Abstract: An apparatus and method for demosaicing colors in an image sensor can accurately locate edge directionality by detecting a successive 1-line edge precisely. The embodiments may include an image sensor containing information on a color signal detected from each pixel, a first line memory receiving and storing output data from the image sensor, a missing green information extractor extracting missing green pixel information from the data of the first line memory, a delayer receiving the data of the first line memory, the delayer delaying the received data for a prescribed duration, the delayer outputting the delayed data, a second line memory temporarily storing the data outputted from the missing green information extractor and the data provided via the delayer, and a missing red/blue information outputter extracting missing red/blue information from the data of the second line memory.

Abstract: A method of creating an image file in an imaging device, and an imaging device are provided. The method comprises providing an image sensor comprising pixels with an infrared filter arrangement so that some of the pixels of the sensor may be exposed to all wavelengths and some of the pixels of the sensor are blocked from infrared wavelengths. The pixels of the sensor that may be exposed to all wavelengths are utilized when taking an infrared image and the pixels of the sensor that are blocked from infrared wavelengths are utilized when taking a normal image.

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: A color solid-state image pickup device includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion areas provided in an array pattern on a surface of a semiconductor substrate. The inside of each of photoelectric conversion areas 10 is two-dimensionally partitioned into a plurality of segments R, G1, G2, and B which output a plurality of photoelectric conversion signals of different spectral sensitivities. As a result, occurrence of a false signal and a false color is suppressed, and high-sensitivity, high-resolution image data having superior color reproducibility can be obtained.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for imaging an image using a solid-state image pickup device includes a first linear matrix operation unit configured to perform matrix conversion upon a color component of an image signal obtained by imaging using coefficients capable of improving color reproducibility; a second linear matrix operation unit configured to perform matrix conversion upon the color component using coefficients capable of achieving noise component reduction; a signal combining unit configured to combine image signals output from a plurality of signal processing systems each of which includes one of the first or second linear matrix operation units; and a combination ratio setting unit configured to set a combination ratio so that, when a subject is bright, an image signal output from the signal processing system that includes the first linear matrix operation unit can be combined in an amount larger than the image signals output from the other signal processing systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods capable of reducing power consumption in an imaging device. One imaging device includes two analog to digital converters that are separately programmable and can be in different power modes. Each analog to digital converter is capable of creating an image derived from a pixel array that has a full field of view, but lower resolution.

Abstract: Digital video signals, such as the signals generated by an image sensor in a Bayer format, are converted into an encoded format. In the Bayer format, the pixels of each line are alternately coded with two colors, and then converted into the encoded format. In the encoded format, the pixels of the digital video signals are reordered into sets of adjacent pixels, such that the sets group pixels coded with the same color. The encoded signal data results in a reduced switching activity when transmitted over a bus.

Abstract: Even when a part of a subject image is cut down after imaging, an image of good image quality is obtained. When a subject is imaged, divisional photometry (divided brightness measuring) is performed. Image data representing an image of the subject and a divisional photometry values are recorded on a memory card in correspondence with photometry sections obtained by division. At the time of reproduction (playback), image data is read out of the memory card, to display the subject image. A desired part of the displayed subject image is cut out (trimmed). Correction is made such that the brightness of the trimmed image is proper using the divisional photometry values corresponding to the trimmed image.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device 1 includes: a semiconductor substrate 11 on which pixels are placed like a matrix; and each of the pixels having a photoelectric conversion element 13 and a color filter layer 21 which is formed on the photoelectric conversion element 13. The solid-state imaging device 1 includes resin parts 20 which are formed at the boundaries of these photoelectric conversion devices 13 which are adjacent to each other, each of the resin parts 20 having an upward convex shape. Each color filter layer 21 of the device is formed so that the color filter layer covers the area ranging from the summit of a resin part to the summit of an adjacent resin part, and each color filter layer 21 is thinner in the peripheral part than in the center part around the summit.

