Abstract: According to an embodiment, an imaging device includes a first CCD which converts a first color component into a first electric signal, a second CCD which converts a second color component different from the first color component into a second electric signal, a third CCD which converts a third color component different from the first and second color components into a third electric signal, and a heat sink having first to third radiators which radiate heat from the first to third CODs. The first to third radiators are maintained at the same temperature by the function of the heat sink.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for accurate focusing detection and/or exposure control in a low-light environment with a driving control device which controls the read-out of the pixels so that the R and B pixels are each vertically added for a first number of vertical addition pixels and the G signals are vertically added for a second number of vertical addition pixels that is larger than the first number of vertical addition pixels.

Abstract: A device, for processing each pixel signal output from a solid-state imaging device, has a determination processor and an interpolation processor. Each pixel is defined as a center pixel of a k×k matrix. The interpolation processor presumes which pixels have the same color as one another in the k×k matrix, according to the plurality of pixel-array patterns, and conducts a pixel interpolation in each case of presumed color arrangement according to the plurality of pixel-array patterns, so as to generate signal groups of presumed interpolation signals of the center pixel. The determination processor determines a pixel-array pattern in the k×k matrix to be a pattern selected from the plurality of pixel-array patterns. One of the signal groups that is generated according to the determined pixel-array pattern is selected as interpolation signals of the center pixel.

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: A solid state imaging device includes shared amplification transistors and reset transistors arranged, for example, in a checkered pattern so that centroid of photo diodes 2 of the same colors are arranged substantially at an identical pitch. As a result, the resolution of the solid state imaging device can be maintained without considering irregularities of the incident light for each unit pixel.

Abstract: An image forming method and apparatus for using black-white camera to capture color image, in case that range of saturation regulating factor is given as 0.5-3, and range of illuminance gain is given as 0.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a substrate and a plurality of pixel portions arranged over the substrate, each of the pixel portions includes a photoelectric conversion portion provided over the substrate and a color filter provided over the photoelectric conversion portion, the solid-state imaging device includes partitions provided between the color filters of the adjoining pixel portions so as to cover side surfaces of the color filters, each of the photoelectric conversion portions includes a lower electrode provided over the substrate, an upper electrode provided over the lower electrode, and a photoelectric conversion layer provided between the lower electrode and the upper electrode, each of the pixel portions further includes a protective layer provided between the color filter and the upper electrode, and the protective layer has a thickness of greater than 0 ?m and smaller than or equal to 1.0 ?m.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup element has: a photoelectric converting film which is stacked above a semiconductor substrate; plural photoelectric converting elements which are arranged in the row direction and the column direction on the semiconductor substrate, and signal charge accumulating portions in which signal charges generated in the photoelectric converting film are accumulated; vertical transfer paths which are formed in the semiconductor substrate, and which transfer signal charges accumulated in the photoelectric converting elements and the signal charge accumulating portions, in the column direction; a horizontal transfer path which transfers the signal charges transferred from the vertical transfer paths, in the row direction; and an output section which outputs color signals corresponding to the signal charges transferred from the horizontal transfer path.

Abstract: An edge enhancement method and apparatus for Bayer images are provided. The apparatus stores the raw Bayer image data into a line buffer. After having directly read the raw Bayer image data from the buffer, the apparatus computes luminance characteristic values, analyzes the edge characteristic and then outputs the edge characteristic values. According to the edge characteristic values, the edges in the raw Bayer image data are enhanced. The apparatus simplifies the processing complexity of the rear-stage circuit by directly enhancing the edges in the Bayer image, and is easily combined with the post image processing mechanism. Conventionally, the raw Bayer image is converted to the RGB image or the YUV image and then the edge enhancement operation is performed. The invention reduces the computing volume and memory size. Also, performing the edge enhancement operation in advance helps to identify the interpolation direction and ease the annoying noise.

Abstract: An optical lens system of a mobile camera is provided. The lens optical system includes: an optical lens in which bilaterally symmetrical off-axis lens systems corresponding to the divided view angles are integrally formed and arranged in parallel on the same plane, the optical beams incident at the divided view angles being transmitted through the respective off-axis lens systems; and an image sensor for receiving the optical beams transmitted through the off-axis lens systems, the image sensor being bisected into a green light receiving region and a mixed light receiving region of red and blue colors. Accordingly, the mega resolution can be achieved using the optical lens having the height of VGA grade. Moreover, as the whole length of the optical lens system in the mega optical system is greatly reduced, the camera optical system can have the slim profile.

