Imaging system, imaging apparatus, and imaging method

An imaging apparatus comprising:

• an acquirer that receives light rays in a plurality of wavelength bands and acquires charge signals in each of the wavelength bands;
• and
• an encoder that performs an multiple sampling process on the charge signals in the wavelength bands and encodes image information,
• wherein in the multiple sampling process, the charge signals of a pixel group having a predetermined arrangement pattern are analog-summed and the sum is converted into a digital signal representing a new signal,
• wherein the encoder includes a setter that sets up multiple sampling information for identifying at least two pixel groups to be subjected to the multiple sampling process, the at least two pixel groups include a first pixel group having a first arrangement pattern and a second pixel group having a second arrangement pattern part of which is overlapped with the first arrangement pattern under a predetermined condition, and combinations of the first arrangement pattern and the second arrangement pattern for all the wavelength bands differ from one another, and
• wherein the encoder further includes a multiple sampler that performs the multiple sampling process on the charge signals in each of the wavelength bands in accordance with the multiple sampling information and outputs image signals in each of the wavelength bands.

An imaging method comprising:

• receiving light rays in a plurality of wavelength bands and acquiring charge signals in each of the wavelength bands;
• and
• performing an multiple sampling process on the charge signals in the wavelength bands and encoding image information,
• wherein in the multiple sampling process, the charge signals of a pixel group having a predetermined arrangement pattern are analog-summed and the sum is converted into a digital signal representing a new signal,
• wherein the encoding image information includes setting up multiple sampling information for identifying at least two pixel groups subjected to the multiple sampling process, the at least two pixel groups includes a first pixel group having a first arrangement pattern and a second pixel group having a second arrangement pattern part of which is overlapped with the first arrangement pattern under a predetermined condition, and combinations of the first arrangement pattern and the second arrangement pattern for all the wavelength bands differ from one another, and
• wherein the encoding image information further includes performing the multiple sampling process on the charge signals in each of the wavelength bands in accordance with the multiple sampling information and outputting image signals in each of the wavelength bands.

An imaging apparatus comprising:

• a first acquirer having a first plurality of pixels including a first pixel, the first plurality of pixels receiving a first wavelength band light ray of a light ray including the first wavelength band light ray and a second wavelength band light ray and outputting a first plurality of pixel values including a first pixel value of the first pixel;
• a second acquirer having a second plurality of pixels including a second pixel, the second plurality of pixels receiving the second wavelength band light ray and outputting a second plurality of pixel values including a second pixel value of the second pixel;
• a first adder that outputs a first multiple signal obtained by summing the first pixel value and a third plurality of pixel values provided by a third plurality of pixels and outputs a second multiple signal obtained by summing the first pixel value and a fourth plurality of pixel values provided by a fourth plurality of pixels;
• a first converter that converts the first multiple signal into a first digital signal and converts the second multiple signal into a second digital signal;
• a second adder that outputs a third multiple signal obtained by summing the second pixel value and a fifth plurality of pixel values provided by a fifth plurality of pixels and outputs a fourth multiple signal obtained by summing the second pixel value and a sixth plurality of pixel values provided by a sixth plurality of pixels;
• and
• a second converter that converts the third multiple signal into a third digital signal and converts the fourth multiple signal into a fourth digital signal,
• wherein the first plurality of pixels include the third plurality of pixels and the fourth plurality of pixels,
• wherein the first plurality of pixel values include the third plurality of pixel values and the fourth plurality of pixel values,
• wherein, in the first acquirer, at least one pixel included in the third plurality of pixels differs from at least one pixel included in the fourth plurality of pixels,
• wherein the second plurality of pixels include the fifth plurality of pixels and the sixth plurality of pixels,
• wherein the second plurality of pixel values include the fifth plurality of pixel values and the sixth plurality of pixel values,
• wherein, in the second acquirer, at least one pixel included in the fifth plurality of pixels differs from at least one pixel included in the sixth plurality of pixels,
• wherein physical locations of the first pixel and the third plurality of pixels in the first acquirer and physical locations of the second pixel and the fifth plurality of pixels in the second acquirer have a first one-to-one relationship,
• wherein physical locations of the first pixel and the fourth plurality of pixels in the first acquirer and physical locations of the second pixel and the sixth plurality of pixels in the second acquirer have a second one-to-one relationship, and
• wherein the first one-to-one relationship differs from the second one-to-one relationship.