Abstract: A solid-state imaging device is provided. The solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of arrayed pixels, an optical inner filter layer, and a light-blocking side wall. The plurality of arrayed pixels each includes a photoelectric conversion portion and a pixel transistor. The optical inner filter layer is provided for blocking infrared light and formed facing to a light-receiving surface of the photoelectric conversion portion of a desired pixel among the arrayed pixels. The light-blocking side wall is formed on a lateral wall of the optical inner filter layer.

Abstract: An image-capturing apparatus includes a pixel array including pixels. Each of the pixels includes a transducer for generating signal charge according to the intensity of an incident light beam. The image-capturing apparatus further includes an output circuit for outputting a pixel signal outside the pixel array at a frame rate depending on the pixel position in the pixel array, based on the signal charge; and an output-controlling unit for controlling the operation of the output circuit.

Abstract: An image processing device includes an input unit which inputs image data that is generated by an imaging element including specific pixels, first image generation pixels that are the image generation pixels adjacent to the specific pixels, and second image generation pixels that are the image generation pixels not adjacent to the specific pixels, and includes a luminance value generated by each of the pixels, and a color mixture correction unit which corrects color mixture such that a change value of luminance caused by light leaked from the specific pixels to the first image generation pixels is calculated based on luminance values of each of specific pixels adjacent to the first image generation pixels and correction of color mixture to the first image generation pixels caused by the leaked light is performed.

Abstract: An image sensor includes an array of light sensitive elements and a filter array. Each filter element is in optical communication with a respective light sensitive element. The image sensor receives filtered light having a repeating pattern. Light sensitive elements in at least two successive rows alternately receive light having a first color and a second color, and light sensitive elements in common columns of the successive rows alternately receive light having the first color and the second color. Light sensitive elements in at least two additional successive rows alternately receive light having a third and a fourth color, and light sensitive elements in common columns of the additional successive rows alternately receive light having the third color and the fourth color. Output values of pairs of sampled light sensitive elements receiving light of a common color and from successive rows are combined to generate a down-sampled image.

Abstract: A camera 200 comprises an image pickup element 107 which has imaging pixels performing a photoelectric conversion of an object image formed by a light beam emitted from an image pickup optical system and focus detection pixels performing a photoelectric conversion of two images formed by two divided light beams, a focus detector which obtains first and second pairs of image signals having optical base lengths different from each other from the focus detection pixels, a selector which selects one of the first and second pairs of image signals based on at least one correlation amount of the first and second pairs of image signals, and a calculator which calculates a defocus amount based on the selected pair of image signals.

Abstract: Methods and systems may provide for an image processing pipeline having a hardware module to spatially filter a raw image in the horizontal direction to obtain intermediate image data. The pipeline can also include a set of instructions which, if executed by a processor, cause the pipeline to spatially filter the intermediate image data in the vertical direction.

Abstract: Color filter arrays or mosaics are provided for imaging a scene with diffraction limited optics. A distribution of color types in a color filter array is biased toward smaller wavelengths to avoid or reduce loss of spatial resolution information at higher wavelengths due to a larger extent of diffraction at the higher wavelengths. Demosaicing methods for reconstructing a partial or full color image from raw image data involve applying correction factors to account for diffraction. The correction factors are based on pixel size and/or a measure of the extent of diffraction (e.g., an Airy disk diameter) for each wavelength in the color filter array.

Abstract: A color-unevenness inspection apparatus includes: an image pickup section picking up an image of an inspection target for a color-unevenness inspection; an image generation section generating an uneven-color image by determining one or more uneven-color regions existing in the picked-up image of the inspection target obtained by the image pickup section, and by classifying unit regions included in each of the uneven-color regions into a plurality of color groups; a calculation section calculating, on the uneven-color regions in the uneven-color image, an evaluation parameter to be used in the color-unevenness inspection; a correction section making a correction to the calculated evaluation parameter in consideration of a difference of color-unevenness visibility between the color groups; and an inspection section performing the color-unevenness inspection, based on a resultant evaluation parameter obtained by the correction.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements configured to perform photoelectric conversion on incident light. The device also includes a color filter array including at least three kinds of color filters different in filtering wavelength region. Any of the color filters is placed for each of the photoelectric conversion elements to filter the incident light. The spectral transmittances of the color filters are equal to each other in a predetermined wavelength region.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for obtaining adaptive exposure control and dynamic range extension of image sensors. In some embodiments, an image sensor of an image system can include a pixel array with one or more clear pixels. The image system can separately control the amount of time that pixels in different lines of the pixel array are exposed to light. As a result, the image system can adjust the exposure times to prevent over-saturation of the clear pixels, while also allowing color pixels of the pixel array to be exposed to light for a longer period of time. In some embodiments, the dynamic range of the image system can be extended through a reconstruction and interpolation process. For example, a signal reconstruction module can extend the dynamic range of one or more green pixels by combining signals associated with green pixels in different lines of the pixel array.

