JP2024079230A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] It is possible to obtain a desired image quality. [Solution] The imaging device disclosed herein includes a pixel array having a plurality of light receiving elements arranged two-dimensionally and a plurality of filters arranged two-dimensionally corresponding to the plurality of light receiving elements, the plurality of filters including a plurality of color filters having mutually different colors, and the configuration of the plurality of color filters is configured to change according to the region within a plane. [Selected Figure] Figure 4

Description

This disclosure relates to an imaging device.

As a color filter configuration in an imaging device, there is a configuration in which color filters of the primary colors R (red), G (green), and B (blue) are arranged. There is also a configuration in which color filters of complementary colors are arranged in addition to the primary color filters (see Patent Document 1).

International Publication No. 2021/171797

In imaging devices, color filters are generally arranged uniformly across the surface, but with this configuration, it can be difficult to obtain the desired image quality.

It is desirable to provide an imaging device that can obtain the desired image quality.

An imaging device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a pixel array having a plurality of light receiving elements arranged two-dimensionally and a plurality of filters arranged two-dimensionally corresponding to the plurality of light receiving elements, the plurality of filters including a plurality of color filters having mutually different colors, and the configuration of the plurality of color filters is configured to change according to the region within a plane.

In an imaging device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the configuration of multiple color filters varies depending on the area within the plane.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of an imaging device according to a comparative example. 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of characteristics of an imaging device according to a comparative example. 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing examples of image quality depending on differences in the arrangement of the color filters 11. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of characteristics of an imaging device according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of a first configuration example of an imaging device according to an embodiment. 1 is a plan view illustrating an overview of a first configuration example of an imaging device according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of a second configuration example of an imaging device according to an embodiment. 1 is a plan view illustrating an overview of a second configuration example of an imaging device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of a configuration example 3-1 of an imaging device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating an overview of a configuration example 3-1 of an imaging device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of a configuration example 3-2 of an imaging device according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating an overview of a configuration example 3-2 of an imaging device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of a configuration example 3-3 of an imaging device according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating an overview of a configuration example 3-3 of an imaging device according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of a configuration example 4-1 of an imaging device according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of a configuration example 4-2 of an imaging device according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of a configuration example 5 of an imaging device according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of a configuration example 6-1 of an imaging device according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of a configuration example 6-2 of an imaging device according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of a configuration example 6-3 of an imaging device according to an embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The description will be made in the following order.
0. Comparative Example (Figures 1 to 3)
1. One embodiment 1.1 Overview (FIGS. 4 and 5)
1.2 Configuration examples (Figs. 6 to 21)
1.3 Effects 2. Other embodiments

<0. Comparative Example>
FIG. 1 shows an overview of an imaging device according to a comparative example.

The imaging device according to the comparative example includes a pixel array 101 having a plurality of pixels 100 arranged two-dimensionally. Light from a subject is incident on the pixel array 101 via the imaging optical system 2.

The pixel array 101 has a light receiving layer 20, a filter layer 10 laminated on the light receiving layer 20, and a number of microlenses 30.

The light receiving layer 20 is made of, for example, a semiconductor substrate, and has a plurality of light receiving elements 21 arranged two-dimensionally. The light receiving elements 21 are, for example, photodiodes (PDs). The light receiving elements 21 output pixel signals according to the incident light.

The filter layer 10 has a plurality of color filters 11 arranged two-dimensionally in correspondence with the plurality of light receiving elements 21. Microlenses 30 are laminated on the plurality of color filters 11.

The color filters 11 include a number of color filters of different colors. FIG. 1 shows an example of the color filters 11 in which primary color filters consisting of R (red) filters 11R, G (green) filters 11G, and B (blue) filters 11B are arranged, and complementary color filters consisting of C (cyan) filters 11C, M (magenta) filters 11M, and Y (yellow) filters 11Y are arranged.

Figure 2 shows an example of the characteristics of an imaging device according to a comparative example. In Figure 2, the horizontal axis represents image height, the vertical axis on the left represents the amount of light, and the vertical axis on the right represents noise and color reproducibility.

