Solid-state image pickup apparatus for producing image signals with pixel signals mixed in a horizontal direction and a signal reading method for the same

Claim 2

A solid-state image pickup apparatus comprising: an image pickup section; a signal processing section for executing digital signal processing; and a signal feeding section; said image pickup section comprising: photosensitive cells arranged bidimensionally and each being shifted from adjoining photosensitive cells in a horizontal and a vertical direction for photoelectrically transducing incident light; a color filter having color filter segments each positioned in front of a particular photosensitive cell in a direction of light incidence for separating colors of incident light representative of a scene; vertical transfer paths for transferring signal charges, which are read out of said photosensitive cells, in a vertical direction corresponding to a direction of columns of a bidimensional arrangement of said photosensitive cells; a horizontal transfer path extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said vertical transfer paths for transferring the signal charges input thereto from said vertical transfer paths in accordance with horizontal drive signals; and transfer electrodes each positioned between a particular photosensitive cell and a vertical transfer path adjoining said particular photosensitive cell; said signal feeding section feeding transfer timing signals to said transfer electrodes for causing the signal charges to be delivered from said photosensitive cells to said vertical transfer paths, feeding vertical drive signals to said vertical transfer paths for causing said signals charges to be transferred along said vertical transfer paths to said horizontal transfer path, and feeding the horizontal drive signals to said horizontal transfer path for causing said signal charges to be transferred along said horizontal transfer path, wherein said signal feeding section causes said signal charges to be transferred in a particular manner in each of an actual pickup mode, in which said signal charges are read out of substantially all of said photosensitive cells, and a preliminary pickup mode preceding said actual pickup mode; the signal charges being transferred in the preliminary pickup mode, along said horizontal transfer path in response to the horizontal drive signals to cause the signal charges generated by the photosensitive cells to be mixed with each other in terms of every set of colors different from and adjacent to each other of said color filter segments in the horizontal direction; wherein said signal processing section comprises an image signal generating circuit assigned to the preliminary pickup mode for performing calculations with the signal charges mixed in said horizontal transfer path to thereby generate a luminance signal and chrominance signals.

Claim 3

A solid-state image pickup apparatus comprising: an image pickup section a signal processing section for executing digital signal processing; and a signal feeding section, said image pickup section comprising: photosensitive cells arranged bidimensionally and each being shifted from adjoining photosensitive cells in a horizontal and a vertical direction for photoelectrically transducing incident light; a color filter having color filter segments each positioned in front of a particular photosensitive cell in a direction of light incidence for separating colors of incident light representative of a scene; vertical transfer paths for transferring signal charges, which are read out of said photosensitive cells, in a vertical direction corresponding to a direction of columns of a bidimensional arrangement of said photosensitive cells; a horizontal transfer path extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said vertical transfer paths for transferring the signal charges input thereto from said vertical transfer paths in accordance with horizontal drive signals; and transfer electrodes each positioned between a particular photosensitive cell and a vertical transfer path adjoining said particular photosensitive cell, said signal feeding section feeding transfer timing signals to said transfer electrodes for causing the signal charges to be delivered from said photosensitive cells to said vertical transfer paths, feeding vertical drive signals to said vertical transfer paths for causing said signals charges to be transferred along said vertical transfer paths to said horizontal transfer path, and feeding the horizontal drive signals to said horizontal transfer path for causing said signal charges to be transferred along said horizontal transfer path, wherein said signal feeding section causes said signal charges to be transferred in a particular manner in each of an actual pickup mode, in which said signal charges are read out of substantially all of said photosensitive cells, and a preliminary pickup mode preceding said actual pickup mode; wherein said signal processing section comprises an image signal generating circuit assigned to the preliminary pickup mode for performing calculations with the signal charges read out in a mixture to thereby generate a luminance signal and chrominance signals; and wherein when said color filter comprises a primary color filter, said primary color filter has a G (green) square lattice, RB (red and blue) full-checker pattern in which G filter segments are arranged in a square lattice pattern while R filter segments and B filter segments are alternately arranged at positions surrounded by nearby ones of said G filter segments, and wherein the filter segments diagonally opposite to each other with respect to each of said G filter segments are of a same color.

