Patent Publication Number: US-11659294-B2

Title: Image sensor, imaging apparatus, electronic device, image processing system, and signal processing method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2019/121074, filed on Nov. 26, 2019, which claims priority to International Patent Application No. PCT/CN2019/077338, filed on Mar. 7, 2019 with China National Intellectual Property Administration, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to the field of imaging technologies, and more particularly, to an image sensor, an imaging apparatus, an electronic device, an image processing system, and a signal processing method. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices such as mobile phones are typically equipped with cameras to provide photographing functions. An image sensor is provided in a camera. In order to capture color images, an image sensor is typically provided with a filter array arranged in a form of a Bayer array, such that a plurality of pixels in the image sensor can receive light passing through the corresponding filters, thereby generating pixel signals with different color channels. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides an image sensor, an imaging apparatus, an electronic device, an image processing system, and a signal processing method. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an image sensor includes a filter array and a pixel array. The filter array includes a plurality of first sets of filters and a plurality of second sets of filters. Each of the plurality of first sets of filters includes a plurality of first color filters and a plurality of second color filters. A number of first color filters and a number of second color filters are same in each of the plurality of first sets of filters. Each of the plurality of second sets of filters includes a plurality of first color filters and a plurality of third color filters. A number of first color filters and a number of third color filters are same in each of the plurality of second sets of filters. The pixel array includes a plurality of pixels each corresponding to one filter in the filter array and configured to receive light passing through the corresponding filter to generate an electrical signal. The image sensor is configured to combine the electrical signals generated by the pixels corresponding to each of the plurality of first sets of filters to generate a first pixel signal and a third pixel signal. The first pixel signal represents a value in a first color channel of the light applied to the pixels corresponding to the first set of filters, and the third pixel signal represents a value in a second color channel of the light applied to the pixels corresponding to the first set of filters. The image sensor is configured to combine the electrical signals generated by the pixels corresponding to each of the plurality of second sets of filters to generate a second pixel signal and a fourth pixel signal. The second pixel signal represents a value in the first color channel of the light applied to the pixels corresponding to the second set of filters, and the fourth pixel signal represents a value in a third color channel of the light applied to the pixels corresponding to the second set of filters. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an image sensor includes a filter array and a pixel array. The filter array includes a plurality of sets of filters. Each of the plurality of sets of filters includes a plurality of first color filters. The plurality of sets of filters include two types of sets of filters. Each set of filters of a first type further includes a plurality of second color filters, and each set of filters of a second type further includes a plurality of third color filters. The pixel array includes a plurality of pixels each corresponding to one filter in the filter array and configured to receive light passing through the corresponding filter to generate an electrical signal. When the image sensor operates in a combining mode, the pixels corresponding to each set of filters of the first type form a combined pixel of the first type, and the pixels corresponding to each set of filters of the second type form a combined pixel of the second type. The image sensor is configured to combine the electrical signals generated by the pixels in each combined pixel of the first type to generate a first pixel signal. The first pixel signal represents a value in a first color channel of the light applied to the pixels in each combined pixel of the first type. The image sensor is configured to combine the electrical signals generated by the pixels in each combined pixel of the second type to generate a second pixel signal. The second pixel signal represents a value in the first color channel of the light applied to the pixels in each combined pixel of the second type. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an image sensor includes a filter array and a control circuit. The filter array is provided on a pixel array. The filter array includes a plurality of first sets of filters and a plurality of second sets of filters. Each of the plurality of first sets of filters includes a plurality of first color filters and a plurality of second color filters. A number of first color filters and a number of second color filters are same in each of the plurality of first sets of filters. Each of the plurality of second sets of filters includes a plurality of first color filters and a plurality of third color filters. A number of first color filters and a number of third color filters are same in each of the plurality of second sets of filters. The control circuit is provided on a substrate with the pixel array, and is configured to combine electrical signals generated by pixels corresponding to each of the plurality of first sets of filters to generate a first pixel signal and a third pixel signal. The first pixel signal represents a value in a first color channel of light applied to the pixels corresponding to the first set of filters, and the third pixel signal represents a value in a second color channel of light applied to the pixels corresponding to the first set of filters. The control circuit is configured to combine electrical signals generated by pixels corresponding to each of the plurality of second sets of filters to generate a second pixel signal and a fourth pixel signal. The second pixel signal represents a value in the first color channel of light applied to the pixels corresponding to the second set of filters, and the fourth pixel signal represents a value in a third color channel of light applied to the pixels corresponding to the second set of filters. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an image sensor includes a filter array and a pixel array. The filter array includes a plurality of first color filters, a plurality of second color filters, and a plurality of third color filters. Two first color filters, one second color filter, and one third color filter constitute a unit. In each unit, the two first color filters are not adjacent to each other and the one second color filter and the one third color filter are not adjacent to each other. A plurality of units are arranged periodically in each of a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The pixel array includes a plurality of pixels each corresponding to one filter in the filter array and configured to receive light passing through the corresponding filter to generate an electrical signal. The image sensor is configured to combine the electrical signals generated by the pixels corresponding to a plurality of first color filters and a plurality of second color filters in a same area to generate a first pixel signal and a third pixel signal. The first pixel signal represents a value in a first color channel of the light applied to the pixels corresponding to the first color filters, and the third pixel signal represents a value in a second color channel of the light applied to the pixels corresponding to the second color filters. The image sensor is configured to combine the electrical signals generated by the pixels corresponding to the plurality of first color filters and a plurality of third color filters in a same area to generate a second pixel signal and a fourth pixel signal. The second pixel signal represents a value in the first color channel of the light applied to the pixels corresponding to the first color filters, and the fourth pixel signal represents a value in a third color channel of the light applied to the pixels corresponding to the third color filters. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an imaging apparatus includes the image sensor according to any of the above embodiments. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device includes an imaging apparatus. The imaging apparatus includes the image sensor according to any of the above embodiments. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an image processing system includes an electronic device. The electronic device includes an imaging apparatus. The imaging apparatus includes the image sensor according to any of the above embodiments. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a signal processing method is applied in an image sensor. The image sensor includes a filter array and a pixel array. The filter array includes a plurality of first sets of filters and a plurality of second sets of filters. Each of the plurality of first sets of filters includes a plurality of first color filters and a plurality of second color filters. A number of first color filters and a number of second color filters are same in each of the plurality of first sets of filters. Each of the plurality of second sets of filters includes a plurality of first color filters and a plurality of third color filters. A number of first color filters and a number of third color filters are same in each of the plurality of second sets of filters. The pixel array includes a plurality of pixels each corresponding to one filter in the filter array and configured to receive light passing through the corresponding filter to generate an electrical signal. The signal processing method includes: combining the electrical signals generated by the pixels corresponding to each of the plurality of first sets of filters to generate a first pixel signal and a third pixel signal, the first pixel signal representing a value in a first color channel of the light applied to the pixels corresponding to the first set of filters, and the third pixel signal representing a value in a second color channel of the light applied to the pixels corresponding to the first set of filters; and combining the electrical signals generated by the pixels corresponding to each of the plurality of second sets of filters to generate a second pixel signal and a fourth pixel signal, the second pixel signal representing a value in the first color channel of the light applied to the pixels corresponding to the second set of filters, and the fourth pixel signal representing a value in a third color channel of the light applied to the pixels corresponding to the second set of filters. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a signal processing method is applied in an image sensor. The image sensor includes a filter array and a pixel array. The filter array includes a plurality of sets of filters. Each of the plurality of sets of filters includes a plurality of first color filters. The plurality of sets of filters include two types of sets of filters. Each set of filters of a first type further includes a plurality of second color filters, and each set of filters of a second type further includes a plurality of third color filters. The pixel array includes a plurality of pixels each corresponding to one filter in the filter array and configured to receive light passing through the corresponding filter to generate an electrical signal. The signal processing method includes, when the image sensor operates in a combining mode, the pixels corresponding to each set of filters of the first type form a combined pixel of the first type, and the pixels corresponding to each set of filters of the second type form a combined pixel of the second type: combining the electrical signals generated by the pixels in each combined pixel of the first type to generate a first pixel signal, the first pixel signal representing a value in a first color channel of the light applied to the pixels in each combined pixel of the first type; and combining the electrical signals generated by the pixels in each combined pixel of the second type to generate a second pixel signal, the second pixel signal representing a value in the first color channel of the light applied to the pixels in each combined pixel of the second type. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a signal processing method is applied in an image sensor. The image sensor includes a filter array. The filter array is provided on a pixel array. The filter array includes a plurality of first sets of filters and a plurality of second sets of filters. Each of the plurality of first sets of filters includes a plurality of first color filters and a plurality of second color filters. A number of first color filters and a number of second color filters are same in each of the plurality of first sets of filters. Each of the plurality of second sets of filters includes a plurality of first color filters and a plurality of third color filters. A number of first color filters and a number of third color filters are same in each of the plurality of second sets of filters. The signal processing method includes: combining electrical signals generated by pixels corresponding to each of the plurality of first sets of filters to generate a first pixel signal and a third pixel signal, the first pixel signal representing a value in a first color channel of light applied to the pixels corresponding to the first set of filters, and the third pixel signal representing a value in a second color channel of light applied to the pixels corresponding to the first set of filters; and combining electrical signals generated by pixels corresponding to each of the plurality of second sets of filters to generate a second pixel signal and a fourth pixel signal, the second pixel signal representing a value in the first color channel of light applied to the pixels corresponding to the second set of filters, and the fourth pixel signal representing a value in a third color channel of light applied to the pixels corresponding to the second set of filters. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a signal processing method is applied in an image sensor. The image sensor includes a filter array and a pixel array. The filter array includes a plurality of first color filters, a plurality of second color filters, and a plurality of third color filters. Two first color filters, one second color filter, and one third color filter constitute a unit. In each unit, the two first color filters are not adjacent to each other and the one second color filter and the one third color filter are not adjacent to each other. A plurality of units are arranged periodically in each of a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The pixel array includes a plurality of pixels each corresponding to one filter in the filter array and configured to receive light passing through the corresponding filter to generate an electrical signal. The signal processing method includes: combining the electrical signals generated by the pixels corresponding to a plurality of first color filters and a plurality of second color filters in a same area to generate a first pixel signal and a third pixel signal, the first pixel signal representing a value in a first color channel of the light applied to the pixels corresponding to the first color filters, and the third pixel signal representing a value in a second color channel of the light applied to the pixels corresponding to the second color filters; and combining the electrical signals generated by the pixels corresponding to the plurality of first color filters and a plurality of third color filters in a same area to generate a second pixel signal and a fourth pixel signal, the second pixel signal representing a value in the first color channel of the light applied to the pixels corresponding to the first color filters, and the fourth pixel signal representing a value in a third color channel of the light applied to the pixels corresponding to the third color filters. 
     Additional aspects and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be given at least in part in the following description, or become apparent at least in part from the following description, or can be learned from practicing of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The above and/or additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent and more understandable from the following description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIGS.  1  and  2    are schematic diagrams each illustrating a part of a structure of an image sensor according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  3  to  6    are schematic diagrams each illustrating an arrangement of some filters in the image sensor illustrated in  FIG.  1  or  2   ; 
         FIG.  7    is a schematic diagram illustrating a signal processing method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  8  and  9    are schematic diagrams each illustrating a part of a structure of an image sensor according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  10  to  13    are schematic diagrams each illustrating an arrangement of some filters in the image sensor illustrated in  FIG.  8  or  9   ; 
         FIG.  14    is a schematic diagram illustrating a signal processing method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  15    is a schematic diagram illustrating an image sensor according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  16  and  17    are schematic diagrams each illustrating a part of a structure of an image sensor according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  18  to  21    are schematic diagrams each illustrating an arrangement of some filters in the image sensor illustrated in  FIG.  15 ,  16   , or  17 ; 
         FIG.  22    is a schematic diagram illustrating a signal processing method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  23  and  24    are schematic diagrams each illustrating a part of a structure of an image sensor according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  25  to  28    are schematic diagrams each illustrating an arrangement of some filters in the image sensor illustrated in  FIG.  23  or  24   ; 
         FIG.  29    is a schematic diagram illustrating a signal processing method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  30  to  32    are schematic diagrams each illustrating operation principles of an image sensor according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  33    is a schematic diagram illustrating operation principles of an image sensor including a filter array arranged in the form of a Bayer array in the related art; 
         FIG.  34    is a schematic diagram illustrating operation principles of an image sensor according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  35    is a schematic diagram of an imaging apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  36    is a schematic diagram of an electronic device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  37    is a schematic diagram of an image processing system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  38    is a schematic diagram of an image processing circuit in a computer device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to examples thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which same or similar elements, or elements having same or similar functions, are denoted by same or similar reference numerals. The embodiments described below with reference to the drawings are illustrative only, and are intended to explain, rather than limiting, the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1    to  FIG.  3   , the present disclosure provides an image sensor  10 . The image sensor  10  includes a filter array  11  and a pixel array  12 . The filter array  11  includes a plurality of first sets of filters  111  and a plurality of second sets of filters  112 . Each of the plurality of first sets of filters  111  includes a plurality of first color filters A and a plurality of second color filters B. A number of first color filters A and a number of second color filters A are same in each of the plurality of first sets of filters  111 . Each of the plurality of second sets of filters  112  includes a plurality of first color filters A and a plurality of third color filters C. A number of first color filters A and a number of third color filters C are same in each of the plurality of second sets of filters  112 . The pixel array  12  includes a plurality of pixels  120  each corresponding to one filter  110  in the filter array  11  and configured to receive light passing through the corresponding filter  110  to generate an electrical signal. The image sensor  10  is configured to combine the electrical signals generated by the pixels  120  corresponding to each of the plurality of first sets of filters  111  to generate a first pixel signal and a third pixel signal. The first pixel signal represents a value in a first color channel of the light applied to the pixels  120  corresponding to the first set of filters  111 , and the third pixel signal represents a value in a second color channel of the light applied to the pixels  120  corresponding to the first set of filters  111 . The image sensor  10  is configured to combine the electrical signals generated by the pixels  120  corresponding to each of the plurality of second sets of filters  112  to generate a second pixel signal and a fourth pixel signal. The second pixel signal represents a value in the first color channel of the light applied to the pixels  120  corresponding to the second set of filters  112 , and the fourth pixel signal represents a value in a third color channel of the light applied to the pixels  120  corresponding to the second set of filters  112 . 
     The image sensor  10  of the present disclosure will be further described below with reference to the figures. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2   , the image sensor  10  according to the embodiments of the present disclosure includes a microlens array  13 , a filter array  11 , and a pixel array  12 . The microlens array  13 , the filter array  11 , and the pixel array  12  are arranged in sequence in a light-receiving direction of the image sensor  10 . 
     The filter array  11  includes a plurality of first sets of filters  111  and a plurality of second sets of filters  112 . Each of the plurality of first sets of filters  111  includes a plurality of first color filters A and a plurality of second color filters B. A number of first color filters A and a number of second color filters A are same in each of the plurality of first sets of filters  111 . Each of the plurality of second sets of filters  112  includes a plurality of first color filters A and a plurality of third color filters C. A number of first color filters A and a number of third color filters C are same in each of the plurality of second sets of filters  112 . 
     The pixel array  12  includes a plurality of pixels  120  each corresponding to one filter  110  in the filter array  11  and configured to receive light passing through the corresponding filter  110  to generate an electrical signal. 
     The microlens array  13  includes a plurality of sets of microlenses  131 . Each set of microlenses  131  in the microlens array  13  corresponds to one set of filters  113  (the first set of filters  111  or the second set of filters  112 ), and to the pixels  120  corresponding to the one set of filters  113 . As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , each set of microlenses  131  includes a plurality of microlenses  130  each corresponding to one filter  110  and one pixel  120 . As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , each set of microlenses  131  includes one microlens  130  corresponding to one set of filters  113  and to the pixels  120  corresponding to the one set of filters  113 . 
       FIGS.  3  to  6    are schematic diagrams each illustrating an arrangement of some filters  110  in the filter array  11  according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. In the filter arrays  11  illustrated in  FIGS.  3  to  6   , each filter array  11  includes a plurality of first sets of filters  111  and a plurality of second sets of filters  112 . Each of the plurality of first sets of filters  111  includes a plurality of first color filters A and a plurality of second color filters B. A number of first color filters A and a number of second color filters A are same in each of the plurality of first sets of filters  111 . Each of the plurality of second sets of filters  112  includes a plurality of first color filters A and a plurality of third color filters C. A number of first color filters A and a number of third color filters C are same in each of the plurality of second sets of filters  112 . 
     Here, there may be a number of color configurations for the first color filters A, the second color filters B, and the third color filters C. For example, each first color filter A can be a green filter G, each second color filter B can be a red filter R, and each third color filter C can be a blue filter Bu. In another example, each first color filter A can be a yellow filter Y, each second color filter B may be a red filter R, and each third color filter C may be a blue filter Bu. The color configuration of the first color filter A, the second color filter B, and the third color filter C is not limited to the ones illustrated in the above two examples. 
     Here, the plurality of first sets of filters  111  may be arranged in a first diagonal direction D 1 , and the plurality of second sets of filters  112  may be arranged in a second diagonal direction D 2  different from the first diagonal direction D 1 . In an example, when the plurality of first sets of filters  111  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  and the plurality of second sets of filters  112  are arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2 , the first sets of filters  111  and the second sets of filters  112  may be arranged adjacently to each other in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction of the image sensor  10 . 
     Here, the number of filters  110  in each of the plurality of first sets of filters  111  is N*N, and the number of filters  110  in each of the plurality of second sets of filters  112  is N*N, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2. For example, the value of N may be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, etc., and the present disclosure is not limited to any of these values. 
     Here, the arrangement of the filters  110  in each first set of filters  111  may be: (1) referring to  FIG.  3   , the plurality of first color filters A and the plurality of second color filters B are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the image sensor  10  (illustrated in  FIG.  1   ); (2) referring to  FIG.  4   , the filters  110  are arranged in rows, and the filters  110  in each row have a same color; (3) referring to  FIG.  5   , the filters  110  are arranged in columns, and the filters  110  in each column have a same color. Of course, the arrangement of the filters  110  in each first set of filters  111  is not limited to any of these examples. 
     Here, the arrangement of the filters  110  in each second set of filters  112  may be: (1) referring to  FIG.  3   , the plurality of first color filters A and the plurality of third color filters C are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the image sensor  10  (illustrated in  FIG.  1   ); (2) referring to  FIG.  4   , the filters  110  are arranged in rows, and the filters  110  in each row have a same color; (3) referring to  FIG.  5   , the filters  110  are arranged in columns, and the filters  110  in each column have a same color. Of course, the arrangement of the filters  110  in each second set of filters  112  is not limited to any of these examples. 
       FIG.  3    is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of some filters  110  in the filter array  11  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG.  3   , the arrangement of some filters  110  is: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
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     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  110  in each first set of filters  111  is 2*2, and the number of filters  110  in each second set of filters  112  is 2*2. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the plurality of first sets of filters  111  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, a direction connecting an upper left corner and a lower right corner of the filter array  11  in  FIG.  3   ), and the plurality of second sets of filters  112  are arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, a direction connecting a lower left corner and an upper right corner of the filter array  11  in  FIG.  3   ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     It is to be noted that the first diagonal direction D 1  and the second diagonal direction D 2  are not limited to diagonals, but may also include directions parallel to the diagonals. The term “direction” here is not a single pointing direction, but can be understood as a concept of a “straight line” indicating an arrangement and having two pointing directions at both ends of the straight line. In addition, in other embodiments, the first diagonal direction D 1  may alternatively be the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  11 , and the second diagonal direction D 2  may alternatively be the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  11 . In this case, positions of the first sets of filters  111  and the second sets of filters  112  are changed correspondingly to a change in the diagonal directions. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the first sets of filters  111  and the second sets of filters  112  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  10  (illustrated in  FIG.  1   ), and also arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  111  and a second set of filters  112  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  111  and a second set of filters  112  in the horizontal direction H. 
     It is to be noted that the arrangement in which the first sets of filters  111  and the second sets of filters  112  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V and adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H is not limited to the one illustrated in  FIG.  3   . Alternatively, the plurality of sets of filters  113  may be arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  111  and a second set of filters  112  or the order of a second set of filters  112  and a first set of filters  111  in the vertical direction V (from left to right and from top to bottom, the same below), and the plurality of sets of filters  113  may be arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  111  and a second set of filters  112  or the order of a second set of filters  112  and a first set of filters  111  in the horizontal direction H (from left to right and from top to bottom, the same below). 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  3   , in each first set of filters  111 , the plurality of first color filters A and the plurality of second color filters B are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V and the horizontal direction H. That is, in the vertical direction V, the first color filters A and the second color filters B are arranged alternately, and in the horizontal direction H, the first color filters A and the second color filters B are arranged alternately. In each second set of filters  112 , the plurality of first color filters A and the plurality of third color filters C are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V and the horizontal direction H. That is, in the vertical direction V, the first color filters A and the third color filters C are arranged alternately, and in the horizontal direction H, the first color filters A and the third color filters C are arranged alternately. 
     In some embodiments, the arrangement of some filters  110  in the filter array  11  may alternatively be: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
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     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  110  in each first set of filters  111  is 3*3, and the number of filters  110  in each second set of filters  112  is 3*3. 
     In this arrangement, the plurality of first sets of filters  111  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  11 ), and the plurality of second sets of filters  112  is arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  11 ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     In this arrangement, the first sets of filters  111  and the second sets of filters  112  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  10  (illustrated in  FIG.  1   ), and are arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  111  and a second set of filters  112  or in the order of a second set of filters  112  and a first set of filters  111  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  111  and a second set of filters  112  or in the order of a second set of filters  112  and a first set of filters  111  in the horizontal direction H. 
     In this arrangement, in each first set of filters  111 , the plurality of first color filters A and the plurality of second color filters B are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V and the horizontal direction H. That is, in the vertical direction V, the first color filters A and the second color filters B are arranged alternately, and in the horizontal direction H, the first color filters A and the second color filters B are arranged alternately. In each second set of filters  112 , the plurality of first color filters A and the plurality of third color filters C are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V and the horizontal direction H. That is, in the vertical direction V, the first color filters A and the third color filters C are arranged alternately, and in the horizontal direction H, the first color filters A and the third color filters C are arranged alternately. 
     In some embodiments, the arrangement of some filters  110  in the filter array  11  may alternatively be: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
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                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
               