Abstract: An imaging device (100) includes: an imaging element (103) obtained by repeatedly arranging a pixel W for entire wavelength band, a W-R pixel for R, a W-G pixel for G, and a W-B pixel for B; a filter (102) configured such that a portion corresponding to the pixel W allows the entire wavelength band of a wavelength band within a certain range to pass and portions corresponding to the W-R pixel, the W-G pixel, and the W-B pixel reflect wavelength bands of corresponding colors, respectively; a reflection amount calculating unit (113) for calculating signal values of R, G, and B by subtracting a value of an image reading signal of each of the W-R pixel, the W-G pixel, and the W-B pixel from a value of an image reading signal of the pixel W.

Abstract: A solid-state image sensor executing photoelectric conversion for a subject image includes: a plurality of pixels disposed in a two-dimensional pattern and each equipped with a photoelectric conversion unit that generates and stores an electrical charge, wherein: the plurality of pixels are each one of a first pixel and a second pixel; the plurality of pixels are divided into a plurality of pixel blocks; the pixel blocks each include m×n pixels with m pixels and n pixels among the plurality of pixels set respectively along a columnar direction and along a row direction; at least one of the pixels in each pixel block is the first pixel; color filters assuming a single color are disposed at first pixels belonging to a common pixel block; and at least one pixel in at least one pixel block among the plurality of pixel blocks is the second pixel.

Abstract: The solid-state image pickup device includes a sensor unit and a focus adjustment circuit, the focus adjustment circuit including a contour extraction circuit which extracts contour signals from wavelength signals W, B, G, and R, a contour signal selection circuit which receives a control signal and the plurality of contour signals extracted by the contour extraction circuit, and selects and outputs a contour signal having a desired wavelength band in accordance with the control signal, and a plurality of addition circuits which add the wavelength signals before the contour signals are extracted by the contour extraction circuit to a contour signal output from a contour signal output circuit.

Abstract: A color imaging element including color filters arranged on pixels, wherein the color filter array includes a basic array pattern including first filters corresponding to a first color that most contributes to obtaining luminance signals and second filters corresponding to two or more second colors other than the first color, the basic array pattern repeatedly arranged in the horizontal and vertical directions, one or more first filters are arranged in each line in horizontal, vertical, and oblique directions of the color filter array, one or more second filters are arranged in each line in the horizontal and vertical directions of the color filter array in the basic array pattern, and a proportion of the number of pixels of the first color corresponding to the first filters is greater than proportions of the numbers of pixels of each color of the second colors corresponding to the second filters.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus allowed to obtain parallax information while preventing a decline in apparent resolution. An image pickup apparatus includes: an image pickup lens having an aperture stop; an image pickup device including a plurality of pixels and obtaining image pickup data based on light received on the plurality of pixels; and a microlens array arranged between the image pickup lens and the image pickup device so that one microlens is allocated to 2×2 pixels in the image pickup device. The plurality of pixels are disposed in a fashion of two-dimensional arrangement along two directions rotated a certain angle with respect to a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, respectively.

Abstract: A single array of image sensors is used to obtain a plurality of different images at different levels of admitted exposure light from a common source level of exposure light. More particularly, first and second matrices of light-admitting elements are deployed in a single camera and disposed relative to focal lens light in front of corresponding first and second matrices of light-sensitive image sensors that are arrayed in a singular focal plane array in the camera and react equally to equal levels of color image information. The respective matrices of light-admitting elements transmit color image information from exposed focal lens light at different levels of brightness to their corresponding matrices of light-sensitive image sensors, wherein first and second images are acquired at the respective different levels of brightness from the respective matrices of the image sensors, and pixel data from the images combined to produce an HDR image.