Abstract: To achieve more appropriate interpolation of a missing pixel, an image is input to a processing section for interpolation. The interpolation is applied utilizing image data of pixels located around the pixel to be interpolated. Specifically, correlations between the image data of the pixels to be interpolated, and pixel data in a horizontal direction, vertical direction, and diagonal direction, are compared to one another; pixel data having stronger correlation is used for the interpolation. Correlation between the image data of the pixels to be interpolated and which direction is strong is determined, so that different weighting for interpolation is used accordingly.

Abstract: To achieve high sensitivity in such a manner that photoelectric charges generated by photoelectric conversion films are made to flow into gates of output transistors smoothly to increase a signal voltage relative to signal charges, a solid-state imaging device includes: a semiconductor substrate having signal readout circuits constituted by MOS transistor circuits; photoelectric conversion films stacked on the semiconductor substrate for generating signal charges in accordance with the incident light intensity; connection portions provided on the surface of the semiconductor substrate and connected to wirings leading the signal charges to the surface of the semiconductor substrate; charge paths provided so that the connection portions can be connected to gate portions of output transistors (sources of reset transistors) constituting the signal readout circuits; and potential barrier units provided near the connection portions so as to serve as constant potential barriers relative to charges of the connection

Abstract: The difference between the output of a k-signal nonlinear low-pass filter (8g) and the output of an h-signal nonlinear low-pass filter (8r) is added (44) to the value of the h-th pixel signal (h(i, j)) at the pixel position of interest to obtain the k-th pixel signal (k(i, j)) at the pixel position of interest. Accurate pixel interpolation can be performed with good noise immunity, even at locations where the color signals are uncorrelated.

Abstract: An image sensor array includes a substrate having at least three image sensors located therein. The image sensor array also includes a blue filter positioned proximate to the first image sensor; a green filter proximate to the second image sensor; and a red filter proximate to the third image sensor. A first microlens is positionally arranged with the blue filter and the first image sensor; a second microlens is positionally arranged with the green filter and the second image sensor; and a third microlens is positionally arranged with the red filter and the third image sensor. The first microlens has a larger effective area than the second microlens, and the second microlens has a larger effective area than the third microlens.

Abstract: In a color signal matrix adjustment method, a single first color signal matrix related value is adjusted (VAC) to obtain a color signal matrix adjustment, and at least two color signal matrix parameters other than the single first color signal matrix related value are automatically adapted (AAC) in dependence upon the color signal matrix parameter adjustment.

Abstract: The invention discloses an image processing apparatus and method. The method of the invention first splits the image into a green color plane, a red color plane and a blue color plane. Afterward, each one of the green color plane, the red color plane and the blue color plane is sequentially masked by a working window, such that each of the pixels on the one color plane is sequentially located at the center of the working window and referred to as a central pixel. Then, the pixels other than the central pixel in the working window are classified into edge pixels and non-edge pixels. Finally, a filtered central pixel is calculated according to a formula, and the central pixel is replaced with the filtered central pixel, whereby the noises of the image remained in the CFA domain are suppressed.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device has: an imaging region in which a plurality of pixels each having a photoelectric conversion element are arranged, and a color filter. The color filter includes: filter components of a first color (2G), filter components of a second color (2R) formed by self-alignment and each being surrounded by the filter components of the first color (2G), and filter components of a third color (2B) formed by self-alignment and each being surrounded by the filter components of the first color (2G).

