# US 7,746,396 B2 · Imaging device and method of creating image file > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,746,396 B2 - Document ID: US7746396B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/738,562 - Filed: 2003-12-17 - Published: 2005-06-23 - Granted: 2010-06-29 - Earliest claimed: 2003-12-17 - Assignees: Nokia Corporation - Inventors: Sami Mikkonen; Jaakko Kylmänen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7746396B2 ## CPC - H04N 25/134: {based on three different wavelength filter elements} - H04N 23/11: for generating image signals from visible and infrared light wavelengths - H04N 25/131: including elements passing infrared wavelengths - H04N 25/133: including elements passing panchromatic light, e.g. filters passing white light - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract A method of creating an image file in an imaging device, and an imaging device are provided. The method comprises providing an image sensor comprising pixels with an infrared filter arrangement so that some of the pixels of the sensor may be exposed to all wavelengths and some of the pixels of the sensor are blocked from infrared wavelengths. The pixels of the sensor that may be exposed to all wavelengths are utilized when taking an infrared image and the pixels of the sensor that are blocked from infrared wavelengths are utilized when taking a normal image. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device comprising: an image sensing arrangement arranged to produce an image including a lens, an image sensor comprising pixels, an infrared filter arrangement in front of the image sensor so that some of the pixels of the sensor are exposed to all wavelengths and some of the pixels of the sensor are blocked from infrared wavelengths such that the image sensing arrangement is configured to form an infrared image by utilizing the pixels of the image sensor that may be exposed to all wavelengths and form an image using visible light by utilizing the pixels of the image sensor that are blocked from infrared wavelengths, wherein the pixels of the image sensor are grouped into 2×2 pixel subarrays and every pixel in every other subarray is blocked from infrared wavelengths, and a memory for storing infrared images and images formed using visible light. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein half of the pixels of the sensor are exposed to all wavelengths and half of the pixels of the sensor are blocked from infrared wavelengths. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, the image sensing arrangement further comprising a color filter arrangement in front of the image sensor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, the image sensing arrangement further comprising a color filter arrangement in front of the pixels blocked from infrared wavelengths. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the color filter arrangement is a Bayer matrix filter. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein at least one pixel of half of the 2×2 pixel subarrays is exposed to all wavelengths. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein every pixel in every other subarray is covered with a color matrix filter. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein every pixel in every other subarray that is blocked from infrared wavelengths covered with a color matrix filter. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein an image sensor area comprises two separate areas wherein the infrared filter arrangement covers a first area and a color matrix filter covers a second area. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to utilize the pixels of the image sensor that may be exposed to all wavelengths when taking an infrared image. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to utilize the pixels of the image sensor that are blocked from infrared wavelengths when taking a normal image. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising a flashlight of an infrared wavelength. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising means for detecting the amount of light in the area to be imaged and means to determine whether an infrared image or a normal image is to be taken. ### Claim 14 A method comprising: providing an image sensor comprising pixels with an infrared filter arrangement so that some of the pixels of the sensor may be exposed to all wavelengths and some of the pixels of the sensor are blocked from infrared wavelengths, wherein the pixels of the image sensor are grouped into 2×2 pixel subarrays and every pixel in every other subarray is blocked from infrared wavelengths, utilizing the pixels of the sensor that may be exposed to all wavelengths when taking an infrared image, utilizing the pixels of the sensor that are blocked from infrared wavelengths when taking a normal image, and storing infrared images and normal images in a memory. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising covering the image sensor array with a color filter arrangement. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising covering the pixels blocked from infrared wavelengths with a color filter arrangement. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising: detecting the amount of light, and selecting whether to take an infrared image or a normal image on the basis of the detection. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising covering every pixel in every other subarray with a color matrix filter.