Abstract: Light 2 that is the subject to be imaged enters a lens system 3, and the light is transmitted and absorbed by a color filter 5. The transmitted components enter an image sensor 4 to be imaged. The color filter 5 is composed of, as shown in FIG. 7B, a transparent pixel (W) and micro filters including a filter (W-X) with a complementary color for the color matching function X, a filter (W-Y) with a complementary color for the color matching function Y, and a filter (W-Z) with a complementary color for the color matching function Z. Each of them is arranged to correspond in position to each pixel of the image sensor. As a result, light with components in the entire wavelength region, light with complementary color components of X, light with complementary color components of Y, and light with complementary color components of Z enter their respective pixels to be imaged.

Abstract: An image sensor for capturing a color image is disclosed having a two-dimensional array having first and second groups of pixels wherein pixels from the first group of pixels have narrower spectral photoresponses than pixels from the second group of pixels and wherein the first group of pixels has individual pixels that have spectral photoresponses that correspond to a set of at least two colors. Further, the placement of the first and second groups of pixels defines a pattern that has a minimal repeating unit including at least twelve pixels. The minimal repeating unit has a plurality of cells wherein each cell has at least two pixels representing a specific color selected from the first group of pixels and a plurality of pixels selected from the second group of pixels arranged to permit the reproduction of a captured color image under different lighting conditions.

Abstract: A method for forming a final digital color image includes capturing an image using an image sensor having panchromatic pixels and color pixels corresponding to at least two color photoresponses; providing from the captured image a digital panchromatic image and an intermediate digital color image; and using the digital panchromatic image and the intermediate digital color image to provide the final digital color image.

Abstract: An imaging device comprises: an imaging element that comprises (i) at least three types of color detection photoelectric conversion elements that detect different color components of light and (ii) brightness detection photoelectric conversion elements that detect brightness components of light; a level adjustment section that adjust levels of color signals acquired respectively from at least said three types of color detection photoelectric conversion elements and levels of brightness signals acquired from the brightness detection photoelectric conversion elements; a composite signal generation section that generates, from ones of the color signals undergone level adjustment, at least three different color signals in correspondence with each of the color detection photoelectric conversion elements and subjects at least said three color signals to weighting and addition, so as to generate composite signals respectively corresponding to the color detection photoelectric conversion elements; and a brightness si

Abstract: First, second, and third image planes are obtained from at least one image sensor. The first image plane is formed from light of a first spectral distribution. The second image plane is formed from light of a second spectral distribution. The third image plane is formed from light of a spectral distribution which substantially covers the visible spectrum. First spatial frequency components are generated from the first, second and third image planes. A second spatial frequency component is generated from the third image plane. A color transform is applied to the first spatial frequency components from the first, second, and third image planes to obtain at least first, second and third transformed first spatial frequency image planes. The at least first, second and third transformed first spatial frequency image planes are combined with the second spatial frequency component from the third image plane to form an image.

Abstract: An image processing device and an image processing method capable of generating a moving image having a high resolution and a high frame rate are provided by suppressing the reduction in the amount of incident light on each camera.

Abstract: An image processing device including a storing unit storing the position of a focus detecting pixel of an image-capturing sensor containing plural pixels having spectroscopic characterizations corresponding to respective plural color components with the focus detecting pixel, a pixel interpolating unit generating an interpolation pixel value of the focus detecting pixel by using pixel values of pixels neighboring to the focus detecting pixel, neighborhood-pixel estimating unit calculating an estimation pixel value corresponding to a pixel value when the pixels neighboring to the focus detecting pixel have the same spectroscopic characterization as the focus detecting pixel, a high-frequency component calculating unit calculating a high frequency component of the image by using a pixel value of the focus detecting pixel and the estimation pixel value, and a high frequency component adding unit adding the interpolation pixel value with the high frequency component to calculate a pixel value of the focus detecti

Abstract: A method of forming a full-color output image from a color filter array image having a plurality of color pixels having at least two different color responses and panchromatic pixels, comprising capturing a color filter array image using an image sensor including panchromatic pixels and color pixels having at least two different color responses, the pixels being arranged in a repeating pattern having a square minimal repeating unit having at least three rows and three columns, the color pixels being arranged along one of the diagonals of the minimal repeating unit, and all other pixels being panchromatic pixels; computing an interpolated panchromatic image from the color filter array image; computing an interpolated color image from the color filter array image; and forming the full color output image from the interpolated panchromatic image and the interpolated color image.

