Methods and devices for increasing the spectral response of an image sensor

A method for augmenting a spectral response of a pixel array based on lighting conditions, comprising:

• capturing light with an imaging device comprising:
• a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel comprises a photosensitive element;
• a plurality of multi-color filters situated on the pixel array, wherein the filters are arranged in groups;
• and
• wherein at least one group comprises:
• a majority of filters having a first color;
• and
• at least one filter having a second color;
• wherein the second color is selected from the group consisting of transparent and white;
• obtaining a signal for each pixel, wherein the signal is proportional to the amount of light on the photosensitive element;
• and
• summing the signals for at least the pixels with same-color filters.

A system for producing higher-quality images at varying light levels, comprising:

• a pixel array of color pixels, wherein each pixel comprises a color filter, wherein the color pixels are arranged in groups;
• wherein at least one group comprises:
• at least 9 color pixels from the array of color pixels;
• at most, a first color and a second color;
• a plurality of color pixels from the at least 9 color pixels having the first color;
• and
• a single color pixel from the at least 9 color pixels having the second color, and wherein the filter having the second color is located in a geometric center of the group;
• an image signal processor coupled to the pixel array, wherein the image signal processor applies a color correction matrix;
• and
• an output device coupled to the image signal processor for displaying a corrected image.