Color mask for an image sensor of a vehicle camera

A vehicle camera, comprising:

• an image sensor having a matrix of sensor pixels;
• a color mask situated in front of the image sensor, wherein the color mask includes:
• a matrix configuration of filter pixels having different spectral transmission behaviors, the matrix configuration sized to overlay the matrix of sensor pixels, the filter pixels including at least one transparent filter pixel that is transparent for optical light and at least one color filter pixel having a wavelength-selective transmission behavior, each of the filter pixels configured to sit in front of a corresponding sensor pixel of the image sensor;
• wherein the matrix configuration has a central area having a first color pattern and at least one second area having a second color pattern, the at least one second area including at least one of:
• a lower area of the matrix configuration, or an upper area of the matrix configuration;
• and
• wherein the first color pattern and the second color pattern are different repeating configurations of the filter pixels, and the first color pattern contains transparent and color filter pixels;
• and
• a control and analyzing unit;
• wherein the image sensor is configured to output to the control and analyzing unit first pixel signals of the sensor pixels covered with the filter pixels of the central area having the first color pattern and second pixel signals of the sensor pixels covered with the filter pixels of the at least one second area having the second color pattern;
• wherein the control and analyzing unit is configured to ascertain from the second pixel signals a quantity including at least one of:
• an average color value, a color temperature, or an average gray value;
• and
• wherein the control and analyzing unit is configured to use the ascertained quantity to perform at least one of:
• a white balance of the first pixel signals, or a color correction of the first pixel signals.

A method for processing signals of a vehicle camera, the method comprising:

• detecting vehicle surroundings using a camera having an image sensor and a color mask situated in front of the image sensor, the image sensor including a matrix of sensor pixels, the color mask including a matrix configuration of filter pixels having different spectral transmission behaviors, each of the filter pixels configured to sit in front of a corresponding sensor pixel of the image sensor, the matrix configuration having a central area having a first color pattern and at least one second area having a second color pattern, the first color pattern containing transparent and color filter pixels, the at least one second area including at least one of:
• a lower area of the matrix configuration, or an upper area of the matrix configuration;
• recording first pixel signals from sensor pixels situated behind the central area having the first color pattern and second pixel signals from sensor pixels situated behind the at least one second area having the second color pattern;
• ascertaining from the second pixel signals a quantity including at least one of:
• an average color value, a color temperature, or an average gray value;
• and
• using the ascertained quantity to perform at least one of:
• a white balance of the first pixel signals, or a color correction of the first pixel signals.