Digital image sensor with improved color reproduction
US6970195B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 20, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 29, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 26, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N2201/0068
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An image sensor includes a sensor array including a two-dimensional array of pixel elements. The array of pixel elements includes a first group of photodetectors having a first sensitivity level and a second group of photodetectors having a second sensitivity level. The sensor array outputs digital signals as pixel data representing an image of a scene. In operation, the first group of photodetectors generates the output signals after a first exposure time and the second group of photodetectors generates the output signals after a second exposure time, where the first exposure time and the second exposure time are within a snapshot of the scene and the first exposure time is different than the second exposure time. When thus operated, the image sensor of the present invention provides improved color reproduction capability and improved signal to noise ratio, especially for the less sensitive photosensitive elements.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.