               
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  110  in each first set of filters  111  is 4*4, and the number of filters  110  in each second set of filters  112  is 4*4. 
     In this arrangement, the plurality of first sets of filters  111  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  11 ), and the plurality of second sets of filters  112  is arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  11 ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     In this arrangement, the first sets of filters  111  and the second sets of filters  112  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  10  (illustrated in  FIG.  1   ), and are arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  111  and a second set of filters  112  or in the order of a second set of filters  112  and a first set of filters  111  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  111  and a second set of filters  112  or in the order of a second set of filters  112  and a first set of filters  111  in the horizontal direction H. 
     In this arrangement, in each first set of filters  111 , the plurality of first color filters A and the plurality of second color filters B are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V and the horizontal direction H. That is, in the vertical direction V, the first color filters A and the second color filters B are arranged alternately, and in the horizontal direction H, the first color filters A and the second color filters B are arranged alternately. In each second set of filters  112 , the plurality of first color filters A and the plurality of third color filters C are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V and the horizontal direction H. That is, in the vertical direction V, the first color filters A and the third color filters C are arranged alternately, and in the horizontal direction H, the first color filters A and the third color filters C are arranged alternately. 
       FIG.  4    is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of some filters  110  in the filter array  11  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG.  4   , the arrangement of some filters  110  is: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 B 
                 B 
                 C 
                 C 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 C 
                 C 
                 B 
                 B 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  110  in each first set of filters  111  is 2*2, and the number of filters  110  in each second set of filters  112  is 2*2. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the plurality of first sets of filters  111  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  11  in  FIG.  4   ), and the plurality of second sets of filters  112  are arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  11  in  FIG.  4   ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the first sets of filters  111  and the second sets of filters  112  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  10  (illustrated in  FIG.  1   ), and are arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  111  and a second set of filters  112  or in the order of a second set of filters  112  and a first set of filters  111  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  111  and a second set of filters  112  or in the order of a second set of filters  112  and a first set of filters  111  in the horizontal direction H. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , in each first set of filters  111 , the filters  110  are arranged in rows, and the filters  110  in each row have a same color. For example, the filters  110  in the first row are all first color filters A, and the filters  110  in the second row are all second color filters B. In each second set of filters  112 , the filters  110  are arranged in rows, and the filters  110  in each row have a same color. For example, the filters  110  in the first row are all first color filters A, and the filters  110  in the second row are all third color filters C. 
     In some embodiments, the arrangement of some filters  110  in the filter array  11  may alternatively be: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  110  in each first set of filters  111  is 3*3, and the number of filters  110  in each second set of filters  112  is 3*3. 
     In this arrangement, the plurality of first sets of filters  111  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  11 ), and the plurality of second sets of filters  112  is arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  11 ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     In this arrangement, the first sets of filters  111  and the second sets of filters  112  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  10  (illustrated in  FIG.  1   ), and are arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  111  and a second set of filters  112  or in the order of a second set of filters  112  and a first set of filters  111  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  111  and a second set of filters  112  or in the order of a second set of filters  112  and a first set of filters  111  in the horizontal direction H. 
     In this arrangement, in each first set of filters  111 , the filters  110  are arranged in rows, and the filters  110  in each row have a same color. For example, the filters  110  in the first row are all first color filters A, the filters  110  in the second row are all second color filters B, and the filters  110  in the third row are all first color filters A. In each second set of filters  112 , the filters  110  are arranged in rows, and the filters  110  in each row have a same color. For example, the filters  110  in the first row are all first color filters A, the filters  110  in the second row are all third color filters C, and the filters  110  in the third row are all first color filters A. 
     In some embodiments, the arrangement of some filters  110  in the filter array  11  may alternatively be: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
               
               
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
               
               
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
               
               
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  110  in each first set of filters  111  is 4*4, and the number of filters  110  in each second set of filters  112  is 4*4. 
     In this arrangement, the plurality of first sets of filters  111  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  11 ), and the plurality of second sets of filters  112  is arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  11 ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     In this arrangement, the first sets of filters  111  and the second sets of filters  112  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  10  (illustrated in  FIG.  1   ), and are arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  111  and a second set of filters  112  or in the order of a second set of filters  112  and a first set of filters  111  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  111  and a second set of filters  112  or in the order of a second set of filters  112  and a first set of filters  111  in the horizontal direction H. 
     In this arrangement, in each first set of filters  111 , the filters  110  are arranged in rows, and the filters  110  in each row have a same color. For example, the filters  110  in the first row are all first color filters A, the filters  110  in the second row are all second color filters B, the filters  110  in the third row are all first color filters A, and the filters  110  in the fourth row are all second color filters B. In each second set of filters  112 , the filters  110  are arranged in rows, and the filters  110  in each row have a same color. For example, the filters  110  in the first row are all first color filters A, the filters  110  in the second row are all third color filters C, the filters  110  in the third row are all first color filters A, and the filters  110  in the fourth row are all third color filters C. 
       FIG.  5    is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of some filters  110  in the filter array  11  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG.  5   , the arrangement of some filters  110  is: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 C 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 C 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  110  in each first set of filters  111  is 2*2, and the number of filters  110  in each second set of filters  112  is 2*2. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the plurality of first sets of filters  111  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  11  in  FIG.  5   ), and the plurality of second sets of filters  112  are arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  11  in  FIG.  5   ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the first sets of filters  111  and the second sets of filters  112  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  10  (illustrated in  FIG.  1   ), and are arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  111  and a second set of filters  112  or in the order of a second set of filters  112  and a first set of filters  111  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  111  and a second set of filters  112  or in the order of a second set of filters  112  and a first set of filters  111  in the horizontal direction H. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  5   , in each first set of filters  111 , the filters  110  are arranged in columns, and the filters  110  in each column have a same color. For example, the filters  110  in the first column are all first color filters A, and the filters  110  in the second column are all second color filters B. In each second set of filters  112 , the filters  110  are arranged in columns, and the filters  110  in each column have a same color. For example, the filters  110  in the first column are all first color filters A, and the filters  110  in the second column are all third color filters C. 
     In some embodiments, the arrangement of some filters  110  in the filter array  11  may alternatively be: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  110  in each first set of filters  111  is 3*3, and the number of filters  110  in each second set of filters  112  is 3*3. 
     In this arrangement, the plurality of first sets of filters  111  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  11 ), and the plurality of second sets of filters  112  is arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  11 ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     In this arrangement, the first sets of filters  111  and the second sets of filters  112  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  10  (illustrated in  FIG.  1   ), and are arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  111  and a second set of filters  112  or in the order of a second set of filters  112  and a first set of filters  111  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  111  and a second set of filters  112  or in the order of a second set of filters  112  and a first set of filters  111  in the horizontal direction H. 
     In this arrangement, in each first set of filters  111 , the filters  110  are arranged in columns, and the filters  110  in each column have a same color. For example, the filters  110  in the first column are all first color filters A, the filters  110  in the second column are all second color filters B, and the filters  110  in the third column are all first color filters A. In each second set of filters  112 , the filters  110  are arranged in columns, and the filters  110  in each column have a same color. For example, the filters  110  in the first column are all first color filters A, the filters  110  in the second column are all third color filters C, and the filters  110  in the third column are all first color filters A. 
     In some embodiments, the arrangement of some filters  110  in the filter array  11  may alternatively be: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
               
               
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
               
               
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
               
               
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
               
               
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  110  in each first set of filters  111  is 4*4, and the number of filters  110  in each second set of filters  112  is 4*4. 
     In this arrangement, the plurality of first sets of filters  111  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  11 ), and the plurality of second sets of filters  112  is arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  11 ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     In this arrangement, the first sets of filters  111  and the second sets of filters  112  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  10  (illustrated in  FIG.  1   ), and are arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  111  and a second set of filters  112  or in the order of a second set of filters  112  and a first set of filters  111  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  111  and a second set of filters  112  or in the order of a second set of filters  112  and a first set of filters  111  in the horizontal direction H. 
     In this arrangement, in each first set of filters  111 , the filters  110  are arranged in columns, and the filters  110  in each column have a same color. For example, the filters  110  in the first column are all first color filters A, the filters  110  in the second column are all second color filters B, the filters  110  in the third column are all first color filters A, and the filters  110  in the fourth column are all second color filters B. In each second set of filters  112 , the filters  110  are arranged in columns, and the filters  110  in each column have a same color. For example, the filters  110  in the first column are all first color filters A, the filters  110  in the second column are all third color filters C, the filters  110  in the third column are all first color filters A, and the filters  110  in the fourth column are all third color filters C. 
       FIG.  6    is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of some filters  110  in the filter array  11  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG.  6   , the arrangement of some filters  110  is: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 C 
                 C 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                   
                 C 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  110  in each first set of filters  111  is 2*2, and the number of filters  110  in each second set of filters  112  is 2*2. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the plurality of first sets of filters  111  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  11  in  FIG.  6   ), and the plurality of second sets of filters  112  are arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  11  in  FIG.  6   ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the first sets of filters  111  and the second sets of filters  112  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  10  (illustrated in  FIG.  1   ), and are arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  111  and a second set of filters  112  or in the order of a second set of filters  112  and a first set of filters  111  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  111  and a second set of filters  112  or in the order of a second set of filters  112  and a first set of filters  111  in the horizontal direction H. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , in each first set of filters  111 , the filters  110  are arranged in columns, and the filters  110  in each column have a same color. For example, the filters  110  in the first column are all first color filters A, and the filters  110  in the second column are all second color filters B. In each second set of filters  112 , the filters  110  are arranged in rows, and the filters  110  in each row have a same color. For example, the filters  110  in the first row are all first color filters A, and the filters  110  in the second row are all third color filters C. 
     In some embodiments, the arrangement of some filters  110  in the filter array  11  may alternatively be: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  110  in each first set of filters  111  is 3*3, and the number of filters  110  in each second set of filters  112  is 3*3. 
     In this arrangement, the plurality of first sets of filters  111  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  11 ), and the plurality of second sets of filters  112  is arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  11 ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     In this arrangement, the first sets of filters  111  and the second sets of filters  112  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  10  (illustrated in  FIG.  1   ), and are arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  111  and a second set of filters  112  or in the order of a second set of filters  112  and a first set of filters  111  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  111  and a second set of filters  112  or in the order of a second set of filters  112  and a first set of filters  111  in the horizontal direction H. 
     In this arrangement, in each first set of filters  111 , the filters  110  are arranged in rows, and the filters  110  in each row have a same color. For example, the filters  110  in the first row are all first color filters A, the filters  110  in the second row are all second color filters B, and the filters  110  in the third row are all first color filters A. In each second set of filters  112 , the filters  110  are arranged in columns, and the filters  110  in each column have a same color. For example, the filters  110  in the first column are all first color filters A, the filters  110  in the second column are all third color filters C, and the filters  110  in the third column are all first color filters A. 
     In some embodiments, the arrangement of some filters  110  in the filter array  11  may alternatively be: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
               
               
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
               
               
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  110  in each first set of filters  111  is 4*4, and the number of filters  110  in each second set of filters  112  is 4*4. 
     In this arrangement, the plurality of first sets of filters  111  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  11 ), and the plurality of second sets of filters  112  is arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  11 ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     In this arrangement, the first sets of filters  111  and the second sets of filters  112  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  10  (illustrated in  FIG.  1   ), and are arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  111  and a second set of filters  112  or in the order of a second set of filters  112  and a first set of filters  111  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  111  and a second set of filters  112  or in the order of a second set of filters  112  and a first set of filters  111  in the horizontal direction H. 
     In this arrangement, in each first set of filters  111 , the filters  110  are arranged in columns, and the filters  110  in each column have a same color. For example, the filters  110  in the first column are all first color filters A, the filters  110  in the second column are all second color filters B, the filters  110  in the third column are all first color filters A, and the filters  110  in the fourth column are all second color filters B. In each second set of filters  112 , the filters  110  are arranged in rows, and the filters  110  in each row have a same color. For example, the filters  110  in the first row are all first color filters A, the filters  110  in the second row are all third color filters C, the filters  110  in the third row are all first color filters A, and the filters  110  in the fourth row are all third color filters C. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  to  6   , in the image sensor  10  according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the electrical signals generated by the pixels  120  corresponding to each first set of filters  111  can be combined to generate the first pixel signal and the third pixel signal. The electrical signals generated by the pixels  120  corresponding to each second set of filters  112  can be combined to generate the second pixel signal and the fourth pixel signal. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG.  3   , each set of filters  113  includes 2*2 filters  110 , and each set of filters  113  corresponds to four pixels  120 . Referring to  FIGS.  1 ,  3 , and  30   , among the four pixels  120  corresponding to the first set of filters  111 , two pixels  120  can receive the light passing through the first color filters A to generate two electrical signals, and the other two pixels  120  can receive the light passing through the second color filters B to generate two electrical signals. The image sensor  10  can combine the electrical signals generated by the two pixels  120  that receive the light passing through the first color filters A to obtain the first pixel signal, and combine the electrical signals generated by the two pixels  120  that receive the light passing through the second color filters B to obtain the third pixel signal. Here, the first pixel signal represents the value in the first color channel of the light applied to the pixels  120  corresponding to the first set of filters  111 , and the third pixel signal represents the value in the second color channel of the light applied to the pixels  120  corresponding to the first set of filters  111 . Among the four pixels  120  corresponding to the second set of filters  112 , the two pixels  120  can receive the light passing through the first color filters A to generate two electrical signals, and the other two pixels  120  can receive the light passing through the third color filters C to generate two electrical signals. The image sensor  10  can combine the electrical signals generated by the two pixels  120  that receive the light passing through the first color filters A to obtain the second pixel signal, and combine the electrical signals generated by the two pixels  120  that receive the light passing through the third color filters C to obtain the fourth pixel signal. Here, the second pixel signal represents the value in the first color channel of the light applied to the pixels  120  corresponding to the second set of filters  112 , and the fourth pixel signal represents the value in the third color channel of the light applied to the pixels  120  corresponding to the second set of filters  112 . 
     Thus, the four pixels  120  corresponding to each first set of filters  111  can form a first combined pixel, and each first combined pixel can generate a first pixel signal and a third pixel signal. The four pixels  120  corresponding to each second set of filters  112  can form a second combined pixel, and each second combined pixel can generate a second pixel signal and a fourth pixel signal. Each combined pixel can output the pixel signal (the first pixel signal or the second pixel signal) having a value in the first color channel, only some of the combined pixels can output the third pixel signal having a value in the second color channel and only some of the combined pixels can output the fourth pixel signal having a value in the third color channel. Therefore, a combined pixel that cannot output the third pixel signal needs to be subjected to an interpolation process to calculate a value in the second color channel of the combined pixel, and a combined pixel that cannot output the fourth pixel signal also needs to be subjected to the interpolation process to calculate a value in the third color channel of the combined pixel. In this way, each combined pixel can obtain the values in the first color channel, the second color channel, and the third color channel, and a color image can be generated by means of color space calculation. 
     Referring to  FIG.  33   , in the existing filter array arranged in a Bayer array, a pixel corresponding to each filter can only generate a pixel signal having the value in one color channel. For example, the pixel corresponding to the pixel signal in the first row and first column from the left only has a value in the second color channel, and a value in the first color channel and a value in the third color channel of the pixel need to be obtained by interpolation; The pixel corresponding to the pixel signal in the first row and the second column only has a value in the first color channel, and a value in the second color channel and a value in the third color channel of the pixel need to be obtained by interpolation. The pixel corresponding to the pixel signal in the second row and the second column from the left only has a value in the third color channel, and a value in the first color channel and a value in the second color channel of the pixel need to be obtained by interpolation. In this way, the values in the other color channels of the pixel corresponding to each pixel signal need to be obtained by interpolation. However, an accuracy of the pixel signals obtained by interpolation is not high enough, which will cause a color reproduction of a final resulting color image to be inaccurate. In addition, in the existing filter array arranged in a Bayer array, when the pixel signal having a value in the first color channel is generated by interpolation and the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel is generated by interpolation, most of the pixel signals generated by interpolation can only be calculated using two pixel signals. For example, in the image signal in  FIG.  33    that only contains pixel signals having values in the second color channel, the pixel corresponding to the pixel signal in the second row and the third column from the left does not have a value in the second color channel, and the value in the second color channel of the pixel needs to be obtained from the pixel signals of the pixels adjacent to the pixel and having a value in the second color channel, i.e., based on the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the first row and the third column and the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the third row and the third column. In another example, in the image signal in  FIG.  33    that only contains the pixel signals having values in the third color channel, the pixel signal in the third row and the second column from the left does not have a value in the third color channel, and the value in the third color channel of the pixel corresponding to the pixel signal needs to be obtained from the pixel signals of the pixels adjacent to the pixel and having a value in the third color channel, i.e., based on the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the second row and the second column and the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the fourth row and the second column. In this way, the number of the pixel signals usable for generating the pixel signal by interpolation is relatively small, and the accuracy of the pixel signal generated by interpolation is not high enough. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   ,  FIG.  3   , and  FIGS.  30  to  32   , in the image sensor  10  according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, compared with a resolution of the pixel array  12  composed of the pixels  120 , the resolution of the image composed of the pixel signals corresponding to the combined pixels is reduced. However, as each combined pixel has a pixel signal having a value in the first color channel, the value in the first color channel does not need to be obtained by interpolation, and the color reproduction of the final resulting color image will be more accurate. Since each combined pixel of the pixel array  12  directly obtains the corresponding pixel signal of the first color channel, more information can be obtained in the subsequent signal processing procedure. 
     In addition, referring to  FIG.  1   ,  FIG.  3   ,  FIG.  30   , and  FIG.  31   , in the image sensor  10  according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, when the interpolation process is performed on a combined pixel that cannot output the third pixel signal, for most of the combined pixels, the value in the second color channel of the combined pixel can be calculated from four third pixel signals with each having a value in the second color channel. For example, in the second image signal M 2  formed by a plurality of third pixel signals illustrated in  FIG.  31   , the third pixel signal in the second row and the third column from the left may be calculated from the third pixel signal in the first row and the third column from the left, the third pixel signal in the second row and the second column from the left, the third pixel signal in the second row and the fourth column from the left, and the third pixel signal in the third row and the third column from the left. In the image sensor  10  according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, when the interpolation process is performed on a combined pixel that cannot output the fourth pixel signal, for most of the combined pixels, the value in the third color channel of the combined pixel can be calculated from four fourth pixel signals each having a value in the third color channel. For example, in the third image signal M 3  formed by a plurality of fourth pixel signals illustrated in  FIG.  31   , the fourth pixel signal in the third row and the third column from the left may be calculated from the fourth pixel signal in the second row and the third column from the left, the fourth pixel signal in the third row and the second column from the left, the fourth pixel signal in the third row and the fourth column from the left, and the fourth pixel signal in the fourth row and the third column from the left. As a result, the number of pixel signals usable for generating the pixel signal by interpolation is relatively large, and the accuracy of the pixel signal generated by interpolation is high. 
     In summary, in the image sensor  10  according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, each first set of filters  111  and each second set of filters  112  have the first color filters A, such that the pixel  120  corresponding to each first set of filters  111  and the pixel  120  corresponding to each second set of filters  112  can generate the pixel signal having a value in the first color channel. Therefore, in the process of generating the color image, the value in the first color channel does not need to be obtained by interpolation, and the color reproduction of the color image can be more accurate. Moreover, when performing the interpolation process on values in the second color channel (or values in the third color channel), most of the values in the second color channel to be generated by interpolation (or the values in the third color channel to be generated by interpolation) can be calculated from four adjacent pixel signals each having a value in the second color channel (or four adjacent pixels each having a value in the third color channel), such that the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel (or the third color channel) generated by interpolation can be more accurate, thereby further improving the accuracy of the color reproduction of the color image. 
     The existing processor for processing pixel signals outputted by an image sensor can only process a plurality of pixel signals corresponding to an image arranged in a form of a Bayer array. However, the image corresponding to the image signal formed by the plurality of pixels outputted by the image sensor  10  (illustrated in  FIG.  1   ) of the present disclosure is not an image arranged in the form of a Bayer array. Therefore, in order to enable the plurality of pixel signals outputted by the image sensor  10  of the present disclosure to be processed by the processor, in some embodiments, the image sensor  10  may further be configured to process the first pixel signal, the second pixel signal, the third pixel signal, and the fourth pixel signal to output an image signal. The image signal includes a plurality of image signal units U each including four pixel signals, of which two pixel signals each have a value in the first color channel, one pixel signal has a value in the second color channel, one pixel signal has a value in the third color channel. The color channels corresponding to the four pixel signals are arranged in a Bayer array. 
     Specifically, referring to  FIGS.  1 ,  30 , and  34   , the image sensor  10  outputs a plurality of first pixel signals, a plurality of second pixel signals, a plurality of third pixel signals, and a plurality of fourth pixel signals. The plurality of first pixel signals and the plurality of second pixel signals form a first image signal M 1 , the plurality of third pixel signals form a second image signal M 2 , and the plurality of fourth pixel signals form a third image signal M 3 . The image sensor  10  performs an interpolation process on the second image signal M 2  based on the plurality of third pixel signals, such that each pixel signal in the second image signal M 2 ′ after the interpolation process has a value in the second color channel. The image sensor  10  performs the interpolation process on the third image signal M 3  based on the plurality of fourth pixel signals, such that each pixel signal in the third image signal M 3 ′ after the interpolation process has a value in the third color channel. Then, the image sensor  10  selects a plurality of pixel signals each having a value in the second color channel from the second image signal M 2 ′ after the interpolation process, selects a plurality of pixel signals each having a value in the first color channel from the first image signal M 1 , and selects a plurality of pixel signals each having a value in the third color channel from the third image signal M 3 ′. Thus, the plurality of pixel signals each having a value in the first color channel, the plurality of pixel signals each having a value in the second color channel, and the plurality of pixel signals each having a value in the third color channel form an image signal including a plurality of image signal units U. Each image signal unit U includes four pixel signals, of which two pixel signals each have a value in the first color channel, one pixel signal has a value in the second color channel, and one pixel signal has a value in the third color channel. In this way, the color channels corresponding to the four pixel signals in each image signal unit U are arranged in a Bayer array. After the image signal is outputted to the processor, the processor can process the image signal directly. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   ,  FIG.  3   , and  FIG.  35   , the present disclosure also provides an imaging apparatus. The imaging apparatus includes the image sensor  10  according to any of the embodiments in  FIGS.  1  to  6   . 
     In some embodiments, the imaging apparatus can further include a processor. The processor can be used to process the first pixel signal, the second pixel signal, the third pixel signal representing the value in the second color channel of the light applied to the pixels  120  corresponding to the second color filters B, and fourth pixel signal representing the value in the third color channel of the light applied to the pixels  120  corresponding to the third color filters C to generate a color image. Specifically, referring to  FIG.  31   , a plurality of first pixel signals and a plurality of second pixel signals form a first image signal M 1 , a plurality of third pixel signals form a second image signal M 2 , and a plurality of fourth pixel signals form a third image signal M 3 . The processor can perform an interpolation process on the second image signal M 2  based on the plurality of third pixel signals, such that each pixel signal in the second image signal M 2 ′ after the interpolation process has a value in the second color channel. For example, take the pixel signal in the first row and the second column from the left in the second image signal M 2  as an example, the pixel signal does not have a value in the second color channel, and the pixel signal can be calculated from the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the first row and the first column from the left, the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the first row and the third column from the left, and the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the second row and the second column from the left. For example, an average value of the three pixel signals can be calculated and used as the pixel signal in the first row and the second column from the left. In another example, take the pixel signal in the second row and the third column from the left in the second image signal M 2  as an example, the pixel signal does not have a value in the second color channel, and the pixel signal can be calculated from the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the first row and the third column from the left, the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the second row and the second column from the left, the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the second row and the fourth column from the left, and the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the third row and the third column from the left. For example, an average value of the four pixel signals can be calculated and used as the pixel signal in the second row and the third column from the left. The processor may also perform an interpolation process on the third image signal M 3  based on the plurality of fourth pixel signals, such that each pixel signal in the third image signal M 3 ′ after the interpolation process has a value in the third color channel. For example, take the pixel signal in the first row and the first column from the left in the third image signal M 3  as an example, the pixel signal does not have a value in the third color channel, and the pixel signal can be calculated from the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the second row and the second column from the left and the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the second row and the first column from the left. For example, an average value of the two pixel signals can be calculated and used as the pixel signal in the first row and the first column from the left. In another example, for the pixel signal in the second row and the second column from the left in the third image signal M 3  as an example, the pixel signal does not have a value in the third color channel, and the pixel signal can be calculated from the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the first row and the second column from the left, the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the second row and the first column from the left, the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the second row and the third column from the left, and the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the third row and the second column from the left. For example, an average value of the four pixel signals can be calculated and used as the pixel signal in the second row and the second column from the left. Thus, each pixel signal in the first image signal M 1  has a value in the first color channel, each pixel in the second image signal M 2 ′ after the interpolation process has a value in the second color channel, and each pixel in the third image signals M 3 ′ after the interpolation process has a value in the third color channel. The processor may process the first image signal M 1 , the second image signal M 2 ′ after the interpolation process, and the third image signal M 3 ′ after the interpolation process to generate a color image. Each image pixel in the color image has a value in the first color channel, a value in the second color channel, and a value in the third color channel. 
     In some embodiments, referring to  FIG.  34    and  FIG.  35   , when the processor receives an image signal including a plurality of image signal units U, the processor may perform an interpolation process based on a plurality of pixel signals in the image signal, to output three image signals. Each pixel signal in one of the image signals has a value in the first color channel, each pixel signal in another one of the image signals has a value in the second color channel, and each pixel signal in the remaining one of the image signals has a value in the third color channel. The processor can process the three image signals to generate a color image. Each image pixel in the color image has a value in the first color channel, a value in the second color channel, and a value in the third color channel. 
     In some embodiments, when the imaging apparatus is in a static mode (that is, a mode for capturing still images), the image sensor  10  (illustrated in  FIG.  1   ) can directly output the image signals (M 1 , M 2 , and M 3 ) illustrated in  FIG.  31   . The processor can process the image signals to generate a color image. In this way, in the process of generating the color image, the value in the first color channel does not need to be interpolated, the color reproduction of the color image can be more accurate, and the image details are better represented. When the imaging apparatus is in a preview mode or a video recording mode, the image sensor  10  can directly output an image signal including a plurality of image signal units U as illustrated in  FIG.  34   , and the processor can process the image signal to generate a color image. In this way, in the process of generating the color image, the image signals corresponding to the image arranged in a Bayer array can be processed in the hardware of the image sensor  10 , and there is no need to use software to process the image signals in the processor to obtain the image signals corresponding to the image arranged in the Bayer array, such that the time required for generating the color image can be reduced and the speed of acquiring the color image can be improved. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   ,  FIG.  3   , and  FIG.  36   , the present disclosure also provides an electronic device. The electronic device can be a mobile phone, a tablet, a laptop, a smart watch, a smart bracelet, a smart helmet, smart glasses, an unmanned vehicle (such as a drone, an unmanned automobile, an unmanned ship), etc., and the present disclosure is not limited to any of these examples. The electronic device includes an imaging apparatus. The imaging apparatus includes the image sensor  10  according to in any of the embodiments in  FIGS.  1  to  6   . The electronic device also includes a processor. The processor of the electronic device can perform the same functions as those of the processor in the imaging apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  35   , and details thereof will be omitted here. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   ,  FIG.  3   , and  FIG.  37   , the present disclosure also provides an image processing system. The image processing system includes an electronic device. The electronic device includes an imaging apparatus. The imaging apparatus includes the image sensor  10  according to any of the embodiments in  FIGS.  1  to  6   . The image processing system also includes a processor. The processor of the image processing system can perform the same functions as those of the processor in the imaging apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  35   , and details thereof will be omitted here. 
     Here, the processor can be located in a server responsible for cloud computing, or can be located in a server responsible for edge computing. In this way, the subsequent processing of the pixel signals outputted by the image sensor  10  (illustrated in  FIG.  1   ) can be offloaded to the server for execution, which can save power consumption of the imaging apparatus or the electronic device. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   ,  FIG.  3   , and  FIG.  7   , the present disclosure also provides a signal processing method. The signal processing method can be applied in the image sensor  10  according to any of the embodiments in  FIGS.  1  to  7   . The signal processing method includes following steps. 
     At  011 , the electrical signals generated by the pixels  120  corresponding to each of the plurality of first sets of filters  111  are combined to generate a first pixel signal and a third pixel signal. The first pixel signal represents a value in a first color channel of the light applied to the pixels  120  corresponding to the first set of filters  111 , and the third pixel signal represents a value in a second color channel of the light applied to the pixels  120  corresponding to the first set of filters  111 . 
     At  012 , the electrical signals generated by the pixels corresponding to each of the plurality of second sets of filters  112  to are combined to generate a second pixel signal and a fourth pixel signal. The second pixel signal represents a value in the first color channel of the light applied to the pixels  120  corresponding to the second set of filters  112 , and the fourth pixel signal represents a value in a third color channel of the light applied to the pixels  120  corresponding to the second set of filters  112 . 
     In some embodiments, the signal processing method may further include: processing the first pixel signal, the second pixel signal, the third pixel signal, and the fourth pixel signal to generate a color image. Specifically, a plurality of first pixel signals and a plurality of second pixel signals can form a first image signal, a plurality of third pixel signals can form a second image signal, and a plurality of fourth pixel signals can form a third image signal. The step of processing the first pixel signal, the second pixel signal, the third pixel signal, and the fourth pixel signal to generate the color image may include: performing an interpolation process on the second image signal based on the plurality of third pixel signals, such that each pixel signal in the second image signal after the interpolation process has a value in the second color channel; performing an interpolation process on the third image signal based on the plurality of fourth pixel signals, such that each pixel signal in the third image signal after the interpolation process has a value in the third color channel; and processing the first image signal, the second image signal after the interpolation process, and the third image signal after the interpolation process to generate the color image. 
     In some embodiments, the signal processing method may further include: processing the first pixel signal, the second pixel signal, the third pixel signal, and the fourth pixel signal to output an image signal. The image signal includes a plurality of image signal units each including four pixel signals, of which two pixel signals each have a value in the first color channel, one pixel signal has a value in the second color channel, one pixel signal has a value in the third color channel. The color channels corresponding to the four pixel signals are arranged in a Bayer array. 
     In some embodiments, the signal processing method may further include: in a static mode, performing the step of processing the first pixel signal, the second pixel signal, the third pixel signal, and the fourth pixel signal to generate the color image; or in a preview mode or in a video recording mode, performing the step of processing the first pixel signal, the second pixel signal, the third pixel signal, and the fourth pixel signal to output the image signal including the plurality of image signal units. 
     In summary, in the imaging apparatus, electronic device, image processing system, and signal processing method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, each first set of filters  111  and each second set of filters  112  in the image sensor  10  have the first color filters A, such that the pixel  120  corresponding to each first set of filters  111  and the pixel  120  corresponding to each second set of filters  112  can generate the pixel signal having a value in the first color channel. Therefore, in the process of generating a color image, the value in the first color channel does not need to be obtained by interpolation, and the color reproduction of the color image can be more accurate. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8    to  FIG.  10   , the present disclosure also provides an image sensor  20 . The image sensor  20  includes a filter array  21  and a pixel array  22 . The filter array  21  includes a plurality of sets of filters  213 . Each of the plurality of sets of filters  213  includes a plurality of first color filters A. The plurality of sets of filters  213  include two types of sets of filters. Each set of filters of a first type  211  further includes a plurality of second color filters B, and each set of filters of a second type  212  further includes a plurality of third color filters C. The pixel array  22  includes a plurality of pixels  220  each corresponding to one filter  210  in the filter array  21  and configured to receive light passing through the corresponding filter  210  to generate an electrical signal. When the image sensor  20  operates in a combining mode, the pixels  220  corresponding to each set of filters of the first type  211  form a combined pixel of the first type, and the pixels  220  corresponding to each set of filters of the second type  212  form a combined pixel of the second type. The image sensor  20  is configured to combine the electrical signals generated by the pixels  220  in each combined pixel of the first type to generate a first pixel signal. The first pixel signal represents a value in a first color channel of the light applied to the pixels  220  in each combined pixel of the first type. The image sensor  20  is configured to combine the electrical signals generated by the pixels  220  in each combined pixel of the second type to generate a second pixel signal. The second pixel signal representing a value in the first color channel of the light applied to the pixels  220  in each combined pixel of the second type. 
     The image sensor  20  of the present disclosure will be further described below with reference to the figures. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  8  to  10   , the image sensor  20  of the embodiments of the present disclosure includes a microlens array  23 , a filter array  21 , and a pixel array  22 . The microlens array  23 , the filter array  21 , and the pixel array  22  are arranged in sequence in a light-receiving direction of the image sensor  20 . 
     The filter array  21  includes a plurality of sets of filters  213 . Each set of filters  213  includes a plurality of first color filters A. The plurality of sets of filters  213  include two types of sets of filters. Each set of filters of a first type  211  further includes a plurality of second color filters B. Each set of filters of a second type  212  further includes a plurality of third color filters C. A number of the first color filters A and a number of the second color filters B are same in each set of filters of the first type  211 . A number of the first color filters A and a number of the third color filters C are same in each set of filters of the second type  212 . 
     The pixel array  22  includes a plurality of pixels  220  each corresponding to a filter  210  in the filter array  21  and configured to receive light passing through the corresponding filter  210  to generate an electrical signal. 
     The microlens array  23  includes a plurality of sets of microlenses  231 . Each set of microlenses  231  in the microlens array  23  corresponds to one set of filters  213  (the first set of filters  211  or the second set of filters  212 ), and to the pixels  220  corresponding to the one set of filters  213 . As illustrated in  FIG.  8   , each set of microlenses  231  includes a plurality of microlenses  230  each corresponding to one filter  210  and one pixel  220 . As illustrated in  FIG.  9   , each set of microlenses  231  includes one microlens  230  corresponding to one set of filters  213  and to the pixels  220  corresponding to the one set of filters  213 . 
       FIGS.  10  to  13    are schematic diagrams each illustrating an arrangement of some filters  210  in the filter array  21  according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. In the filter arrays  21  illustrated in  FIGS.  10  to  13   , each filter array  21  includes a plurality of sets of filters  213 . The plurality of sets of filters  213  include two types of sets of filters. Each set of filters of a first type  211  includes a plurality of first color filters A and a plurality of second color filters B. A number of the first color filters A and a number of the second color filters B are same in each set of filters of the first type  211 . Each set of filters of a second type  212  includes a plurality of first color filters A and a plurality of third color filters C. A number of the first color filters A and a number of the third color filters C are same in each set of filters of the second type  212 . 
     Here, there may be a number of color configurations for the first color filters A, the second color filters B, and the third color filters C. For example, each first color filter A can be a green filter G, each second color filter B can be a red filter R, and each third color filter C can be a blue filter Bu. In another example, each first color filter A can be a yellow filter Y, each second color filter B may be a red filter R, and each third color filter C may be a blue filter Bu. The color configuration of the first color filter A, the second color filter B, and the third color filter C is not limited to the ones illustrated in the above two examples. 
     Here, the sets of filters of the first type  211  can be arranged in a first diagonal direction D 1 , and the sets of filters of the second type  212  can be arranged in a second diagonal direction D 2  different from the first diagonal direction D 1 . In an example, when the sets of filters of the first type  211  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  and the sets of filters of the second type  212  are arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2 , the sets of filters of the first type  211  and the sets of filters of the second type  212  may be arranged adjacently to each other in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction of the image sensor  20 . 
     Here, the number of filters  210  in each set of filters  213  is N*N, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2. For example, the value of N may be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, etc., and the present disclosure is not limited to any of these values. 
     Here, the arrangement of the filters  210  in each set of filters of the first type  211  may be: (1) referring to  FIG.  10   , the plurality of first color filters A and the plurality of second color filters B are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the image sensor  20  (illustrated in  FIG.  8   ); (2) referring to  FIG.  11   , the filters  210  are arranged in rows, and the filters  210  in each row have a same color; (3) referring to  FIG.  12   , the filters  210  are arranged in columns, and the filters  210  in each column have a same color. Of course, the arrangement of the filters  210  in each set of filters of the first type  211  is not limited to any of these examples. 
     Here, the arrangement of the filters  210  in each set of filters of the second type  211  may be: (1) referring to  FIG.  10   , the plurality of first color filters A and the plurality of third color filters C are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the image sensor  20  (illustrated in  FIG.  8   ); (2) referring to  FIG.  11   , the filters  210  are arranged in rows, and the filters  210  in each row have a same color; (3) referring to  FIG.  12   , the filters  210  are arranged in columns, and the filters  210  in each column have a same color. Of course, the arrangement of the filters  210  in each set of filters of the second type  211  is not limited to any of these examples. 
       FIG.  10    is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of some filters  210  in the filter array  21  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG.  10   , the arrangement of some filters  210  is: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 C 
               
               
                   
                 B 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                   
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  210  in each set of filters  213  is 2*2. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  10   , the sets of filters of the first type  211  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  21  in  FIG.  10   ), the sets of filters of the second type  212  are arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  21  in  FIG.  10   ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     It is to be noted that the first diagonal direction D 1  and the second diagonal direction D 2  are not limited to diagonals, but may also include directions parallel to the diagonals. The term “direction” here is not a single pointing direction, but can be understood as a concept of a “straight line” indicating an arrangement and having two pointing directions at both ends of the straight line. In addition, in other embodiments, the first diagonal direction D 1  may alternatively be the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  11 , and the second diagonal direction D 2  may alternatively be the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  11 . In this case, the positions of the sets of filters of the first type  211  and the sets of filters of the second type  212  are changed correspondingly to the change in the diagonal directions. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  10   , the sets of filters of the first type  211  and the sets of filters of the second type  212  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  20  (illustrated in  FIG.  8   ), and also arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  213  are arranged periodically in the order of a set of filters of the first type  211  and a set of filters of the second type  212  or the order of a set of filters of the second type  212  and a set of filters of the first type  211  in the vertical direction V (from left to right and from top to bottom, the same below), and the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a set of filters of the first type  211  and a set of filters of the second type  212  or the order of a set of filters of the second type  212  and a set of filters of the first type  211  in the horizontal direction H (from left to right and from top to bottom, the same below). 
     It is to be noted that the arrangement in which the sets of filters of the first type  211  and the sets of filters of the second type  212  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V and adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H is not limited to the one illustrated in  FIG.  10   . Alternatively, the plurality of sets of filters  213  may be arranged periodically in the order of a set of filters of the second type  212  and a set of filters of the first type  211  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  213  may be arranged periodically in the order of a set of filters of the second type  212  and a set of filters of the first type  211  in the horizontal direction H. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  10   , in each set of filters of the first type  211 , the plurality of first color filters A and the plurality of second color filters B in each set of filters  213  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V and the horizontal direction H. That is, in the vertical direction V, the first color filters A and the second color filters B are arranged alternately, and in the horizontal direction H, the first color filters A and the second color filters B are arranged alternately. In each set of filters of the second type  212 , the plurality of first color filters A and the plurality of third color filters C in each set of filters  213  are adjacent to each other in the vertical direction V and the horizontal direction H. That is, in the vertical direction V, the first color filters A and the third color filters C are arranged alternately, and in the horizontal direction H, the first color filters A and the third color filters C are arranged alternately. 
     In some embodiments, the arrangement of some filters  210  in the filter array  21  may alternatively be: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  210  in each set of filters  213  is 3*3. 
     In this arrangement, the sets of filters of the first type  211  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  21 ), the sets of filters of the second type  212  are arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  21 ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     In this arrangement, the sets of filters of the first type  211  and the sets of filters of the second type  212  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  20  (illustrated in  FIG.  8   ), and also arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  213  are arranged periodically in the order of a set of filters of the first type  211  and a set of filters of the second type  212  or the order of a set of filters of the second type  212  and a set of filters of the first type  211  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a set of filters of the first type  211  and a set of filters of the second type  212  or the order of a set of filters of the second type  212  and a set of filters of the first type  211  in the horizontal direction H. 
     In this arrangement, in each set of filters of the first type  211 , the plurality of first color filters A and the plurality of second color filters B in each set of filters  213  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V and the horizontal direction H. That is, in the vertical direction V, the first color filters A and the second color filters B are arranged alternately, and in the horizontal direction H, the first color filters A and the second color filters B are arranged alternately. In each set of filters of the second type  212 , the plurality of first color filters A and the plurality of third color filters C in each set of filters  213  are adjacent to each other in the vertical direction V and the horizontal direction H. That is, in the vertical direction V, the first color filters A and the third color filters C are arranged alternately, and in the horizontal direction H, the first color filters A and the third color filters C are arranged alternately. 
     In some embodiments, the arrangement of some filters  210  in the filter array  21  may alternatively be: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
               
               
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
               
               
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
               
               
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
               
               
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
               
               
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  210  in each set of filters  213  is 4*4. 
     In this arrangement, the sets of filters of the first type  211  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  21 ), the sets of filters of the second type  212  are arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  21 ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     In this arrangement, the sets of filters of the first type  211  and the sets of filters of the second type  212  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  20  (illustrated in  FIG.  8   ), and also arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  213  are arranged periodically in the order of a set of filters of the first type  211  and a set of filters of the second type  212  or the order of a set of filters of the second type  212  and a set of filters of the first type  211  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a set of filters of the first type  211  and a set of filters of the second type  212  or the order of a set of filters of the second type  212  and a set of filters of the first type  211  in the horizontal direction H. 
     In this arrangement, in each set of filters of the first type  211 , the plurality of first color filters A and the plurality of second color filters B in each set of filters  213  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V and the horizontal direction H. That is, in the vertical direction V, the first color filters A and the second color filters B are arranged alternately, and in the horizontal direction H, the first color filters A and the second color filters B are arranged alternately. In each set of filters of the second type  212 , the plurality of first color filters A and the plurality of third color filters C in each set of filters  213  are adjacent to each other in the vertical direction V and the horizontal direction H. That is, in the vertical direction V, the first color filters A and the third color filters C are arranged alternately, and in the horizontal direction H, the first color filters A and the third color filters C are arranged alternately. 
       FIG.  11    is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of some filters  210  in the filter array  21  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG.  11   , the arrangement of some filters  210  is: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 B 
                 B 
                 C 
                 C 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 C 
                 C 
                 B 
                 B 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  210  in each set of filters  213  is 2*2. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  11   , the sets of filters of the first type  211  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  21  in  FIG.  11   ), the sets of filters of the second type  212  are arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  21  in  FIG.  11   ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  11   , the sets of filters of the first type  211  and the sets of filters of the second type  212  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  20  (illustrated in  FIG.  8   ), and also arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  213  are arranged periodically in the order of a set of filters of the first type  211  and a set of filters of the second type  212  or the order of a set of filters of the second type  212  and a set of filters of the first type  211  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a set of filters of the first type  211  and a set of filters of the second type  212  or the order of a set of filters of the second type  212  and a set of filters of the first type  211  in the horizontal direction H. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  11   , in each set of filters of the first type  211 , the filters  210  are arranged in rows, and the filters  210  in each row have a same color. For example, the filters  210  in the first row are all first color filters A, and the filters  210  in the second row are all second color filters B. In each set of filters of the second type  212 , the filters  210  are arranged in rows, and the filters  210  in each row have a same color. For example, the filters  210  in the first row are all first color filters A, and the filters  210  in the second row are all third color filters C. 
     In some embodiments, the arrangement of some filters  210  in the filter array  21  may alternatively be: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  210  in each set of filters  213  is 3*3. 
     In this arrangement, the sets of filters of the first type  211  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  21 ), the sets of filters of the second type  212  are arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  21 ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     In this arrangement, the sets of filters of the first type  211  and the sets of filters of the second type  212  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  20  (illustrated in  FIG.  8   ), and also arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  213  are arranged periodically in the order of a set of filters of the first type  211  and a set of filters of the second type  212  or the order of a set of filters of the second type  212  and a set of filters of the first type  211  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a set of filters of the first type  211  and a set of filters of the second type  212  or the order of a set of filters of the second type  212  and a set of filters of the first type  211  in the horizontal direction H. 
     In this arrangement, in each set of filters of the first type  211 , the filters  210  are arranged in rows, and the filters  210  in each row have a same color. For example, the filters  210  in the first row are all first color filters A, the filters  210  in the second row are all second color filters B, and the filters  210  in the third row are all first color filters A. In each set of filters of the second type  212 , the filters  210  are arranged in rows, and the filters  210  in each row have a same color. For example, the filters  210  in the first row are all first color filters A, the filters  210  in the second row are all third color filters C, and the filters  210  in the third row are all first color filters A. 
     In some embodiments, the arrangement of some filters  210  in the filter array  21  may alternatively be: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
               
