IMAGING SYSTEMS WITH BROADBAND IMAGE PIXELS FOR GENERATING MONOCHROME AND COLOR IMAGES
First Claim
1. An imaging system, comprising:
- processing circuitry; and
an array of image sensor pixels configured to receive light of a first color, light of a second color that is different from the first color, and light of a third color that is different from the first and second colors, wherein the array of image sensor pixels comprises;
a first group of image sensor pixels configured to generate first image signals in response to detecting the light of the first color;
a second group of image sensor pixels configured to generate second image signals in response to detecting the light of the second color; and
a third group of image sensor pixels configured to generate third image signals in response to detecting light of at least two of the first color, the second color, and the third color, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to generate a monochrome image based on the third image signals.
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Abstract
An image sensor may have an array of image pixels that includes red image pixels that generate red image signals, blue image pixels that generate blue image signals, and broadband image pixels that generate broadband image signals in response to detecting at least two of red, blue, and green light. The image sensor may be operable in a monochrome imaging mode in which monochrome images are generated using the broadband signals and in a color imaging mode in which color images are generated using the red, green, and broadband signals. The image sensor may be coupled to processing circuitry that processes the image signals and that instructs the image sensor to perform imaging operations in either the monochrome imaging mode or the color imaging mode. The image sensor may be switched between the color imaging mode and the monochrome imaging mode autonomously and/or via input from a user.
24 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An imaging system, comprising:
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processing circuitry; and an array of image sensor pixels configured to receive light of a first color, light of a second color that is different from the first color, and light of a third color that is different from the first and second colors, wherein the array of image sensor pixels comprises; a first group of image sensor pixels configured to generate first image signals in response to detecting the light of the first color; a second group of image sensor pixels configured to generate second image signals in response to detecting the light of the second color; and a third group of image sensor pixels configured to generate third image signals in response to detecting light of at least two of the first color, the second color, and the third color, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to generate a monochrome image based on the third image signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of generating images using an imaging system, wherein the imaging system comprises processing circuitry and an array of image sensor pixels, wherein the array of image sensor pixels comprises first, second, and third sets of image sensor pixels, the method comprising:
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with the first set of image sensor pixels, generating first image signals in response to capturing light of a first color; with the second set of image sensor pixels, generating second image signals in response to capturing light of a second color that is different from the first color; with the third set of image sensor pixels, generating broadband image signals in response to capturing light of at least two of the first color, the second color, and a third color that is different from the first and second colors; and with the processing circuitry, generating a greyscale image based on the third image signals. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system, comprising:
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a central processing unit; memory; input-output circuitry; and an imaging device operable in a monochrome imaging mode and in a color imaging mode, wherein the imaging device comprises; an array of image pixels, wherein the array of image sensor pixels comprises red image pixels, blue image pixels, and broadband image pixels; a lens that focuses at least red light, blue light, and green light onto the array, wherein the red image sensor pixels are configured to generate red image signals in response to capturing the red light, wherein the blue image sensor pixels are configured to generate blue image signals in response to capturing the blue light, and wherein the broadband image sensor pixels are configured to generate broadband image signals in response to capturing at least two of the red light, the blue light, and the green light; and processing circuitry configured to generate a monochrome image based on the broadband image signals in the monochrome imaging mode. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification