Patent ID: 8599291

Claim:
A color filter array for use with an image sensor, the color filter array comprising: a plurality of infrared ray (IR) filters, each of which filters out light to transmit wavelengths in an IR region; a plurality of first type color filters; a plurality of second type color filters; and a plurality of third type color filters, wherein: some of the IR filters are arranged to form T shapes, each T shape being formed by a line of three adjacent and contiguous IR filters along a horizontal row or vertical column of the color filter array, and a fourth adjacent IR filter abutting a middle one of the three adjacent and contiguous IR filters, at least one of the first type of color filters, second type of color filters, and third type of color filters is adjacent and contiguous to a one end of the three adjacent and contiguous IR filters of the color filter array and in line with the three adjacent and contiguous IR filters of the color filter array, and two adjacent and contiguous different color filters of the first type of color filters, second type of color filters, and third type of color filters are abutting to the fourth adjacent IR filter, two parallel lateral boundaries of the fourth adjacent IR filter and the two adjacent and contiguous different color filters extending along two parallel lateral boundaries of the middle one of the three adjacent and contiguous IR filters.