Patent ID: 8482647

Claim:
An image sensor comprising: an effective pixel array including a plurality of color pixels arranged in a given color pattern; a first analog signal processing path configured to concurrently process a first set of color pixels of the effective pixel array; a second analog signal processing path configured to process a second set of color pixels of the effective pixel array, wherein the second set of color pixels of the effective pixel array and the second set of color pixels of the effective pixel array are comprised of pixels of mutually exclusive colors; a digital signal processing system configured to receive signals from the first analog signal processing path to generate a first offset signal for the first analog signal processing path, and wherein the digital signal processing system is further configured to generate a second offset signal for the second analog signal processing path; a first combiner circuit configured to combine an addressed pixel of the first set of color pixels of the effective pixel array, as received through the first analog signal processing path, with the first offset signal to thereby generate a first adjusted pixel signal at an output of the first combiner circuit; a second combiner circuit configured to combine an addressed pixel of the second set of color pixels of the effective pixel array, as received through the second analog signal processing path, with the second offset signal to thereby generate a second adjusted pixel signal at an output of the first combiner circuit; and a dummy pixel array including a plurality of color pixels that are shielded from light.