In the imaging device according to the comparative example, the color filters 11 are arranged uniformly in the plane regardless of the image height or region. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the color filters 11 are arranged uniformly in the image height central region 40 and the high image height region (peripheral image height region) 50. On the other hand, in imaging devices, the amount of light incident on the pixel array 101 is generally less in the high image height region 50 than in the image height central region 40 according to the cosine fourth power law. Therefore, the light receiving sensitivity decreases at the periphery of the screen, and the S/N ratio deteriorates. This causes deterioration of image quality. If color filters 11 other than RGB are introduced to improve color reproduction performance, this decrease in the S/N ratio is noticeable as noise at the periphery of the screen.

Figure 3 shows an example of image quality depending on the arrangement of the color filters 11. In the lower part of Figure 3, the horizontal axis indicates image height, and the vertical axis indicates the amplitude of the pixel signal. The lower part of Figure 3 shows examples of the amplitude of the pixel signal when the color filters 11 are arranged in RGBCMY and when the color filters 11 are arranged in RGB. The upper part of Figure 3 shows an example of an image actually obtained for the target color. The upper part of Figure 3 shows examples of images actually obtained when the color filters 11 are arranged in RGBCMY and when the color filters 11 are arranged in RGB. In the images shown in the upper part of Figure 3, a smaller numerical value indicates higher color reproducibility.

As described above, when the arrangement of the color filters 11 is uniform within the plane, the image quality deteriorates in the high image height region 50 due to a drop in the amount of light. For this reason, the signal gain is increased for the pixel signals in the high image height region 50. In this case, when the arrangement of the color filters 11 is RGBCMY, as shown in the upper part of Figure 3, an image is obtained in which the color reproducibility is close to the target color (good color reproduction) but the grainy noise is noticeable. On the other hand, when the arrangement of the color filters 11 is RGB, an image is obtained in which the color reproducibility is poor but the noise is not noticeable.

1. One embodiment
1.1 Overview
Fig. 4 shows an overview of an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 5 shows an example of characteristics of an imaging device according to an embodiment. In Fig. 5, the horizontal axis shows image height, the vertical axis on the left shows light amount, and the vertical axis on the right shows noise and color reproducibility.

The imaging device according to one embodiment may be, for example, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) type image sensor. The imaging device according to one embodiment includes a pixel array 1 having a plurality of pixels 100 arranged two-dimensionally. Light from a subject is incident on the pixel array 1 via an imaging optical system 2.

The pixel array 1 has a light receiving layer 20, a filter layer 10 laminated on the light receiving layer 20, and a number of microlenses 30.

The filter layer 10 has a plurality of color filters 11 arranged two-dimensionally corresponding to the plurality of light receiving elements 21. Microlenses 30 are laminated on the plurality of color filters 11. The plurality of color filters 11 include color filters of a plurality of primary colors and one or a plurality of color filters of complementary colors.

The pixel array 1 in the imaging device according to the embodiment has a different configuration of the multiple color filters 11 in the filter layer 10 compared to the configuration of the pixel array 101 in the imaging device according to the comparative example described above. The configuration of the light receiving layer 20 in the imaging device according to the embodiment may be the same as the configuration of the light receiving layer 20 in the imaging device according to the comparative example described above.

In the imaging device according to one embodiment, the configuration of the plurality of color filters 11 is configured to change depending on the region in the plane. For example, the configuration of the plurality of color filters 11 is configured to change depending on the image height. In the configuration example of FIG. 4, the configuration of the plurality of color filters 11 is configured to include more complementary color filters in the image height central region 40 than in the high image height region 50. Specifically, the arrangement of the color filters 11 is configured to be RGBCMY in the image height central region 40, and RGB in the high image height region 50. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the configuration of the plurality of color filters 11 has a characteristic that the image height central region 40 has higher color reproducibility than the high image height region 50. In addition, compared to the characteristic of the imaging device according to the comparative example (FIG. 2), a characteristic in which noise is reduced in the high image height region 50 is obtained.

In this way, in an imaging device according to one embodiment, it is possible to obtain characteristics that prioritize color reproducibility in the central image height region 40 and prioritize noise reduction in the high image height region 50. This makes it possible to prevent degradation of image quality due to reduced peripheral light intensity.

[1.2 Configuration example]
A more specific example of the configuration of the imaging device according to one embodiment will be described below.