Abstract: A color signal correcting method for correcting a color signal of each pixel outputted from a single-plate color image pickup element having a given color filter arrangement to correct a color reproduction error in an image, comprising the steps of: computing color signals of filter colors other than a filter color at the spatial location of a pixel to be corrected, wherein the other color signals at the spatial location are computed on the basis of color signals of a plurality of pixels of the same filter color located around the pixel to be corrected; and obtaining a correction value by multiplying the color signal of the pixel to be corrected and the computed other color signals by a predetermined correction coefficient and combining the products.

Abstract: There is provided an image pickup apparatus comprising two-dimensionally arrayed pixels, a plurality of read-out channels each including a read-out circuit and an amplifier circuit, a parallel-serial conversion circuit which sequentially selects pixel signals output via the plurality of read-out channels and outputs a series of pixel signals, and a clamp unit which clamps the reset level included a in an output signal from the read-out circuit in order to remove an offset generated in each read-out channel.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus having a plurality of pixels; and a color filter array of four colors disposed on the plurality of pixels, wherein the color filter away has a periodicity of two rows×two columns, and colors of four color filters in a periodical unit of two rows×two columns are all different.

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: A scene is captured. A two-dimensional matrix comprising a plurality of image detection components is generated according to the captured scene. Each image detection component corresponds to one color component. A plurality of matrixes are generated according to the image detection components. One image detection component and a portion of matrixes are calculated to obtain the missing color components.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device is capable of simplifying the pixel structure to reduce the pixel size and capable of suppressing the variation in the characteristics between the pixels when a plurality of output systems is provided. A unit cell (30) includes two pixels (31) and (32). Upper and lower photoelectric converters (33) and (34), transfer transistors (35) and (36) connected to the upper and lower photoelectric converters, respectively, a reset transistor (37), and an amplifying transistor (38) form the two pixels (31) and (32). A full-face signal line 39 is connected to the respective drains of the reset transistor (37) and the amplifying transistor (38). Controlling the full-face signal line (39), along with transfer signal lines (42) and (43) and a reset signal line (41), to read out signals realizes the simplification of the wiring in the pixel, the reduction of the pixel size, and so on.

Abstract: In an image sensing apparatus having a plurality of unit cells, each including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements and a common circuit shared by the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, arranged in either one or two dimensions, the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged at a predetermined interval.

Abstract: An image sensor according to embodiments may include a semiconductor substrate, photodiodes disposed over the semiconductor substrate, a dielectric layer formed over the photodiodes, a color filter layer formed over the dielectric layer, a planarization layer formed over the color filter layer, a phase change material formed over the planarization layer, and a plurality of microlenses formed over the planarization layer, wherein the phase change material is positioned in the microlens. Further, a method for manufacturing an image sensor according to embodiments may include forming a dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate with a plurality of photodiodes, sequentially forming a color filter layer and a planarization layer over the dielectric layer, forming a phase change material over the planarization layer, forming a patterned phase change material by partially etching the phase change material, and forming microlenses over the planarization layer and the phase change material.

Abstract: A (meth)acrylate ester includes a (meth)acrylate monomer moiety having an ester oxygen, an anthraquinone moiety having a transmittance spectrum producing red light, and a linking group covalently coupled to the ester oxygen and the anthraquinone moiety, the linking group including phenyl, naphthyl, a linear alkyl group having from 2 to about 10 carbons, a branched alkyl group having from 3 to about 10 carbons, a cycloalkyl group having from about 3 to about 20 carbons, or a substituted aromatic group.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device is capable of simplifying the pixel structure to reduce the pixel size and capable of suppressing the variation in the characteristics between the pixels when a plurality of output systems is provided. A unit cell (30) includes two pixels (31) and (32). Upper and lower photoelectric converters (33) and (34), transfer transistors (35) and (36) connected to the upper and lower photoelectric converters, respectively, a reset transistor (37), and an amplifying transistor (38) form the two pixels (31) and (32). A full-face signal line 39 is connected to the respective drains of the reset transistor (37) and the amplifying transistor (38). Controlling the full-face signal line (39), along with transfer signal lines (42) and (43) and a reset signal line (41), to read out signals realizes the simplification of the wiring in the pixel, the reduction of the pixel size, and so on.

