Patent ID: 8129760

Claim:
An image sensor comprising: a plurality of image pickup element arrays arranged parallel to each other at a predetermined pitch, wherein each of the image pickup element arrays is configured to output a pixel signal corresponding to a different color; and a CCD shift register arranged adjacent and parallel to one of the image pickup element arrays, wherein the CCD shift register is configured to: receive at least three color pixel signals from the plurality of image pickup element arrays in response to a shift pulse, and serially output the received at least three color pixel signals from each of the plurality of image pickup element arrays such that each pixel signal of the at least three color pixel signals from each of the plurality of image pickup element arrays is next to a different color pixel signal of the at least three color pixel signals from each of the plurality of image pickup element arrays and is sequentially output one after another on a single data line in a repetitive manner in response to a transfer pulse; and an output amplifier configured to amplify the pixel signals serially output from said CCD shift register.