Claim 4

A solid-state image pickup apparatus comprising: an image pickup section a signal processing section for executing digital signal processing; and a signal feeding section, said image pickup section comprising: photosensitive cells arranged bidimensionally and each being shifted from adjoining photosensitive cells in a horizontal and a vertical direction for photoelectrically transducing incident light; a color filter having color filter segments each positioned in front of a particular photosensitive cell in a direction of light incidence for separating colors of incident light representative of a scene; vertical transfer paths for transferring signal charges, which are read out of said photosensitive cells, in a vertical direction corresponding to a direction of columns of a bidimensional arrangement of said photosensitive cells; a horizontal transfer path extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said vertical transfer paths for transferring the signal charges input thereto from said vertical transfer paths in accordance with horizontal drive signals; and transfer electrodes each positioned between a particular photosensitive cell and a vertical transfer path adjoining said particular photosensitive cell, said signal feeding section feeding transfer timing signals to said transfer electrodes for causing the signal charges to be delivered from said photosensitive cells to said vertical transfer paths, feeding vertical drive signals to said vertical transfer paths for causing said signals charges to be transferred along said vertical transfer paths to said horizontal transfer path, and feeding the horizontal drive signals to said horizontal transfer path for causing said signal charges to be transferred along said horizontal transfer path, wherein said signal feeding section causes said signal charges to be transferred in a particular manner in each of an actual pickup mode, in which said signal charges are read out of substantially all of said photosensitive cells, and a preliminary pickup mode preceding said actual pickup mode; wherein said signal processing section comprises an image signal generating circuit assigned to the preliminary pickup mode for performing calculations with the signal charges read out in a mixture to thereby generate a luminance signal and chrominance signals; and wherein when said color filter comprises a primary color filter, said primary color filter has a G (green) square lattice, RB (red and blue) full-checker pattern in which G filter segments are arranged in a square lattice pattern while R filter segments and B filter segments are alternately arranged at positions surrounded by nearby ones of said G filter segments, and wherein the filter segments diagonally opposite to each other with respect to each of said G filter segments are of a same color.

Claim 5

A solid-state image pickup apparatus comprising; an image pickup section; a signal processing section for executing digital signal processing; and a signal feeding section; said image pickup section comprising: photosensitive cells arranged bidimensionally and each being shifted from adjoining photosensitive cells in a horizontal and a vertical direction for photoelectrically transducing incident light; a color filter having color filter segments each positioned in front of a particular photosensitive cell in a direction of light incidence for separating colors of incident light representative of a scene; vertical transfer paths for transferring signal charges, which are read out of said photosensitive cells, in a vertical direction corresponding to a direction of columns of a bidimensional arrangement of said photosensitive cells; a horizontal transfer path extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said vertical transfer paths for transferring the signal charges input thereto from said vertical transfer paths in accordance with horizontal drive signals; and transfer electrodes each positioned between a particular photosensitive cell and a vertical transfer path adjoining said particular photosensitive cell; said signal feeding section feeding transfer timing signals to said transfer electrodes for causing the signal charges to be delivered from said photosensitive cells to said vertical transfer paths, feeding vertical drive signals to said vertical transfer paths for causing said signals charges to be transferred along said vertical transfer paths to said horizontal transfer path, and feeding the horizontal drive signals to said horizontal transfer path for causing said signal charges to be transferred along said horizontal transfer path, wherein said signal feeding section causes said signal charges to be transferred in a particular manner in each of an actual pickup mode, in which said signal charges are read out of substantially all of said photosensitive cells, and a preliminary pickup mode preceding said actual pickup mode; wherein said signal processing section comprises an image signal generating circuit assigned to the preliminary pickup, mode for performing calculations with the signal charges read out in a mixture to thereby generate a luminance signal and chrominance signals; and wherein in the preliminary pickup mode n of successive packets formed on said horizontal transfer path operate as a horizontal drive unit, and wherein said signal feeding section generates horizontal drive timing signals, which are to be fed to successive packets of said horizontal drive unit, such that n−1 successive packets and remaining one packet of said horizontal drive unit form a potential well for storing the signal charges in adjoining positions and such that said remaining one packet is transferred by drive corresponding to six-phase drive.