Abstract: A color filter array pattern for use in a solid-state imager comprising red sensitive elements located at every other array position, with alternating blue sensitive and green sensitive elements located at the remaining array positions, is disclosed. Since red color is sampled most frequently, the color filter may be part of an in vivo camera system for imaging internal human body organs and tissues.

Abstract: A color filter array includes a plurality of filters, each having one of a plurality of types of spectral sensitivity and being disposed at the location of a corresponding one of a plurality of pixels. The filters of a predetermined type selected from among the plurality of types are arranged at the locations of the pixels in a checkered pattern, and the filters of some or all of the other types are randomly arranged at the pixel locations at which the filters of the predetermined type are not present.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device including a layered structure which includes an electric-charge transfer section The photosensors include a first photosensor particularly sensitive to light of a first wavelength and a second photosensor particularly sensitive to light of a second wavelength shorter than the first wavelength. The first photosensor and the second photosensor are adjacently located but separated by a potential barrier section. A read gate located beneath the first photosensor and transports electric charge from the first photosensor to an electric-charge transfer section located beneath the second photosensor.

Abstract: An image pickup device may include a sensor array including a plurality of pixels and an actuator operatively connected to the sensor array. The actuator may be configured to sequentially move the sensor array, in a horizontal or vertical direction by one pixel pitch, in response to a control signal. A method of processing image signals using an image pickup device may include moving the plurality of pixels by the one pixel pitch using the actuator in order to allow multiple pixels to be sequentially located at a position on which light is incident, and sequentially detecting color component signals of each of the multiple pixels from the incident light.

Abstract: Provided is an image sensor. The image sensor includes a first pixel. The image sensor may include a second pixel formed to be adjacent to the first pixel. The pixel includes a first photoelectric conversion unit formed on a semiconductor substrate and generates charges according to incident light. A first color filter formed over the first photoelectric conversion unit guides light through the first color filter to the first photoelectric conversion unit corresponding to the color filter. The image sensor includes at least one light reflection pattern formed reflecting externally-incident light to the first or second pixel corresponding to the at least one light reflection pattern.

Abstract: A CCD image sensor comprises photosensitive elements arranged in rows and columns, vertical CCDs each having vertical shift elements associated with respective ones of the photosensitive elements of a corresponding one of the columns, and a horizontal CCD comprising horizontal shift elements. The image sensor further comprises a transition region arranged between the vertical CCDs and the horizontal CCD. The transition region is configured to separate each of a plurality of signal channels provided by respective ones of the vertical CCDs into first and second parallel signal channels and to controllably direct selected ones of the parallel signal channels to the horizontal shift elements of the horizontal CCD in accordance with a designated readout sequence.

Abstract: An image sensing device includes a multilayer wiring structure comprising a first wiring layer and a second wiring layer, wherein the second wiring layer comprises a plurality of vertical signal lines extending in the vertical direction among a plurality of photoelectric conversion units of a pixel unit to transfer the signal output by an amplification transistor and a plurality of vertical power supply lines extending in the vertical direction between two pixel units adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction to supply a power supply voltage to the amplification transistor or the reset transistor, and the vertical power supply lines supply the power supply voltage to the reset transistor of the adjacent pixel unit on a first side in the horizontal direction and supply the power supply voltage to the amplification transistor of the adjacent pixel unit on a second side in the horizontal direction.

Abstract: An image capture device capable of capturing high quality images is disclosed. The image capture device comprises a shift register, each pixel of which has a plurality of transfer electrodes extending in a direction crossing a transfer direction of information charges. A potential well formed by function of the transfer electrodes is used to store and transfer information charges generated in response to light incident on a pixel. In this image capture device, during image capture, information charges are stored in a plurality of potential wells substantially separated from each other, and, during transfer, information charges stored in at least two of the plurality of potential wells are combined by addition to be transferred.

Abstract: A device for acquiring color images using a color filter array. The color filter array includes a pattern of red array elements, green array elements, and blue array elements. The red array elements and green array elements occur in the color filter array more frequently than the blue array elements. This multiplicity of red, green, and blue color filters adheres closely to known human visual system (HVS) chrominance and luminance responses. Also, the pattern has periodicity in the diagonal directions and is relatively immune to Moire artifacts that arise due to interference between periodic sampling patterns of the CFA and periodic features in imaged scenes.