               
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
               
               
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
               
               
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  210  in each set of filters  213  is 4*4. 
     In this arrangement, the sets of filters of the first type  211  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  21 ), the sets of filters of the second type  212  are arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  21 ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     In this arrangement, the sets of filters of the first type  211  and the sets of filters of the second type  212  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  20  (illustrated in  FIG.  8   ), and also arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  213  are arranged periodically in the order of a set of filters of the first type  211  and a set of filters of the second type  212  or the order of a set of filters of the second type  212  and a set of filters of the first type  211  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a set of filters of the first type  211  and a set of filters of the second type  212  or the order of a set of filters of the second type  212  and a set of filters of the first type  211  in the horizontal direction H. 
     In this arrangement, in each set of filters of the first type  211 , the filters  210  are arranged in rows, and the filters  210  in each row have a same color. For example, the filters  210  in the first row are all first color filters A, the filters  210  in the second row are all second color filters B, the filters  210  in the third row are all first color filters A, and the filters  210  in the fourth row are all second color filters B. In each set of filters of the second type  212 , the filters  210  are arranged in rows, and the filters  210  in each row have a same color. For example, the filters  210  in the first row are all first color filters A, the filters  210  in the second row are all third color filters C, the filters  210  in the third row are all first color filters A, and the filters  210  in the fourth row are all third color filters C. 
       FIG.  12    is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of some filters  210  in the filter array  21  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG.  12   , the arrangement of some filters  210  is: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 C 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 C 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  210  in each set of filters  213  is 2*2. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  12   , the sets of filters of the first type  211  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  21  in  FIG.  12   ), the sets of filters of the second type  212  are arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  21  in  FIG.  12   ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  12   , the sets of filters of the first type  211  and the sets of filters of the second type  212  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  20  (illustrated in  FIG.  8   ), and also arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  213  are arranged periodically in the order of a set of filters of the first type  211  and a set of filters of the second type  212  or the order of a set of filters of the second type  212  and a set of filters of the first type  211  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a set of filters of the first type  211  and a set of filters of the second type  212  or the order of a set of filters of the second type  212  and a set of filters of the first type  211  in the horizontal direction H. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  12   , in each set of filters of the first type  211 , the filters  210  are arranged in columns, and the filters  210  in each column have a same color. For example, the filters  210  in the first column are all first color filters A, and the filters  210  in the second column are all second color filters B. In each set of filters of the second type  212 , the filters  210  are arranged in columns, and the filters  210  in each column have a same color. For example, the filters  210  in the first column are all first color filters A, and the filters  210  in the second column are all third color filters C. 
     In some embodiments, the arrangement of some filters  210  in the filter array  21  may alternatively be: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  210  in each set of filters  213  is 3*3. 
     In this arrangement, the sets of filters of the first type  211  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  21 ), the sets of filters of the second type  212  are arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  21 ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     In this arrangement, the sets of filters of the first type  211  and the sets of filters of the second type  212  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  20  (illustrated in  FIG.  8   ), and also arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  213  are arranged periodically in the order of a set of filters of the first type  211  and a set of filters of the second type  212  or the order of a set of filters of the second type  212  and a set of filters of the first type  211  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a set of filters of the first type  211  and a set of filters of the second type  212  or the order of a set of filters of the second type  212  and a set of filters of the first type  211  in the horizontal direction H. 
     In this arrangement, in each set of filters of the first type  211 , the filters  210  are arranged in columns, and the filters  210  in each column have a same color. For example, the filters  210  in the first column are all first color filters A, the filters  210  in the second column are all second color filters B, and the filters  210  in the third column are all first color filters A. In each set of filters of the second type  212 , the filters  210  are arranged in columns, and the filters  210  in each column have a same color. For example, the filters  210  in the first column are all first color filters A, the filters  210  in the second column are all third color filters C, and the filters  210  in the third column are all first color filters A. 
     In some embodiments, the arrangement of some filters  210  in the filter array  21  may alternatively be: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
               
               
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
               
               
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
               
               
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
               
               
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
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     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  210  in each set of filters  213  is 4*4. 
     In this arrangement, the sets of filters of the first type  211  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  21 ), the sets of filters of the second type  212  are arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  21 ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     In this arrangement, the sets of filters of the first type  211  and the sets of filters of the second type  212  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  20  (illustrated in  FIG.  8   ), and also arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  213  are arranged periodically in the order of a set of filters of the first type  211  and a set of filters of the second type  212  or the order of a set of filters of the second type  212  and a set of filters of the first type  211  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a set of filters of the first type  211  and a set of filters of the second type  212  or the order of a set of filters of the second type  212  and a set of filters of the first type  211  in the horizontal direction H. 
     In this arrangement, in each set of filters of the first type  211 , the filters  210  are arranged in columns, and the filters  210  in each column have a same color. For example, the filters  210  in the first column are all first color filters A, the filters  210  in the second column are all second color filters B, the filters  210  in the third column are all first color filters A, and the filters  210  in the fourth column are all second color filters B. In each set of filters of the second type  212 , the filters  210  are arranged in columns, and the filters  210  in each column have a same color. For example, the filters  210  in the first column are all first color filters A, the filters  210  in the second column are all third color filters C, the filters  210  in the third column are all first color filters A, and the filters  210  in the fourth column are all third color filters C. 
       FIG.  13    is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of some filters  210  in the filter array  21  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG.  13   , the arrangement of some filters  210  is: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 A 
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     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  210  in each set of filters  213  is 2*2. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  13   , the sets of filters of the first type  211  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  21  in  FIG.  13   ), the sets of filters of the second type  212  are arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  21  in  FIG.  13   ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  13   , the sets of filters of the first type  211  and the sets of filters of the second type  212  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  20  (illustrated in  FIG.  8   ), and also arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  213  are arranged periodically in the order of a set of filters of the first type  211  and a set of filters of the second type  212  or the order of a set of filters of the second type  212  and a set of filters of the first type  211  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a set of filters of the first type  211  and a set of filters of the second type  212  or the order of a set of filters of the second type  212  and a set of filters of the first type  211  in the horizontal direction H. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  13   , in each set of filters of the first type  211 , the filters  210  are arranged in columns, and the filters  210  in each column have a same color. For example, the filters  210  in the first column are all first color filters A, and the filters  210  in the second column are all second color filters B. In each set of filters of the second type  212 , the filters  210  are arranged in rows, and the filters  210  in each row have a same color. For example, the filters  210  in the first row are all first color filters A, and the filters  210  in the second row are all third color filters C. 
     In some embodiments, the arrangement of some filters  210  in the filter array  21  may alternatively be: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 A 
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                 B 
                 B 
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     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  210  in each set of filters  213  is 3*3. 
     In this arrangement, the sets of filters of the first type  211  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  21 ), the sets of filters of the second type  212  are arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  21 ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     In this arrangement, the sets of filters of the first type  211  and the sets of filters of the second type  212  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  20  (illustrated in  FIG.  8   ), and also arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  213  are arranged periodically in the order of a set of filters of the first type  211  and a set of filters of the second type  212  or the order of a set of filters of the second type  212  and a set of filters of the first type  211  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a set of filters of the first type  211  and a set of filters of the second type  212  or the order of a set of filters of the second type  212  and a set of filters of the first type  211  in the horizontal direction H. 
     In this arrangement, in each set of filters of the first type  211 , the filters  210  are arranged in rows, and the filters  210  in each row have a same color. For example, the filters  210  in the first row are all first color filters A, the filters  210  in the second row are all second color filters B, and the filters  210  in the third row are all first color filters A. In each set of filters of the second type  212 , the filters  210  are arranged in columns, and the filters  210  in each column have a same color. For example, the filters  210  in the first column are all first color filters A, the filters  210  in the second column are all third color filters C, and the filters  210  in the third column are all first color filters A. 
     In some embodiments, the arrangement of some filters  210  in the filter array  21  may alternatively be: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 A 
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                 A 
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                 A 
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     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  210  in each set of filters  213  is 4*4. 
     In this arrangement, the sets of filters of the first type  211  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  21 ), the sets of filters of the second type  212  are arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  21 ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     In this arrangement, the sets of filters of the first type  211  and the sets of filters of the second type  212  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  20  (illustrated in  FIG.  8   ), and also arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  213  are arranged periodically in the order of a set of filters of the first type  211  and a set of filters of the second type  212  or the order of a set of filters of the second type  212  and a set of filters of the first type  211  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  113  are arranged periodically in the order of a set of filters of the first type  211  and a set of filters of the second type  212  or the order of a set of filters of the second type  212  and a set of filters of the first type  211  in the horizontal direction H. 
     In this arrangement, in each set of filters of the first type  211 , the filters  210  are arranged in columns, and the filters  210  in each column have a same color. For example, the filters  210  in the first column are all first color filters A, the filters  210  in the second column are all second color filters B, the filters  210  in the third column are all first color filters A, and the filters  210  in the fourth column are all second color filters B. In each set of filters of the second type  212 , the filters  210  are arranged in rows, and the filters  210  in each row have a same color. For example, the filters  210  in the first row are all first color filters A, the filters  210  in the second row are all third color filters C, the filters  210  in the third row are all first color filters A, and the filters  210  in the fourth row are all third color filters C. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  8  to  13   , in the image sensor  20  according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, when the image sensor  20  operates in a combining mode, the plurality of pixels  220  corresponding to each set of filters of the first type  211  can form a combined pixel of the first type, and the plurality of pixels  220  corresponding to each set of filters of the second type  212  can form a combined pixel of the second type. The image sensor  20  can combine the electrical signals generated by the pixels  220  in each combined pixel of the first type to generate the first pixel signal and the third pixel signal. The image sensor  20  can combine the electrical signals generated by the pixels  220  in each combined pixel of the second type to generate the second pixel signal and the fourth pixel signal. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG.  10   , each set of filters  213  includes 2*2 filters  210 , and each set of filters  213  corresponds to four pixels  220 . The four pixels  220  can form a combined pixel. Specifically, each set of filters of the first type  211  corresponds to four pixels  220 , and the four pixels  220  can form a combined pixel of the first type. Each set of filters of the second type  212  corresponds to four pixels  220 , and the four pixels  220  can form a combined pixel of the second type. Referring to  FIG.  8   ,  FIG.  10   , and  FIG.  30   , among the four pixels  220  corresponding to each set of filters of the first type  211 , two pixels  220  can receive the light passing through the first color filters A to generate two electrical signals, the other two pixels  220  can receive the light passing through the second color filters B to generate two electrical signals. The image sensor  20  can combine the electrical signals generated by the two pixels  220  that receive the light passing through the first color filters A to obtain the first pixel signal, and combine the electrical signals generated by the two pixels  220  that receive the light passing through the second color filters B to obtain the third pixel signal. Here, the first pixel signal represents the value in the first color channel of the light applied to the pixels  220  in the combined pixel of the first type, and the third pixel signal represents the value in the second color channel of the light applied to the pixels  220  in the combined pixel of the first type. Among the four pixels  220  corresponding to each set of filters of the second type  212 , two pixels  220  can receive the light passing through the first color filters A to generate two electrical signals, and the other two pixels  220  can receive the light passing through the third color filters C to generate two electrical signals. The image sensor  20  can combine the electrical signals generated by the two pixels  220  that receive the light passing through the first color filters A to obtain the second pixel signal, and combine the electrical signals generated by the two pixels  220  that receive the light passing through the third color filters C to obtain the fourth pixel signal. Here, the second pixel signal represents the value in the first color channel of the light applied to the pixels  220  in the combined pixel of the second type, and the fourth pixel signal represents the value in the third color channel of the light applied to the pixels  220  in the combined pixel of the second type. 
     Thus, the four pixels  220  corresponding to each set of filters of the first type  211  can form the combined pixel of the first type, and each combined pixel of the first type can generate a first pixel signal and a third pixel signal. The four pixels  220  corresponding to each set of filters of the second type  212  can form the combined pixel of the second type, and each combined pixel of the second type can generate a second pixel signal and a fourth pixel signal. Each combined pixel can output the pixel signal (the first pixel signal or the second pixel signal) having a value in the first color channel, only some of the combined pixels can output the third pixel signal having a value in the second color channel and only some of the combined pixels can output the fourth pixel signal having a value in the third color channel. Therefore, each pixel that cannot output the third pixel signal needs to be subjected to an interpolation process to calculate a value in the second color channel of the combined pixel, and the combined pixel that cannot output the fourth pixel signal also needs to be subjected to an interpolation process to calculate a value in the third color channel of the combined pixel. In this way, each combined pixel can obtain the values in the first color channel, the second color channel, and the third color channel, and a color image can be generated by means of color space calculation. 
     Referring to  FIG.  33   , in the existing filter array arranged in a Bayer array, a pixel corresponding to each filter can only generate a pixel signal having the value in one color channel. For example, the pixel corresponding to the pixel signal in the first row and first column from the left only has a value in the second color channel, and a value in the first color channel and a value in the third color channel of the pixel need to be obtained by interpolation; The pixel corresponding to the pixel signal in the first row and the second column only has a value in the first color channel, and a value in the second color channel and a value in the third color channel of the pixel need to be obtained by interpolation. The pixel corresponding to the pixel signal in the second row and the second column from the left only has a value in the third color channel, and a value in the first color channel and a value in the second color channel of the pixel need to be obtained by interpolation. In this way, the values in the other color channels of the pixel corresponding to each pixel signal need to be obtained by interpolation. However, the accuracy of the pixel signals obtained by interpolation is not high enough, which will cause the color reproduction of the final resulting color image to be inaccurate. In addition, in the existing filter array arranged in a Bayer array, when the pixel signal having a value in the first color channel is generated by interpolation and the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel is generated by interpolation, most of the pixel signals generated by interpolation can only be calculated using two pixel signals. For example, in the image signal in  FIG.  33    that only contains pixel signals having values in the second color channel, the pixel corresponding to the pixel signal in the second row and the third column from the left does not have a value in the second color channel, and the value in the second color channel of the pixel needs to be obtained from the pixel signals of the pixels adjacent to the pixel and having a value in the second color channel, i.e., based on the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the first row and the third column and the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the third row and the third column. In another example, in the image signal in  FIG.  33    that only contains the pixel signals having values in the third color channel, the pixel signal in the third row and the second column from the left does not have a value in the third color channel, and the value in the third color channel of the pixel corresponding to the pixel signal needs to be obtained from the pixel signals of the pixels adjacent to the pixel and having a value in the third color channel, i.e., based on the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the second row and the second column and the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the fourth row and the second column. In this way, the number of pixel signals usable for generating the pixel signal by interpolation is relatively small, and the accuracy of the pixel signal generated by interpolation is not high enough. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  8 ,  10 , and  30  to  32   , in the image sensor  20  according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, compared with the resolution of the pixel array  22  composed of the pixels  220 , the resolution of the image composed of the pixel signals corresponding to the combined pixels is reduced. However, as each combined pixel has a pixel signal having a value in the first color channel, the value in the first color channel does not need to be obtained by interpolation, and the color reproduction of the final resulting color image will be more accurate. Since each combined pixel of the pixel array  12  directly obtains the corresponding pixel signal of the first color channel, more information can be obtained in the subsequent signal processing procedure. 
     In addition, referring to  FIG.  8   ,  FIG.  10   ,  FIG.  30   , and  FIG.  31   , in the image sensor  20  according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, when an interpolation process is performed on a combined pixel that cannot output the third pixel signal, for most of the combined pixels, the value in the second color channel of the combined pixel can be calculated from four third pixel signals with each having a value in the second color channel. For example, in the second image signal M 2  formed by a plurality of third pixel signals illustrated in  FIG.  31   , the third pixel signal in the second row and the third column from the left may be calculated from the third pixel signal in the first row and the third column from the left, the third pixel signal in the second row and the second column from the left, the third pixel signal in the second row and the fourth column from the left, and the third pixel signal in the third row and the third column from the left. In the image sensor  20  according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, when an interpolation process is performed on a combined pixel that cannot output the fourth pixel signal, for most of the combined pixels, the value in the third color channel of the combined pixel can be calculated from four fourth pixel signals each having a value in the third color channel. For example, in the third image signal M 3  formed by a plurality of fourth pixel signals illustrated in  FIG.  31   , the fourth pixel signal in the third row and the third column from the left may be calculated from the fourth pixel signal in the second row and the third column from the left, the fourth pixel signal in the third row and the second column from the left, the fourth pixel signal in the third row and the fourth column from the left, and the fourth pixel signal in the fourth row and the third column from the left. As a result, the number of pixel signals usable for generating the pixel signal by interpolation is relatively large, and the accuracy of the pixel signal generated by interpolation is high. Moreover, when performing the interpolation process on values in the second color channel (or values in the third color channel), most of the values in the second color channel to be generated by interpolation (or the values in the third color channel to be generated by interpolation) can be calculated from four adjacent pixel signals each having a value in the second color channel (or four adjacent pixels each having a value in the third color channel), such that the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel (or the third color channel) generated by interpolation can be more accurate, thereby further improving the accuracy of the color reproduction of the color image. 
     In summary, in the image sensor  20  according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, each set of filters  213  has the first color filters A, such that the pixels  220  corresponding to each set of filters  213  can generate the pixel signal having a value in the first color channel. Therefore, in the process of generating a color image, the value in the first color channel does not need to be obtained by interpolation, and the color reproduction of the color image can be more accurate. Moreover, when performing the interpolation process on values in the second color channel (or values in the third color channel), most of the values in the second color channel to be generated by interpolation (or the values in the third color channel to be generated by interpolation) can be calculated from four adjacent pixel signals each having a value in the second color channel (or four adjacent pixels each having a value in the third color channel), such that the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel (or the third color channel) generated by interpolation can be more accurate, thereby further improving the accuracy of the color reproduction of the color image. 
     The existing processor for processing pixel signals outputted by an image sensor can only process a plurality of pixel signals corresponding to an image arranged in the form of a Bayer array. However, the image corresponding to the image signal formed by the plurality of pixels outputted by the image sensor  10  (illustrated in  FIG.  1   ) of the present disclosure is not an image arranged in the form of a Bayer array. Therefore, in order to enable the plurality of pixel signals outputted by the image sensor  10  of the present disclosure to be processed by the processor, in some embodiments, the image sensor  10  may further be configured to process the first pixel signal, the second pixel signal, a third pixel signal (representing a value in the second color channel of the light applied to the pixels  220  corresponding to the second color filters B), and a fourth pixel signal (representing a value in the third color channel of the light applied to the pixels  220  corresponding to the third color filters C) to output an image signal. The image signal includes a plurality of image signal units U each including four pixel signals, of which two pixel signals each have a value in the first color channel, one pixel signal has a value in the second color channel, one pixel signal has a value in the third color channel. The color channels corresponding to the four pixel signals are arranged in a Bayer array. 
     Specifically, referring to  FIG.  8   ,  FIG.  30   , and  FIG.  34   , the image sensor  10  outputs a plurality of first pixel signals, a plurality of second pixel signals, a plurality of third pixel signals, and a plurality of fourth pixel signals. The plurality of first pixel signals and the plurality of second pixel signals form a first image signal M 1 , the plurality of third pixel signals form a second image signal M 2 , and the plurality of fourth pixel signals form a third image signal M 3 . The image sensor  10  performs an interpolation process on the second image signal M 2  based on the plurality of third pixel signals, such that each pixel signal in the second image signal M 2 ′ after the interpolation process has a value in the second color channel. The image sensor  10  performs an interpolation process on the third image signal M 3  based on the plurality of fourth pixel signals, such that each pixel signal in the third image signal M 3 ′ after the interpolation process has a value in the third color channel. Then, the image sensor  10  selects a plurality of pixel signals each having a value in the second color channel from the second image signal M 2 ′ after the interpolation process, selects a plurality of pixel signals each having a value in the first color channel from the first image signal M 1 , and selects a plurality of pixel signals each having a value in the third color channel from the third image signal M 3 ′. Thus, the plurality of pixel signals each having a value in the first color channel, the plurality of pixel signals each having a value in the second color channel, and the plurality of pixel signals each having a value in the third color channel form an image signal including a plurality of image signal units U. Each image signal unit U includes four pixel signals, of which two pixel signals each have a value in the first color channel, one pixel signal has a value in the second color channel, and one pixel signal has a value in the third color channel. In this way, the color channels corresponding to the four pixel signals in each image signal unit U are arranged in a Bayer array. After the image signal is outputted to the processor, the processor can process the image signal directly. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   ,  FIG.  10   , and  FIG.  35   , the present disclosure also provides an imaging apparatus. The imaging apparatus includes the image sensor  20  according to any of the embodiments in  FIGS.  8  to  13   . 
     In some embodiments, the imaging apparatus further includes a processor. The processor can be configured to, when the image sensor  20  operates in a combining mode, process the first pixel signal, the second pixel signal, a third pixel signal representing a value in the second color channel of the light applied to the pixels  220  corresponding to the second color filters B, and a fourth pixel signal representing a value in the third color channel of the light applied to the pixels  220  corresponding to the third color filters C to generate a color image. Specifically, referring to  FIG.  31   , a plurality of first pixel signals and a plurality of second pixel signals form a first image signal M 1 , a plurality of third pixel signals form a second image signal M 2 , and a plurality of fourth pixel signals form a third image signal M 3 . The processor can perform an interpolation process on the second image signal M 2  based on the plurality of third pixel signals, such that each pixel signal in the second image signal M 2 ′ after the interpolation process has a value in the second color channel. For example, for the pixel signal in the first row and the second column from the left in the second image signal M 2  as an example, the pixel signal does not have a value in the second color channel, and the pixel signal can be calculated from the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the first row and the first column from the left, the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the first row and the third column from the left, and the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the second row and the second column from the left. For example, an average value of the three pixel signals can be calculated and used as the pixel signal in the first row and the second column from the left. In another example, for the pixel signal in the second row and the third column from the left in the second image signal M 2  as an example, the pixel signal does not have a value in the second color channel, and the pixel signal can be calculated from the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the first row and the third column from the left, the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the second row and the second column from the left, the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the second row and the fourth column from the left, and the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the third row and the third column from the left. For example, an average value of the four pixel signals can be calculated and used as the pixel signal in the second row and the third column from the left. The processor may also perform an interpolation process on the third image signal M 3  based on the plurality of fourth pixel signals, such that each pixel signal in the third image signal M 3 ′ after the interpolation process has a value in the third color channel. For example, for the pixel signal in the first row and the first column from the left in the third image signal M 3  as an example, the pixel signal does not have a value in the third color channel, and the pixel signal can be calculated from the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the second row and the second column from the left and the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the second row and the first column from the left. For example, an average value of the two pixel signals can be calculated and used as the pixel signal in the first row and the first column from the left. In another example, for the pixel signal in the second row and the second column from the left in the third image signal M 3  as an example, the pixel signal does not have a value in the third color channel, and the pixel signal can be calculated from the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the first row and the second column from the left, the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the second row and the first column from the left, the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the second row and the third column from the left, and the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the third row and the second column from the left. For example, an average value of the four pixel signals can be calculated and used as the pixel signal in the second row and the second column from the left. Thus, each pixel signal in the first image signal M 1  has a value in the first color channel, each pixel in the second image signal M 2 ′ after the interpolation process has a value in the second color channel, and each pixel in the third image signals M 3 ′ after the interpolation process has a value in the third color channel. The processor may process the first image signal M 1 , the second image signal M 2 ′ after the interpolation process, and the third image signal M 3 ′ after the interpolation process to generate a color image. Each image pixel in the color image has a value in the first color channel, a value in the second color channel, and a value in the third color channel. 
     In some embodiments, referring to  FIG.  34    and  FIG.  35   , when the processor receives an image signal including a plurality of image signal units U, the processor may perform an interpolation process based on a plurality of pixel signals in the image signal, to output three image signals. Each pixel signal in one of the image signals has a value in the first color channel, each pixel signal in another one of the image signals has a value in the second color channel, and each pixel signal in the remaining one of the image signals has a value in the third color channel. The processor can process the three image signals to generate a color image. Each image pixel in the color image has a value in the first color channel, a value in the second color channel, and a value in the third color channel. 
     In some embodiments, when the imaging apparatus is in a static mode (that is, a mode for capturing still images), the image sensor  20  (illustrated in  FIG.  8   ) can directly output the image signals (M 1 , M 2 , and M 3 ) illustrated in  FIG.  31   . The processor can process the image signals to generate a color image. In this way, in the process of generating the color image, the value in the first color channel does not need to be interpolated, the color reproduction of the color image can be more accurate, and the image details are better represented. When the imaging apparatus is in a preview mode or a video recording mode, the image sensor  20  can directly output an image signal including a plurality of image signal units U as illustrated in  FIG.  34   , and the processor can process the image signal to generate a color image. In this way, in the process of generating the color image, the image signals corresponding to the image arranged in a Bayer array can be processed in the hardware of the image sensor  20 , and there is no need to use software to process the image signals in the processor to obtain the image signals corresponding to the image arranged in the Bayer array, such that the time required for generating the color image can be reduced and the speed of acquiring the color image can be improved. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   ,  FIG.  10   , and  FIG.  36   , the present disclosure also provides an electronic device. The electronic device can be a mobile phone, a tablet, a laptop, a smart watch, a smart bracelet, a smart helmet, smart glasses, an unmanned vehicle (such as a drone, an unmanned automobile, an unmanned ship), etc., and the present disclosure is not limited to any of these examples. The electronic device includes an imaging apparatus. The imaging apparatus includes the image sensor  20  according to in any of the embodiments in  FIGS.  8  to  13   . The electronic device also includes a processor. The processor of the electronic device can perform the same functions as those of the processor in the imaging apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  35   , and details thereof will be omitted here. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   ,  FIG.  10   , and  FIG.  35   , the present disclosure also provides an image processing system. The image processing system includes an electronic device. The electronic device includes an imaging apparatus. The imaging apparatus includes the image sensor  20  according to any of the embodiments in  FIGS.  8  to  13   . The image processing system also includes a processor. The processor of the image processing system can perform the same functions as those of the processor in the imaging apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  35   , and details thereof will be omitted here. 
     Here, the processor can be located in a server responsible for cloud computing, or can be located in a server responsible for edge computing. In this way, the subsequent processing of the pixel signals outputted by the image sensor  20  (illustrated in  FIG.  1   ) can be offloaded to the server for execution, which can save the power consumption of the imaging apparatus or the electronic device. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   ,  FIG.  10   , and  FIG.  14   , the present disclosure also provides a signal processing method. The signal processing method can be applied in the image sensor  20  according to any of the embodiments in  FIGS.  8  to  13   . The signal processing method includes the following steps. 
     At  021 , when the image sensor  20  operates in a combining mode, the pixels  220  corresponding to each set of filters of the first type  210  form a combined pixel of the first type, and the pixels  220  corresponding to each set of filters of the second type  220  form a combined pixel of the second type, the electrical signals generated by the pixels  220  in each combined pixel of the first type are combined to generate a first pixel signal. The first pixel signal represents a value in a first color channel of the light applied to the pixels  220  in each combined pixel of the first type. 
     At  022 , the electrical signals generated by the pixels  220  in each combined pixel of the second type are combined to generate a second pixel signal. The second pixel signal represents a value in the first color channel of the light applied to the pixels  220  in each combined pixel of the second type. 
     In some embodiments, the signal processing method may further include: processing the first pixel signal, the second pixel signal, a third pixel signal representing the value in the second color channel of the light applied to the pixels corresponding to the second color filters, and a fourth pixel signal representing the value in the third color channel of the light applied to the pixels corresponding to the third color filters to generate a color image. Specifically, a plurality of first pixel signals and a plurality of second pixel signals can form a first image signal, a plurality of third pixel signals can form a second image signal, and a plurality of fourth pixel signals can form a third image signal. The step of processing the first pixel signal, the second pixel signal, the third pixel signal, and the fourth pixel signal to generate the color image may include: performing an interpolation process on the second image signal based on the plurality of third pixel signals, such that each pixel signal in the second image signal after the interpolation process has a value in the second color channel; performing an interpolation process on the third image signal based on the plurality of fourth pixel signals, such that each pixel signal in the third image signal after the interpolation process has a value in the third color channel; and processing the first image signal, the second image signal after the interpolation process, and the third image signal after the interpolation process to generate the color image. 
     In some embodiments, the signal processing method may further include: processing the first pixel signal, the second pixel signal, a third pixel signal representing a value in a second color channel of the light applied to the pixels corresponding to the plurality of second color filters, and a fourth pixel signal representing a value in a third color channel of the light applied to the pixels corresponding to the plurality of third color filters to output an image signal. The image signal includes a plurality of image signal units each including four pixel signals, of which two pixel signals each have a value in the first color channel, and one pixel signal has a value in the second color channel, and one pixel signal has a value in the third color channel. The color channels corresponding to the four pixel signals are arranged in a Bayer array. 
     In some embodiments, the signal processing method may further include: in a static mode, performing the step of processing the first pixel signal, the second pixel signal, the third pixel signal, and the fourth pixel signal to generate the color image; or in a preview mode or in a video recording mode, performing the step of processing the first pixel signal, the second pixel signal, the third pixel signal, and the fourth pixel signal to output the image signal including the plurality of image signal units. 
     In summary, in the imaging apparatus, electronic device, image processing system, and signal processing method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, each set of filters  213  in the image sensor  20  has the first color filters A, such that the pixel  220  corresponding to each set of filters  213  can generate the pixel signal having a value in the first color channel. Therefore, in the process of generating a color image, the value in the first color channel does not need to be obtained by interpolation, and the color reproduction of the color image can be more accurate. 
     Referring to  FIG.  15    to  FIG.  18   , the present disclosure provides an image sensor  30 . The image sensor  30  includes a filter array  31  and a control circuit  34 . The filter array  31  is provided on a pixel array  32 . The filter array  31  includes a plurality of first sets of filters  311  and a plurality of second sets of filters  312 . Each of the plurality of first sets of filters  311  includes a plurality of first color filters A and a plurality of second color filters B. A number of first color filters A and a number of second color filters B are same in each of the plurality of first sets of filters  311 . Each of the plurality of second sets of filters  312  includes a plurality of first color filters A and a plurality of third color filters C. A number of first color filters A and a number of third color filters C are same in each of the plurality of second sets of filters  312 . The control circuit  34  is provided on a substrate  35  with the pixel array  32 . The control circuit  34  is configured to combine electrical signals generated by pixels  320  corresponding to each of the plurality of first sets of filters  311  to generate a first pixel signal and a third pixel signal. The first pixel signal represents a value in a first color channel of light applied to the pixels  320  corresponding to the first set of filters  311 , and the third pixel signal represents a value in a second color channel of light applied to the pixels  320  corresponding to the first set of filters  311 . The control circuit  34  is configured to combine electrical signals generated by pixels  320  corresponding to each of the plurality of second sets of filters  312  to generate a second pixel signal and a fourth pixel signal. The second pixel signal represents a value in the first color channel of light applied to the pixels  320  corresponding to the second set of filters  312 , and the fourth pixel signal represents a value in a third color channel of light applied to the pixels  320  corresponding to the second set of filters  312 . 
     The image sensor  30  of the present disclosure will be further described below with reference to the figures. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  15  to  18   , the image sensor  30  according to the embodiments of the present disclosure includes a microlens array  33 , a filter array  31 , a pixel array  32 , a control circuit  34 , and a substrate  35 . The microlens array  33 , the filter array  31 , and the pixel array  32  are arranged in sequence in a light-receiving direction of the image sensor  30 . 
     The filter array  31  includes a plurality of first sets of filters  311  and a plurality of second sets of filters  312 . Each of the plurality of first sets of filters  311  includes a plurality of first color filters A and a plurality of second color filters B. A number of first color filters A and a number of second color filters A are same in each of the plurality of first sets of filters  311 . Each of the plurality of second sets of filters  312  includes a plurality of first color filters A and a plurality of third color filters C. A number of first color filters A and a number of third color filters C are same in each of the plurality of second sets of filters  312 . 
     The pixel array  32  is provided on the substrate  35 . The pixel array  32  includes a plurality of pixels  320  each corresponding to one filter  310  in the filter array  31  and configured to receive light passing through the corresponding filter  310  to generate an electrical signal. 
     The microlens array  33  includes a plurality of sets of microlenses  331 . Each set of microlenses  331  in the microlens array  33  corresponds to one set of filters  313  (the first set of filters  311  or the second set of filters  312 ), and to the pixels  320  corresponding to the one set of filters  313 . As illustrated in  FIG.  16   , each set of microlenses  331  includes a plurality of microlenses  330  each corresponding to one filter  310  and one pixel  320 . As illustrated in  FIG.  17   , each set of microlenses  331  includes one microlens  330  corresponding to one set of filters  313  and to the pixels  320  corresponding to the one set of filters  313 . 
     The control circuit  34  is also provided on the substrate  35 . The control circuit  35  is electrically connected to the pixel array  31 . 
       FIGS.  18  to  21    are schematic diagrams each illustrating an arrangement of some filters  310  in the filter array  31  according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. In the filter arrays  31  illustrated in  FIGS.  18  to  21   , each filter array  31  includes a plurality of first sets of filters  311  and a plurality of second sets of filters  312 . Each of the plurality of first sets of filters  311  includes a plurality of first color filters A and a plurality of second color filters B. A number of first color filters A and a number of second color filters A are same in each of the plurality of first sets of filters  311 . Each of the plurality of second sets of filters  112  includes a plurality of first color filters A and a plurality of third color filters C. A number of first color filters A and a number of third color filters C are same in each of the plurality of second sets of filters  312 . 
     Here, there may be a number of color configurations for the first color filters A, the second color filters B, and the third color filters C. For example, each first color filter A can be a green filter G, each second color filter B can be a red filter R, and each third color filter C can be a blue filter Bu. In another example, each first color filter A can be a yellow filter Y, each second color filter B may be a red filter R, and each third color filter C may be a blue filter Bu. The color configuration of the first color filter A, the second color filter B, and the third color filter C is not limited to the ones illustrated in the above two examples. 
     Here, the plurality of first sets of filters  311  may be arranged in a first diagonal direction D 1 , and the plurality of second sets of filters  312  may be arranged in a second diagonal direction D 2  different from the first diagonal direction D 1 . In an example, when the plurality of first sets of filters  311  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  and the plurality of second sets of filters  312  are arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2 , the first sets of filters  311  and the second sets of filters  312  may be arranged adjacently to each other in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction of the image sensor  30 . 
     Here, the number of filters  310  in each of the plurality of first sets of filters  311  is N*N, and the number of filters  310  in each of the plurality of second sets of filters  32  is N*N, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2. For example, the value of N may be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, etc., and the present disclosure is not limited to any of these values. 
     Here, the arrangement of the filters  310  in each first set of filters  311  may be: (1) referring to  FIG.  18   , the plurality of first color filters A and the plurality of second color filters B are arranged adjacently to each other in a vertical direction and/or a horizontal direction of the image sensor  30  (illustrated in  FIG.  16   ); (2) referring to  FIG.  19   , the filters  310  are arranged in rows, and the filters  310  in each row have a same color; (3) referring to  FIG.  20   , the filters  310  are arranged in columns, and the filters  310  in each column have a same color. Of course, the arrangement of the filters  310  in each first set of filters  311  is not limited to any of these examples. 
     Here, the arrangement of the filters  310  in each second set of filters  312  may be: (1) referring to  FIG.  18   , the plurality of first color filters A and the plurality of third color filters C are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction and/or the horizontal direction of the image sensor  30  (illustrated in  FIG.  16   ); (2) referring to  FIG.  19   , the filters  310  are arranged in rows, and the filters  310  in each row have a same color; (3) referring to  FIG.  20   , the filters  310  are arranged in columns, and the filters  310  in each column have a same color. Of course, the arrangement of the filters  310  in each second set of filters  312  is not limited to any of these examples. 
       FIG.  18    is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of some filters  310  in the filter array  31  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG.  18   , the arrangement of some filters  310  is: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 A 
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     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  310  in each first set of filters  311  is 2*2, and the number of filters  310  in each second set of filters  312  is 2*2. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  18   , the plurality of first sets of filters  311  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  31  in  FIG.  18   ), and the plurality of second sets of filters  312  are arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  31  in  FIG.  18   ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     It is to be noted that the first diagonal direction D 1  and the second diagonal direction D 2  are not limited to diagonals, but may also include directions parallel to the diagonals. The term “direction” here is not a single pointing direction, but can be understood as a concept of a “straight line” indicating an arrangement and having two pointing directions at both ends of the straight line. In addition, in other embodiments, the first diagonal direction D 1  may alternatively be the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  31 , and the second diagonal direction D 2  may alternatively be the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  31 . In this case, the positions of the first sets of filters  311  and the second sets of filters  312  are changed correspondingly to the change in the diagonal directions. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  18   , the first sets of filters  311  and the second sets of filters  312  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  30  (illustrated in  FIG.  16   ), and also arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  311  and a second set of filters  312  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  311  and a second set of filters  312  in the horizontal direction H. 
     It is to be noted that the arrangement in which the first sets of filters  311  and the second sets of filters  312  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V and adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H is not limited to the one illustrated in  FIG.  18   . Alternatively, the plurality of sets of filters  313  may be arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  311  and a second set of filters  312  or the order of a second set of filters  312  and a first set of filters  311  in the vertical direction V (from left to right and from top to bottom, the same below), and the plurality of sets of filters  313  may be arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  311  and a second set of filters  312  or the order of a second set of filters  312  and a first set of filters  311  in the horizontal direction H (from left to right and from top to bottom, the same below). 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  18   , in each first set of filters  311 , in the vertical direction V, the first color filters A and the second color filters B are arranged alternately, and in the horizontal direction H, the first color filters A and the second color filters B are arranged alternately. In each second set of filters  312 , the plurality of first color filters A and the plurality of third color filters C are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V and the horizontal direction H. That is, in the vertical direction V, the first color filters A and the third color filters C are arranged alternately, and in the horizontal direction H, the first color filters A and the third color filters C are arranged alternately. 
     In some embodiments, the arrangement of some filters  310  in the filter array  31  may alternatively be: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 A 
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                 A 
               