Claim 6

A solid-state image pickup apparatus comprising; an image pickup section; a signal processing section for executing digital signal processing; and a signal feeding section; said image pickup section comprising: photosensitive cells arranged bidimensionally and each being shifted from adjoining photosensitive cells in a horizontal and a vertical direction for photoelectrically transducing incident light; a color filter having color filter segments each positioned in front of a particular photosensitive cell in a direction of light incidence for separating colors of incident light representative of a scene; vertical transfer paths for transferring signal charges, which are read out of said photosensitive cells, in a vertical direction corresponding to a direction of columns of a bidimensional arrangement of said photosensitive cells; a horizontal transfer path extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said vertical transfer paths for transferring the signal charges input thereto from said vertical transfer paths in accordance with horizontal drive signals; and transfer electrodes each positioned between a particular photosensitive cell and a vertical transfer path adjoining said particular photosensitive cell; said signal feeding section feeding transfer timing signals to said transfer electrodes for causing the signal charges to be delivered from said photosensitive cells to said vertical transfer paths, feeding vertical drive signals to said vertical transfer paths for causing said signals charges to be transferred along said vertical transfer paths to said horizontal transfer path, and feeding the horizontal drive signals to said horizontal transfer path for causing said signal charges to be transferred along said horizontal transfer path, wherein said signal feeding section causes said signal charges to be transferred in a particular manner in each of an actual pickup mode, in which said signal charges are read out of substantially all of said photosensitive cells, and a preliminary pickup mode preceding said actual pickup mode; wherein said signal processing section comprises an image signal generating circuit assigned to the preliminary pickup, mode for performing calculations with the signal charges read out in a mixture to thereby generate a luminance signal and chrominance signals; and wherein in the preliminary pickup mode n of successive packets formed on said horizontal transfer path operate as a horizontal drive unit, and wherein said signal feeding section generates horizontal drive timing signals, which are to be fed to successive packets of said horizontal drive unit, such that n−1 successive packets and remaining one packet of said horizontal drive unit form a potential well for storing the signal charges in adjoining positions and such that said remaining one packet is transferred by drive corresponding to six-phase drive.

Claim 7

An apparatus in accordance with claim 3 , wherein said signal feeding section generates: a first unit horizontal drive signal for causing the n−1 packets to form the potential well and causing the one remaining packet to form a barrier; a second unit horizontal drive signal for causing packets identical in number as the signal charges stored in the n−1 packets to form a continuous potential well; and a third unit horizontal drive signal for causing the packets of the horizontal drive unit to be driven by two-phase drive; wherein said first unit horizontal drive signal, said second unit horizontal drive signal and said third unit horizontal drive signal are sequentially output in this order.

Claim 8

A solid-state image pickup apparatus comprising: an image pickup section; a signal processing section for executing digital signal processing; and a signal feeding section; said image pickup section comprising: photosensitive cells arranged bidimensionally and each being shifted from adjoining photosensitive cells in a horizontal and a vertical direction for photoelectrically transducing incident light; a color filter having color filter segments each positioned in front of a particular photosensitive cell in a direction of light incidence for separating colors of incident light representative of a scene; vertical transfer paths for transferring signal charges, which are read out of said photosensitive cells, in a vertical direction corresponding to a direction of columns of a bidimensional arrangement of said photosensitive cells; a horizontal transfer path extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said vertical transfer paths for transferring the signal charges input thereto from said vertical transfer paths in accordance with horizontal drive signals; and transfer electrodes each positioned between a particular photosensitive cell and a vertical transfer path adjoining said particular photosensitive cell; said signal feeding section feeding transfer timing signals to said transfer electrodes for causing the signal charges to be delivered from said photosensitive cells to said vertical transfer paths, feeding vertical drive signals to said vertical transfer paths for causing said signals charges to be transferred along said vertical transfer paths to said horizontal transfer path, and feeding the horizontal drive signals to said horizontal transfer path for causing said signal charges to be transferred along said horizontal transfer path, wherein said signal feeding section causes said signal charges to be transferred in a particular manner in each of an actual pickup mode, in which said signal charges are read out of substantially all of said photosensitive cells, and a preliminary pickup mode preceding said actual pickup mode: wherein said signal processing section comprises an image signal generating circuit assigned to the preliminary pickup mode for performing calculations with the signal charges read out in a mixture to thereby generate a luminance signal and chrominance signals; said image signal generating section comprises: a first function block for adding, among digital mixed signals derived from the signal charges and sequentially input to said image signal generating section, a plurality of successive mixed signals at a time to thereby generate a luminance signal represented by three primary colors R, G and B; and a second function block for producing a first component signal representative of a difference between, among the mixed signals, a subject mixed signal and a mixed signal immediately preceding said subject mixed signal, producing a second component signal representative of a difference between said subject mixed signal and a mixed signal immediately following said subject mixed signal, multiplying each of said first component and said second component by two predetermined kinds of coefficients, and generating two chrominance signals based on differences between resulting products.