Abstract: Various techniques are provided for identifying filters used with infrared cameras. A plurality of filters may be installed in a filter wheel of an infrared camera. Identifiers associated with the filters may be read by the infrared camera to identify the various types of filters currently installed in the filter wheel. The installed filters can be selected by the camera or a user for use in particular applications as desired. For example, filters may be selected based on associations between the filters, filter identifiers, and targets stored in a table or other record maintained by the infrared camera. Settings of the infrared camera may be adjusted in response to filter selections.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a new alternative to the Bayer pattern for spatial subsampling in color imaging applications. One aspect of the present invention relates to a new design paradigm for spatio-spectral sampling, which is also described. The proposed scheme offers the potential to significantly reduce hardware complexity in a wide variety of applications, while at the same time improving output color image quality. According to another aspect, it is realized that conventional processing techniques are subject to diminishing returns, and with the exception of the most sophisticated processing techniques generate imperfections perceptible to a practiced eye. According to one aspect, a framework for CFA design in presented. In one embodiment the physical characteristics of the CFA are generated so that the spectral radii of luminance and chrominance channels are maximized. In another embodiment, the CFA designed to subject to the conditions of perfect reconstruction.

Abstract: A method for generating color video signals representative of color images of a scene includes the following steps: focusing light from the scene on an electronic image sensor via a filter having a tri-color filter pattern; producing, from outputs of the sensor, first and second relatively low resolution luminance signals; producing, from outputs of the sensor, a relatively high resolution luminance signal; producing, from a ratio of the relatively high resolution luminance signal to the first relatively low resolution luminance signal, a high band luminance component signal; producing, from outputs of the sensor, relatively low resolution color component signals; and combining each of the relatively low resolution color component signals with the high band luminance component signal to obtain relatively high resolution color component signals.

Abstract: The invention, in various exemplary embodiments, incorporates a photonic crystal filter into an image sensor. The photonic crystal filter comprises a substrate and a plurality of pillars forming a photonic crystal structure over the substrate. The pillars are spaced apart from each other. Each pillar has a height and a horizontal cross sectional shape. A material with a different dielectric constant than the pillars is provided within the spacing between the pillars. The photonic crystal filter is configured to selectively permit particular wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation to pass through.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device comprises a semiconductor substrate; a multilayer wiring structure; a first color filter layer including a plurality of first color filters which are arranged above a first photoelectric conversion units to allow light of a first color to enter the first photoelectric conversion units, each first color filter being connected to an adjacent first color filter; and a second color filter layer including a plurality of second color filters which are arranged above a second photoelectric conversion units to allow light of a second color to enter the second photoelectric conversion units, wherein the multilayer wiring structure including an uppermost wiring layer which defines the aperture regions corresponding to the respective photoelectric conversion units, and an insulation film arranged to cover the uppermost wiring layer, and wherein the first color filter layer and the second color filter layer are arranged to cover the insulation film.

Abstract: An image generating apparatus including a filtering unit to filter a plurality of light signals including a first filter region and a second filter region. The first filter region may allow a complementary color wavelength band of an incident light signal to pass through and the second filter region may allow a whole wavelength band of the incident light signal to pass through. At least one of the first filter region and the second filter region includes two sub-regions configured to pass filtered light signals with two different sensitivities. In addition, an image sensing unit may sense at least one of the filtered light signals of different sensitivities in the complementary color wavelength band and the filtered light signals of different sensitivities in the whole wavelength band from the filtering unit and an image processing unit may generate an image based on the sensed light signals.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices formed in a substrate and first and second color filters. The first color filter is formed over a first photoelectric conversion device and comprised of an organic material. The second color filter is formed over a second photoelectric conversion device and comprised of a plurality of inorganic layers. With such different types of color filters, spectral characteristic of the image sensor are enhanced.