Abstract: A method for driving a charge-transfer type solid-state image pick-up device, wherein the charge-transfer type solid-state image pick-up device comprises: high sensitivity photoelectric conversion elements for executing photoelectric conversion with relatively high sensitivity; low sensitivity photoelectric conversion elements for executing photoelectric conversion with relatively low sensitivity; and vertical transfer channels for transferring signal charges from said high sensitivity photoelectric conversion elements and said low sensitivity photoelectric conversion elements, the method comprising a charge transfer step of individually reading/transferring first signal charges from said high sensitivity photoelectric conversion elements and second signal charges from said low sensitivity photoelectric conversion elements onto said vertical transfer channels, without executing a high speed charge transfer operation for the vertical transfer channels after exposure of said solid-state image pick-up device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a heterogeneity-projection hard-decision interpolation method for color reproduction, which utilizes a heterogeneity-projection method to determine the optimal edge direction and then utilizes a hard-decision rule to determine the optimal interpolation direction and obtain the information of the green color elements. The high-frequency information of the plane of the green color elements is incorporated into the processing of the planes of the red color elements and the blue color elements to reduce the restoration errors of the red and blue color elements. Therefore, the present invention can decrease the interpolation-direction errors and achieve a higher PSNR and a better visual effect.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging element includes: a plurality of light receiving elements provided within an imaging region on a semiconductor substrate; a color filter with a plurality of colors provided on the plurality of light receiving elements for filtering with a predetermined color; a vertical shift register disposed adjacent to the light receiving elements for transferring a charge from the light receiving elements; and a first horizontal shift register and a second shift register disposed interposing the imaging region therebetween for transferring a charge transferred from the vertical shift register and outputting a signal in accordance with the charge, respectively; wherein a respective charge of the light receiving elements accumulated therein in accordance with a light transmitted through filters of the same color in the color filter is transferred exclusively via either one of the first horizontal shift register or the second horizontal shift register to be outputted as the signal.

Abstract: The image processing procedure of the invention receives mosaic image data and calculates a vertical-direction color difference component with regard to each of pixel columns in the mosaic image data in a vertical direction and a horizontal-direction color difference component with regard to each of pixel rows in the mosaic image data in a horizontal direction. The mosaic image data is expressed by a combination of pixel columns with alternate arrangement of pixels of a G component and pixels of an R component in the vertical direction, pixel columns with alternate arrangement of pixels of the G component and pixels of a B component in the vertical direction, pixel rows with alternate arrangement of pixels of the G component and pixels of the R component in the horizontal direction, and pixel rows with alternate arrangement of pixels of the G component and pixels of the B component in the horizontal direction.

Abstract: A signal processing unit subjects to signal processing first image signals, obtained as the output from a three-sensor-system sensor unit which uses CMOS sensors or the like, thereby obtaining high-image-quality second image signals. The three sensors are positioned at placement positions which are suitable for signal processing at the signal processing unit. The suitable placement positions have been obtained by learning performed beforehand. In one arrangement, the signal processing unit evaluates the second image signals, and controls the placement positions of the three sensors according to the evaluation results. In another arrangement, the first signals are evaluated in a predetermined region, and the capabilities of the sensors at the predetermined region are changed according to the evaluation results. In another arrangement, the sensor unit is controlled according to the level distribution of the first image signals. The present invention can be applied to still or video digital cameras.

Abstract: The present invention is an image sensor having a pixel array, which arranges pixels having photoelectric conversion circuits in rows and columns; and a pixel selecting circuit for selecting each pixel, wherein the pixel selecting circuit selects pixels of all rows and/or pixels of all columns, and selects a pixel signal at every plural pixels among the selected pixel signals, and pixels selected from a pixel block of a plurality of rows and columns within the pixel array are dispersed within this pixel block.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for multispectral imaging comprising an array of filters in a mosaic pattern, a sensor array and an acquisition and processing module. The sensor array being disposed to receive an image that has been filtered by the array of filters. The acquisition and processing module processes the output of the sensor array (or mosaic acquired data) to provide a processed image. The acquisition and processing module processes the mosaic acquired data by performing first interpolation on the mosaic acquired data by the sensor array to provide a first approximation and performing second interpolation on the values of the first approximation to provide a second approximation.

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: The image pickup system of the present invention is an image pickup system for processing an image signal at each pixel which is composed of more than one color signals and one or more of the color signals are dropped out according to the location of the pixel, comprising a first interpolating unit for interpolating the color signals dropped-out from the image signals by a first interpolation method based on the edge detection, a verifying unit for verifying the interpolation precision on the basis of the image signals and the color signals interpolated by the first interpolating unit, and a second interpolating unit for interpolating the color signals dropped-out from the image signals by a second interpolation method based on the color correlation that is different from the first interpolation method in cases where it is judged that the interpolation precision by the first interpolation method is insufficient.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for three-dimensional (3-D) image acquisition can include: (i) first and second lenses configured to receive light from a scene; (ii) first, second, third, and fourth sensors; (iii) a first beam splitter arranged proximate to the first lens, where the first beam splitter can provide a first split beam to the first sensor, and a second split beam to the second sensor; and (iv) a second beam splitter arranged proximate to the second lens, where the second beam splitter can provide a third split beam to the third sensor, and a fourth and split beam to the fourth sensor. For example, the sensors can include charge-coupled devices (CCDs) or CMOS sensors.