Claim 9

A solid-state image pickup apparatus comprising: an image pickup section; a signal processing section for executing digital signal processing; and a signal feeding section; said image pickup section comprising: photosensitive cells arranged bidimensionally and each being shifted from adjoining photosensitive cells in a horizontal and a vertical direction for photoelectrically transducing incident light; a color filter having color filter segments each positioned in front of a particular photosensitive cell in a direction of light incidence for separating colors of incident light representative of a scene; vertical transfer paths for transferring signal charges, which are read out of said photosensitive cells, in a vertical direction corresponding to a direction of columns of a bidimensional arrangement of said photosensitive cells; a horizontal transfer path extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said vertical transfer paths for transferring the signal charges input thereto from said vertical transfer paths in accordance with horizontal drive signals; and transfer electrodes each positioned between a particular photosensitive cell and a vertical transfer path adjoining said particular photosensitive cell; said signal feeding section feeding transfer timing signals to said transfer electrodes for causing the signal charges to be delivered from said photosensitive cells to said vertical transfer paths, feeding vertical drive signals to said vertical transfer paths for causing said signals charges to be transferred along said vertical transfer paths to said horizontal transfer path, and feeding the horizontal drive signals to said horizontal transfer path for causing said signal charges to be transferred along said horizontal transfer path, wherein said signal feeding section causes said signal charges to be transferred in a particular manner in each of an actual pickup mode, in which said signal charges are read out of substantially all of said photosensitive cells, and a preliminary pickup mode preceding said actual pickup mode: wherein said signal processing section comprises an image signal generating circuit assigned to the preliminary pickup mode for performing calculations with the signal charges read out in a mixture to thereby generate a luminance signal and chrominance signals; said image signal generating section comprises: a first function block for adding, among digital mixed signals derived from the signal charges and sequentially input to said image signal generating section, a plurality of successive mixed signals at a time to thereby generate a luminance signal represented by three primary colors R, G and B; and a second function block for producing a first component signal representative of a difference between, among the mixed signals, a subject mixed signal and a mixed signal immediately preceding said subject mixed signal, producing a second component signal representative of a difference between said subject mixed signal and a mixed signal immediately following said subject mixed signal, multiplying each of said first component and said second component by two predetermined kinds of coefficients, and generating two chrominance signals based on differences between resulting products.

Claim 11

An apparatus in accordance with claim 5 , wherein said image signal generating section generates three mixed signals as the plurality of mixed signals, and wherein said image signal generating section starts sampling the mixed signals at a position shifted from a previous unit by a distance corresponding to two units.

Claim 12

A solid-state image pickup apparatus comprising: an image pickup section, a signal processing section for executing digital signal processing; and a signal feeding section; said image pickup section comprising: photosensitive cells arranged bidimensionally and each being shifted from adjoining photosensitive cells in a horizontal and a vertical direction for photoelectrically transducing incident light; a color filter having color filter segments each positioned in front of a particular photosensitive cell in a direction of light incidence for separating colors of incident light representative of a scene; vertical transfer paths for transferring signal charges, which are read out of said photosensitive cells, in a vertical direction corresponding to a direction of columns of a bidimensional arrangement of said photosensitive cells; a horizontal transfer path extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said vertical transfer paths for transferring the signal charges input thereto from said vertical transfer paths in accordance with horizontal drive signals; and transfer electrodes each positioned between a particular photosensitive cell and a vertical transfer path adjoining said particular photosensitive cell; said signal feeding section feeding transfer timing signals to said transfer electrodes for causing the signal charges to be delivered from said photosensitive cells to said vertical transfer paths, feeding vertical drive signals to said vertical transfer paths for causing said signals charges to be transferred along said vertical transfer paths to said horizontal transfer path, and feeding the horizontal drive signals to said horizontal transfer path for causing said signal charges to be transferred along said horizontal transfer path, wherein said signal feeding section causes said signal charges to be transferred in a particular manner in each of an actual pickup mode, in which said signal charges are read out of substantially all of said photosensitive cells, and a preliminary pickup mode preceding said actual pickup mode; wherein said signal processing section comprises an image signal generating circuit assigned to the preliminary pickup mode for performing calculations with the signal charges read out in a mixture to thereby generate a luminance signal and chrominance signals; and wherein said image signal generating section comprises: a sample and hold circuit for sampling and holding, among digital mixed signals derived from the signal charges and sequentially input to said image signal generating section, a plurality of successive mixed signals appearing after a subject point at a time; a matrix circuit for multiplying each of the mixed signals sampled and held by said sample and hold circuit by a particular coefficient, totaling resulting products, and producing a mean of a resulting sum to thereby generate the primary colors R, G and B; a correcting circuit for executing gamma correction with the primary colors R, G and B output from said matrix circuit; and a chrominance matrix circuit for generating the luminance signal and the chrominance signals by using corrected primary colors R, G and B output from said correcting circuit.

