Digital pixel image sensor with independent color channel reference signals
US6704046B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 17, 2002 |
| Grant date | Mar 9, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 17, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N23/88
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A pixel image sensor having an array of pixel elements arranged in a color mosaic pattern, each pixel element being responsive to light of a particular color. Each pixel element is supplied with a reference voltage signal corresponding to the color of light to which the pixel element is responsive. The reference voltage signal determined the sensitivity of the pixel element. The white balance of the image sensor is adjusted by varying independently the reference voltage signals for each color. The color mosaic pattern of the array may include a pixel element responsive to white light. The output from the white pixel sensors may be used to adjust the color constancy of the image sensor. The image array reduces the need for post-capture processing of the image for white balancing, by incorporating the white balance operation into the capture process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.