               
                   
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     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  310  in each first set of filters  311  is 3*3, and the number of filters  310  in each second set of filters  312  is 3*3. 
     In this arrangement, the plurality of first sets of filters  311  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  31 ), and the plurality of second sets of filters  312  is arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  31 ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     In this arrangement, the first sets of filters  311  and the second sets of filters  312  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  30  (illustrated in  FIG.  16   ), and are arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  313  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  311  and a second set of filters  312  or in the order of a second set of filters  312  and a first set of filters  311  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  313  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  311  and a second set of filters  312  or in the order of a second set of filters  312  and a first set of filters  311  in the horizontal direction H. 
     In this arrangement, in each first set of filters  311 , the plurality of first color filters A and the plurality of second color filters B are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V and the horizontal direction H. That is, in the vertical direction V, the first color filters A and the second color filters B are arranged alternately, and in the horizontal direction H, the first color filters A and the second color filters B are arranged alternately. In each second set of filters  312 , the plurality of first color filters A and the plurality of third color filters C are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V and the horizontal direction H. That is, in the vertical direction V, the first color filters A and the third color filters C are arranged alternately, and in the horizontal direction H, the first color filters A and the third color filters C are arranged alternately. 
     In some embodiments, the arrangement of some filters  310  in the filter array  31  may alternatively be: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
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     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  310  in each first set of filters  311  is 4*4, and the number of filters  310  in each second set of filters  312  is 4*4. 
     In this arrangement, the plurality of first sets of filters  311  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  31 ), and the plurality of second sets of filters  312  is arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  31 ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     In this arrangement, the first sets of filters  311  and the second sets of filters  312  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  30  (illustrated in  FIG.  16   ), and are arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  313  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  311  and a second set of filters  312  or in the order of a second set of filters  312  and a first set of filters  311  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  313  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  311  and a second set of filters  312  or in the order of a second set of filters  312  and a first set of filters  311  in the horizontal direction H. 
     In this arrangement, in each first set of filters  311 , the plurality of first color filters A and the plurality of second color filters B are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V and the horizontal direction H. That is, in the vertical direction V, the first color filters A and the second color filters B are arranged alternately, and in the horizontal direction H, the first color filters A and the second color filters B are arranged alternately. In each second set of filters  312 , the plurality of first color filters A and the plurality of third color filters C are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V and the horizontal direction H. That is, in the vertical direction V, the first color filters A and the third color filters C are arranged alternately, and in the horizontal direction H, the first color filters A and the third color filters C are arranged alternately. 
       FIG.  19    is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of some filters  310  in the filter array  31  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG.  19   , the arrangement of some filters  310  is: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
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     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  310  in each first set of filters  311  is 2*2, and the number of filters  310  in each second set of filters  312  is 2*2. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  19   , the plurality of first sets of filters  311  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  31  in  FIG.  19   ), and the plurality of second sets of filters  112  are arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  31  in  FIG.  19   ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  19   , the first sets of filters  311  and the second sets of filters  312  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  30  (illustrated in  FIG.  16   ), and are arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  313  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  311  and a second set of filters  312  or in the order of a second set of filters  312  and a first set of filters  311  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  313  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  311  and a second set of filters  312  or in the order of a second set of filters  312  and a first set of filters  311  in the horizontal direction H. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  19   , in each first set of filters  311 , the filters  310  are arranged in rows, and the filters  310  in each row have a same color. For example, the filters  310  in the first row are all first color filters A, and the filters  310  in the second row are all second color filters B. In each second set of filters  312 , the filters  310  are arranged in rows, and the filters  310  in each row have a same color. For example, the filters  310  in the first row are all first color filters A, and the filters  310  in the second row are all third color filters C. 
     In some embodiments, the arrangement of some filters  310  in the filter array  31  may alternatively be: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
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     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  310  in each first set of filters  311  is 3*3, and the number of filters  310  in each second set of filters  312  is 3*3. 
     In this arrangement, the plurality of first sets of filters  311  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  31 ), and the plurality of second sets of filters  312  is arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  31 ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     In this arrangement, the first sets of filters  111  and the second sets of filters  312  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  30  (illustrated in  FIG.  16   ), and are arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  313  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  311  and a second set of filters  312  or in the order of a second set of filters  312  and a first set of filters  311  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  313  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  311  and a second set of filters  312  or in the order of a second set of filters  312  and a first set of filters  311  in the horizontal direction H. 
     In this arrangement, in each first set of filters  311 , the filters  310  are arranged in rows, and the filters  310  in each row have a same color. For example, the filters  310  in the first row are all first color filters A, the filters  310  in the second row are all second color filters B, and the filters  310  in the third row are all first color filters A. In each second set of filters  312 , the filters  310  are arranged in rows, and the filters  310  in each row have a same color. For example, the filters  310  in the first row are all first color filters A, the filters  310  in the second row are all third color filters C, and the filters  310  in the third row are all first color filters A. 
     In some embodiments, the arrangement of some filters  310  in the filter array  31  may alternatively be: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
               
               
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
               
               
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
               
               
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
               
               
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  310  in each first set of filters  311  is 4*4, and the number of filters  310  in each second set of filters  312  is 4*4. 
     In this arrangement, the plurality of first sets of filters  311  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  31 ), and the plurality of second sets of filters  312  is arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  31 ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     In this arrangement, the first sets of filters  311  and the second sets of filters  312  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  30  (illustrated in  FIG.  16   ), and are arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  313  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  311  and a second set of filters  312  or in the order of a second set of filters  312  and a first set of filters  311  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  313  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  311  and a second set of filters  312  or in the order of a second set of filters  312  and a first set of filters  311  in the horizontal direction H. 
     In this arrangement, in each first set of filters  311 , the filters  310  are arranged in rows, and the filters  310  in each row have a same color. For example, the filters  310  in the first row are all first color filters A, the filters  310  in the second row are all second color filters B, the filters  310  in the third row are all first color filters A, and the filters  310  in the fourth row are all second color filters B. In each second set of filters  312 , the filters  310  are arranged in rows, and the filters  310  in each row have a same color. For example, the filters  310  in the first row are all first color filters A, the filters  310  in the second row are all third color filters C, the filters  310  in the third row are all first color filters A, and the filters  310  in the fourth row are all third color filters C. 
       FIG.  20    is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of some filters  310  in the filter array  31  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG.  20   , the arrangement of some filters  310  is: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 C 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 C 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  310  in each first set of filters  311  is 2*2, and the number of filters  310  in each second set of filters  312  is 2*2. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  20   , the plurality of first sets of filters  311  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  31  in  FIG.  20   ), and the plurality of second sets of filters  312  are arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  31  in  FIG.  20   ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  20   , the first sets of filters  311  and the second sets of filters  312  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  30  (illustrated in  FIG.  16   ), and are arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  313  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  311  and a second set of filters  312  or in the order of a second set of filters  312  and a first set of filters  311  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  313  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  311  and a second set of filters  312  or in the order of a second set of filters  312  and a first set of filters  311  in the horizontal direction H. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  20   , in each first set of filters  311 , the filters  310  are arranged in columns, and the filters  310  in each column have a same color. For example, the filters  310  in the first column are all first color filters A, and the filters  310  in the second column are all second color filters B. In each second set of filters  312 , the filters  310  are arranged in columns, and the filters  310  in each column have a same color. For example, the filters  310  in the first column are all first color filters A, and the filters  310  in the second column are all third color filters C. 
     In some embodiments, the arrangement of some filters  310  in the filter array  31  may alternatively be: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  310  in each first set of filters  311  is 3*3, and the number of filters  310  in each second set of filters  312  is 3*3. 
     In this arrangement, the plurality of first sets of filters  311  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  31 ), and the plurality of second sets of filters  312  is arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  31 ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     In this arrangement, the first sets of filters  311  and the second sets of filters  312  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  30  (illustrated in  FIG.  16   ), and are arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  313  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  311  and a second set of filters  312  or in the order of a second set of filters  312  and a first set of filters  311  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  313  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  311  and a second set of filters  312  or in the order of a second set of filters  312  and a first set of filters  311  in the horizontal direction H. 
     In this arrangement, in each first set of filters  311 , the filters  310  are arranged in columns, and the filters  310  in each column have a same color. For example, the filters  310  in the first column are all first color filters A, the filters  310  in the second column are all second color filters B, and the filters  310  in the third column are all first color filters A. In each second set of filters  312 , the filters  310  are arranged in columns, and the filters  310  in each column have a same color. For example, the filters  310  in the first column are all first color filters A, the filters  310  in the second column are all third color filters C, and the filters  110  in the third column are all first color filters A. 
     In some embodiments, the arrangement of some filters  310  in the filter array  31  may alternatively be: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
               