Claim 13

A solid-state image pickup apparatus comprising: an image pickup section, a signal processing section for executing digital signal processing; and a signal feeding section; said image pickup section comprising: photosensitive cells arranged bidimensionally and each being shifted from adjoining photosensitive cells in a horizontal and a vertical direction for photoelectrically transducing incident light; a color filter having color filter segments each positioned in front of a particular photosensitive cell in a direction of light incidence for separating colors of incident light representative of a scene; vertical transfer paths for transferring signal charges, which are read out of said photosensitive cells, in a vertical direction corresponding to a direction of columns of a bidimensional arrangement of said photosensitive cells; a horizontal transfer path extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said vertical transfer paths for transferring the signal charges input thereto from said vertical transfer paths in accordance with horizontal drive signals; and transfer electrodes each positioned between a particular photosensitive cell and a vertical transfer path adjoining said particular photosensitive cell; said signal feeding section feeding transfer timing signals to said transfer electrodes for causing the signal charges to be delivered from said photosensitive cells to said vertical transfer paths, feeding vertical drive signals to said vertical transfer paths for causing said signals charges to be transferred along said vertical transfer paths to said horizontal transfer path, and feeding the horizontal drive signals to said horizontal transfer path for causing said signal charges to be transferred along said horizontal transfer path, wherein said signal feeding section causes said signal charges to be transferred in a particular manner in each of an actual pickup mode, in which said signal charges are read out of substantially all of said photosensitive cells, and a preliminary pickup mode preceding said actual pickup mode; wherein said signal processing section comprises an image signal generating circuit assigned to the preliminary pickup mode for performing calculations with the signal charges read out in a mixture to thereby generate a luminance signal and chrominance signals; and wherein said image signal generating section comprises: a sample and hold circuit for sampling and holding, among digital mixed signals derived from the signal charges and sequentially input to said image signal generating section, a plurality of successive mixed signals appearing after a subject point at a time; a matrix circuit for multiplying each of the mixed signals sampled and held by said sample and hold circuit by a particular coefficient, totaling resulting products, and producing a mean of a resulting sum to thereby generate the primary colors R, G and B; a correcting circuit for executing gamma correction with the primary colors R, G and B output from said matrix circuit; and a chrominance matrix circuit for generating the luminance signal and the chrominance signals by using corrected primary colors R, G and B output from said correcting circuit.

Claim 14

A signal reading method comprising the steps of; (a) preparing an image pickup section comprising: photosensitive cells arranged bidimensionally and each being shifted from adjoining photosensitive cells in a horizontal and a vertical direction for photoelectrically transducing incident light; a color filter having color filter segments each being positioned in front of a particular photosensitive cell in a direction of light incidence for separating colors of incident light representative of a scene; vertical transfer paths for transferring signal charges, which are read out of said photosensitive cells, in a vertical direction corresponding to a direction of columns of a bidimensional arrangement of said photosensitive cells; a horizontal transfer path extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said vertical transfer paths for transferring the signal charges input thereto from said vertical transfer paths in accordance with horizontal drive signals; and transfer electrodes each being positioned between a particular photosensitive cell and a vertical transfer path adjoining said particular photosensitive cell; (b) feeding transfer timing signals for rendering said transfer electrodes conductive to thereby transfer the signal charges from said photosensitive cells to said vertical transfer paths, feeding vertical drive signals to said vertical transfer paths for transferring said signal charges along said vertical transfer paths to said horizontal transfer path, and feeding horizontal drive signals to said horizontal transfer path to transfer, in a preliminary pickup mode preceding an actual pickup mode in which signal charges are read out from substantially all of the photosensitive cells, the signal charges along the horizontal transfer path to cause the signal charges generated by the photosensitive cells to be mixed with each other in terms of every set of colors different from and adjacent to each other of said color filter segments in the horizontal direction to thereby output mixed signals; and (c) transferring said mixed signals along said horizontal transfer path with a timing for improving a horizontal drive rate being adjusted, whereby the signal charges are read out of said photosensitive cells as signals in the preliminary pickup mode.

