Patent ID: 7683951
Filing Date: 2010-03-23
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A solid-state imaging apparatus comprising: a solid-state imaging device having a plurality of pixels that image light originating from a subject, by dividing the light into a plurality of color signals with a plurality of types of color filters provided with said plurality of pixels; and a signal processor that subjects photographed image data output from the solid-state imaging device to white balance correction at a gain corresponding to plurality of light source types, wherein the solid-state imaging device further comprises a plurality of sensors and a plurality of filters, each sensor associated with a respective filter, wherein each of the plurality of filters is different from said plurality of types of color filters and has a different transmission characteristic from those of said plurality of types of color filters, wherein the plurality of sensors detect light in a wavelength range which induces a difference having a predetermined value or more between radiant energy of a first light source and radiant energy of a second light source, the plurality of sensors being provided on the surface of the solid-state imaging device, wherein said plurality of filters are dispersed uniformly over the surface of the solid-state imaging device; wherein the signal processor further comprises: a mixing ratio estimation unit that determines a mixing ratio between illumination light originating from the first light source and illumination light originating from the second light source, through use of a detection signal output from the plurality of sensors; and a gain computation unit that computes a gain where the white balance correction is to be effected, in accordance with the mixing ratio; and wherein the plurality of sensors comprise two sensors, wherein peak sensitivity wavelengths for the sensors are substantially within 100 nm of each other.