Abstract: An in-vivo sensing system and a method for creating a summarized graphical presentation of a data stream captured in-vivo. The graphical presentation may be in the form of for example a color bar. The color bar may be a fixed display along side a streaming display of the data stream. A cursor or other indicator may move along the fixed color bar as the data stream is displayed and/or streamed so as to indicate to a health professional what part of the data stream may be currently displayed. The color content in the color bar may map out the data stream and give indication of the location of anatomical sites as well as possible locations of pathology.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a photoelectric converting film that is forms on the semiconductor substrate and that generates charges corresponding to an incident light; a plurality of pixel portions that receive the charges from the photoelectric converting film, a floating gate that is electrically connected to the photoelectric converting film; and a transistor that fluctuates a threshold voltage so as to start to increase a drain current when an electric potential of the floating gate changes.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: a pixel array part in which a plurality of pixels with different characteristics of spectral sensitivity are arranged in an array and which converts light transmitted through the pixel into an electric signal, wherein in the pixel array part, among a first color filter pixel, a second color filter pixel, and a third color filter pixel, each including a color filter, at least a plurality of the first color filter pixels and the second color filter pixels is arranged in an oblique pixel array system, and a clear pixel having a high transmittance is arranged in an oblique pixel array system at a given position of a given row and a given column in the oblique pixel array with respect to the first color filter pixel, the second color filter pixel, and the third color filter pixel.

Abstract: There is provided an imaging apparatus capable of creating RAW data subsequent to predetermined processing including distortion correction and reduction/enlargement processing of an image. The imaging apparatus includes an imaging device operable to create image data in a first color arrangement pattern (for example, Bayer array) by converting an optical signal to an electrical signal; a color arrangement conversion unit operable to convert a color arrangement pattern of the image data from the first color arrangement pattern to a second color arrangement pattern; an image processing unit operable to perform predetermined processing (enlargement, distortion correction and the like) on the image data converted by the color arrangement conversion unit; and a color arrangement reverse-conversion unit operable to convert reversely the color arrangement pattern of the image data processed by the image processing unit from the second color arrangement pattern back to the first color arrangement pattern.

Abstract: A color solid-state imaging device including: a semiconductor substrate; a photoelectric conversion layer provided over the semiconductor substrate, for absorbing light of a first color among three primary colors so as to generate photocharges; plural charge storage regions arranged in a surface layer of the semiconductor substrate, for storing the photocharges; plural first photodiodes arranged in the surface layer of the substrate, for detecting mixed light of second and third colors among the three primary colors that has passed through the photoelectric conversion layer and for storing generated photocharges; plural second photodiodes arranged in the surface layer of the semiconductor substrate, for detecting light of the second color of the mixed light that has passed through the photoelectric conversion layer and for storing generated photocharges; color filter layers provided over the second photodiodes, for interrupting light of the third color; and signal reading units as defined herein.

Abstract: A scan conversion device includes a first buffer unit, a pixel packing unit, a second buffer unit, and a scan output unit. The first buffer unit stores therein pixel signals of the input image on every line in a main scanning direction thereof. The pixel packing unit groups N (N?2) pixel signals on each line into pixel signal packs according to a predetermined pixel combination rule, and outputs them sequentially. The second buffer unit stores therein the pixel signal packs and aligns them in a second main scanning direction different from the main scanning direction. The scan output unit sequentially outputs the pixel signal packs aligned in the second main scanning direction. According to this configuration, a scan pattern of the input image is changed into a scan pattern of outputting every N output lines in the second main scanning direction.

Abstract: An imaging device has color signal generating means (20) for outputting first color signals (R5, G5, B5) corresponding to incident light, and matrix operation means (67) for performing a matrix calculation including multiplication of the first color signals, color signals obtained by raising the first color signals to a power with a first constant (i) as an exponent, color signals obtained by raising the first color signals to a power with a second constant (j) as an exponent, and corresponding matrix coefficients to obtain second color signals (R6, G6, B6). The first and second constants and the matrix coefficients are determined so that the total characteristics of the color signal generating means and the spectral sensitivity characteristic correction means (6) approximate human chromatic curves or spectral sensitivity curves obtained by a linear transformation thereof.