Abstract: An image sensor for capturing a color image comprising a two dimensional array of light-sensitive pixels including panchromatic pixels and color pixels having at least two different color responses, the pixels being arranged in a repeating pattern having a square minimal repeating unit having at least three rows and three columns, the color pixels being arranged along one of the diagonals of the minimal repeating unit, and all other pixels being panchromatic pixels.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus includes a synchronization processing unit for processing image pickup signals including three kinds of signals and luminance signals output from an image pickup device. The synchronization processing unit is used to interpolate other color signals than the above-mentioned respective color signals at pixel positions where the three kinds of signals respectively exist. This processing includes a luminance use estimating processing which estimates color signals to be interpolated at the above-mentioned pixel positions using not only the same kinds of color signals as the above-mentioned color signals to be interpolated but also the above-mentioned luminance signals respectively existing around the above-mentioned pixel positions.

Abstract: A color filter allows a light signal to pass through by each pixel and be incident on an imaging device. The light signal is inputted through a lens and including one of plural different spectral components. The plural different spectral components include a first spectral component which has a widest frequency bandwidth among the plural different spectral components, a second spectral component corresponding to a predetermined frequency band close to a frequency that causes no chromatic aberration of the lens, and a third spectral component expressed in terms of a linear sum of a value resulting from multiplying the first spectral component by a first weighting factor and a value resulting from multiplying the second spectral component by a second weighting factor.

Abstract: A color filter array may include two or more yellow filter pixels, one or more green filter pixels, and one or more cyan filter pixels. The two or more yellow filter pixels may be disposed in a first row or rows in a first direction. The one or more green filter pixels and the one or more cyan filter pixels may be disposed in a second row or rows in the first direction. The first row or rows and the second row or rows may alternate in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. In the second direction, either the one or more green filter pixels and at least one of the two or more yellow filter pixels alternate or the one or more cyan filter pixels and at least one of the two or more yellow filter pixels alternate.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes: a solid-state image sensing device that includes a plurality of pixels, each of the pixels including: a photoelectric conversion film; and a photoelectric conversion element that is formed in the semiconductor substrate below the photoelectric conversion film, are made up of at least three types of photoelectric conversion elements for detecting light in different wave ranges, of visible light, and absorbs light in a wave range different from the wave ranges detected in the at least three types of photoelectric conversion elements and generates a charge responsive to the absorbed light, the image pickup apparatus further including: a monochrome image data generation unit; a color image data generation unit; and a record image data generation unit.

Abstract: An optical communication device includes a one-chip light receiving element having a plurality of light receiving sections having light receiving sensitivity to different wavelength ranges in a visible light spectrum. The photodiode has a light receiving surface, which is divided into nine blocks. For each light receiving section group in which light receiving sections have the light receiving sensitivity to an identical wavelength range, the light receiving sections are dispersedly placed in corresponding ones of the blocks.

Abstract: This invention is a solid-state image pickup device that solves the problem of limited dynamic range in the high luminance region in an image sensor having white pixels. White pixels or yellow pixels and at least red pixels, green pixels or blue pixels are arranged in array form on the light receiving surface of a semiconductor substrate. White pixels or yellow pixels have an additional capacitance CS connected to the photodiode via the floating diffusion, a capacitance coupling transistor S that can couple or separate the floating diffusion and the additional capacitance. The proportion of white or yellow pixels to the total number of pixels is higher in a central portion of the light receiving surface than a peripheral portion. The white or yellow pixel may share a floating diffusion with a red, green or blue pixel.

Abstract: An image sensor for capturing a color image is disclosed having a two-dimensional array having first and second groups of pixels wherein pixels from the first group of pixels have narrower spectral photoresponses than pixels from the second group of pixels and wherein the first group of pixels has individual pixels that have spectral photoresponses that correspond to a set of at least two colors. Further, the placement of the first and second groups of pixels defines a pattern that has a minimal repeating unit including at least twelve pixels. The minimal repeating unit has a plurality of cells wherein each cell has at least two pixels representing a specific color selected from the first group of pixels and a plurality of pixels selected from the second group of pixels arranged to permit the reproduction of a captured color image under different lighting conditions.

Abstract: A driving method of a solid-state imaging device including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements as defined herein, includes performing first driving which mixes a first electric charge generated in the first photoelectric conversion element with a second electric charge generated in the photoelectric conversion element for luminance detection, converts the electric charges obtained by the mixing into a signal, and outputs the signal.