               
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
               
               
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
               
               
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
               
               
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  310  in each first set of filters  311  is 4*4, and the number of filters  310  in each second set of filters  312  is 4*4. 
     In this arrangement, the plurality of first sets of filters  311  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  31 ), and the plurality of second sets of filters  312  is arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  31 ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     In this arrangement, the first sets of filters  311  and the second sets of filters  312  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  30  (illustrated in  FIG.  16   ), and are arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  313  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  311  and a second set of filters  312  or in the order of a second set of filters  312  and a first set of filters  311  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  313  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  311  and a second set of filters  312  or in the order of a second set of filters  312  and a first set of filters  311  in the horizontal direction H. 
     In this arrangement, in each first set of filters  111 , the filters  310  are arranged in columns, and the filters  310  in each column have a same color. For example, the filters  310  in the first column are all first color filters A, the filters  310  in the second column are all second color filters B, the filters  310  in the third column are all first color filters A, and the filters  310  in the fourth column are all second color filters B. In each second set of filters  312 , the filters  310  are arranged in columns, and the filters  310  in each column have a same color. For example, the filters  310  in the first column are all first color filters A, the filters  310  in the second column are all third color filters C, the filters  310  in the third column are all first color filters A, and the filters  310  in the fourth column are all third color filters C. 
       FIG.  21    is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of some filters  310  in the filter array  31  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG.  21   , the arrangement of some filters  310  is: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 C 
                 C 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                   
                 C 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  310  in each first set of filters  311  is 2*2, and the number of filters  310  in each second set of filters  312  is 2*2. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  21   , the plurality of first sets of filters  311  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  31  in  FIG.  21   ), and the plurality of second sets of filters  312  are arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  31  in  FIG.  21   ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  21   , the first sets of filters  311  and the second sets of filters  312  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  30  (illustrated in  FIG.  16   ), and are arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  313  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  311  and a second set of filters  312  or in the order of a second set of filters  312  and a first set of filters  311  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  313  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  311  and a second set of filters  312  or in the order of a second set of filters  312  and a first set of filters  111  in the horizontal direction H. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  21   , in each first set of filters  311 , the filters  310  are arranged in columns, and the filters  310  in each column have a same color. For example, the filters  310  in the first column are all first color filters A, and the filters  310  in the second column are all second color filters B. In each second set of filters  312 , the filters  310  are arranged in rows, and the filters  310  in each row have a same color. For example, the filters  310  in the first row are all first color filters A, and the filters  310  in the second row are all third color filters C. 
     In some embodiments, the arrangement of some filters  310  in the filter array  31  may alternatively be: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
                 B 
                 B 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 C 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  310  in each first set of filters  311  is 3*3, and the number of filters  310  in each second set of filters  312  is 3*3. 
     In this arrangement, the plurality of first sets of filters  311  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  31 ), and the plurality of second sets of filters  312  is arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  31 ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     In this arrangement, the first sets of filters  311  and the second sets of filters  312  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  30  (illustrated in  FIG.  16   ), and are arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  313  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  311  and a second set of filters  312  or in the order of a second set of filters  312  and a first set of filters  311  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  313  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  311  and a second set of filters  312  or in the order of a second set of filters  312  and a first set of filters  311  in the horizontal direction H. 
     In this arrangement, in each first set of filters  311 , the filters  310  are arranged in rows, and the filters  310  in each row have a same color. For example, the filters  310  in the first row are all first color filters A, the filters  310  in the second row are all second color filters B, and the filters  310  in the third row are all first color filters A. In each second set of filters  312 , the filters  310  are arranged in columns, and the filters  310  in each column have a same color. For example, the filters  310  in the first column are all first color filters A, the filters  310  in the second column are all third color filters C, and the filters  310  in the third column are all first color filters A. 
     In some embodiments, the arrangement of some filters  310  in the filter array  31  may alternatively be: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
               