Abstract: A solid state imaging device includes: a solid state imaging element including a light receiving element, a microlens formed above the light receiving element, a first transparent layer formed on the microlens and a second transparent layer formed on or above the microlens and harder than the first transparent layer; a transparent component formed above the second transparent layer; and an adhesive layer for bonding the second transparent layer and the transparent component. The hard second transparent layer prevents the occurrence of scratches during a dicing step.

Abstract: A luminance signal in which the occurrence of spatial aliasing in a diagonal direction component has been suppressed for a red or blue imaging subject is generated from an image signal read from an image sensor. A V-LPF and a H-LPF generate a first luminance signal in which the spatial frequency bandwidth has been limited. Also, a V-LPF and a H-LPF, which limit the spatial frequency bandwidth so as to be even lower than the V-LPF and the H-LPF, generate a second luminance signal in which the bandwidth has been limited. A first GR weighted-addition circuit generates a final luminance signal for a pixel of interest by performing weighted-addition on the first luminance signal and the second luminance signal such that the ratio of the second luminance signal increases as the intensity of the redness or blueness of the pixel of interest increases.

Abstract: The solid-state imaging device of the present invention includes: light-receiving units formed on a semiconductor substrate; color filters respectively formed on corresponding light-receiving units; and in-layer lenses formed above the light-receiving units and below the color filters, in which the in-layer lenses have different curvature shapes depending on colors of the corresponding color filters.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for wavelength-dependent detection are provided. A detector includes a hybrid filter having unpatterned and patterned filter layers and at least one light-detecting sensor that detects light in first and second wavelength bands from the patterned filter layer of the hybrid filter. The unpatterned filter layer passes light in two nonoverlapping wavelength bands relative to light in wavelength bands between or among the nonoverlapping wavelength bands. The patterned filter layer includes first and second regions configured respectively to pass light in the first and second wavelength bands of the nonoverlapping wavelength bands passed by the unpatterned filter layer.

Abstract: The techniques and mechanisms described herein are directed to a system for stylizing video, such as interactively transforming video to a cartoon-like style. Briefly stated, the techniques include determining a set of volumetric objects within a video, each volumetric object being a segment. Mean shift video segmentation may be used for this step. With that segmentation information, the technique further includes indicating on a limited number of keyframes of the video how segments should be merged into a semantic region. Finally, a contiguous volume is created by interpolating between keyframes by a mean shift constrained interpolation technique to propagate the semantic regions between keyframes.

Abstract: A single plate system color solid-state image pick-up device of a microlens loading type, the device comprising: a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of light receiving portions formed in a two-dimensional array in a surface portion of the semiconductor substrate; color filters each of which is for any of red, green and blue colors; and microlenses, wherein each of the color filters and each of the microlenses are laminated above on each of the light receiving portions, wherein first ones of the microlenses, corresponding to ones of the light receiving portions on which ones for the red color of the color filters are laminated, have smaller light receiving areas than those of second ones of the microlenses, corresponding to ones of the light receiving portions on which ones for the green color of the color filters are laminated.

Abstract: The image pickup system for performing noise reduction processing on signals from an image pickup element comprises a first noise estimating unit for estimating a first amount of noise on the basis of a target pixel in the signals for which noise reduction processing is performed, an extraction unit for extracting similar pixels that resemble the target pixel from the neighborhood of the target pixel on the basis of the target pixel and the first amount of noise, a second noise estimating unit for estimating a second amount of noise from the target pixel and the similar pixels, and a noise reduction unit for reducing the noise of the target pixel on the basis of the second amount of noise.

Abstract: A color photographing device is equipped with a light-receiving section having a red pixel selectively receiving red light and outputting a red pixel signal and a green pixel selectively receiving green light and outputting a green pixel signal. The color photographing device is further equipped with an optical filter disposed on the side with a light-receiving surface of the light-receiving section. The optical filter substantially equalizes the signal level of the red pixel signal and the signal level of the green pixel signal when achromatic color illuminated by a solar light source in the daytime is photographed. Therefore, a white balance gain Wr at about 5000K can be lowered as compared with a conventional color photographing device. Accordingly, reduction of color noises and enhancement of gradation can be expected.