Bayer, who died last month aged 83, developed the Bayer pattern while working as a scientist at Kodak in 1975, an invention the firm patented soon after.

Terry Taber, Eastman Kodak’s chief technical officer and a senior vice-president, today told Amateur Photographer: ‘Bryce Bayer’s inventions revolutionised the field of digital photography and are used today by most digital still and video cameras.

‘It was our privilege to have him as a research colleague and all of Kodak will remember him warmly.

‘We extend our sincere condolences to the family.’

Bayer, who lived in the United States, died in Maine on 13 November.

In 2009, Bayer was awarded the Progress Medal by the Royal Photographic Society.