               
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
               
               
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
               
               
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 C 
                 A 
                 B 
                 A 
                 B 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. The number of filters  310  in each first set of filters  311  is 4*4, and the number of filters  310  in each second set of filters  312  is 4*4. 
     In this arrangement, the plurality of first sets of filters  311  are arranged in the first diagonal direction D 1  (for example, the direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the filter array  31 ), and the plurality of second sets of filters  312  is arranged in the second diagonal direction D 2  (for example, the direction connecting the lower left corner and the upper right corner of the filter array  31 ). The first diagonal direction D 1  is different from the second diagonal direction D 2 . For example, the first diagonal direction D 1  may be perpendicular to the second diagonal direction D 2 . 
     In this arrangement, the first sets of filters  311  and the second sets of filters  312  are arranged adjacently to each other in the vertical direction V of the image sensor  30  (illustrated in  FIG.  16   ), and are arranged adjacently to each other in the horizontal direction H. That is, the plurality of sets of filters  313  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  311  and a second set of filters  312  or in the order of a second set of filters  312  and a first set of filters  311  in the vertical direction V, and the plurality of sets of filters  313  are arranged periodically in the order of a first set of filters  311  and a second set of filters  312  or in the order of a second set of filters  312  and a first set of filters  311  in the horizontal direction H. 
     In this arrangement, in each first set of filters  311 , the filters  310  are arranged in columns, and the filters  310  in each column have a same color. For example, the filters  310  in the first column are all first color filters A, the filters  310  in the second column are all second color filters B, the filters  310  in the third column are all first color filters A, and the filters  310  in the fourth column are all second color filters B. In each second set of filters  312 , the filters  310  are arranged in rows, and the filters  310  in each row have a same color. For example, the filters  310  in the first row are all first color filters A, the filters  310  in the second row are all third color filters C, the filters  310  in the third row are all first color filters A, and the filters  310  in the fourth row are all third color filters C. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  15  to  21   , in the image sensor  30  according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the electrical signals generated by the pixels  320  corresponding to each first set of filters  311  can be combined to generate the first pixel signal and the third pixel signal. The electrical signals generated by the pixels  320  corresponding to each second set of filters  312  can be combined to generate the second pixel signal and the fourth pixel signal. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG.  18   , each set of filters  313  includes 2*2 filters  310 , and each set of filters  313  corresponds to four pixels  320 . Referring to  FIGS.  15 ,  18 , and  30   , among the four pixels  320  corresponding to the first set of filters  311 , two pixels  320  can receive the light passing through the first color filters A to generate two electrical signals, and the other two pixels  320  can receive the light passing through the second color filters B to generate two electrical signals. The control circuit  34  can control the electrical signals generated by the two pixels  320  that receive the light passing through the first color filters A to be combined to obtain the first pixel signal, and control the electrical signals generated by the two pixels  320  that receive the light passing through the second color filters B to be combined to obtain the third pixel signal. Here, the first pixel signal represents the value in the first color channel of the light applied to the pixels  320  corresponding to the first set of filters  311 , and the third pixel signal represents the value in the second color channel of the light applied to the pixels  320  corresponding to the first set of filters  311 . Among the four pixels  320  corresponding to the second set of filters  312 , two pixels  320  can receive the light passing through the first color filters A to generate two electrical signals, and the other two pixels  320  can receive the light passing through the third color filters C to generate two electrical signals. The control circuit  34  can control the electrical signals generated by the two pixels  320  that receive the light passing through the first color filters A to be combined to obtain the second pixel signal, and control the electrical signals generated by the two pixels  320  that receive the light passing through the third color filters C to be combined to obtain the fourth pixel signal. Here, the second pixel signal represents the value in the first color channel of the light applied to the pixels  320  corresponding to the second set of filters  312 , and the fourth pixel signal represents the value in the third color channel of the light applied to the pixels  320  corresponding to the second set of filters  312 . 
     Thus, the four pixels  320  corresponding to each first set of filters  311  can form a first combined pixel, and each first combined pixel can generate a first pixel signal and a third pixel signal. The four pixels  320  corresponding to each second set of filters  312  can form a second combined pixel, and each second combined pixel can generate a second pixel signal and a fourth pixel signal. Each combined pixel can output the pixel signal (the first pixel signal or the second pixel signal) having a value in the first color channel, only some of the combined pixels can output the third pixel signal having a value in the second color channel and only some of the combined pixels can output the fourth pixel signal having a value in the third color channel. Therefore, each pixel that cannot output the third pixel signal needs to be subjected to an interpolation process to calculate a value in the second color channel of the combined pixel, and the combined pixel that cannot output the fourth pixel signal also needs to be subjected to an interpolation process to calculate a value in the third color channel of the combined pixel. In this way, each combined pixel can obtain the values in the first color channel, the second color channel, and the third color channel, and a color image can be generated by means of color space calculation. 
     Referring to  FIG.  33   , in the existing filter array arranged in a Bayer array, a pixel corresponding to each filter can only generate a pixel signal having the value in one color channel. For example, the pixel corresponding to the pixel signal in the first row and first column from the left only has a value in the second color channel, and a value in the first color channel and a value in the third color channel of the pixel need to be obtained by interpolation; The pixel corresponding to the pixel signal in the first row and the second column only has a value in the first color channel, and a value in the second color channel and a value in the third color channel of the pixel need to be obtained by interpolation. The pixel corresponding to the pixel signal in the second row and the second column from the left only has a value in the third color channel, and a value in the first color channel and a value in the second color channel of the pixel need to be obtained by interpolation. In this way, the values in the other color channels of the pixel corresponding to each pixel signal need to be obtained by interpolation. However, an accuracy of the pixel signals obtained by interpolation is not high enough, which will cause the color reproduction of the final resulting color image to be inaccurate. In addition, in the existing filter array arranged in a Bayer array, when the pixel signal having a value in the first color channel is generated by interpolation and the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel is generated by interpolation, most of the pixel signals generated by interpolation can only be calculated using two pixel signals. For example, in the image signal in  FIG.  33    that only contains pixel signals having values in the second color channel, the pixel corresponding to the pixel signal in the second row and the third column from the left does not have a value in the second color channel, and the value in the second color channel of the pixel needs to be obtained from the pixel signals of the pixels adjacent to the pixel and having a value in the second color channel, i.e., based on the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the first row and the third column and the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the third row and the third column. In another example, in the image signal in  FIG.  33    that only contains the pixel signals having values in the third color channel, the pixel signal in the third row and the second column from the left does not have a value in the third color channel, and the value in the third color channel of the pixel corresponding to the pixel signal needs to be obtained from the pixel signals of the pixels adjacent to the pixel and having a value in the third color channel, i.e., based on the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the second row and the second column and the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the fourth row and the second column. In this way, the number of pixel signals usable for generating the pixel signal by interpolation is relatively small, and the accuracy of the pixel signal generated by interpolation is not high enough. 
     Referring to  FIG.  16   ,  FIG.  18   , and  FIGS.  30  to  32   , in the image sensor  30  according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, compared with the resolution of the pixel array  32  composed of the pixels  320 , the resolution of the image composed of the pixel signals corresponding to the combined pixels is reduced. However, as each combined pixel has a pixel signal having a value in the first color channel, the value in the first color channel does not need to be obtained by interpolation, and the color reproduction of the final resulting color image will be more accurate. Since each combined pixel of the pixel array  32  directly obtains the corresponding pixel signal of the first color channel, more information can be obtained in the subsequent signal processing procedure. 
     In addition, referring to  FIG.  16   ,  FIG.  18   ,  FIG.  30   , and  FIG.  31   , in the image sensor  30  according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, when an interpolation process is performed on a combined pixel that cannot output the third pixel signal, for most of the combined pixels, the value in the second color channel of the combined pixel can be calculated from four third pixel signals with each having a value in the second color channel. For example, in the second image signal M 2  formed by a plurality of third pixel signals illustrated in  FIG.  31   , the third pixel signal in the second row and the third column from the left may be calculated from the third pixel signal in the first row and the third column from the left, the third pixel signal in the second row and the second column from the left, the third pixel signal in the second row and the fourth column from the left, and the third pixel signal in the third row and the third column from the left. In the image sensor  30  according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, when an interpolation process is performed on a combined pixel that cannot output the fourth pixel signal, for most of the combined pixels, the value in the third color channel of the combined pixel can be calculated from four fourth pixel signals each having a value in the third color channel. For example, in the third image signal M 3  formed by a plurality of fourth pixel signals illustrated in  FIG.  31   , the fourth pixel signal in the third row and the third column from the left may be calculated from the fourth pixel signal in the second row and the third column from the left, the fourth pixel signal in the third row and the second column from the left, the fourth pixel signal in the third row and the fourth column from the left, and the fourth pixel signal in the fourth row and the third column from the left. As a result, the number of pixel signals usable for generating the pixel signal by interpolation is relatively large, and the accuracy of the pixel signal generated by interpolation is high. 
     In summary, in the image sensor  30  according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, each first set of filters  311  and each second set of filters  312  have the first color filters A, such that the pixel  320  corresponding to each first set of filters  311  and the pixel  320  corresponding to each second set of filters  312  can generate the pixel signal having a value in the first color channel. Therefore, in the process of generating a color image, the value in the first color channel does not need to be obtained by interpolation, and the color reproduction of the color image can be more accurate. Moreover, when performing the interpolation process on values in the second color channel (or values in the third color channel), most of the values in the second color channel to be generated by interpolation (or the values in the third color channel to be generated by interpolation) can be calculated from four adjacent pixel signals each having a value in the second color channel (or four adjacent pixels each having a value in the third color channel), such that the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel (or the third color channel) generated by interpolation can be more accurate, thereby further improving the accuracy of the color reproduction of the color image. 
     The existing processor for processing pixel signals outputted by an image sensor can only process a plurality of pixel signals corresponding to an image arranged in the form of a Bayer array. However, the image corresponding to the image signal formed by the plurality of pixels outputted by the image sensor  30  (illustrated in  FIG.  16   ) of the present disclosure is not an image arranged in the form of a Bayer array. Therefore, in order to enable the plurality of pixel signals outputted by the image sensor  30  of the present disclosure to be processed by the processor, in some embodiments, the image sensor  30  may further be configured to process the first pixel signal, the second pixel signal, the third pixel signal, and the fourth pixel signal to output an image signal. The image signal includes a plurality of image signal units U each including four pixel signals, of which two pixel signals each have a value in the first color channel, one pixel signal has a value in the second color channel, one pixel signal has a value in the third color channel. The color channels corresponding to the four pixel signals are arranged in a Bayer array. 
     Specifically, referring to  FIG.  16   ,  FIG.  30   , and  FIG.  34   , the image sensor  30  outputs a plurality of first pixel signals, a plurality of second pixel signals, a plurality of third pixel signals, and a plurality of fourth pixel signals. The plurality of first pixel signals and the plurality of second pixel signals form a first image signal M 1 , the plurality of third pixel signals form a second image signal M 2 , and the plurality of fourth pixel signals form a third image signal M 3 . The image sensor  30  performs an interpolation process on the second image signal M 2  based on the plurality of third pixel signals, such that each pixel signal in the second image signal M 2 ′ after the interpolation process has a value in the second color channel. The image sensor  30  performs an interpolation process on the third image signal M 3  based on the plurality of fourth pixel signals, such that each pixel signal in the third image signal M 3 ′ after the interpolation process has a value in the third color channel. Then, the image sensor  30  selects a plurality of pixel signals each having a value in the second color channel from the second image signal M 2 ′ after the interpolation process, selects a plurality of pixel signals each having a value in the first color channel from the first image signal M 1 , and selects a plurality of pixel signals each having a value in the third color channel from the third image signal M 3 ′. Thus, the plurality of pixel signals each having a value in the first color channel, the plurality of pixel signals each having a value in the second color channel, and the plurality of pixel signals each having a value in the third color channel form an image signal including a plurality of image signal units U. Each image signal unit U includes four pixel signals, of which two pixel signals each have a value in the first color channel, one pixel signal has a value in the second color channel, and one pixel signal has a value in the third color channel. In this way, the color channels corresponding to the four pixel signals in each image signal unit U are arranged in a Bayer array. After the image signal is outputted to the processor, the processor can process the image signal directly. 
     Referring to  FIG.  16   ,  FIG.  18   , and  FIG.  35   , the present disclosure also provides an imaging apparatus. The imaging apparatus includes the image sensor  30  according to any of the embodiments in  FIGS.  15  to  21   . 
     In some embodiments, the imaging apparatus can further include a processor. The processor can be used to process the first pixel signal, the second pixel signal, the third pixel signal representing the value in the second color channel of the light applied to the pixels  320  corresponding to the second color filters B, and fourth pixel signal representing the value in the third color channel of the light applied to the pixels  320  corresponding to the third color filters C to generate a color image. Specifically, referring to  FIG.  31   , a plurality of first pixel signals and a plurality of second pixel signals form a first image signal M 1 , a plurality of third pixel signals form a second image signal M 2 , and a plurality of fourth pixel signals form a third image signal M 3 . The processor can perform an interpolation process on the second image signal M 2  based on the plurality of third pixel signals, such that each pixel signal in the second image signal M 2 ′ after the interpolation process has a value in the second color channel. For example, take the pixel signal in the first row and the second column from the left in the second image signal M 2  as an example, the pixel signal does not have a value in the second color channel, and the pixel signal can be calculated from the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the first row and the first column from the left, the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the first row and the third column from the left, and the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the second row and the second column from the left. For example, an average value of the three pixel signals can be calculated and used as the pixel signal in the first row and the second column from the left. In another example, take the pixel signal in the second row and the third column from the left in the second image signal M 2  as an example, the pixel signal does not have a value in the second color channel, and the pixel signal can be calculated from the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the first row and the third column from the left, the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the second row and the second column from the left, the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the second row and the fourth column from the left, and the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the third row and the third column from the left. For example, an average value of the four pixel signals can be calculated and used as the pixel signal in the second row and the third column from the left. The processor may also perform an interpolation process on the third image signal M 3  based on the plurality of fourth pixel signals, such that each pixel signal in the third image signal M 3 ′ after the interpolation process has a value in the third color channel. For example, take the pixel signal in the first row and the first column from the left in the third image signal M 3  as an example, the pixel signal does not have a value in the third color channel, and the pixel signal can be calculated from the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the second row and the second column from the left and the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the second row and the first column from the left. For example, an average value of the two pixel signals can be calculated and used as the pixel signal in the first row and the first column from the left. In another example, take the pixel signal in the second row and the second column from the left in the third image signal M 3  as an example, the pixel signal does not have a value in the third color channel, and the pixel signal can be calculated from the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the first row and the second column from the left, the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the second row and the first column from the left, the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the second row and the third column from the left, and the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the third row and the second column from the left. For example, an average value of the four pixel signals can be calculated and used as the pixel signal in the second row and the second column from the left. Thus, each pixel signal in the first image signal M 1  has a value in the first color channel, each pixel in the second image signal M 2 ′ after the interpolation process has a value in the second color channel, and each pixel in the third image signals M 3 ′ after the interpolation process has a value in the third color channel. The processor may process the first image signal M 1 , the second image signal M 2 ′ after the interpolation process, and the third image signal M 3 ′ after the interpolation process to generate a color image. Each image pixel in the color image has a value in the first color channel, a value in the second color channel, and a value in the third color channel. 
     In some embodiments, referring to  FIG.  34    and  FIG.  35   , when the processor receives an image signal including a plurality of image signal units U, the processor may perform an interpolation process based on a plurality of pixel signals in the image signal, to output three image signals. Each pixel signal in one of the image signals has a value in the first color channel, each pixel signal in another one of the image signals has a value in the second color channel, and each pixel signal in the remaining one of the image signals has a value in the third color channel. The processor can process the three image signals to generate a color image. Each image pixel in the color image has a value in the first color channel, a value in the second color channel, and a value in the third color channel. 
     In some embodiments, when the imaging apparatus is in a static mode (that is, a mode for capturing still images), the image sensor  30  (illustrated in  FIG.  15   ) can directly output the image signals (M 1 , M 2 , and M 3 ) illustrated in  FIG.  31   . The processor can process the image signals to generate a color image. In this way, in the process of generating the color image, the value in the first color channel does not need to be interpolated, the color reproduction of the color image can be more accurate, and the image details are better represented. When the imaging apparatus is in a preview mode or a video recording mode, the image sensor  30  can directly output an image signal including a plurality of image signal units U as illustrated in  FIG.  34   , and the processor can process the image signal to generate a color image. In this way, in the process of generating the color image, the image signals corresponding to the image arranged in a Bayer array can be processed in the hardware of the image sensor  30 , and there is no need to use software to process the image signals in the processor to obtain the image signals corresponding to the image arranged in the Bayer array, such that the time required for generating the color image can be reduced and the speed of acquiring the color image can be improved. 
     Referring to  FIG.  16   ,  FIG.  18   , and  FIG.  36   , the present disclosure also provides an electronic device. The electronic device can be a mobile phone, a tablet, a laptop, a smart watch, a smart bracelet, a smart helmet, smart glasses, an unmanned vehicle (such as a drone, an unmanned automobile, an unmanned ship), etc., and the present disclosure is not limited to any of these examples. The electronic device includes an imaging apparatus. The imaging apparatus includes the image sensor  30  according to in any of the embodiments in  FIGS.  15  to  21   . The electronic device also includes a processor. The processor of the electronic device can perform the same functions as those of the processor in the imaging apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  35   , and details thereof will be omitted here. 
     Referring to  FIG.  16   ,  FIG.  18   , and  FIG.  34   , the present disclosure also provides an image processing system. The image processing system includes an electronic device. The electronic device includes an imaging apparatus. The imaging apparatus includes the image sensor  30  according to any of the embodiments in  FIGS.  15  to  21   . The image processing system also includes a processor. The processor of the image processing system can perform the same functions as those of the processor in the imaging apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  35   , and details thereof will be omitted here. 
     Here, the processor can be located in a server responsible for cloud computing, or can be located in a server responsible for edge computing. In this way, the subsequent processing of the pixel signals outputted by the image sensor  30  (illustrated in  FIG.  16   ) can be offloaded to the server for execution, which can save the power consumption of the imaging apparatus or the electronic device. 
     Referring to  FIG.  16   ,  FIG.  18   , and  FIG.  22   , the present disclosure also provides a signal processing method. The signal processing method can be applied in the image sensor  30  according to any of the embodiments in  FIGS.  15  to  21   . The signal processing method includes the following steps. 
     At  031 , the electrical signals generated by the pixels  320  corresponding to each of the plurality of first sets of filters  311  are combined to generate a first pixel signal and a third pixel signal. The first pixel signal represents a value in a first color channel of the light applied to the pixels  320  corresponding to the first set of filters  311 , and the third pixel signal represents a value in a second color channel of the light applied to the pixels  320  corresponding to the first set of filters  311 . 
     At  032 , the electrical signals generated by the pixels corresponding to each of the plurality of second sets of filters  312  to are combined to generate a second pixel signal and a fourth pixel signal. The second pixel signal represents a value in the first color channel of the light applied to the pixels  320  corresponding to the second set of filters  312 , and the fourth pixel signal represents a value in a third color channel of the light applied to the pixels  320  corresponding to the second set of filters  312 . 
     In some embodiments, the signal processing method may further include: processing the first pixel signal, the second pixel signal, the third pixel signal, and the fourth pixel signal to generate a color image. Specifically, a plurality of first pixel signals and a plurality of second pixel signals can form a first image signal, a plurality of third pixel signals can form a second image signal, and a plurality of fourth pixel signals can form a third image signal. The step of processing the first pixel signal, the second pixel signal, the third pixel signal, and the fourth pixel signal to generate the color image may include: performing an interpolation process on the second image signal based on the plurality of third pixel signals, such that each pixel signal in the second image signal after the interpolation process has a value in the second color channel; performing an interpolation process on the third image signal based on the plurality of fourth pixel signals, such that each pixel signal in the third image signal after the interpolation process has a value in the third color channel; and processing the first image signal, the second image signal after the interpolation process, and the third image signal after the interpolation process to generate the color image. 
     In some embodiments, the signal processing method may further include: processing the first pixel signal, the second pixel signal, the third pixel signal, and the fourth pixel signal to output an image signal. The image signal includes a plurality of image signal units each including four pixel signals, of which two pixel signals each have a value in the first color channel, one pixel signal has a value in the second color channel, one pixel signal has a value in the third color channel. The color channels corresponding to the four pixel signals are arranged in a Bayer array. 
     In some embodiments, the signal processing method may further include: in a static mode, performing the step of processing the first pixel signal, the second pixel signal, the third pixel signal, and the fourth pixel signal to generate the color image; or in a preview mode or in a video recording mode, performing the step of processing the first pixel signal, the second pixel signal, the third pixel signal, and the fourth pixel signal to output the image signal including the plurality of image signal units. 
     In summary, in the imaging apparatus, electronic device, image processing system, and signal processing method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, each first set of filters  311  and each second set of filters  312  in the image sensor  30  have the first color filters A, such that the pixel  320  corresponding to each first set of filters  311  and the pixel  320  corresponding to each second set of filters  312  can generate the pixel signal having a value in the first color channel. Therefore, in the process of generating a color image, the value in the first color channel does not need to be obtained by interpolation, and the color reproduction of the color image can be more accurate. 
     Referring to  FIG.  23    to  FIG.  25   , the present disclosure also provides an image sensor  40 . The image sensor  40  includes a filter array  41  and a pixel array  42 . The filter array  41  includes a plurality of first color filters A, a plurality of second color filters B, and a plurality of third color filters C. Two first color filters A, one second color filter B, and one third color filter C constitute a unit of filters  410  and, in each unit, the two first color filters A are not adjacent to each other and the one second color filter B and the one third color filter C are not adjacent to each other. A plurality of units are arranged periodically in each of a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The pixel array  42  includes a plurality of pixels  420  each corresponding to one filter  410  in the filter array  41  and configured to receive light passing through the corresponding filter  410  to generate an electrical signal. The image sensor  40  is configured to combine the electrical signals generated by the pixels  420  corresponding to a plurality of first color filters A and a plurality of second color filters B in a same area to generate a first pixel signal and a third pixel signal. The first pixel signal represents a value in a first color channel of the light applied to the pixels  420  corresponding to the first color filters A, and the third pixel signal represents a value in a second color channel of the light applied to the pixels  420  corresponding to the second color filters. The image sensor  40  is configured to combine the electrical signals generated by the pixels  420  corresponding to a plurality of first color filters A and a plurality of third color filters C in a same area to generate a second pixel signal and a fourth pixel signal. The second pixel signal represents a value in the first color channel of the light applied to the pixels  420  corresponding to the first color filters A, and the fourth pixel signal represents a value in a third color channel of the light applied to the pixels  420  corresponding to the third color filters C. 
     The image sensor  40  of the present disclosure will be further described below in conjunction with the figures. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  23  to  25   , the image sensor  40  of the embodiments of the present disclosure includes a microlens array  43 , a filter array  41 , and a pixel array  42 . The microlens array  43 , the filter array  41 , and the pixel array  42  are arranged in sequence in a light-receiving direction of the image sensor  40 . 
     The filter array  41  includes a plurality of first color filters A, a plurality of second color filters B, and a plurality of third color filters C. Two first color filters A, one second color filter B, and one third color filter C constitute a unit of filters  410 . In each unit, the two first color filters A are not adjacent to each other, and the one second color filter B and the one third color filter C are not adjacent to each other. A plurality of units are arranged periodically in each of a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. 
     The pixel array  42  includes a plurality of pixels  420  each corresponding to one filter  410  in the filter array  41  and configured to receive light passing through the corresponding filter  410  to generate an electrical signal. 
     The microlens array  43  includes a plurality of sets of microlenses  431 . The first color filters A and the second color filters B located in a same area form a first set of filters  411 . The first color filters A and the third color filters C located in a same area form a second set of filters  412 . Each set of microlenses  431  in the microlens array  43  corresponds to one set of filters (the first set of filters  411  or the second set of filters  412 ), and to the pixels  420  corresponding to the one set of filters. As illustrated in  FIG.  23   , each set of microlenses  231  includes a plurality of microlenses  430  each corresponding to one filter  410  and one pixel  420 . As illustrated in  FIG.  24   , each set of microlenses  431  includes one microlens  430  corresponding to one set of filters and to the pixels  420  corresponding to the one set of filters. 
       FIG.  25    to  FIG.  28    are schematic diagrams each illustrating an arrangement of some filters  410  in the filter array  41  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the filter array  41  illustrated in  FIGS.  25  to  28   , each filter array  41  includes a plurality of first color filters A, a plurality of second color filters B, and a plurality of third color filters C. Two first color filters A, one second color filter B, and one third color filter C constitute a unit of filters  410 . In each unit, the two first color filters A are not adjacent to each other, and the one second color filter B and the one third color filter C are not adjacent to each other. A plurality of units are arranged periodically in each of a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. 
     Here, there may be a number of color configurations for the first color filters A, the second color filters B, and the third color filters C. For example, each first color filter A can be a green filter G, each second color filter B can be a red filter R, and each third color filter C can be a blue filter Bu. In another example, each first color filter A can be a yellow filter Y, each second color filter B may be a red filter R, and each third color filter C may be a blue filter Bu. The color configuration of the first color filter A, the second color filter B, and the third color filter C is not limited to the ones illustrated in the above two examples. 
       FIG.  25    is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of some filters  410  in the filter array  41  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG.  25   , the arrangement of some filters  410  is: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
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     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  25   , units of filters  410 , each composed of two first color filters A, one second color filter B, and one third color filter C, are arranged periodically in the horizontal direction H and the vertical direction V of the image sensor  40  (illustrated in  FIG.  23   ). Here, in each unit, two first color filters A are not adjacent to each other, and one second color filter B and one third color filter C are not adjacent to each other. There may be a number of arrangements for the filters  410  in each unit. In  FIG.  25    as an example, for the first row of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a first color filter A, a second color filter B, a first color filter A, and a third color filter C. For the second row of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a second color filter B, a first color filter A, a third color filter C, and a first color filter A. For the third row of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a first color filter A, a third color filter C, a first color filter A, and a second color filter B. For the fourth row of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a third color filter C, a first color filter A, a second color filter B, and a first color filter A. In  FIG.  25    as an example, for the first column of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a first color filter A, a second color filter B, a first color filter A, and a third color filter C. For the second column of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a second color filter B, a first color filter A, a third color filter C, and a first color filter A. For the third column of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a first color filter A, a third color filter C, a first color filter A, and a second color filter B. For the fourth column of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a third color filter C, a first color filter A, a second color filter B, and a first color filter A. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  25   , the filter  410  in the first row and the first column from the left, the filter  410  in the first row and the second column from the left, the filter  410  in the second row and the first column from the left, and the filter  410  in the second row and the second column are located in a same area, and the four filters  410  can form a first set of filters  411 . Similarly, the filter  410  in the first row and the fifth column from the left, the filter  410  in the first row and the sixth column from the left, the filter  410  in the second row and the fifth column from the left, and the filter  410  in the second row and the sixth column from the left are located in a same area, and the four filters  410  can form a first set of filters  411 . As illustrated in  FIG.  25   , the filter  410  in the first row and the third column from the left, the filter  410  in the first row and the fourth column from the left, the filter  410  in the second row and the third column from the left, and the filter  410  in the second row and the fourth column from the left are located in a same area, and the four filters  410  can form a second set of filters  412 . Similarly, the filter  410  in the first row and the seventh column from the left, the filter  410  in the first row and the eighth column from the left, the filter  410  in the second row and the seventh column from the left, and the filter  410  in the second row and the eighth column from the left are located in the same area, and the four filters  410  can form a second set of filters  412 . Therefore, the filter array  41  includes a plurality of first sets of filters  411  and a plurality of second sets of filters  412 . Here, each first set of filters  411  includes a plurality of first color filters A and a plurality of second color filters B, and a number of first color filters A and a number of second color filters B are same in each first set of filters  411 . Each second set of filters  412  includes a plurality of first color filters A and a plurality of third color filters C, and a number of first color filters A and a number of third color filters C are same in each second set of filters  412 . 
       FIG.  26    is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of some filters  410  in the filter array  41  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG.  26   , the arrangement of some filters  410  is: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
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     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  26   , units of filters  410 , each composed of two first color filters A, one second color filter B, and one third color filter C, are arranged periodically in the horizontal direction H and the vertical direction V of the image sensor  40  (illustrated in  FIG.  23   ). Here, in each unit, two first color filters A are not adjacent to each other, and one second color filter B and one third color filter C are not adjacent to each other. There may be a number of arrangements for the filters  410  in each unit. In  FIG.  26    as an example, for the first row of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a second color filter B, a first color filter A, a third color filter C, and a first color filter A. For the second row of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a first color filter A, a second color filter B, a first color filter A, and a third color filter C. For the third row of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a third color filter C, a first color filter A, a second color filter B, and a first color filter A. For the fourth row of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a first color filter A, a third color filter C, a first color filter A, and a second color filter B. In  FIG.  26    as an example, for the first column of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a second color filter B, a first color filter A, a third color filter C, and a first color filter A. For the second column of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a first color filter A, a second color filter B, a first color filter A, and a third color filter C. For the third column of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a third color filter C, a first color filter A, a second color filter B, a first color filter A. For the fourth column of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a first color filter A, a third color filter C, a first color filter A, and a second color filter B. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  26   , the filter  410  in the first row and the first column from the left, the filter  410  in the first row and the second column from the left, the filter  410  in the second row and the first column from the left, and the filter  410  in the second row and the second column are located in a same area, and the four filters  410  can form a first set of filters  411 . Similarly, the filter  410  in the first row and the fifth column from the left, the filter  410  in the first row and the sixth column from the left, the filter  410  in the second row and the fifth column from the left, and the filter  410  in the second row and the sixth column from the left are located in a same area, and the four filters  410  can form a first set of filters  411 . As illustrated in  FIG.  26   , the filter  410  in the first row and the third column from the left, the filter  410  in the first row and the fourth column from the left, the filter  410  in the second row and the third column from the left, and the filter  410  in the second row and the fourth column from the left are located in a same area, and the four filters  410  can form a second set of filters  412 . Similarly, the filter  410  in the first row and the seventh column from the left, the filter  410  in the first row and the eighth column from the left, the filter  410  in the second row and the seventh column from the left, and the filter  410  in the second row and the eighth column from the left are located in the same area, and the four filters  410  can form a second set of filters  412 . Therefore, the filter array  41  includes a plurality of first sets of filters  411  and a plurality of second sets of filters  412 . Here, each first set of filters  411  includes a plurality of first color filters A and a plurality of second color filters B, and a number of first color filters A and a number of second color filters B are same in each first set of filters  411 . Each second set of filters  412  includes a plurality of first color filters A and a plurality of third color filters C, and a number of first color filters A and a number of third color filters C are same in each second set of filters  412 . 
       FIG.  27    is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of some filters  410  in the filter array  41  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG.  27   , the arrangement of some filters  410  is: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
