Color imaging array and color imaging device

Claim 1

A color imaging device comprising: (a) a color imaging array comprising: (i) first type of elements sensitive to lights in a first region of spectrum; (ii) second type of elements sensitive to lights in a second region of spectrum; and (iii) third type of elements sensitive to lights in a third region of spectrum wherein said three type of elements are aligned horizontally and vertically within a predetermined plane such that said first type of elements occupy every other element positions along both the horizontal and vertical directions, said second type of elements occupy element positions between the first type of elements in adjacent horizontal lines in pairs which occur every other pair of adjacent horizontal lines, and said third type of elements occupy remaining element positions, said first, second and third type of elements adapted for producing first, second and third color signals, respectively; (b) shift register means connected to said color imaging array for sequentially shifting said color signals in the order of color signals in odd numbered horizontal lines from younger one and then color signals in even numbered horizontal lines from younger one, and for producing a serial color signal in said order; (c) separating means connected to said shift register means for separating said serial color signal into three parallel color signals of first color signal, second color signal and third color signal, said separating means comprising: (i) first gate means for gating alternate color signal of said serial color signal, said first gate means producing first color signal; (ii) second gate means for gating alternate color signal of said serial color signal in opposite relation to said first gate means, said second gate means producing a combined signal of second and third color signals; (iii) delay means for delaying said combined signal by one horizontal line period; and (iv) switching means having first and second contacts operatively provided such that each alternately changes its position in a synchronized manner with horizontal line period interval between a first position in which the contact is connected to said second gate and a second position in which the contact is connected to said delay means, said first and second contacts being operated in opposite relation to each other thereby said first contact producing second color signal and said second contact producing third color signal.