Claim 15

A signal reading method comprising the steps of; (a) preparing an image pickup section comprising: photosensitive cells arranged bidimensionally and each being shifted from adjoining photosensitive cells in a horizontal and a vertical direction for photoelectrically transducing incident light; a color filter having color filter segments each being positioned in front of a particular photosensitive cell in a direction of light incidence for separating colors of incident light representative of a scene; vertical transfer paths for transferring signal charges, which are read out of said photosensitive cells, in a vertical direction corresponding to a direction of columns of a bidimensional arrangement of said photosensitive cells; a horizontal transfer path extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said vertical transfer paths for transferring the signal charges input thereto from said vertical transfer paths in accordance with horizontal drive signals; and transfer electrodes each being positioned between a particular photosensitive cell and a vertical transfer path adjoining said particular photosensitive cell; (b) feeding transfer timing signals for rendering said transfer electrodes conductive to thereby transfer the signal charges from said photosensitive cells to said vertical transfer paths, feeding vertical drive signals to said vertical transfer paths for transferring said signal charges along said vertical transfer paths to said horizontal transfer path, and feeding horizontal drive signals to said horizontal transfer path to transfer, in a preliminary pickup mode preceding an actual pickup mode in which signal charges are read out from substantially all of the photosensitive cells, the signal charges along the horizontal transfer path to cause the signal charges generated by the photosensitive cells to be mixed with each other in terms of every set of colors different from and adjacent to each other of said color filter segments in the horizontal direction to thereby output mixed signals; and (c) transferring said mixed signals along said horizontal transfer path with a timing for improving a horizontal drive rate being adjusted, whereby the signal charges are read out of said photosensitive cells as signals in the preliminary pickup mode.

Claim 16

A signal reading method comprising the steps of: (a) preparing an image pickup section comprising: photosensitive cells arranged bidimensionally and each being shifted from adjoining photosensitive cells in a horizontal and a vertical direction for photoelectrically transducing incident light; a color filter having color filter segments each being positioned in front of a particular photosensitive cell in a direction of light incidence for separating colors of incident light representative of a scene; vertical transfer paths for transferring signal charges, which are read out of said photosensitive cells in a vertical direction corresponding to a direction of columns of a bidimensional arrangement of said photosensitive cells; a horizontal transfer path extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said vertical transfer paths for transferring the signal charges input thereto from said vertical transfer paths in accordance with horizontal drive signals; and transfer electrodes each being positioned between a particular photosensitive cell and a vertical transfer path adjoining said particular photosensitive cell; (b) feeding transfer timing signals for rendering said transfer electrodes conductive to thereby transfer the signal charges from said photosensitive cells to said vertical transfer paths, feeding vertical drive signals to said vertical transfer paths for transferring said signal charges along said vertical transfer paths to said horizontal transfer path and feeding horizontal drive signals to said horizontal transfer path for mixing some of said signal charges to thereby output mixed signals: and (c) transferring said mixed signals along said horizontal transfer path with a timing for improving a horizontal drive rate being adjusted, whereby the signal charges are read out of said photosensitive cells as signals in a preliminary pickup mode preceding an actual pickup mode in which signal charges are read out of substantially all of said photosensitive cells; wherein when said color filter comprises a primary color filter, said primary color filter has a G square lattice, RB full-checker pattern in which G filter segments are arranged in a square lattice pattern while R filter segments and B filter segments are alternately arranged at positions surrounded by nearby ones of said G filter segments, and wherein the filter segments diagonally opposite to each other with respect to each of said G filter segments are of a same color.

Claim 17

A signal reading method comprising the steps of: (a) preparing an image pickup section comprising: photosensitive cells arranged bidimensionally and each being shifted from adjoining photosensitive cells in a horizontal and a vertical direction for photoelectrically transducing incident light; a color filter having color filter segments each being positioned in front of a particular photosensitive cell in a direction of light incidence for separating colors of incident light representative of a scene; vertical transfer paths for transferring signal charges, which are read out of said photosensitive cells in a vertical direction corresponding to a direction of columns of a bidimensional arrangement of said photosensitive cells; a horizontal transfer path extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said vertical transfer paths for transferring the signal charges input thereto from said vertical transfer paths in accordance with horizontal drive signals; and transfer electrodes each being positioned between a particular photosensitive cell and a vertical transfer path adjoining said particular photosensitive cell; (b) feeding transfer timing signals for rendering said transfer electrodes conductive to thereby transfer the signal charges from said photosensitive cells to said vertical transfer paths, feeding vertical drive signals to said vertical transfer paths for transferring said signal charges along said vertical transfer paths to said horizontal transfer path and feeding horizontal drive signals to said horizontal transfer path for mixing some of said signal charges to thereby output mixed signals: and (c) transferring said mixed signals along said horizontal transfer path with a timing for improving a horizontal drive rate being adjusted, whereby the signal charges are read out of said photosensitive cells as signals in a preliminary pickup mode preceding an actual pickup mode in which signal charges are read out of substantially all of said photosensitive cells; wherein when said color filter comprises a primary color filter, said primary color filter has a G square lattice, RB full-checker pattern in which G filter segments are arranged in a square lattice pattern while R filter segments and B filter segments are alternately arranged at positions surrounded by nearby ones of said G filter segments, and wherein the filter segments diagonally opposite to each other with respect to each of said G filter segments are of a same color.

