IMAGING SYSTEMS WITH BROADBAND IMAGE PIXELS FOR GENERATING MONOCHROME AND COLOR IMAGES

摘要

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.

主权项

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; anda 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.