Abstract: An image sensor capable of canceling crosstalk without reduction of a signal to noise ratio (SNR) to improve a sensitivity includes a plurality of light detection units and a filter array including a plurality of filters, with each of the plurality of filters being deposited on a corresponding one of the light detection units. The filter array includes a green filter used to transmit a green component of an incident light, a yellow filter used to transmit a yellow component of the incident light, and a cyan filter used to transmit a cyan component of the incident light.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an image signal processor, comprising a receiver, a mixing block, and an adjustment block, is provided. The receiver receives first, second, and third color pixel signals which an imaging device outputs. The mixing block generates first, second, and third color mixed pixel signals. The first, second, and third color mixed pixel signals are generated by mixing the first, second, and third color pixel signals generated by all the first, second, and third color pixels occupying a space of which the area is a second predetermined area whose the center is in agreement with the center of the first, second, and third color mixed pixel areas, respectively. The adjustment block adjusts the signal levels of the first, second, and third color mixed pixel signals based on first, second, and third pixel numbers.

Abstract: A method is provided for obtaining an image with a large dynamic range. An image is acquired such that each image pixel is represented by a plurality of values obtained at the same time but for different integration levels (effective exposures). For each pixel, a representative value is selected among those available, such that it is neither saturated nor blackened.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a plurality of photoelectric converting units arrayed in the horizontal and vertical directions, and an adder for adding signals including the same color component from the a plurality of photoelectric converting units such that the centers of gravity of the signals after addition are at the same pitch for respective signals.

Abstract: A solid-state image sensing device has a plurality of pixels, a read-out circuit for reading out electric signals obtained by the photoelectric conversion element, and a signal processing unit for performing signal processing for the electric signal read out from the read-out circuit. The plurality of pixels include a first pixel having a transparent film, a plurality of second pixels each having a first color filter, a plurality of third pixels each having a second color filter, and a plurality of fourth pixels each having a third color filter. The signal processing unit has a color acquisition unit for acquiring a white pixel value and first to third color pixel values, an edge judgment unit, a color separation unit and a single color pixel calculation unit.

Abstract: In a pixel unit, W, R, G, and B pixels are arranged in rows and columns. The pixel unit output W, R, G, and B signals obtained by photoelectrically converting light incident on the W, R, G, and B pixels. An edge detection unit determines a specific area having a W pixel provided with a white filter as a central pixel in the pixel unit, divides the specific area into blocks including the central pixel, and detects edge information as to whether there is an edge of an image in each of the blocks. A block select unit selects a block with no edge from the edge information. A ratio calculating unit calculates the ratio coefficients of the R, G, and B signals from the selected block. An RGB signal generator generates new R, G, and B signals from the W signal of the central pixel using the ratio coefficients.

Abstract: Image sensors having image sensor pixels with stacked photodiodes are provided. An image sensor pixel may include a shallow potential well located in a shallow implant region and a deep potential well located in a deep implant region. The shallow implant region and the deep implant region may be separated by a potential barrier. The image sensor pixel may have a given transfer gate to transfer charge from the shallow well to a floating diffusion node. The image sensor pixel may have an additional transfer gate to transfer charge from the deep well to the shallow well via a vertical transfer region located under the additional transfer gate. Image sensor pixels formed using this structure may exhibit higher pixel densities, higher image resolution, and higher sensitivity.

Abstract: Improving the dynamic range of captured images is disclosed by using sub-pixel arrays to capture light at different exposures and generate color pixel outputs for an image in a single frame. Each sub-pixel array can include multiple sub-pixels. The sub-pixels that make up a sub-pixel array can include red (R) sub-pixels, green (G) sub-pixels, blue (B) sub-pixels, and in some embodiments, clear sub-pixels. Those sub-pixel arrays having clear sub-pixels effectively have a higher exposure level and can capture low-light scenes (for dark areas) better than those sub-pixel arrays without clear sub-pixels. Each sub-pixel array can produce a color pixel output that is a combination of the outputs of the sub-pixels in the sub-pixel array. Each sub-pixel in a sub-pixel array can have the same exposure time, or in some embodiments, individual sub-pixels within a sub-pixel array can have different exposure times to improve the overall dynamic range even more.