Claim 18

A signal reading method comprising the steps of; (a) preparing an image pickup section comprising: photosensitive cells arranged bidimensionally and each being shifted from adjoining photosensitive cells in a horizontal and a vertical direction for photoelectrically transducing incident light; a color filter having color filter segments each being positioned in front of a particular photosensitive cell in a direction of light incidence for separating colors of incident light representative of a scene; vertical transfer paths for transferring signal charges, which are read out of said photosensitive cells in a vertical direction corresponding to a direction of columns of a bidimensional arrangement of said photosensitive cells; a horizontal transfer path extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said vertical transfer paths for transferring the signal charges input thereto from said vertical transfer paths in accordance with horizontal drive signals; and transfer electrodes each being positioned between a particular photosensitive cell and a vertical transfer path adjoining said particular photosensitive cell; (b) feeding transfer timing signals for rendering said transfer electrodes conductive to thereby transfer the signal charges from said photosensitive cells to said vertical transfer paths, feeding vertical drive signals to said vertical transfer paths for transferring said signal charges along said vertical transfer paths to said horizontal transfer path and feeding horizontal drive signals to said horizontal transfer path for mixing some of said signal charges to thereby output mixed signals; and (c) transferring said mixed signals along said horizontal transfer path with a timing for improving a horizontal drive rate being adjusted, whereby the signal charges are read out of said photosensitive cells as signals in a preliminary pickup mode preceding an actual pickup mode in which signal charges are read out of substantially all of said photosensitive cells: wherein said step (c) comprises the step (d) of feeding, in the preliminary pickup mode, horizontal timing signals for causing n of successive packets formed on said horizontal transfer path to operate as a horizontal drive unit to said successive packets, and wherein said horizontal timing signals cause n−1 successive packets and remaining one packet of said horizontal drive unit to form a potential well for storing the signal charges in adjoining positions and cause said remaining one packet to be transferred by drive corresponding to six-phase drive.

Claim 19

A signal reading method comprising the steps of; (a) preparing an image pickup section comprising: photosensitive cells arranged bidimensionally and each being shifted from adjoining photosensitive cells in a horizontal and a vertical direction for photoelectrically transducing incident light; a color filter having color filter segments each being positioned in front of a particular photosensitive cell in a direction of light incidence for separating colors of incident light representative of a scene; vertical transfer paths for transferring signal charges, which are read out of said photosensitive cells in a vertical direction corresponding to a direction of columns of a bidimensional arrangement of said photosensitive cells; a horizontal transfer path extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said vertical transfer paths for transferring the signal charges input thereto from said vertical transfer paths in accordance with horizontal drive signals; and transfer electrodes each being positioned between a particular photosensitive cell and a vertical transfer path adjoining said particular photosensitive cell; (b) feeding transfer timing signals for rendering said transfer electrodes conductive to thereby transfer the signal charges from said photosensitive cells to said vertical transfer paths, feeding vertical drive signals to said vertical transfer paths for transferring said signal charges along said vertical transfer paths to said horizontal transfer path and feeding horizontal drive signals to said horizontal transfer path for mixing some of said signal charges to thereby output mixed signals; and (c) transferring said mixed signals along said horizontal transfer path with a timing for improving a horizontal drive rate being adjusted, whereby the signal charges are read out of said photosensitive cells as signals in a preliminary pickup mode preceding an actual pickup mode in which signal charges are read out of substantially all of said photosensitive cells: wherein said step (c) comprises the step (d) of feeding, in the preliminary pickup mode, horizontal timing signals for causing n of successive packets formed on said horizontal transfer path to operate as a horizontal drive unit to said successive packets, and wherein said horizontal timing signals cause n−1 successive packets and remaining one packet of said horizontal drive unit to form a potential well for storing the signal charges in adjoining positions and cause said remaining one packet to be transferred by drive corresponding to six-phase drive.

Claim 20

A method in accordance with claim 11 , wherein said step (c) comprises the steps of: (e) feeding a first unit horizontal drive signal for causing the n−1 packets to form the potential well and causing the one remaining packet to form a barrier; (f) feeding a second unit horizontal drive signal for causing packets identical in number as the signal charges stored in the n−1 packets to form a continuous potential well; and (g) feeding a third unit horizontal drive signal for causing the packets of the horizontal drive unit to be driven by two-phase drive.

