Four color image sensing apparatus
View Patent ↗An imaging camera apparatus ( 20 ) for capturing images electronically and providing output data for four separate color channels, red, green, blue, and a fourth saturated primary color, expanding the color gamut over conventional three color channel cameras. An image acquisition unit ( 120 ) directs input light to one, two, or four photosensors ( 30 ) for obtaining four-color image data.
1. A color imaging device comprising an array of light sensitive elements:
a first type of element sensitive to a blue spectral region;
a second type of element sensitive to a red spectral region;
a third type of element sensitive to a green spectral region;
a fourth type of element sensitive to a blue-green portion of said spectral region; and
wherein the blue, green, and blue-green spectral region are substantially non-overlapping.
2. A color imaging device as in claim 1 wherein said light sensitive elements are comprised of a photosensor and a transmissive color filter.
3. A color image sensor comprising:
a substantially planar array of solid state light sensitive elements; and
a filter mosaic made up of individual filter elements which are superposed in one-to-one registry on said light sensitive elements, such mosaic being comprised of:
a first type of filter element transparent to green;
a second type of filter element transparent to red;
a third type of filter element transparent to blue;
a fourth type of filter element transparent to blue-green; and
wherein such filter elements are arranged in repeating patterns in two perpendicular directions throughout substantially the entire imaging area of the sensor.
4. A color imaging device as in claim 3 wherein said pattern is:
R
G
B
B
-
G
G
R
B
-
G
B
B
B
-
G
R
G
B
-
G
B
G
R
.
5. A color imaging device comprising:
a first digital camera comprising a first sensor array and a first color filter for filtering all light except light associated with a red spectral region;
a second digital camera comprising a second sensor array and a second color filter excluding all light except that associated with a green spectral region;
a third digital camera comprising a third sensor array and a third color filter for filtering all light except light associated with a blue-green spectral region; and
a fourth digital camera comprising a fourth sensor array and a fourth color filter for filtering all light except light associated with a blue spectral region.
6. A color imaging device comprising an array of light sensitive elements:
a first type of element sensitive to a cyan spectral region;
a second type of element sensitive to a magenta spectral region;
a third type of element sensitive to a yellow spectral region;
a signal processing unit which calculate a red, green, blue, and blue-green value from signals to said signal processor from said first, second, and third element.
7. A color imaging device as in claim 6 wherein said light sensitive elements are comprised of a photosensor and a transmissive color filter.
8. A color imaging device as in claim 7 wherein said transmissive color filter for said cyan spectral region is between 400 and 600nm.
9. A color imaging device as in claim 7 wherein said transmissive color filter for said magenta spectral region is between 400 to 500 nm and 600 to 700nm.
10. A color imaging device as in claim 7 wherein said transmissive color filter for said yellow spectral region is between 500 to 700nm.
11. A color imaging device as in claim 6 wherein said red value is calculated from magenta and yellow.
12. A color imaging device as in claim 6 wherein said green value is calculated from cyan and yellow.
13. A color imaging device as in claim 6 wherein said blue value is calculated from cyan and magenta.
14. A color imaging device as in claim 6 wherein said blue-green value is calculated from cyan.
15. A color imaging device comprising an array of light sensitive elements:
a first type of element sensitive to a blue (B) spectral region;
a second type of element sensitive to a red (R) spectral region;
a third type of element sensitive to a green (G) spectral region;
a fourth type of element sensitive to a cyan (C) portion of said spectral region;
wherein said light sensitive elements are comprised of a photosensor and a transmissive color filter; and
wherein said transmissive color filter are arranged in a pattern of:
R
G
B
C
G
R
C
B
B
C
R
G
C
B
G
R
.
16. A color imaging device as in claim 15 wherein the spectral range of said cyan is 470 to 530 nm.