Abstract: An object is to provide an image processing circuit and an image processing method which can use various technologies for a bayer array CCD even when an RGB independent array CCD is used, and can accommodate for the bayer array CCD. A first matrix acquiring circuit 21G acquires an R signal for each basic matrix, and a first averaging circuit 31G outputs an average value AveCH1 of the R signal. Similarly, a second matrix acquiring circuit 22G acquires a G signal, and a second averaging circuit 32G outputs an average value AveCH2 of the G signal. Further, similarly, a third matrix acquiring circuit 23G acquires a B signal, and a third averaging circuit 33G outputs an average value AveCH3 of the B signal. A data array conversion circuit 40G converts the average values AveCH1 through AveCH3 into a conversion matrix of two pixels×two pixels in bayer array. The conversion matrix is detected by a detection circuit 70 for bayer array.

Abstract: A new method of reading an imager is achieved. The method comprises providing an imager array comprising n rows and m columns where a pair of rows can be read during a single row access time. A first image field is completed by sequentially reading and storing pixel values of pairs of adjacent rows of the imager array. The reading begins at a first row, and the reading stops when less than three rows are unread. Thereafter pixel values of the next row are read and not stored. Thereafter pixel values of the first row of the imager array are read and not stored. A second image field is completed by sequentially reading and storing pixel values of pairs of adjacent rows. The reading begins at the second row, the reading stops when less than two rows are unread.

Abstract: Correlation values in the vertical direction, horizontal direction and two diagonal directions are obtained in a pixel signal of RGB Bayer pattern. The correlation values are calculated using G signals. Between a first pair of the vertical and horizontal directions and a second pair of the two diagonal directions, one pair having a greater correlation difference is selected. Then, a direction having a stronger correlation is selected in the selected pair having a greater correlation difference, and pixel interpolation is performed in the selected direction. Alternatively, pixel interpolation is performed following assignment of weights in two directions of the selected pair having a greater correlation difference in accordance with the proportion of their correlations.

Abstract: A database obtained based on the photoelectric conversion characteristics for R and G signals and a database obtained based on the photoelectric conversion characteristics for G and B signals are stored in LUTs respectively. Signal value calculators read out the databases from the LUTs respectively and perform white balance processing on the R and B signals respectively.

Abstract: Methods to zoom a region of interest from a digital image have been achieved. The methods invented support according to the scale of zooming the decrease or the increase of the resolution of digital images. The region of interest to be zoomed is variable; the destination image has a fixed size. In case of a decrease of the resolution of the region of interest the method invented combines interpolating source pixels to calculate the color values of the destination pixels and omitting some rows of source pixels. In case of enlargement the method invented combines interpolation of the source pixels to calculate the color values of the destination pixels, extrapolation of the destination pixels being close to the edge of the image, and replication of some of the interpolated rows of the destination image to gain additional rows according to the scale of the increase of resolution (enlargement) of a digital image.

Abstract: An edge directed demosaicing algorithm for determining an edge direction from an input color filter array (CFA) sampled image is disclosed. Aspects of the present invention include calculating for a current missing green pixel, interpolation errors in an East-West (EW) direction at known neighboring green pixels, and averaging the EW interpolation errors to obtain an EW error. Interpolation errors are also calculated for the current missing green pixel in a North-South (NS) direction at known neighboring green pixels, and the NS interpolation errors are averaged to obtain a NS error. An EW or NS direction indicated by a minimum of the EW error and the NS error is then selected as the edge direction.

Abstract: An optical image capturing device which is configured to carry out underwater photographing, and comprises a selecting section configured to select a plurality of photographing modes including an underwater photographing mode, an imaging member to obtain an object image, and an adjusting section to adjust white balance of an image obtained by the imaging member, is disclosed. The adjusting section adjusts the white balance to enhance a blue component when the underwater photographing mode is selected. Thus, as the white balance is adjusted by the adjusting section to enhance a blue component when the underwater photographing mode is selected, a bluish image apparently photographed in water can be obtained.