(Configuration Example 1)
6 and 7 show an overview of a first configuration example of an imaging device according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the imaging device according to configuration example 1 is configured so that the color filter 11 is arranged in RGBCMY in the image height central region (e.g., near an image height of 0% or more and less than 60%) and in RGB in the high image height region (e.g., near an image height of 60% or more and 100% or less). This provides a performance with higher color reproducibility in the image height central region than when the color filter 11 is arranged in RGB. On the other hand, in the high image height region, a performance in which noise is less noticeable is obtained compared to when the color filter 11 is arranged in RGBCMY. As a result, a performance in which noise is less noticeable in the high image height region is obtained compared to when, for example, the color filter 11 is arranged uniformly in RGBCMY across the entire screen.

In FIG. 6, the horizontal axis indicates image height, and the vertical axis indicates blending ratio. Here, the blending ratio is the rate at which the color filters 11 change from the first reference arrangement to the second reference arrangement. The first reference arrangement has a blending ratio of 0%, and the second reference arrangement has a blending ratio of 100%. In the configuration example of FIG. 7, the blending ratio is the rate at which the color filters 11 change from RGBCMY, which is an arrangement of the color filters 11 with a blending ratio of 0%, to RGB, which is an arrangement of the color filters 11 with a blending ratio of 100%. In the configuration example of FIG. 7, since there are only two types of arrangement of the color filters 11, the change in blending ratio is binary, 0% and 100%.

Note that, although FIG. 6 shows an example in which the boundary at which the arrangement of the color filters 11 changes is set to 60% of the image height, the boundary at which the arrangement of the color filters 11 changes is not limited to 60% of the image height.

(Configuration Example 2)
8 and 9 show an overview of a second example of the configuration of an imaging device according to an embodiment. In Fig. 8, the horizontal axis indicates the image height, and the vertical axis indicates the blending ratio.

In the above-mentioned configuration example 1, a configuration example in which the color filters 11 are arranged in two types has been shown, but the number of types of the color filters 11 arrangement may be three or more. The arrangement of the color filters 11 may be changed in three or more stages according to the image height. This allows the arrangement of the color filters 11 to be smoothly switched according to the image height.

As shown in FIG. 9, the imaging device according to the second configuration example is configured such that the color filter 11 is arranged in an RGBCMY arrangement in the central image height region (e.g., near an image height of 0% or more and less than 30%) and in an RGB arrangement in a high image height region (e.g., near an image height of 80% or more and less than 100%). Furthermore, in an intermediate image height region (e.g., near an image height of 30% or more and less than 80%), the arrangement of the color filter 11 is changed from RGBCMY to RGB according to a predetermined blend ratio shown in FIG. 8. Note that FIG. 9 shows a configuration example in which the blend ratio is 40% as an example of the color filter 11 in the intermediate image height region. The arrangement of the color filter 11 in the intermediate image height region may adopt the arrangement shown in FIG. 10, which will be described later.

Note that, although Figure 8 shows an example in which the boundaries of the intermediate image height region are 30% image height and 80% image height, the boundaries of the intermediate image height region are not limited to this.

(Configuration Example 3-1)
10 and 11 show an overview of a configuration example 3-1 of an imaging device according to an embodiment. In Fig. 10, the horizontal axis indicates the blend ratio, and the vertical axis indicates the total number of pixels.

The configuration of the multiple color filters 11 may be such that the combination of color filters of each color changes with a constant ratio according to the image height. FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show an example of the arrangement of the color filters 11 per 64 pixels (8 pixels vertical × 8 pixels horizontal). FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show an example in which the arrangement of the color filters 11 with a blending ratio of 0% is RGBCMY, and the arrangement of the color filters 11 with a blending ratio of 100% is RGB. For example, in the intermediate image height region in the configuration example 2 in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the arrangement of the color filters 11 may be changed from RGBCMY to RGB as shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 11 shows an example in which the arrangement of the color filters 11 with a blending ratio of 100% is a Bayer arrangement (upper part of FIG. 11) and a case in which the arrangement is a Quad Bayer arrangement (QBC: Quad Bayer Coding) (lower part of FIG. 11).

(Configuration Example 3-2)
12 and 13 show an overview of a configuration example 3-2 of an imaging device according to an embodiment. In Fig. 12, the horizontal axis indicates the blend ratio, and the vertical axis indicates the total number of pixels.

