Imaging device, electronic endoscope system, data processing method, and program

An imaging device comprising:

• an image sensor in which a color filter of either R (red), G (green), or B (blue) is disposed in a predetermined pattern for each pixel of a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix and which is configured such that adjacent pixel columns share a readout line;
• a readout unit that reads out data of each pixel via a plurality of terminals through the readout lines of the image sensor, the readout unit reading out the data of each pixel in the image sensor in either a first readout mode in which data of pixels (G pixels) corresponding to G color filters in the adjacent pixel columns are sequentially read out via a common terminal, and data of pixels (R pixels) corresponding to R color filters and data of pixels (B pixels) corresponding to B color filters in the adjacent pixel columns are sequentially read out via the common terminal, or
• a second readout mode in which the data of the G pixels and the data of the R pixels in the adjacent pixel columns are sequentially read out via the common terminal and the data of the G pixels and the data of the B pixels in the adjacent pixel columns are sequentially read out via the common terminal;
• an acquisition unit that acquires, for light-shielded pixel regions set in a plurality of pixel rows in the image sensor, reference data corresponding to each terminal based on data of pixels read out via each terminal;
• a control unit that sets a readout mode when the readout unit reads out data of each pixel in the image sensor based on the reference data acquired by the acquisition unit in either the first readout mode or the second readout mode;
• and
• a correction unit that corrects data of each pixel in an effective pixel region by subtracting corresponding reference data from data of pixels read out via each terminal in the readout mode set by the control unit for the effective pixel region excluding the light-shielded pixel regions in the image sensor.

A data processing method in a case where an object is imaged using an image sensor in which a color filter of either R (red), G (green), or B (blue) is disposed in a predetermined pattern for each pixel of a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix and which is configured such that adjacent pixel columns share a readout line, the method comprising:

• reading out data of each pixel in the image sensor in a first readout mode in which data of pixels (G pixels) corresponding to G color filters in the adjacent pixel columns are sequentially read out via a common terminal and data of pixels (R pixels) corresponding to R color filters and data of pixels (B pixels) corresponding to B color filters in the adjacent pixel columns are sequentially read out via the common terminal in a case where data of each pixel is read out via a plurality of terminals through the readout lines of the image sensor for light-shielded pixel regions set in a plurality of pixel rows in the image sensor, and acquiring reference data corresponding to each terminal based on the data of pixels read out via each terminal;
• reading out data of each pixel in the image sensor in a second readout mode in which the data of the G pixels and the data of the R pixels in the adjacent pixel columns are sequentially read out via the common terminal and the data of the G pixels and the data of the B pixels in the adjacent pixel columns are sequentially read out via the common terminal in a case where the data of each pixel is read out via the plurality of terminals through the readout lines of the image sensor for the light-shielded pixel regions, and acquiring reference data corresponding to each terminal based on the data of pixels read out via each terminal;
• setting a readout mode based on the reference data acquired in either the first readout mode or the second readout mode;
• and
• correcting data of each pixel in an effective pixel region by subtracting corresponding reference data from data of pixels read out via each terminal in the set readout mode for the effective pixel region excluding the light-shielded pixel regions in the image sensor.