Abstract: An imaging processing apparatus for effecting imaging processing on imaging signals inputted from an imaging device having a plurality of pixels arranged on a plane and having color filters attached on an imaging surface, the imaging processing apparatus having: a region determining unit, a first retaining unit, a second retaining unit, a switching unit, and an accumulation unit.

Abstract: In an image sensor having a plurality of photodiodes, subsets of photodiodes share a common node for signals to be sent to an amplifier. Within each subset, each individual photodiode is selected for sending signals to the amplifier by an associated selection device. The selection device is a MOS device operating in a linear region. The subset of photodiodes share a common “fill and spill” or “bucket brigade” transfer circuit to the amplifier, the transfer circuit including at least one MOS device which operates in a subthreshold region.

Abstract: A photo-sensor image resolution adjustment apparatus is in communication with an array of image photo-sensors that are organized in columns and rows and have multiple sensor types arranged in a pattern such as a Bayer pattern to detect light. The photo-sensor image resolution adjustment apparatus has a photo-sensor array decimation circuit to partition the array of image photo-sensors into a plurality of sub-groups. A column averaging circuit averages the light conversion electrical signals from common color photo-sensors within the sub-groups. A row averaging circuit averages the common color adjacent light conversion electrical signals from color adjacent rows within the sub-groups in high light intensity condition. In low light conditions, a row binning circuit integrates the common color adjacent light conversion electrical signals from color adjacent rows within the sub-groups.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a color filter array including a primary color pixel such as a green filter pixel for sensing a predetermined primary color, a first secondary color pixel such as a yellow filter pixel, and a second secondary color pixel such as a cyan filter pixel. The primary color pixel, the first secondary color pixel, and the second secondary color pixel form different area ratios in the color filter array. For example, the area ratio of the yellow filter pixel to the cyan filter pixel and the green filter pixel is 2:1:1 in the color filter array. In addition, the color filters of the pixels are compensated for crosstalk effect. Such an image sensor has enhanced color reproducibility and sensitivity.

Abstract: Calculation is made about standard deviations of portions of high-frequency components GH, RH, and BH along respective predetermined directions. The portions of the high-frequency components GH, RH, and BH represent a prescribed number of pixels including an interpolation pixel located at a position corresponding to none of photosensor pixels in G, R, and B image sensors. The smallest one is detected among the calculated standard deviations. The predetermined direction relating to the detected smallest standard deviation is labeled as a highest-correlation direction in which the highest correlation occurs. Interpolation is implemented in response to portions of the high-frequency components GH, RH, and BH which correspond to the highest-correlation direction to generate a high-frequency interpolation-result signal RGBHI for the interpolation pixel and other pixels.

Abstract: Provided are an improved solid-state image-sensing device for averaging sub-sampled analog signals and a method for driving the same. The solid-state image-sensing device receives a video signal from each pixel column and converts the video signal into a digital signal while a switch for averaging is turned off when the solid-state image-sensing device captures a still image. When the solid-state image-sensing device photographs a moving picture, one of two CDS circuits receives a signal corresponding to an average of video signals of columns having the same color pixel and converts the signal into a digital signal using the switch turned on.

Abstract: A sensor such as a CCD image pickup device is equipped with a color filter of RGB Bayer array. An image is read from such a sensor (S1) and inputted to a color interpolation device as raw data (S2). The color interpolation device calculates additional values DH and DV of differential absolute values of pixel values in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction by using pixels of all colors in a peripheral area of a specified pixel (S3 and S4). The additional values DH and DV are compared with each other (S5) and when it is judged that there is a tendency of pixel drift in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction, S6 is executed. In S6, when a correlation in the vertical direction is strong, an interpolation using vertical adjacent pixels is performed and when a correlation in the horizontal direction is strong, an interpolation using horizontal adjacent pixels is performed. By this method, it is possible to improve the accuracy of color interpolation.

Abstract: A white balance method for an image formed by a digital still camera is provided. The white balance method comprises steps of: removing a color cast over a white object of the image; detecting a reference white point from the image by extracting an a pixel information of the white object; and adjusting a white balance of the white object by determining a scale factor based on the color cast and the pixel information.

