Imaging unit and image sensor

Abstract

There is provided an imaging unit: including an image sensor with a number of pixels arranged in a matrix, the pixels having color pixels where color filters are disposed, and white pixels where the color filters are not disposed; a sampling circuit section for sampling pixel signals generated in the image sensor; and a main controller for controlling the image sensor and/or the sampling circuit section to sample the pixel signals generated in the white pixels or the pixel signals generated in the color pixels sequentially in a time-series manner.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . An imaging unit comprising:
 an image sensor including a number pixels arranged in a two-dimensional matrix,   each of the pixels being adapted to photoelectrically convert light from an object to generate image data,   the pixels including white pixels where luminance filters are disposed on a part of the pixels, and color pixels where color filters are disposed on the pixels other than the white pixels; and   an exposure time controller for controlling an exposure time for the white pixels and an exposure time for the color pixels individually.   
     
     
         8 . The imaging unit according to  claim 7 , wherein
 the image sensor includes a CMOS sensor; and   the exposure time controller includes white pixel control lines for controlling readout of outputs from the white pixels, and color pixel control lines for controlling readout of outputs from the color pixels.   
     
     
         9 . The imaging unit according to  claim 8 , wherein
 the exposure time controller controls the white pixel control lines and the color pixel control lines individually.   
     
     
         10 . The imaging unit according to  claim 7 , wherein
 the image sensor includes a CCD sensor, and   the exposure time controller generates white pixel control signals for controlling transfer of outputs from the white pixels, and color pixel control signals for controlling transfer of outputs from the color pixels.   
     
     
         11 . The imaging unit according to  claim 10 , wherein
 the exposure time controller controls the white pixel control signals and the color pixel control signals individually.   
     
     
         12 . The imaging unit according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a luminance detector for detecting a luminance of an object, wherein   the exposure time controller controls the exposure time for the white pixels and the exposure time for the color pixels based on an output from the luminance detector.   
     
     
         13 . The imaging unit according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the exposure time controller sets the exposure time for the color pixels as long as the exposure time for the white pixels by an integral multiplication if the output from the luminance detector is lower than a predetermined value.   
     
     
         14 .- 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . An image sensor comprising:
 a number of pixels arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, each of the pixels being adapted to photoelectrically convert light from an object to generate a signal charge, the pixels including white pixels where luminance filters are disposed on a part of the pixels, and color pixels where color filters are disposed on the pixels other than the white pixels;   white pixel drivers, provided adjacent the white pixels, for controllably reading out the signal charges generated in the white pixels; and   color pixel drivers, provided adjacent the color pixels, for controllably reading out the signal charges generated in the color pixels, wherein   each of the white pixel drivers has a saturation amount of the signal charge larger than a saturation amount of the signal charge of each of the color pixel drivers.   
     
     
         19 . The image sensor according to  claim 18 , wherein
 each of the white pixels has a photoelectric conversion section of a size smaller than a size of a photoelectric conversion section of each of the color pixels.