The multiple color filters 11 may be configured so that the light receiving sensitivity of the light receiving element 21 is higher in the high image height region than in the image height central region. The multiple color filters 11 may be configured so that the high image height region includes more complementary color filters than the image height central region. Figures 12 and 13 show an example in which the array of color filters 11 with a blending ratio of 0% is RGB (RGGB) and the array of color filters 11 with a blending ratio of 100% is RYB (RYYB). In this example, the image height central region is configured to emphasize color reproduction by using primary color (RGB) color filters 11, and as the image height region approaches, the number of color filters 11 of the complementary color Y instead of G, one of the primary colors, is increased to emphasize light receiving sensitivity.

(Configuration Example 3-3)
14 and 15 show an overview of a configuration example 3-3 of an imaging device according to an embodiment. In Fig. 14, the horizontal axis indicates the blend ratio, and the vertical axis indicates the total number of pixels.

The multiple color filters 11 may be configured so that the light receiving sensitivity of the light receiving element 21 is higher in the high image height region than in the image height central region. The multiple color filters 11 may be configured so that the high image height region includes more complementary color filters than in the image height central region. Figures 14 and 15 show an example in which the color filters 11 with a blend ratio of 0% are arranged as RGB and the color filters 11 with a blend ratio of 100% are arranged as CMY. In this example, the image height central region is configured to emphasize color reproduction by using primary color (RGB) color filters 11, and as the image height region approaches, the number of complementary color (CMY) color filters 11 is increased instead of the primary color (RGB) to emphasize light receiving sensitivity.

(Configuration Example 4-1)
16 shows an overview of a configuration example 4-1 of an imaging device according to an embodiment. In the upper part of FIG. 16, the horizontal axis indicates the image height, and the vertical axis indicates the number of colors of the color filter 11.

The number and type of colors of the multiple color filters 11 may be changed according to the image height. FIG. 16 shows an example in which the number and type of colors of the color filters 11 are changed for each image height region of 0% or more and less than 30%, 30% or more and less than 60%, 60% or more and less than 80%, and 80% or more and less than 100%. In the image height region of 0% or more and less than 30%, RGBCMY is used as the color of the color filter 11. In the image height region of 30% or more and less than 60%, RGBC is used as the color of the color filter 11. In the image height region of 60% or more and less than 80%, RGGB is used as the color of the color filter 11. In the image height region of 80% or more and less than 100%, RGBW is used as the color of the color filter 11. W indicates white.

In addition, within each image height region, the arrangement of the color filters 11 may be changed while keeping the number of colors in the color filters 11 the same. Also, the image height boundary at which the configuration of the color filters 11 is changed is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 16.

(Configuration Example 4-2)
17 shows an overview of a configuration example 4-2 of an imaging device according to an embodiment. In the upper part of FIG. 17, the horizontal axis indicates the image height, and the vertical axis indicates the number of colors of the color filter 11.

The number and type of colors of the multiple color filters 11 may be changed according to the image height. FIG. 17 shows an example in which the number and type of colors of the color filters 11 are changed for each image height region of 0% or more and less than 30%, 30% or more and less than 60%, 60% or more and less than 80%, and 80% or more and less than 100%. In the image height region of 0% or more and less than 30%, RGBCMY is used as the color of the color filter 11. In the image height region of 30% or more and less than 60%, RGBC is used as the color of the color filter 11. In the image height region of 60% or more and less than 80%, RGGB is used as the color of the color filter 11. In the image height region of 80% or more and less than 100%, RYYB is used as the color of the color filter 11.

In addition, within each image height region, the arrangement of the color filters 11 may be changed while keeping the number of colors in the color filters 11 the same. Also, the image height boundary at which the configuration of the color filters 11 is changed is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 17.

(Configuration Example 5)
Fig. 18 shows an overview of the fifth configuration example of an imaging device according to an embodiment. In Fig. 18, the horizontal axis indicates the image height, and the vertical axis indicates the blending ratio.

The configuration of the multiple color filters 11 may be such that the period of the array of the color filters 11 of each color changes according to the image height. For example, if the period in the vertical direction is N and the period in the horizontal direction is M, the period of the array of the color filters 11 of each color may change by (N×M). In FIG. 18, the number of colors of the color filters 11 at each image height is the same, but the period of the array of the color filters 11 is changed according to the image height. FIG. 18 shows an example in which RGB is used as the color of the color filter 11 at each image height. FIG. 18 shows an example in which the period of the array of the color filters 11 is changed for each image height region of 0% or more and less than 30%, image height 30% or more and less than 60%, image height 60% or more and less than 80%, and image height 80% or more and less than 100%. In the image height region of 0% or more and less than 30%, the array of the color filters 11 is a Bayer array (N×M=1×1). In the image height region where the image height is 30% or more and less than 60%, the color filters 11 are arranged in a Quad Bayer array (N×M=2×2). In the image height region where the image height is 60% or more and less than 80%, the period of the array of the color filters 11 is N×M=3×3. In the image height region where the image height is 80% or more and less than 100%, the period of the array of the color filters 11 is N×M=4×4.