Abstract: A CMOS image sensor or other type of image sensor comprises an array of pixels arranged in rows and columns, with the columns being separated into groups each comprising two or more columns that share a common output. The image sensor further comprises sampling and readout circuitry that includes, for each group of columns in the pixel array, a corresponding set of two or more column circuits. The sampling and readout circuitry is configured to sample the common output for each group of columns independently into one of the column circuits associated with that group, and to read out the common output for each group of columns as previously sampled into another of the column circuits associated with that group. The image sensor may be implemented in a digital camera or other type of image capture device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus which can restore, from a color and sensitivity mosaic image acquired using a CCD image sensor of the single plate type or the like, a color image signal of a wide dynamic range wherein the sensitivity characteristics of pixels are uniformized and each of the pixels has all of a plurality of color components. A sensitivity uniformization section uniformizes the sensitivities of pixels of a color and sensitivity mosaic image to produce a color mosaic image, and a color interpolation section interpolates color components of the pixels of the color mosaic image M to produce output images R, G and B. The present invention can be applied to a digital camera which converts a picked up optical image into a color image signal of a wide dynamic range.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for generating an image using a multi-channel filter. More particularly, provided are an apparatus and method for generating an image using a multi-channel filter, wherein images input into a plurality of image sensors are allowed to pass through different filters, each of which includes a plurality of channels, and segmented images passed through the filters are combined to produce a desired image. The apparatus includes a filter unit including a plurality of filters having different patterns with respect to a plurality of image channels and filtering images input into the filters, an image sensing unit including a plurality of image sensors sensing images filtered through the plurality of the filters, an interpolation unit calculating image channel values of pixels of the sensed images, and an image combination unit assigning the calculated image channel values to corresponding pixel positions to generate a single desired image.

Abstract: A method of converting image signals for a display device including six-color subpixels is provided, which includes: classifying three-color input image signals into maximum, middle, and minimum; decomposing the classified signals into six-color components; determining a maximum among the six-color components; calculating a scaling factor; and extracting six-color output signals.

Abstract: A plurality of charge accumulation packets each of which is configured to accumulate signal charges from photoelectric conversion elements corresponding to (2n?1) rows where n denotes an integer equal to or larger than 2 are formed in to vertical charge transfer sections. The signal charges of the same color component are read from the photoelectric conversion elements corresponding to plural rows into each charge accumulation packet and are added in each charge accumulation packet. Then, the signal charges in the vertical charge transfer sections are transferred by a distance corresponding to one charge accumulation packet. A signal charge, which remains in the photoelectric conversion element and has the same color component as the electric charges previously read into each charge accumulation packet, is read into each charge accumulation packet. The newly read signal charge and the previously read signal charges are added in each charge accumulation packet.

Abstract: In a solid-state imaging device, a primary-color Bayer color filter is provided on an imaging pixel area defined by pixels having different structures. Color-component filters for the same color in the color filter are disposed correspondingly to pixels having the same structure. More specifically, pixels are arranged in consideration of the arrangement of color-component filters of the color filter, or the color-component filters are arranged in consideration of the arrangement of the pixels.

Abstract: In a system and method for processing a form comprising a plurality of entry markings, an area-array image sensor may capture an image of the form in free-space without requiring relative movement of the sensor and the form. A processor may interpret the captured image to determine at least a first entry selection based, at least in part, on the position of at least one of the plurality of entry markings with respect to at least one other marking in the image.

Abstract: An imaging device including: an electronic shutter and a pixel array part. The pixel array part has a plurality of pixels with different characteristics of spectral sensitivity arranged in an array and which converts light transmitted through the pixel into an electric signal. The pixel array part has a plurality of color pixels and at least one clear pixel, the plurality of color pixels including (i) a first color filter pixel having a peak of spectral sensitivity characteristics in red, (ii) a second color filter pixel having a peak in blue, and (iii) a third color filter pixel having a peak in green. At least a portion of the plurality of color filter pixels is arranged in an oblique pixel array system and at least one clear pixel having a high transmittance is arranged in the oblique pixel array system at a given position of a given row and a given column with respect to the first color filter pixel, the second color filter pixel, and the third color filter pixel.

Abstract: An image sensor is disclosed for capturing a color image, comprising a two-dimensional array of pixels having a plurality of minimal repeating unit wherein each repeating unit is composed of eight pixels having five panchromatic pixels and three pixels having different color responses.