Claim 21

A signal reading method comprising the steps of: (a) preparing an image pickup section comprising: photosensitive cells arranged bidimensionally and each being shifted from adjoining photosensitive cells in a horizontal and a vertical direction for photoelectrically transducing incident light; a color filter having color filter segments each being positioned in front of a particular photosensitive cell in a direction of light incidence for separating colors of incident light representative of a scene; vertical transfer paths for transferring signal charges, which are read out of said photosensitive cells, in a vertical direction corresponding to a direction of columns of a bidimensional arrangement of said photosensitive cells; a horizontal transfer path extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said vertical transfer paths for transferring the signal charges input thereto from said vertical transfer paths in accordance with horizontal drive signals; and transfer electrodes each being positioned between a particular photosensitive cell and a vertical transfer path adjoining said particular photosensitive cell; (b) feeding, when said color filter comprises a G square lattice, RB full-checker pattern, transfer timing signals for rendering said transfer electrodes conductive to thereby transfer the signal charges from said photosensitive cells to said vertical transfer paths, feeding vertical drive signals to said vertical transfer paths for transferring said signal charges along said vertical transfer paths to said horizontal transfer path, feeding horizontal drive signals to said horizontal transfer path for reading out said signal charges having been mixed during horizontal transfer along said horizontal transfer path while adjusting a timing for mixing some of said signal charges, and digitizing resulting mixed signal charges to thereby output pixel data; and (c) generating, based on the pixel data, a luminance signal and chrominance signals representative of a scene being picked up in a preliminary pickup mode preceding an actual pickup mode in which signal charges are read out of substantially all of said photosensitive cells.

Claim 22

A signal reading method comprising the steps of: (a) preparing an image pickup section comprising: photosensitive cells arranged bidimensionally and each being shifted from adjoining photosensitive cells in a horizontal and a vertical direction for photoelectrically transducing incident light; a color filter having color filter segments each being positioned in front of a particular photosensitive cell in a direction of light incidence for separating colors of incident light representative of a scene; vertical transfer paths for transferring signal charges, which are read out of said photosensitive cells, in a vertical direction corresponding to a direction of columns of a bidimensional arrangement of said photosensitive cells; a horizontal transfer path extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said vertical transfer paths for transferring the signal charges input thereto from said vertical transfer paths in accordance with horizontal drive signals; and transfer electrodes each being positioned between a particular photosensitive cell and a vertical transfer path adjoining said particular photosensitive cell; (b) feeding, when said color filter comprises a G square lattice, RB full-checker pattern, transfer timing signals for rendering said transfer electrodes conductive to thereby transfer the signal charges from said photosensitive cells to said vertical transfer paths, feeding vertical drive signals to said vertical transfer paths for transferring said signal charges along said vertical transfer paths to said horizontal transfer path, feeding horizontal drive signals to said horizontal transfer path for reading out said signal charges having been mixed during horizontal transfer along said horizontal transfer path while adjusting a timing for mixing some of said signal charges, and digitizing resulting mixed signal charges to thereby output pixel data; and (c) generating, based on the pixel data, a luminance signal and chrominance signals representative of a scene being picked up in a preliminary pickup mode preceding an actual pickup mode in which signal charges are read out of substantially all of said photosensitive cells.

Claim 23

A method in accordance with claim 13 , wherein said step (c) comprises the steps of: (d) adding a plurality of successive pixel data at a time to thereby generate a luminance signal represented by three primary colors R, G and B; and (e) producing first difference data representative of a difference between, among the pixel data, subject pixel data and pixel data immediately preceding said subject pixel data, producing second difference data representative of a difference between said subject pixel data and pixel data immediately following said subject pixel data, multiplying each of said first difference data and said second difference data by two predetermined kinds of coefficients, and generating two chrominance signals based on differences between resulting products; wherein said step (d) comprises the step (f) of starting sampling the pixel data at a position shifted from previous pixel data by a distance corresponding to a preselected number of pixel data.

Claim 24

A method in accordance with claim 14 , wherein in said step (d) the pixel data to be added for producing the luminance signal are multiplied by coefficients comprising sensitivity ratios between the color filter segments.

Claim 25

A method in accordance with claim 14 , wherein said step (f) handles three successive pixel data as a unit and starts sampling the pixel data at a position shifted from a previous unit by a distance corresponding to two units of pixel data.

Claim 26

A method in accordance with claim 13 , wherein said step (c) comprises the steps of: (g) sampling and holding, among the pixel data derived from the signal charges mixed and then digitized, a plurality of successive pixel data appearing after a subject point at a time; (h) multiplying each of the pixel data sampled and held in said step (h) by a particular coefficient, totaling resulting products, and producing a mean of a resulting sum to thereby generate the primary colors R, G and B; (i) executing gamma correction with the primary colors R, G and B output in said step (h); and (j) generating the luminance signal and the chrominance signals by using corrected primary colors R, G and B output in said step (i).