The method of dividing the image height regions by changing the period of the array of the color filters 11 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 18, and other configurations are possible. Also, the period (N×M) that changes is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 18, and other configurations are possible.

(Configuration Example 6-1)
FIG. 19 shows an overview of a configuration example 6-1 of an imaging device according to an embodiment.

The configuration of the multiple color filters 11 may be different in one or more specific regions (partial regions) 62 in the plane from the other regions. In FIG. 19, the arrangement of the color filters 11 in the specific regions 62 is changed. FIG. 19 shows an example in which the specific regions 62 are provided periodically. FIG. 19 shows an example in which the arrangement of the color filters 11 in the specific regions 62 is RGB, and the arrangement of the color filters 11 in the other regions 61 is RGBCMY.

The arrangement of the color filters 11 in the specific region 62 and the other regions 61 is not limited to RGBCMY and RGB, but may take other forms. Also, the shape, position, size, number, etc. of the specific region 62 are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 19, but may take other forms.

(Configuration Example 6-2)
FIG. 20 shows an overview of a configuration example 6-2 of an imaging device according to an embodiment.

The configuration of the color filters 11 may be different between the specific regions 62 and the other regions 61 in the plane, and the distribution density of the specific regions 62 may change depending on the image height. In FIG. 20, the arrangement of the color filters 11 in the specific region 62 is changed. FIG. 20 shows an example in which the distribution density of the specific region 62 is changed depending on the image height. FIG. 20 shows an example in which the distribution density of the specific region 62 is high in the image height center region and the distribution density of the specific region 62 is low toward the high image height region. FIG. 20 shows an example in which the arrangement of the color filters 11 in the specific region 62 is RGB, and the arrangement of the color filters 11 in the other regions 61 is RGBCMY. Note that in FIG. 20, in order to make the change in the distribution density of the specific region 62 easier to understand, only a part of the distribution of the specific region 62 is shown to simplify the illustration.

The arrangement of the color filters 11 in the specific region 62 and the other regions 61 is not limited to RGBCMY and RGB, but may take other forms. Also, the shape, position, size, number, etc. of the specific region 62 are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 20, but may take other forms.

(Configuration Example 6-3)
FIG. 21 shows an overview of a configuration example 6-3 of an imaging device according to an embodiment.

The color filters 11 may be configured differently in the specific regions 62 and other regions 61 within the plane, with a dense region 71 having a relatively high distribution density of the specific regions 62 and a plain region 72 having a relatively low distribution density of the specific regions 62. In FIG. 21, the arrangement of the color filters 11 in the specific regions 62 is changed. FIG. 21 shows an example in which the arrangement of the color filters 11 in the specific regions 62 is RGB and the arrangement of the color filters 11 in the other regions 61 is RGBCMY.

The arrangement of the color filters 11 in the specific region 62 and the other regions 61 is not limited to RGBCMY and RGB, but may take other forms. The shape, position, size, number, etc. of the specific region 62 are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 21, but may take other forms. The shape, position, size, number, etc. of the dense region 71 and the element region 72 are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 21, but may take other forms.

[1.3 Effects]
As described above, according to an imaging device of one embodiment, the configuration of the plurality of color filters 11 is changed depending on the area within the surface, so that a desired image quality can be obtained.

The effects described in this specification are merely examples and are not limiting, and other effects may also be present. The same applies to the effects of other embodiments described below.

2. Other embodiments
The technology according to the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

For example, the present technology can be configured as follows.
According to the present technology having the following configuration, the configuration of a plurality of color filters changes depending on the region within a plane, thereby making it possible to obtain a desired image quality.