Abstract: A digital image processing apparatus and a method thereof. The apparatus includes a CCD to photoelectrically transform an optical image which is imaged through a lens part, using a mosaic color filter array pattern, a buffer to store a color data output from the CCD by a pixel, in a predetermined unit, and an ADSE logic to color-interpolate a spatially missing color data by adaptively applying a luminance significance element value to a certain color interpolation method, the luminance significance element value indicating contribution of each color to an entire luminance with respect to each pixel color data stored in the buffer.

Abstract: A solid state image sensing device and method of driving provide a sub-sampling mode for improving a dynamic range in the solid state image sensing device by using vertical driving electrodes that receive inputs of vertical driving signals, a vertical CCD that receives each of video signals of a plurality of rows that are arranged at intervals of one row, and adding the received signal with the video signal of a row which is a proportional number of rows distant from the row of the received signal, in which the proportional number is proportional to the number of the plurality of rows, and vertically transmitting the result; and by using horizontal driving electrodes that receive inputs of horizontal driving signals, a horizontal CCD receives the added video signals, again adds sequentially the same number of the added video signals as the number of the plurality of rows, and horizontally transmits and outputs the video signals added by row.

Abstract: Color filter arrays (CFA) and image sensors using same are provided. A color filter array includes a two-dimensional array including a plurality of first color filters, a plurality of second color filters, and a plurality of third color filters, wherein the first, second and third color filters are periodically arranged, and at least the first, second and third color filters formed in a first region of the two-dimensional array and the first, second and third color filters formed in a second region of the two-dimensional array are symmetrically mirrored.

Abstract: The present invention related to an image pickup apparatus which can produce a color and sensitivity mosaic image which can be converted into a color image signal having a wide dynamic range by performing a predetermined image process. Light receiving elements of a CCD image sensor are arranged in a lattice arrangements where attention is paid to the color Green irrespective of the sensitivities. Where attention is paid to the color Red irrespective of the sensitivities, the light receiving elements are arranged on every other line. Also where attention is paid to the color Blue irrespective of the sensitivities, the light receiving elements are arranged on every other line similarly. Consequently, where attention is paid only to the colors of the pixels, the pattern P2 has a Bayer arrangement. A mosaic arrangement of a color is realized by disposing an on-chip color filter on an upper face of the light receiving elements of the CCD image sensor.

Abstract: In a color-noise reduction circuit in which a color-difference signal of a target pixel is substituted in a random substitution circuit 104 by a color-difference signal of another pixel within an area including the target pixel, a pixel-substitution color-difference signal that is the substituted signal whose high-frequency components are removed in an LPF 106 and the color-difference signal of the target pixel are added together in a summation circuit 108 at a predetermined ratio obtained by a pixel-substitution utilization rate calculation circuit 107, and is outputted as a noise-reduced color-difference signal of the target pixel. Therefore, efficient color-noise reduction and suppression of occurrence of color jitters can be realized.

Abstract: A digital camera is provided with: a diaphragm for controlling an amount of incident light; a solid-state imaging element for receiving the incident light passing through the diaphragm, in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in an array shape, and each of the pixels is divided into a main pixel having a large area and a sub-pixel having a small area by an element separating band deviated from a center of the pixel; a synthesizing process unit for synthesizing a high-sensitivity image signal read from the main pixel of each of the pixels with a low-sensitivity image signal read from the sub-pixel; and controller for separately controlling a gain amount for the high-sensitivity image signal and a gain amount for the low-sensitivity image signal in response to a stop-amount of the diaphragm so as to cause the synthesizing process unit to execute the synthesizing operation.

Abstract: A solid state imaging device comprises a semiconductor substrate defining a two-dimensional surface, a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements disposed in a light receiving area of said semiconductor substrate in a plurality of rows and columns, color filters in a plurality of colors, each color filter being arranged in correspondence with each photoelectric conversion element, wherein at least a color defining resolution corresponds to two photoelectric conversion elements adjacent to each other in a horizontal direction or in a vertical direction, a vertical electric charge transferring device that vertically transfers signal electric charges generated by the photoelectric conversion elements, a horizontal electric charge transfer device that horizontally transfers the signal electric charges transferred by the vertical electric charge transferring device, and an output device that outputs the signal electric charges transferred by the horizontal electric charge transferring device.

Abstract: A method and system for color plane interpolation in a color pattern which selects a color-interpolation point within a pixel image offset from the center of the pixel image for which the color plane interpolation is performed. Once the color-interpolation point is selected a value for each color in the color pattern at each color-interpolation point is interpolated.