements of green-filtered pixels to optimize performance and accuracy of color interpolation operations. Where red or blue pixels are found, green values are estimated with a high degree of accuracy. Unknown red and blue intensity values are interpolated by converting known red and blue values to hue. The interpolated hue values are then converted to intensity data.

1 - 10 . (canceled)  
   
   
       11 . A system comprising: 
 a color filter array comprising a plurality of first color-filtered pixels, second color-filtered pixels, and third color-filtered pixels, wherein each third color-filtered pixel and each first color-filtered pixel are surrounded on all sides by second color-filtered pixels; and    a color interpolation program to receive image data produced by incident light passing through the color filter array and produce interpolated image data.    
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the image data comprises first color values, second color values, and third color values and the color interpolation program: 
 estimates an interpolated second color value from a plurality of second color values in a sub-block of the image data;    derives a plurality of first color hues using the first color values and the interpolated second color values; and    estimates a plurality of interpolated first color hues using the first color hues.    
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the color interpolation program further derives a second plurality of first color values from the plurality of interpolated first color hues.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the color interpolation program further: 
 derives a plurality of third color hues using the third color values and the interpolated second color values;    estimates a plurality of interpolated third color hues using the third color hues; and    derives a second plurality of third color values from the plurality of interpolated third color hues.    
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the second color-filtered pixels comprise seventy-five percent of the pixels in the color filter array.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising storage to store the color interpolation program.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first color-filtered pixel comprises a red-filtered pixel, the second color-filtered pixel comprises a green-filtered pixel, and the third color-filtered pixel comprises a blue-filtered pixel.  
   
   
       18 - 21 . (canceled)