(1)
a pixel array having a plurality of light receiving elements arranged two-dimensionally and a plurality of filters arranged two-dimensionally corresponding to the plurality of light receiving elements;
the plurality of filters include a plurality of color filters having different colors from one another,
The imaging device, wherein a configuration of the plurality of color filters changes depending on an area within a plane.
(2)
The imaging device according to (1) above, wherein a configuration of the plurality of color filters is changed depending on an image height.
(3)
The imaging device according to (2) above, wherein the plurality of color filters are configured such that the light receiving sensitivity of the light receiving element is higher in a high image height region than in a central image height region.
(4)
the plurality of color filters include a plurality of primary color filters and one or a plurality of complementary color filters;
The imaging device according to any one of (3) above, wherein the plurality of color filters are configured so that the high image height region includes more color filters of the complementary colors than the central image height region.
(5)
The imaging device according to (2) above, wherein the plurality of color filters are configured such that color reproducibility is higher in a central image height region than in a high image height region.
(6)
the plurality of color filters include a plurality of primary color filters and one or a plurality of complementary color filters;
The imaging device according to (5) above, wherein the plurality of color filters are configured so that the central image height region includes more color filters of the complementary colors than the high image height region.
(7)
The imaging device according to (2) above, wherein the plurality of color filters are configured so that the number and type of colors change according to an image height.
(8)
The imaging device according to any one of (2) to (6) above, wherein the configuration of the plurality of color filters is such that a combination of the color filters of each color changes according to an image height while maintaining a constant ratio.
(9)
The imaging device according to (2) above, wherein the plurality of color filters are configured such that a period of arrangement of the color filters of each color changes depending on an image height.
(10)
The imaging device according to (1) above, wherein the color filters have different configurations in one or more specific regions and other regions in a plane.
(11)
The imaging device described in (10) above, wherein the configuration of the plurality of color filters is different in the plurality of specific regions and the other regions within a plane, and the distribution density of the plurality of specific regions is changed depending on the image height.
(12)
The imaging device described in (10) above, wherein the configuration of the multiple color filters is different between the multiple specific regions and the other regions within a surface, and the imaging device is configured to have a dense region where the distribution density of the multiple specific regions is relatively high and a plain region where the distribution density of the multiple specific regions is relatively low.

1...pixel array, 2...imaging optical system, 10...filter layer, 11...color filter, 11R...R (red) filter, 11G...G (green) filter, 11B...B (blue) filter, 11C...C (cyan) filter, 11M...M (magenta) filter, 11Y...Y (yellow) filter, 20...light receiving layer (semiconductor substrate), 21...light receiving element (PD (photodiode)), 30...microlens, 40...image height central region, 50...high image height region (peripheral image height region), 61...other regions, 62...specific region (part of region), 71...dense region, 72...element region, 100...pixel, 101...pixel array (imaging device).

Claims (12)

a pixel array having a plurality of light receiving elements arranged two-dimensionally and a plurality of filters arranged two-dimensionally corresponding to the plurality of light receiving elements;
the plurality of filters include a plurality of color filters having different colors from one another,
The imaging device, wherein a configuration of the plurality of color filters changes depending on an area within a plane. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein a configuration of the plurality of color filters is changed according to an image height. The imaging device according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of color filters are configured such that the light receiving sensitivity of the light receiving element is higher in a high image height region than in a central image height region. the plurality of color filters include a plurality of primary color filters and one or a plurality of complementary color filters;
The imaging device according to claim 3 , wherein the plurality of color filters are configured so that the high image height region includes more color filters of the complementary colors than the central image height region. The imaging device according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of color filters are configured so that color reproducibility is higher in a central image height region than in a high image height region. the plurality of color filters include a plurality of primary color filters and one or a plurality of complementary color filters;
The imaging device according to claim 5 , wherein the plurality of color filters are configured such that the central image height region includes more color filters of the complementary colors than the high image height region. The imaging device according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of color filters are configured so that the number and type of colors change according to an image height. The imaging device according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of color filters are configured so that a combination of the color filters of each color changes according to an image height while maintaining a constant ratio. The imaging device according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of color filters are configured such that the period of arrangement of the color filters of each color changes according to an image height. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the color filters have different configurations in one or more specific regions and other regions in a plane. The imaging device according to claim 10 , wherein the configuration of the plurality of color filters is different in the plurality of specific regions and the other regions in a plane, and a distribution density of the plurality of specific regions is changed depending on an image height. The imaging device of claim 10, wherein the configuration of the plurality of color filters is different between the plurality of specific regions and the other regions within a surface, and the configuration has a dense region in which the distribution density of the plurality of specific regions is relatively high and a plain region in which the distribution density of the plurality of specific regions is relatively low.

Images