An imaging apparatus is provided in which signals from a plurality of pixels are output to signal output lines during a predetermined reading period, a first reading mode and a second reading mode where analog-to-digital (AD) conversion circuits perform AD conversion on the signals are included, and the reading period includes a first period from when the signals from the pixels are output to the signal output lines to when the AD conversion circuits start AD conversion on the signals a predetermined time later, and a second period where the AD conversion circuits perform the AD conversion on the signals from the pixels, the reading period is equal between the first and second reading modes, and lengths of the first and second periods are different from each other.

An image sensor (10), a camera assembly (40) and a mobile terminal (90) are disclosed. The image sensor (10) comprises panchromatic pixels and color pixels. The color pixels have the spectral response narrower than that of the panchromatic pixels, and the panchromatic pixels have the full-well capacity greater than that of the color pixels.

Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for capturing an image. In one aspect an electronic camera apparatus includes an image sensor with a plurality of pixel regions. The apparatus further includes an exposure controller. The exposure controller determines, for each of the plurality of pixel regions, a corresponding exposure duration and a corresponding exposure start time. Each pixel region begins to integrate incident light starting at the corresponding exposure start time and continues to integrate light for the corresponding exposure duration. In some example embodiments, at least two of the corresponding exposure durations or at least two of the corresponding exposure start times are different in the image.

An image sensor includes a Bayer pattern-type pixel array including a plurality of Bayer pattern-type extended blocks each having first to fourth pixel blocks, each of the first to fourth pixel blocks including first to fourth pixels, the first and fourth pixels of the first and fourth pixel blocks being configured to sense green light, the first and fourth pixels of the second and third pixel blocks being configured to sense red light and blue light, respectively, and the second and third pixels of the first to fourth pixel blocks being configured to sense white light, and a signal processing unit merging Bayer pattern color information generated from the first and fourth pixels of the first to fourth pixel blocks, and the Bayer pattern illuminance information generated from the second and third pixels of the first to fourth pixel blocks.

An image sensor includes a Bayer pattern-type pixel array including a plurality of Bayer pattern-type extended blocks each having first to fourth pixel blocks, each of the first to fourth pixel blocks including first to fourth pixels, the first and fourth pixels of the first and fourth pixel blocks being configured to sense green light, the first and fourth pixels of the second and third pixel blocks being configured to sense red light and blue light, respectively, and the second and third pixels of the first to fourth pixel blocks being configured to sense white light, and a signal processing unit merging Bayer pattern color information generated from the first and fourth pixels of the first to fourth pixel blocks, and the Bayer pattern illuminance information generated from the second and third pixels of the first to fourth pixel blocks.

Color accuracy in an imaging device is improved.

An imaging element includes a plurality of pixels that acquires first information that is information of three primary colors and second information that is information of at least two colors different from the three primary colors and that includes at least one of complementary colors of the three primary colors.

Color accuracy in an imaging device is improved.

An imaging element includes a plurality of pixels that acquires first information that is information of three primary colors and second information that is information of at least two colors different from the three primary colors and that includes at least one of complementary colors of the three primary colors.

In a digital camera having an imaging array including a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns, the digital camera having a mechanical shutter, a method for performing neutral density filtering of images captured by the imaging array, the method comprising opening the mechanical shutter, operating each row in the array by resetting all of the pixel sensors in the row, starting exposure for all of the pixel sensors in the row, closing the mechanical shutter, reading pixel values from the pixels in the array after the mechanical shutter has closed at a time unrelated to a time at which any pixel-select signal was de-asserted, and wherein the interval of time between starting exposure for all of the pixel sensors in the row and closing the mechanical shutter for each row a function of a neutral density filter function applied to an image to be captured.

An imaging element includes: an imaging unit in which a plurality of pixel groups including a plurality of pixels that output pixel signals according to incident light are formed, and on which incident light corresponding to mutually different pieces of image information is incident; a control unit that controls, for each of the pixel groups, a period of accumulating in the plurality of pixels included in the pixel group; and a readout unit that is provided to each of the pixel groups, and reads out the pixel signals from the plurality of pixels included in the pixel group.

An imaging element includes: an imaging unit in which a plurality of pixel groups including a plurality of pixels that output pixel signals according to incident light are formed, and on which incident light corresponding to mutually different pieces of image information is incident; a control unit that controls, for each of the pixel groups, a period of accumulating in the plurality of pixels included in the pixel group; and a readout unit that is provided to each of the pixel groups, and reads out the pixel signals from the plurality of pixels included in the pixel group.