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     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  27   , units of filters  410 , each composed of two first color filters A, one second color filter B, and one third color filter C, are arranged periodically in the horizontal direction H and the vertical direction V of the image sensor  40  (illustrated in  FIG.  23   ). Here, in each unit, two first color filters A are not adjacent to each other, and one second color filter B and one third color filter C are not adjacent to each other. There may be a number of arrangements for the filters  410  in each unit. In  FIG.  27    as an example, for the first row of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a first color filter A, a third color filter C, a first color filter A, and a second color filter B. For the second row of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a third color filter C, a first color filter A, a second color filter B, and a first color filter A. For the third row of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a first color filter A, a second color filter B, a first color filter  410 , and a third color filter C. For the fourth row of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a second color filter B, a first color filter A, a third color filter C, and a first color filter A. In  FIG.  27    as an example, for the first column of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a first color filter A, a third color filter C, a first color filter A, and a second color filter B. For the second column of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a third color filter C, a first color filter A, a second color filter B, and a first color filter A. For the third column of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a first color filter A, a second color filter B, a first color filter A, and a third color filter C. For the fourth column of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a second color filter B, a first color filter A, a third color filter C, and a first color filter A. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  27   , the filter  410  in the first row and the first column from the left, the filter  410  in the first row and the second column from the left, the filter  410  in the second row and the first column from the left, and the filter  410  in the second row and the second column are located in a same area, and the four filters  410  can form a first set of filters  411 . Similarly, the filter  410  in the first row and the fifth column from the left, the filter  410  in the first row and the sixth column from the left, the filter  410  in the second row and the fifth column from the left, and the filter  410  in the second row and the sixth column from the left are located in a same area, and the four filters  410  can form a first set of filters  411 . As illustrated in  FIG.  27   , the filter  410  in the first row and the third column from the left, the filter  410  in the first row and the fourth column from the left, the filter  410  in the second row and the third column from the left, and the filter  410  in the second row and the fourth column from the left are located in a same area, and the four filters  410  can form a second set of filters  412 . Similarly, the filter  410  in the first row and the seventh column from the left, the filter  410  in the first row and the eighth column from the left, the filter  410  in the second row and the seventh column from the left, and the filter  410  in the second row and the eighth column from the left are located in the same area, and the four filters  410  can form a second set of filters  412 . Therefore, the filter array  41  includes a plurality of first sets of filters  411  and a plurality of second sets of filters  412 . Here, each first set of filters  411  includes a plurality of first color filters A and a plurality of second color filters B, and a number of first color filters A and a number of second color filters B are same in each first set of filters  411 . Each second set of filters  412  includes a plurality of first color filters A and a plurality of third color filters C, and a number of first color filters A and a number of third color filters C are same in each second set of filters  412 . 
       FIG.  28    is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of some filters  410  in the filter array  41  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG.  28   , the arrangement of some filters  410  is: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
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     Here, A denotes a first color filter, B denotes a second color filter, and C denotes a third color filter. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  28   , units of filters  410 , each composed of two first color filters A, one second color filter B, and one third color filter C, are arranged periodically in the horizontal direction H and the vertical direction V of the image sensor  40  (illustrated in  FIG.  23   ). Here, in each unit, two first color filters A are not adjacent to each other, and one second color filter B and one third color filter C are not adjacent to each other. There may be a number of arrangements for the filters  410  in each unit. In  FIG.  28    as an example, for the first row of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a third color filter C, a first color filter A, a second color filter B, and a first color filter A. For the second row of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a first color filter A, a third color filter C, a first color filter A, and a second color filter B. For the third row of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a second color filter B, a first color filter A, a third color filter C, and a first color filter A. For the fourth row of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a first color filter A, a second color filter B, a first color filter A, and a third color filter C. In  FIG.  28    as an example, for the first column of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a third color filter C, a first color filter A, a second color filter B, and a first color filter A. For the second column of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a first color filter A, a third color filter C, a first color filter A, and a second color filter B. For the third column of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a second color filter B, a first color filter A, a third color filter C, and a first color filter A. For the fourth column of filters  410  from the left, the filters  410  are arranged periodically in the order of a first color filter A, a second color filter B, a first color filter A, and a third color filter C. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  28   , the filter  410  in the first row and the first column from the left, the filter  410  in the first row and the second column from the left, the filter  410  in the second row and the first column from the left, and the filter  410  in the second row and the second column are located in a same area, and the four filters  410  can form a first set of filters  411 . Similarly, the filter  410  in the first row and the fifth column from the left, the filter  410  in the first row and the sixth column from the left, the filter  410  in the second row and the fifth column from the left, and the filter  410  in the second row and the sixth column from the left are located in a same area, and the four filters  410  can form a first set of filters  411 . As illustrated in  FIG.  28   , the filter  410  in the first row and the third column from the left, the filter  410  in the first row and the fourth column from the left, the filter  410  in the second row and the third column from the left, and the filter  410  in the second row and the fourth column from the left are located in a same area, and the four filters  410  can form a second set of filters  412 . Similarly, the filter  410  in the first row and the seventh column from the left, the filter  410  in the first row and the eighth column from the left, the filter  410  in the second row and the seventh column from the left, and the filter  410  in the second row and the eighth column from the left are located in the same area, and the four filters  410  can form a second set of filters  412 . Therefore, the filter array  41  includes a plurality of first sets of filters  411  and a plurality of second sets of filters  412 . Here, each first set of filters  411  includes a plurality of first color filters A and a plurality of second color filters B, and a number of first color filters A and a number of second color filters B are same in each first set of filters  411 . Each second set of filters  412  includes a plurality of first color filters A and a plurality of third color filters C, and a number of first color filters A and a number of third color filters C are same in each second set of filters  412 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  23 - 28   , in the image sensor  40  of the embodiments of the present disclosure, electrical signals generated by pixels  420  corresponding to a plurality of first color filters A and pixels  420  corresponding to a plurality of second color filters B in a same area are combined to generate a first pixel signal and a third pixel signal. Electrical signals generated by pixels  420  corresponding to a plurality of first color filters A and a plurality of third color filters C in a same area are combined to generate a second pixel signal and a fourth pixel signal. 
     In the filter array  41  illustrated in  FIG.  25    as an example, the filter array  41  includes a plurality of first sets of filters  411  and a plurality of second sets of filters  412 , and each set of filters includes 2*2 filters  410 . In this case, each set of filters corresponds to four pixels  420 . Referring to  FIG.  23   ,  FIG.  25    and  FIG.  30   , among the four pixels  420  corresponding to the first set of filters  411 , two pixels  420  can receive the light passing through the first color filters A to generate two electrical signals, and the other two pixels  420  can receive the light passing through the second color filters B to generate two electrical signals. The image sensor  40  can combine the electrical signals generated by the two pixels  420  that receive the light passing through the first color filters A to obtain the first pixel signal, and combine the electrical signals generated by the two pixels  420  that receive the light passing through the second color filters B to obtain the third pixel signal. Here, the first pixel signal represents the value in the first color channel of the light applied to the pixels  420  corresponding to the first set of filters  411 , and the third pixel signal represents the value in the second color channel of the light applied to the pixels  420  corresponding to the first set of filters  411 . Among the four pixels  420  corresponding to the second set of filters  412 , two pixels  420  can receive the light passing through the first color filters A to generate two electrical signals, and the other two pixels  420  can receive the light passing through the third color filters C to generate two electrical signals. The image sensor  40  can combine the electrical signals generated by the two pixels  420  that receive the light passing through the first color filters A to obtain the second pixel signal, and combine the electrical signals generated by the two pixels  420  that receive the light passing through the third color filters C to obtain the fourth pixel signal. Here, the second pixel signal represents the value in the first color channel of the light applied to the pixels  420  corresponding to the second set of filters  412 , and the fourth pixel signal represents the value in the third color channel of the light applied to the pixels  420  corresponding to the second set of filters  412 . 
     Thus, the four pixels  420  corresponding to each first set of filters  411  can form a first combined pixel, and each first combined pixel can generate a first pixel signal and a third pixel signal. The four pixels  420  corresponding to each second set of filters  412  can form a second combined pixel, and each second combined pixel can generate a second pixel signal and a fourth pixel signal. Each combined pixel can output the pixel signal (the first pixel signal or the second pixel signal) having a value in the first color channel, only some of the combined pixels can output the third pixel signal having a value in the second color channel and only some of the combined pixels can output the fourth pixel signal having a value in the third color channel. Therefore, each pixel that cannot output the third pixel signal needs to be subjected to an interpolation process to calculate a value in the second color channel of the combined pixel, and the combined pixel that cannot output the fourth pixel signal also needs to be subjected to an interpolation process to calculate a value in the third color channel of the combined pixel. In this way, each combined pixel can obtain the values in the first color channel, the second color channel, and the third color channel, and a color image can be generated by means of color space calculation. 
     Referring to  FIG.  33   , in the existing filter array arranged in a Bayer array, a pixel corresponding to each filter can only generate a pixel signal having the value in one color channel. For example, the pixel corresponding to the pixel signal in the first row and first column from the left only has a value in the second color channel, and a value in the first color channel and a value in the third color channel of the pixel need to be obtained by interpolation; The pixel corresponding to the pixel signal in the first row and the second column only has a value in the first color channel, and a value in the second color channel and a value in the third color channel of the pixel need to be obtained by interpolation. The pixel corresponding to the pixel signal in the second row and the second column from the left only has a value in the third color channel, and a value in the first color channel and a value in the second color channel of the pixel need to be obtained by interpolation. In this way, the values in the other color channels of the pixel corresponding to each pixel signal need to be obtained by interpolation. However, the accuracy of the pixel signals obtained by interpolation is not high enough, which will cause the color reproduction of the final resulting color image to be inaccurate. In addition, in the existing filter array arranged in a Bayer array, when the pixel signal having a value in the first color channel is generated by interpolation and the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel is generated by interpolation, most of the pixel signals generated by interpolation can only be calculated using two pixel signals. For example, in the image signal in  FIG.  33    that only contains pixel signals having values in the second color channel, the pixel corresponding to the pixel signal in the second row and the third column from the left does not have a value in the second color channel, and the value in the second color channel of the pixel needs to be obtained from the pixel signals of the pixels adjacent to the pixel and having a value in the second color channel, i.e., based on the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the first row and the third column and the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the third row and the third column. In another example, in the image signal in  FIG.  33    that only contains the pixel signals having values in the third color channel, the pixel signal in the third row and the second column from the left does not have a value in the third color channel, and the value in the third color channel of the pixel corresponding to the pixel signal needs to be obtained from the pixel signals of the pixels adjacent to the pixel and having a value in the third color channel, i.e., based on the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the second row and the second column and the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the fourth row and the second column. In this way, the number of pixel signals usable for generating the pixel signal by interpolation is relatively small, and the accuracy of the pixel signal generated by interpolation is not high enough. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  23 ,  25 , and  30  to  32   , in the image sensor  40  according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, compared with the resolution of the pixel array  42  composed of the pixels  420 , the resolution of the image composed of the pixel signals corresponding to the combined pixels is reduced. However, as each combined pixel has a pixel signal having a value in the first color channel, the value in the first color channel does not need to be obtained by interpolation, and the color reproduction of the final resulting color image will be more accurate. Since each combined pixel of the pixel array  42  directly obtains the corresponding pixel signal of the first color channel, more information can be obtained in the subsequent signal processing procedure. 
     In addition, referring to  FIG.  23   ,  FIG.  25   ,  FIG.  30   , and  FIG.  31   , in the image sensor  40  according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, when an interpolation process is performed on a combined pixel that cannot output the third pixel signal, for most of the combined pixels, the value in the second color channel of the combined pixel can be calculated from four third pixel signals with each having a value in the second color channel. For example, in the second image signal M 2  formed by a plurality of third pixel signals illustrated in  FIG.  31   , the third pixel signal in the second row and the third column from the left may be calculated from the third pixel signal in the first row and the third column from the left, the third pixel signal in the second row and the second column from the left, the third pixel signal in the second row and the fourth column from the left, and the third pixel signal in the third row and the third column from the left. In the image sensor  40  according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, when an interpolation process is performed on a combined pixel that cannot output the fourth pixel signal, for most of the combined pixels, the value in the third color channel of the combined pixel can be calculated from four fourth pixel signals each having a value in the third color channel. For example, in the third image signal M 3  formed by a plurality of fourth pixel signals illustrated in  FIG.  31   , the fourth pixel signal in the third row and the third column from the left may be calculated from the fourth pixel signal in the second row and the third column from the left, the fourth pixel signal in the third row and the second column from the left, the fourth pixel signal in the third row and the fourth column from the left, and the fourth pixel signal in the fourth row and the third column from the left. As a result, the number of pixel signals usable for generating the pixel signal by interpolation is relatively large, and the accuracy of the pixel signal generated by interpolation is high. 
     In summary, in the image sensor  40  according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the electrical signals generated by the pixels  420  corresponding to the first color filters A and the pixels  420  corresponding to the second color filters B in a same area can be combined to generate a first pixel signal having a value in the first color channel, and the electrical signals generated by the pixels  420  corresponding to the first color filters A and the pixels  420  corresponding to the third color filters C in a same area can be combined to generate a second pixel signal having a value in the first color channel. Therefore, in the process of generating a color image, the value in the first color channel does not need to be obtained by interpolation, and the color reproduction of the color image can be more accurate. Moreover, when performing the interpolation process on values in the second color channel (or values in the third color channel), most of the values in the second color channel to be generated by interpolation (or the values in the third color channel to be generated by interpolation) can be calculated from four adjacent pixel signals each having a value in the second color channel (or four adjacent pixels each having a value in the third color channel), such that the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel (or the third color channel) generated by interpolation can be more accurate, thereby further improving the accuracy of the color reproduction of the color image. 
     The existing processor for processing pixel signals outputted by an image sensor can only process a plurality of pixel signals corresponding to an image arranged in the form of a Bayer array. However, the image corresponding to the image signal formed by the plurality of pixels outputted by the image sensor  40  (illustrated in  FIG.  23   ) of the present disclosure is not an image arranged in the form of a Bayer array. Therefore, in order to enable the plurality of pixel signals outputted by the image sensor  40  of the present disclosure to be processed by the processor, in some embodiments, the image sensor  40  may further be configured to process the first pixel signal, the second pixel signal, the third pixel signal, and the fourth pixel signal to output an image signal. The image signal includes a plurality of image signal units U each including four pixel signals, of which two pixel signals each have a value in the first color channel, one pixel signal has a value in the second color channel, one pixel signal has a value in the third color channel. The color channels corresponding to the four pixel signals are arranged in a Bayer array. 
     Specifically, referring to  FIGS.  23 ,  30 , and  34   , the image sensor  40  outputs a plurality of first pixel signals, a plurality of second pixel signals, a plurality of third pixel signals, and a plurality of fourth pixel signals. The plurality of first pixel signals and the plurality of second pixel signals form a first image signal M 1 , the plurality of third pixel signals form a second image signal M 2 , and the plurality of fourth pixel signals form a third image signal M 3 . The image sensor  40  performs an interpolation process on the second image signal M 2  based on the plurality of third pixel signals, such that each pixel signal in the second image signal M 2 ′ after the interpolation process has a value in the second color channel. The image sensor  40  performs an interpolation process on the third image signal M 3  based on the plurality of fourth pixel signals, such that each pixel signal in the third image signal M 3 ′ after the interpolation process has a value in the third color channel. Then, the image sensor  40  selects a plurality of pixel signals each having a value in the second color channel from the second image signal M 2 ′ after the interpolation process, selects a plurality of pixel signals each having a value in the first color channel from the first image signal M 1 , and selects a plurality of pixel signals each having a value in the third color channel from the third image signal M 3 ′. Thus, the plurality of pixel signals each having a value in the first color channel, the plurality of pixel signals each having a value in the second color channel, and the plurality of pixel signals each having a value in the third color channel form an image signal including a plurality of image signal units U. Each image signal unit U includes four pixel signals, of which two pixel signals each have a value in the first color channel, one pixel signal has a value in the second color channel, and one pixel signal has a value in the third color channel. In this way, the color channels corresponding to the four pixel signals in each image signal unit U are arranged in a Bayer array. After the image signal is outputted to the processor, the processor can process the image signal directly. 
     Referring to  FIG.  23   ,  FIG.  25   , and  FIG.  35   , the present disclosure also provides an imaging apparatus. The imaging apparatus includes the image sensor  40  according to any of the embodiments in  FIGS.  23  to  28   . 
     In some embodiments, the imaging apparatus can further include a processor. The processor can be used to process the first pixel signal, the second pixel signal, the third pixel signal representing the value in the second color channel of the light applied to the pixels  420  corresponding to the second color filters B, and fourth pixel signal representing the value in the third color channel of the light applied to the pixels  420  corresponding to the third color filters C to generate a color image. Specifically, referring to  FIG.  31   , a plurality of first pixel signals and a plurality of second pixel signals form a first image signal M 1 , a plurality of third pixel signals form a second image signal M 2 , and a plurality of fourth pixel signals form a third image signal M 3 . The processor can perform an interpolation process on the second image signal M 2  based on the plurality of third pixel signals, such that each pixel signal in the second image signal M 2 ′ after the interpolation process has a value in the second color channel. For example, for the pixel signal in the first row and the second column from the left in the second image signal M 2  as an example, the pixel signal does not have a value in the second color channel, and the pixel signal can be calculated from the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the first row and the first column from the left, the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the first row and the third column from the left, and the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the second row and the second column from the left. For example, an average value of the three pixel signals can be calculated and used as the pixel signal in the first row and the second column from the left. In another example, for the pixel signal in the second row and the third column from the left in the second image signal M 2  as an example, the pixel signal does not have a value in the second color channel, and the pixel signal can be calculated from the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the first row and the third column from the left, the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the second row and the second column from the left, the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the second row and the fourth column from the left, and the pixel signal having a value in the second color channel in the third row and the third column from the left. For example, an average value of the four pixel signals can be calculated and used as the pixel signal in the second row and the third column from the left. The processor may also perform an interpolation process on the third image signal M 3  based on the plurality of fourth pixel signals, such that each pixel signal in the third image signal M 3 ′ after the interpolation process has a value in the third color channel. For example, for the pixel signal in the first row and the first column from the left in the third image signal M 3  as an example, the pixel signal does not have a value in the third color channel, and the pixel signal can be calculated from the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the second row and the second column from the left and the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the second row and the first column from the left. For example, an average value of the two pixel signals can be calculated and used as the pixel signal in the first row and the first column from the left. In another example, for the pixel signal in the second row and the second column from the left in the third image signal M 3  as an example, the pixel signal does not have a value in the third color channel, and the pixel signal can be calculated from the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the first row and the second column from the left, the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the second row and the first column from the left, the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the second row and the third column from the left, and the pixel signal having a value in the third color channel in the third row and the second column from the left. For example, an average value of the four pixel signals can be calculated and used as the pixel signal in the second row and the second column from the left. Thus, each pixel signal in the first image signal M 1  has a value in the first color channel, each pixel in the second image signal M 2 ′ after the interpolation process has a value in the second color channel, and each pixel in the third image signals M 3 ′ after the interpolation process has a value in the third color channel. The processor may process the first image signal M 1 , the second image signal M 2 ′ after the interpolation process, and the third image signal M 3 ′ after the interpolation process to generate a color image. Each image pixel in the color image has a value in the first color channel, a value in the second color channel, and a value in the third color channel. 
     In some embodiments, referring to  FIG.  34    and  FIG.  35   , when the processor receives an image signal including a plurality of image signal units U, the processor may perform an interpolation process based on a plurality of pixel signals in the image signal, to output three image signals. Each pixel signal in one of the image signals has a value in the first color channel, each pixel signal in another one of the image signals has a value in the second color channel, and each pixel signal in the remaining one of the image signals has a value in the third color channel. The processor can process the three image signals to generate a color image. Each image pixel in the color image has a value in the first color channel, a value in the second color channel, and a value in the third color channel. 
     In some embodiments, when the imaging apparatus is in a static mode (that is, a mode for capturing still images), the image sensor  40  (illustrated in  FIG.  23   ) can directly output the image signals (M 1 , M 2 , and M 3 ) illustrated in  FIG.  31   . The processor can process the image signals to generate a color image. In this way, in the process of generating the color image, the value in the first color channel does not need to be interpolated, the color reproduction of the color image can be more accurate, and the image details are better represented. When the imaging apparatus is in a preview mode or a video recording mode, the image sensor  40  can directly output an image signal including a plurality of image signal units U as illustrated in  FIG.  34   , and the processor can process the image signal to generate a color image. In this way, in the process of generating the color image, the image signals corresponding to the image arranged in a Bayer array can be processed in the hardware of the image sensor  40 , and there is no need to use software to process the image signals in the processor to obtain the image signals corresponding to the image arranged in the Bayer array, such that the time required for generating the color image can be reduced and the speed of acquiring the color image can be improved. 
     Referring to  FIG.  23   ,  FIG.  25   , and  FIG.  36   , the present disclosure also provides an electronic device. The electronic device can be a mobile phone, a tablet, a laptop, a smart watch, a smart bracelet, a smart helmet, smart glasses, an unmanned vehicle (such as a drone, an unmanned automobile, an unmanned ship), etc., and the present disclosure is not limited to any of these examples. The electronic device includes an imaging apparatus. The imaging apparatus includes the image sensor  40  according to in any of the embodiments in  FIGS.  23  to  28   . The electronic device also includes a processor. The processor of the electronic device can perform the same functions as those of the processor in the imaging apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  35   , and details thereof will be omitted here. 
     Referring to  FIG.  23   ,  FIG.  25   , and  FIG.  37   , the present disclosure also provides an image processing system. The image processing system includes an electronic device. The electronic device includes an imaging apparatus. The imaging apparatus includes the image sensor  40  according to any of the embodiments in  FIGS.  23  to  28   . The image processing system also includes a processor. The processor of the image processing system can perform the same functions as those of the processor in the imaging apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  35   , and details thereof will be omitted here. 
     Here, the processor can be located in a server responsible for cloud computing, or can be located in a server responsible for edge computing. In this way, the subsequent processing of the pixel signals outputted by the image sensor  40  (illustrated in  FIG.  23   ) can be offloaded to the server for execution, which can save the power consumption of the imaging apparatus or the electronic device. 
     Referring to  FIG.  23   ,  FIG.  25   , and  FIG.  29   , the present disclosure also provides a signal processing method. The signal processing method can be applied in the image sensor  40  according to any of the embodiments in  FIGS.  23  to  28   . The signal processing method includes the following steps. 
     At  041 , the electrical signals generated by the pixels  420  corresponding to a plurality of first color filters A and a plurality of second color filters B in a same area are combined to generate a first pixel signal and a third pixel signal. The first pixel signal represents a value in a first color channel of the light applied to the pixels  420  corresponding to the first color filters A, and the third pixel signal represents a value in a second color channel of the light applied to the pixels  420  corresponding to the second color filters B. 
     At  042 , the electrical signals generated by the pixels  420  corresponding to a plurality of first color filters A and a plurality of third color filters C in a same area are combined to generate a second pixel signal and a fourth pixel signal. The second pixel signal represents a value in the first color channel of the light applied to the pixels  420  corresponding to the first color filters A, and the fourth pixel signal represents a value in a third color channel of the light applied to the pixels  420  corresponding to the third color filters C. 
     In some embodiments, the signal processing method may further include: processing the first pixel signal, the second pixel signal, the third pixel signal, and the fourth pixel signal to generate a color image. Specifically, a plurality of first pixel signals and a plurality of second pixel signals can form a first image signal, a plurality of third pixel signals can form a second image signal, and a plurality of fourth pixel signals can form a third image signal. The step of processing the first pixel signal, the second pixel signal, the third pixel signal, and the fourth pixel signal to generate the color image may include: performing an interpolation process on the second image signal based on the plurality of third pixel signals, such that each pixel signal in the second image signal after the interpolation process has a value in the second color channel; performing an interpolation process on the third image signal based on the plurality of fourth pixel signals, such that each pixel signal in the third image signal after the interpolation process has a value in the third color channel; and processing the first image signal, the second image signal after the interpolation process, and the third image signal after the interpolation process to generate the color image. 
     In some embodiments, the signal processing method may further include: processing the first pixel signal, the second pixel signal, the third pixel signal, and the fourth pixel signal to output an image signal. The image signal includes a plurality of image signal units each including four pixel signals, of which two pixel signals each have a value in the first color channel, one pixel signal has a value in the second color channel, one pixel signal has a value in the third color channel. The color channels corresponding to the four pixel signals are arranged in a Bayer array. 
     In some embodiments, the signal processing method may further include: in a static mode, performing the step of processing the first pixel signal, the second pixel signal, the third pixel signal, and the fourth pixel signal to generate the color image; or in a preview mode or in a video recording mode, performing the step of processing the first pixel signal, the second pixel signal, the third pixel signal, and the fourth pixel signal to output the image signal including the plurality of image signal units. 
     In summary, in the imaging apparatus, electronic device, image processing system, and signal processing method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, in the image sensor  40 , the electrical signals generated by the pixels  420  corresponding to the first color filters A and the pixels  420  corresponding to the second color filters B in a same area can be combined to generate a first pixel signal having a value in the first color channel, and the electrical signals generated by the pixels  420  corresponding to the first color filters A and the pixels  420  corresponding to the third color filters C in a same area can be combined to generate a second pixel signal having a value in the first color channel. Therefore, in the process of generating a color image, the value in the first color channel does not need to be obtained by interpolation, and the color reproduction of the color image can be more accurate. 
     The embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a computer device. The computer device may be the electronic device (illustrated in  FIG.  36   ) according to any of the above embodiments. For example, the computer device may be an electronic device including the image sensor  10  (illustrated in  FIG.  1   ), an electronic device including the image sensor  20  (illustrated in  FIG.  8   ), an electronic device including the image sensor  30  (illustrated in  FIG.  16   ), or an electronic device including the image sensor  40  (illustrated in  FIG.  23   ). 
     The above computer device includes an image processing circuit, which may be implemented by hardware and/or software components, and may include various processing units that define an Image Signal Processing (ISP) pipeline.  FIG.  36    is a schematic diagram of an image processing circuit according to an embodiment. As illustrated in  FIG.  38   , for the purpose of illustration, only aspects of the image processing technology relevant to the embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  38   , the image processing circuit includes an ISP processor  940  and a control logic  950 . Here, the ISP processor  940  can be applied to various electronic devices and serve as a processor in the electronic devices. Here, one of the various electronic devices may be an electronic device including the image sensor  10  (illustrated in  FIG.  1   ), another one of the various electronic devices may be an electronic device including the image sensor  20  (illustrated in  FIG.  8   ).), yet another one of the various electronic devices may be an electronic device including the image sensor  30  (illustrated in  FIG.  16   ), and still another one of the various electronic devices may be an electronic device including the image sensor  40  (illustrated in FIG.  23 ). 
     Image data captured by the imaging apparatus  910  is first processed by the ISP processor  940 . The ISP processor  940  analyzes the image data to capture image statistics information that can be used to determine one or more control parameters for the imaging apparatus  910 . The imaging apparatus  910  may include a camera having one or more lenses  912  and an image sensor  914 . The image sensor  914  may be the image sensor  10  (illustrated in  FIG.  1   ), the image sensor  20  (illustrated in  FIG.  8   ), the image sensor  30  (illustrated in  FIG.  16   ), or the image sensor  40  (illustrated in  FIG.  23   ). The image sensor  914  may include a filter array. The image sensor  914  may obtain light intensity and wavelength information captured by each pixel of the image sensor  914 , and provide a set of raw image data that can be processed by the ISP processor  940 , e.g., raw image data composed of a plurality of first pixel signals, a plurality of second pixel signals, a plurality of third pixel signals, and a plurality of fourth pixel signals. The sensor  920  (e.g., a gyroscope) may provide collected processing parameters (e.g., anti-shake parameter) to the ISP processor  940  based on a type of an interface the sensor  920 . The interface of the sensor  920  may use a Standard Mobile Imaging Architecture (SMIA) interface, another serial or parallel camera interface, or any combination thereof. 
     In addition, the image sensor  914  may transmit the raw image data to the sensor  920 , and the sensor  920  may provide the raw image data to the ISP processor  940  based on the type of the interface of the sensor  920 , or the sensor  920  may store the raw image data in the image memory  930 . 
     The ISP processor  940  can process the raw image data pixel by pixel in any of a variety of formats. For example, each image pixel may have a bit depth of 8, 10, 12, or 14 bits. The ISP processor  940  may perform one or more image processing operations on the raw image data, and collect statistical information about the image data. Here, the image processing operations can be performed with same or different bit depth accuracies. 
     The ISP processor  940  may alternatively receive image data from the image memory  930 . For example, the interface of the sensor  920  can transmit the raw image data to the image memory  930 , and the raw image data in the image memory  930  can be provided to the ISP processor  940  for processing. The image memory  930  may be a part of a memory device, a storage device, or an independent dedicated memory in an electronic device, and may include Direct Memory Access (DMA) features. 
     Upon receiving the raw image data from an interface of the image sensor  914 , the interface of the sensor  920 , or the image memory  930 , the ISP processor  940  can perform one or more image processing operations, such as time-domain filtering, or as another example, process the first pixel signal, the second pixel signal, the third pixel signal, the fourth pixel signal to obtain a color image, etc. The processed image data (for example, the color image) can be transmitted to the image memory  930  for further processing before being displayed. The ISP processor  940  can receive the processed data from the image memory  930 , and perform image data processing on the processed data in an original domain and in RGB and YCbCr color spaces. The image data processed by the ISP processor  940  may be outputted to the display  970  for viewing by the user and/or further processing by a graphics engine or a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). In addition, the output of the ISP processor  940  can also be transmitted to the image memory  930 , and the display  970  can read the image data from the image memory  930 . In one embodiment, the image memory  930  can be configured to implement one or more frame buffers. In addition, the output of the ISP processor  940  can be transmitted to an encoder/decoder  960  for encoding/decoding the image data. The encoded image data can be saved and decompressed before being displayed on the display device  970 . The encoder/decoder  960  may be implemented by a CPU or GPU or a co-processor. For example, when the computer device is in a preview mode or a video recording mode, the ISP processor  940  can process an image signal including a plurality of image signal units U (illustrated in  FIG.  34   ) to generate image data of a color image. The ISP processor  940  can transmit the color image to the encoder/decoder  960  for encoding the color image. The encoded color image can be saved in the image memory  930  and can also be displayed on the display  970 . 
     The statistical data determined by the ISP processor  940  can be transmitted to the control logic unit  950 . For example, the statistical data may include statistical information of the image sensor  914  for automatic exposure, automatic white balance, automatic focusing, flicker detection, black level compensation, and shading correction for the lens  912 . The control logic  950  may include a processor and/or a microcontroller that executes one or more routines (such as firmware). The one or more routines can determine control parameters for the imaging apparatus  910  and control parameters for the ISP processor  940  based on the received statistical data. For example, the control parameters for the imaging apparatus  910  may include control parameters for the sensor  920  (such as gain, integration time of exposure control, anti-shake parameters, etc.), flash control parameters for the camera, control parameters for the lens  912  (such as focus or focal length for zooming), or any combination thereof. The ISP control parameters may include gain level and color correction matrices for automatic white balance and color adjustment (for example, during RGB processing), and shading correction parameters for the lens  912 . 
     In the present disclosure, the description with reference to the terms “one embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “an example”, “a specific example”, or “some examples”, etc., means that specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment(s) or example(s) are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present disclosure. In the present disclosure, any illustrative reference of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment(s) or example(s). Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics as described can be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples as appropriate. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate different embodiments or examples, or features thereof, as described in the present disclosure, provided that they do not contradict each other. 
     In addition, the terms “first” and “second” are only used for the purpose of description, and should not be construed as indicating or implying any relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of defined technical features. Therefore, the features defined with “first” and “second” may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present disclosure, “a plurality of” means at least two, e.g., two, three, etc., unless specifically defined otherwise. 
     Any process or method described in the flowchart or described otherwise herein can be understood as a module, segment or part of codes that include one or more executable instructions for implementing steps of specific logical functions or processes. It can be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the scope of the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure includes additional implementations where functions may not be performed in the order as shown or discussed, including implementations where the involved functions are performed substantially in parallel or even in a reverse order. 
     Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described above, it can be appreciated that the above embodiments are exemplary only, and should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure. Various changes, modifications, replacements and variants can be made to the above embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.